Have you caught on that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to towing a caravan? For those that have, here’s some of the best teardrop campers and pod campers you can get in Australia.
There’s something about teardrop campers and pod campers that makes us want to shout, “Shut up and take my money!” And while their smaller size isn’t for everyone, you’d be surprised at how well one can manage with such a simple set-up. In fact, with the addition of a rooftop tent, I manage great with a pod camper for a family of four.
The lines are often blurred when it comes to teardrop campers and pod campers, so I’ve lumped them into the same boat in this article. But first, before we get into the best in Australia, let’s talk about the slight differences between the two.
The majority of teardrop campers and pod campers are basically a bed on wheels with an external kitchen at the back. Both can be built for off-road use. However, there are more off-road pods than there are off-road teardrop campers around. Both are lightweight, small in size, and are incredibly easy to tow compared to a standard caravan.
The only real difference is the shape. Teardrop campers have a classic teardrop shape, and pod campers (sometimes called a hybrid camper), are a little more boxy.
The small size of a teardrop or pod camper is generally what draws people to them to start with. However, this same feature is also what causes the most frustration. Here’s what we love and don’t love about them:
Pros:
Cons:
Let’s start with the teardrop campers, and then we’ll move on to pod campers.
Starting from $45,000
Handmade in Fremantle, WA, Cool Beans Campers look exactly as they sound – awesome. In part, thanks to their custom D-shaped retro doors and porthole-style windows. With a fully welded heavy-duty Aussie-made chassis and marine-grade stainless hardware and fittings, Cool Beans Campers are made to last.
Creature comforts include a full queen-sized bed, storage cupboards and drawers, USB and 12V points, a padded headrest fitted with an overhead shelf and the Cool Beans Itech Smart Power System. In typical teardrop style, find the kitchen in the rear hatch, which includes a 60L Engel fridge/freezer, 2 x burner stove, stainless sink and tap, 48L freshwater tank, 48L greywater tank, various storage options and 1500mm of kitchen bench.
Specs: N/A
Starting from $29,999
With a classic teardrop shape, the Grand Tourer GT camper sleeps two people comfortably. The Teardrop Camper Company build their campers (including the steelwork) in Windsor, NSW. Featuring gel-coated fibreglass mudguards, a galvanised chassis and alloy wheels, the Grand Tourer GT will take you to more places.
It has the traditional teardrop camper style kitchen in the back hatch, but of note, is that this teardrop camper is vinyl-wrapped. This means you can order it in a variety of colours. With a roof vent, insulation in the roof and a sail track on the edge of the hatch, keeping both cool and out of the weather is easy.
Creature comforts include a 100 AH AGM battery and multiple power outlets to run your devices, 12-volt lighting, a removable sink, a plumbed 65-litre tank, stereo with speakers, 24” TV and antenna, 30L fridge/freezer, swing out single burner stove, a large toolbox on the drawbar and more.
Specs: N/A
Starting from $49,500
Proudly Australian-owned, designed and manufactured, this is one of the few teardrop campers that has been designed for off-road and can handle a rooftop tent. With a hot dipped galvanised chassis, fully epoxy sealed underbody, fully insulated roof, Timbren 1600kg independent suspension and checker plate guards, it’s a sturdy little unit with the perfect amount of creature comforts.
Speaking of creature comforts, expect Sirocco II fans, USB and 12V outlets, a 150Ah lithium battery, an electric water pump, a 90L water tank (option for more), and a large front storage box. The kitchen in the rear includes a slide-out top load fridge, amber LED anti-bug lighting, a 2-burner gas cooktop, a stainless steel sink and storage for all your kitchen gear.
Specs:
Starting from $44,990
A fairly new player to the teardrop camper game, JAG campers are a refreshing take on a retro concept, right down to a TV on a rotating panel that can be viewed from both inside and outside the teardrop camper. The Jag Teardrop Camper can be used for semi-off-road conditions, such as the beach, national parks and un-maintained dirt roads.
Inside, you’ll find a full-size Queen bed, five windows (2 x side, 1 x sun-roof, 2 x windowed doors) with mosquito screens and blinds, all of which open to let in the fresh air, two high-flow Sirocco fans keep the air flowing when there’s no breeze, dimmable reading lights and LED downlights.
Specs:
Think of a pod camper as a cross between a camper trailer and a caravan with the small stature and stylings of traditional teardrop campers. If you’re looking for an off-road teardrop camper, you’ll probably find a great solution in a pod camper.
Starting from $59,990
The Canning is your cosy yet sturdy home away from home. Featuring a full-size queen bed, fully equipped kitchen, 90L fresh water (180L with adventure pack) and 150 Ah AGM battery as standard, this camper is ready to go on an adventure.
The Hitch Campers purpose-designed chassis is designed to handle any conditions the trailer may encounter, incorporating a laser-cut integrated drawbar, which is sealed and then hot dip galvanised to give it a strong, durable protective coating. With Cruisemaster Level 2 Control Panel Airbags as standard, a fully articulating DO35 Hitch and brand new all-terrain tyres, it is fully prepared to follow the tow vehicle wherever your journey takes you.
Specs:
Starting from $137,700
The cost of the Bruder EXP-4 is not for the faint-hearted, but neither is the Bruder itself. Designed to go anywhere your vehicle can go, this pod camper has a tonne of extra features that, no doubt, contribute to the price.
The chassis is built tough with an undercarriage that boasts rear recovery points and the option to add a rear winch. It’s airtight and completely sealed, with no openings for salt, sand and debris. Airbag suspension counteracts steep side slopes and levels out the pod camper when setting up for the night in uneven terrain. It can even calibrate its ride height to suit your tow-tug.
Inside you’ll find a surprising sense of space, with USB outlets, LED lights and storage shelves. An internal bunk for young children can be added to the interior, and/or a rooftop tent can also be optioned. To take the roughing it out of camping, the EXP-4 comes standard with a hot water shower system, optional electric awnings, a fully enclosed annex with privacy walls, 400 watts of solar, a 200AMP lithium battery and a whopping 200L of water.
Specs:
Starting from $31,723
The Enfield is Lumberjack’s smallest pod camper and, with the addition of a rooftop tent, can house a small family. Unlike its predecessor, the Sheoak, this updated version comes standard with a REDARC Battery Management System with solar reg, charging and Bluetooth controls, a 1 x 150Ah Lithium battery, 240V connection and more.
The Enfield is sold as an off-road pod camper and, despite its size, has enough storage for all your stuff, including a large toolbox at the front with a dedicated fridge slide and an assortment of cupboards and pigeonholes both inside and in the kitchen area.
Specs:
Starting from $31,723
It wouldn’t be much of a round-up of pod and teardrop campers if we didn’t include the well-known Jayco JPOD-X, would it?
Marketed for couples or singles wanting a short break, with the addition of a rooftop tent, this can also become a weekend family camper. The chassis is hot dip galvanised with walls made from a hail and dent-resistant tough frame. Suspension is JTECH’s independent coil.
Inside you’ll find European styling with aluminium corners and seat framing, and bringing your creature comforts from home is not a problem. Expect a 100 Ah AGM battery, built-in battery management system, 200W of solar and a double bed. Thankfully, they’ve moved away from the rear access only of the original J-Pod and have gone back to a more traditional side access styling.
Also moving away from the original J-Pod, the kitchen is housed in the back like a teardrop camper and features a 65L fridge/freezer, bench space and a slide-out 2-burner cooktop and sink to the side of the kitchen galley area.
Specs:
Starting from $79,990
The Gen 3 Sherpa from BRS Off-Road certainly turns heads, and as the name suggests, this pod camper is designed to go well off the beaten track. The chassis is fairly unique, made from a 150mm x 100mm x 4mm RHS centre beam that travels right through to the back recovery point. This gives it the ability to pull angles past 90 degrees without getting hung up on the back of your tow vehicle. Cruisemaster suspension XT rounds out the offroad capabilities.
In terms of going off-grid, the Sherpa comes stock standard with a 125-amp lithium battery and 200W of solar on the roof. It’s not just power that provides comfort from home, a drop-down shower pod and diesel water heater have you camping in luxury. As does the 23-inch smart TV in the main cabin.
The kitchen offers two 30L fridge/freezer drawers, a simple fold-down bench, slide-out food drawer, a pop-down sink, 140L water and more.
Specs:
Of course, there are many more teardrop campers and pod campers available in Australia. However, these represent a diverse range of styles for those who have caught on that bigger isn’t always better. Lastly, make sure you price up camper insurance quotes to factor that into your cost of purchase.
In our travels, we are noticing more campers set up on the back of utes (4 x 2 4wd). We did a round oz trip with that type of setup back in 2004 and found we could go anywhere, park in towns, setup in 5 minutes, take down 6 minutes etc. Ours was a fold out system on top of a frame with room underneath for all our gear.
What a joke of an article! The tear drop campers you chose to highlight are some of the most expensive on the market. If you were serious you would also have mentioned the Nookee – one of the best value best made on the market. How much kick back did you get from the manufacturers you highlighted. PS I DO Not own a Nookee but I have been researching for a few years!
Hi Kevin. No kickback was received for writing this article. We haven’t come across the Nookee before but it certainly looks appealing and the price is definitely more affordable than others. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!