This trailer is great, we absolutely love ours. Weve removed the a/c and turned it into a cubby space, spent about $1200 so far on small modifications to make it our own so far. You can't beat the furnace running off propane. We used it last weekend in -25°c and had it sitting at 24°c inside. Yes, build finishing issues for sure, but a little TLC and it's been incredible. During that TLC we learned more about the trailer, where the wires run, where there are support studs, how the water lines run, etc. I have to agree with Brian, that Facebook group has got to be one of the best resources out there for the Bushwhacker - so many incredible people, opinions and NO drama. LOVE our bushwhacker!!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

We really appreciate you sharing all of this. I think we would have done the same with the AC as well. Would be nice to have on that rare occasion. But extra storage is a premium.

@ryletourneau1

2 жыл бұрын

@Timothy Mckee the propane heater ads no, or close to no, moisture to the cabin. This is because it has a proper exhaust outside. Safe, efficient and powerful. It'll warm up the cabin all night. We've used it at length in -25° now. Over 10 nights at those temps. Zero issues. And we run a second co detector in the trailer just in case.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing this Ryan!

@ronb6182

2 жыл бұрын

I would keep the AC since I live in Florida. I probably will never use the heat, an electric fireplace would be more than enough heat for winter camping. I would finish work that's undone and make improvements. Nothing against the modifications that others do, you make it work for you. 73

@ryletourneau1

2 жыл бұрын

@@ronb6182 yeah, not much need for an a/c up here in Canada. Plus we didn't want to run a generator to use it.

Agree with the video. I got into mine for $9200 from a dealership in Nashville while my local dealership was charging $13,999 for the exact same model. Did a couple of modifications such as adding a huge roll up awning, additional kitchen plenum when the weather is horrible, adding kayak racks, and built a huge tongue box for storage. We have had absolutely no issues of any kind with our teardrop. I actually got it so my wife would not want to go on short excursions however she actually likes it better then our 30+ foot travel trailer. Brings you back to outdoor camping. Has been well worth the money so far!

Brother I’ve worked on campers for a living now for the last 8 years, and they are all garbage. The materials they use are designed no fail. They are worse than boats. That being said I love fixing the broken ones and there’s no shortage of them! Awesome video keep it up! 🤜🤛👍🙋🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤦‍♂️🌿

By the way, I really appreciate your level of information that neither trashes nor sugar coats. It comes across as just useful data. Thanks!

I’ve owned one for just over a year with just shy of 10K miles.There were a few small things to fix or upgrade, but not an immense task. Better batteries, 12 volt fridge, awning. It is as reliable/usable as the more expensive stuff. Worth a look.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Jeff!

Well done gentlemen!! I am part of the Facebook group and BW owner. Have done the tent, pop-up camper, travel trailer, pick-up truck tent in the bed of the truck and can say this has been the most fun we have had camping. We like it warts and all!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Love this! Warts and all 😂

This was so much fun to make! I can’t thank you enough Drew for putting this together and giving some exposure to the channel! I hope everyone will swing by and check out DIY Outdoor Life. Thanks again!!

@ryletourneau1

2 жыл бұрын

Great work Brian!!

@ViewFromMyBackyard

2 жыл бұрын

So cool to see this collab! Great job!

@DIYOutdoorLife

2 жыл бұрын

@@ryletourneau1 Drew did the heavy lifting!

@DIYOutdoorLife

2 жыл бұрын

@@ViewFromMyBackyard definitely a trip

My friend has one and have been camping with it several times. I've even towed it twice with my rig. I love this thing. One of the best bang for the buck out there.

@PlayingwithSticks

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this!

I bought a first Generation Bushwacker, love this little unit. added an aluminum cargo box on the front for the propane tank and battery. upgraded the fridge, battery, and added a memory foam on top of the mattress. made a huge difference for sleeping. I have 2 Rotties that go everywhere with me. plenty of room for the 3 of us. if anyone is thinking of buying a Bushwacker, you won't regret it.

@PlayingwithSticks

Жыл бұрын

Love hearing this! Thank you for sharing Darryl.

I bought a Sylvansport Go in 2015 for about $10k and in hindsight wish I had bought one of these teardrops. Thanks for the honesty of this video.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

I love that Sylvan sport go. If it could just set up a little bit faster it’d be in my top three trailers probably. I just love the versatility, simplicity and weight of it.

the fact that there are limited cuts and he delivers the info with confidence and the cadence of well memorized information makes this video VERY easy to watch and VERY informative. as a camping enthusiast, i appreciate the content being provided here. keep it up!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, Brian is quite an amazing speaker. Before his time in the Monastery he was a full time teacher. You can definitely see that gift of his on camera.

I love that it fits in the garage!

Very informative video for those new to the teardrop camping world that are trying to make their first purchase. It’s best to learn the “do’s & don’ts” from someone that has tried and tested a product firsthand. Most of us find out that we usually get what we pay for, but that’s not always the case! Thank you Drew and Brian for all your hard work and research!♥️👍🏻⛺️

I’ve had my teardrop-a NuCamp T@g for a year now, I’ve never used the water system, never used the a/c and I’ve used the microwave only once and will probably remove it for more storage. NuCamp used to sell a basic model and I have seen some beautiful customizations of that model. I love my little camper but in hindsight basic and affordable is the way to go because most people will want to customize anyway. The Bushwacker propane heater is a huge plus. Great video!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. You have really good points here. I think a lot of us find we don’t use all the things we think we will. And then just being humans we never seem to be satisfied so we often find ourselves wanting to modify things anyways. I’m finding it’s just part of my nature. And I’m also finding the modifications is what keeps bringing me back to a refreshed love of camping every season. It’s ever-changing and challenging. I love it!

I really appreciate you being real. Thanks for sharing both sides and letting the viewers decide.

That Brian fella.. did a great job selling that trailer. He had a good vibe and down to earth Demeter about him.👍

I own it. I use it all year hiking and skiing with my dog(s) in New Hampshire. I love it. I have slept very, very comfortably at -2 F. I tow with a 4 cylinder outback.

@jazzculllen001

2 жыл бұрын

I have a 4cyl Outback so it's good to hear it's working out for you. Did you add a transmission cooler or anything like that?

Drew and Brian, thank you for posting this video. I learned a lot in just 10 minutes. I have been considering getting a teardrop trailer, but the prices have always been an obstacle to my budget. I think the Bushwacker may be what I have been looking for. I love DIY projects and customizing my stuff to my needs.

Thanks Drew and Brian! As one who owns a heavily modified Bushwhacker (check out that can't miss galley in the video) I can attest that the Bushwhacker is a great, affordable, blank slate. Do I want a Black Bean? Of course I do!. Economically it did not make sense to me though. The Bushwhacker on the other hand did. I very easily and affordably got myself into a teardrop trailer last year. My labor is free to me and slowly but surely I have been painting my blank slate Bushwhacker into my own personal Picasso. For just a fraction of the cost of a high end teardrop I've performed a full wall off galley rebuild, added 400AH of battery power , 200 Watts of solar, a custom front storage rack, custom roof racks, triple 8' awnings, 32" KO2 tires, an ultraviolet water filtration system and much, much more. When I look at my Bushwhacker, I see myself in it. Not a mall bought, makeover version of myself. Yet for those who may not have the skills or desire to perform extensive modifications, the Bushwhacker is a great little ride once you give it a good once over. Again, thanks you Drew and Brian for producing fantastic videos with some amazing content. Appreciate it!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Wait, is that amazing galley with all the drawers yours? That thing is amazing! I'm going to have to pin this comment to the top. I feel like you just said it so well. Thank you!

@DIYOutdoorLife

2 жыл бұрын

Michael's Bushwhacker is a work of art! I just so happen to be in his neck of the woods right now and hope to show off this rig! It was worth the 3000 mile drive to see it 🤣

@michaelpotash4812

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks guys! She's not perfect, but she is very functional and she's mine. FYI all galley tours come with a free soup and a salad. If you ever see me out there on the road be sure to stop by to redeem yours. : )

I have the larger version; aka the “bushwhacker plus” and I’ve managed to turn it into my “home away from home”. I couldn’t beat the price and my little updates have been inexpensive! Great video!

@JR-py4kx

Жыл бұрын

I am also trying to get the plus version, what updates and mods do you recommend

HEY! I love the collaboration from two of my favorite teardrop gurus 😀

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Aww, thank you! It was a fun one to make.

@DIYOutdoorLife

2 жыл бұрын

You're the best! thanks for watching!

@someoneelse6618

2 жыл бұрын

I know what you were referring to but when I first read your comment in my head I saw an mystic with a teardrop tattoo

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Haha 😂

We have used our Bushwacker for two seasons now and had a great time. I probably wouldn't have ordered all the options otherwise, but a furnace and air conditioner are wonderful when you need them. Brian has great suggestions, like common sense solar systems and simple improvements and maintenance.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. Always great to hear from actual owners. And thanks for sharing your experience with Brian's channel. We are really hoping folks take a chance to see what he is all about.

I picked up a 1 year old (2022) Bushwacker 10HD for $11k. It was missing the K2 fridge, but otherwise in good shape. I have built under sink sliding doors (mine had the fixed panel) and have done many of the upgrades shown on Brian's Outdoor DIY and Adventures of the Memory Makers channels, including the 200w solar panel install. I have an ARB 6x8 awning with the attachable cabin tent, the Kickass shower awning and the Yakima 7gallon road shower. It all just works. I could stay out indefinitely with the solar setup running just the ceiling fan, lights, device charging. I could even keep an external power supply charged to run my additional BougeRV fridge. I just purchased the Kelty Backroads shelter to shield the galley area from sun/rain which was my only open issue I wanted to solve for. I'm probably into this thing for $15k. I couldn't justify spending $30k for a camper that didn't have a bathroom and room for 4, but I really wanted something that fit in the garage that my husband and I could take out without a ton of planning and this trailer fits the bill.

@PlayingwithSticks

10 ай бұрын

Sounds like you outfitted this trailer very well for $15k. love it!

1:01 - "I think he's going to be the next Cosmo Weems". Recently came across this video in my feed, and hearing this triggered memories of Weems channel. RIP sir.

Thanks for sharing! I think videos like this can help future adventurers get prepared for a more intelligent buying power based on honest videos like this! You guys rock!

Thank u for relooking at the bushwacker

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Of course! Thank you to everyone who bombarded my email with their experience. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Haha.

Awesome to see you and Brian collaborate on a video! Thank y'all for doing a video on the Braxton Creek Bushwhacker. We love ours and like most who own one, we definitely have made mods to it. Like you said, at this price point, the BW is a great foundation to build on.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

I was hoping to get some owner feedback on here. Thank you!

So I have worked in the RV industry and when he mentions sawdust, insulation hanging down, and the like, this is common on even high dollar units. The difference is dealers will clean them up before placing them on the lot. Now, if the dealer is a good one, you will have the technician do a walk thru of the unit and you can see everything work and function. The dealers also go thru and wash and clean before show out. Dealers call this the PDI or predelivery inspection. So don't be afraid to look at these lil units and make sure the dealer does their due diligence as well.

I'm planning to go look at one of these this weekend. I have a CX-5 so I am limited on what I can tow but have been looking to upgrade from tent camping to using a trailer.

That sounds awesome! I'm definitely always looking for the budget options and willing to put in the work. I would love to see more videos on some of the update you guys do

I bought the bushwhacker plus 15 to and couldn't be happier. I had some health complications that took me from Bush crafting hiking etc to need a place in case my joints lock up or bathroom needs exceeded outdoors plausibility. I couldn't be happier, I can still get into "backwoods" places and haul it with my Nissan frontier. Thank you Braxton Creek, Hufnagel-Majors in PA and my Wife for buying it for me!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Love hearing stories like these. That’s what our channel is all about helping people do exactly what you did. Finding a way to get outdoors regardless of your situation.

I love that the first pro he lists even though it was a rush job and manufactured poorly is that its made in the USA.

I find these videos very helpful. Not just because I’m in the market for a teardrop. This guys knowledge on solar, for example. I find all kinds of good with this channel, and it’s one of my favorites. 👍

Great to see a positive take on these. Just got a Free Solo Romo, and the build quality is obviously poor, but the features are too tempting and the options for easy mods are endless. We’re planning on doing a wrap to alleviate the dull grey color for instance

THANKS for your HONESTY...!! 👍😃👣

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Good people! Thank you.

I'll have to give Brian's channel a view. As an off road enthusiast my first thought is structure. I toured 2 shops and watched their manufacturing. As a base for a camping trailer, it sounds good.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Taking a shop tour is probably the best thing you can do. For me it has been really eye-opening to see all the different processes.

It's like modifying tools from Harbor Freight to improve them.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

I wish we would’ve said that on the video. You nailed it with that comparison. And in the end many of us are very happy with our harbor freight modifications.

Excellent video. We’re always looking for people who are looking out for us. Nice!

Great suggestions, will be looking at this trailer with new perspective. Thanks.

@PlayingwithSticks

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed this one.

Really great review and commentary on the Bushwacker… I’m very impressed with the heating system… And the water tank! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a beautiful new year ahead! ~ Maria

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Maria! The Christmas season has been pretty incredible. And luckily for us it just keeps going. We have another Christmas party tonight. Hope you had a great Christmas season as well. Blessings to you Maria! Good to hear from you.

This is an awesome video as always Drew, thanks. Karen and I have been looking at the Bushwacker and I’m thankful for you and Brian setting us on the path of knowledge prior to a potential purchase and any possible / probable dissatisfaction in advance. When you know up front what you’re getting yourself into, it’s always easier to justify the decision. Hope you, May and the boys have a wonderful 2022. Cheers !

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, agreed on the knowing part. Even for myself, now that I’ve talked to so many owners, I know what to expect and can look at this trailer differently. There’s quite a few things in life that I’ve jumped into knowing the struggles. And being the frugal guy I am I do this probably a little more than I should. Haha

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

We will be excited to hear what you go with in the end. It’s quite the hard decision.

Very good video, informative and encouraging. Thank you.

Looking at buying one Leaning more toward the runaway trailer. Thanks for the overview of this trailer.

As someone who isn't quite handy enough to build one from scratch, but is semi-handy (I built a stitch-and-glue kayak from a kit), getting a basic teardrop and customizing is something I am thinking about. A Road Toad (bonus -- the shop is less than 2 hours drive from me) is high on my list.

@randallmason9687

Жыл бұрын

Clc boats has a tear drop kit, and a class at there shop.

@PlayingwithSticks

Жыл бұрын

Great suggestion Randall.

Informative and great communication. Thanks Drew

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

Nice review of the bushwhacker! Thanks.

FINALLY - a real pros and cons video!!!!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it met your expectations.

love my bushwacker ! going on two years with it. I have learned so much from both drew's and brian's videos. The price point and weight of the bushwacker were why i chose it ( loved the taxa cricket but at twice what i paid for my bushwacker....) i have no qualms diving into mods with all the guidance i've gotten off the bw facebook page- even electrical! making it mine has been half the fun of having it and good on cold winter days in the garage!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

This is the type of comment I was hoping to receive on here. It’s one thing to hear this information from Drew and Brian, but so much better to hear it from an actual owner that doesn’t have a KZread channel! Haha. Thank you so much for sharing Ann. Like you there’s a lot of great trailers out there that we like, but the price plays a big factor in our final decision

This approach will work for some, but I will not enable them to continue offering a sloppy product by buying one of them. This isn't the only company with QC complaints lately. I would rather start with a well built cargo trailer, and build it out.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Good point here.

Thanks for introducing us to this amazing camper. We've had a lot of fun modding, rebuilding, and really making it our own. In Texas an AC and Heater are both necessary, and considering we haggled the price down to 8.6K, the Bushwhacker really fit the bill. The best part has really been the community of modders and campers. Everyone is so helpful and friendly.

Great video! Love the honest opinion! Thanks for sharing!

Hmmm. If you have the skill set and are willing to do some basic DIY improvements and stay on top of maintenance, this may be the best bang-for-the-buck out there in teardrops. I’d consider it. Nice video; thanks for having this candid consideration of a viable option many might overlook. I’m guilty of dismissing RV Industry-grade trailers as disposable poorly made junk compared to the craftsmanship of many “true” teardrops, but everything has its pros and cons and for the price, you could really get some value out of this thing.

We have a TC Teardrop out of Wausau WI. It is price competitive with these Bushwhackers, has excellent fit and finish and is built like a tank. Similar to the Bushwhacker, the TC is a simple design that allows you to customize it on your own. You buy direct from the factory, so there is no dealer mark-up. It's a family operation hand-making about a dozen trailers a month. The downside is a 18-20 month wait list.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this. I can see the 18-20 month wait list. I say this because recently I have received a pretty large number of emails from folks who are buying or interested in buying TC teardrops. Seems like they have really come into the radar lately for a large number of folks.

It’s a great opportunity for more Families it’s wonderful to see something affordable

Thanks for the heads up about the quality issues with this trailer at the beginning of the video. Didn't need to watch the rest of it, thanks again..

@PlayingwithSticks

Жыл бұрын

That’s what we are here for.

Brian keeps it real. Seems like a great trailer for those who are capable of the DIY.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, agreed.

I was camping in the deep woods of Colorado with my teardrop trailer. I ended up in a real remote area where there was no one to be found. I parked and took a quick nature hike. When I came back my trailer was about 30 feet from where I left it and it was detached from the car. There were big handprints all over the body, I think a Bigfoot thought it was a rock.

Great video! This would be great for this single parent with limited time, skills and finances. Thanks for giving it a second look

Love it. I purchased a 2020 Runaway Cool Camp due to having a low budget for a camper and wanted a blank canvas. another draw to the Runaway Cool Camp was the all fiberglass composite body. I’ve done a lot of modifications to my Cool Camp to make it more off-road capable and added a rear galley. The camper now has full sized all terrain tires, a 3500# axle, longer smooth ride leaf springs, custom bed platform with storage, a rear galley storage area, 200 watts of solar, a Rhino Rack batwing awning, front storage box, full sized spare mounted on the side of the camper, propane tank mounted to the camper, and custom jacks on all four corners capable of lifting the entire camper. Thank you for sharing videos like this and all the videos that you do. One of the most informative KZread channels for those tiny campers and the gear. Thanks and have a great New Year. Wade Walcher

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Wade, these types of comments are gold on here. I think it is really helpful for us all to hear what can be done on our own. Especially this option of buying an almost complete trailer and modifying it yourself. Out of curiosity, how did you add the rear galley beings the rear was fiberglass?

You nailed it, man! I like the collaboration between you guys on this one. If you're a DIYer, despite the fit and finish issues this trailer's a good deal. Good strong bones and pretty fun to work on. I'm only at ~7K miles on mine in just over a year so I haven't been gettin' after it quite as hard as Brian but still enough to feel it's mostly sorted now. FWIW I caught onto the fit and finish build quality when I first saw these but I originally wanted to build my own. From that mindset I got the 10FB fully intending to modify it, knowing I'd come out better from a money perspective than had I built a teardrop from the ground up. And it's been fun commiserating with and learning from Brian via his channel.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad folks figured this creative route out. I never would have even thought about using a budget teardrop as a shell for modifications. But it makes sense. Thank you for sharing Charles. Greatly appreciated.

I've looked at the Bushwacker. Brian's videos are entertaining and informative. Same with "Playing With Sticks". I love them all. Great content and great information. My TC is being built right now, as my wife has found the bug, moving from our backpacking and wilderness paddling trips to quick "Truck camping" trips we've been doing on a platform under a truck cap. Our remote paddling trips are our favorite, but with me coming into some extra blocks of time....we went teardrop with the bikes and canoe in tow. Thanks to BOTH of you for great content and insight.....from one lifetime wilderness lover to others like us. And.....this was a GREAT collaboration between you two.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

We hearing from a lot of folks getting a TC teardrop lately. They must be doing something right! For families or people who love to do multi-activities outdoors I often think the truck/teardrop pairing would be the best combination. The teardrop life is almost 100% right for us. The 1% thing we would change is gear space. That truck would allow not only a great way to haul more gear, but would basically be your giant rain tarp for staging and hiding gear during inclement weather. Glad to hear you enjoyed the collaboration. It was fun sharing the screen time on this one.

There is nothing like driving down the road, as your trailer is falling apart, and by the time you reach your destination all you have left are the wheels and the frame but hey! it’s salvageable! 😂

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Haha. Yes, like you I’ve definitely had my reservations with a trailer like this. But I’ve been surprised there is a ton of happy owners who subscribe to the channel who have had no issues.

This was great, thanks for sharing.

As a former tent camper,, I considered a tear drop, among other options. I chose a raised cap for my Chevy Silverado with extended cab. It is perfect for my needs. I picked an ARE cap with a larger glass rear entry door, but still have the option of raising the entire back. I currently use it for 3 seasons, but just bought a small propane heater. I use water jugs and a small propane stove or a campfire for cooking. I fit two 24" chair to bed thick foam units between the wheel wells that afford me a very comfortable sleeping area that folds into a loveseat for an area that is wonderful for tailgating and relaxing with a good book. The truck doesn't look like a camper and I have even parked in the city to sleep after partying with friends. My adult daughter and I often camp together to explore new areas and sleep cheap. We used a hassock toilet inside a pop-up tent similar to your set up when camping. When I'm alone I use one foam unit as a bed, 1 as a chair and the toilet fits inside. Battery operated led lights work wonderfully for lighting. No towing involved...my bohemian decorated "Gypsy Chariot" is everything I need. Options...😉 (Cost to date: approximately $4,500.00)

Unfortunately, nearly everything in the leisure segment (as well as other markets) have taken a hit in QC over the past couple of years. There has been turnovers in the labor force, but often much experience is lost, and the on the job training is not being conveyed to the short term contract worker.

@lloydburris7487

2 жыл бұрын

the best products produced anywhere used to be from the USA but corporate America has sold us out for the almighty dollar so everything is made offshore. These trailers are built here but still if i was building and selling a product in America i would take pride in the production and help produce something to be proud of...something you could say...Hey i used to build those trailers!...just saying...

@sadiejackson774

2 жыл бұрын

@@lloydburris7487 Yea. It looks like "made in China" build.

@lloydburris7487

2 жыл бұрын

@@sadiejackson774 i'd wager a day's pay that it's still better built than a chinese version...i'm so tired of buying inferior products, ones with well known American companies names on them that don't last a week...

@kevola5739

Жыл бұрын

My biggest concern is the safety of gas and electrical installation. A small oversight in these two areas can turn disastrous very quickly. If consumers keep accepting shoddy workmanship there is no pressure for quality improvement and this will be considered acceptable. You will have a choice between China shoddy and made in the USA shoddy. Pride in your country should make you as a consumer demand the best your country has to offer. Competition is good for the marketplace.

@sarasmutz7742

Жыл бұрын

SUIIIIIIIIIIIII BOY TONKITO

great review thank you ! happy trails

I just love my Braxton Creek Free Solo. But I rerouted the gas line, water lines and electrical wires that were hanging down under the frame, I put in a fresh water connection so I was able to hook up water from the camp ground. I also removed and replaced the radio with one that has a DVD and CDs player and replaced all the speakers. Now I am looking to insulate the camper where I installed the speakers, put a sheet of foam insulation on the inside of the back door to keep the heat out of the kitchen. I also would like to know where you got the faucet for the kitchen sink I would love to replace it

This was so helpful. Planning a cross country trip for next year, and started looking a trailers to tow with our Outback. The Cricket looks awesome, but the sticker shock took me about a week to recover from. I've built wooden boats before so a DIY build is something I'm looking hard at right now. I think you may have hit the nail on the head at 8:13. Trying to outfit a build from scratch without being able to get volume wholesale discounts on components might be the tipping point for my decision. I might be able to split the difference by sourcing used parts from RV repair shops and other places like that, but that's a big maybe.

@czcz6905

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I have always wanted a teardrop just never could afford it.

I like the idea.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Good to see you! For anyone here who doesn't know Mobiltec. This guy is a bit of a legend in the vintage trailer world. If you are interested in rebuilding a Bushwacker or any trailer really check out Mobiltec's site. He loves tearing down a trailer to the bones and building them back up. We have learned quite a lot from him in the past few years. To the point we were actually nervous to post our vintage trailer remodel because we knew our finish work would not live up to his standards. Seriously check his channel or website out kzread.infovideos

Thankyou for sharing.

Its perfect for me and my dogs for our new summer home

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

That would make a great video!

The whole thing is just such a shame. Braxton Creek pays the labor to do the shoddy work. It seems that it just couldn't cost much more to have that labor be doing a proper job. Sadly, the company doesn't seem to have any pride in their product. Putting out a bunch of shoddily built trailers just can't be a long term business plan. Kind of makes one wonder about the value of the two year warranty.... Thanks Drew and Brian for shining a light on this odd situation.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

I thought the same thing. But, Brian made a comment that kind of stuck with me. He said this kind of issue creeps up when you are churning out trailers at this rate. If you think about it. Right now most trailer build times are out 1 to 2 years minimum. This means if you want a trailer you are going to have to wait much longer than many of us are willing to wait. With Braxton people have the ability to pick up their trailers tomorrow. Because of this, imagine the rate of production. Which like you said, probably leads to the lack of proper detailing of the trailer. So as a business plan it seems poor, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are doing quite well at the moment as they are able to get so many out. I talk to some of the larger teardrop makers in the industry. A good year for the largest teardrop only manufacturers is about 200-500 units out the door. A good year for large rv companies selling teardrop trailers is in the thousands. What surprised me with Bushwacker is the number of owners subscribed/involved in the owner groups online. The Facebook group Brian mentioned has thousands of owners. That is a really high number for a trailer that has been out for a relatively short period of time. And the number of emails I get about Bushwackers weekly also is a good indicator of their sales. When this teardrop is at this price and can be purchased close to everyone's home they have a model to really sell a lot of volume. My question would be how do they make much profit when their trailers only cost about $11,000 with all those high end components? Seems like the sales margin would be incredibly small, especially for the small camper industry. I say all this, to come back around to your comment. It does make you wonder. And like you I am always a bit leery about these warranties. Great if you believe this company will be around for 50 years. But the more I get to know the industry the more I realize that is quite rare. Thanks for this great comment by the way.

@campergyrl8461

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, any possible margin on sales is interesting to consider and businesses do have to make money - it's unfair to begrudge them this. But just consider what might happen to their margin if they didn't have to do so much warranty work. I'm quite sure they took a loss on my unit, for instance. I do some of the work myself, but the unit had a whole follow up list from when I went to pick it up which requires extra shipping costs, tons of administrative time, reimbursement for the dealer's work (however low), etc. It just has to be less expensive to do it right the first time. It would be more understandable to me if they used cheapo components - then it would be obvious that price point is everything. But to put expensive components with cheapo labor...it just doesn't compute.

@ronb6182

Жыл бұрын

Why not find a reputable company and buy a strip down model. The 5999.99 model by hiker trailers may be a better choice. If you are going to have to undo stuff it makes more sense to start right by using a base model. I don't know the price for this trailer in the video but I know a 5 x 8 is 5999.99. but with no add ons. 73

@PlayingwithSticks

Жыл бұрын

Great suggestion.

The key is going in knowing there are issues with this and any mass produced campers. We had a cheap pop-up that we used for over a decade on summer weekends - part-time usage. Lots of little issues - we never thought twice about them - just fixed it and had fun. The wonderful high-priced high-quality "custom" campers we all have been seeing these last few years are actually an anomaly in the camper world - good for them! Hopefully they bring up the mass produced quality from competition and just simple copying. However, going camping is the goal. Whatever gets you out there. Hey, tents are fun too😃

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

"hopefully they bring up the mass produced quality from competition and just simple copying." I am actually seeing this playing out right now. The other day someone left a comment about Ember overland trailers. A sister company of the large rv industry. But when I looked into them a bit more, even though there was still some ridiculous rv industry features, a lot of their components were influenced by these boutique builders. Pretty neat to see some of the influence moving into the larger industry. And to my surprise I even saw some innovative features on the Ember trailers that I haven't seen yet from the boutique builders/dealers. Good on them. We second that tent comment Mike!

Drew, I love that you are so open and happy to connect with other folks who are interested and do similar work that you do. :) :) Thank you!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Debbie. Small campers and camping have become a bit of an addiction for me. So I’m always excited to learn anything, partner with people, or find new ways to share this hobby with others. It’s been pretty life-changing for us. So May and I cant help but want to share it with others. Thanks for the kind comment Debbie.

@leoprdsoul1

Жыл бұрын

@@PlayingwithSticks ❤

Hi Drew. Happy new year. I’ve been following you for two years. I love your content. Last week, I finally bought a small camper trailer. I purchased a lightly used Kodiak Stealth by Rustic Trails. It’s basically a bedroom on wheels. Very simple and easy to get out camping. No water. No kitchen. No furnace. Just AC. Very well suited for someone like me with limited mechanical skills. Just returned from our first shakeout trip. Thanks for all your info and the inspiration. Keep the videos coming. Love your channel.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

One of our dream trailers there Barry. We actually had a point in time where we were so swamped we thought we had to buy a trailer vs find a used one or build a new one. Everything we tried just kind of fell through. In the end we had narrowed it down to Rustic Trails just due to the amount of trailer for the buck. We were also looking for something a little bigger than our 4X8 and three of their trailers met that need. It was hard to narrow it down with those three. We did keep coming back to the Kodiak though. Sounds like your shakeout trip went well. It only gets better from there!

@barryhersh8412

2 жыл бұрын

@@PlayingwithSticks Drew, shakeout trip was great. I’m a newbie. I’m always learning. Next time you’re in the lower 48 and want to shoot a review of the Kodak Stealth, let me know.

I love this video. Makes you look at things from a realistic perspective. I have owned a TC Teardrop since 2015. My family and I love it. It’s affordable, made in the USA and great build quality. I would check them out before buying any other brand. I’ve been following your channel for some time and like the content. Keep the useful videos coming. Safe travels Mark

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

I feel like today is the TC teardrop day. This video pulled out quite a few TC teardrop owners. Great suggestion on checking them out first before buying anything else. Nothing beats having a trailer to compare to when shopping around. Once you set trailers side by side on paper it is much easier to make that decision. Safe travels to you as well Mark!

@williammhardebeck2311

2 жыл бұрын

@@PlayingwithSticks I’m sure there are many great companies making great teardrops. When I did my research in 2015 I looked at building my own vs small shop build vs factory build. After adding up all the costs of building my own the TC was just a few thousand more and it made the decision easy for me. I bought it sight unseen. The owner of the company is awesome and has personally made a drive out to my home ,8 hours away, to help me with a problem on the trailer. I can’t say enough about how pleased I am.

Though I'm sticking with my cargo trailer conversion, your presentation is worth serious consideration. Hope you and the family is at or heading to warmer weather. As you know weather in our home region is quite cold. 👍🏿

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Good to see you on here. My mother was just telling me it was like -6 I below. Ouch! I think we will be living out of our cargo trailer next summer. I actually had a great time in it when traveling through Canada to the lower 48 last summer. Cargo trailers are pretty hard to beat in terms of bang for your buck. Well, most. I actually bought one that was a little pricey beings there weren't many to choose from in Alaska at the time that fit my needs. We are currently in Thailand so the weather is quite warm. No white Christmas' for us for a while.

@jr2no160

2 жыл бұрын

@@PlayingwithSticks Happy New Year Drew & Family

The A/C is an absolute necessity for anywhere south of northern Ohio.

We've been doing a lot of car camping lately. The old Volvo wagon, will get you anywhere. One of these, means you don't need a larger vehicle, to upgrade.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

So true.

If you know all of the bad coming in, it isn’t a bad deal. The price point makes it very nice. Even campers which are significantly more expensive have issues. Also, needs to be a person who is a little handy.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Great point. I think that is where I was off about this trailer. I couldn't see the potential at first. I was just thinking people were being sold a product that was too good to be true. And yes, you would need to be a little handy. Like that shot of the storm hatch leaking. Tends to happen on almost everyone's first home build. Definitely takes a few runs of trial and error to get it right.

Great overview gentlemen. I don't think you were wrong initially Drew, just not totally right! :) A handy person might make a good little business fixing some of the quality control issues, and upgrading these trailers for new owners.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea James! And thanks for going easy on me for saying I wasn't 100% wrong. Haha. Love it!

He was called Bush wacker way before the trailer! 😂

Off road tires? Don't you need a drive axle for it to make a difference?

I have a 2021 model and love it!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback Vicki! Love hearing this.

We built our own trailer. It took 6 months and I would never do it again LOL, but it was worth it nonetheless. I learned a lot during the process and using for 1.5 years. I would rather buy one nowadays, but trailers in general are too overpriced. We built our trailer for ~$7000 where a comparable trailer would be around 19-20K.

Thank you so much for this!!!!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome!

I really enjoyed this. Thank you

Sounds good. I can make the changes myself and afford it.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Our thoughts exactly! Thanks for sharing.

Great video and collab! Loved how you said Brian is going to be the next Cosmo Weems. Could Frey’s On The Side be the next Playing With Sticks?

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! I always tell May at some point if Matt’s channel doesn’t get the traffic it deserves. We may have to reach out to him to see if he wants to partner with us. Not only does he have similar interest to us and family life. We share very similar values.

Me and my Hubby have a 13 foot 1975 Trillium trailer . Had it for years and we love it . We bought it for 2000.00 dollars cleaned it up and almost 20 years later still camping in it

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Yes!!!! We have a friend who works for a claim adjusting agency. I think that’s what you call it. She said she has the stats on all the trailers and her biggest surprise was that statistically speaking the Trillium is built better than the airstream.

i love the fact it's a Great deal, we don't mind ( most don't mind) a little custom DIY "MacGyver" to make it Perfect for US and save a ton of money.

My Airstream 19 foot is $182,000 new this year. I’ve had it three years and my fit and finish is only marginally better than what you have in your $12,000 teardrop. Quality control inspection was also lacking.

@vilneas6358

2 жыл бұрын

Damn, people pay that for a camper?

I saw another guy who bought one of these and he really liked it too!

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Tracy! You wouldn't believe how many people reach out to us weekly telling us the same thing. It has been slowing down a bit lately, but the last two years I have really been surprised about all the positive feedback from within the community. Have their been some complaint emails? Yes. But that was to be expected.

Looks to be a great platform for the creatives out there.

I think I might get one of these for work, hours are so long that all I need is a place to rest my head at night.

@PlayingwithSticks

2 жыл бұрын

That it’s a great idea! I like how you think

I’m interested

I get where youre coming from with these points. If i had ALOT more money and had the time to tinker with it, i think that i would be more open to this idea, and i get that at its price point its a good bang for your buck. But i dont think id consider this as I am going to be a first time tear drop buyer in the future, and i cant say this is quite what i want being a first time buyer. I like this style of video though! Just to add my perspective.

I bought my Bushwhacker almost 4 years ago. I haven't done a ton of mods yet, but would like to do a few more. Mostly, I absolutely love it!! It is so cozy and has almost everything I need as a solo camper. I wasn't looking for glam, just a way to continue camping when I found I could no longer sleep on the ground. There are a number of things I would like to address~ I have the Coleman fridge which sucks and I think has died now. The hose head need to be replaced almost immediately and now I have a leak somewhere that is causing an air draw, but still love the hose feature. I am hoping to find a suggestion for stopping the leak into the galley that isn't beyond my skill level. TBH, I would love to rip it all out and rebuild it but I am not sure I have the skills or space to do it, but have seen a few videos that seem possible to me. I absolutely love this trailer.

Thanks, great video.