“It’s so cute,” I tell the seller of a used teardrop trailer. It’s a t@g brand, the one I have been searching for after hours of researching. I drove two hours to Solvang to see it. It’s in good shape and has the solar package and side tents. And it’s $16, 000. Firm. That’s a reasonable price for these.
After several minutes of looking it over, I tell her, “I’m in.” I don’t have a trailer hitch installed in my Subaru Crosstrek yet, so I put down a deposit. I am excited about it as I am driving home. I am dreaming of the trips I will take. When Covid isn’t ravaging the west coast. When wildfires aren’t raging as well. As I was perusing the teardrop, the Caldor fire is threatening the Lake Tahoe area, causing mass evacuations, including park friends I used to work with. State park lands around Lake Tahoe are part of the large district I used to work in. If I was still working I would be in the thick of it, choking in the heavy smoke, while helping with emergency preparations. I am relieved I am not, while terribly saddened for the horrific impacts of climate change. The trailer will also be helpful to have a place to sleep in my dog when I am visiting my parents.
After I get home, I start watching Youtube videos. I have never driven with a trailer before. My friend’s husband has been giving me all sorts of safety tips. How to practice and adjust the brakes and calculate braking distance. He suggests I watch videos to get more familiar. While I am watching one with a couple pulling their new teardrop in their Crosstrek, I see that there are several videos on how to make your Crosstrek into a tiny camper. I start watching.
My trailer excitement turns towards panic over the cost. I think of all the things I could do and the bills that could be paid with the HELOC money instead. I am creative and resourceful. With some thought and effort and learning from these others, I think I can greatly improve on my recent cramped car camping experience.
I immediately call the woman selling the trailer back. She is disappointed but says she will tear up the deposit check. After stopping payment on it, I write her out a new one for $100 with a notecard thanking her for her time. Within an hour I have researched Thule rooftop cargo containers. I find a stream-lined model that is carried at a local outdoor adventures store. I had to go through all of these ruminations and actions, before letting go of my trailer fantasy. It’s how I figure things out.
The cargo carrier is a good start towards improving my car camping experience. The challenge is on.
Chick Ranger--Retired California State Park Supervising Ranger/Writer/Artist 