Teardrops and Tiny Trailers

by Douglas Keister

"Buckle up as Douglas Keister takes you for a decidedly retro ride in the world of diminutive travel trailers in Teardrops and Tiny Trailers. The demand for vintage trailers-the smaller the better-has risen dramatically in recent years, with the most in-demand trailers being ""teardrops,"" first manufactured in the 1930s and containing just indoor sleeping space and an outdoor exterior kitchen. Also profiled in the book are ""canned ham"" trailers, whose shape resembles the profile of a can of ham; small-size examples of America's most beloved vintage trailer, the Airstream; miniscule gypsy caravans in Europe; and fiberglass trailers made in Canada. Two hundred color photographs showcase these trailers' sleek exteriors, retro-styled interiors, and, in many cases, the restored classic cars that tow them. Teardrops and Tiny Trailers includes a resource section chock-full of places to locate vintage trailers, clubs to join, and rallies to attend.Photographer/writer Douglas Keister has authored thirty-six critically acclaimed books. His books on classic recreational vehicles include Ready to Roll, Silver Palaces, and Mobile Mansions. In addition, he has authored twenty-five books on architecture, including Inside the Bungalow, Storybook Style, Red Tile Style, Classic Cottages, and Cottages. Keister also writes and illustrates magazine articles and contributes photographs and essays to dozens of magazines, newspapers, books, calendars, posters, and greeting cards worldwide. He lives in Chico, California.(20080807)"

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Transport

165 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Photographer-writer Douglas Keister, has authored and co-authored thirty-six critically acclaimed books. He also writes and illustrates magazine articles and contributes photographs and essays to dozens of magazines, newspapers, books, calendars, posters and greeting cards worldwide.

Reviews

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been looking at the variety to commercially available options for the trendy small campers called teardrops. Prices for these diminutive humpbacked trailers range from about 3000 on up to nearly 20. That is a lot of money to spend on a tiny box. I hadn't considered building one until I picked up this book and discoverd the original DIY tradition of hombuilding dating back to the 1930s and still continues to this day. While the book was good, it could have spent more time on the fascinating history and reprinted some of the great articles from old DIY magazines that can be found online.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight. We want to get a caravan and this was a superb introduction. What a great way to live.

[cauldronofevil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a coffee-table book around 157 pages and very pretty pictures. I’m not going to read the text. I’m just going to look at the pictures.

There are no real floor plans in the book which is a shame. Some interior shots but mostly exterior. There’s a lot of vintage cars as well.

”The Road” talks about the origins of the trailers, including the hand built ones (p.7-13).
”Teardrop Trailers” has a history of its manufacture and lots of pictures. Most with vintage cars to go with them (p.15-60).
”Canned Ham Trailers” are about the larger two-wheeled trailers. Once more you see a lot of the outside and some inside shots of very decorated trailers. (p.61-110)
”Glass Houses” I believe refers to fiberglass trailers (p.111-121)
”Silver Gems” are the aluminum trailers (p.123-143)
”Over There and Elsewhere” are about foreign trailers, including the gypsy wagon and other types of small trailers, including some very interesting cars paired with them. It also talks about the types of tourist parks and caravan parks for them. Honestly this chapter is one of the most interesting to me. (p.145-158)

The last two pages are web-sites for various things referred to in the book. I imagine this could occupy a fair bit of time!

So overall a very pretty coffee table book I looked through but did not read. It only loses a point for not having a single floor plan.

3***

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these tiny spaces, so perfectly arranged and organized where everything must fit exactly and nothing out of place. Lots of photos of vintage vehicles and contemporary remodels, period advertising too. Covers teardrops, canned ham trailers, fiberglass trailers and Airstreams. Boy, do I want one!! Any of them!! At least to try it out!!

[Jesseb · Rating 4 out of 5]

a picture book for adults...full of info about teardrop and ham can trailers. I picked it up ona whim at the library and now have noticed one of my neighbors has one of the T@B trailers featured in the book. Everyone in the family liked looking at it.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dream to be realized some day: hook up a BambiII or a Clipper or - dare I even think it - an actual reconstructed Gypsy Wagon and travel wherever the roads lead.

This richly illustrated and resource filled coffee table hardcover will serve in the meantime.

[Dracolibris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daydream fertilizer book, for sure...

[Patricia Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book does a good job of describing the enthusiasm some of us have for these vintage trailers and their accessories.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great photos and just enough history about the different models to keep it interesting. I would have liked to see more interior photos and anything about building your own.

[Rosemary Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at tiny trailers for the camping enthusiast. Would like to have seen more interior photos of the ones discussed in the book.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pictorial book on tiny trailors.