Thinking About an Overland Trailer? Why We Bought a Squaredrop Instead of a Teardrop.

We love our diesel pusher, but let’s be real. Some places are just not motorhome-friendly.

Arizona is packed with incredible places to explore, but a 39-foot Class A isn’t making it down a rocky Forest Service road anytime soon.

We wanted a way to get out into the backcountry without packing up our entire house every time we wanted to go somewhere.

At first, we considered just using our Jeep. Then we looked at teardrop trailers. Eventually, we landed on a squaredrop camper.

Here’s why we made that choice, what we learned while shopping, and whether we’d do it again.

Why Not a Teardrop Camper?

Teardrop trailers seemed like the obvious choice. They’re compact, lightweight, and often come with a built-in rear kitchen. But after looking at a few models, we started questioning whether that setup actually made sense for us.

• The built-in galley in the back takes up space and adds weight. We didn’t need a built-in sink or stove.
• The extra cabinetry and features make teardrops slightly heavier than squaredrops.
• The design felt restrictive. A squaredrop is basically an open shell, which gave us more flexibility.

The more we researched, the more a squaredrop seemed like the better fit.

What We Wanted in an Overland Trailer

We had a few key requirements for whatever we chose.

• It had to be light enough for the Jeep to tow easily.
• It needed to handle rough roads without falling apart.
• It had to be simple, without built-in plumbing or extra appliances.
• It had to fit within our $10,000 to $13,000 budget.

Once we narrowed it down to squaredrop trailers, we started looking at brands.

Why We Chose the InTech Flyer Chase

We looked at a few different manufacturers, but we kept coming back to InTech. Their all-aluminum construction meant no wood to rot and no steel to rust.

That was a big selling point for us since we knew the trailer would be taking a beating on rough trails.

InTech has a few models in their Flyer series, but we specifically chose the Chase over the Pursue because the Pursue has a built-in kitchen. We wanted to keep things as light and simple as possible, and the Chase gave us more usable space without extra weight.

Buying the Trailer Was Harder Than Expected

Finding an InTech Flyer Chase was tougher than we thought. These little trailers sell fast, and dealerships weren’t exactly helpful.

We ran into a familiar problem from when we bought our motorhome. Some dealers just didn’t take us seriously.

• A custom manufacturer in Oregon ghosted us.
• A dealership in Phoenix wasted our time.
• Finally, we found Aloha RV in Albuquerque.

Not only did they have the trailer we wanted, but they also let us handle most of the process remotely, which meant less time sitting in an office.

A few weeks later, we drove to New Mexico, signed the papers, and towed our new squaredrop home.

How We Set It Up for Camping

The Chase is basically an empty shell, which gave us a lot of flexibility in setting it up.

• We added a rooftop tent so one of us can sleep up top while the other stays in the trailer.
• We’re researching solar options to keep things powered off-grid.
• We’re working on a lightweight camp kitchen setup that doesn’t take up too much space.

Our goal is to keep everything modular and simple so we’re not overloading the Jeep or making setup a hassle.

Would We Buy a Squaredrop Again?

Absolutely. The squaredrop gives us the flexibility of an overland trailer without the unnecessary weight and features of a teardrop. It tows easily behind the Jeep and lets us camp anywhere without feeling cramped or limited.

If you’re considering an overland trailer and aren’t sure whether to go with a teardrop or a squaredrop, think about how you want to camp and what actually makes sense for your setup.

For us, keeping things light and simple was the right move. If that’s what you’re looking for, a squaredrop might be the better option for you, too.