Teardrop trailers are old-school cool, with a lineage that dates back to the DIY plans of the 1930s. The trailer style has remained popular ever since, and for a good reason—they just work. The teardrop perfectly balances compact dimensions, sleep-inside comfort, and timeless style. Most small trailers use a rooftop tent for sleeping, but it isn’t easy to justify the expense when you can (in most cases) mount the same tent to the top of the vehicle. Teardrops earn their keep because of the quiet, four-season, secure sleeping pod they provide, and few teardrops match the Escapod Topo 2 for delivering on that promise.
Escapod was born out of necessity and became the American dream for co-founders Jen and Chris Hudak. Like many great company stories, it started with a passion for the outdoors, professional talents, and going all-in on their vision. They started Escapod by building the trailer they needed and discovered that others needed one just like it. This demand resulted in rapid design iteration, with the first units constructed in “mom’s garage.” They evolved from that home setup to a 20,000-square-foot facility in Coalville, Utah, where they manufacture the Topo 2 and manage their rental trailer fleet.
A few features make the Topo 2 unique, starting with the single-piece composite body with an infused structural polyethylene terephthalate (PET) core. It retains the classic teardrop shape but utilizes all the best engineering technologies to maximize strength and insulation. The unit body is strong enough to allow for 300 pounds to be removed from the galvanized chassis (as compared to competitors), allowing the Escapod to come in at an impressive 2,000 pounds fully equipped. The trailer weight makes it ideal for Jeep Wranglers and smaller crossover vehicles. The low tongue load and overall unit poundage benefit any tow vehicle, complemented by the aerodynamic shape.
Unless there is no other choice, avoid the rooftop tent on the trailer at all costs, as it removes nearly all of the efficiency benefits of towing a teardrop and adds weight and leverage in the worst possible location. What makes a tent on top an even worse idea is that any movement of sleepers in the tent or the trailer will wake the other party. Use an awning enclosure for kids, or have them sleep in the tow vehicle.
We towed the trailer with a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4Xe. Even loaded with gear, the weight did not materially affect 4WD performance, and the trailer is the optimal size for most remote backcountry use. We noted a 2.3 mpg impact on the economy, but that would be improved by ditching the rooftop tent. It was interesting to see how towing benefited the regen ability of the 4Xe Jeep, with slowing the mass helping to recapture some of the energy. There are some thoughtful details about the trailer for trail use, like the independent long-travel suspension with coilover, 32-inch diameter tires, 23 inches of ground clearance, and even the metal fender flares. Espcapod now offers rock rails, which protect the vulnerable front corners of the trailer body.
In camp is where the Escapod shines, and that is because the sleeping area is a literal shelter from the storm. Arizona had record winter storms during our testing, and the wind was howling. The Topo 2 is fully enclosed and insulated, with the Truma Combi unit (standard) for thermostatically controlled cabin heat and hot water. The trailer also includes rear stabilizer jacks to isolate suspension movement, all working in concert to give me a blissful night’s sleep despite the severe wind warning chiming on my phone. The queen-size mattress is 6 inches thick and flanked by mini mud rooms for storing (and heating) your shoes. The headboard is angled for lounging, concealing additional storage for long items like camp chairs. The interior also provides volumes of storage, with multiple drawers, cabinets, and cubbies for stashing personal effects. There is even a small media tray that supports a tablet for Netflix and, well, you know.
The kitchen is fully appointed and includes a stainless steel countertop, sink, and hot and cold running water. Twenty-one gallons of insulated water storage will allow cooking, cleaning, and showering for days. Storage also abounds in the galley, with integrated knife mounts, a utensil drawer, and various configurable cubbies for cooking sundries. The two-burner gas stove slides out but needs wind protection (at least on one side). Cold food storage is the standard 75-liter Yeti Tundra or an optional ARB 60-liter fridge/freezer. The table is clever, serving as a cover for the kitchen cubbies and then hooking to the fender flares for dining duty. An optional galley enclosure is available in bad weather or buggy regions.
The Topo 2 is well-appointed, even in standard form, but I found a few essential options to recommend. The first is their proprietary magnetic bug screen and privacy panel sets, as these panels are of impressive quality and add insulation and light blocking. The 200 amp-hour lithium-ion battery package and the ARB fridge/freezer are also worth fitting. The added power will allow for extended periods of off-grid camping and support the included solar panel. I would also recommend the electric trailer brakes and to match the bolt pattern on the tow vehicle (reduces the need for a trailer spare). Other attractive options are the Dometic AC unit and the 2,000-watt inverter. The trailer starts at $43,000 and is nicely equipped, but the options add up quickly, so knowing the ones we found most important might be helpful.
Overall, the Escapod Topo 2 is the most premium and high-quality teardrop we have tested, incorporating all of the critical features that make a trailer worthwhile. The Escapod is made in the USA by passionate travelers, and it shows, with gems like induction phone charging, a big nose box, and the ingenious dining table. Imagine what those DIY teardrop builders of the 1930s would think of the Topo 2; it’s the best of the past, present, and future.
$55,000, as tested | escapod.us
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2023 Issue.
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