Bean Trailer Tour (After 2 Months Full Time Living)
This is the full detailed walkthrough of the Bean Trailer. We have been living full time in this little teardrop camper for over two months as a family of four. With the higher clearance, a one piece fiberglass shell, and all the overland camping bells and whistles, you would think that is why we chose this small camper. But, it is more than that. This trailer walkthrough will be highlighting the small details that set this trailer apart from the pack. And it comes down to the simplicity of the design. There is a reason teardrop trailers have more or less kept the same design since the 1940s. Yet for some reason, every manufacturer today feels like they need to reinvent small camper living. Are all these new design features really for your benefit? We don't believe so. And that is what this video is about. A simple trailer, with modern updates, and a few innovative features that really set it apart. And this ultimately leads to what we believe is one of the best, if not the best small camper trailers on the market.
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Here's a hack you might like to fix paper towels from unrolling. I learned this from a TV fishing channel years ago. Take a plastic soda bottle, 1 or 2 Lt. Remove the top and bottom, so it's just a cylinder. Cut the cylinder, from top to bottom, as if it was standing. With a little tweaking, you can wrap this around the paper towels, and you can pull them through the slot.
Nice! I see you already have 4 thumbs ups from this comment. I have never heard this. These are the types of comments we love to get. Thank you Ronald!
It's pretty cute but for something sp tiny, it has alot of useful features!👍🏻 I am actually quite impressed by how much you guys like it, l know a few females that aren't happy with anything less than a hotel with spa treatments. I commend your joy of simplicity! It really is a cute little Jellybean with alot more functionality than you'd expect in a tiny space. Wishing the cute pony🐴a very long happy healthy life! I LOVE Horses!👍🏻 Enjoy your little Nest kids!👍🏻😄 🐾🌈☮️🇨🇦
We have always been a horse family. This is our first pony. Grandma is super excited to take out the kids on carriage rides. I tried to rig up the carriage last summer, wow it was much more complicated than I thought it would be! Grandma‘s been getting help all winter and studying how to do it so I think it will be ready this fall for the boys,
I treasure seeing teardrop innovations that we can apply to DIY campers. Thanks for a great video and for sharing your family with us.
i don't ever recall May being featured this much in a video. great trailer, great vid, thanks for sharing, God bless
True! Thinking of past videos I think our low water dish washing video would have been her largest appearance before this. kzhead.info/sun/ochtosmcjYNsiqM/bejne.html
I am with you 100% on the sink and onboard water for all the same reasons you named. Luckily, my wife agreed to "no indoor plumbing" for me and I agreed to a roof air conditioner for her (she can't sleep in the 100°+ summer heat index here in TN).
Good compromise. Another thing to note is just reducing that moisture with the AC. That in itself makes a world of difference.
Drew... thanks for the raw honesty! I always love your videos! Keep up the awesome work!
Glad you enjoy it! Thank you so much. Comments like this make it all worth it!
Thanks for the Bean walk through. I love their design and features.
You are most welcome Devin. It was a fun video to make.
This is one of your better videos. Thank you for the info. May you and your family stay well and safe.
I appreciate that. Thank you!
Man this is one of my favorite teardrops you've reviewed! Thank you for always being so in depth and honest!😊
Hi Drew and May! I love your Bean trailer! The pass through and storage are by far the best features! We actually haven’t been using our sink and water tank lately and I don’t really miss it. We just use water jugs with spigots and it’s just as easy, if not easier! My daughter, son-in-law and their family are visiting this month, camping all the way to upstate NY from Austin, Texas. I was showing my son-in-law, Juan, your videos and he may be a new subscriber soon. I am glad I stopped over because I missed some of your recent videos. I guess I haven’t been getting your feed. I hope that changes! Your videos are getting better and better (if that’s possible!) They’ve always been so good and well produced. God bless you both and East and Rye too ❤️ ~ Maria
Hi Maria. I can’t remember did you see our thank you that we posted on our 100,000 subscriber community post? We did a personal shout out in there for you for all you do for the small camper community KZhead creators. You are awesome! Glad to hear you have family visiting. I bet you feel super blessed right now. Take care Maria.
You have a beautiful family and I love how you embrace minimalism with smart organization strategies!
Thank you so much Brett!
Great review! This makes me want to own a house and a SUV even more to just own this tariler 😅... as a city condo girl this just looks so much more comfortable and fun than a regular car camping.
This video solidified our choice!!!! Thank you. Two years shopping, no, seriously. RVs the Solis pocket, etc. But this is all we need because we have a Toyota Tacoma. The pass through and fiberglass sold it for us. Is the bunk standard. It's so perfect for our dog!!!!!! : ) from So. Cal.
Glad to hear this video was helpful. The bunk is not standard. It is one of the add-ons.
Great tour. Anyone that's looking how to video a camper tour should start here. If I were in the market for a camper you have sold me big time on Bean!
I appreciate that. It means a lot. .I am always going back and forth about what I think would make a good walkthrough. This one was by far the easiest because we know it so intimately. I try to do the same with other trailers. At first it was a bit hard to get to know a camper in 2 to 3 days. But now that I have been in so many, it is starting to get easier to see and understand the features that will benefit the end users most.
Very nice , seems perfect for a family of 4. Y'all have been at it long enough to know what you really needed in a teardrop . I'm finally getting to take out my teardrop and head out tomorrow. Looking forward to this being the first of many trips this summer. 😀
You are going to have a blast! I am a bit jealous. We don't get to hop in our until August. Patience Drew, patience...
A family of 4 with two 5 year olds and a tiny wife... I think a family can tolerate this for a week here and there... but man... that is NO SPACE.
Yes if you were planning on living inside that trailer it would even be tough with one person. A teardrop is a different philosophy it’s more like tent camping with a bed on wheels. Basically the space for the family is outdoors.
Nice looks like a fun experience I grew up tent camping and for a few years a nice mid size camper but I love the idea of medium family sized modern budget friendly camper for a weekend or week trip.
No doubt, a high end teardrop with quality! Like the pass through galley setup. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Tricia!
I love the outdoor kitchen/ galley.
Oh wow! That projector area is awesome!
Agreed! It is super cool. This summer we took out the cargo trailer the entire time and we surely missed our mini movie theater. We could do it in the cargo trailer, but it just didn't quite feel the same.
I love the functionality of that Bean galley. Some of the teardrops and square drops have galleys that are basically just a storage closet (Hiker is one that comes to mind). While on a cross country road trip having the ability to just pull off into a park or rest stop and make a quick meal and then close it up and be on your way without having to setup and tear down an outdoor kitchen is a major advantage.
It really is. We had no idea. Our homebuuilt teardrop galley is just like you described. Just a storage space. So even for mid-day picnics on the road I still have to lug out the stove and other items. At the time I thought it wasn't a big deal. Now, I would never go back! Have a mobile kitchen ready to go at the swing up of a hatch is amazing.
I saw the video and I thought, Oh that's nice. I wonder how much. I looked it up. The lightweight Classic Bean, starts at $25,990. The most extreme in capability and luxury, Black Bean, starts at $39,990. Thanks for the laugh.
You watched the video for the base model and googled the fully loaded model. They are not that expensive unless you go for fully loaded
@@heathersmith6416 The lightweight Classic Bean, starts at $25,990. The most extreme in capability and luxury, Black Bean, starts at $39,990. I did not make this up.
@@glennwatson3313 The bean stock starts at $15,999 on their builder tool. Adding accessories put my build around 20k.
@@nathanmabey2106 I'm sure you are right but that is not what the website said.
Hi , me again from Haarlem, Holland. As I said in a previous video we bought a bushcamp off road 2 yrs ago with all the extras but it came at a price. When we started camping we did,nt have any extras like douches, wc, tv etc so not having a safety rail on both sides saved us 1,000 euros, taking out the built in batteries, water tank, shower, sun panel + central heating, sink + cooker took another 4,000 euros of the price. I suppose you could say we,re minimalists anyway we have a foldup wash basin, a plug in fire that fits in my hand if it,s cool inside which happens rarely ( caravan is built in eastern europe ) + insulated for their winters. We have a cooker in a plastic case where I can cook where I want + bagage box roughly 150 cm, long by 60 cm wide + 80cm deep I think my wife would fit in lol. The rest of the cooking things are in there. It can hold a large amount of stuff. We have a swingtent on the roof with another German bagagebox for side panels etc. Not having a battery + water tank gave us an extra deep sliding drawer in the kitchen + 2 smaller ones on the left plus a cupboard for 2 gas bottles also space for a sliding dometic fridge. We,re quite happy with what we,ve got + hope to keep going for a few more yrs health permitting. ( we,re in our 70s ) all for now Roy.
Heading out this weekend. Always love your videos.
I'm jealous! I can't wait to get out soon. We have been camping, but on a much smaller scale lately. We are all ready for a big adventure this summer!
Thanks for the review! Because of your great info we now own a Bean. We picked it up in the middle of May and love it!
Nice! How long did you have to wait?
@@mikemead2315 Initially I was given a 4-month lead. They've adjusted how they schedule and fulfill orders so I only had a 2-month wait. I ordered it in March and picked up in mid-May. Admitidly I didn't order some of the options that may have delayed our build so your mileage may vary.
How cool Randy! Where did you take your shakedown trip?
Thank you for sharing this. I think companies like Bean are selling a ton of trailers right now due to this quick turnaround. It may not sound quick to someone new to the industry. But compared to many of the 1.5 to 2 year waitlists this is lightning fast. I think it is also another great argument to buy from your local teardrop manufacturer. Many of the newer smaller ma and pa stores are able to get you a trailer quickly. In these times it is hard to put a price on that.
@@PlayingwithSticks My wife and I weren't able to take a long vacation form work so we were only able to stop at an RV campground in Rawlings, Wyoming and a state recreation area campground outside of Lincoln, Nebraska on our way back to SW Missouri. We upgraded our Mean Bean with a MaxxAir fan and Liithium Ion battery but went with the base galley since we already had 2 - 7 gallon Reliance water jugs and had purchased our own ICECO JP40 refrigerator. I completely agree with the lack of drawers. In fact I'm adding 4 drawers, 1 above the water jugs and 3 stacked in the center. This will greatly help our organization!. After getting back home we took our Bean out the first weekend of June to a US Army Corps of Engineers campground at a nearby lake. We chose a basic camp site but didn't miss having shore power or water since we had everything we needed onboard. We loved it so much we are heading back there again at the end of June.
I am loving your video! Going to check out some more of your videos! Have a great time wherever you are! 🚙⛺️
Thank you so much! Glad you were enjoying it. I just hooked up the teardrop and am out in Oregon. It’s beautiful out here.
I love y'all's videos, my trailer build is at a brief standstill right now while we save money for doors. watching and rewatching your videos makes me so excited to get the build done so my wife and I can take the dogs out and make some memories with our camper!
Don't get me started on doors! Three years ago any regular man could afford a door. Today, like you, you literally have to stop a build to save up for it. And unfortunately there are only a couple door manufacturers in the States. They could surely use some healthy competition right now. But I think you are making the right move. I study a lot of homebuilds and getting that door right on your own can be quite tricky. I have even come to find many manufacturers feel the same way. I used to think that they were just being lazy or Un-innovative. But I have found most have the best success with the standard RV industry door. Would love to see photos when you get it all completed.
@@PlayingwithSticks at first I was going to build my own doors but I feel like for a trailer that I hope to last decades a homebuilt door wouldn't hold up as well as a manufactured one. I have been documenting the whole build process so far, when it's done I will probably do a video or blog post or something sharing the process for the community to see. I will totally send you pictures when it's done!
@@jacechristian8725 Awesome. I am really looking forward to seeing that.
Doors - I bought mine through Vintage Technologies at about $950 including the installation kit. No small investment but beautiful doors. I'm doing Oregon Batman's build and it's coming along beautifully. One thing I like is the 'false floor' where storage is built under the slide out fridge and under the slide out drawer (on the other side). I appreciate the large box on the front of the Bean to haul chairs, tents, etc in. Very handy.
@@microgreensgrower3946 I just ordered some Challenger Doors online, I think they are the same ones sold on vintage technologies. Looking forward to finally making some more progress.
My Bean has the same galley as yours and I LOVE it! I have the fridge. I found a small plastic set of drawers at Walmart that fits perfectly under the tub/sink and next to the water jugs. I also love all the storage inside. I just really love my Bean!
Love when people take things into their own hands and make it right. It took May and I a whole summer to realize all we needed to do was add some plastic drawers. Yes, in the long run maybe building out drawers would be a better option. But a quick stop at a local store and we could have had a much better experience in 10 minutes. I really enjoy chatting with people on here who feel the same way we do about simplicity. It really makes a big difference.
Neat rig! Love the pass-through cabinets. Danny and Lynn
Thanks Danny and Lynn. I was excited to finally show the pass-through to everyone.
Just completed our 3rd week long trip with our Bean Stock trailer. We have taken it places that I am pretty sure no one with a Mean Bean would even go. I actually wonder how many Mean or Black Beans actually get off road. lol. I absolutely love the setup for the sink. The pass through galley has been quite handy especially for toiletries. I'm not a huge fan of the slider drawer system. The lids always fall off and are pretty useless. We also discovered that the screws holding the sliders in place did not have locktite or locking nuts. So on this third trip one of them fell off. One thing I did was put labels on each slider drawer. I got very frustrated trying to remember what was in each one on our first trip. Yup we use that sink as a storage drawer. I keep all of the things I need for the stove in it. One bummer is our Yeti cooler does not fit in the cooler drawer. But, we have been finding that using both coolers is much better. We use the Yeti for things that must stay cold and keep it in the Jeep for taking on the trail when we go off-roading without the camper. We put all of our drinks in the Coleman cooler. I am planning on making an insulated cover for the Coleman cooler so that it will hold ice longer. I also bought a pretty large size cutting board that just about fits completely over the cooler. I gives me some extra working or serving space if I need it. For the paper towel holder, I use a wire type clothespin. I just jam it into the end of the towel roll and grab the end sheet. It's been working great. In the other cabinet sections, I bought some 2 or 3 inch deep baskets and rubber shelf liners. These have worked great to keep things from sliding around while bumping down the dirt roads. I've also found that the cardboard from a case of soda/water cans will fit perfectly in the shelves for a cheaper option. The only problem is the rubber shelf liner pulls out when I pull the baskets out. I'm going to experiment with tacking them to the bottom of the basket with hot glue. On our latest trip, we found out how well the camper stays cool even while setting under a blazing sun all day. I think I ran the fan just once for a few minutes. We just open it up, crack the windows and the camper cools down fast at night out here in the west. Just make sure to shut it up tight in the morning. All I can say, is that besides the Jeep, the camper has been the best investment for our outdoor lifestyle. I had been researching campers for a while and after watching a few of Drew's videos, I knew I had found exactly what I was looking for. Zero regrets so far. We did learn the hard way this trip that the Bean is wider than the Jeep. Those fenders can take a beating though. Clearance was not the limiting factor for sure. So sad we could not squeeze through a few trees to get to an incredible cliffside spot. If you are a Bean Owner and want to check out our camping spots, I post as CampRubYcon on the Bean There app.
Hey Drew. Great video… again! This teardrop was very interesting. I gotta tell you that I was so close to building my teardrop with a pass through galley. Now that I watched you describe this one, I’m disappointed that I didn’t. I think I need to add an overhead shelf in the front of the cabin, and maybe change out my tongue box. Sometimes when we go camping we need to remember to keep it simple
Like you I think a lot of us can't quite picture the benefit of the passthrough at first. It seems neat, but more of a novelty. That is how I pictured Vistabule's when I first saw it. I see it completely different now. And even that one I look at it and think could they have added more? Glad I was able to paint a picture that helped you see it a bit clearer. This comment is everything I was hoping someone would take from this video. Yes, some people are going to watch this video and say "I want a Bean." But I was hoping others would see it and say those are great features to add to a home build. Or those are great features to look for in other brands. So thank you! Glad to see the message is speaking to more than just this trailer.
excellent review! at the end, I had NO questions in my mind. ;)
Great video! Love everything about the bean, especially love the pass through. The view from your campsite is beautiful!❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Maykou!
Wow! Love this!
What a beautiful family and your wife is funny. She makes me laugh. I'm now a subscriber. YAY!!
Looks pretty amazing 👏 👌
Thank you! Cheers!
Trailer is something we'd like to look into further , as we are in the market for one. just gotta say your children are absolutely DARLING ! may you have a ton more adventures!! be blessed!
Thank you for your kind words Erin. .Obviously we are huge fans of trailers. They really have been a great mode of adventure for our family. I am always trying to convince folks to try one out. What it opened up for us in terms of experiences has been incredible.
This is a fantastic and really objective video. Thanks for the real review of functionality over luxury take.
Glad you enjoyed the video James.
Wow that’s so lovely thank for showing Awesome I wish I could get one UK 👊🏻
We are thrilled with our bean stock. The solar option was a game changer I'm so glad we got it. And the storage box is amazing great for storing trash bag and firewood to keep dry
Good point on the trash bag. This is going to sound gross. But it would be a great alternative to storing our human waste in the rooftop box. Hauling poo is never fun. Having a separate area for it away from humans is always a plus.
This was a really good review. Very practical (your hallmark), and yet underscored the value of the Bean’s rugged build. Only wish I could have seen that awning deployed.
Have you seen our awning video yet? Haha. There was a reason it wasn’t deployed and it happened in that exact location. I hinted to it a little bit in this video. Sorry I’m on my phone right now so I can’t provide the link but the thumbnail says truth in big letters. Lots of shots of the awning in that video. And why I’m not a fan. I suggest while watching the video picture a standard square awning. That is in terms of a comparison. I’m starting to believe that may be the best route for most of us.
And yes good point. I left the rugged build fir other channels to highlight. I was interested in showing the softer side of this trailer. I think it’s a component that’s often overlooked or overshadowed by the rugged build.
Your son's bunk is awesome!
Hiv guys great to see you back out on the road again I have been out in my little guy camper a few times since I got it but its pretty wet here at the moment so maybe when it warms up a bit anyway keep up the great vlogs cheers
I have been hearing about a lot of unseasonable weather around the world this camping season. Hopefully it is making for lower crowds. As you know my favorite camping days are the poor weather days. But it took me quite a bit of practice to get a system that excelled in that type of weather. Which Little Guy do you own? Always interested to know what folks are towing.
Your comment about the 20 gallons of water vs the two 5-gallon containers was eye-opening. Appreciate the different view point you express.
I’ve received some good responses on this one. Basically we should be asking the manufacturer if their water tank has baffles. Which, based on most trailers I’ve taken out that doesn’t seem to be the case. Maybe if we all start asking more they’ll start installing them.
I dream of owning a bean someday even though I have never tried a teardrop but I love the size and simplicity of it
Cute kids ! - trl. Seems well built. ! Badass movie screen !
I have looked at the Bean trailers and like them. You have a good setup on your Bean. We are with you. We don’t want or need a sink and water in the teardrop. Like you said, more things to go wrong and more maintenance and upkeep. When we bought our square drop, we were looking for something without “built in” water. We wanted low maintenance. If we ever changed campers, Bean is definitely on our list. That tongue box is really nice. Even though you stood on them, the fenders need to be step rated.
Good point on the fenders. They are step rated for every other model from Bean accept this one. I think it is kind of a nice subtle hint for folks that they might want to upgrade. I always want to jump on the fenders to show people they may not actually have to do that.
Very well said. Wants versus needs. It's very well set up trailer. As I was watching it, looking at all that counter space, I really do wish I had sliding doors to my cabinets. As it stands, I have to move objects on my counter space to open my cupboards. And I do love my front box. I store my jacks, fold-up tables, and many other things. As well as one side is designated as a battery and charge system area. Another great video my good man! You really do, do a great job.
When I was designing my dream teardrop trailer. My favorite galleys were filled with cabinets. They just made sense to me at the time. But since taking out so many teardrops my thoughts have dramatically changed on galleys. The doors are an issue like you mentioned. And there is a whole other issue I am running across. And that is the more custom you make the cabinets to fit your current needs, the less future proofed your trailer is. I now err on the side of caution that less cabinets equals more. Meaning if I use more little cabinets in my build it restricts the size of what I can put in them. With larger cabinets size really isn't an issue. It comes down to organizing that space with bins/dividers/etc. In terms of practicality I think open face cabinets like Colorado Teardrops and our home built teardrop make the most sense. However, I don't like looking at the mess. So for May and I we have come to the conclusion that we would prefer mostly covered storage areas. I say mostly because it is nice to have a few that are open. Like May mentioned in the video it is nice to have some spaces that you can quickly grab and go. And we are with you on the front box. If your vehicle can support that weight you might as well do it with the initial build because you will probably want it some day. Thanks for sharing all this. You can probably tell you hit a topic that is important for me. It is the little things. They really do add up to a great experience.
I like your idea of sliding doors that eliminate the need to move something to open it. Variation would a rollup like on the old roll-top desks, or even a curtain type. Or even just plain open - a single door is easy enough to remove as a test and put back on later.
For my type of adventuring, which deals abit with miles of washboard roads, some rock hopping, lots of mud, ruts and snow. Everything needs to be tightly packed. Like I would love to have a magnetic knife holder for cooking, or even a dish to hold change in. Heck, even my eating utensils have a carabiner holding them all together. Oh! I did want to mention about the rock sliders. Although I am a bit of an extreme, The Rock sliders are a great idea. Not only are they good for rocks and stumps but they're also good for putting one foot on them the next foot on the fender.
@@PlayingwithSticks As much as I love drawers, I can understand manufacturers just making a big storage area customizable by the individual owner and, like you said, "future" adaptable. Those upper-center bin-drawers kind'a fit both worlds. Different sizes available or remove some or all. And it is nice having a bin with a common theme where the whole bin is removed and taken to where it is needed - not usually so with most drawers. I use that "take the whole bin" idea a lot when cooking.
Good ideas Mike. I did see a teardrop that had one of the cabinet doors come off and then clip into a gusset for a side table. Which left the cabinet open while your Camp was set up.
YES! when people look at our T@B 320 Boondock and grimace when I tell them their family car isn't an appropriate TV for it, I recommend BEAN Trailers to them. Hopefully, their work on their larger model to compete with the 320 will be complete soon.
Great video!
Thanks. I appreciate that.
Another great review video Drew, so much to like about the Base Bean. Thanks
Thanks guys! I see you are in the heart of kayak fishing season over on your channel. I'm a bit jealous.
The kayak fishing has been good but can I make you a bit more jealous ? I’m retiring in 14 days and…. Getting a new puppy. Life is good ! 👍
@@bucktalesoutdoors7566 Okay, Definitely jealous now. Congratulations! I picture you as a lab or retriever kind of guy. Am I off?
You are right on Drew ! This will be the 5th Lab we have had over the years. We pick him up today. His name is Bodhi and we are so excited to bring him into our family. I suspect he will become the star of the show here at Buck Tales Outdoors. 😂
@@bucktalesoutdoors7566 We are a lab family as well. One time we made the mistake of getting a labradoodle. We thought it would be a similar experience. Haha. Love that dog. But man is he a character. And since then I have met so many doodles in public with the same characteristics. I really like the name Bodhi. Is there a connection there with spirituality? I have only heard that word used in Buddhist areas. Being in Thailand I have learned quite a bit this year about Sanskrit. Interesting how many words from so many different languages are borm from Sanskrit.
I'm implementing a similar galley on my Valiant build. I appreciate the simplicity.
I love it! The Valiant with a simple build would be the top of my list. And with a trailer like Valiant you want to rally that thing. I would much rather rally a trailer with a simple galley.
Very nice !
I must say, between the (expensive) virtues of the Bean Travel Trailer, and Drew's genuine presentation, I think Bean owes you a few "Commission" checks... Just sayin' Keep up the wonderful genuine review of the small travel trailers. They're the one's nearly everyone can afford as well as afford to tow in Summer 2022 ~ !
Glad you were enjoying these videos. We will be arriving in the States in about one week. If all goes as planned we should have some great diversity of trailers to highlight this year. I’m so excited to get back on the road!
Really nice video. Your wife is too cute! While I don't have a teardrop (I have a 20ft enclosed trailer conversion to haul my side by side with me), I still find them fascinating and the Bean is definitely one of the better designs I've seen. In a perfect world I would have a Bean just for camping along side my other trailer. If I could just win that lotto! 😉Good stuff and a very fun video. 👍
I would like to hear more about the projection tv, that was awesome!! Good review of the trailer too~
I talked about the projector way back in a winter video. It was over a year ago. I’m trying to remember which video it was in. I think I have the projector linked in my Amazon storefront if you want to check it out. I also think Benq has come up with a new projector that replaced it. But get ready for price shock this is the best portable projector on the market and it comes with a high price tag.
I have used my parents' Mean Bean several times and always enjoyed the comfort and functionality. My partner and I have taken it out in below freezing and scorching hot conditions and been comfortable in both extremes. It has so many great features that you pointed out in this video. The ability to change the color of the light in the galley is amazing because you can tune the light to decrease the amount of bugs that are attracted to it when you are cooking. One of the great features on the Mean Bean is the 360 pivot trailer hitch which is absolutely amazing when you are offroading, I have zero concern about the attachment through rough terrain and situations where the tow vehicle is side hill in one direction, but the Bean is leaning opposite. It also handles very well in offroad situations and the sturdy suspension with high clearance and rock sliders means I have no concern about damaging the trailer. If the tow vehicle can clear the obstacle, so can the Bean, and if your line selection isn't perfect and the Bean hits that rock you were avoiding with your vehicle, no problem. One of the big things that I don't like is how sharp the edges of the storage cubby and cabinets are, they can definitely cut you if you aren't careful. The other big issue on the interior is that the upper cabinet will not stay open by itself, which means that rummaging through can only be done with one hand (as you can see when May is showing it off). Otherwise, there is very little bad to say about the trailer. Now for my embarrasing story. I was typically using my parents' jeep to tow the trailer but decided to use my lifted subaru outback on one trip (before lifting my outback I found that the tongue weight of the trailer significantly compressed my rear shocks). Only having the 2.5l engine was fine for paved roads, and most fireroads. However, I decided to head into a place that required a very long and steep descent on dirt road. No problem heading in, the brakes on the trailer worked very well and I was able to fine tune their response with the brake controller I installed. We were there for 10 days camping off grid and I knew that getting out was going to be at the limits of what my car could handle, so I drained all my water to lighten the load as much as possible. It actually proved to be too much, an extended 12-18% grade combined with 100+ degree temps and my poor little subaru was about to overheat. Fortunately, a very nice gentelman with a Ford F-250 stopped to see if we were ok as we were pulled over and letting the engine cool down. He volunteered to tow the Bean out to the paved road and saved me from having to leave it and come back later with a friend's truck. Since these trailers are fairly heavy, especially with gear, make sure that your tow vehicle is adequate for the roads you are taking it on, it could have been a much different story for us.
Great story. And great authentic review. Love seeing people list the pros and cons,
How do you keep warm when it is really cold out since there is no heater?
@@AlpineWarren There is a heater available that runs off propane. Might be an add on from the manufacturer, but the trailer itself is pretty well insulated. Plus the body heat of two people is pretty substantial as well.
I love not having a water tank in my bean. I had problems with the blue water bottles leaking, but found that two scepter Jerry can style containers fit in the space under the stove. The sink would definitely use more water than our system does. Love our Bean Stock!
I bet those Jerry cans probably free up some nice space down there huh? I realize it is the same amount of gallons, but that narrow profile probably helps huh? And yes, I completely forgot to mention the #1 reason I don't prefer sinks and that is wasted water when traveling. Thank you for sharing that.
@@PlayingwithSticks they take up about the same space but are much easier to handle especially as they get low on water. We still have room for our hand wash bucket and pans alongside them.
@@CinkSVideo Thank you. And they look cool! Haha. One of these days I will get a jerry can.
I went with the sink in my meaner bean. It has turned out to be mostly a hand washing station. I do like having the water tank though. For weekend trips I don't fill it all the way.
We’ve already had two incredible outings with our Mean Bean this year. It’s everything we could ever want in a small travel trailer. Since I see a lot of people talking about cost in the comments our Mean Bean was about $28k last year and that was done with some pretty nice upgrades. There were a few upgrades we held off on but could be added later (heater being probably the main one). We’ve loved the purchase and experience of ownership.
This is great to hear. Like you, heaters have always been more of an afterthought for us. I should never have tried one in the Scamp. Hard to go back after experiencing a ventilated heat source in a small camper.
Thanks for the great video, love the set-up. Next month my “tiny camper” will be ready from factory. It has a big window in the bedroom. The bed can be configured as a sofa, so you can watch outside during Sofo-module. There is even storage under the bed for an excellent center of gravity. Greetings from the Netherlands
Sounds amazing! Is your design similar to the Vistabule design? I feel like you sent me a link once, but I can't remember now.
@@PlayingwithSticks looks a little bit the same, but it is higher and with polyester shell, added from factory an awning and diesel heater for the times we will visit the Scandinavian countries (or Hopefully Alaska) in the future. Good luck with the channel and keep the video’s coming
That sounds really neat. I would definitely like to see pictures of your first adventure.
@@PlayingwithSticks i will keep you informed about the adventure with teardrop trailer for sure
Thanks 4 video. I think I'm gonna get a bean stock
Woot woot! Love the Beanstock.
Can't believe you dropped a Clampetts reference. Haha. Don't think most of these young bucks will get that one. Great video by the way. My wife has always wanted a Teardrop trailer. I'd prefer a rooftop tent on my Rubicon, but this has me thinking.
Very sweet rig. Hope you guys are doing well. ☮️
Hi Drew, thanks for the Bean videos. I have been a long time viewer and have always wanted a teardrop, convincing my wife was another task, but we both fell in love with the Bean design. I looked at the specs and saw the height with fan was 80”, the minimum opening of my garage is 80”, of course the teardrop has to fit in the garage. First check box on the list! Still trying to figure out a way of getting a Bean in my garage…maybe air down!!
That is awful. There’s nothing worse than something almost fitting. A lot of people air down small travel trailers like scamps to get them in. But something like a Teardrop we shouldn’t have to do that right? The whole point of a teardrop is simplicity. Airing down to get in and out to me would be like converting a bed to a table every morning in a camper. I would go crazy! Haha. There’s a lot of other options out there including composite small camper trailers. But if you were really set on this I think the first thing I would do is check the difference in profile sizes of the max air fan and the Fantastic fan. Unfortunately this would cause you to cut your own hole if it was lower. OK I’m writing all this thinking out loud dictating through my phone and realizing that’s a horrible idea. Maybe check to see if that dometic AC they offer has a lower profile. I remember seeing them install one this summer and a good portion of it pushes into the cabin.
I picked up my bean last month after watching your videos - Thanks for putting out this content, Drew! I agree that a sink really isn’t worth it usually. I was talked into getting the upgraded kitchen by my SO, but every time we camp at high altitude (we live in the Rockies, so it’s a lot) I’m worried I’m going to wake up to a busted water pump 🥶 so far so good but it’s a matter of time…
In the far distant past we have had sinks and pumps. And what we did was treated it as if we didn't have one. That seemed to make the trips a lot better. And then when we knew we were going to have shore power and water access then we primed it up to be ready to use the whole system. So really you have the best of both worlds. Use it when it is to your advantage and treat it like a more traditional teardrop when it isn't. And just like a classic car we tried to use it every now and then to get the cobwebs out. I never even thought about the altitude. Thank you for sharing all this Garren.
Yup. Our trip to Montana this last week June 19-27 included several mornings with hard frost. And, we were not what at what I would consider altitude. We also camped in rental Bean in Sedona, AZ in early November with 2 nights of freezing temps. Seems to me it is an unnecessary and possible trip/camper ruining expense.
I'm reminded of being the eldest of six children back when my family lived a few months in a Bonaire 2000 tent trailer.
How cool. Glad we were able to drum up a bit of nostalgia for you.
That is pretty sweet 👍🏻
I’ve had my eye on the Bean since pre-pandemic. We finally ordered one and is to be picked up 6/20! Like you I did not want the sink and the hassle of maintenance. We went with the same kitchen configuration. It’s reassuring to see you guys equally like it, can’t wait to haul it out!
Oh my goodness. There is no way I would be able to sleep at night if I was you. Christmas is only a few days away for you! You are going to absolutely love it.
That’s nice to hear Alisha, back when I was shopping I had narrowed my list to Bean and Escopod. Both really well done teardrops. But the pass through on Bean is hard to beat. I camp in winter too, and paired my Bean with a solar battery (Goal Zero). On bitter mornings I can make my tea without getting out of my Jammie’s with a tiny travel hot pot and the battery inside the cabin. I’ve been caught in some really bad weather on occasion, but have stayed cozy inside and well fed too. Then there are all those wonderful, peaceful walks or whatever you enjoy under the sun and moon. I hope you get these lovely moments out camping too, congratulations on your new Bean!
@@jenniferchilton-kauffmann6280 I love how two of the top teardrop manufacturers are within 40 minutes of each other. Makes it really easy to compare the two builds. I always say you are either an Escapod person or a Bean person. Once you see them you are never split. Designed for the same lifestyle, but they speak to two different audiences once seen in person.
@@PlayingwithSticks yes, I think that is pretty accurate. I don’t do extreme off roading, but needed something I could drag down really badly rutted NF roads or on to sandy beaches. Both Bean and Escapod can handle that.
Assuming you use the galley for cooking, imho the best teardrop mod is amber lights for the kitchen area. There's nothing worse than realising it's not black pepper but bugs that you stirred into your meal.
You are correct! This trailer comes with RGB lights that change to Amber. You can see it a little bit in the night scene where I’m closing the galley I have the green RGB light on. I’m glad you mentioned this.
🦟 Missing out on Free protein. Just saying. 🦟
@@mikemead2315 I tell May that every day. She still isn't buying it. She is appalled every time I eat or drink an ant. I tell her, who has the time. Haha. Over here ants are in everything. If you are fishing them out one by one you would never finish your meal or drink in time for the next meal.
I was in a bit of a funk today as I was looking for a video to watch on KZhead. All of my recommendations seemed to be political or negative things I knew I really didn't want or need. Then I thought, "I really need some Playing With Sticks." Drew, your easygoing approach and thoughtful insight always encourages me. My wife and I have been considering a TAG but I think maybe we should take a serious look at the Bean Stock instead. Thanks for your videos.
This is the model I’d buy too!
You know I love hearing this! There is something about kindred spirits.
@@PlayingwithSticks 🙂
Thank you!
You are most welcome!
I still love the A-Liner LXE ❤️
Does she have a sister ...too cute 😂😂😂 Great job guys absolutely loved this❤️
Honest review. It brought me to the Bean website and revisitrd the spec for its Classic trailer, which could possibly be mine in the near future.
We love the classic. Big fans of how those fenders appeal to the eye.
Ahhh the Bean Stock is SUTCH a cool trailer!!!
Thanks Tanner! They really are.
Some things are not as simple as you make out. If you have a pass-through galley, then your insulated envelope must be at the galley hatch (lid, door thingy). Which means the galley floor (and sidewalls) must be insulated. Otherwise, your bedroom would be effectively outside. If you don't have a pass-through galley then you can have the line of the insulation following the bulkhead between sleeping area and galley, and so the galley floor can be uninsulated, and thus single skin, and thus reduce the height of everything in the galley by up to 3".......or create an extra 3" of storage space. As with almost every aspect of design, particularly with constrained spatial limits, every design decision is a compromise.
I love what you’re saying here and it makes sense in terms of design. But I don’t think I understand your comment about some things are not as simple as you make out. Did I make this out to be simple? You’re absolutely right the thought process and design that goes into this is not simple and that’s why the trailer cost a good amount of money. It’s the functionality of the trailer that is simple. Everything you need and nothing else.
@@PlayingwithSticks Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you had over-simplified things. I was probably using the general case "you". I know you weren't looking at the insulation issue, but were just considering the galley. However, insulation is fundamental when considering the design of the galley. With my architect's hat on, I would have talked about the inter-connectedness of the issues if I had been extolling the virtues of the two-sided cupboards.
Awww shat! Wow ok 😳
Bean trailers are great! We love the various options. For example we'd rather have the convenience of a sink in our galley verses lugging water jugs. We don't worry about spending ten minutes to winterize because we added freeze protection to the system for camping year round. Water sloshing while towing, haha Maybe it's the gas in your fuel tank;)
I like your winter solution. And as to the water tank I’m not sure how Bean has constructed theirs. They seem to go above and beyond on everything so they probably added baffles. I’ve never pulled a Bean with a water tank. I should’ve probably specified that in the video.
Sorry and I probably should’ve explained the winterizing. Like you mentioned it’s 10 minutes. But 10 minutes every time you take out your trailer late fall, winter and early spring. Could you share the added freeze protection that you use? If possible could you share links to that. I think there’s probably a lot more folks like you that would find that very useful.
Good point. Plus it's also a little more work to sanitize a tank system compared to jugs. Time spent handing jugs vs time spent caring for a system? We used jugs during 40+ years of tent camping. I'm sure that's a major part of our appreciation for the convenience of Bean's on-board water system. We also have the Road tank on our Bean and a RoropaX on our tow vehicle. We let them freeze (2/3rds full). Here's a link to the 12V freeze protection for Bean's on-board system. The project might seem involved but it's pretty simple when taken one step at a time. The description includes links and other details. kzhead.info/sun/dJRrd9iKlp6ppKc/bejne.html
You can’t imagine how thrilled I was for this video - I had used the tool of bean to build up what I thought it could be a great option but, I also know that everything could go a little simple every time when you know what your basics are. So I really appreciate your video Drew, May and family- you’ve cleared my mind and help me find that simplicity gap I was missing. So, Drew: in other videos you had shown that you use portable solar panels and I guess this is what you’re having here, right? Could you stand to keep it that way or add the front panel offered by bean? (portable Vs fixed on to the bean). And my 2nd question will be: what’s the effect of having an axle in a loaded bean and the dirt bumps that you can typically find when you’re off roading? (Axle Vs axle less). This is a constant question as I live in Baja México and well, washed bumps (I think that’s how their known ¿?), are part of the adventure down here. And guys, I know I mentioned in another video of yours but, if you ever come south Baja (Baja California Sur), you’ll be very welcomed at Baja Serena Rv Park with us - I’ll be very happy to host you and show you this region around it’s awesome (totally different, but cool). Cheers to you and your lovely family. ¡I’m a big fan of your content!
Glad this video was helpful. Yes, we use only portable solar. However, if you have the money, I think a 100 watt mounted solar panel paired with portable solar panels is the best option. And that is because the mounted panel will allow you to capture the energy from the sun while driving and when hiking. When you are out playing you don't want to leave those panels around. But when you are at camp you need those portable panels to chase the sun. I would say a majority of campsites have your mounted panels situated in the shade most of the day. Another benefit of boondocking. You typically can get a bit more sun exposure. In terms of axles loaded vs unloaded. I could go on and on about this. As long as it is not leafspring and you are going with a torsion axle or independent, most on the axles on the market today are beefy enough to handle those loads quite well. It is the unloaded part that becomes the issue for many manufactured teardrops. A good teardrop manufacturer will derate the axles to ensure they ride well unweighted. A poor manufacturer will put the strongest weighted axle on a trailer to look good on paper. But they often fail to derate it. What this leads to is a trailer that has less give than a leafspring. Basically the trailer and your goods are too light to actually properly press down on the axle. Because of this it almost rides like a hardtail motorcycle. Does that make sense? So companies like Bean set their axles up to work in both conditions loaded and unloaded. And because they use overbuilt axles I have never heard an issue with loaded from any of these higher end overland builds.
@@PlayingwithSticks hey, thanks a lot for this feedback - so nice of you to take the time to respond - really appreciated. Till the next time!
תמשיך ככה
You need to look at a Unimog or similar with portal axles to get anywhere near the ground clearance of that trailer. But if you've got a Unimog, you don't need a trailer!
If there is a problem with "slosh" (water movement) during transport the solution is easy to overcome if done during manufacturing. I used to be a welder fabricator and we added baffles to all aluminum tanks made to stop this. Just a thought.
Thank you for sharing this. I'm hoping manufacturers are reading this!
how cool the movie screen!
It really is. We don't utilize as much as we probably should. But when we do it feels pretty magical.
Another great video! I purchased the bean stock trailer after reviewing many trailers over the last five years. Your video convinced me that I had chosen the right one. I have a question for you on wheel locks, what size of wheel lock did you get for your bean stock trailer?
This does look like a beauty of a teardrop, and I am glad to get a view of it. But as to price, the $22,990 listed in the video is without any options at all. As near as I can tell, taking my information from the Bean website, the cost of the trailer you see here in the video is probably closer to $31,500 or so. As near as I can tell, the following shown items are options: upholstered backrest, roof fan w/remote, Thule roof rack, children's bunk bed, solar/gravity-fed shower, awning, rock sliders, that roomy front box, and the roof top tent. Drew did not mention his electrical system but if there is a lithium battery in there (AGM is standard), that's another option as well, as would be a solar panel (which I did not see). I can't quite tell if the wall-mounted propane tank is stock or not, so I assume it is. Drew, please feel free to correct any errors or misconceptions I may have about the actual price of the unit shown in this video or its options.
Great points here Tom! To be honest though, minus the stainless countertop we wouldn't want any of the upgrades. Still don't feel we need a rooftop tent. Didn't enjoy the awning as you can see in another video. Did love the tongue box! I also would want rock sliders to protect the investment. So yes, even without a few of the additional options this thing would get pricey fast! One thing I really appreciate about Bean is they are very upfront about this. If you go to their website and pricing. They list right up front the base cost, but then right next to it they list the average cost. I will put that in this comment for folks. Again thank you for this Tom. There is only so much information I can fit in a video. So adding to it within these comments is very beneficial for the community. These are the average prices, not base prices. Bean Stock average price $26, 736. Classic Bean $28,121. Mean Bean $31,572. Meaner Bean $34,732. Black Bean $46,550
I saw it too on the website
@@PlayingwithSticks Well here's the thing. Stupid me, when I finished watching the video and saw the price, I was floored! "Wow, all that for $22,990? What a deal!" So I immediately went to the web site to confirm this, and that's when I saw the difference between the base price and a unit with options. I just didn't want anyone else making the same perceptive mistake I made. And you're right, they do put the average price upfront. If this was a help, glad to do it.
If Bean made this same exact trailer except with a Square-drop shape....then I'll be interested.....nice walkthrough Drew! Thanks for sharing!
Square-drop really has a lot of interesting benefits.
You shouldn't have said that! Haha. Have you seen our Black Bean walkthrough? They are presenting a bit of an optical illusion with that one. They basically shaped the interior with a squardrop design and then on the exterior they rounded it out the fiberglass to look like a teardrop. Best of both worlds. The extra space of a squaredrop with the look of a teardrop. Pretty neat. I guess I shouldn't assume it is the space saving features of the squardrop that interests you. Is it perhaps the aesthetics? I am a huge fan of the teardrop shape, but I also like how mean a squaredrop looks. It just looks like it is ready to go into battle.
@@PlayingwithSticks The teardrop look is superior bar none. Though there are a couple of very nice looking squaredrops out there. I like the squaredrop hatch-cover acting like a large awning over the prep area, easier hatch area access without leaning over and risking shin damage, and the efficient use of rectangular storage space in the back without (nice looking) curves cutting into it. And easier to build.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yeah, the Black Bean is nice, but it doesn't quite get the positive attributes available in the hatch area that a squaredrop has and where the squaredrop shines. In my book, a rounded front is superior on both styles, and a rounded interior is not something I even think about other than for storage area - and I kind'a like a rounded front interior for lounging.
@@mikemead2315 Good point on the hatch. I didn't even think of the benefits there.
I would say you repeated nearly everything about my Bean Stock that got me to buy it even back in 2019. Lots of peaceful camping later it’s still been the trailer that fits my camping style too
Love hearing this!
Would have killed for that when I was your age. But at my age I need some creature comforts. Well done!
I completely understand. Thanks for sharing Bo. .
Drew, Thank you for the tour. I love you videos. Do the Bean trailers have heat and A/C options?
Enjoyed..you r good at speaking
Thank you Julie! I really appreciate that.
Cute family!!!
Aww, thank you.
That little bit of extra height really does add to usability over a 4 foot ceiling.
Crazy what one foot difference can make. Even a few inches. There were a couple of trailers I walked through in State parks this summer that really opened my eyes. They had the same interior height (floor to ceiling) as most teardrops. However their beds were a bit thicker and that thickness really changed the feeling of the whole trailer. What once felt open and airy, got a bit more intimate and tight. Not an awful feeling, but reminded me of the importance of trying to get that mattress as thin as possible while still being comfortable.
@@PlayingwithSticks I can relate to a thick mattress making the camper feel cramped. My favorite mattress is a 10+" air mattress (I use it at home now too!). Its thickness completely overwhelmed my camping spaces no mater where I tried it.
@@mikemead2315 You sound like us. When we were searching out the best mattress for our teardrop we like our air mattress as well. But, once we got it in the teardrop it was ridiculously reducing the foot space between the bed and the cabinets.
@@mikemead2315 Its one of the trade offs you have to make in small spaces. That said, some people do have problems with thinner mattresses and their backs or hips. On the flip side, some people can have a nice sleep on a Shikibuton and bedding, then roll/fold that up and toss it in storage for more room. it just depends on how minimalist you want to be. And again, unless you are going to "custom build" the camper with the size of mattress you want in mind... you are often stuck with the normal 2" foam or less, some come with. Sometimes i think this is a "trap" they use to make the unit look bigger. using as thin a mattress as they can and saying "oh you can swap it out or put in something thicker" but untill you see what a 6" or 8" mattress looks like in there you don't realize it might block outlets, stop drawers from opening and such.
love it made very good choices i agree about the sink a 5 gal bucket or any portable sink will due 1/2 gallon spray bottle work fine for dishes as well. i rather have the space like you.. wow incredible trailer
Did your username change? As usual it is good to see you on here. Maybe I am just tired this morning, but I swear your name changed? Just making sure I have the right guy.
howdy sounds like a great trip for you all peace...
Thanks
Awesome
Hey! Thanks for a great video! I was searching your links for the fire pit you briefly mentioned, but I can’t find it. Would love to learn about it!
Okay.. Yup, now I want one lol.
I'm seriously considering an off road type teardrop and looking hard at the Black Bean. I'm 62 and have tent camped since I was in diapers. But, I feel it's time to make the move to some type of trailer. One thing I disagree with you on is not having an sink and water tank. That is something that I definitely want. It gets old lugging around water, plus, I like having a sink. But, that's what is great about people having different wants and desires, imagine if we all liked and disliked the same things the world would be boring. Thanks for making a0nd sharing your video.
I compeletely understand your need to upgarde a bit. And don't get me wrong I don't think a sink takes away from all the great features of the Black Bean. It is just a whole different level of trailer in terms of performance and price.
Awesome ❤ no sink for me….the more simple the better
You sound like us!
Thing is nice man looks it’ll last a long long time. When the boys get bigger just shove them in a tent or a rooftop tent and boom your golden
Red eyes from the “dirt” Righttt….LOL
Hey Drew! Love your videos. We love our teardrop. We bought a Bend Teardrop Trailer. It has everything we need, we love to boondock and it just works! We have gone everywhere in it and no complaints. It is not as built out as yours but we love it. And the price was amazing since we were on a tight budget. Wanted to know what your thoughts were. Thanks and keep up the good work.
The thoughts are positive from me. I just spent some time with Bend teardrops last week. I had a great time hanging out with them and I made a video that will come out on KZhead this year. I really like the price point of their trailers. Love to hear that you’re enjoying your teardrop. I had a such a great time in Oregon. My time was way too limited though I can’t wait to go back with the family in the future.