The Sunflower's New Big Brother

With multiple snowstorms this winter has not been conducive to teardrop trailer camping. However, we have also been spending our time fixing up our latest project. Late last summer we snagged a 13-foot Burro fiberglass trailer on Craigslist. While we love teardrop camping, for several years now we have been looking for a camper where we can cook and sit inside when the weather turns foul.

We looked at everything from the original Dutchman T@B to the inTech Luna, but nothing really spoke to us. We didn't want a bathroom or shower and we didn't need all the amenities, such as a microwave, offered in some newer small campers. I'd been keeping my eye on small fiberglass campers such as the Casita and Scamp for years, but as most of you know, these get snapped up very quickly.

I happened upon the Burro the day it was posted on Craigslist and we took it home that evening. It was built in 1982 and nothing had really been done with it since that year. It was actually in really good shape, but needed some TLC. We appreciate the over 6-feet headroom and the tiny kitchen. We named him el Burrito Wonky Donkey and he has his own Instagram page.

Stay tuned for an upcoming full tour of Wonky Donkey soon.

Featured Teardrop: Drifthouse Campers

I love to see when small companies take the teardrop design and turn it on its head…er…roof. Drifthouse does this with its new Adventure Trailer where you have the choice to stand up and cook inside.

While this is not a typical teardrop trailer, the Drifthouse Adventure is a microlite camper that only comes in at 1,250 lb. Inside is a kitchenette with a sink, faucet and drain, and a Murphy bed that converts to seating with a small folding table.

On the exterior of the camper is a customizable space to store bikes and other outdoor gear. The trailer also has a screened door and windows. The trailer keeps things simple with a rubber floor, roller shades and a pretty pine interior. The Adventure Trailer is also completely solar powered with Goal Zero.

The Drifthouse campers are still in production, but this trailer is being sold for $6,250. If you are interested in purchasing one, you can contact the company at their website.

Photos by Drifthouse

Featured Teardrop: My Mini Trailer

One reason that keeps many people from purchasing a brand new teardrop is the cost. Unfortunately, the little trailers have gone up in price over the past few years. Unless you want to build your own, the $6,000 to $12,000 cost for a teardrop can be a deterrent.

If you don't mind keeping it really simple, the My Mini Trailer company offers several options that range from $2,650 to $3,350. Other amenities can be added on for extra cost.

The My Mini Trailer comes in three different models: Carpe Diem Mini, Carpe Diem Woody and the Serenity X.

The Carpe Diem Mini is four feet wide and nearly eight feet long. It has a birch/maple plywood interior and an aluminum skin with a UV resistant vinyl roof. It weighs in at under 1,000 lb. and includes a single door, double windows, carpeted interior, interior LEDs.

The Carpe Diem is a more simple trailer without a cabinet galley. A rear door kitchenette can be added on ($450 extra) that allows for storage or placement of a camping stove or food prep. Additional storage under the bed ($195) and an inside fold down table and cabinet ($50) at the foot of the bed area can also be added.

The Carpe Diem Woody has same features and functionalities as the Mini, but it has a beautiful maple wood finish instead of aluminum. Both the Carpe Diem models are on a trailer which includes a Swivel Jack that folds away in the front.

The Serenity X adds another foot to the width of the trailer, making it a roomy 5x8 feet. The Serenity can have the same fold down kitchenette as the Carpe Diem models and it can be color coordinated to any vehicle.

My Mini Trailer offers several add ons. For an extra $600, a portable AC/heat and dehumidifier unit can be added to the tongue, and for an extra $150 the company will include a spare tire. The trailer can also have a roof rack installed ($250) or an extra side door ($355). The company also offers a folding foam bed that can be converted into a chair or sofa for $235.

I wrote about My Mini Trailer in the #45 issue of Tiny House Magazine. Check out the full article there.

Friday Teardrop Photo

This patriotic colored teardrop trailer is perfect for the 4th of July. The Vistabule Teardrop Trailer of Minnesota was parked at the Minneapolis/St. Paul RV Vacation and Camping Show and was too much of a temptation for 5-year-old Ashley Ritchie.

Photo by Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune

Featured Teardrop: Tiny Camper Company

If you are looking for a screaming deal on a teardrop trailer, check out the designs by Tiny Camper Company in Clermon, Florida. These handmade retro style trailers are not only custom built, but a few are on sale from the company's website.

Each teardrop trailer is handcrafted by carpenter Joe Tyquiengco and comes in three different styles. The Simple Sleeper Camper is 4x8 with a full bed, natural wood finish, lighting, and a basic shelf galley. The Simple Sleeper also has a wide range of upgraded features including AC, tongue storage bin and roof rack.

The 4x8 Scotty Replica has a flat back, a galley and plenty of headroom. The Square Back Camper is a simple square shape that is ready for customization. Each trailer is made with an all aluminum finish to give it a retro look. Joe is also working on a standy version of his retro design.

The campers range from only $2,500 to $3,400.

Photos by Tiny Camper Company

Featured Teardrop: Timberleaf Trailers

Teardrop trailers are getting pretty lux and the Timberleaf Trailer design is just one of them. Built by a company in Colorado, the 10x6.5 foot Timberleaf has some features you won't see on other commercially manufactured trailers including an optional custom cooler, one inch thick insulation and memory foam mattress.

The anodized aluminum exterior can be painted any color you want and the interior in Baltic Birch plywood shows some excellent cabinetry details. The height of the galley work surface is made possible by a custom cooler with a birch cover and leather handle that hides in plain site. The galley also includes a sink with cold water faucet fed by a 12 gallon tank, slide out shelf for a stove and plenty of storage.

The bed interior has a large overhead skylight,  and tons of storage at the head and the foot. Two little dropdown shelves are located under the bedside windows.

This 1,200 lb. camper starts at $15,250 for the base model which includes a Fantastic fan cabin vent, seven LED lights, two doors, polycarbonite skylight with shades and a "Colorado Queen" foam mattress. It also includes the deep cell marine battery, four power outlets, 12v charger, and a full sized spare tire.

The options really raise the status (and price) of this trailer and include the custom cooler ($425), detachable exterior serving shelf ($90), ZAMP 40w solar panel ($385), and a detachable wood dining tabletop and leg ($245).

Photos by Timberleaf Trailers

Friday Teardrop Photo

I have decided I no longer want to be a teardrop trailer owner and have purchased this beauty instead. It's only $2,800,000.

April Fools!

Featured Teardrop Trailer: Serro Scotty Lite

The Serro Scotty name is synonymous with classic American camping trailers. The company now has a retro style teardrop trailer called the Serro Scotty Lite. This 960 lb. camping trailer can be towed by four-cylinder vehicles and features the classic Scotty decals. However, it does not include the classic teardrop galley. Everything is self-contained inside the living area.

The trailer is made of industrial grade .040 aluminum with baked on paint residential grade vinyl flooring and American birch wood. The interior includes a couch that opens up into a queen bed a Fantastic Fan, three opening windows, two interior lights, cooler, five gallon water tank, portable toilet, window valences and shades. A simple shelf is located above the bed for storing items and two cubbies are located under the couch for the potty and other gear.

Other standard features on the Serro Scotty Lite include:

• Exterior porch light
• City water hook
• 13” heavy-duty trailer radial tires
• Baby moon hubcaps
• Marine battery
• 7-way plug in cord
• Two rear stabilizer crank jacks

A factory direct Serro Scotty Lite costs $9,995 with additional options like electric brakes($350), A/C ($250), and a spare tire ($150).

Photos by Serro Scotty and Randy's Trailer Town

Featured Teardrop Trailer: TigerMoth

Anyone interested in the Cricket trailer by Taxa will be happy to know that the company will have its new teardrop trailer style camper, the TigerMoth, available at the beginning of 2016.

This lightweight trailer is only 900 lb. and 12 feet long. Created by Taxa founder and former NASA designer Garret Finney, the trailer looks like a tiny space capsule ready for outdoor adventure.

The trailer has a convertible couch that turns into a bed for two and instead of a galley, it has a 48 inch slide out drawer that holds the Taxa designed kitchen box with a stove, storage and a simple water container with spigot. The TigerMoth has a battery and electricity, but is not plumbed for water.

The roof of the TigerMoth can hold gear like kayaks and bikes, the interior has plenty of storage including ceiling nets and two doors (including a fly door for outdoor shelter) that open up to create plenty of airflow. The tongue is also extended to hold additional camping gear and an optional tool box.

The TigerMoth will be sold at various dealers around the U.S. and will start at $12,999.

Photos by Taxa and Mount Comfort RV

Friday Teardrop Photo

This darling retro camper gingerbread "house" was made by Monica Eskridge of Paper Flour Ink in Houston, Texas for Sugar and Cloth. You can see the entire recipe on the Sugar and Cloth website.

Happy Holidays!

Rent (or Rent Out) a Teardrop Trailer on RV Share

The sharing community is going way beyond companies like Airbnb, Uber and Lyft. Now anyone with an RV can offer their rig for use by someone looking to take a short or long camping trip. RVShare is a website where you can conduct a search for campers and trailers to rent. You can even put your own camper or trailer on the site as a rental. This includes Class A motorcoaches, travel trailers and even teardrop trailers.

Matthew of RVShare told me that teardrop trailer owners are more than welcome to post their trailers for rent. They would be classified as a travel trailer.

"What I would suggest when listing a teardrop trailer on RVshare is to provide a very detailed description on the listing," he said. "You can classify it as a travel trailer, but I would go in depth with the description and make sure that you upload high quality photos of the RV."

If you are looking for an RV to rent, you can do a search for the area you will be traveling from and your pickup and dropoff dates. Your request will go directly to the owner. Rates range from around $25 a night for a two-person van or VW bus to about $200 a night for an RV that sleeps six to eight people. Several teardrops on the site were renting for about $150 a night. Both owners and RV dealers can list an RV on RVShare.

If you do decide to rent out your teardrop on RV Share, Matthew suggests that you make sure whoever is renting your trailer has the correct insurance.

"Insurance is an area that we are constantly working to make easier for owners," he said. "Presently, owners ask renters to secure what are called binder policies from their own auto insurance companies. We are also working on a more simple, turnkey solution."

Friday Teardrop Photo

Only two die-hard teardroppers would have such a swanky trailer for their honeymoon getaway. Congratulations Kay and Grant!