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.

Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers

Jonathan Sechrist of Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers in North Carolina has been building teardrop campers since 2010. What started out as a fun project for a Craigslist sale quickly turned into a full-time family-run business.

Rustic Trail has several teardrop models—including a standy model with a tiny inside kitchen. The original 900 lb. Papa Bear teardrop comes in a base and standard model, the Grizzly Bear is larger with also with a base and standard model, and the Polar Bear is a 1,365 lb. lightweight standy. They are each built on a heavy duty metal frame with 14 inch aluminum wheels. The base models of each camper are completely finished outside but don’t include cabinets, beds or dinettes inside. The standard models do include solid birch cabinets, elevated beds and folding mattresses and lots of storage. The teardrops range from $4,700 to $7,875 and come in a variety of exterior and interior colors.

Rustic Trail also has affordable add-on features including an outside sink ($75), spare tire ($150), Thetford portable toilet ($175) and a front AC unit ($400).

Jonathan was kind to take some time out of his day to answer a few questions about Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers.

What are some unique aspects of your teardrop designs?

We do not offer a rear galley. Instead we offer a walk in camper (Polar Bear) with a bench and settee that transforms into a queen size bed. We also include cabinets and lots of storage.


What do your customers look for in a teardrop trailer? What basic features or add on features are requested the most?

Affordability, quality and accessibility. Our most asked for added feature is the AC and the front rack.

How did you come up with the Polar Bear design? What’s the reaction to the standy design?

The Polar Bear was a design for those that want to stand up. We have several customers that are well over six feet tall and several with back issues that find this camper exactly what they need. We have taken comments and ideas from our customers and introduced them to our line. Most people are surprised at the room the Polar Bear gives and it being so lightweight as well.

Do you camp in a teardrop? If so, where do you like to go?

We do camp. We have tried all three campers and love them all. Our favorite place to camp is the Outer Banks of North Carolina near Buxton. Being so busy we have not had the opportunity to camp very much. Our entire family works at RTTC. They have learned so much that we feel confident in letting them handle the shop. Our hopes for 2018 is to take the camper out and advertise a little more.

Someone is coming to Pilot Mountain, North Carolina to go camping. Where should they go?

Anyone wanting to camp in our area has several state parks and private owned campgrounds to choose from. About 20 miles north you have the Blue Ridge Parkway which is our favorite. The parkway offers many state parks.


Learn more about Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers from the Facebook owners group.

Photos by Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers

Teardrop Trailer for Sale: Incubate by Moksha Woodwork Designs

I recently did an interview with San Francisco based woodworker, Moksha Osgood. He builds unique campers, backyard retreats and tiny houses on wheels as well as prototypes of buildings for displaced Bay Area residents.

One of his designs, Incubate, is for sale and the sale of this teardrop-like camper will help fund additional prototypes of Moksha's dwellings for the unhoused. Incubate is 78 square feet, 2,680 lb. and is tall enough to stand up in. The structure is built on a 12 foot long Carson utility trailer and has an interesting, redwood canopy frame that can be disassembled during travel.

Moksha says he was inspired by both teardrop trailers and Japanese design and aesthetics while building Incubate.

The exterior is cover with a mix of salvaged and new redwood and cedar siding as well as 26 gauge galvanized metal sheets. The interior is accessed with Douglas Fir French doors and redwood steps.

The interior has an Atwood two-burner stove, a sink with a gravity fed faucet, four LED lights and a maple wood kitchen counter with maple cabinets. The sofa folds out into a full size bed and there are two storage cabinets behind the sofa. The interior is paneled with Douglas fir.

This one of a kind standy camper is for sale for $19,000.

Photos by Moksha Woodwork Designs

Pino Pi2010 Standy Trailer from Turkey

Okay U.S. manufacturers, listen up. These are the kind of trailers that a lot of American campers are looking for: a small standy with a kitchen that can be towed by nearly every vehicle. Is that too tall an order?

While the Pino Karavan is not a teardrop trailer, it allows campers to still sleep inside a minimalist space and cook out of the elements while still enjoying the outdoors, but currently it's only being built and sold in Turkey. The company makes larger trailers, but their Pi2010 is a wonderful design synonymous of the Knaus Schwalbennest —another European product.

The fiberglass Pi2010 is less than 900 lbs, 6 feet tall and about 5.5 feet in width and length. It's tiny, but inside is a small dinette that turns into a bed, a one burner stove and sink with a 12 volt pump, and a storage cabinet for a portable toilet.

The Pi2010 has some optional items like a 20 liter fresh water tank, exterior LED lighting, a propane heater, 12 volt cooler and the option for solar panels and a bike rack.

Photos by Pino Karavan