© Vintage Overland
American Pastime
In the early days of motoring after the turn of the 20th century, Americans managed extended road trips by staying with friends or camping in tents outside their cars. As car travel and camping grew by necessity during the Great Depression — and afterward as highways improved — DIY-prone road warriors built tiny, towable structures for sleeping and gear storage, and the travel trailer was born. Perhaps the most recognizable travel trailer is the shiny aluminum Airstream, first designed and built by Wally Byam in the 1930s.
© American Teardrop
Teardrop Popularity
One of the most popular travel trailer styles, the teardrop’s small stature makes it easy to tow behind most properly equipped passenger vehicles. Thanks to a teardrop trailer’s aerodynamic shape, drivers can still see the road behind them, and when maneuvering in close quarters — such as backing around a corner — it’s easier to see beyond a teardrop than a boxy trailer or bulky fifth-wheel. Teardrop trailers are typically not tall enough for adults to stand up inside, although they will accommodate most adults in a seated position.
© Oregon TrailR
Made in the USA: A Trailering Trade
The popularity of Rving has grown considerably in the last couple years, providing housebound families in the U.S. with a bit of freedom and demand for travel trailers continues to grow. Today a surprising number of American businesses — both small and large — manufacture high-quality travel trailers so folks can feel a sense of pride when buying a product made in the USA from a local company. By no means an exhaustive list, read on for details about some of the amazing teardrops and tiny trailers made in the USA today.
© Aero Teardrops
Aero Teardrops
Portland, Oregon
Steel 5 x 10: Starts at $17,849
A small company due south of Portland, Oregon, Aero Teardrops builds lightweight, affordable handcrafted trailers. The company offers three models (Steel, Sellwood, Burnside) of differing sizes, shapes and price points, and with as many standard features as possible buyers have less chance of extending beyond their budgets. With a decidedly retro design, Aero Teardrops have a look of sturdy, solid comfort. The company also offers roof-rack tent options for the Steel and Burnside for groups of more than two adults.
© Aero Teardrops
Aero Teardrops
Portland, Oregon
Steel 5 x 10: Starts at $17,849
The interiors of Aero Teardrops are a sight to behold. From the clear alder wood cabinetry to an amazing kitchen out back, these teardrops take camping to the next level. There’s even an additional bunk bed option in the Steel 5 x 10 to squeeze in an extra body of small stature. The company’s website offers an excellent Trailer Builder tool that allows a shopper to configure and price a trailer in real time — and then order it.
© Airstream
Airstream
Jackson Center, Ohio
Basecamp 16: Starts at $46,000
Arguably the most recognized name in travel trailering, Airstream has been a pioneer in the outdoor recreation industry since the 1930s. Through the years, Airstream has offered many trailer models as well as complete road-going RVs. Recognizing the growing trend in teardrops and tiny trailers, Airstream went back to its roots a few years ago by offering the 16-foot Basecamp aluminum trailer. Recognizing the need for a slightly larger unit that sleeps more than two people, Airstream also builds the Basecamp 20.
© Airstream
Airstream
Jackson Center, Ohio
Basecamp 16: Starts at $46,000
Granted the Basecamp series is not inexpensive, although the high-quality construction, materials and build methods mean an Airstream will last for generations. The 16-foot Basecamp sleeps two and features a wraparound front galley, toilet and shower, and seating area. The 20-foot version sleeps four (shown above); both variants are also available in an X off-road package.
© Aliner
Aliner
Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Scout-Lite: Starts at $14,995 (est.)
A trailer that puts a slight twist on the standard teardrop shape, Aliners are pop-top A-frame campers with hard walls. Made with pride in Pennsylvania, Aliner models range from the minimalist Scout-Lite to the decked-out Expedition for families. The cool thing about an Aliner is that drivers have maximum rearward visibility while towing, and once at a campsite the Aliner can be popped up into a completely hard-sided camper trailer in less than a minute.
© Aliner
Aliner
Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Scout-Lite: Starts at $14,995 (est.)
Another big draw of an Aliner is the interior standing room — a big benefit not found in most teardrops and tiny trailers. Many Aliner models also have pop-out dormers for increased interior space, such as at a dinette (shown above). Aliner A-frame trailers are also lightweight so they can be easily towed by most properly equipped crossovers, SUVs and pickups.
© American Teardrop
American Teardrop Trailer
Auburn, California
Osprey 3.5: Starts at $6,000
A custom-build trailer company out of California, American Teardrop’s 2022 models range from the entry-level, twin-mattress-width Osprey 3.5 that starts at $6,000 to the Harrier, which can accommodate a California King bed and starts at $13,500. American Teardrop trailers have many standard features as well as many options to help customers configure the exact trailer for their needs.
© American Teardrop
American Teardrop Trailer
Auburn, California
Osprey 3.5: Starts at $6,000
Standard features of an American Teardrop Trailer include a welded steel frame, an aluminum exterior, carpeted interior walls, linoleum floors and birch cabinets. Packages and upgrades can be added to all five ATT models so owners can configure trailers to their exact custom specifications.
© Bean
Bean Trailer
Salt Lake City, Utah
Bean Stock: Starting at $22,990
Bean Trailer was the 2020 Utah Manufacturer of the Year award winner for good reason. Bean builds five impeccable models (Bean Stock, Classic Bean, Mean Bean, Meaner Bean and Black Bean), and the trailers differ in size, features and off-road abilities. The company says the Mean Bean is their most popular model, and when outfitted to order it typically pencils out at $31,572.
© Bean
Bean Trailer
Salt Lake City, Utah
Bean Stock: Starting at $22,990
Inside, a Bean Trailer has a Euro-cool vibe thanks to clean lines, subdued colors and ingenious cabin arrangements. The Bean Stock has an interior floor size of 60 inches by 80 inches, as well as an interior height of 54 and a half inches. Trailer options run the gamut from spare tire covers and pop-up tables to Truma heaters and rooftop tents. The Bean website ranks among the best for navigating and ordering.
© Colorado Teardrops
Colorado Teardrops
Boulder, Colorado
Basedrop: Starts at $18,600
A now-familiar story among trailer companies, Colorado Teardrops started as a family business when an experienced boat builder and woodworker in the Centennial State discovered he could not rent a teardrop before purchasing, and the waiting period to obtain one would be six months. So he decided to build a teardrop himself, and from those humble beginnings the company was born.
© Colorado Teardrops
Colorado Teardrops
Boulder, Colorado
Basedrop: Starts at $18,600
Colorado Teardrops offers a line of trailers from the Basedrop — the smallest trailer, built to hold a queen-size bed — to the Summit Pinnacle, an extreme off-road trailer with bunk beds that convert to a sofa in addition to a queen-size bed. Colorado teardrops are made with aluminum frames and the exteriors are also skinned aluminum. Weighing in at 1,000 pounds, the Basedrop can be towed by vehicles with the tiniest of towing capacities.
© Dub Box USA
Dub Box USA
Aurora, Oregon
Dinky Dub I (Sleeper Only): Starts at $21,400
Adventure I: Starts at $40,250
A company out of Oregon, Dub Box USA produces not only camping trailers but also retail carts, turnkey mobile food and beverage carts, sleepers and toy haulers. The unique aspect of all these units, as one might guess from the name, is that they resemble iconic VW buses of the 1960s and ‘70s. All Dub Boxes can be tailored to a customer’s specific needs. The Adventure I is shown above. [new pic is periwinkle Dinky Dub!]
© Dub Box USA
Dub Box USA
Aurora, Oregon
Dinky Dub I (Sleeper Only): Starts at $21,400
Adventure I: Starts at $40,250
In terms of campers, the Dinky I sleeper includes a lightweight aluminum chassis, fiberglass body and bumpers, a 7-pin wiring harness, Reflectix insulation, “moon” style hubcaps, a queen-size mattress and a 30-amp power center. The Dinky II (Sleeper with Indoor Kitchenette) starts at $24,100. The Adventure I and II are larger units (interior shown above), with the II including a kitchenette.
© Earth Traveler
Earth Traveler Teardrop Trailers
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Earth T300: Starts at $24,995
Earth T250LX: Starts at $38,500
These amazingly lightweight teardrops are inspired by avian concepts. Beautifully birdlike in design, the tent trailers feature a one-piece shell with pop-out walls and roof. The two models currently offered — the Earth T300 and Earth T250LX — are the same size and design; the difference is in their construction and materials. The Earth T300 is made from fiberglass, wood, Kevlar and resin-reinforced feathers.
© Earth Traveler
Earth Traveler Teardrop Trailers
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Earth T300: Starts at $24,995
Earth T250LX: Starts at $38,500
The Earth Traveler T250LX is constructed of carbon fiber, Kevlar and corecell. While these minimalist units have few creature comforts other than sleeping quarters and storage, additions are available such as a kitchen station and a table. Weighing less than 300 pounds, Earth Travelers can be towed by almost any tow-ready vehicle to virtually any campsite
© Escapod
Escapod Trailers
Coalville, Utah
TOPO Series: Starts at $22,750
The trailer with the funky name (a play on escapade), Escapod trailers are handcrafted masterpieces. The attention to build detail is stunning, and every trailer this company in Coalville, Utah, cranks out brings in new loyal customers. The company’s hashtag #towandbehold brings up stunning images of customer trailers, customer images and press shots that showcase the personal attention and genuine care that goes into the creation and delivery of each trailer.
© Escapod
Escapod Trailers
Coalville, Utah
TOPO Series: Starts at $22,750
The TOPO Series is a 5 x 8 trailer constructed on a 2-inch by 2-inch welded and powder-coated frame. All exterior walls are aluminum. The extra standard accessories for 2022 are incredible at this price point (ENO 2-burner stove, propane tank, Thule crossbars, a YETI cooler, a battery charger) and trailers are easily configurable online. (Escapod also offers the TOPO2 single-piece fiberglass model starting at $39,500.) One caveat: As of July 2022 the current lead time for an original TOPO trailer is six months (TOPO2 is 10 months).
© Forest River
Forest River
Elkhart, Indiana
R-pod 171: Starts at $28,000 (est.)
Forest River is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of RVs, motorhomes, travel trailers and toy haulers. At 19 feet long and weighing in at 2,500 pounds, the R-pod stretches teardrop size to the extreme but deserves inclusion in this series about small trailers made in the good ol’ USA. Forest River bills the R-pod as the best-selling RV in its class, and that is likely because it is a true standup trailer with many convenience features for campers.
© Forest River
Forest River
Elkhart, Indiana
R-pod 171: Starts at $28,000 (est.)
Forest River employees build the R-pod using quality materials including steel and aluminum frame construction and a one-sheet fiberglass roof to eliminate any seams (and therefore less chance of moisture intrusion). Want even more convincing? Forest River is a Berkshire Hathaway company — if Warren Buffet believes in this company and its trailers, customers can too.
© Happier Camper
Happier Camper
Los Angeles, California
HC1: Starts at $35,450
Another decidedly retro-hip unit built in California, the Happier Camper HC1 is a fiberglass tiny trailer and not a teardrop, but its small stature and modular interior system make it a standout. The HC1 sleeps five, has a solar panel integrated with the trailer roof and an interior height a bit over 6 feet.
© Happier Camper
Happier Camper
Los Angeles, California
HC1: Starts at $35,450
Called the Adaptiv system, the interior of a Happier Camper is comprised of blocks that can be interchanged and moved around (even outdoors!) for a variety of trailer configurations to suit a camper’s needs. Happier Camper now offers the Traveler, which is larger than the HC1 at 14 feet of living length and it starts at $68,950.
© High Altitiude Trailers
High Altitude Trailer Company
Sedalia, Colorado
XT50 Gen IV : Starts at $26,025
A proud Colorado business, High Altitude Trailer Company custom builds rugged trailers designed to go anywhere and withstand anything nature throws its way. The trailers are constructed with foam core composite shells 1.25 inches thick with an R-10 rating, offering 4-season weatherproofing. These units are designed to go overlanding and function as a tool to get owners way out beyond the campground.
© High Altitiude Trailers
High Altitude Trailer Company
Sedalia, Colorado
XT50 Gen IV : Starts at $26,025
High Altitude offers three models that can be custom configured with a cornucopia of features. The entry XT50 Gen IV comes with hardwood flooring, stainless steel countertops in the galley, a 20,000 BTU camp stove, a foldable queen-size mattress, a Zamp solar panel system, a roof fan, insulated flooring, a roof rack with crossbars — all standard equipment. High Altitude also makes a bigger teardrop camper as well as a teardrop/trailer hybrid for those who want to take some heavy-duty gear into the wild.
© High Camp Trailers
High Camp Trailers
Portland, Oregon
High Camp: Starts at $24,850
Built in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, High Camp Trailers out of Portland, Oregon, has a design and build philosophy that many consumers will appreciate. The company has one model, they load it with lots of quality standard equipment instead of trying to upsell options, and build the trailers one at a time to exact customer specifications.
© High Camp Trailers
High Camp Trailers
Portland, Oregon
High Camp: Starts at $24,850
Standard equipment on a High Camp includes a remote-controlled 13-speed roof vent, a queen-size quilt-top mattress, anodized aluminum skin, a 3-burner cooktop and a stainless steel Coleman cooler, to name a few. Standard features include a 12-volt Dometic CC40 refrigerator, a large capacity deep-cycle battery, a tongue utility box, dual composite propane tanks and a rear hitch receiver. The ordering process is spelled out in detail on the website, and the company is so customer-focused they even have a cancellation policy that is extremely thoughtful and fair.
© Hiker Trailer
Hiker Trailer
Lafayette, Colorado and Columbus, Indiana
Highway Deluxe 5 x 8: Starts at $5,995
Hiker trailers come in four variants: Highway Deluxe, Mid-Range, XL Off-Road Hiker and Extreme Off-Road. The entry-level Deluxe has a rear galley door and some cupboards. Featuring a boxy style (think volume), all Hiker Trailers are aluminum-skinned for protection from the elements. The top-of-the-line Extreme Off-Road performs as the name implies: it has beefier everything to handle excursions off pavement.
© Hiker Trailer
Hiker Trailer
Lafayette, Colorado and Columbus, Indiana
Highway Deluxe 5 x 8: Starts at $5,995
The Hiker Trailer website has order-form style inquiries, and a rep from Hiker Trailer will contact prospective customers to iron out details and final price. Unique aspects of Hiker Trailer are the company’s two build locations in Colorado and Indiana. The two relatively equidistant locales allow customers more access to the company if they choose to visit, and since Hiker Trailer has affiliated rental programs in Nevada and Michigan to give prospective customers more access opportunities if they want to rent before purchasing.
© Hutte Hut Skye Moorhead & David Johnston
Hutte Hut
Carpinteria, California
Hutte: Contact for pricing
The Hutte Hut has understated cool oozing from every joint. For campers into cabinetry, woodgrain, yoga, kombucha, piercings and natural fibers, the Hutte Hut is America’s ultimate free-range artisanal teardrop trailer. Constructed with a 6061 T6 aluminum spaceframe and birch wood, the hut has a cotton canvas canopy rather than a boring ol’ roof. These trailers are true works of art.
© Hutte Hut
Hutte Hut
Carpinteria, California
Hutte: Contact for pricing
The Hutte possesses an expansive, Zenlike feeling since the entire side of the trailer opens to create a safe space around a campfire or beside a picturesque lake. The base model’s “commission” could buy a modest house in certain real estate markets, so it is a bit daunting given the trailer’s Spartan amenities and creature comforts. However, purchasers are akin to patrons since they are buying rolling works of art and craft. The Hutte Hut is truly a thing of beauty, but who in their right mind would take it camping? It might get scratched.
© InTech
inTech RV
Nappanee, Indiana
Luna Rover: Starting at $22,482
InTech RV makes four ranges of travel trailers: Flyer, Luna, Sol and Terra. The entry-level Flyer trailers are the smallest versions, with the Luna recognized as the brand’s true teardrop style, which features the Base, Rover and Platinum. The Luna — like every inTech RV — gets built with on an all-aluminum, welded cage frame to resist rust and increase structural stability for the demands of trailering.
© InTech
inTech RV
Nappanee, Indiana
Luna Rover: Starting at $22,482
Lunas have doors on each side of the trailer, a front panoramic windshield, and LED lights at each door. Galley amenities include a farmhouse sink with a residential-style faucet, a 2-burner LP stove and a slide-out 12-volt cooler, as well as blue LED accent lighting. Other standard features include a Bluetooth stereo/DVD player, in-floor storage compartments and a 2-inch receiver hitch for a bike rack. Options include a futon sofa, a cassette toilet, a microwave and even a fireplace.
© Little Guy
Little Guy Trailers
Uniontown, Ohio
Mini Max: Contact Dealer for Pricing
A subsidiary brand of Xtreme Outdoors, Little Guy Trailers is one of the “big little trailer” companies in operation today. Little Guy trailers are sold throughout the U.S. as well as in Canada, Australia, Chile, Colombia and South Korea. In America, models are the MyPod, Little Guy Mini Max and Little Guy Max. The MyPod is an ultralightweight trailer molded in fiberglass that can be towed by compact cars. Weighing in at a mere 840 pounds, the MyPod features a full-size bed, air-conditioning, a 3-speed fan, and an entertainment center.
© Little Guy
Little Guy Trailers
Uniontown, Ohio
Mini Max: Contact Dealer for Pricing
Priced around $30,000 and up, the popular Little Guy Mini Max has a more traditional teardrop shape, weighs about 2,320 pounds, sleeps 2–3 on dual twin beds or a queen-size mattress, has hardwood cabinetry, a 2-burner stove, a refrigerator, a dinette set, a furnace, a toilet/shower wet bath, a microwave and air-conditioning — to name a few features. These Little Guys really let a person camp with creature comforts and flair.
© NuCamp
NuCamp
Sugarcreek, Ohio
TAG / TAB: Contact Dealer for Pricing
NuCamp has two lines of teardrop trailers, the TAG and TAB (they also offer a TAB clamshell model). The popular TAG line features the TAG and TAG XL. The TAG is 5-feet wide, while the XL is 6-feet wide. TAGs are priced more economically; however, features on a TAG are super-plentiful and clever, from a lighted headboard with storage, a TV, a stargazer window, an air-conditioner, an entertainment system, cabinets and 110-volt outlets.
© NuCamp
NuCamp
Sugarcreek, Ohio
TAG / TAB: Contact Dealer for Pricing
The exterior galley of a TAG teardrop includes lighting, a 2-burner stove, a sink with an 11-gallon tank, a refrigerator and even a microwave. The primary difference between the TAG and TAB models — the TAB has a wet bath, a U-shaped convertible dinette and is tall enough for most people to stand up in. Both TAG and TAB lines can be upgraded with a Boondock off-road package.
© Oliver Travel Trailers
Oliver Travel Trailers
Hohenwald, Tennessee
2022 Legacy Elite: Starting at $57,000
Not a teardrop and barely small enough to qualify for this series, we have to include Oliver trailers simply because they are such high-quality units. As the entry-level trailer, the Legacy Elite is a thing of beauty. Oliver trailers are built to exacting standards and have amazing double-hull fiberglass shells that make them four-season comfortable. The list of standard features of is long and their website has full details, although a few notable features include a full galley, a rear dining table and a side dinette, a 10-foot retractable awning and a monitoring system for liquid and battery levels.
© Oliver Travel Trailers
Oliver Travel Trailers
Hohenwald, Tennessee
2022 Legacy Elite: Starting at $57,000
The interiors of Oliver trailers are pristine thanks to the smooth, white fiberglass walls and modular units. The Legacy Elite has a wet bath with a molded vanity and toilet, and the trailer can sleep three people or seat six. All cabinetry has dovetail joinery (no staples!) and there are full surround lighted overhead storage compartments as well as a lighted closet.
© Oregon Trailr
Oregon Trail’R
Eugene, Oregon
DoDrop: Starts at $8,500
FronTear Starting at $18,000
With its pioneering name and Pacific Northwest location, Oregon Trail’R is owned and operated by two talented brothers from Southern Oregon who have years of fabrication experience. (The videos on their website reveal the time, attention to detail and craftsmanship that go into each handmade trailer.) The company’s trailers get built on three platforms: DoDrop, FronTear and TerraDrop ALPHA. The DoDrop is the entry-level trailer, a minimalist platform built to the exacting standards of all Oregon Trail’R products.
© Oregon Trailr
Oregon Trail’R
Eugene, Oregon
DoDrop: Starts at $8,500
FronTear Starting at $18,000
The FronTear is the brothers’ take on the classic teardrop with a refined art deco flair. The TerraDrop is logically the company’s most off-road-oriented version, touting more headroom and space. The DoDrop and FronTear can also be configure with the ALPHA package for extreme off-road trailering. The package includes full-body armorcoating, special laser-cut components (including the frame), integrated stabilizer jacks and Timbren axleless suspension.
© Polydrops
Polydrops
Glendale, California
P17A1: Starting at $28,990
The tagline of this unique trailer is “Your own space.” The funky geometric design of this aluminum trailer’s exterior shape make it both aerodynamic and easily maneuverable. A fully loaded Polydrop weighs about 1,200 pounds, so it can be trailered by most roadworthy vehicles set up for towing.
© Polydrops
Polydrops
Glendale, California
P17A1: Starting at $28,990
The P17A1 All Electric trailer looks like a space capsule that sleeps two cozy adults on a full-size mattress. It has many standard features including a heater and air-conditioner (both are battery powered), an inverter, 260-watt solar panels, Timbren independent suspension, and a pull-out table. Buyers can pip for battery or solar upgrades. (Polydrops now offers a P17 Essential at a lower starting price of $16,990. It is not fully electric like the P17A1.)
© Relic
Relic Trailers
Tacoma, Washington
Vintage Camper Essentials: Starting at $29,950
With a motto of “Rediscover. Reimagine. Recreate.” Relic Trailers builds a unique small trailer — one that recreates a nostalgic notion: a travel trailer with 1950s and 1960s Cadillac fins. Relics are constructed of fiberglass and a bare trailer weighs about 1,000 pounds. Relic camping trailers are manufactured and sold in four packages: Essential, Essential +, Glamper and Luxury Resort.
© Relic
Relic Trailers
Tacoma, Washington
Vintage Camper Essentials: Starting at $29,950
Relic trailers sleep two adults. Standard features include 110-volt outlets, vintage reproduction hardware, blinds, standard RV windows and taillights, Marmoleum flooring, solid wood cabinets, laminate countertops (vintage glitter look optional), and chrome cabinet and drawer pulls. Options include a cooktop, a heating or cooling package, a sink with water tank, and buyers can also choose Cadillac or Pontiac style taillights. Standard colors are Relic Red, Celeste Blue, Buttercup Yellow, Flamingo Pink, Jetson Black, Seafoam Green and Tin Man Gray.
© RetroRide
RetroRide Teardrops
Plover, Wisconsin
4 x 8 2-door: Starts at $7,390
RetroRide trailers are sleek, minimalist units that shine like diamonds thanks to their fingerprint-resistant aluminum skins and fenders. All RetroRide trailer frames are made in-house with both angled and round steel tubing. The trailers come in three sizes: 4 x 8, 5 x 8 and 5 x 10. Interiors are constructed using America-sourced woods.
© RetroRide
RetroRide Teardrops
Plover, Wisconsin
4 x 8 2-door: Starts at $7,390
Standard features on all three Retroride Teardrop sizes include a front rack, a Fantastic 3-speed roof fan, LED taillights and running lights, 110-volt outlets, a galley, a power control charger box and a 2-inch receiver hitch. Options include a 12-volt battery, additional windows, a spare tire, a toolbox and a roof rack. The more spacious 5 x 10 model starts at $10,950.
© Road Toad
Road Toad Campers
Necedah, Wisconsin
Road Toad ABODE: Starts at $6,835
Road Toad is a classic teardrop design in a lightweight composite trailer sold at competitive prices. Road Toad trailers have unibody construction, which means they employ an integrated body-and-frame system (instead of body on frame) that the company says produces the lightest trailers available. Road Toads weigh 400–450 pounds and can be towed by a vehicle with as little as a 1,000-pound tow rating.
© Road Toad
Road Toad Campers
Necedah, Wisconsin
Road Toad ABODE: Starts at $6,835
The two models are the TOTES cargo teardrop utility trailer and the ABODE, which is a sleeper with a galley. Trailer features include a queen-size sleeping area, two side doors, screened windows, a large galley countertop, aluminum Jeep-style fenders, all LED lights and a composite body. Buyers have options to consider, including hitch-ball size, 12-, 13-, 14- or 15-inch wheels and tires, power packages, solar panels, storage boxes, powered fans and mattresses.
© Runaway Campers
Runaway Campers
Summerfield, Florida
CoolCamp: Starts at: $5,550
Billed as America’s most affordable mini-camper, Runaway Campers in Marion County, Florida, pays attention to every detail of their camper builds. With three models to choose from, Runaway has two sizes: 4 x 8 and 6 x 8. Their bread-and-butter model is the CoolCamp, which has a plethora of standard equipment.
© Runaway Campers
Runaway Campers
Summerfield, Florida
CoolCamp: Starts at: $5,550
The Runaway CoolCamp includes LED taillights, diamond-plate fenders and front plate, 13-inch chrome center-cap wheels, a 5,000 BTU air-conditioner with cover, a wheeled front jack, 110-volt power with a six outlet strip, aluminum exterior walls and square-tube welded frame construction. Options include extra shelves, windows, a roof rack, custom wheels. Runaway also offers the Venturist off-road trailer in two sizes, 4 x 8 and 6 x 8. Three option packages are offered as well. Venturist starts at $9,050.
© Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers
Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
Koala Bear: Starting at $8,950
Sold on words such as affordable, handcrafted and easy to tow, Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers come in four models ranging in price from the Koala Bear to the Kodiak Stealth (starting at $13,950). There is also a limited-edition Polar Bear ($16,950). All trailer models include a 3,500-pound frame, electric brakes and a 15-inch wheels including a spare. A family business that started in 2010, RTTC is always improving its products and features.
© Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers
Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
Koala Bear: Starting at $8,950
Rustic Trail’s extensive, easily navigated website displays all trailers, accessories and options in an easy to build format. Available trailer options include a 5,000 BTU air-conditioner, a front rack or tool box, a deluxe MaxxAir fan, an outside table and aluminum rims, to name a few. The lead time for ordering a Rustic Trail teardrop has thankfully gone from a two-year wait to a lead time of two months or less as of July 2022.
© Scamp
Scamp Trailers
Backus, Minnesota
13-foot Scamp: Contact for Pricing
Built since the 1970s and billed as the world-famous fiberglass trailer, Scamps are not technically teardrops, but the smallest model puts it in the teardrop consideration set. Longer and taller than most of the tiny trailers covered thus far, Scamps come in lengths of 13 , 16 and 19 feet. Scamp trailers are built to order and sold factory direct through a dealership in Backus, Minnesota.
© Scamp Trailers
Scamp Trailers
Backus, Minnesota
13-foot Scamp: Contact for Pricing
The 13-foot model, which can be towed by most 4-cylinder vehicles, features a 2-piece fiberglass shell, full walk-in height, a screen door, sleeps 2-4 people and has a dining area that seats four and converts into a bed, and a sofa that converts into two bunk beds. Options include a powered roof vent, air-conditioning, a furnace, refrigerator, an awning and more.
© TAXA
TAXA Outdoors
Houston, Texas
TigerMoth: Starting at $20,311
TAXA Outdoors manufactures seven “habitats” from the tent-only Wooly Bear ($12,498) to the Mantis Overland ($57,874). Towable by many 4-cylinder vehicles, the TigerMoth has a unique, large side hatch that creates a “corner window” effect, letting the outdoors into the trailer. The TigerMoth’s large rear pull-out offers a versatile workspace for cooking. Flush with innovative features incorporated into intelligent design, the TigerMoth can go 7-plus days off-grid thanks to its integrated electrical systems.
© TAXA
TAXA Outdoors
Houston, Texas
TigerMoth: Starting at $20,311
Standard features for the teardrop-like 2-person TigerMoth are extensive and include Kynar-painted and UV-treated aluminum panels, tempered tinted windows, a torsion axle suspension with electric brakes, wiring for solar panels, a slideout kitchen with stove, foam-core interior walls, LED lighting, a single-speed vent fan and USB charging ports. Options include Thule load bars, screen doors and awning, a tongue-mounted tool box, an air-conditioner and a rooftop tent.
© Teardrops NW
Teardrops NW
Salem, Oregon
Trek: Starts at $16,500
Another great trailer company out of Oregon country, Teardrops NW manufactures two highway models — the Trek and Sojourn — and four off-road models — Scout, Recon, Ranger, Commander — to give folks freedom of choice. Teardrops NW also sells DIY kits and options for those independent folks who want to go their own way . . . and personally build the trailer that takes them there. However, due to supply chain issues Teardrops NW is suspending sales of DIY kits until further notice.
© Teardrops NW
Teardrops NW
Salem, Oregon
Trek: Starts at $16,500
The 5 x 8 Trek starts at $16,500 and includes cadence cabinetry, a rear galley, a 72-inch folding mattress, a 13-speed Fantastic vent fan, round fenders, 15-inch wheels in black or silver, a 2-inch receiver hitch, 110-volt, 12-volt and USB ports, LED lights, trailer brakes, a 7-pin wiring harness and a black powder-coated steel frame. (Sojourn model shown above.)
© Timberleaf
Timberleaf Trailers
Grand Junction, Colorado
Pika: Starts at $14,500
Timberleaf’s attention to detail and quality craftsmanship have few peers in the industry. The trailers have so many incredible features and thoughtful touches it would be tough to list them all. The company builds three models: Kestrel, Pika and Classic. The mid-level Pika is 36 percent smaller than the Timberleaf Classic, the company’s first model. The Pika, like the Classic, has all wood construction from Baltic Birch, incorporating fine cabinetmaking features such as dovetail joints.
© Timberleaf
Timberleaf Trailers
Grand Junction, Colorado
Pika: Starts at $14,500
The Pika shell is all aluminum, and other standard features include a roof vent, LED lights, two windows, two doors, a skylight, a double mattress, a retro laminate countertop with period aluminum edging, a power center, an AGM deep-cycle battery, six USB ports, two 110-volt GFCI outlets, a sink, a pullout drawer with cooktop shelf and a solid rear hatch. Options include an exterior side shelf, a tongue storage box, solar panels, a roof rack and awnings.
© Tiny Camper Company
Tiny Camper Company
Groveland, Florida
4 x 8 Classic Sleeper: Starts at $6,999
This family-run company in Florida creates custom teardrop and squaredrop trailers for budget-minded campers. They offer a retro-looking Classic Sleeper teardrop in 4 x 8 and 5 x 8 sizes, the Rugged Rhino in 4,5 and 6 x 8 sizes, and the Kong in all three sizes as well. The Classic Sleeper is the most retro-looking model; the squaredrops are fully coated with Rhino bedliner for increased durability. Buyers start with the basic trailer shell and choose amenities to add to their build.
© Tiny Camper Company
Tiny Camper Company
Groveland, Florida
4 x 8 Classic Sleeper: Starts at $6,999
Tiny Camper Company offers many upgrades so buyers can customize their trailers to their needs. These include custom Rhino and aluminum colors, painted fenders, upgraded windows, Timbren axles, a propane stove, off-road tires, rooftop tents, a tri-fold bed, custom backsplash, TV and mount, and a rear stabilizer jack. The Tiny Camper Company website indicates that the current lead time for a build is September 2022. (Kong model shown above.)
© Trail Marker
Trail Marker Outdoors
Barneveld, New York
Bushwhacker: Starting at TBD
Trail Marker trailers claim to be better than teardrop trailers for a number of reasons, although the most important one is that the trailer has no wood to rot – it is made of insulated aluminum walls and composite materials to withstand years of use and abuse. Trail Marker trailers are a product of Rolling Star Manufacturing, a company that makes all types of military, corporate and industrial trailers.
© Trail Marker
Trail Marker Outdoors
Barneveld, New York
Bushwhacker: Starting at TBD
The basic Bushwhacker is 6 feet wide, 5 feet tall and has a 10-foot cab, no power, a queen bed and an awning. The top-line Sequoia is Trail-Marker’s flagship model featuring a power-lift bed (shown above), LED lighting, solar power, wood accent walls, stainless steel countertops, two awnings and many other features. Note that the Trail Marker website says that they are at capacity and not taking any new orders at this time, and new pricing is coming.
© Turtle Up
Turtle UP Trailers
Buckley, Illinois
Beacon: Contact for Pricing
Turtle UP not only builds trailers; it is a full-service shop that repairs other brands as well. Turtle UP currently has one model, the Beacon. The Beacon’s frame can be made of steel or aluminum, depending on trailer location (predominate climate), use and customer wishes. On the outside, the Beacon comes in many color choices for both sides and roof — the latter is coated with a bedliner-like material for durability against all elements. And something seldom seen in other trailers: all four corners have leveling jacks for maximum stability on uneven surfaces.
© Turtle UP
Turtle UP Trailers
Buckley, Illinois
Beacon: Contact for Pricing
Beacon interiors are also unique with cabinets created from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to prevent rot over time. Dual skylights are standard, as is a memory foam mattress. The floor gets covered with easily-replaceable carpet tiles, and the rear galley possesses a modern look thanks to HDPE cabinets and a one-piece countertop. The Beacon can be outfitted with many amenities such as a sink, stove, refrigerator and accent lighting.
© Vintage Overland
Vintage Overland
Grand Junction, Colorado
Tuco: Starting at $18,000
Another wood and aluminum trailer designed and built to the exacting standards of finish carpentry, Vintage Overland teardrops are created by three brothers in Colorado who pride themselves on integrity and craftsmanship. The brothers call their trailers caravans (as the Brits do) and they view them as vehicles to nowhere.
© Vintage Overland
Vintage Overland
Grand Junction, Colorado
Tuco: Starting at $18,000
Beautifully built to a minimalist aesthetic with a goal of simplicity, Vintage Overland trailers are intended for off-road use, and more like escape hatches from everyday life than mere recreational vehicles. Vintage Overland builds three models ranging in starting price from $18,000 to $24,500, plus add-ons including showers, racks, awnings and baskets. The trailers weigh from about 600 to 1,000 pounds so they can be towed by nearly any vehicle with a trailer hitch.
© Vistabule
Vistabule
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Base: Starting at $23,995
A teardrop trailer with an appropriate name thanks to its large picture window up front, the Vistabule puts a twist on teardrop design. In contrast to most teardrops that have the taller portion of the unit up front (nearest the trailer tongue) and then tapering to the rear, Vistabules reverse the shape and put the taller portion at the rear of the trailer and then the living space tapers toward the front. This design offers a forward-facing orientation.
© Vistabule
Vistabule
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Base: Starting at $23,995
Vistabule configuration starts with a base trailer containing a plethora of standard feature (flip-up sofa bed, side tables integrated into the door window coverings, a Maxxair fan, porthole windows, onboard battery charger, to name a few). Buyers can customize their trailers via four option groupings: Galley, Interior, Climate Control and Trailer. Vistabules also have a clever, convenient feature not found in most teardrops: a pass-through from the rear galley up front to the living space.
