A few weeks ago I looked at some ultra-lightweight teardrop trailers. In my search for those, I came across some truly epic non-teardrop trailers. They’re certainly similar, but sport differently-awesome designs. Some you might even call futuristic. I feel like these would appeal to a different audience than the more traditional teardrop designs.
The prices range pretty wildly too, but some are cheaper than you might expect. Not all are available in the US... yet. Here’s hoping they will be, but a few of these I really want. Air Suspension Spring
Like an old-school caravan, but shrunken and given a makeover, the decidedly French Carapate, and its sibling the Carriole, are overflowing with style. From the whitewall tires, to the huge doors nearly the length of the trailer, to the wood trim that perfectly offsets the paint, these trailers are gorgeous.
Inside there’s a table to sit at and windows on 3 sides. There’s also a solar option and a slide-out galley.
The Carapate trailers are around 1,000 lbs (~450kg), and start at €11,200. As of this writing they are, sadly, only available in France. However, the company says they’re working on international distribution.
The Mink is sort of a cross between a traditional teardrop trailer and a toy submarine from the future. Bright colored accents and a circular hatch give the Mink a familiar, yet different aesthetic compared to most trailers. I love the huge moonroof that can let in lots of light. There’s a galley in the back as well.
Not surprising, given its Icelandic origins, there’s an elaborate and clever heating system built in.
It’s fairly light as well at 1,080 lbs (490 kg). Prices start at €12,960 in Europe, with plans to expand to North America and the rest of the world “in the future.”
The Polydrop is a sci-fi take on the teardrop trailer. It’s actually the trailer that inspired this article. With gull-wing doors and lots of angles, it’s as if the great Gandini designed it himself. As futuristic as the outside is, the inside is surprisingly warm and inviting.
Recessed LED lighting highlights a FRP/Plywood interior with faux leather trim. On top there’s a 100-watt solar panel and an optional sun-heated Roadshower. In the back there’s a galley, with an optional stove and fridge.
It’s also quite lightweight, at around 1,000 lbs (~450kg). Prices start at $14,000 USD.
It’s a trailer! It’s a boat! It’s both! I love this thing. It’s a tiny towable trailer that actually floats. It’s a gel coated monocoque shell sealed to a FRP hull, which the company says makes the Sealander “light-weight, extremely robust, and stable both on water and land.” All you need to do is drive it to a boat launch, attach the outboard motor, disconnect it from your car, and away you go.
There are huge windows all around, and the back rolls up almost all the way to the front window.
It’s not even that heavy, at around 1,142 lbs (518kg). Prices start at €18,479 in its home country of Germany, but worldwide available is said to be in the works.
Speaking of boats, the Chesapeake Light Craft boat company has a teardrop trailer conveniently known as the CLC Teardrop. It certainly looks like something the craftspeople at a traditional boatbuilders would build. The wood shell is simply stunning.
It’s super light weight too, at only 600 lbs (272 kg). The price of the kit starts at $2,611, and go up as you add optional features. Note that word “kit.” Chesapeake will send you what you need, but assembly is up to you.
While we’re on the topic of wood, check out the Hütte Hut. It doesn’t have the fancy features of some of the other options on this list, but look at it! It’s like a VW Bus and a tree had a baby. Clamshell doors open the entire side for ease of entry and ventilation, and the high canvas roof and multiple windows give the interior an airy feel. It’s made from marine plywood and birch.
Hütte Hut on the way.
You’ll have to BYOMatress and other interior doodads, but when something looks this epic, who cares? It’s fairly light, at 900 lbs (408 kg). Prices start at, brace yourself, $63,900. Ouch. Still, for rolling art, why not?
Ok, I included this in my previous list, but it’s so adorable. The MyPod is one of the tiniest trailers you can get, towable by just about everything with wheels. There’s still room inside for a TV, air conditioning, and a big(ish) bed. It’s got an aerodynamic look, with swept-back windows. You can expand your livable space with a tent that attaches to the back.
It weighs only 630 lbs (286 kg), and costs around $10,000.
TrackTrailer’s Tvan is like a trapezoid’s take on a teardrop trailer. Their layout is somewhat different from a traditional teardrop, however. Instead of side-doors, the rear is a full hatch. The galley, instead, pulls out from the side.
Designed for off-road outback camping, is more robustly built than a lot of the trailers on this list. There’s a spare tire, 4 jerry cans, articulated tow hitch, heavy-duty brakes, and more.
It’s also one of the heaviest on this list, at around 2,322 lbs (1,053 kg). Prices start at $58,030 AUD, or around $42K US. If you’re looking for something to take on an Australian adventure, you can rent one.
While we’re talking Australian angles, the BRS Pursuit is along the same vein as the Tvan. It’s more triangle than teardrop, but has a more “traditional” side door. It’s also got big windows, solar panels, and a serious suspension for off-roading.
It’s one of the larger options here, and the only one you can stand in, so you might need more than a Mini to tow one. Weight comes in at around 2,116 lbs (960 kg). So it’s still small compared to a “normal” camping trailer, but certainly closer to one of those than a teardrop. The price is also rather large, at around $41,200.
BRS also has the Sherpa, which is a bit more of a teardrop, but still exudes ruggedness.
Our last trailer is a bit different. It’s here not specifically for its looks, but more for its overall design. It’s sort of a hybrid between a teardrop trailer and a pop-up trailer. There are side doors but the front and rear halves of the roof pivot up, offering significant interior vertical space. For even larger families or groups, you can attach a tent/awning to the side.
Made from fiberglass, wood, Kevlar, and carbon fiber, the T300 is strong, lightweight, and has huge windows all around. It only weighs 300 lbs (136 kg)! That makes it the lightest option here by far. Even lighter than the MyPod, which is significantly smaller. It starts at$10,000. There are solar, heating, and cooling options as well.
Mack Back Suspension 3 Leaf If 300 pound is just too bulky for you, there’s the T250LX. It’s essentially the same design as the T300, but made entirely from carbon fiber. It is, you guessed it, 250 lbs. It’s $30,000 however.