Friday, September 4, 2009

Little Guy Teardrop Trailers: A small camper for the subccompact


Teardrop trailers aren't anything new to the automotive landscape. In fact, they've been around for more than 50 years. The're part of Americana, and have been become popular with the hot rod crowd. They're small, retro, and totally cool.

Fast-forward to the 21st century and there are still companies offering the teardrop trailers—even ones that can be pulled behind a front-wheel-drive subcompact!

I ran across Little Guy Teardrop Trailers several months ago while reading a thread on one of the car forums. This company, based in Canton, OH, makes trailers light enough that they can be pulled behind the smallest vehicles. Little Guy's Web site show their trailers behind a Smart ForTwo and a Scion xA, for example.

There are a variety of models, the smallest and lightest unit you can sleep in is the Rascal, as pictured above. It only weighs 490 lbs. and has a tongue weight of only 50 lbs. (you can even pull it behind a motorcycle). The interiors feature storage and room enough for a mattress. The photo at the left is of the Rascal.

There are a few other models that can be pulled behind small cars, too, such as the ECON, and possibly others, depending on your vehicle.

Retail prices start at $3,995 for the 4-Wide ECON. This will get you a trailer with an entry door and side-sliding window with screen, a wooden headliner and galley/shelving, Alufiber roof and aluminum side walls, white steel wheels, and an A-frame tongue. The smaller, lighter-weight Rascal starts at $5,495. There are a host of options and accessories, too—from alloy wheels and body graphics, to interior cabinets and lighting, and a lot more.

I think it'd be great to own one of these. You could save on hotel rooms while traveling by car, go camping for the weekend—and it'd look great behind either my SX4 or my Yaris, especially with a coordinating set of wheels.

LINK
Little Guy Teardrop Trailers

4 comments:

sleeksilver said...

After a miserable camping experience this past weekend (it dumped ALL weekend long) I've decided to get a small RV.

I think I am going to go with an r-Pod though. They are larger and have a shower and a toilet, something I consider a necessity!

Andy Lilienthal said...

What will you be pulling the r-Pod with?

Steven Davis said...

Love it, but I don't see myself getting something like this. Namely cuz I would only use it 1-2 times a year, and when I travel for photography, I tend to fly into where I'm going, and then i just rent a van with stowaway seats and throw down and aero bed.

Anonymous said...

I have a Smart Car and wish to get some sort of camper. Looking at the Teardrops or a canvis tent trailers. Like the idea of solid sides and top with the Teardrops. But wonding about wind drag and how they do in the hills of Colorado. Would figure on not trying to pull I-70 west out of Denver. Know thats one heck of a pull for any vehicle, let alone trying to pull a deadweight trailer up up up! Anyone give me some clues, I be very happy indeed. Thank you and God Bless