The Opera has been designed for people who don’t want to tow around larger, heavier campers or fifth wheels,  but still want comfortable amenities while still enjoying the outdoors. The Opera offers what most camping tents don’t: two electrically adjustable beds that can be transformed into one, a private ceramic toilet and two sinks, a 36 liter (9.5 gallon) top-loading refrigerator, a 30 liter (about 8 gallon) water tank and water pump, LED lighting and even a teak veranda. The Opera also has a boiler that supplies warm water to the outdoor kitchen and the exterior shower, hot air heating, two cupboards, and a wine storage cabinet as well as baggage and clothing storage.

The unique and compact outdoor kitchen is multifunctional and stylish. It has two modular elements that can be configured into a piezoelectric 2-pit stove, piezoelectric gas barbeque, charcoal barbeque (stainless steel only) and beech wood cutting board. It folds up to fit into a kitchen cupboard. The tent portion of the trailer consists of an inner layer made of cotton and an outer layer made of polyester weave canvas. It folds out with the use of three hydraulic motors.

The Opera is about 1,350 kg (2,973 lbs.) and is available in three color schemes. It’s being sold in Europe and Australia for approximately €27,680 ($36,152) and the company is looking for more international sellers.

Photos courtesy of Opera/YSIN

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

The diminutive trailer is just over 12 feet long and about 7 feet high. It weighs about 1,245 lbs. and has a maximum load capacity of about 400 lbs. It includes an awning, three windows and a skylight, outdoor lighting, integrated blinds, lights, a two-burner stove and sink, a fold-out work surface, a refrigerator, a four gallon water tank and a gas heater. It sleeps two people on the 4.5 ft. by 7 ft. fold-out bed. The trailer also contains a full wardrobe, storage under and behind the benches and above the dining area.

Each of the “Nests” have a specially designed identification plate with their respective serial number and are equipped with “Swallow” upholstery.  The price of the Schwalbennest is €5,990 or about $7,900. It is currently only available in Europe, Iceland and Great Britain.

Photos courtesy of Knaus and under-autofreunden.de

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

The new 15-foot long T@B has the same smart and sassy design, options and details as the original, but is still in the initial floor plan phase. Little Guy has added some additional amenities such as an outdoor shower with a 2.5 gallon heated tank, a 3-way refrigerator that can run off 12 volt, 110 or propane and a detachable screen door. The trailer is about 1,500 pounds fully loaded, contains a sink and a 2-burner LP stove, a propane tank and battery attached to the front and has a 5 gallon fresh water tank. The interior has birch cabinetry, storage under and over the seating/Queen bed combo, a small closet, a Port-a-Potty, an LP furnace/CoolCat air conditioner and several upholstery designs.

Little Guy has also made an effort to redesign and correct issues that plagued the original T@B. The new trailer will have a better door handle, a heavier front door, solid aluminum instead of mesh wheel wells and they are using automotive adhesives to attach the trim to the roof. There will also be additional 110 and 12v outlets and the axle weight was increased to 3,500 pounds instead of the original’s 300 pounds. The expensive European parts will be produced in the U.S.

Other standard features include:

• Silver, Yellow, Red & White Exterior trim available
• Aluminum Framed Roof & Sidewalls
• Laminated Fiberglass Sidewalls with foam block insulation
• Alufiber Roof with R-12 cut insulation
• 14″ Alloy Rims
• E-Coated Microlite frame; Independent suspension
• Tongue jack with dolly wheel
• Two sets stabilizer jacks; Two sets grab handles
• Poly Plastic, duo pane bay windows w/roll-away screens/ shades
• 2-Way, 3-Speed Fantastic Fan ; Multiple 12v/110 outlets
• Spare tire and under mount bracket
• Premium vinyl flooring on Aluminum Framed Floor
• 5 Interior 12Volt light fixtures & External Porch Light
• “Easy-up” indoor/outdoor table, Table top 28″x31″
• 110V A/C to 12V D/C power converter
• Hydraulic Surge Brakes
• Pre-Installed Keder (Awning) Rail
• DVD/TV Player with AM/FM and Cable Coaxial Hookup
• 12v Norcold Compressor Refrigerator
• Redesigned, Industrial Strength Entry Door w/ Removable Screen

Optional features include:

• Norcold 3-Way Fridge that can be plugged into 12 volt or 110 or propane
• 15″ Monitor w/DVD/AMFM
• Side Portal Window
• Side Awning
• External shower
• 2.5 gallon Hot Water Heater
• 19 gallon gray water tank

The 2012 T@B is being sold at dealers around the country for around $16,000-$20,000. Only about 600 units will be built in 2012, but the company projects to build about 1,200 a year in their current facility in the next 18-24 months.

Photos courtesy of T@B/Little Guy

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

The cumulous structure is built of wood and plexiglass and is part art, part practical living. The Cloud was created as a refuge from urban life and has an open living plan and integrated beds. There is no bathroom and cooking is done outside. Reservations can be made on The Cloud’s Facebook page.

Photos courtesy of Zebra3 and Flodeau

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

The Trillium is unique to the fiberglass trailer market in that the company bonds all fiberglass components, uses no wood in the structure, uses closed cell foam ceiling and wall insulation, provides upscale, contemporary interiors and builds each unit to the owner’s specifications. The stylish interior of these trailers is what attracted my attention.

The Trillium is good for an extended trip (or tiny living) as well as for weekend excursions. They weigh between 1,400 and 1,680 pounds unloaded and the prices range from $12,895 to over $20,000 for the 1500 depending on floor plan and options selected.

Several purchasing incentives are available with the Trillium. Through the end of March of 2011, Trillium RV Limited is currently offering free delivery within a 500 mile radius of the manufacturing facility in Temecula, CA or $500 off MSRP. The company also has a referral program where a $250 fee will be paid for any referral that results in the purchase of a Trillium RV 1300 or 1500 within 30 days of referral receipt. A Trillium showroom is located in Irvine, CA and rental locations are also being established across the U.S. and Canada where potential customers can try before they buy.

The Trillium also includes options for:

• Cable TV Hookup
• Pleated Day/Night Window Shades
• Removable Closet Shelves
• Carpeted Lower Storage Compartments
• Awning
• Solar Charging System
• Kitchen Counter Extension
• 12000 BTU LP Furnace
• Microwave Oven

Photos Courtesy of Trillium RV

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Designed and developed for Glastonbury Festival 2005, the podpad will stand up to the most severe of weather conditions. They are comfortable, weatherproof, cool, soundproof, secure, and safe with optional extras available to increase comfort. They are also a possible solution to a group base camp, on-site storage, as well as live-in accommodation.

The podpad is designed to accommodate two adults comfortably on either a double or twin beds. In exceptional circumstances, they can accommodate a family of three. The podpad is 8 feet by 6 feet with a wooden floor and a fitted carpet. They have raised beds with mattresses, shelving, windows with curtains, a mirror, light and a 12V socket. Podpads are also solar powered by a panel outfitted as a sunflower on the roof. This can be used for low usage items such as charging cell phones, laptops and iPods.

Podpads are usually offered for camping and festivals in small groups called podcamps, and also come in scaled up versions called the Luxpad, the Bunkpad and the Octopad. The Luxpad is 10 feet by 8 feet and has a higher roof, more storage and 240v power. The Bunkpad is the same size as the Luxpad and offers bunkbeds for families. The Octopad is a 16-foot octagon with a low roof. It’s supported by a center pole and can accommodate a large family or group.

Photos courtesy of Podpads, Rockness and NME

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Sir James started his life as an 8×12 dual axel car trailer from California Custom Trailers. The trailer came licensed with brakes and everything for $1,700. The house was made with a welded iron “cage” and then wood, tarpaper and plywood layers were all bolted into the cage. It’s 7 feet wide by 12 feet long and it took 4 months to build. Sir James is Michel’s second of four original designs.

The outside wood was burned to create the patina they wanted and then oiled. Both Christy and Michel realize that this extra design adds a lot of weight, but they love the look of it. Sir James has been exposed to horrible wind, snow, sleet, rain, hail storms and six Burning Man events and has come out looking better than ever. Christy and Michel primarily use Sir James for camping, including yearly Christmas/New Year’s trips to Death Valley.

Inside Sir James is a rear kitchen and a bedroom with a center bed, hallways and separate doors on each side for easy access. When I visited their rig, they used the wall behind the bed to hang up their numerous costumes for the event. I was surprised how cool and dark it was in the bedroom area. They have a large storage locker near the hitch to carry a wood burning stove, fire wood, a spare tire, and tools.

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Facebook Fan Page: We Can Do It! Women Who Camp with a Teardrop, Tent or Trailer

Camp Like a Girl

The Beehive Cottage

The Vintage Housewife

Cute as Pie Cottage

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Get ready to head into the world of nomads with the Spaceship. Even though this vehicle is primarily used for traveling and vacations, I thought I would include it in the blog for its fun and unique use of space and nifty storage options. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife on wheels!

The Spaceship is only available in the UK, Australia and New Zealand as a vacation and camping rental, but it’s fascinating to look at as an all encompassing place to sleep, cook, eat, lounge and live for a short period of time.

Each Spaceship drives like a car, but has all the features of a small RV or trailer including double beds, food and water storage, awnings, dual batteries, security storage, refrigerator, swivel seats, gas stove, DVD/CD/MP3 player and screen and stereo. The vehicle can seat up to four people and can sleep two in the double bed. Extra sleeping and storage space is available from a pop-up attached to the roof of the car.

Spaceship YouTube Videos:

Sleeping in a Spaceship

Cooking in a Spaceship

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

When I first saw these huts on wheels, they looked a bit like an alien vehicle from Star Wars. The more I looked at them though, the more I fell in love with these sleek little houses.

Designed as a modern alternative to camping by Tom Kundig of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects in Seattle, the Rolling Huts are available for rent in the Methow Valley of Washington state. The huts are several steps above camping, while remaining low-tech and low-impact in their design.

The huts sit lightly on the site, a flood plain meadow in an alpine river valley. The owner purchased the site, formerly a RV campground, with the aim of allowing the landscape return to its natural state. The wheels lift the structures above the meadow, providing an unobstructed view into nature and the prospect of the surrounding mountains.

The huts are grouped as a herd: while each is sited towards a view of the mountains (and away from the other structures), their proximity unites them. They evoke Thoreau’s simple cabin in the woods; the structures take second place to nature.

Each hut comes equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave, fireplace and Wi-Fi. A sleeping platform is perfect for two, and the modular furniture in the living area can be reconfigured to sleep two more. Each hut has an adjacent portable toilet, and full bathrooms and showers are housed in the centrally located barn a short distance away. There is a water faucet outside of each hut and a picnic table in front of each hut that seats 12. You can stay in one of these huts for about $80-$100 a night.

By Christina Nellemann

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