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]

Since 1985, Kurt has owned and operated Fine Line Design, a custom home design firm located north of Redding, California. The recent downturn in home construction allowed him the free time to get back to his woodshop where “MiniTears” began to take shape in 2008. Kurt’s background in home design and construction, along with the fabricating skills his father passed on to him, gave him everything he needs to build these beautiful Teardrop Trailers.

You can see a video of Kurt’s MiniTear here.

Photos courtesy of MiniTears

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Trailer Features and Specifications:

Exterior:
20′ overall length 10′ 4” overall height
8′ by 8′ by 16′ body
High tensile rustproof steel
Fir panel sides with cedar trim
Entire roof, front and back sheathed in waterproofing membrane.
Refurbished travel trailer chassis

Interior:
6’2” headroom in kitchen area
7’6” height in front
Sitting cove with long L shaped couch
4′ by 6’3” loft bed on hinge raises to for more ceiling height in front
two small windows an lots of shelving in loft area
Couch can turn into bed below to sleep more people
Large skylight and windows
bright spacious interior feels much larger than most comparable and even larger RV’s
Tile floor in entry way and bathroom
Engineered hardwood floor in kitchen and sitting nook
2 manual roof vents and one solar fan vent for air circulation
Custom Pine cabinets and countertops
Lots of counter space for eating and preparing food or working at.
Origo Alcohol stove
Stainless steel 2 basin sink
Cold air cooler built into kitchen cabinet
Under seating storage

Plumbing:
20 gallon fresh water tank
Pressure controlled water pump
Pex water pipes with brass quick connect fittings
On demand propane hot water heater
Brand new Moen shower faucet and kitchen faucet

Electrical:
120 volt circuit for lights and outlets
12 volt circuit for water pump and heater fan
2 deep cycle batteries
2 – 20 watt solar panels mounted on hing to raise and lower on roof
1000 watt inverter
Outside covered male receptacle to plugin to external power
All warm and neutral led lighting inside
Standard connector to towing vehicle powers brake and signal lights, electric brakes and charges battery

Heating and insulation:
High density foam core walls offer r 8 insulative value
10000 btu sig marine diesel heater
9 gallon diesel tank
4” galvanized exhaust flue

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

This is my home-built trailer using classic and modern building techniques and style. Based on traveler’s and “gypsy” wagons from Britain and France as well as sheep wagons from the western U.S. I am keeping this to the absolute minimum in size and weight. I don’t plan to live in it so it can be thought of a base camp. I have mulled it over for a very long time and was torn between this style and a teardop design. Each have advantages but this just seems to suit me better.

My final design is certainly not perfect but fit within the very tight parameters I set for myself. Small, light, and relatively cheap were important as were ascetics and traditional building techniques. Unlike modern RVs where people may spend large quantities of time inside the structure, I want this to be used more like early pioneer or “Gypsy” wagons where most of the actual living is done “outside”. The teardrop RV community has taken this to heart, often with a very modern and high-tech design, including microwave ovens, television and entertainment centers, and very modern kitchens.

Here’s a panorama of the inside from the doorway. Its difficult to get a good perspective through the camera lens. Above are few views around the interior.

To learn more visit George’s blog and his Instructable page to see how he constructed his vardo.

This is a cool little teardrop, built like a piece of furniture and with a price tag to go with it. Thank you Ben for spotting this.

William Landivar, 60, of Boulder Creek, has constructed a one-of-a-kind teardrop trailer that is a sight to be seen. Made of rich mahogany and white oak wood, the teardrop is 15 feet long and 7 feet wide and weighs 1,700 pounds.

Photos by Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner

His modern teardrop, which he calls the Aero Madera or Flying Wood, is sleek and aerodynamic.

The inside is just as impressive, with leather and carpeted interior, a refrigerator and freezer, a two-burner gas stove, a sink and a television with surround sound.

Read more: Press-Banner – Ridin in luxury

I recently went to a teardrop trailer gathering outside of Austin, NV. This was my third gathering and while there were only about 20 trailers, it was a wonderful way to see what other teardrop enthusiasts are capable of building and creating. Most gatherings will have over a hundred trailers.

If you are interested in going to a gathering (you don’t have to have your own trailer) you can visit several websites:

Teardrops and Tiny Trailers Forum

Teardrops.net

At the gatherings, the trailers or teardrops are usually open for you to look at and the owner will gladly let you crawl inside, and will tell you all about their little rig…with no sales hassles! Additionally, teardrops are so small that you can usually fit several of them in one camp spot.

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

“It has often been said that owners of travel trailers (and especially vintage travel trailers) are some of the friendliest people on earth…it also appears that the smaller the RV, the friendlier the owner.”

- Douglas Keister, Teardrops and Tiny Trailers

How would you like to get rid of everything and live in a tiny trailer? Once you take a look at Teardrops and Tiny Trailers by Douglas Keister, you will realize how stylish tiny trailers can be, and will want to run off with one of your own.

Keister, who has written books about and photographed everything from cottages to cemeteries has a new book about teardrops and tiny trailers. Last May, I attended the 15th Annual Dam Gathering of the Tears in Lakehead, Calif. with my Little Guy Rascal. I was able to meet Keister and view a slideshow of his teardrop and tiny trailer photographs. I also realized that teardroppers really are the friendliest people in the world. So, of course I had to buy the book.

Kit Teardrop from 1941

New Teardrop and Mini Cooper tow vehicle

Keister emphasizes the neighborly warmth that emanates from the owners of tiny trailers. Because of their small size, owners are really forced to spend more time outside their trailer or RV and interact with the people around them. Teardrop owners will even decorate their camping space to mesh with the design of their teardrop.

The other benefits of a teardrop or tiny trailer are:

• You don’t need a large vehicle to pull a tiny trailer. I pull my Rascal with a Dodge Neon.

• Your camping clutter is kept to a minimum in a small space. You only take what you really need.

• You save money on gas.

• Teardrops and vintage trailers are sure to gather a crowd. You will be popular in the campground, so be prepared for many admirers.

The book mostly profiles the design and history of teardrops, canned ham trailers such as the Shasta and the Serro Scotty, the Canadian boler and of course, the Airstream. The book also includes a chapter on European caravans.

Homebuilt Teardrop by Douglas Hoder

Li'l Bear Tag-Along Teardrop

There is really no mention of people who live out of their teardrops or tiny trailers, except for the temporary residents of Slab City in Niland, Calif. Most people use them for camping or more extended vacations. I use my tiny teardrop for camping and sometimes for guests who don’t mind the cramped quarters. Tiny House Blog recently had a post on using a teardrop as a guest room. I did run across the blog of Misty Tosh, who is a writer and producer and lives out of her vintage trailer while she travels and works.

If you are interested in staying in a vintage trailer, you can visit the Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona.

By Christina Nellemann

1957 12.5 ft Aljo

1951 13-ft Comet

1966 Kit Companion

Comet Interior

Teardrop Interior

Gypsy Caravan at the Mas dou Pastre Bed and Breakfast in France

All photos by Douglas Keister

Tin Can Tourists

Airstream Living

Vintage Trailer Crazy

Arizona Teardrops

Teardrops and Tiny Trailers Forum

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed