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]

Today’s Trilliums are built utilizing the original models. So the quality, design, and floor plans are true to the former manufacturing standards. The overall look of the fiberglass body remains the same. Big improvements are in the area of newer, high tech appliances, modern cushion materials, curtains, and exterior graphics. The trailers have the same dimensions, but will weigh a little more. This is due to the addition of more equipment that users have requested in the trailers.

Tom has opened up his design process to include feedback and ideas from Trillium fans. Some of the new ideas include open storage cabinetry, a small bathroom, modern styling and clean lines.

Trillium RV produces two models: the 1300 and the 4500, two floor plans without bathrooms, a four sleeper bunk,  a three sleeper front dinette, and  a bathroom floor plan. The new Trillium has an even higher level of quality control, some degree of customization, and top notch customer service. The trailers are sold directly to the consumer, without a dealer network.

Both the 1300 and the 4500 include these features and basic equipment:

1300

• 2,000 lb. maintenance free torsion axle – capacity/GVW
• 13 feet 5 inches in length
• 12 Gauge Heavy Duty Steel Frame
• 20 lb. propane tank
• 45 Amp Power Converter/Battery Charger
• Patio Light
• 4″ High Quality Cushions

4500

• 2,200 lb. maintenance free torsion axle – capacity/GVW
• 15 feet 3 inches in length
• 12 gauge heavy duty steel frame
• 20 lb. propane tank
• 45 amp power converter/battery charger
• Patio light
• 4 inch high quality cushions

Both the 1300 and the 4500 are offered in the Classic Model and the Legend Model. The cost of the 1300 Classic is $11,995 and the 4500 Classic is $13,995. The cost of the 1300 Legend is $13,995 and the 4500 Legend is $15,995. The Legend comes with everything that is included in the Classic plus additional items such as:

• Upgraded refrigerator
• LED reading lights
• Cable TV hookup
• Kitchen counter extension
• Day/Night shades
• MaxxAir roof power vent upgrade

If you are interested in a Trillium, but are not ready to buy, Trillium RV trailers are also offered as rentals.

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Fiberglass trailers first became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but since then several dozen companies and manufacturers of fiberglass trailers have been developed.

A fiberglass trailer is usually built out of two parts. A top part and a bottom part. Each created from a mold or form and then attached together. The benefits of this is there are fewer parts to create and replace and the insulation is more effective.

Fiberglass trailers have become popular in the last few years for their low weight, access, options for customization and their cute, bubble shape.

Courtesy of Per on Fiberglass RV

Courtesy of Technomadia

For a smaller trailer (13-16 feet long), there is not a lot of opportunity for a large amount of design changes. The typical layout is usually a small dinette which becomes a bed, a small kitchen area, maybe a second seating or dining area and sometimes a small bathroom with shower. However, small fiberglass trailers do have all the amenities available to larger RVs including flat screen TVs, air conditioning and heating, awnings and solar panels.

Courtesy of EggCamper

Some of the most widely known fiberglass trailers are the Casita, Scamp and the Oliver. But there are also lesser known trailers like the Trillum, the EggCamper, the Oxygen and the Burro.

As a tiny house, there are still space challenges, but storage design keeps getting better. The newer designs have storage under the seating areas, in above compartments, small closets and in the bathroom. The biggest benefit of having one of these trailers as a tiny house is that you have the freedom of pulling your lightweight home with you wherever you go.

Cherie and Chris, of Technomadia, live full-time in Orion, their Oliver trailer

Hillary of thistinyhouse travels and blogs about her 50 square foot fiberglass trailer

Bruce lives full time in an RV in Yuma, AZ, but has traveled all summer in a 16-foot Scamp

Pete Jolly refurbished a 1950s Willerby Vogue

Monica lives full-time in her 16-foot Scamp with her dog

Johnny B. is a comedian living full-time out of his Casita

And, if the nomadic lifestyle is to your liking…

Join the Casita Club

RV Full-Time

Courtesy of EggCamper

Courtesy of Oliver Trailers

Courtesy of Casita Trailers

Courtesy of Trillum Trailers

Courtesy of Chris and Fiberglass RV

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

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)