Gorgeous Teardrop Trailers and Tiny RVs That Will Make You Want to Hit the Open Road

Mention an "RV," and images of massive, gas-guzzling homes on wheels that appeal mainly to those nearing retirement is what might first come to mind. But an industry trend driven by — who else? — millennials is seeing recreational-vehicle profiles getting "smaller, sleeker with more technology built in," Recreational Vehicle Industry Association spokesman Kevin Broom told The Spokesman-Review in 2019. Cheapism has rounded up a few of these tiny RVs that are turning heads, at a number of different prices, from more affordable trailers that cost less than $15,000 to luxury motorhomes that ring up at a staggering $500,000.

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A more angular take on the ubiquitous teardrop trailer profile, the Polydrop looks like a tiny spaceship, especially with its gull-wing doors raised. At just over 12 feet long, with a double layer of insulated wood and aluminum skin, it's designed to be cozy, even in cold weather. 

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Like other trailers with similar profiles, the Polydrop includes a cabin with sleeping space and storage, and the camper's back opens up to a minimalist, mod-looking cooking space that includes a cabinet for electronic components and two storage drawers — no cooktop, sink, or refrigeration here. Polydrop's start at $16,990.

This Indiana company offers a number of RV models considered tiny by today's standards. The Chase Flyer is one of the more versatile options with plenty of available add-ons and mods. At 7 feet, 5 inches long and 3 feet, 9 inches high, it sleeps two, but can accommodate up to three more people with an add-on tent feature.

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RVers who really like to get off the beaten path can do so with the Chase's off-road tires, all-aluminum, fully welded cage frame, and lift kit. Larger versions of the Flyer — the Pursue and Explore — come with slide-out kitchens and tip-outs for extra sleeping space. New models of this trailer start at $12,000.

This pop-top, "original A-frame" camper was conceived of in the early 1970s. It now comes in 11 versions with differing features. These include exterior options such as an outdoor shower, baggage doors, LED running lights, exterior outlets, off-road axle, outside grill, and more. Interior options include a shower, toilet, and front and/or rear beds.

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Some models include a refrigerator, microwave, and stove-top. The company also makes a small-footprint, teardrop-like RV camper called the Ascape with solar panel and flat-screen TV options, though production has been temporarily suspended. Plan to drop anywhere from less than $15,000 to $30,000 for the latest Aliner models, depending on size and features.

Portland, Oregon-based Aero offers a number of customizable tiny RV models, but the 5-by-10-foot Steel is its most compact they currently offer. Like many teardrop-style trailers, the Steel features a sleeping cabin and galley that can be configured several ways. It also comes with a Bluetooth stereo system, hardwood cabinetry, LED lighting, and underfloor storage.  

Custom options such as exterior finish, wheel type, tongue storage, and awning, as well as interior add-ons such as TV/DVD player and stainless steel countertops increase the price. Aero has a super-intuitive trailer-building feature on its website that lets customers know exactly how much each feature costs. Models start just under $18,000.

Scamp has been making trailers since the 1970s, and is still going strong. The camper's original aerodynamic profile remains on the modern standard and deluxe models, available in 13- and 16-foot trailer versions, as well as a 19-foot fifth-wheel version. This latter option comes with oak or birch hardwoods, a larger bath area, more storage, and space to accommodate a larger refrigerator.

With a convertible dinette and queen-bed loft area, the super-sized Scamp can sleep five to six. Expect to spend around $18,000 for the smallest version and between $26,000 and $30,000 for larger models.

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If you're a fan of the VW Bus, you'll love the Dinky Sleeper's design, which looks a lot like the classic vehicle, only in towable form. This tiny RV comes with or without an outdoor kitchenette, and both models include a custom queen mattress and options such as privacy window shutters, roof rack, AC/heat, portable cooler, indoor curtain track, and pop-up top with weather curtains.

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Dinkys can be ordered in a choice of colors, and are easily towable at about 1,000 pounds. The kitchenette version starts at $24,100 and one without at $21,400.

A tiny RV that happens to be amphibious, the German-built Sealander can be a camper or, with the addition of an outboard engine, a boat — and all for around $30,000. The vessel's hull is constructed of gel-coated, fiberglass-reinforced plastic connected to the unit's monocoque shell (which means the body and chassis are integrated). This design lets users take the Sealander easily from road to water.  

The unit comes with an onboard grill, fresh-water toilet, stainless steel sink, dinette with seating for six that turns into a sleeping area, 2,300-watt stove module, leather and stainless steel fixtures, and an onboard shower.

For the RV owner who likes a nod to vintage styling combined with Amish craftsmanship, there's this line of tiny towables. Unlike most other teardrops that have a kitchen accessible from outside, nüCamp's TAB models includes it inside, and there are even floor plans that include a wet bath.  

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The camper's base package includes central AC and heat, a 19-inch TV/DVD/radio combo with Bluetooth technology, and an external shower for hosing down gear, pets, or yourself. Optional features include LED lights, solar panels, a Yakima roof rack, off-road tires, and more. Prices for these trailers start in the low $26K range and can exceed $30,000, depending on model and features.

With a dry weight of just over 1,700 pounds and a design inspired by NASA, the easily towable Cricket has a ton of features that make this tiny RV versatile. Once parked, campers can open a pop-up roof for added ventilation and space. It also comes with a built-in, birch plywood kitchen, under-bed storage, and a bed that can be converted into seating.  

Available options include a portable toilet, kids' berths, window AC unit, and more. The Cricket also has thoughtful exterior details — bottle opener, carabiner clips, hot/cold exterior shower — that any adventure-thirsty gearhead will love. The base model goes for around $32,000.

Built with "tough luxury in mind," this tiny RV includes a bamboo interior, a pullout stainless steel kitchen that includes a chopping board, prep deck and pantry access, as well as an electric Dometic cooler that has both refrigeration and freezing compartments, and a pop-up roof that provides extra headroom.

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The OP's interior includes a leatherette dining area, shower/toilet combo with hot water availability, a king size bed and twin bunks, and plenty of available storage via a wardrobe and other storage areas. At nearly 5,000 pounds, it'll require a more robust vehicle to tow it but, as GearJunkie recently noted, with this many features, it "may be nicer than your home." Models start at around $59,000  fully loaded.

The classic silver bullet company offers these three models that range in starting price from $46,000 to $74,000. All three are 16-footers, although the Bambi can sleep four at that size, and also comes in 19-, 20- and 22-foot versions.

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All three come with a functioning kitchen and waterproof interior bathroom (as well as exterior shower with hot and cold water). The Bambi and Basecamp have a base weight of 3,500 pounds making them easy to tow — although the Bambi might require a regular rather than midsize SUV. The base weight of the Caravel is 4,300.

This teardrop-esque trailer appears more work of art than RV — its design has received raves from publications such as Fast Company, which deemed it "a veritable jewel box on wheels." Hütte Hut's minimalist cabin combines epoxy-bonded, screwless Joubert Okoume marine ply with Baltic birch fixtures and floors, a retractable, water-repellent canvas canopy, and a multi-posture convertible cushion. All of that is mounted on a proprietary aluminum space frame chassis.

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Those with a budget should keep in mind the camper's price tag of $63,900. While Afar.com called it the "most exquisite, intelligently designed ...teardrop camper ever built," it's unlikely to be in most people's price range.

The Class B — commonly called van campers — is another category that lends itself well to smaller footprint RVs, and Winnebago's Revel is a popular, award-winning choice in this genre. It's the first off-road ready camper to be mass-produced and sold in the U.S. in decades, and Outside magazine called it a "breakthrough camper van." It includes a power-lift bed with under-bed storage, an all-in-one gear closet and wet bath, and swivel cab seats, as well as a kitchen with single-burner induction cooktop, stowable countertop extension, and 2.5 cubic foot fridge.

Other desirable features include AC/heat, dual-pane acrylic awning windows with shades for ventilation, and snap-in screens on sliding and rear doors to "let the breeze in while keeping the bugs out." All that versatility comes with a bit of sticker shock, however — new models start at $210,292.

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Following the success of the Revel is Winnebago's newest camper van, the Boldt. Built on a 24-foot Mercedes-Benz chassis with a V6 diesel engine that's also available in a 4x4 option, this modern motorhome includes safety features such as airbags, blind-spot monitors, and assist systems for auto-high beam, active lane keeping, and active braking. The two floorplans combine sleeping areas, galley kitchens, and dining areas.

Winnebago claims it's the "most comfortable B-van ever created" and, with a starting price of $245,587, it should be. For that amount of money, travelers also get Corian countertops, an AI voice interface system, integrated Wi-Fi, a 24-inch LED TV and sound system, and enough extra insulation to make it four-season road-worthy.

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