Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

This new ultra-compact teardrop camper packs in a lot for under $15K

Everything you need; nothing you don't—all in a pint-sized package towable by almost any vehicle on the road

Camper sitting inside the rear hatch of Vistabule's DayTripper teardrop camper.
Vistabule

As the world’s best and fanciest motorhomes balloon in size (and price), more RVers look to downsize their camp loadout. Teardrop trailers are the perfect expression of that minimalist ethos, featuring everything you need and nothing you don’t. But, even among today’s tiniest towable trailers, Vistabule’s all-new DayTripper teardrop camper stands out as much for what it is as for what it isn’t.

Recommended Videos

Get the low-down on Vistabule’s tiny DayTripper teardrop camper

Interior of Vistabule's DayTripper teardrop camper seen through the rear hatch.
Vistabule

The DayTripper joins Vistabule’s flagship teardrop camper as a budget-friendly, entry-level alternative. The sleek, simple shell measures just 12 feet from stem to stern—a full two feet shorter than its roomier sibling. It’s also insanely lightweight at just 1,000 pounds with a sub-200-pound tongue weight, allowing it to be towed by almost any vehicle on the road with a tow package. Yet, by swapping the pricier model’s rear outdoor kitchen for a rear hatch, the interior offers 14 more inches of interior space than the larger Vistabule teardrop. That’s more than a foot of extra sleeping space, which makes this tiny teardrop a surprisingly good option for taller campers.

Inside, twin porthole-style windows bookend the sleeping quarters with a large skylight window in the ceiling—all of which keep the interior bright and airy by day and perfect for stargazing after dark. In its standard trim, you won’t find any fancy tech features. There is no flat-panel TV, air-conditioner, Starlink internet, or portable toilet—no modern conveniences of any kind, really. This is a streamlined teardrop camper designed to take the camp experience back to basics. Opening the oversized rear hatch reveals a wood-paneled sleep space that resembles a hard-sided tent with an edge-to-edge mattress and just enough storage compartments. A two-way roof-mounted MaxxFan keeps the air circulating, and various wall-mounted hooks help organize hiking backpacks, shoes, and other gear essentials.

Vistabule intentionally omitted a power system as standard to allow owners to customize the DayTripper’s electrical setup however they see fit. A “city power” connection is standard (for those trips where a powered campsite is on the itinerary), as are Zamp solar hookups with the option to add solar panels and your own portable power station. The limited options menu also includes nice-to-haves like blackout shades, mood lighting, 14-inch wheels, and a rear storage bin.

Spec out your own Vistabule DayTripper teardrop camper

Side profile of Vistabule's small DayTripper teardrop camper.
Vistabule

The best part about this pint-sized teardrop camper is the equally pint-sized price. With an entry point of just $14,995, it’s one of the most affordable travel trailers on the market. Option yours with every available feature in Vistabule’s catalog—including the portable solar panels, blackout curtains, and the Dometic water tank—and you’re still looking at an all-in price tag under $20,000. Sure, you can score a traditional lightweight travel trailer for a few grand more, but it won’t be anywhere near as compact and towable as the DayTripper.

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
REI releases upgraded Half Dome 2 Tent with new features for better camping
REI releases brand new collection featuring their #1 best selling tent
REI Half Dome 2 Tent 45th Anniversary

REI is well-known for great camping gear, and one of the world's personal favorites is the Co-op Half Dome 2 Tent, which was originally released in 2001 and has been a favorite ever since. This lightweight backpacking tent is well loved for its extra headroom, easy setup, and thoughtful design. But for their 45th anniversary, REI released an updated version for the spring along with their brand-new collection of clothing and gear.

The new Half Dome 2 Tents retail for $329 and include a new ripstop rain fly to protect from the elements and a see-through window to ensure that your pole is situated correctly. Each of the three sizes has been updated to increase usable shoulder and headroom, and the breathable fabric walls have been adjusted for increased protection against dust and sand during windy conditions.

Read more
LGA takes things back to basics with the minimalist CrashPad trailer camper
The deceptively simple design is part cargo trailer, part trailer camper, and all functional.
Let's Go Aero LittleGiant CrashPad camper trailer parked in a field.

While most towable RV brands are figuring out ways to pack everything and the kitchen sink into their latest models, Let's Go Aero has been quietly taking a different approach. The Colorado maker's latest model is a pared-down, off-road-ready trailer camper that's short on features but big on versatility.

The aptly named CrashPad is an upgrade to Let's Go Aero's LittleGiant and SpecOps cargo trailer models. It's basically a hard-sided, dome-shaped cover that mounts to the top of either model, but pops up in the way most rooftop tents would when you're ready to make camp. The cover is made of a durable, UV-resistant composite that sets up easily via the included strut-assist feature. By day, it's a secure, lockable cargo trailer; after dark, it makes for a well-protected basecamp shelter for ultra-minimalist overlanding and car camping.

Read more
REI’s Traverse is an all-new bear canister that’s tough on bears, easy on humans
The three-piece modular design expands as you need it and is certified bear-resistant to keep your food safe.
Man camping with an REI Traverse modular bear canister.

Protecting yourself and your food against bears is a perennial problem for backpackers, campers, and overlanders in the backcountry (and even the front country, in some areas). The solution has long been traditional bear-proof canisters. But they're typically oversized and overengineered, making them hard to open for not just bears but people, too. REI sought to remedy both of these problems with the all-new Traverse bear canister.

The Traverse combines two clever solutions into a single canister, making it arguably the most unique bear-proof canister on the market. First, it features a modular, three-piece design, including a base, a lid, and an optional extension piece that goes between the two to provide even more capacity. For shorter trips where space is at a premium, combine only the base and lid for 6.75 liters of protected food storage. Add the extender into the middle to increase that storage space to 11.25 liters on longer outings.

Read more