Want to get closer to nature, but not so close that wake up to a family of raccoons rummaging through your campsite? An eco-friendly RV may be more your speed. Homegrown Trailers, a Washington-based social purpose corporation, produces sustainable travel trailers that offer high design at low cost.
The teardrop-shaped trailers are clad in FSC-certified wood, giving them a much more natural look than a gleaming aluminum Airstream. Its 94 square feet of living space can accommodate up to four people with a queen-sized sleeper sofa and two twin bunk beds.
Forget about roasting a hot dog over an open flame because there’s a full cook’s kitchen with an induction cooktop, mini refrigerator, ample counter space and a collapsable table. The hard-sided pop top allows for extra headroom and ventilation, raising the ceiling height to 6’5. While the bathroom lacks a proper shower, there is a clean composting toilet with room for a toilet paper roll and mirror.
The trailer boasts a slew of environmentally-friendly features — it’s 100 percent solar powered with 400 watt panels standard, LED lights, Energy Star appliances and a lithium ion battery that lasts for up to five days without a charge. No toxic chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used in the trailer’s construction and its design incorporates sustainably-harvested cork and bamboo surfaces as well as other recycled materials.
Since launching in January, the company has been hard at work preparing a fleet of rental trailers that will be available as of late May. They’ve also started a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to secure purchase order financing.
Travel trailer prices start from $27,495, which is considerably cheaper than your average vacation property. They’re also compact enough to fit in a garage and weigh in at around 3,000 pounds, meaning they can be towed by a mid-sized vehicle. “We see ourselves as a conduit for adventure, travel and the outdoors,” reads the description on the company’s Indiegogo page. “Discover a remote, off-grid location to park your Homegrown Trailer as a basecamp for your favorite outdoor activities — rock climbing, hiking, biking, kayaking or whatever.”
If you’re yearning for a teardrop trailer of your own you’ll have to pay upfront, but will receive a 10 percent discount on the regular price. Delivery is scheduled for sometime between January and June of 2017. Check out the photos below to see more of the sustainable structure.
Photos: Homegrown Trailers
