boat-like trailer opens up to the world with oversized side entry

french startup carapate adventure has unveiled a yacht-inspired camper that rethinks the teardrop trailer. with a rolling trapezoid shape and rounded corners, the lightweight camper rounds out the traditional shape and is reminiscent of a boat with its wood, white, and navy detailing.

the 10.5-foot trailer is built from marine-grade plywood and weighs in at 990lbs (450kg) – lightweight campers are considered any trailer that is less than 2,000 pounds, like the super strong mink cabin or the polydrop trailer by california-based designer kyung-hyun lew.

an oversized lift-gate side entry opens out the space and offers a large panoramic view of the surroundings. inside, a modular bed layout includes three single-sized 55 x 25-in (140 x 64-cm) mattresses, which fit together to fill out the floor area with a large sleeping area for two.

the mattresses can also be arranged into an l-shaped sofa or front-facing sofa. there is also a kit available for a third child to sleep next to the front window at the front of the camper.

when the children’s bed is not in use the window seat can be lifted to reveal the kitchen area, which can be used inside or pulled out to the exterior. the gallery includes a single-burner stove, sink, and a slide-out cutting board. other upgrade amenities are available, including led lighting, usb ports and control panel, a 120w solar charging pack, and an electric/gas fridge box.

whilst the trailer doesn’t mirror the traditional shape of a teardrop, carapate insists that it was inspired by the compact classic. its website even has a section dedicated to the history to the teardrop camper.

the carapate is currently only available in europe. prices range between €14,000 and €18,000 (approx. us$15,850 to $20,400) depending on the chosen amenities. a short video released by the company shows the camper in action.

project info

company: carapate

model: carapate teardrop trailer

price: €14,000 and €18,000 (approx. us$15,850 to $20,400)

available: europe