Lightweight TigerMoth Winged Camper Adapts to Nimble Travelers

Leave it to a NASA engineer and space station architect to rethink what a light-weight teardrop trailer looks and feels like. The TigerMoth camper, designed by Garrett Finney of Texas-based Taxa, whom we know as the creator of the equally out-of-this-world Cricket Trailer.

With the 12-foot-long and 910-pound TigerMoth, Taxa has made a mini-camper that's capable of being towed by almost any vehicle. It doesn't look like your typical teardrop, and in fact, does have a few distinctive features that make it different from the rest. Take a short but informative tour from Finney himself via Mount Comfort RV:

Kitchen

© TigerMoth

© TigerMoth

For starters, the TigerMoth doesn't have the usual kitchen in the back, or even one inside. It employs a 4-foot-long kitchen drawer that is hidden underneath the seating bench inside, sliding out to create an instant camp kitchen. The kitchen drawer can hold a camping stove, a water tank with hand pump, a prep counter and a bit of extra storage. This compact kitchen is something we've seen in the trunks of vehicles, and here it's used as a clever, space-saving strategy.

TigerMoth/Video screen capture

Rather than having doors on the sides, the camper has a large rear door that swings out to the side, plus a full-size hatch door that opens up above like a wing, which provides for easier loading and a convenient, built-in awning-like shelter in bad weather. Not only that, the hinge-up door gives a much better view out over one's surroundings.

Interior

TigerMoth/Video screen capture

Inside, the bench and its cushions can convert into a queen-sized bed, in addition to the under-bench storage. The "mantel" at the head of the bed offers storage for various things, while the holes or "attach points" in the camper's metal framing struts are inspired by designs used for NASA vehicles, and can be used to clip things on, like lanterns, bungee cords or mesh pockets.

TigerMoth/Video screen capture

TigerMoth/Video screen capture

TigerMoth/Video screen capture

The TigerMoth's integrated, solar-powered electrical system (hidden under the bench) means that you can still use lights and charge devices off-grid for up to a week. There's a rooftop grill that enables you to secure more gear on top.

TigerMoth/Video screen capture

© TigerMoth

The nimble TigerMoth is designed with enough space for two adults on the go, and with a 12-inch clearance underneath, it is capable of going on rougher terrain than most teardrop trailers. Pricing for this one-of-a-kind trailer starts at USD $12,900, and you can see the rest of the specifications ever at Taxa.