Outdoors

Modular Teal campers and shelters hit the market

Modular Teal campers and shelters hit the market
Teal met its goal of designing a camper that weighs less than 1,000 pounds (454 kg)
Teal met its goal of designing a camper that weighs less than 1,000 pounds (454 kg)
View 18 Images
The Tail Feather interior
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The Tail Feather interior
Teal swapped out wooden hardware for canvas to make the Tail Feather lighter and more collapsible
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Teal swapped out wooden hardware for canvas to make the Tail Feather lighter and more collapsible
The new domed roof provides 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) of head room
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The new domed roof provides 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) of head room
After several years of development, the Teal team is getting its camper to market
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After several years of development, the Teal team is getting its camper to market
Teal is starting production out of a modest shop but plans to move to a much larger facility
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Teal is starting production out of a modest shop but plans to move to a much larger facility
Teal inventor and founder Lawrence Drake
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Teal inventor and founder Lawrence Drake
Teal debuted the Tail Feather at an RV and travel show in its home state of Colorado
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Teal debuted the Tail Feather at an RV and travel show in its home state of Colorado
Teal debuted the Tail Feather at an RV and travel show in its home state of Colorado
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Teal debuted the Tail Feather at an RV and travel show in its home state of Colorado
A conversion kit transforms the Tail Feather from camper to shelter
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A conversion kit transforms the Tail Feather from camper to shelter
A look inside
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A look inside
The Tail Feather camper uses a dome roof
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The Tail Feather camper uses a dome roof
Double doors provide for easy entry and loading
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Double doors provide for easy entry and loading
The Teal Camper provides a versatile wilderness shelter solution
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The Teal Camper provides a versatile wilderness shelter solution
The Teal camper gets some in-field testing
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The Teal camper gets some in-field testing
Teal met its goal of designing a camper that weighs less than 1,000 pounds (454 kg)
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Teal met its goal of designing a camper that weighs less than 1,000 pounds (454 kg)
In addition to working as a camper, Teal's units can be left empty and used to tow vehicles and equipment
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In addition to working as a camper, Teal's units can be left empty and used to tow vehicles and equipment
Beveled walls add room while keeping the footprint smaller
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Beveled walls add room while keeping the footprint smaller
Teal's line breaks down and stores neatly
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Teal's line breaks down and stores neatly
View gallery - 18 images

The modular, build-it-yourself Teal camper is officially available for purchase. Teal debuted its first model, the Tail Feather, at the Colorado RV, Sports, Boat and Travel Show last week and has begun production on the camper, which features a few structural changes from when we last saw it.

The original idea behind the Teal camper was to make owning and using a camper more versatile and convenient. To reach this goal, Teal implemented a build-it-yourself, multi-panel design. Instead of taking up a big portion of the garage or driveway throughout the year, the Teal camper can be disassembled and stored neatly – the panels even nest together to minimize the space they take up. Teal's campers can be left empty and used to haul gear (e.g. dirt bikes or work equipment) or outfitted for mobile living. They're sized to fit standard trailers, creating a full camper that falls within the 1,000 pound (454 kg) tow limit of smaller vehicles.

When we covered the Teal Camper last May, designer Lawrence Drake was still searching for a manufacturing partner to turn his design into a marketable reality. Drake went on to receive much interest in his camper design. He even received an invitation to ABC's Shark Tank, which said that it had contacted him despite fielding some 30,000 applications every season. Drake decided the show wasn't the best route for his camper, so he stuck to his guns and pursued things on his own.

The new domed roof provides 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) of head room
The new domed roof provides 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) of head room

It would appear that Drake's vision and hard work will pay off. Teal has begun production on its first camper model at its modest home shop and will soon be moving to a 30,000 square foot (2,787 sq m) manufacturing facility. All of its major components are being built in Colorado, and Loveland-based Peak Engineering and Automation will assist with manufacturing.

The new Tail Feather maintains Teal's basic premise of a camper built out of panels to fit standard tow trailers. Each panel weighs less than 30 pounds (13.6 kg), and the entire kit transforms into a camper within about an hour with some very basic assembly.

The pop-up roof that we saw on last year's prototype has been swapped out for an insulated, hard-shell dome roof. Teal says that the new roof is lighter, better insulated and easier to handle. Integrated venting ensures that there's sufficient air circulation inside, and the dome shape delivers 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) of head room without requiring pop-up hardware. The new roof also includes built-in low-voltage lighting.

Teal swapped out wooden hardware for canvas to make the Tail Feather lighter and more collapsible
Teal swapped out wooden hardware for canvas to make the Tail Feather lighter and more collapsible

The Tail Feather trades out the wooden benches and shelving of the original Teal camper design for foldable canvas. The canvas furniture saves weight and makes the interior easier to break down and store.

The windows have also been redesigned with improved frames, sealing and screens.

The least expensive Tail Feather model is the P48 4 x 8-foot (1.2 x 2.4-m) version, which weighs 420 pounds (190.5 kg) and includes all structural elements (walls, roof, windows, etc.), a dinette/bed set, a soft sink cabinet and shelving. The full kit retails for US$7,300. The P58 5 x 8-foot (1.5 x 2.4-m) version retails for $7,500, and the P510 5 x 10-foot (1.5 x 3-m) version for $7,995. Those prices represent a sizable increase over the $5,000 being estimated last spring, but the kits also include some added equipment, such as the sink cabinet. The trailer itself is not included with purchase and will need to be supplied separately.

Teal also offers a shelter conversion kit with a special door frame, added wall panels and an extra roof section. The conversion kit allows the Tail Feather to be transformed into a standalone wilderness shelter, ice fishing hut, child's playhouse, etc. Since a single-design shelter won't fit every potential application, Teal works with individual clients on designing shelters around specific needs. Drake told us that it is currently working on purpose-designed shelters for things like snowmobile-accessed backcountry ski touring and emergency homeless housing.

Teal plans to expand the size of its camper line once it gets Tail Feather production off the ground. It is working on a pitched roofing system that will increase camper size to 450 square feet (42 sq m) and larger.

At the moment, Teal only offers direct-to-consumer sales through its website.

Source: Teal Camper

View gallery - 18 images
12 comments
12 comments
Dax Wagner
I've already placed my deposit for the 5x10 shelter and can't wait to install it on my lot! Simple designs are often the best designs. All you need to build this is a screwdriver and an hour. Best of all, I can always expand it later as needs change.
Victor Klein
This is a very good concept. Like to see more about this development. Keep us posted !
Terrence
This may be just what I've been looking for!
Calson
I can see applications for the military but not the general public. Wise to not show many interior pics as the insides are what got left out. No holding tanks for water or waste, no toilet, no storage, no fridge or ice box, no place to sleep. Not even a sheep herder with their traditional wagon would consider spending time in one of these.
The sayings, jack of all trades and master of none, or he has many knives - none sharp. A design student would be embarrased to turn in such a truly half-baked (or quarter-baked) concept.
R Ohge
This is the most amazing development in Sustainable Housing I've seen to date. Larry, Ryan & Company have gotten it right.
You have a structure that can be created with recycled materials and, in turn, recycled, is energy efficient, totally modular-yes, it can be a "Camper", but can also be a home you can reconfigure as the need arises.
And the tools needed to put it up or take it down (ultra lightweight transport/shipping)?
A simple "Phillips Head" Screwdriver.
Dax Wagner
I'll be posting my updates on the company's forum here: http://heatlibrary.evecommunity.net/eve/forums/a/frm/f/283100824
I suggest you check it out if you're interested... lots of good discussion there. Management is pretty good at responding to any questions there too.
Joe F
Carlson is missing the point by lightyears. It's a $7000 camper. It's not a an $80,000 RV for a toilet, shower, fridge. It's an {attractive} alternative to other small pop-up and shell campers that have similar interiors. It also says it has a bed and dining area. Read the whole thing before commenting. Also try to realize that other people may have a use for something you don't. Look at other comments.
Dax Wagner
Calson also didn't bother to check out the company website which has plenty of interior photos AND VIDEOS. There are even more on youtube. There is plenty of storage in these small units (both on the walls as well as under the bed/dinette seats). The sink has a small, pressurized water tank supplying it from underneath. The gray water exits through a port to the outside into whatever tank you want. I have my own portable toilet.
Layne Nelson
They could make good outhouses too.
Bob
I like the look and the concept but my standard 5 X 10 utility trailer is only slightly heavier, has side and rear doors, has a far greater load carrying capacity, and only costs about $3000. Add a porta potty, air bed, lawn chairs, card table, and water tank and I am still under $4000 with about the same setup. I only lack the little windows but screens in the doorways opens up the view. For another $1000 I could add air and a generator. It even doubles as storage space for my ATV.
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