Outdoors

Evolve solar teardrop trailers bring rustic style and powered living to remote spaces

Evolve solar teardrop trailers bring rustic style and powered living to remote spaces
Evolve currently offers the flagship Traverse (pictured) and the Outing base model
Evolve currently offers the flagship Traverse (pictured) and the Outing base model
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Evolve builds out a very rustic-chic interior with buyer's choice of cabinetry finish
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Evolve builds out a very rustic-chic interior with buyer's choice of cabinetry finish 
The Traverse model comes standard with a full-width slide-out kitchen, a different spin on the usual small trailer slide-out kitchen
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The Traverse model comes standard with a full-width slide-out kitchen, a different spin on the usual small trailer slide-out kitchen
The Evolve Traverse measures just over 11 feet and weighs in at 1,000 lb
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The Evolve Traverse measures just over 11 feet and weighs in at 1,000 lb
A little different from the average teardrop shape, the Evolve wears a bit of counter-curvature on its roofline
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A little different from the average teardrop shape, the Evolve wears a bit of counter-curvature on its roofline
The Traverse is prewired for a solar panel hookup, so buyers can add a standalone solar panel option for more charging muscle
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The Traverse is prewired for a solar panel hookup, so buyers can add a standalone solar panel option for more charging muscle
An interesting option: a 21 x58-in child/dog bunk that creates a three-sleeper
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An interesting option: a 21 x58-in child/dog bunk that creates a three-sleeper
Evolve trailers are based on an all-aluminum frame
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Evolve trailers are based on an all-aluminum frame
Sliding the kitchen out the tailgate of the Evolve Traverse
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Sliding the kitchen out the tailgate of the Evolve Traverse
One thing we love about teardrop trailers when compared with larger caravans and motorhomes with standing-height, fully equipped interiors is that they promote being outdoors, heading inside primarily to sleep and escape inclement weather — why stare at aluminum trailer walls when you can enjoy your coffee in the outdoors you drove so far to enjoy
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One thing we love about teardrop trailers when compared with larger caravans and motorhomes with standing-height, fully equipped interiors is that they promote being outdoors, heading inside primarily to sleep and escape inclement weather — why stare at aluminum trailer walls when you can enjoy your coffee in the outdoors you drove so far to enjoy
Evolve leaves the Traverse kitchen as more of a bring-your-own design, offering a fridge and stove only as options
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Evolve leaves the Traverse kitchen as more of a bring-your-own design, offering a fridge and stove only as options
We know there's a pet bed option, but we hope that gorgeous but huge dog has his/her own tent as a backup
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We know there's a pet bed option, but we hope that gorgeous but huge dog has his/her own tent as a backup
The Traverse comes with doors on both side, complete with full-height windows that let plenty of light in
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The Traverse comes with doors on both side, complete with full-height windows that let plenty of light in
Evolve Traverse kitchen
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Evolve Traverse kitchen
The standard 100W solar panel helps keep the batteries charged for use in lighting, gadget charging, etc.
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The standard 100W solar panel helps keep the batteries charged for use in lighting, gadget charging, etc.
Evolve currently offers the flagship Traverse (pictured) and the Outing base model
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Evolve currently offers the flagship Traverse (pictured) and the Outing base model
Evolve's "solar teardrops" name seems like a smart one, combining two trendy themes of modern outdoor living
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Evolve's "solar teardrops" name seems like a smart one, combining two trendy themes of modern outdoor living
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No matter how many different teardrop trailers we cover, it seems there is always another startup with its own variation, a unique combination of features and distinctive teardrop styling. British Columbia's Evolve is the latest to mosey across our radar, offering teardrops with a bit of extra curvature, double doors with full-size windows, and off-grid power complete with roof-mounted solar. These 11.2-foot (3.4-m), 1,000-lb (454-kg) teardrops bring a tiny taste of home on the road, and they can even sleep a family of three.

Founded in 2016, Evolve builds its trailers up from aluminum frames, from which it hangs birch panels and DuroFoam insulation, finishing off with an aluminum skin. This aluminum-heavy construction keeps tow weight low — even the fully featured Traverse "luxury model" weighs in at a flat 1,000 lb.

In terms of its particular take on teardrop styling, Evolve creates a high-arched tear atop a completely flat base. The peak of the arch rolls into a distinctive indentation that looks like someone just poked the teardrop roof like an uncooked dinner roll, before dropping sharply off into a near-vertical tailgate area. Down toward the base, the fenders roll nearly as dramatically as the front fenders of a 1930s coupe, completing a look that's indelibly recognizable as "Evolve."

The Evolve Traverse measures just over 11 feet and weighs in at 1,000 lb
The Evolve Traverse measures just over 11 feet and weighs in at 1,000 lb

Evolve continues its signature spin on teardrop styling below the Traverse's aluminum skin. The tailgate galley in particular is familiar but distinct, combining elements of the fixed-counter kitchen with the slide-out kitchen. Rather than individual slides for separate kitchen components, Evolve puts the entire kitchen cabinet on a slide, allowing you to pull it out from the trailer for a bit of extra elbow room. Of course, you can also leave it inside and cook there.

Adding some rustic charm, Evolve builds the galley walls out of birch and lets the buyer choose weathered ash, mahogany or white maple for the cabinetry. The laminate countertop can be finished in butcher block, butter rum granite or white marble looks. In terms of equipment, it's more of a stock-your-own kitchen area with a stainless steel portable stove tray, cooler storage drawer, and various cabinets and cupboards. Actual equipment and appliances, like the Woods portable propane stove or 31-L electric cooler, are optional.

The Traverse model comes standard with a full-width slide-out kitchen, a different spin on the usual small trailer slide-out kitchen
The Traverse model comes standard with a full-width slide-out kitchen, a different spin on the usual small trailer slide-out kitchen

The interior is quite cozy but just as stylish as the rest of the design. The 58 x 78-in (147 x 198-cm) folding mattress that fills out the floor space sizes just below a 60 x 80-in (152 x 203-cm) residential queen, offering a comfy night's sleep for two. A pair of gorgeous round-face cabinets provide storage up high, bringing inside the warm look of the kitchen cabinetry. An optional 13-in LED TV with DVD player can fill out the space between those cabinets, with available 4-in Pyle Bluetooth wall speakers rounding out the "intertainment" system.

Unlike the partial windows seen on many teardrop trailers, Evolve's full-height tempered glass/screen windows take up the near-entirety of the left- and right-side doors, bringing in plenty of light and ventilation. At night, cordless blackout blinds block that light to provide a restful night's sleep. LED lighting and a three-speed powered fan help keep campers comfortable inside.

Evolve builds out a very rustic-chic interior with buyer's choice of cabinetry finish
Evolve builds out a very rustic-chic interior with buyer's choice of cabinetry finish 

In developing its small, lightweight aluminum trailers, Evolve remains very mindful of the ongoing "evolution" in the auto industry, in which smaller, more efficient vehicles continue to replace larger gas-guzzlers of old. Evolve uses this as inspiration to increase the Traverse's own off-grid energy efficiency by adding a full electrical system with integrated solar charging. That package comes with two AGM deep-cycle batteries, a 2,000-watt inverter, a solar controller, a 100-watt flexible solar panel that hugs the curves of the Traverse roof and a hookup for an added standalone solar panel. Buyers can upgrade with extra solar panels, batteries and other electrical system add-ons.

The standard 100W solar panel helps keep the batteries charged for use in lighting, gadget charging, etc.
The standard 100W solar panel helps keep the batteries charged for use in lighting, gadget charging, etc.

The Traverse starts at CA$24,999 (approx. US$18,670) with all the standard features mentioned. Other available options include a 21 x 58-in (53 x 147-cm) traverse bunk bed for a child or pet, underbody shoe bin, outdoor awning, roof rack and portable shower/privacy toilet tent.

Those looking for something with a little less price tag can opt for the CA$14,999 (US$11,200) Outing model, which includes less ornate interior and kitchen cabinetry, a single-battery electrical system with solar prewiring but no standard solar panel, and other scaled-back features.

Manufacturing of all Evolve trailers is handled by British Columbia's Scott Trailers.

Source: Evolve

View gallery - 16 images
2 comments
2 comments
TruTexan
Cool idea, but crazy pricing. I built a solar powered camper from a utility trailer, complete with shower and toilet for less than $4k. I could understand maybe $9999 for one of these, but not $20,000.
TomLeeM
I think that is a nice design.
I agree, the price seems rather steep for such a small trailer. The simpler design seems a little more affordable.