Outdoors

Light, funky TigerMoth caravan swings and slides into cozy, breezy living space

Light, funky TigerMoth caravan swings and slides into cozy, breezy living space
The under-coach slide-out can hold kitchen equipment or other gear
The under-coach slide-out can hold kitchen equipment or other gear
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The TigerMoth trailer sets up camp
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The TigerMoth trailer sets up camp
The two-door design provides for easier loading and a breezier, more natural campsite experience
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The two-door design provides for easier loading and a breezier, more natural campsite experience
The under-coach slide-out can hold kitchen equipment or other gear
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The under-coach slide-out can hold kitchen equipment or other gear
Taxa has designed the TigerMoth to be towed by smaller four-cylinder vehicles, as well as larger cars and trucks
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Taxa has designed the TigerMoth to be towed by smaller four-cylinder vehicles, as well as larger cars and trucks
The simple TigerMoth interior includes a couch/bed and table
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The simple TigerMoth interior includes a couch/bed and table
The TigerMoth weighs 910 lb
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The TigerMoth weighs 910 lb
The new Taxa TigerMoth trailer
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The new Taxa TigerMoth trailer
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The brainchild of former NASA engineer Garrett Finney, Texas-based Taxa isn't the camper company to call if you're looking for a run-of-the-mill teardrop or fifth wheel. It's a place where trailer building mixes with science and art, resulting in otherworldly campers like the Cricket and the FireFly. Its latest effort, the TigerMoth, is a small, 910-lb (413-kg) towable that uses some innovative solutions to camp two in blissful, breezy comfort.

It doesn't take long to figure out that the 12-foot-long (3.7-m, with tongue) TigerMoth comes from the same creative minds behind the Cricket. It wears the unmistakable asymmetrical bodywork that makes Taxa's designs so unique. It's not just a smaller Cricket, though, as its upsloping roof is quite distinct from its larger, older brother. It looks as if Taxa aspired to find the polar opposite of the common teardrop and its rounded edges and dropping roofline.

An interesting style is great for couture clothing and bespoke sports cars, but a successful camping trailer design is all about overnighting comfort and practicality. Taxa uses some interesting space-saving techniques to ensure it meets those goals.

Instead of going with a dedicated indoor or tailgate kitchen, Taxa saves space with a 48-in-long (122-cm-long) slide-out that rolls away under the convertible couch. That slide-out sets up in less than a minute and neatly holds the optional kitchen box, which includes a hand-pump faucet, 4-gal (15-L) water tank, worktop, and storage for a stove and cooking tools. The pull-out can also be used without the kitchen box as a general storage drawer.

The TigerMoth's interior can be accessed via the standard rear door and the funky, swing-up hatch on the side. Taxa says it added the latter to make for easier loading and provide more connection with the outdoors. The hatch does add an extra ventilation option while also serving as a roof to sit under in inclement weather, but we prefer something a little simpler and more symmetrical like the rectangular wings of the Mogo Freedom.

The simple TigerMoth interior includes a couch/bed and table
The simple TigerMoth interior includes a couch/bed and table

The interior is quite simple, featuring a two-person, 80-in-long (203 cm) convertible couch/bed against the driver-side wall and a pop-up table. NASA-inspired attachment points, hooks, and bungees serve to secure gear to the walls and ceiling. Three windows with shades and screens provide pest-free ventilation and views outside. The 12V cabin LED lighting system extends out over the kitchen for food prep in the dark.

The TigerMoth's super-simple design makes it more an activity basecamp than a comfy home away from home, and Taxa has prepared it for the role with gear-hauling provisions. In addition to the aforementioned interior storage, the design includes an optional rooftop cargo deck and an extra-long tongue that can hold the optional cargo-loading step and toolbox.

The TigerMoth isn't designed to travel to the roughest adventure destinations like, say, BCT MOAB trailers, but Taxa describes it as "dirt road ready." It includes a powder-coated steel chassis, torsion axle, 12-in (30.5 cm) ground clearance and 15-in wheels.

The TigerMoth's sides, doors and roofs are built from an aluminum composite, and Taxa approximates R-value at 6. The trailer has electric brakes, a 120V shore power inlet, two 12V outlets and an inlet for optional Zamp solar panels.

The TigerMoth is available now around the United States. Taxa lists MSRP at US$12,900 but stresses that that is the the maximum list price and actual sales prices are determined by dealers.

Source: Taxa

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2 comments
2 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is a really nice design. I like how compact it is.
unklmurray
While it is kinda kule looking....I won't be getting one simply because of.....A the cost is about $11,000.00 too high,...and B,I don't drive a car and even if I had the money,my trike isn't strong enough to pull it......LOL