The egg-shaped lightweight travel trailer concept, started by the classic Boler of the late '60s, is still alive and well. Manufacturers look to provide something unique for the ultralight towing experience, and campers who seek the economy of a lightweight towable can still find new units to fill the bill.
One such RV maker, EggCamper of Grandville, MI, is currently offering an egg shaped lightweight with a vertical seam that they believe offers a significant distinction over the horizontal seam that is industry standard. Where most fiberglass moulded ultralights use a bottom chassis shell and a top "cover" shell, the EggCamper uses a left and right half.
Suite101 spoke with Jim Palmer, the "responsible adult" behind the EggCamper. The material in this article combines Jim's comments with information from the EggCamper web site.
Construction of the EggCamper Fiberglass Trailer
Suite101: Is the vertical seam of the EggCamper superior to the horizontal seam of other lightweight eggs, and if so how and why?
JP: The inner molded parts become the structure. That makes it strong and light – the vertical seam makes a built in truss without added weight. The center seam is joined with adhesive, and then fiberglass is layered inside.
History of the EggCamper Lightweight Trailer
Suite101: Who are the principals (owners) of the company?
JP: EggCamper is family owned, I am the responsible adult.
Suite101: How long has the company been in business making lightweight campers?
JP: We have owned this factory since the early 80’s (we were in rented facilities from the mid 70,'s till then). [Our products were] automotive based until the auto industry died and the first Eggcampers came out of the molds in 2005.
Suite101: How did you get started making fiberglass trailers?
JP: I have a long history in aircraft , and the unique structure of the internal and external molding process of the EggCamper draws heavily from that history T his link will show you a couple of the planes I have built.
Features and Specifications of the EggCamper Travel Trailer
Suite101: What else is unique about the EggCamper?
- It is all electric – no propane. This saves weight and adds simplicity
- It is completely sealed fiberglass, including the floor.
- Foil faced space blanket insulation / glass core /trapped air space between the inner and outer shells adds comfort and reduces the cost of heating and cooling.
- White fiberglass galley with stainless sink
Suite101: What are the Specifications of the EggCamper?
- Mass: 900 lbs before options (up to 2000 lbs with options and full load)
- Tongue Weight: 250 lbs
- Capacities:
- BLACK – 8 GALLONS
- GREY – 24 GALLONS
- FRESH –14 GALLONS
- Length: 17 ft long
- Width: 88in wide
- Interior Height: 6'7" tall interior
So lightweight trailer enthusiasts who can't find a 1960s Boler to rebuild might want to look into an EggCamper as a modern alternative.
Thomas Alan Gray - Tom has been writing for over 30 years; curiosity leads him to dig into a wide variety of topics.
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