So far as I know, not many people from my generation want to be astronauts. It used to be the other way around; everybody wanted to be an astronaut. While getting strapped to a giant rocket and shot into space sounds appealing, living in cramped quarters with a half-dozen other human beings for months on end doesn’t sound like much fun.
NASA engineers have, however, figured out how to maximize space and efficiency, and those efforts could help us down here on earth. One NASA engineer took his expertise and built himself a funky little travel trailer called the Cricket.
Unlike the three-wheeled RV concept I brought you earlier this week, this is an actual working model. NASA engineer Garrett Finney helped design the habitation module for space stations, and put his knowledge to work making this tiny trailer as efficient as possible. Made from aluminum, steel, and wood, it is 15 feet long and can be towed by any six-cylinder car (and some four-bangers too, depending on your torque!).
The ceiling pops up, a couch folds down into a bed, and there is even space for a hanging hammock. A basic shell will cost you around $10,000 so from there you can outfit it yourself. A fully loaded version with cabinets, stove, refrigerator, tables, a/c and more will run around $16,000. There is even room for a show! That is a bargain compared to many pull-behind campers with that many features, and you won’t have to upgrade to a diesel dually pickup truck to haul it. Even fully loaded, it weighs just 2,500 pounds, which means most cars can easily handle this load.
It may not be a car, but it does show that efficient design is important to travel. I wonder if any of these ideas could be applied to automobiles? Also, I thought it was kind of neat. Would any of you ever consider a tiny trailer like this?
Source: Cricket Trailer via Dornob
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About Christopher DeMorro
Love your site, but would like to know more about the Cricket. Toilet,shower,kitchen, etc. I have a friend that built a “stealth” RV from a 14 foot cargo trailer that he hauled around with his car. No one could tell anyone was living in it, so he could park on any city street and wouldn’t get hassled. He lived in it full time. I spend 7 months on the road in my RV. I know a lot of people who could find live pretty sweet in a Cricket.
Mary
Love your site, but would like to know more about the Cricket. Toilet,shower,kitchen, etc. I have a friend that built a “stealth” RV from a 14 foot cargo trailer that he hauled around with his car. No one could tell anyone was living in it, so he could park on any city street and wouldn’t get hassled. He lived in it full time. I spend 7 months on the road in my RV. I know a lot of people who could find live pretty sweet in a Cricket.
Mary
Look at leesurelite.com. I have pulled one of these with a Prius for three years. Weighs 325 lbs. Added a collapsable table/doghouse and a 900W microwave. Using a 1200W inverter can cook and read anywhere. Total weight is less than 400 lbs
Look at leesurelite.com. I have pulled one of these with a Prius for three years. Weighs 325 lbs. Added a collapsable table/doghouse and a 900W microwave. Using a 1200W inverter can cook and read anywhere. Total weight is less than 400 lbs
Look at leesurelite.com. I have pulled one of these with a Prius for three years. Weighs 325 lbs. Added a collapsable table/doghouse and a 900W microwave. Using a 1200W inverter can cook and read anywhere. Total weight is less than 400 lbs
I’ve long thought that the Roadtrek RVs, especially the 190 Popular model, looked like something with the interior space designed by NASA: http://www.roadtrek.com/
Granted, more expensive, but also a lot stealthier. Probably better aerodynamics, too.
I’ve long thought that the Roadtrek RVs, especially the 190 Popular model, looked like something with the interior space designed by NASA: http://www.roadtrek.com/
Granted, more expensive, but also a lot stealthier. Probably better aerodynamics, too.
I’ve long thought that the Roadtrek RVs, especially the 190 Popular model, looked like something with the interior space designed by NASA: http://www.roadtrek.com/
Granted, more expensive, but also a lot stealthier. Probably better aerodynamics, too.
Neither the Leesurelite or the Roadtrek is really in the same category as the Cricket. It falls somewhere in between.
The Cricket would be great, but it seems it could be a bit more aerodynamic. It also should be a smidge lighter if I want to tow it behind my Golf. I’ve only seen 2000 lb hitches for it.
Neither the Leesurelite or the Roadtrek is really in the same category as the Cricket. It falls somewhere in between.
The Cricket would be great, but it seems it could be a bit more aerodynamic. It also should be a smidge lighter if I want to tow it behind my Golf. I’ve only seen 2000 lb hitches for it.