Timberleaf's Pika Is the Perfect Compact Trailer for Passenger Cars

Trailer camping often requires two things: A familiarity with towing and a car big enough to haul a camper. With Timberleaf’s latest trailer, the Pika, anyone with a passenger car capable of pulling just 1,025 pounds can take to the great outdoors in high-quality, teardrop fashion. At just under $12,000, it won’t break the bank either.

Weighing in at just over 1,000 pounds, the trailer features an aluminum exterior and anodized aluminum top — this sleek aesthetic is something the brand says will stay the same “for the life of the trailer.” This simplistic finish also allows it to blend nicely with its surroundings, meaning it won’t be an eyesore if it’s parked in forested backcountry or on drier, high-altitude mountain roads.

Like most teardrop trailers, the Pika’s interior offers a small yet cozy sleeping area for up to two people. Though there isn’t much room to move around, its shape allows for anyone to comfortably sit up without fear of hitting their head on the roof or moving their neck into an awkward position. And it still offers a few strategically placed storage cabinets for gear. In addition to a few areas of netting for storing smaller items like smartphones or pieces of clothing, the Pika’s cabin features a fan and a skylight-type window for stargazing at night.

Prepping food is done in the trailer’s outdoor galley kitchen, which is accessible via the rear hatch. The kitchen offers a 12-volt outlet, four USB plug-ins, and a GFI outlet, allowing for the use of a camp stove or hot plate. There’s also a switch that activates overhead LED lighting. Timberleaf also designed the galley to feature two separate countertops and thanks to a new partnership with Dometic, includes Dometic’s CFX-35W refrigerator that has 35 liters of storage capacity.

Though it’s designed for the backcountry, Timberleaf does offer three packages depending on the trailer’s intended use. The Classic package is the Pika, as advertised, coming with a 2,000-pound axle, standard trailer tires, diamond plate fenders and a 2-inch ball coupler. Its All-Road option offers an axle-less 3,500-pound independent suspension, electric drum brakes, all terrain tires, larger fenders and a Max-Coupler articulating hitch. For those who want the Off-Road package, Timberleaf includes everything from the All-Road package but lifts the trailer 4 inches, includes BFGoodrich KO2 tires, Jeep-style HD fenders and front corner rock sliders.

At a base price of $11,750, Timberleaf’s Pika gives prospective buyers the option to add as much (or as little) as they desire. With the All-Road and Off-Road packages adding $1,900 and $2,850 respectively, buyers can also add solar panels, window curtains, a 6-inch mattress or awnings, among others. A fully decked-out Pika could run upwards of $20,000 or more.

Timberleaf is currently taking orders on the Pika, though buyers are expected to pick up the trailer from the company’s shop in Grand Junction, Colo. Trailer order forms with exact pricing are available for download via the brand’s website.