A teardrop that won't make you cry

It floats, but you may need to float a company to afford one.

I WAS recently asked to defend my statement that the bargain of the century in the small trailer market is sold by Pinetown-based Jetstream.

Since Wheels broke the story almost two years
ago in 2013, the company led by Barry Olivier and Brenden Keating has been getting steady orders and more is to come after sister magazine Wegbreek covered this local marvel. Jetstream will sell you a teardrop trailer that sleeps two with a kitchenette in the nose and flat screen TV and radio on the wall from under R85 000.

Jetstream from South Africa builds the world's
most affordable campers

Compare this to the recently launched Dream Trailer by the Portland-based American Company.

Their take on the camper-boat-trailer is hardly new, as the idea to make a boat do double duty as a camper’s roof has been popular in the U.S. since the 1950s. There is a second flat roof below the roof-boat to keep the camper dry when the owner is out fishing. What is impressive are the weights.

The Dream trailer has a nightmare price,
especially with the tabel an optional extra  

The boat itself can carry 227 kg — that is two guys and a full cool box, with the usual motor mount for a small outboard engine. With the boat in place on the roof the lightweight camper weighs only 295 kg. But its hefty price makes up for what it saves in the kilograms — the Dream Trailer is listed for $8 900 (R110 650).

It fits a riders and their bike.

This buys you a boat, a double foam mattress, shelves, oars, oarlocks and curtains, but the fold-out table is optional.

In Germany, designer Daniel Straub will charge you $20 500 (about R250 000) for his amphibious teardrop, the Sealander. And for an estimated price of €15 000 (R209 070), German materials manufacturer Vohringer will hand-build you their concept bike trailer that doubles as a cosy caravan for two, with a roof that hydraulically lifts to make space for a motorbike and a double bed.