Pindrop Travel Trailers

Like many business ideas, the inspiration for Pindrop Travel Trailers came from necessity. Tim Elinski (pictured) and his family had been using a vintage camper for their trips, but it was no longer a safe option. That was when Elinski told his wife, Ruth Ellen, he was going to build his own teardrop trailer for the family’s trip to Montana.

“I locked myself in my shop and came up with a solar-powered, self-contained micro camper,” Elinski says. “On the road, it turned a lot of heads and people wanted to purchase it, so my wife and I started thinking about starting a company.”

That company was founded in 2018 in Miami, Arizona, and still has its factory showroom there, but Pindrop trailers now are in use across the country. Elinski says he was surprised to find that much of the company’s customer base is active retirees who are looking to downsize and explore. “It’s for people seeking that ‘untethered’ experience, because it’s solar powered, so you don’t have to plug into a campground,” he says.

All Pindrop trailers sleep two people in their insulated cabins, but configurations to add room for four people are available. Every model also includes a galley kitchen, a big draw for customers such as Rod Dunmyre. He and his wife, Amy, first used a Pindrop trailer nearly four years ago and love that they can prepare the same quality meals on the road that they can at home. “The Pindrop design is well thought out [and] comfortable, and no space is wasted,” Dunmyre says.

In addition to comfort amenities, the trailers can be configured to store 44 gallons of water, a necessity for long road trips. And they’re insulated to allow year-round use — while they don’t come with heating or air conditioning, each cabin has a ducted ventilation system and is insulated enough to retain heat in the winter and stay cool in the summer. “We have been comfortable in all types of conditions, including rain and snow,” Dunmyre says. “It’s a true four-season camper.”

If you need a trailer for short-term use, Pindrop trailers are available for rent, which Elinski says is a good way to see how they work before making a purchase. And if they’re a long-term fit, the trailers range from $28,000 to $38,000, depending on how many features are included. (You’ll also need a vehicle with a tow package and a 2,500-pound towing capacity to be able to tow a Pindrop trailer.)

It’s a big investment, but it’s one Elinski’s customers have been willing to make — and they’ve become intensely loyal to the Pindrop brand in the process. “Our customer base has done their homework, so when they land on us, they land on us because of all the features and the functionality of all the things,” Elinski says. “Out of all the trailers we’ve sold, only two people have sold theirs, so the rest are keeping them long term.”

Along with his loyal customers, Elinski credits his family for the growth and success. “My daughters have really been there from the beginning — their first memories are probably camping in the trailer,” he says. “And my wife is the grit that helps Pindrop punch above its weight class.”

Dunmyre and his wife are making family memories in their camper, too — he says they enjoy being able to go almost anywhere and be comfortable, and they love giving tours of their Pindrop trailer and encouraging others who enjoy the outdoors to try out their own. “This company walks its talk and is building something special that will benefit many people,” he says.

Pindrop trailers can be viewed and purchased by appointment at the Miami showroom. Rentals are available there, too, as well as through partner companies listed on the Pindrop website.