Kodiak Stealth Teardrop Camper Offers the Most Bang for the Least Buck

If you're in the latter category and love to experience the outdoors with the minimum comfort possible, then listen up. What you see in the cover photo is known as the Kodiak Stealth teardrop camper from none other than Rustic Trail.

It's possible you've heard this name, it's possible you haven't. This North Carolina business has been pushing out campers since 2012, and all just as affordable as this $10,950 camper you see here. Oh, and by the way, this is the most expensive one they offer. Yeah, that's it.

Now, don't forget that this is a camper meant to offer you the bare necessities you'll need to enjoy a few days out in the wild. Don't bother looking for massive bathrooms, full-size kitchens, or luxurious living rooms and entertainment centers. No, in the Kodiak you will find no such things. Instead, you'll receive a camper meant to aid you on your trip with a place to lay your head, eat your meals, and store a whole lot of equipment.

To get a feel for what kind of space you’ll find inside, I'm going to throw some dimensions at you. An interior width of 5 ft (1.5 m), length of 10 ft (3.04 m), and height of 5 ft (1.5 m), make up the entire living space available. Outside, an exterior height of 6.7 ft (2.04 m) creates the camper you see. The exterior shell is also equipped with foam board insulated roof plus a radiant barrier, an option found only in 2021 models. All in all, this mobile hermit home comes in with the dry weight of 1,525 lb (692 kg), making it easily towable my most SUVs.

However, picking up a Kodiak can be tricky. As mentioned, it comes in with a decently low rate, but from there, you can easily jump to almost twice that through a myriad of options. As is, what you get is a modular mattress with a bedframe full of storage options, and a dining area. If you feel like adding on a more pimped out dining area full of drawers and cabinets that also converts into an extra sleeping space, then you’ll need at least an extra $2,000 for a trim option.

There are also some options to help extend your storing capabilities, such as a front rack and toolbox, each costing extra, of course. An awning, front roof rack, and exterior table can also be tacked on. Inside, you can add a lighting package, upper rear shelf, a laguna table, and upgrade to a MaxxFan system with built-in thermostat.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that if you like to give yourself the rawest experience possible while still maintaining some level of safety and decency, the Kodiak Stealth will be perfect for you. What you can also do on the manufacturer website is build your own Kodiak.

I too chose to find out what my dream Kodiak would be like and ended up with a price tag only $40 shy of $16,000. That’s all you need to get one of these babies fully decked out, to my tastes anyway.

There’s only one problem with this whole venture. If you too get bit by the Kodiak bug and want to pick one up for yourself, there’s a 15-month wait until you can pick it up. At this rate, start getting ready for next year.