There is no such thing as perfection, but Minnesota-based Vistabule came pretty close to it with its first teardrop trailer and now-flagship model, also called Vistabule. The DayTripper is perfection improved, yet another thing we thought wasn't possible. Or so Vistabule says.
Vistabule broke on the scene a few years ago with the introduction of a teardrop trailer of the same name, which played heavily on nostalgia to deliver a good-looking towable but didn't skimp on functionality in the process. In the years since its debut, the Vistabule teardrop has earned a solid following and the reputation of being the closest thing you can get to a work of art on wheels.
Excellent marketing comparing it to "perfection" aside, the Vistabule is a solid option for travelers looking for something smaller they can get away in for extended periods. The standard package is designed as a self-sufficient towable at an affordable price, while extra customization brings it into the realm of luxury – not as far as pricing is concerned, but rather amenities.
We covered the Vistabule at the time of its launch, but the bottom line with this teardrop trailer was that it was created for travelers who didn't want to make any other purchase before hitting the road: a complete package that only required a bit more tinkering to get it just right. The DayTripper is at the opposite pole, according to the makers themselves: it's a blank slate ready for you to do as you will with it.
Photo: Minnesota Teardrop Trailers
Earlier this year, the company started a slow rollout for the follow-up to the Vistabule teardrop, one that would still deliver the same quality and unmistakable styling but cater to an entirely different segment of the market. DayTripper is a tribute to The Beattles' song of the same name and the realization that demand for lighter, more basic, and more affordable RVs was spiking. Not everyone wants or can afford to hit the road with their entire home in tow.
DayTripper addresses this specific demand with a smaller, lighter, and more versatile package – which also happens to be very simple, paradoxically so.
You may think of it as the Vistabule stripped down of luxury features and scaled down to size, and you wouldn't be entirely off the mark. That's because it shares the same DNA with its predecessor, down to the large windows flooding the interior with natural light, the same delightful, classic styling, and the same commitment to quality.
Photo: Vistabule
The DayTripper also holds a hint of its functionality in the name. It's shorter and lighter than the Vistabule, which makes it ideal for shorter outings but offers a more voluminous interior.
Total length is 12 feet (3.7 meters), down 2 feet (0.6 meters) from the Vistabule, and the base weight is 900 lbs (408 kg) since it's been gutted of a hard-wired power system, the galley, and even the side door. A lighter weight means it can be towed even with small passenger cars and even EVs. The wood body, skinned in aluminum, still sits on an aluminum chassis with a torsion axle and 13-inch wheels.
Access is now done via the rear hatch, which is thus "promoted" to instant access granter to your "alcove to the world." Plus, you can now open it with your foot from the inside – or your hand "if you have no sense of style."
Photo: Vistabule
The DayTripper loses the Vistabule's galley and the sofa function of the bed in the cabin. This way, you get rear access only and a mattress for the bed, but the upside is that it's longer than the extended bed in the Vistabule, measuring 92 inches (234 cm). The makers say the DayTripper gets shore power connectivity and the option for solar, but it's expected that new owners will rely on portable power banks.
The same kind of blank slate versatility is offered with the interior, which is devoid of features, except for some headboard cabinets, a two-way MaxxFan, three windows, and an oversize skylight. Vistabule calls the DayTripper a "tabula rasa" of teardrops, the kind of towable you buy if you already own most of the necessary gear or if you're only looking for the most basic of overnight shelters and don't need to be bothered with extra stuff like a kitchen, water canisters, or extra storage.
Because it only offers the basics, you can style it or spec it according to your needs, tastes, or budget.
Photo: Vistabule
The DayTripper has already been shown at several trade events in the U.S. and is expected to become available online with a configurator soon. More details will also be released then. Vistabule says they're yet to finalize the list of options, but the starting price will be $14,995, considerably cheaper than the standard Vistabule, which is now $23,995.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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