Monthly Archives: February 2015

New Canadian Teardrop Manufacturer Emerges

Often times I’ll search the internet to add manufacturers that build travel trailers, pop-ups, teardrops, and fiberglass trailers to our Manufacturers page. And sometimes, those manufacturers come to me. I’ll go ahead and add them with little fanfare, but when Craig Elliott of Sun-Fun Campers contacted me this week, I felt compelled to put them on the “big stage” with a post.

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Sun-Fun Campers is a new…as of 2015 new…teardrop trailer manufacturer in Warman, Saskatchewan. Canada. Craig told me in an e-mail, “It appears that we are the only manufacturer of teardrop trailers in western Canada and we are hoping to grow the trend of teardrop trailers in Canada, as there are very few ever spotted here.”

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Sun-Fun is so new that they don’t even have a website up…yet. “We do not have a website, but are currently developing one. We are on Facebook and wanted to make you aware that we are now in full production”, Craig tells me. Once Sun-Fun gets their website up & running, I’ll post a link on the Manufacturers page. Until then, for those of you on Facebook, be sure to give them a “like” and check them out for those of you in western Canada in the market for a teardrop. A link to their Facebook page with contact info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/sunfuncampers

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RVtravel.com Features White Water Retro

For the past couple of years, Riverside RVs has been pumping out its fair share of White Water Retro travel trailers from it’s LaGrange, Indiana factory. In that time, the end product has made great strides in quality from when they first showed up in 2011. When I talked to Riverside’s Bob Taulbee last year, he told me they were getting out about 1,000 Retros a year. When you do a search on RV Trader, there are (as of this posting) over 200 Retro travel trailers for sale in varying floor plans.

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(photo courtesy Braun’s Fun Time Campers)

This week, RV Business posted a short story from RVtravel.com regarding the Whitewater Retro and how it was inspired by the classic Serro Scotty canned ham trailers from the 1960’s & 1970’s. A three minute video was included in the article and explains a little further the inspiration as well as highlights some of the features of the Retro that Riverside officials believe sets it apart from other retro trailers, as well as some history of Serro Scotty from RV historian Al Hesselbart.

For more information on the White Water Retro, visit their website at http://www.riversidervs.net

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Cricket Trailer Featured in Dell Video

Houston, Texas based Cricket Trailer has been featured in a video commercial from Dell Computers that was released today on the Dell YouTube page. The Cricket is a unique (understatement!) adventure camper designed by former NASA architect Garrett Finney.

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While at NASA, Finney spent time designing living quarters in the International Space Station. It was this design background that fostered the inspiration for the Cricket.

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The Dell video highlights Taxa’s (Cricket’s parent company) use of Dell Precision workstations and SOLIDWORKS, a computer-aided design program used in designing and creating Cricket trailers.

I’ll be working on a feature of Cricket Trailers in the weeks to come, but until then, above is the Dell video that gives you a brief snapshot of the technology used behind one of the most technologically advanced trailers on the market today.

 

(Images courtesy http://crickettrailer.com)

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For Sale: 2010 Serro Scotty HiLander Travel Trailer

**UPDATE**

As of February 14, 2015, the Scotty has been SOLD to a wonderful couple from Kentucky, where it’ll be cared for and enjoyed for years to come! Thanks for all of your interest!

 

And now for a little post I regret to have to make. No, it’s not that the site is shutting down or anything like that. It’s to notify you readers that my wife & I are selling our very own 2010 Serro Scotty HiLander that adorns the header of this page you’re reading.

Due to a growing family tree (one grandson now and his little brother is coming soon), we are selling our beloved Scotty and upgrading to a larger trailer with a bunkhouse, etc. Our future rig will be a 2015 Shasta Oasis 25BH that we are purchasing from the good folks at Mount Comfort RV in Greenfield, Indiana.

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If I could keep and maintain two trailers, we’d keep it…but we’re working toward early retirement, so it makes more financial sense to sell. So, we are looking for a good home for our Scotty.

Indian Lakes - Batesville, Indiana

At the bottom of this post is the standard information from Serro Scotty’s website with regard to the HiLander. Even though this model is currently listed on their site, the Serro Scotty HiLander has not been manufactured since 2012.

We ordered our 2010 Serro Scotty from Kerola Campers in April 2010 and picked it up in June 2010 from the factory, Sierra Interiors in Bristol, Indiana. Here is a link to photos we took that day during a tour with the warranty manager, John. These photos will give you some insight as to the construction.

When we ordered it, we requested a few changes to the interior materials to make it look as retro on the inside as the outside. We selected a neutral fabric for the seat cushions, because we swapped the standard beige curtains for ones we had custom made with a Route 66 theme (fabric called Historic Highway by Alexander Henry). We also had the curtains made with room darkening / blackout fabric to prevent fading from UVs, as well as to allow us to sleep in late if we want to!

We requested black & white checkered floor, as can be seen in the photo of the front dinette below.

Our Scotty's new custom Route 66 shades

Here is a closeup of the fabric, Historic Highway, used for the curtains and pillows.

Historic Highway Fabric - Alexander Henry

We also requested aqua “boomerang” by Formica and aluminum trim for the sink and dinette countertops.

Formica Sample: Aqua Boomerang

Our Serro Scotty is the floor plan on the right, which is the model that has a large U-shaped dinette in the back (rather than a bed). Of course, the dinette converts into a FULL bed, and we have actually primarily kept it in that configuration, rather than switching back and forth. for two of us, we have used the front dinette to eat. Depending upon your needs, you can switch it back and forth, however you want.

Serro Scotty HiLander - Floorplan

Here is the rear dinette configuration (which was taken with the original beige curtains).
2010 Serro Scotty HiLander
And here in bed configuration.

2010 Serro Scotty HiLander

The front dinette also converts into a single bed, and there is storage underneath the booth closest to the door (which is shown in the photo toward the beginning of this post).

There is also a shelf and storage behind the other side of the front dinette, as shown in the photo below, and behind the dinette cushion.

2010 Serro Scotty HiLander

In addition to the custom interior materials, our HiLander differs from other new models, in that we had the factory add a 110 outlet underneath the front dinette – in the photo above, taken when ours was brand new, it’s not there, but we had it installed just to the right of the converter box. Much more convenient for charging devices, using a laptop, a fan, or small appliance – we have cooked using our Griddler (grill/griddle/panini) or a crock pot, or using our Keurig. Nice addition!!

The overhead cabinet (above the rear dinette) also coverts into a single bed, if that works for you. It wasn’t necessary for us, and I used the cabinet space instead. I currently keep my items in “Thirty-one” bags that fit very well inside the cabinets. We will have the mattresses back in the Scotty for its new owner.

2010 Serro Scotty HiLander
Kitchen features a microwave, two burner cooktop and sink. There’s an overhead cabinet and one below the sink, as well as a bank of drawers, and a fold-up counter top on the side. There’s a GFCI outlet, spice rack, and range hood fan which vents to the outside. We also have a cover that fits over the stovetop to use that space better.

2010 Serro Scotty HiLander

The thermostat, hot water heater switch, and tank / battery monitor panel is located here too.

Serro Scotty - Camping at Mounds State Park, Anderson, Indiana

There is also a drawer underneath the 3.0 cu ft fridge. Speaking of the fridge, I requested that the fridge be a 3-way model, so this one runs on battery, electric and propane. I have not used it in propane mode, only battery and electric. There is a freezer compartment inside. The air conditioner is located there, and below that is an access panel which has a small storage area (I put an RV broom and brush/dustpan there).

2010 Serro Scotty HiLander

It is equipped with a boomerang antenna and cable TV hookup; however, we did not add a TV ourselves – but there is space for one, along with cable input on the inside and a 12 V outlet.

The HiLander features a wet bath (shower & toilet combo). See the specs below for the tank capacities. However, I see that the specs do not reference the hot water heater, which is a standard feature on the HiLander. It’s a standard 6 gallon, DSI gas water heater, and configured to be able to be bypassed during winterization (no antifreeze should ever go into the hot water heater!).

2010 Serro Scotty HiLander

We ordered the deluxe package, which includes 5,000 BTU air conditioner (shown above), Fantastic Fan, and 12,000 BTU furnace. Other than testing it, we actually haven’t used the furnace. Instead, we use a small electric space heater when we winter camp.

In keeping with the aqua/turquoise color scheme, we coordinated our new Keurig Mini in turquoise to coordinate with the Scotty…someone even commented that we’re “glamping.” LOL I never thought of it that way, but if you think this retro cool Scotty is glamping, go for it! 🙂

Serro Scotty and our matching Keurig Mini

Exterior features a diamond plate rock guard, front window cover, storage (accessible also from the rear dinette). Bumper storage for the sewer hoses.

2010 Serro Scotty HiLander

We purchased the coordinating aqua striped 3-pole awning to go with the trailer as well.

Salamonie Reservoir - Lost Bridge SRA - Campsite 239

Here is a video we made of the Serro Scotty HiLander:

Here is a slideshow of more photos.
If you are on an iOS device or the slide show isn’t visible, click here to view all of the photos on my Flickr site.

FROM THE SERRO SCOTTY WEBSITE

Here is a link to the Serro Scotty brochure.

HiLander

Legendary style meets everyday life. Stand apart from the crowd with this timeless classic.

All the features of home are found in your HiLander. A shower/toilet combination saves those late night hikes. It is designed to comfortably sleep four with a single front and full sized rear bed with an overhead bunk.

Safety is always first with a full frame underneath, fire extinguisher, escape hatch and a deadbolt door lock.

Perfect for family adventures! Standards include; sink, stove, furnace, refrigerator, hot water heater and spare tire.

Add even more creature comforts with optional A/C, microwave, awning and TV/DVD.

HiLander Specs Interior Plan Choices Appliances
Total Length …………….15’9”
Width ………………………85”
Exterior Height ………….92”
Interior Height ………….73”
Hitch Weight …………….280lbs
Dry Weight ………………2490lbs
GVWR …………………….3500lbs
Option 1:
Standard (u-shaped dinette) (OUR MODEL!)
Option 2:
Rear Bed (inner spring mattress)
  • 3.0 cu ft refrigerator
  • 2 burner stove
  • 2.0 gpm water pump
  • *12,000 btu furnace
    *not standard in basic
Exterior Interior Options
  • Aluminum Exterior
  • Aluminum sidewall frame
  • Full steel frame
  • 4 stabilizer jacks
  • Baggage door
  • Rock Guard front
  • Electric Brakes w/breakaway switch
  • Exterior 110v receptacle
  • 7-way plug
  • Safety chains
  • 20’ 30amp detachable power cord
  • City water hook up
  • 20lb propane bottle
  • Spare tire
  • 22 gal fresh water
  • 12 gal grey water
  • 8 gal black water
  • Premium Vinyl Flooring
  • Shower & toilet combo
  • Power vent hood
  • 30 Amp fuse panel and converter
  • Window curtains
  • Cable TV connection
  • TV antenna
  • Oak Cabinetry
  • 14” x 14” Exhaust fan
  • Monitor panel
  • Bathroom mirror
  • Spice rack
  • Overhead bunk bed
  • 15” TV-DVD w/swivel mount
  • Window shades (standard w/curtains)
  • Awning 8’ retro type
  • Continental tire cover

Deluxe Pkg Standards (WE HAVE THIS OPTION)

  • 5,000 btu air conditioner
  • Microwave oven
  • Fantastic fan

We are located in central Indiana, and our asking price for the 2010 Serro Scotty is $9,600. If you are interested or would like more information, contact me at pat@smalltrailerenthusiast.com

Thank you for looking!

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