Many mainstream trailer manufacturers tout their RVs as being “green certified” to gain favor with those concerned with an RV’s environmental impact. However, very little is actually required of a manufacturer in, for example, an RV’s internal air quality to gain green certification. None of those manufacturers truly embrace and produce a green RV like newly formed Homegrown Trailers, based in Woodinville, Washington. 
Homegrown Trailers takes its commitment to a truly environmental trailer serious, as do those likely to own one. According to co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Eric Gertsman, “Our target demographic is pretty broad, from young couples to small families to retirees, however, what they have in common is a desire for environmentally-conscious and healthy travel. They typically want to get out into nature to enjoy their favorite recreational activities and love to return to a comfortable home for great meals and a restful night’s sleep. They are also people who enjoy handcrafted, quality product and are proud to show off our trailers to their friends.”

The story of Homegrown Trailers started when co-founder Corey Weathers sought a means to move from tent camping into a trailer. According to the Homegrown Trailers website, “As a sustainability consultant, he had something very specific in mindㅡa trailer that he could pull with a small and efficient car or SUV, that was capable of being off-grid, that was comfortable with some key amenities, and most importantly, that was made with sustainable and healthy materials.”

With the help of some friends with construction experience, they created a trailer that can comfortably sleep four, has a kitchen, fit in a standard residential garage, and most important, is one of the most environmentally friendly trailers you’re likely to find anywhere. As for construction, Eric tells me, “The exterior sides are Western Red Cedar. The top, front, and rear in the production model will be EcoClad, which is a durable surface made from bamboo and recycled paper.” Other features include 100% solar power with 400 watts of solar panels standard (with an option for 800 total watts), a clean & composting toilet, sustainable materials made with non-toxic chemicals, and energy efficient lights and appliances.

As for weights & measures, the Homegrow Trailer weighs a mere 2,000 lbs with a 3,000 cargo capacity. 18′ from hitch to tail and 6’9″ height, and 6’10” width allows one to be stored in most garages. Total box length of the trailer is 13’2″. A hard-sided pop top adds additional ventilation as well as 6’5″ of total headroom.


With Homegrown Trailers officially being in business since just this January, it goes without saying they’re in the infant stages. However, they’ve put together a staff and are ready to hit the ground running. “Our VP of Production, Kimberly Briar, leads our manufacturing staff. She relies on two other key colleagues: Kirk Robinson, Innovation Specialist, and James Jenkins, Product Innovation and Sustainable Materials Specialist. The three of them are spearheading the planning and building of the next trailers and then we’ll soon be hiring a couple production assistants to help”, Eric tells me.

But like most trailer manufacturers starting out, financial backing plays a big part in how well things will start out. To help smooth the road to success, Eric, Corey, and fellow co-founder Kimberly Briar have started a crowdfunding initiative through Indiegogo with the goal of raising $350,000 to aid in building the initial fleet of trailers, both to rent and those for sale, which will have a price tag of $28,995.

If you’d like to give Homegrown Trailers the financial backing they need, you can through their Indiegogo crowdfunding page at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/homegrown-trailers#/, and learn more about the initiative in the video below. To find out more about Homegrown Trailers, you can visit their website at http://www.homegrowntrailers.com
