Cricket Camper Trailers

[JAvendan]

All of the reviews are from people that don't seem to know the first thing about camping.

I saw the demo unit... I'm a tent camper and only for the last few years. So, still new to the game

So many questions - like:
I can't imagine taking a shower in a space that looks to be about 24" x 24" - how do you do that?

Yes, the space where the shower is located is quite small... and, I believe that is an optional shower, too. There is a shower curtain that you pull around you. The shower curtain tracks are in the ceiling and, if I recall correctly, it does not completely surround you - it is short by a few inches.

What happens to the bottom flaps of the canvas when you fold the roof down?

Please excuse me as I am not a technical person They simplyy squish down. I guess something similar to what a RTT would do??

How does the door stay open in the breeze? Is there a bug screen for it?

The side door has a plug thingy and you press into a corresponding end that is attached to the side of the camper. Think male end into a female end. The rear hatch, if I remember correctly, has gas struts. I honestly do not remember. I do not recall any of the 'real' windows having any screens. The windows in the top tent portion do have mesh screens.

It looks to be as aerodynamic as the lunar module - is it as bad as it looks?

It is exactly what it looks like... if you like, you like. If you do not like... you get the picture - ha!

They talk about how you can use plastic bins to store stuff under the seats, but you don't seem to get the plastic bins for your $18k.
No awning options?

Yes, I believe that is correct... but, I am not entirely sure. I would not be surprised it you had to provide your own bins. AND, there is an awning option. Unfortunately, it was not installed and I do not believe it is with the demo unit. From what I remember overhearing... it is not a very large awning and would only provide enough cover for the a few feet from the door. There are, I think, three attachment points for the awning.

Plus, it looks like high-tech aluminum composite skins sitting on a steel trailer base - can't find anything in the lit about it.
Actually, I can't find much in the way of specs at all.

Oddly, I did do a walk around the unit and remember touching it but I do not recall the material... sorry.

I want to like it - I really want to like it, but for $18k I could have a pretty fantastic trailer custom built...

Has anyone actually seen one?

Cheers,
Mark

It is pricey, and I can not afford it at this time in my life... but, I do like it for what it is.

I have a '12 Outback and it was nice seeing that the tow vehicle is a 3rd gen Outback.

For my family of 4 it is not big enough... wife, 15 and 11 YO daughter and me.

I am approx. 5'10" and with the top up i can get around very well.

If you have to take a quick stop to rest, eat, nap... you can leave the top down and will be comfortable.

That is all I have for you...

Joel

 

[GroupSe7en]

Thanks Joel,

Like I said, I'd love to love them - they're quirky and cool, and I applaud their effort to do something different.

Their offroad model may be the next great thing.

Maybe we'll all love it.

 

[JAvendan]

Thanks Joel,

Like I said, I'd love to love them - they're quirky and cool, and I applaud their effort to do something different.

Their offroad model may be the next great thing.

Maybe we'll all love it.

Talking the owner... There was an issue where, depending on your experience, location, etc... Off road means different things to different people.

So, I hope you all get your version of off road that you are wanting

Might want to visit their site and give them an idea of what it is you are looking for in the off road version.

Joel

 

[clcoyle]

Cricket made the Cover of the Online version of Outside Magazine



http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/autos/Buggin-Out.html?utm_source=dispatch&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=MRlink1&utm_campaign=06272013

 

[eric krag]

Just Used a Cricket Over the weekend

I'd like to respond to the Cricket thread... just spent the weekend in one. Here is a U-Tube if that's beneficial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p66hhS899Ys
I towed it with a 97 Jeep (weak tow car), and felt confident with it. I would not hesitate to go off the grid with it, limits already mentioned in the thread (width, Height and clearance). I thought the shower was great, But I own an off road teardrop so this thing is a whole new ballgame. Power was fine for 12 v based use, the H2O heater and Engel fridge easy to manage, one solar panel kept it up.
The Video shows the awning... it took a 25 mph wind w/o any concern what so ever, yes 3 pt attachment. Now to get one for my tear. The Door is huge, stayed open easily with a easy to replace rubber grommet set up. I am not fond of the plastic door holders usually used. Window screen/shades are built in, with all open the breeze would spoil you. Bungy cords pull the canvas in as the roof is lowered.
Looks wise, you should like aluminum structure, then you'll be okay. I still like bike frames at the welds. A woman's touch could really give it some warmth i would think, at least a picture of the family cat. The walls and roof are sandwiched aluminum with foam core, a squishy black buffer material next to the aluminum for heat differential. Impressively light, strong and some R factor (low filtration).
As Off Road is different from leaving the asphalt, so is affordability. I'm used to selling $50k rigs that take a $30k truck to tow it. That's why I went to off road teardrop and an old jeep, suits my wife and me fine and have one of those $15k'ish teardrops. I like the out of doors feel, and think this is there. Nothing is worth the money if it stays parked!
Spec's and such can be direct to Cricket. 1/3 the cost of the Airstream Base Camp with same bene's really.

 

[ETAV8R]

Cool Video. Thanks for sharing and welcome to Expo.

 

[grnhornetcustoms]

I saw a blue one like on the cover of the magazine. It was being towed north on US101 as I was south, through Raymond, WA. I wish I could have got a better look at it first hand. That happens a lot when you have tourist traffic for 4-5 months a year passing through. I have seen so many awsome rigs over the years. too many times it is just a glance and they are gone.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Saw this one at Needles District this year! very nice trailer!

 

[mnfeo2]

The wife and I just ordered a Cricket. Once we get our hands on it, I'll post up some pics.

 

[joseph42s]

This thing looks so cool. And I know forums tend to be like this. If we got our way we would all be driving Audi RS6 avant's/toyota Hilux's etc. But my concerns.

- Could I modify the tongue to carry 2 dirt bikes? Ala evolution pop up
-Could it be modified to be offroad worthy ala moby or socal teardrop
-Could you find a way to build a space for real kids to sleep. I think my 3.5 and 1 year old will laugh at us when we try to put them up there. And when they are older will laugh at us again.

I guess it would be cool if a bigger one was made, one designed for offroading and being pulled by a big SUV or Truck. Then it would be perfect for me.

 

[STREGA]

I saw one at the Expo this year and I kinda like it. I could see where it would work well for a lot of people but I don't think I would buy one, I'am more of a offroad teardrop guy. It is good to see so many different trailer options out there though.

 

[mnfeo2]

This thing looks so cool. And I know forums tend to be like this. If we got our way we would all be driving Audi RS6 avant's/toyota Hilux's etc. But my concerns.

- Could I modify the tongue to carry 2 dirt bikes? Ala evolution pop up
-Could it be modified to be offroad worthy ala moby or socal teardrop
-Could you find a way to build a space for real kids to sleep. I think my 3.5 and 1 year old will laugh at us when we try to put them up there. And when they are older will laugh at us again.

I guess it would be cool if a bigger one was made, one designed for offroading and being pulled by a big SUV or Truck. Then it would be perfect for me.

Hey I need to post up some pics of the frame and the underside. This thing has a bolted together C channel frame. The wife and I dont do any crazy off roading while towing it so it works really well for us. You could easily build an extra sleep platform for kids instead of having one of the bunks. As far as loading two dirt bikes, you would have to do some serious mods to the whole trailer. Extended tongue, different leveling jack, building a platform, at least a 3500lb axle (it only has a 3000lb) and its not a normal axle mount. The axle bolts the middle section of the frame to the rear.

Ill get some pics up as soon as I can spare some time.

 

[joseph42s]

Awesome that would be huge! At its core, all things are boxes and squares, so theoretically its possible to 'cut and shut' as they say.

I think it would be a rad ride. I am not going to do rock crawling, but it would be fun to get deep in the woods with the family and use this as a basecamp for mountain biking and dirt biking.

 

[mnfeo2]

I snapped some pics of the hitch, axle mount and underside. For our trailer I'm extending the hitch by 18in and adding a full lenght platform, the leveling jack will be replaced with a swing up unit that can be removed. The stabilizers will be replaced with the same. Also I'm going to skin the underside to protect the plumbing and electrical. For the time being the spare tire will stay under the trailer, but it will be replaced with another water tank eventually.

 

[speedtre]

Hey I need to post up some pics of the frame and the underside. This thing has a bolted together C channel frame. The wife and I dont do any crazy off roading while towing it so it works really well for us. You could easily build an extra sleep platform for kids instead of having one of the bunks. As far as loading two dirt bikes, you would have to do some serious mods to the whole trailer. Extended tongue, different leveling jack, building a platform, at least a 3500lb axle (it only has a 3000lb) and its not a normal axle mount. The axle bolts the middle section of the frame to the rear.

Ill get some pics up as soon as I can spare some time.

So after owning it for awhile now, what are you thoughts on it? Would you buy it again? Anything you would change about it?