For many people, the word "camper" brings to mind a large unit that is hauled behind a vehicle, or something that is a vehicle in itself.
The Little Guy Teardrop Camper/Trailer, manufactured in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Amish craftsmen, is an entirely different concept - one that is much more economically and environmentally friendly.
Hometown Honda on Pike Street in Marietta just started selling the Little Guy about two months ago.
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ASHLEY RITTENHOUSE The Marietta Times
Dan Rolfsen, general sales manager at Hometown Honda in Marietta, opens up the door on a Little Guy Teardrop Camper/Trailer in front of the store Tuesday. The business just started selling the miniature camper about two months ago and it has been very popular, he said.
"We just now got their franchise over here and they've been very popular so far," said Dan Rolfsen, general sales manager at the store.
According to golittleguy.com, there are nine different models of the camper available, ranging in price from $3,295 to $8,995. The campers range in width from four to six feet and have linoleum floors, where a mattress is placed for sleeping. Most of the units also have interior cabinets.
"It's basically a very economical camper and comes with a queen sized bed with options for a power plug, DVD player and some you can equip with a sink and grill," Rolfsen said. "The beauty of these things is they can be pulled by a four cylinder car - they're under 1,000 pounds."
Fact Box
About the Little Guy Teardrop Camper/Trailer
Manufactured in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Amish craftsmen.
There are nine different models available, ranging in price from $3,295 to $8,995.
They range in width from four to six feet and are equipped with a queen sized bed. Most have cabinets and some can be equipped with a sink, grill or DVD player, as well as other features.
Sold at Hometown Honda, 1301 Pike St., Marietta.
LEFT: Inside each Little Guy Teardrop Camper/Trailer is a queen sized bed and most models also have cabinets.
ASHLEY
RITTENHOUSE
The Marietta Times
"It's a bed on wheels with a few amenities, so it's a much greener way to travel than pulling a big camper," Rolfsen added.
There is also a model of the Little Guy on which an ATV or dirt bike can be hauled.
"The toy hauler that you can haul your ATV or dirt bike on works really well for racers and just people who don't want to buy a big truck but want to go camping and is affordable for their economy car to be able to pull," he said.
Rolfsen said soon, the store will be selling a model of the Little Guy that can be towed behind a trike (three-wheeled motorcycle). He said all models of the Little Guy can be hooked up to campground power and propane.
Betty and Wilbur Kemp, both 75, who live in Mantua, Ohio, have a camper that is about 37 feet long and they said they're not willing to downgrade to the tiny Little Guy.
"I've seen them - they're too small for me," said Wilbur Kemp. "It's for two people traveling with a small vehicle."
Tim Treadway, 22, of Marietta, said the campers may be nice but he still prefers to camp another way with his family.
"We're old fashioned - we like to use tents," he said. "It's all about being involved with nature."
