For the past three years I’ve been traveling spring, summer and fall in a 1990 Toyota camper truck named Jerry Odyssey Americano. This whole time, with a few weekend camping trip exceptions, my beloved Teardrop trailer “The Rattler” has been hanging out in a storage unit in Bozeman, Montana.
I’m happy to tell you, the Teardrop is free of the storage unit and once again outside, where it belongs, basking in sunshine and starlight. But it’s currently more of a lawn ornament than an adventure rig and that just doesn’t sit right with me.
I’ve always said I’ll never sell the Teadrop and part of me wants to keep it in the yard just so I can keep falling in love with it every time I look at it. But adventure rigs should go on adventures and if I’m being completely honest with myself, I just really don’t want to tow anymore. I much prefer the Toyota, which can go much deeper into the landscape than the Rattler.
It’s been a long, emotional road getting to this point. After I bought the Teardrop for my 30th birthday I lived and worked in it for three years and saw a lot of North America while getting to sleep in my own bed every night. I towed the Rattler all the way to Alaska and back with a Subaru Impreza and all over the mountain west with a Land Rover Discovery and then a Honda Element. And beyond. In fact, the Rattler has been to over 30 states. It’s actually a dream to tow, as far as towing goes. I just like to explore rough forest roads too much.
As much as I love having it as a lawn ornament, it’s a rolling work of Art, and it’s most beautiful in motion, in the rearview of somebody with dreams to see more of the World. The time has come to hand the Rattler off to somebody else.
The Rattler is a one of kind, homemade Teardrop trailer made by a master craftsman from his own design and specifications. It is used but loved. I’ve made a series of upgrades and repairs to it over the years, the nuts and bolts of which I’m happy to discuss. It just recently journeyed 1,000 miles from Montana to California and is road worthy. You’ll need a new deep cycle battery for the solar power system, a new memory foam mattress and a car with at least a 1,000 pound towing capacity (It weighs well under that probably 600-700 pounds empty but I haven’t weighed it since I put the solar panel on or the upgraded springs).
The 135-watt solar panel supplied plenty of power to charge my laptop, phone and run the interior and kitchen LED lights. You will need a new deep cycle battery. There’s also a 3G cell signal booster included. It’s a bit outdated at this point but it worked really well for me. 
The silver paint is peeling on the trailer… this is the worst of it. The builder says it could be stripped and left as is, no need to repaint it. All his other trailers have just the bare skin and they look great. Or you could repaint it or wrap it in graphics.
The Rattler is 5 feet wide and 13 feet long. With the top open you have 69 inches of standing room, with it closed 58 inches. The bed is 75 inches long and 55 inches wide. I lived in it very comfortably with two large dogs. I have shared it with another person and it’s doable but cozy for two.
I’ve fielded a lot of emails over the years from people interested in the Rattler. Here’s your chance! Who wants it? Make me an offer! It’s not free… it has been appraised in the low five digits… but I want it to go to the right person, not necessarily the highest bidder.
If you’re interested, send me an email at theblondecoyote@gmail.com and tell me what the Rattler is worth to you and how you plan to use it. I’ve added a bunch of hot links here to posts with background on the Rattler and our story. Please do some research and soul searching before you email me. I’m not in a rush. I’m not selling it first come, first served. This is a rolling work of art that deserves to go to the best possible home!
Travels with the Blonde Coyote 
Glad to learn you are still adventuring … Good luck on finding the right person for the Rattler. Keep on truckin!
Thank you!
What an amazing opportunity for someone! I am in love with the Rattler. We just bought our first tiny camper and are looking forward to many adventures in the near future. I feel like this one would be a great role model for our Reginald ❤ I'll admit I got a little misty reading this post.
I’ve enjoyed following the teardrops travels over the years. Just an fyi though- the Salmon Glacier is in British Columbia, not Alaska. You have to travel from BC into Alaska and then back into BC to get to the spot your photo was taken.
Yep, thanks. I got to it through Hyder, Alaska so it’s my Alaska folder. I forgot that I crossed back into BC at some point that day!
I loved reading all your adventures in the Teardrop trailer. I hope she finds a good home and the new owner shears the new adventures.