On our last camping trip, I had the opportunity to hit the road with a Vistabule Teardrop Trailer. Made in St. Paul, MN, Vistabule is growing in popularity every year. Traveling with it provided not only comfort but also a freedom that much larger campers can’t offer.
Many fellow campers stopped in to ask me about the Vistabule Teardrop Trailer when we were on the road. More often than not, they had questions about the galley, which is where you cook. I was more than happy to pop it open so they could check it out. I soon realized that many people had the same questions. Whether you’re considering purchasing your own, or you’re just curious about this compact camper, I hope the following gives you a better idea of what cooking in the Vistabule is really like.
It’s easy
What I liked most about the galley is the up takes less than a minute. All I had to do was pop the hatch and turn on the stove! This made it easy to save money by not eating out while traveling. When I saw a scenic overlook, I could pull in and make a grilled cheese without cutting into travel time too much. Everything I needed for meals was within reach, and it was easy to organize in a way that made sense to me. There was even space for two bags of groceries under the sink. When everything is this accessible, you can prepare meals quickly and easily.
The model we had came with the Dometic CFX 35W cooler, which slid out for easy access and was powered by a100Ah lithium iron (LiFePO4) battery. We also had the 130W roof-mounted solar panels, and that combination powered the cooler (and the entire trailer) for four days without issue. For cooking, we had the Dometic two-burner stove, which connects to an 11 lb propane tank. All three of these upgrades gave the trailer a true off-grid functionality that made it easy to feel connected to the great outdoors.
Some tips
Cooking in the galley is a lot like cooking at home, just in a smaller space. The setup works well. There is plenty of light for late-night snacks, and the window leading into the cabin makes it easy to pass food and drinks back and forth.
You’re going to want the hatchbat wings. These are the nylon panels that hang down from the sides to provide more protection from the elements. We had a lot of rain on our trip, and I was still able to prepare food on a dry countertop. They made cooking enjoyable even in lousy weather. The bat wings also kept the chilly Lake Superior wind at bay. After using them for four days I wouldn’t want to go without them.
Why we loved it
The Vistabule is great for spontaneous travel. Ours came fully stocked with cookware, so all we had to do was toss our bags in and pick up some groceries. The Dometic cooler makes this especially easy because everything stays dry and cold on the trip. You don’t have to wonder if the burgers became too warm in a cooler with melting ice.
The cons
There is no hot water, but it’s easy to heat the kettle. The sink is small, but they made it workable by adding a sprayer.
Bottom line
Vistabule uses its trailers regularly, and when there’s something that needs improving, they put their heads together and figure out a way to overcome it. If you’ve had teardrop trailers on your mind, you should give Vistabule serious consideration. I think you’ll have a hard time finding a more thoughtful, effective design.