Made in Quebec and now available on the U.S. market, molded-fiberglass Hélio trailers are lightweight, easy to tow and built to last a lifetime.
Hélio is a respected name in the Canadian RV market but until recently has been virtually unknown to the majority of tiny trailer enthusiasts south of the border. That’s changing as U.S. RV dealers begin getting their first shipments of the 14-foot-long molded-fiberglass Hélio O Series ultralights. The company offers three versions, designated by the number of people they can sleep: O2, O3 and O4. All can be towed by most cars and crossovers, and retail prices start at less than $18,000. The O2, which caught our eye, is designed for fun-loving couples.
The Hélio O2 maximizes storage space and comes standard with a 3.3-cubic-foot Dometic refrigerator-freezer (LP-gas/120-volt AC) and a two-burner LP-gas cooktop with a cover.
Living Area
According to Jeff Mercier, who is heading up the U.S. sales effort, the Hélio O2 is the Quebec-based company’s best seller, and it’s easy to see why. The tiny trailer has a nice layout with a 65-by-74-inch sleeping space in the rear and an enclosed bathroom with a shower up front. The bed converts to bench seating with a round, post-style table in the center.
Hélio O2 models feature a bench dinette with a post table that converts into a 65-by-74-inch queen bed.
The enclosed bath with a molded-fiberglass shower/toilet is a convenient feature. The O2 has a 13-gallon freshwater tank and a pair of 10-gallon tanks for black and gray water.
Headroom is plentiful, as is ambient lighting from a skylight and side windows that open to provide good ventilation. The trailer has LED lighting in the padded ceiling, a full-size screened entry door, four 120-volt AC outlets inside and two more on the exterior, a convenient charging station with both 12-volt DC outlets and USB ports, and an automatic-temperature-controlled ceiling-vent fan. Air conditioning and an LP-gas heating system are optional, as is a 100-watt solar panel that plugs into the solar-ready electrical system.
Kitchen and Storage
Located midship is a convenient kitchenette with a two-burner Dometic LP-gas stove, a microwave and a two-way 3.3-cubic-foot refrigerator-freezer. The sink and prep counter are at the front, adjacent to the bathroom. It’s a cozy but highly efficient setup. Hot water comes from a 13-gallon freshwater tank routed through an on-demand LP-gas water heater, while 10-gallon black- and gray-water tanks are good for short periods of dry camping.
Flooring is decorative fiberglass that’s durable and easy to clean. Storage space is well thought out, as Hélio’s designers made excellent use of nooks and opens spaces under the bed/seating area.
A handy sink and food-prep counter cabinet are to the right as one enters the O2 through the full-size screened door.
Special Features
What sets Hélio O Series trailers apart from most competitors is their molded-fiberglass monocoque construction with an exterior gelcoat finish — just like a fiberglass boat. There’s no wood or aluminum used in the body structure. The body is mounted on an epoxy-coated aluminum frame with alloy wheels supported by an independent torsion suspension.
“Hélios will not rust and will still look the same in 20 years,” says Mercier.
The 2020 Hélio O2 is new to the U.S. market but well-known in Canada as a premium tiny trailer for two people. The body shell is built like a fiberglass boat with no wood or aluminum so it will keep its looks for many years. Photo: Bruce W. Smith
Manufacturer’s Specifications
2020 Hélio O2
Exterior Length: 14′ 2″
Exterior Width: 6′ 4″
Exterior Height: 7′ 6″
Freshwater Cap.: 13 gal.
Black-Water Cap.: 10 gal.
Gray-Water Cap: 10 gal.
LP-Gas Cap.: 5 gal.
UVW: 1,550 lbs.
Hitch Weight: 132 lbs.
Axle Weight: 2,000 lbs.
GVWR: 2,000 lbs.
MSRP, Base: $17,990
www.heliovr.com
A respected automotive and RV journalist and longtime Trailer Life contributor, Bruce W. Smith has held numerous editorial titles at automotive and boating magazines, and authored more than 1,000 articles, from tech to trailering. He considers his home state of Oregon a paradise for RVing and outdoor adventure.
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