Small Camper Review: Classic Bean Roadster
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Mark Harling is the owner of Sterling ATM, a large custom-fabrication company in Salt Lake City, which is also the home of Bean Trailer company. “The reason we started building Bean trailers is my wife and I couldn’t find a teardrop that would withstand the rugged terrain and extreme temperatures of the area we live in and love to explore.”
That was 19 years ago. Today, Bean Trailer builds two off-road models, the Mean Bean and Meaner Bean, and two highway models, Bean Stock and Classic Bean. The 2020 Classic Bean “roadster” would appeal to RVers seeking a light, cute, comfortable and solidly constructed teardrop.
Inside
Sleeps
A queen-size memory-foam mattress provides a restful night’s sleep, and an array of cabinets, drawers and cubbies in the cabin offer more storage than one typically finds in a teardrop trailer.
The interior of the fully insulated Classic Bean centers around a 4-inch-thick queen mattress, and includes a soft-touch vinyl headliner, adjustable shelving system, pull-out drawers, recessed LED lighting and a pass-through to the rear galley for an abundance of functionality and comfort.
Where the Classic Bean really shines is the amount of interior space it offers because of the 5-foot-high interior. The mattress folds to turn the cabin from sleeping quarters to a comfy lounging area. LED lighting, two USB charging ports and a 120-volt AC receptacle add to the interior functionality.
Galley & Storage
Left: All Bean trailers come with LED lighting inside and out. The rear galley provides a nice food-prep area. Right: Bean offers three galley options in the Classic Bean. The standard is a bare galley that leaves it up to the buyer to outfit. The two upgrades can include everything from a camp stove and a portable electric refrigerator-freezer, both on stainless slide-outs, to an 18-gallon water system with an electric pump and two sink and stove configurations.
The Classic Bean comes standard with the basic rear galley consisting of slide-out for a camp stove, white laminate counter and backsplash, with a split roomy storage area beneath. Above is a storage area with four cabinets with adjustable shelving, storage bins and sliding doors. Galley options are numerous including dual 7-gallon freshwater tanks, or an 18-gallon tank with 12-volt DC pump/filter, and a choice of camp-stove locations and portable fridges to have a fully equipped galley.
Bean handles storage with drawers and cubbies inside the cabin as well as the option of having a Thule ProBar roof rack system installed. If more sleeping space is needed, Bean outfits its trailers with iKamper, Tepui and 23Zero rooftop-tent systems.
Living Area
Bean trailers are made mostly from fiberglass, composites and molded plastics, and wired for 12-volt DC shore and solar power. What sets the Classic Bean apart from competitors is the 5-foot interior height and the no-leak roof because the body is built as a one-piece gel-coated fiberglass shell.
Bean buyers can choose a number of options from a Truma VarioHeat system to a front window and upholstered back rest, along with seven interior laminate choices and six exterior colors.
The Classic Bean follows the traditions of the classic teardrop but with a one-piece fiberglass shell so there are no seams between the roof and sides that could pose leak issues. Rooftop-tent options add to its appeal.
Special Features
The Classic Bean’s one-piece fiberglass body, heavy-duty hardware, 3,500-pound torsion axle, three galley configurations, wide array of options, and unloaded vehicle weight of 1,650 pounds make it a top choice among these types of tiny trailers. The limited lifetime warranty on the body speaks for its build quality.
Top left: The 5-foot-high ceiling allows Bean to incorporate a nifty storage system. Shelves are adjustable, and the slide-out worktable (left) is a convenient feature. Top right: Bean uses laminates, aluminum, stainless steel, composites and molded plastics instead of wood in the majority of the trailer. One of the few places wood can be found is in the drawers and cabinet doors inside the cabin. Bottom left: The Classic Bean’s stylish teardrop fenders and one-piece fiberglass body make it easy to spot on the road. Bottom right: The Premium Plus galley option ($2,295) includes a stainless-steel sink, stainless-steel counter, 18-gallon water system with filter, a curb-side-mounted 18-inch Partner two-burner camp stove on a stainless slide system, and a stainless slide-out that will accommodate a 45-quart portable electric refrigerator.
Manufacturer’s Specs
2020 Classic Bean
Exterior Length: 14′
Exterior Width: 7′ 2″ (fender to fender)
Exterior Height: 6′ 8″
Freshwater Cap.: 14-18 gal. (optional)
Gray-Water Cap.: 5 gal. (optional)
LP-Gas Cap.: 5 gal.
UVW: 1,650 lbs.
Hitch Weight: 185 lbs.
GVWR: 3,500 lbs.
MSRP, Base: $15,895 (Nicely equipped, $19,500)
www.beantrailer.com
