Lightweight and very compact, this teardrop trailer is a complete solution with sleeping for two, a lounge, a kitchen, storage, and full standing height
The 1947 Kamp Master proves that a travel trailer doesn't need to be big to make a lasting impression. Just eight feet long, this rare vintage camper combines a streamlined aluminum exterior with a pop-up roof, a functional kitchen, and sleeping space for two.
Produced in limited numbers in the late 1940s, the Kamp Master was designed to deliver many of the comforts of a larger travel trailer without the bulk. Its ingenious roof system raises the rear section to provide standing room at camp while keeping the trailer low and compact on the road.
The example featured in a video tour by Patrick Botticelli of New Jersey Outdoor Adventures was discovered at the invitation of a New Jersey collector specializing in vintage travel trailers. Part of a private collection, the camper remains in impeccable condition. The owner is considering selling it, making the tour a potential preview of a future auction.
The Kamp Master was built by King's Trailer Company in Torrance, California. The company later moved on to producing larger, better-known King trailers and eventually became associated with one of the early forms of the modern truck camper.
The Kamp Master was also marketed as the Cap Master and remained in production from roughly 1947 to 1950. This particular example dates to the model's early years, although differences between model years appear to have been largely limited to the badging.
Its basic design remained consistent throughout production. The single-axle trailer featured a wooden frame, aluminum exterior panels inspired by Airstream, and a pop-up roof. The name Kamp Master referred to its camping capabilities, while Cap Master reflected the raised roof section.
The trailer measures 8 feet long and 6 feet wide, with an empty weight of approximately 840 to 870 pounds. Its elongated body, low road profile, and lightweight construction make it a compact option for towing.
A steel chassis supports the body, while larger wheels, chrome hubcaps, and whitewall tires complete its vintage appearance. Riveted aluminum trim, rain gutters, and awning rails add both character and practical touches.
The defining feature, however, is the pop-up roof. Rather than simply lifting the entire top, the system hinges through the body and opens at the rear. This arrangement creates standing height around the kitchen while preserving a lower profile over the lounge and sleeping area.
Setting up the Kamp Master involves opening the roof, securing the hinged screen door, positioning two side support poles, and attaching the canvas walls.
The featured trailer also comes with alternative screened sidewalls that create a more open camping space. It is unclear whether these were original equipment or a custom addition made at the owner's request.
The canvas panels include screened ventilation flaps. Their fastening system uses snaps along the upper interior and lower exterior edges, helping direct rainwater away from the living space.
The result is a clever design that transforms a low-profile trailer into a more comfortable place to spend time at camp.
The kitchen occupies the rear section and is divided into two main work areas.
On the campsite side, a wet station features a flip-out counter extension, a water basin that can be connected to a water supply, and an original built-in cooler.
Across from it, a three-burner metal cooktop sits alongside several drawers and shelves. A removable tabletop rests between the two kitchen sections to create a dining area.
The owner has also added a battery inside a dedicated compartment.
At the back, a pull-out sofa converts into a double bed. Additional storage sits underneath and behind it, where hanging rods provide space for clothes that don't need to be folded away.
A fold-down writing table is another part of the interior, reflecting a time when a small dedicated surface for writing was a useful feature in a camper.
The trailer also includes a built-in 5-pound propane tank mounted on the tongue, 12-volt power sockets, a shore-power connection, 110-volt outlets, and LED lighting.
The newer electrical additions blend into the original cabinetry and vintage accessories, including flashlights and metal condiment tins, preserving much of the camper's period character.
Patrick Botticelli describes his discovery as "the ultimate teardrop," a fitting assessment for a trailer that combines a compact footprint with a surprisingly extensive list of features.
The Kamp Master demonstrates how thoughtful design can make a small camper feel considerably more capable than its dimensions suggest. Its pop-up roof, functional kitchen, convertible bed, and lightweight construction give it a distinctive place in postwar camping history.
The owner has not put this example up for sale yet, so there is no asking price or auction estimate attached to it. However, comparable interest in rare vintage campers and the condition of this particular trailer suggest it could command $25,000 or more if it eventually goes to auction.
For now, the video tour offers a closer look at a little-known design from 1947 that still manages to stand out nearly eight decades later.