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A teardrop with a passion: Escapod TOPO2 MTB

A teardrop with a passion: Escapod TOPO2 MTB

Tony Barthel
RV Review, Overlanding RV

Honest RV Review: Escapod TOPO2 MTB - made for cyclists

One of the questions I see a lot is from people who want to bring bicycles with them when they’re out on an adventure. So I was pretty happy when I saw that Escapod has a new model of their trailers specifically intended for bicycling enthusiasts - the Escapod TOPO2 MTB. But first, what is an Escapod?

Essentially the Escapod is a teardrop trailer and is available in two variants and, while that description is certainly accurate, it’s by no means complete. Many teardrop trailers are really built to be the most affordable models in the range but this is absolutely not that. Yes, the floor plan is pretty traditional in its teardroppyness but, beneath the skin, it’s very different.

How many times have I suggested that you buy your next RV by starting underneath that RV? Wow. That’s a lot.

Then you add the fact that this one has been custom outfitted specifically to appeal to bicycle enthusiasts - more on that in a bit.

Start under the Escapod TOPO2

So let’s start under the Escapod, where the chassis is a tubular frame that is hot-dipped galvanized. That’s a good thing. But more remarkable is that Escapod actually designed and built its own unique axle-less suspension system. This gives the trailer the ability to traverse some rough ground without making it so tall that you can’t get it into your garage.

While the chassis on this is good, the body is the secret to it all. These are built as a single piece using a fiberglassing process that was inspired by the aircraft industry. Essentially, the company can put in the components that make the shell and then use a vacuum infusing process such that the whole shell is a very rigid and complete unit.

The body is a single unit

By building the shells this way they don’t have any chance of delaminating or falling apart. There are no seams between the top and bottom of a clamshell to fail or wiggle loose over time. The body is effectively a single unit that can withstand all the off-roading and rough terrain without you going back there and wondering if things fell off in transit. And these are designed such that that transit can include rather significant off-roading.

As company co-founder Chris Hudak put it, “Composites aren’t new. What is new is how we took a look at composites. We looked at the aerospace industry and incorporated infusion. They use a vacuum process to infuse the resin into the other components. The entire structure of the body is all one piece including the PT foam insulation.”

Part of that process was what co-founder Jen Hudak described when she said, “We looked at other trailers and asked, ‘What don’t we like about this?’”

There is no structural wood in the design, although there are nicely-finished wooden cabinet doors.

Two models of the TOPO2

There are actually two models to this: The TOPO2 Voyager and the TOPO2 Nomad. Today’s RV is the TOPO2 MTB, an offshoot of the TOPO2.

The Voyager incorporates a pressurized water system but one that’s fully enclosed in the heated and insulated body of the trailer, enabling true four-season functionality. Heating the cabin and that water is done with a Truma Combi system that does both functions very well.

The Voyager also has a kitchen with a 12-volt-powered cooler and a propane stove.

The Nomad does not have a pressurized water system but, rather, has space for three of the Dometic GO Hydration Jugs. This makes a lot of sense—simpler is better for me.

You can also add a bunk in the main cabin, which is more spacious than you might think. This is helped by a large window above the bed, which really opens the space. Speaking of open, you can open this overhead window.

Now let’s add provisions for bicycles

Designed for mountain biking adventures, the TOPO2 MTB has a lot of support for your bicycle addiction. With 21 gallons of water, heat, and a full medical kit, you’re covered when plans go sideways. The Küat Piston ION E-bike Rack handles two 80lb e-bikes, seamlessly integrated into Escapod’s Switchback Hitch. Plus, a Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit and work stand ensure your bike stays in top shape and it’s really well integrated into the kitchen area.

If you or a relative had a tool set where you drew lines around the tools on peg board, this tool kit is going to be like a fever dream with pockets for every single piece.

What’s inside the Escapod TOPO2 MTB?

Essentially, the main cabin of this is simply a queen-sized bed which the company describes as a five-inch memory foam mattress. Looking at the Nomad, the cabin incorporates bins up front that house soft zippered totes. This makes loading and unloading the camper much simpler.

There are a lot of little spaces to put things, including cabinets with birch doors (nice). There is space along the sides of the mattress for the things we all inevitably have. Another unique thing is the mud room, which is a spot beside the bed that you can use to put on shoes and such should you go out in the night to see if the bears really do what they are purported to do in the woods. Or, perhaps, make your own contribution.

Kitchen area out back

Out back, as you would expect, is the kitchen area. Escapod has a nifty plastic table that serves as a cover for the shelves when the trailer’s in motion but can hang off the wheel well once you’re ready to camp. Like the rest of the cabinetry, this is a composite material.

If you’re into the Nomad, know that this area features a slide-out drawer for a cooler like this Bodega cooler that we have. The trailer also comes with at least one lithium battery and you can add a second one as an option.

The Voyager actually has a full kitchen with a pressurized water system, including a hot and cold water sink. However, this is what’s called a direct dump-style sink, so you might want a capture tool like a buck or these portable water bags that I’ve become quite pleased with. It also features some nice cabinet space for stuff behind that portable table, along with a propane stove and portable 12-volt cooler.

Lots of options

As mentioned, the basic layout of these trailers shows a good understanding of the teardrop experience and what it would take to make it successful. But there are a ton of options the company offers to expand this. There are roof-top tents, roof-top storage rails, solar systems, a second lithium battery, screen rooms, portable toilet tents, awnings and more.

You could really elevate the experience by adding a tent to the side of this trailer that then becomes where you’d have gatherings or even use to change clothes or put a portable toilet.

Who is Escapod Trailers?

Escapod was founded by Chris and Jen Hudak. Essentially the couple wanted to build a better teardrop-style trailer, so they did. In Jen’s mom’s garage. But then people took interest in that trailer so they started taking orders. And the company grew. That’s the story told in that RV Entrepreneur Podcast I mentioned above.

Growing a company from two people building things to the point where they are today, with over 50 employees, is no mean feat. In the process they also gained two partners: Chris Eckel and Joshie Fishbein. Besides being part of the trailer building, they’re also a big part of telling the story of these trailers.

In fact, I look at a lot of websites from a lot of RV builders and, quite frankly, most of them are pretty lousy. No information. No way to “dig deeper.” Nowhere to get questions asked. That’s not true here. If I were to suggest something to RV builders it would be to make a YouTube/TikTok channel and make your websites not suck like one of those sewer-sucking vacuum trucks. Perhaps use Escapod as an example of how to do things well.

Something I really liked as I was building trailers to see what the process was like, was that the whole thing just worked so well. I recently bought a truck and navigating truck shopping websites and building imaginary trucks was so frustrating I almost didn’t want to complete the process. That wasn’t true here: The website is outstanding.

No RV dealers—almost

There are some great RV dealers out there—I know because I used to work for one. But there are also lots and lots and lots of stories of people having a terrible time with RV dealerships.

Like some other brands we’ve looked at here, this one primarily sells directly to consumers. That means you get to talk to the people who make the decisions and get your questions answered. The company has also gotten creative, as have many RV companies. One of the things they’re doing right now is a program where they’ll reimburse you up to $500 to come look at their trailer from out of state, if you decide to buy one. I think that’s pretty clever.

Plus, the past two RVs we’ve bought have been purchased in Indiana and road-tripping home with your new RV is something pretty special.

Dealerships that carry TOPO2

There are a few dealerships where you can also go for both service or to get your own Escapod: BTR Outfitters (Texas), RVs of America (South Carolina), and GTFO (California). Customers can buy trailers right off the lot from BTR Outfitters in Texas. For RVs of America and GTFO, customers can get a tour of the TOPO2 they have onsite, place an order with their team, and have the trailer shipped to their location for pickup!

So, how do you get service, if it’s even necessary to do so? Escapod has developed a network of repair professionals to handle this if one of the dealers, or the factory itself, is not in your neck of the campground.

And how do you actually see one of these if there are no dealers? Escapod has this covered, too. They have a network of owners who are so proud of their Escapod trailers that they’re willing to give you a grand tour. These owners are all over the place and you can find one on the company’s website.

Conclusions

While I’m not as much an outdoor guy in real life as I am in my imagination, I think I could make this work with the additional side tent so there’s a place for a potty and to just step outside before dressing in clothing appropriate for others to see. I really admire the clever storage and admirable build quality of these. In fact, I have had other teardrop-style trailers as my favorite for a while and I believe this usurps those.

I heard about this company through the RV Entrepreneur podcast. I get a lot of input since coming back to RVtravel.com with ideas of RVs to share with all of you, from emails that you send through the form that I put at the bottom of all these articles to comments on social media to even people calling me. On the actual phone. As if that’s what that thing is for.

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