Moonshot

“It got such rave reviews from other travelers on the road,” Tim explained. “At that point, it was just a matter of coming up with a name and jumping in,” he said.

And jump in they did. That was five years ago, and since then, they’ve developed the PinDrop Travel Trailer, a solar-powered, lightweight micro camper constructed in a tight shell made for off-road travel, off-grid living and self-contained camping.

“It has a super insulated cabin with a queen-sized mattress, and we put a lot of design into the kitchen,” said Tim. “It’s a rear-hatch camper, just like the old teardrop-style design, but our kitchen pulls out, so you find yourself standing in a U-shaped galley. You’ve got a two-burner stove, cold food storage options, a deep stainless-steel sink, music and lights.”

“The galley kitchen is probably the biggest draw because it makes preparing meals easy with all your common kitchen cooking needs accessible out on the road,” added Ruth Ellen.

Tim got the idea for the prototype when their 1952 Happy Home camper was on its last wheels. By the time the pandemic hit, the Elinskis were just gaining momentum with what they considered their “better” camper.

“People didn’t know about us yet, but I do think that was a real opportunity for us because many decided they wanted to get out of the house and into the middle of nowhere,” said Ruth Ellen. “We built a couple of units and started a rental program. People could rent and not necessarily commit to a purchase.”

Tim, who is the mayor of Cottonwood and had owned a construction company for 18 years, and Ruth Ellen, who is the director of the Yavapai Small Business Development Center, were no strangers to the impact small businesses can have on rural communities. They fell in love with property in the historic district of Miami, Arizona, created a manufacturing plant in a 115-year-old building and made campers while creating jobs and helping to redevelop the local economy in a town that was once a major force in the world’s copper mining industry.

“Growing up north of Payson was really kind of a Tom Sawyer experience. It was a great place to be as a boy,” said Tim. “The East Verde River was right there. The community was small and family oriented. And the elementary school was just down the road from the sawmill that employed many of the families.”

Tim recalls the day his teacher announced the sawmill was closing down. “The whole class was instructed to be very, very quiet so we could hear the whistle blow signaling the end of the last shift. Miami reminds me a lot of how Payson was. It still has that blue-collar, small-town Arizona feel,” he said fondly.

Today, the PinDrop Travel Trailer sells for $26,000 to $36,000, depending on accessories like pop-out beds, racks for kayaks and mountain bikes and additional water storage. Fully loaded with a rooftop tent, the camper sleeps six people. “It can carry 44 gallons of water, which is an impressive amount for even larger RVs,” said Tim. “It has a solar shower, as well.”

“You can just roll into a campground with a PinDrop, open the kitchen, and you’re ready to go. The trailer does great off-road, too,” said Ruth Ellen.

Last year, Moonshot found Tim. Moonshot is a non-profit organization headquartered in Flagstaff that discovers and works with startups across rural Arizona to bring products and services to market and develop entrepreneurial ecosystems that create jobs. “A growing number of outdoor travel enthusiasts were learning about this Cottonwood mayor who was the founder of PinDrop and an advocate for rural communities,” said Moonshot President and CEO Scott Hathcock.

He invited the Elinskis to represent Globe/Miami in the 2023 Shark Tank-esque Moonshot Pitch Tour. They did and PinDrop Travel Trailers won. This victory promoted them to the state competition where they squared off against other Arizona finalists. They won again and took home the $10,000 prize.

“Participating in Moonshot was a great experience for telling our story,” said Tim. “Yes, we are building superior, top-quality trailers in a rural community, but more than that, we are helping to revitalize a town that was once an economic powerhouse. I believe Miami, Arizona, has that potential again, and if we can show others what is possible there, then others will follow. We are excited about our trailers, and we are really excited about helping to build back a community alongside other manufacturers, small businesses and the real people that truly make Miami great.”

Tim and Ruth Ellen purchased a second historic property across the street from their factory. They are working to create living space for workers to answer the need for affordable housing.

For those considering starting a business, the two offer this advice: Ruth Ellen says entrepreneurship is not glamorous. “It’s really sweaty. It takes a lot of grit and a lot of grime. You’ve got to be in it for the long haul, be ready for serious challenges and know that it is a climb.”

Tim says, “Fall in love with your community and make sure your business is a good fit. Find strong partnerships and share your story.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

To hear more about their story, visit Zonie Living at StarWorldWideNetworks.com. PinDrop Travel Trailers can be found at PindropTravelTrailers.com.

Courtesy Photo: Out of a love for camping with their girls, Lilah and Faye, and their dream to build a better camper, Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski and his wife, Ruth Ellen, created PinDrop Travel Trailers, a startup gaining traction from Miami, Arizona.