Road trips and overlanding are more popular than ever — but not everyone can afford (or wants to) own an RV, an Airstream Classic or a custom-built overlanding rig. Small travel trailers can be a great option for a weekend traveler who wants the convenience of adventure on a (at least relatively) more reasonable budget.
These small camping trailers don’t require a full-size truck to tow them (GVWR under 5,000 pounds); a mid-size truck, SUV or even in a sedan (in some cases) will do. And they can typically fit in an average-sized home garage.
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Best Classic Small Camping Trailer
Airstream Bambi
AirstreamAirstream Bambi
Specs
| Length | 253 inches |
| Weight | 5,000 pounds |
| Sleeps | 4 |
Pros
- Elegant Airstream style
- Several amenities crammed into small footprint
Cons
- No trailer backup tech
- Bathroom situation can be awkward
No surprise that the road-tripping icon has a line of lightweight single-axle trailers. Along with Airstream’s classic design, Bambi models feature neutral interior colors, stainless steel appliances, plenty of windows, and a retractable awning. The entry-level Bambi 16RB measures about 16 feet long, and has a maximum GVWR of 3,500 pounds.
Best Affordable Small Camping Trailers
Polydrops P19 Shorty
PolydropsPolydrops P19 Shorty
Specs
| Weight | 640 pounds |
| Length | 140 inches |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- Super lightweight and aerodynamic for EV towing
- Convertible table can make bed a work space
Cons
- Amenities beyond bed are very basic
- Limited storage options
The P19 shorty is Polydrops’s basic affordable trailer option. It’s durable with a rust-free frame, insulated for all four seasons. It’s an awesome option for towing with an EV with a weight of just 640 lbs. It provides sleeping accommodations for two. But the accommodations beyond sleeping are on the spartan side.
SylvanSport GO
SylvanSportSylvanSport Go
Specs
| Length | 140 inches |
| Weight | 840 pounds |
| Sleeps | 4 |
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for towing
- Sleeps four adults
Cons
- Setup can take 10-15 minutes
- No built-in electrical
The SylvanSport GO may not look like much of anything in road mode, but it’s basically a Transformer — a boring trailer that transforms into a tent camper/utility hauler/equipment rack. Measuring less than seven feet long, the pop-up tent setup expands to accommodate two XL-twin mattresses or one king. Also, it’s extremely lightweight at just 840 pounds.
Scamp Travel Trailers
Scamp Travel Trailer
Specs
| Length | 156 inches |
| Weight | 1,500 pounds |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- Several lengths and layouts
- Even 13-foot can be fitted with shower/bathroom
Cons
- Plumbing system needs to be winterized
- No off-road suspension option
Because Scamp trailers are sold factory direct, each order is essentially a custom build. The small trailers fit four, come in 13-, 16-, and 19-foot lengths, and are available in Standard or Deluxe trims — which really just means, bathroom or bunk beds? The GVWR for the 16-footer is 3,500 pounds, but Scamp says all sizes have been designed to be towed by small vehicles.
Best Small Off-Road Camping Trailers
Colorado Campworks NS-1
Colorado CampworksColorado Campworks NS-1
Specs
| Length | 156 inches |
| Weight | 1,750 pounds |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- 100 percent electric
- Very off-road capable
Cons
- Price has gone up dramatically
- No cheaper base model
Built for overlanding with a small footprint of barely nine feet, the Nomadic System One (NS1) is 100 percent solar-powered for on-demand hot water and induction cooking. Rugged but towable with a sub-2,000-pound dry weight, other features include a galley, a winter-ready structure and exterior mounts for gear. It comes in one fully stocked version with several color options.
Taxa Outdoors Woolly Bear Overland
Taxa OutdoorsTaxa Outdoors Woolly Bear Overland
Specs
| Length | 136 inches |
| Weight | 1,400 pounds |
| Sleeps | 3 |
Pros
- Overland version even tougher for off-roading
- Storable in a standard garage
Cons
- Rooftop tent sold separately and expensive
- Plumbing won't work in cold winter temps
Taxa Outdoors’s Woolly Bear was the ultimate mobile campsite for two We say was because the brand came out with a more robust Woolly Bear Overland. It packs a full-size kitchen, a pull-out cooler drawer, ample storage and a platform for a rooftop tent within a package that weighs just 1,400 pounds and is only five feet wide.
Best Small Camping Trailers With Bathrooms
Airstream Basecamp REI Co-op Special Edition
Scott SeiverAirstream REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp Travel Trailer
Specs
| Length | 192 inches |
| Weight | 2,700 pounds |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- Sleeping capacity accommodated 3 in our testing
- Well-organized layout with plenty of storage
Cons
- Upgrades may not justify the steeper price point
Airstream’s compact Basecamp model is made for traveling beyond the beaten path on all sorts of adventures, fitting two adults with ease. The REI co-branded special edition elevates things with bespoke design features for an added bit of outdoorsy delight.
Happier Camper HC1 Studio
Happier Camper HC1 Studio
Specs
| Length | 161 inches |
| Weight | 1,800 pounds |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- Studio version includes bathroom and kitchen
- Several colors available
Cons
- Not designed for off-road use
Built for long-term travel, this 1,800-pound camper packs in all the essentials you’d find at home: a bathroom equipped with a dry-flush toilet and a shower, a full kitchenette with a dual-burner stove, battery-powered fridge and sink, and Happier Camper’s Adaptiv system, a partially modular layout that allows for the unique configuration of furniture. A Premium Package adds more features like solar power.
Winnebago Micro Minnie
Winnebago Micro Minnie
Specs
| Length | 233 inches |
| Weight | 3,360 pounds |
| Sleeps | 3 |
Pros
- Narrow for ease of towing
- Large fridge and three-burner stove
Cons
- Longer than other small camping trailers
The ever-familiar Winnebago offers the Micro Minnie. These trailers are small in size but offer plenty of room for families. Even though it’s a double-axle camper (most small camping trailers use a single axle), the Micro Minnie is just seven feet wide — but smartly laid out. Sleeping quarters accommodate up to five, and windows on either side provide a nice cross-breeze on cool nights. Other amenities include USB ports and WiFi connectivity.
Best Small Pop-Up Camping Trailers
Taxa Outdoors Cricket
Taxa OutdoorsTaxa Outdoors Cricket
Specs
| Length | 180 inches |
| Weight | 1,753 pounds |
| Sleeps | 2+2 children |
Pros
- Several mesh windows provide cross-ventilation
- Optional raised sleeping births for children
Cons
- No fixed toilet
With a NASA-inspired design, the 15-foot Taxa Outdoors Cricket was built to handle the outdoors. Lightweight and rugged, the small trailer can sleep two adults and two children, features a modular design, innovative storage solutions inside and out as well as lots of windows for cross ventilation. It includes an integrated plumbing and electrical system with an optional air conditioner.
Dub Box
Dub Box
Specs
| Length | 193 inches |
| Weight | 1,413 pounds |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- Pop-up roof is available as an option
- Sweet vintage style
Cons
- Not ready for off-road use
Not a familiar name, sure — but in terms of design, if you don’t think Volkswagen when you think of road camping, are you even thinking? The Dub Box, which sits about 16 feet long and has a 2,314-pound GVWR, will definitely make people do a double-take. Other standard features include a kitchen with a two-burner stovetop and fridge, LED lighting, and room for a double-sized mattress. A pop-up rooftop, you ask? Of course, that’s an option.
Teardrop Camping Trailers
nuCamp Tab 400
nuCampnuCamp Tab 400
Specs
| Length | 219 inches |
| Weight | 2,831 pounds |
| Sleeps | 3-4 |
Pros
- Pitched axle and off-road tires for off-pavement use
- Optional hidden bunk compartment for towing
Cons
- On the heavier side for a small camping trailer
The nuCamp Tab 400 features an old-school teardrop design but with new school amenities, like instant hot water and air conditioning. A compact 18 feet in length, the Tab 400 still offers a dedicated queen-sized bed sleeping space, a spacious kitchen with storage, a three-person dinette area, and a wet bath. You can also tack on a Boondock off-road package and a Lithium power package.
Timberleaf Classic Teardrop
Timberleaf Classic Teardrop Trailer
Specs
| Length | 168 inches |
| Weight | 1,500 pounds |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- Beefed up off-road suspension is available
- Homey wood finishes
Cons
- Pricier than other trailers in their lineup
The Classic Teardrop Trailer by Timberleaf features one of the largest skylights of any teardrop-style trailer on the market. At 10 feet in length, there’s plenty of usable space for a queen-size mattress, storage shelves, and an equally laid-out kitchen galley. The camper can also be customized with All Road and Off Road packages depending on your needs. Timberleaf also sells smaller Kestrel and Pika models.
The Small Camping Trailer We Wish Existed
Airstream Studio F.A. Porsche Concept Travel Trailer
CourtesyAirstream Studio F. A. Porsche Concept Travel Trailer
Specs
| Length | 197 inches |
| Sleeps | 2 |
Pros
- Looks incredibly cool
Cons
- Doesn't exist in real life
Airstream and the design firm Studio F.A. Porsche presented a “what if” collaboration, the Airstream Studio F.A. Porsche Concept Travel Trailer. It’s essentially what would happen if Porsche used its sports car sensibilities to design and build an Airstream. It’s a small 16-foot trailer about the size of the Bambi. It crams everything you’d want into that small footprint with some innovative features like a rear-opening hatch, an adjustable suspension for lowering into a garage and a smooth aerodynamic outer shell.
