Mini campers and trailers aren't the mobile living arrangement for grey nomads looking
to see more of the good ol' U. S. of A. The industry has seen a sharp rise in millennials
joining in for fun, accounting for 41% of the market share and growing.
Here are 10 of the best mini campers and trailers made in the USA under 15 feet, with something
to suit everybody – no matter what age.
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The Koala Bear looks to bridge the gap between a funky retro teardrop camper and an affordable,
reliable off-road trailer. It's constructed from solid pine and birch – you'll find
no particleboard in its walls.
It comes with all-terrain tires as standard, with the option to beef them up along with
the suspension to suit your needs. An auxiliary battery means you can charge your phones and
devices while you pump Z's inside.
Unlike many in its class, it has 5-foot-high ceilings inside the sleeping area – which
can fit up to 5 on the modular couch if you're looking to entertain guests.
The Trailstomper is a 298lb prototype camping trailer looking to corner the featherlight
market. It is designed to be towed behind smaller vehicles while still offering great
off-the-grid style features.
The trailer itself sports independent coil-over suspension and has 25 cubic feet of storage
space despite its small stature. It has a slide-out kitchenette area with a small fridge,
an auxiliary battery with lighting, and a weather awning.
2 adults can sleep snugly on top in a fold-out tent accessed by a sturdy ladder. As the saying
goes, "travel happy, travel light."
Also looking to throw their hat in the ultra-light camper category is the Heo T3, which is a
great choice when something a little more robust is in order.
It's essentially a closed in luggage trailer with a rooftop tent, but don't let the simplicity
fool you – this 700-pound workhorse wears off-road tires for a reason. The tent is substantially
larger, able to squeeze in 3 adults.
A full-extension sliding cargo tray that comes out the side is perfect for setting up a little
cooking area while camping. Its heavier duty frame allows for a much larger tent on top.
Now for something a little different, as the Coachman Clipper is a teardrop-style mini
camper with a twist. The rear portion is actually a pop-up tent, serving to increase real estate
while still keeping everything as compact as possible.
Its mesh screen and fabric walls provide the option to be a bit more at one with nature
and enjoy the outdoors while you lay back on the full-size, full-thickness double mattress.
It comes with a slide-in portable toilet, water heater, outside shower – meaning you
won't have to rough it between campsite shower blocks. The Deluxe model comes with an air
conditioner and small furnace to cover your comfort on either side of the temperature
dial of extreme weather.
On the inside, a basin and dishwasher make it feel like home.
A slide-out kitchen and pop-out BBQ complete the whole package, pint-sized.
One of the heaviest on the list, only just squeezing under the 2,000-pound mark, the
No Boundaries 10.6 makes up for it by adding a bit more glamp to your camp with a queen-sized
bed. This can then be folded to make a pretty decent size couch.
It brags the highest ground clearance in its class, a salute to the off-road DNA found
in its heavier duty frame and suspension design. It can be powered from both mains power, tow
vehicle, or its own onboard batteries.
It has a handy slide-out cooking and fridge area the neatly fits within the footprint.
An exclusive Rhino-Rack provides the stability needed to add a rooftop tent. To house another
couple or a myriad of awnings, cargo cages, and kayaks if they take your fancy.
There's something retro-chic and just plain cool about a vintage teardrop camper. The
Tiny Camper does all the basics well and offers an authentic no-frills camping experience
straight out of the 60s.
Hardwood floors inside are a nice touch, as is the small AC unit to keep you cool on a
hot summer's night. It can accommodate 2 people on a twin XL single mattress and offers a
range of side panel color options—snuggly simplicity at its best.
Unlike other mini campers designed to be pulled behind smaller cars, the Backpacker 2 manages
to fit a spacious sleeping area and an extended rear fold-out kitchen.
The sleeping area transforms from couch arrangement to a massive 6 foot 8in long by 4-foot 3in
wide sleeping area more extensive than most in this category. Inside, there is a private
area with a door for a removable toilet and beautiful woodgrain veneers to give it that
rustic appeal.
At the rear, double barn doors open up to the back of the privacy area for quick and
easy disposal of waste, as well as sink, kitchen cupboards, drawers, and countertops.
The 2XT variant ups the ante by upgrading the suspension and adding off-road tires.
As well as more durable materials used all around the exterior. The trailer also comes
with its own electric brake system linked to the tow vehicle for better stopping power.
There are options for woodgrain linoleum or carpeted flooring, which is a great touch
– you can really turn this camper into your little home away from home.
The ANZA is built to be ready to go off-road at a moment's notice. It claims to be the
most durable camper trailer at its price point, too.
The inside cabin maximizes space by moving away from the traditional teardrop shape while
still retaining a rounded front for less drag while towing. It's fully customizable, with
plenty of add ons available to make it how you want it.
The Apache matches its more aggressive name with a more aggressive look, coated with a
black abrasion-resistant paint that isn't afraid to get a few bumps and bruises.
It offers the same blank canvas as the ANZA and would be the choice for those looking
for an excellent base to go the DIY route.
Good things come in small packages, and the Ore Off-Road Expedition is no exception. It's
mind-boggling just how much stuff you can fit into a camper with such a slim profile.
The frame is well over-engineered, with a 3,500-pound torsion-rated axle providing a
reliable base with a 16inch all-terrain tire on either end supported by an electric brake
system.
There are LED lights inside and out, with USB ports, general-purpose outlets, and 12v
sockets – you're covered whatever plug your gadgets take. The addition of a propane-powered
hot water heater and road shower will keep you squeaky clean.
There is a huge storage box upfront. The rear has enough space to contain a camping fridge/freezer
unit, cutlery draw, crockery and utensil storage, and a pair of fold-out platforms to cook on.
But it's the inside that really shines. There are so many nooks and crannies to store all
your stuff, you'll be like a kid in a candy store. There is even a slide-out computer
table for hitting up Netflix when it's dark and stormy outside. Brilliant.
Easily the oddest-looking trailer on the list, the Tentrax Overlook looks like the lovechild
of a truck tray and a rooftop tent. It consists of a cargo storage area over the axels.
The front storage area is open-air and meant for things like lockboxes and coolers.
The removal of the need for paneling keeps the overall weight to a minimum while still
providing 45 cubic feet of lockable, sealed area for your gear. The frame is made from
hardened steel, with a lightweight reinforced fiberglass body keeping it below the 500-pound
mark.
It has a 2-inch lift in the suspension and is meant for higher-ride vehicles like jeeps
and trucks. There is no way a 500-pound trailer will become stuck when it's paired with a
2,000-pound rated axle and 31-inch mud tires on solid steel rims.
The pop-up rooftop tent is actually quite spacious, and a couple would have no trouble
at all having a yawn and stretching their arms up when they wake in the morning.
The Ascend model offers a much better-quality tent. Made from the new 280gsm ripstop poly-cotton
material that will withstand a relentless 5-foot column of water for over a minute before
a single drop makes it through to the inside.
This rating is the equivalent of withstanding a 75mph hurricane-force storm. It's also ultraviolet
light and mold resistant, meaning this new and improved tent will pretty much last forever,
or until you stop going camping.