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The best small travel trailers

11 Small Travel Trailers to Consider and Why

Published on May 1st, 2021
Updated on February 1st, 2024

These 11 small travel trailers bring huge benefits, which explains why they are such hot sellers at the moment.

Aside from a lower cost, these travel trailers are easier and less expensive to tow, offer much more protection versus tent camping, and are ideal for tight campsites or off-grid locations where a large motorhome or fifth-wheel just won’t fit.

But small size doesn’t mean a shortage of amenities and features that will make your camping trips uncomfortable. Even our tiniest options allow you to have an indoor kitchen and bathroom, so you can avoid the hassles of using campground facilities.

Check out our below list of the 11 best small campers that offer great floorplans and are often towable by SUVs and small trucks, and see for yourself what sets these small camper trailers above the rest!

Small Travel Trailer Benefits

Let’s look deeper into what you should expect if you have any small camping trailer models on your RV wishlist.

Small Camping Trailers Are More Affordable

A small RV for camping and your budget

Purchasing small campers is budget-friendly. Most short travel trailers cost between $12,000 and $30,000 and, in many instances, are light enough to be towable by a vehicle you already own.

Once you get into a mid-range size travel trailer, you will often need a heavy-duty truck to tow it safely, which adds to the overall cost of ownership. We have many RVing friends who had to buy a pricey truck just to tow their camper and try to avoid driving it otherwise, as it’s a gas guzzler.

Small travel trailers weigh between 2,000 and 4,000 pounds as the framing is typically a strong but lightweight aluminum material. Reducing weight reduces the tow vehicle’s strain and lowers fuel consumption. The smaller profile also reduces wind drag to increase MPG even more.

A small camping trailer can save on campsite costs, as you may not need to pay for the standard, top-dollar full hookup site if you don’t have waste tanks.

We often see them parked in the economy “tent” sites that only offer electricity and water, and the guests use the dump station on their way out of the RV park.

The Best Small Travel Trailers Are Easy to Park and Store

We have witnessed enough large trucks with travel trailers trying to get back into a campsite to know that the task is highly stressful. Trying to keep an eye on the trailer, truck, trees, campsite utilities, and people standing around while also aligning the trailer straight in the parking space is quite a feat!

A small travel trailer is much easier to maneuver as it offers better sightlines, more “wiggle room” within the campsite, and rarely requires a spotter to park.

The trailer’s small size makes storing it much easier when the camping season is over. Many people park the trailer in the garage, backyard, or alongside the house instead of renting a storage facility.

Small Travel Trailers Come With Standard Features

Parked small campers

It’s true that once you go super small, a travel trailer can’t physically hold the same amenities as its larger counterparts. Still, the models we showcase below offer bathrooms, kitchens, storage tanks, entertainment systems, queen-size beds, and much more.

The design skill put into the best small travel trailer keeps all the convenient features customers want but streamlines them into a compact space, so the camper feels as spacious as possible.

11 Best Small Travel Trailers

We chose these small camper trailers for their high ratings from owners, efficient floorplans, great style, affordability, and ease of towing and parking. When shopping for a shorter travel trailer, starting with our suggestions below can save you lots of time and energy.

1. nuCamp TAB 400

  • Length: 18.3 feet
  • UVW: 3900 lbs
  • Sleeps: 3
  • Price: $39,900

The nuCamp TAB 400 is more expensive than many other small travel trailers, but it delivers big on functionality, aerodynamics, high-quality features, and overall design that give this camper a “cool” factor that rivals the Airstream brand.

The TAB 400 should last a lifetime while you get to enjoy camp living with a queen-size bed, convertible dinette, wet bath with drop-down sink, interior kitchenette with cooktop, microwave, fridge, and ample storage.

This teardrop camper is ideal for RVing singles or couples looking to invest in a unique and comfortable lightweight travel trailer.

nuCamp TAB 400 (Video)

2. Airstream Bambi 16RB

  • Length: 15.11 feet
  • UVW: 3500 lbs
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Price: $51,400

The Airstream Bambi 16RB allows RVers who want the luxurious design and iconic look of big Airstreams in a compact and easy-to-tow short version.

The sleek interior and reflective surfaces make the RV feel even more open than other small travel trailers for sale. We enjoyed using the dedicated bed space that doesn’t entail a daily conversion to a dinette or couch. The full bathroom and functional kitchen were a pleasant surprise that would be ideal for a small family or a full-timing couple.

Airstream Bambi 16RB  (Video)

3. Jayco Jay Flight SLX 7 183RB

  • Length: 21 feet
  • UVW: 4100 lbs
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Price: $22,973

The Jayco Jay Flight SLX 7 183RB is a top-seller because it comes with decades of Jayco quality and customer satisfaction behind it. The slide in the cook-friendly kitchen area amps up interior space, while the wide awning expands living enjoyment while camping even more.

We find the accordion door that closes off the queen-size bed helps buffer noise and hide personal belongings when indoor entertaining. We also found the rear bathroom very comfortable, with tons of room to turn about, use the shower, and get dressed without strain.

These features and the reasonable price tag make these small travel trailers a fantastic value for young couples or small families.

This RV has a bigger feel to it than many of the others and may be more comfortable if space is important to you.

Jayco Jay Flight 183RB (Video)

4. Forest River R-Pod RP-192

  • Length: 20.4 feet
  • UVW: 3,379 lbs
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Price: $25,500

The Forest River RP-192 is one of the best small camper trailers for sale that includes the option for an outdoor kitchen. The ultra-lightweight travel trailer features a space-saving queen-size Murphy bed by night, which converts to a sofa by day.

We love the full bath with a shower in the rear and the complete kitchen that lets you make meals on the road with ease. The large pantry and central vacuum system are the perks we find especially noteworthy in this camper.

Rpod 192 Camping Trailer by Forest River (Video)

5. Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH

  • Length: 21.11 feet
  • UVW: 5,000 lbs
  • Sleeps: 5
  • Price: $26,172

If you have a growing family, the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH may be the perfect small travel trailer for your needs. With a width of seven feet, it’s easier to tow and park the camper as you have a better view along both sides all the way to the rear.

We took time to test out the features in the efficient floorplan and liked the ability to shut off the master bed from the bunks in the rear for privacy when needed. The storage bays can hold plenty of camping gear, and placing the dinette in the slideout provides room for the whole family to enjoy a meal together.

Winnebago puts out four small camping trailers even shorter than this model, which you should also check out if this model is too big for your needs.

Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH

6. Casita Spirit Deluxe

  • Length: 17 feet
  • UVW: 2,480 lbs
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Price: $25,694

The Casita Spirit Deluxe combines a super-easy-to-pull travel trailer with a convertible interior that can provide sleeping quarters for a small family. The affordable price tag and 6′ 2″ interior ceiling height increase budget and practical comfort.

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We appreciate the full bathroom in the deluxe model, which avoids taking hikes to the campground restrooms in the middle of the night. The insulation in the Casita models is top-notch, which keeps the camper warmer for cold-weather camping and cooler when it’s hot.

Casita Spirit Deluxe with MODS! Small Camper with a Bathroom (Video)

7. Happier Camper Traveler

  • Length: 17 feet
  • UVW: 1,800 lbs
  • Sleeps: 2
  • Price: $49,950

The Happier Camper Traveler has retro styling and huge windows that make these compact travel trailers from the list of 11 stand out from the campground crowd. But, the adaptive modular furniture components you can configure to an array of indoor and outdoor arrangements make this one of the best small travel trailers on the market.

We love playing “blocks” and rearranging the modules into various configurations — a couch, a bed, an office, or just removing them all to fit bikes or a kayak. The integrated kitchen and bathroom turn this camper into a highly functional getaway for both campground and boondock excursions.

Happier Camper Traveler Interior (Video)

8. Taxa Mantis Trailer

  • Length: 19 feet
  • UVW: 2,972 lbs
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Price: $41,950

The Taxa Mantis Trailer is an off-grid camper’s dream, but it will also draw favorable attention at any RV park. The rugged build and exterior design transition to an interior that houses just about everything you need. The pop-up roof extends the headroom and increases airflow, making this a truly unusual model of small travel trailers.

We think the options for a wet bath and roof tent for extra sleeping quarters improve the overall functionality of this camper. The durability of this travel trailer, from tires to framing to interior finishes, is impressive.

TAXA Mantis Overland (Video)

9. Keystone Hideout 177RD

  • Length: 21.5 feet
  • UVW: 3,350 lbs
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Price: $21,514

The Keystone Hideout 177RD travel trailers provide camping simplicity with a classic design and thoughtful layout that offers more sleeping privacy in the queen-size bed and is best for camping couples of the 11 on this list.

We like the no-conversion layout (for solos or couples), so you can have full use, day or night, of all the camper’s amenities. The kitchen has sufficient cabinet and counter space, and the contemporary finishes and color scheme upgrade the look. The large shower, substantial U-shaped dinette, and antenna with integrated 4G LTE and Wi-Fi complete our favorite features.

Keystone Hideout 177RD Walkthrough (Video)

10. United Recreational Vehicles iCamp Elite

  • Length: 14 feet
  • UVW: 2,890 lbs
  • Sleeps: 2-4
  • Price: Starts at $12,000

The iCamp Elite is too charming to pass up if you’re looking for the best small camper trailers. The retro styling inside and out cheers the spirit, and the camper is rare enough to draw compliments and conversations. The camper’s standout feature is its ability to integrate a connection with the Apple iPod and the practical and functional kitchen and bathroom space in such a tiny camper.

We find the conversion from seating to beds a bit cumbersome, and the ceiling height may not work for taller people. Still, those issues don’t discount the super-rugged yet lightweight build, convenient amenities, and bright, fun color choices.

11. KZ Sportsmen Classic 170MB

  • Length: 22 feet
  • UVW: 2,910 lbs
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Price: $24,172

The KZ Sportsmen Classic 170MB gets on our best small campers list because it’s a pure camping pleasure. The floorplan flows wonderfully between spaces, and the accessibility to storage or appliances doesn’t require body contortions or straining.

We can’t get over the massive pass-through storage compartment and the easy-to-operate Murphy bed that can close up for use as a sofa if you want to entertain or enjoy more floor space during the day. The full bath and efficient kitchen increase value, while the ultra-light trailer reduces fuel expenses.

KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 170MB Travel Trailer Quick Tour (Video)

Best Small Travel Trailer Wrap-Up

More and more RVers are trading in their large travel trailers, motorhomes, and fifth wheels for the ease of traveling in a small camping trailer that doesn’t require a massive truck to tow. Aside from much lower fuel costs, owners find that reducing stress during road days and campsite parking is worth the more compact living arrangements.

These 11 small travel trailers are an excellent way for new RVers to test their camping skills and a pleasant downsize for expert RVers who are tired of paying for deluxe camping sites and winter storage for their 30-foot-plus recreational vehicles.

We hope you check out the best small campers for sale in your area to see for yourself why people are snatching them up like crazy!

QUOTE:
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
-- Andre Gide
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