Choosing Small Camping Trailers
Small Camping trailers are travel trailers that can be towed with a vehicle and provide a place to sleep, protected from the elements and the environment. Camping Trailers replace the common tent and is more comfortable. It is a sheltered way to enjoy the outdoors in temporary living accommodation.
Types of Small Camping Trailers
There are many flexible options to choose from when looking for lightweight travel trailers. We are going to explore what is available so that you can make the right choice to suit your outdoor camping needs.
- Roof Top Tent Camping Trailer
- Pop Up Camper Trailers
- Teardrop Trailers
- Lightweight Travel Trailers
Roof Top Tent Camping Trailer
The wonderful thing about having a roof top tent camper is that you can use them anywhere and anytime. There are several options to choose from and they are normally light and easy to set up and shut down.
Pros:
- Convenient
- Easy to setup
- Choose between hard top and soft top tents
- Can buy add on pieces for some tents
- Safer from various forms of wildlife
- Heavy duty canvas material can mostly withstand the elements and is mold resistant and waterproof for the most part
- Ventilated through mesh windows should you wish for air without bugs
- Easy to break down
Cons
- May be more difficult to get up and down – particularly in the middle of the night
- Once the rooftop tent is setup – if you need your vehicle you need to breakdown the tent – (The alternative would be to choose a trailer and set it up on the trailer)
- Price – it costs more than a regular tent – you then need to weigh up the options and make your own pros and cons list
- Be aware of height restrictions – particularly for your own garage
- Dogs and children are not recommended in a rooftop tent
Pop-up Camper Trailers
Pop-Up Camper Trailers
Pop-up camper trailers are a lot more affordable than purchasing an RV and other small camping trailers. They are certainly a great option because they are foldable and compact. Herewith a list of the pros and cons
Pros:
- They are more costs effective than other tow type trailers
- They are lightweight and convenient to tow
- They feel like a tent but their support structure is more durable and safe
- They are easy to setup although it will take a while to do it
- They can be left at the campsite while you use your vehicle
- Mesh venting for fresh air and some even have a rooftop window
- Mattresses are more comfortable and the surface you sleep on is more solid
- Can be stored safely in a garage and does not require specialized expense of storing
- economical
- Easy
Cons
- The bigger the size the more the cost
- Does not have a bathroom
- Limited sleep capacity
- More difficult to pack up but certainly worth it
- Heavier than having a roof top tent – but definitely more space
- Does require maintenance
- Not great for inclement weather
- Smaller surface area than trailers
Tear Drop Trailers
Tear Drop Trailers are perfect option if you want more than a tent and yet the convenience on sleeping on a good size mattress. They are easy to tow and require little setting up. They can be towed with most heavier cars with a tow hitch. Tear Drop Trailers may also be able to squeeze into your garage and that saves paying for storage elsewhere.
Pros
- Compact
- Kitchen for outdoor cooking
- Economical and easy to tow
- Beats staying in a tent
- Comfortable camping option
- Not too expensive
- Can be custom designed interior
Cons
- No toilet and shower
- when you get up in the morning you cannot standup inside
- kitchen is outdoors
- heating and cooling in extreme weather is an issue
- little packing space and storage
- compact and can make you feel claustrophobic
Lightweight Travel Trailers
Lightweight travel trailers offer the best camping experience. They are budget friendly and comfortable offering a good mix of indoor and outdoor living. The lightweight trailer can be towed with a decent size pickup or heavier SUV.
Pros
- Your trailer and your car are two separate entities and they allow you more freedom to use your vehicle while leaving your camper set up
- Better than sleeping in a tent
- Budget friendly
- Different floor plans available
- Offer protection from the elements and the wildlife
- Mostly self contained
- Small foot print
- Economical to tow
- Some Family Cars or SUV's can be used for towing
- Lower insurance
- Great resale value
Cons
- Insulation may not adequate
- Ground clearance can be an issue
- Tow Hitch needs to be checked regularly
- No passengers may ride in the trailer
- limited storage
- Takes time to setup and break down
- Height restrictions need to be taken into consideration
- Storage – they take up space and may not fit in a garage
Conclusion
Small Camper Trailers are a great way to get out when you want and go where you want to go. Most times you do not need to plan your camping trip too long in advance and it's definitely more cost effective than a hotel and costly eating out. The joy of getting close to nature without too many frills is a food for the camping Soul. With so many options available and plans to suit every need – by doing your research you will find an option to suit you.
Gently Used vs New Camper Trailers
When buying a camper trailer there are not too many moving parts that need to be checked and so it makes it more simple to buy a used trailer. Used trailers hold their value. If there are items that need replacing or repairing you can normally do that without a huge expense. New camping trailers often come with more updated opportunities and technical advantages and the necessary warranties which are not found when buying a used trailer. Make a list and compare your options. If that is difficult to decide, perhaps write down want you don't want/don't need and not important in a camper and that can help you with budget, type and style you should be looking at.
Whatever you do – get out and live each day – we need to do that for our own Soul food.
