Micro Campers: What They Are and Why You Need One

By: RV Today Staff Writers

Many camping enthusiasts eventually tire of sleeping on the ground, but don’t want to give up camping altogether or spend a ton of money on a huge RV. Micro campers are the solution. Micro campers have so many benefits compared to full-size RVs and travel trailers that it’s a wonder they aren’t more popular.

LIGHTWEIGHT: Towable by most vehicles, micro campers weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds. Trailers that small can easily be towed with a sedan or midsize SUV. In fact, David Carnes (@dave.carnes) tows an Airstream Basecamp with his AWD Tesla Model Y! Another benefit of having a lightweight camper is that you can pivot it around by hand if you need to get it into a tight spot.

EASY TO DRIVE AND PARK: In addition to being lightweight, micro campers fit in almost any campground space, mitigating concerns about showing up to your campground reservation and not fitting in your spot. They are shorter than the maximum length restrictions that some national parks have on tight roads, and they’re also easy to maneuver at gas stations.

TINY LIVING FOR TWO: If your family unit consists of one or two people, micro campers are a great option. For larger families, they won’t be a good fit unless you make the kids camp in a tent! But you can maintain a simple camping experience like the Healy family (@adventuresinpopups) does by going with a pop-up camper instead.

LESS IS MORE: Simple designs make for efficient camping and easy cleanup. Everything has a purpose, and there is no wasted space. Packing up and driving to the next spot is simple when all you have to do is put your chairs and wheel chocks away.

SLEEP BETTER: Most micro campers have at least a double size bed, if not a queen. Sleeping on a real mattress after long days of adventuring makes a huge difference in the quality of your trip. If you hate not sleeping well while camping, this might be your solution!

BUILD YOUR OWN: These little campers are so simple that some folks have built their own. Tom Burick (YouTube @thetinysideoftiny7625) built a tiny camper that he can tow behind his Vespa. Made of simple materials like foam and scrap aluminum, his homemade teardrop camper gets tons of attention at campgrounds. ■