6 Exceptional Small Pop-Up Campers Perfect For Your Next Exciting Getaway
By Kelly Beasley
Small pop-up campers are known for being light and a dream to tow.
The ones we showcase here are all 15 feet in length and under!
Because these tiny trailers are so easy to manage, they are a popular weekend type of camper.
But which are short enough for you to tow? And which are the best for your needs? And how do you figure out what's out there?
You've found the right page because we've narrowed down that list here, so you don't have to do much research- just choose the one of these 6 that works best for you.
Why would we know what's good? We have a combined 14 years of RVing experience, and five years of educating others about what to look for and how to RV.
We've been around the block a few times!
So let's look at the best mini pop-up campers that we found and get you into one ASAP.
The Six Best Tiny Pop-Up Campers
We've rounded up the smallest of the small pop-up campers and found an excellent variety for you to consider.
From a literal 'bones' unit with just a tent surrounding it that can also carry your adventure gear to an A-frame with zero soft sides, you're bound to see something here that fits your bill.
Bonus- with a tiny, lightweight pop-up camper, you might even be able to tow it with your existing small truck, SUV, or car!
Here they are from shortest to longest pop up RV.
1. Turtleback Getaway
Cost: Starting at $18,995
Sleeps: It's a rooftop tent- you decide!
Length: 11 feet 6 inches
Weight: 1160 pounds
So though this little camper is VERY well-made and amazing for camping, it is not for everyone.
This small tent trailer is a pop-up tent with important amenities of living underneath it.
But it's high-tech for a little amenities trailer!
It sports all utilities except for an (inside) shower and toilet.
Incredibly, it has a large freshwater tank for its size: 21 gallons! For comparison, that's how big my tank is in my 24 foot travel trailer.
If you want even MORE water capacity, get their Expedition model, which comes with a 42-gallon water tank.
The Turtleback Getaway only weighs 1,160 pounds, light enough for almost any vehicle to tow.
Though it comes with a great big awning (optional), especially out west, there are times when you can't use an awning because of the wind.
When that's the case, you won't have an area where it's comfy to hang out around the fire, or anywhere for that matter.
Unless you want to go hang out inside the tent area. But you won't be standing, and there are no seats in there.
Additionally, if it's raining and windy, you can't access your stove/kitchen area or anywhere else without getting wet.
These are things to keep in mind.
It's not a traditional travel trailer, and the comfort is lacking for the convenience of how small and well-equipped this product is. But it's definitely a tiny pop up tent trailer.
Amenities
It comes with a sink, stove, water tank, storage drawers, 12-volt socket and USB ports, tabletops, water pump, propane tank, deep cycle battery, and lights.
Of course, you can get the tent put up top as well, and they offer different sizes depending on how many you need to sleep.
Upgrades include an inverter, refrigerator, solar, and more.
What this compact pop-up camper does NOT have:
- Toilet
- Shower
- Seating
- BTU furnace
- Air conditioning
- Hot water heater
- Oven
- Microwave
- Lots of storage
Explore more details about The Getaway HERE.
Summary:
If you don't mind not having an inside area to lounge around in besides just a tent, and don't mind possibly even not having an outside place to chill if it's windy or rainy, then this is a fair-weather dream if you love tent camping.
This lightweight tent trailer gives you easier access to amenities such as a stove, refrigerator, power, and running water.
You can go just about anywhere with this small and rugged pop-up tent trailer!
2. Sylvansport Go
Cost: Starts at $10,995
Sleeps: Up to 4
Length: 11 feet 10 inches
Weight: 840 pounds
This is the most basic one on our list. It's essentially a tent on wheels. Watch the video and you'll see what we mean!
Though this is also a tent on steroids, this small pop up tent trailer is a little more 'luxurious' than the Turtleback Trailer in that it has an interior place to sit and dine.
But that's where the luxury ends.
This pop-up has zero creature comforts inside besides beds and a dinette.
There's no sink, stove, power, nothing. It's a fancy hard-top tent, built on the frame of a pop up.
Still, it's about the most unique tiny pop-up camper or tent that we have ever seen.
Look how unique this thing is!
LOOK AT THAT!!! Crazy invention, but cool and perfect for just the right camping type.
Because it's not a hard-sided trailer, there's no sound privacy. People will hear you from the outside, and you'll hear every little noise coming from the outside.
And again- this is more tent camping than RVing, but it might be just right for you.
The most significant benefit of this is that it can carry your toys!
It'll carry coolers, bikes, kayaks, a quad, whatever you can fit, to use once you reach your destination.
It also has a little storage bin on the front of it.
So this one has the least amenities, but is the most simple, the lightest, and the least likely to have any mechanical issues, and you can probably bring the most (things you couldn't otherwise) with it.
What this pop-up does NOT have:
- It has NOTHING but a tent. Zero mechanical, zero appliances, no battery. It just has two beds, a storage box, and a table with an outside screen area.
Explore more about the Sylvansport Go HERE.
Summary:
This is the least luxurious as far as included features. But you can BRING more toys with you than with any others on the list.
Not much can break mechanically, and it's the lightest pop up camper on the list.
If you like tent camping but want to be off the ground and have an inside dinette, this is perfect.
3. Taxa Outdoors Tiger Moth
Cost: Starts at about $23,000
Sleeps: 2, 5 with optional tent
Length: 12 feet 10 inches
Weight: 1,310 pounds
Now we've moved up into small pop up trailers that have hard sides (no canvas) as well as inside space PLUS interior features.
The longer they get, the more stuff a manufacturer can fit, naturally.
Though you cannot stand up inside this one, there's a cafe table inside with sitting areas.
If you DO want to stand up, they also sell the Cricket, which is 15 feet long and has an inside kitchen and could sleep two kids.
The Taxa Tiger Moth also provides kitchen amenities, but it's only accessible from the outside.
So again, if it's raining or even windy/dusty, it's not so great.
This trailer has a water tank, but it's gravity-fed. It does not have an electric fresh water RV pump (totally fine).
It's a portable water tank that mounts on the outside of the trailer.
The 'kitchen' is housed inside a long pull-out drawer on the back of the unit.
It has a portable sink, portable stove, cutting board, and two large storage cubbies for food.
This lightweight pop up camper does NOT have a refrigerator.
If you need one, you can bring your own portable refrigerator or cooler and keep it inside your tow vehicle.
It sports all-terrain tires for camping in those off-roading areas.
This is a small pop up camper that you can easily fit in a garage (it's only 7 feet 1 inches tall with the awning, and shorter without it).
The only 'pop-up' part of the thing is a sidewall 'door' that pops out making the inside feel a lot bigger.
You can get an awning and an air conditioning unit as an option, but there's no furnace available.
Or, if you consider a pop-up tent to be part of the popping up, you can get their tent to mount up top for additional sleeping quarters.
We think this is a pretty neat setup for anyone who doesn't mind not being able to stand up inside, wants a hard-sided camper, and doesn't mind the outside kitchen.
What this pop up does NOT have:
- Bathroom
- Inside kitchen
- Shower
- Oven
- Furnace
- Microwave
- Stereo system
- Inverter
Explore more about the Taxa Outdoors Tiger Moth HERE.
Summary:
This is a compact, hard-sided camper with almost all the amenities of a home.
Though you cannot stand inside it, it offers most amenities that a regular travel trailer has (no bathroom, of course) and will make for a comfortable, happy camping trip.
It has a bed and dinette area and an outdoor kitchen setup. This one even has an air conditioner option.
4. Aliner Scout Lite
Cost: Starts at $15,000
Sleeps: Up to 3
Length: 13 feet
Weight: 1,180 pounds
This A-frame pop-up camping trailer (triangle camper) is quick and easy to set up.
It is a hardside pop up camper with few amenities inside- just a sink and an optional air conditioning unit.
That's it.
So there's not much to it, but we included it as it's only 13 feet long, it's a decent brand, and it just might suit your needs.
If you want kitchen amenities, even a full bathroom, you can get the LXE model (below), but it's 2 feet longer at 15 feet.
The dry weight of the Aliner Scout Lite is just 1190 pounds, and it also easily fits inside of a garage for storage.
It has plenty of headroom and sleeps probably three max.
This makes the Scout Lite a hard-sided tent with a sink that you can set up quickly.
What this pop up does NOT have:
- Any kitchen appliances except a sink
- Bathroom
- Air conditioning (optional)
- Furnace
- Hot water heater
- Pretty much ONLY appliance is a sink
- Inverter
- Stereo
Explore more about the Aliner Scout Lite HERE.
Summary:
This is a good hard-sided tent with a sink, basically. It's still short at 13 feet, light, and fits into a garage, but amenities are limited.
If you like A-frame pop-ups but want more appliances/amenities, go for the LXE (below).
If you want to keep it very simple, this camper makes a great and safe camping portal.
5. Coachmen Viking/ Clipper Express 9.0
Cost: Starts at $12,000
Sleeps: 2
Length: 14 feet 2 inches
Weight: 1,418 pounds
The Viking Express is a combination of hard-sided and tent canvas pop-up.
(FYI- They also offer the Clipper Express- it's the same exact trailer with different graphics and interior fabric and/or color being the only differences.)
It's like a tiny hard-sided tent on wheels that has the option of a little screened-in room off the back.
It's one of the smallest pop up campers around that HAS A (portable) TOILET, hallelujah!
It's an option (and you could surely buy one separately), but the exciting thing is that there's room inside for it.
It comes with a bed, furnace, sink, countertop, patio light, an 11-gallon freshwater tank, water heater, Bluetooth stereo, refrigerator/freezer, and an RV PORTA POTTY!
Options include an air conditioner, grill, bike rack, and cargo security system.
The closed height is only 6 feet 5 inches, so it will easily fit in the garage.
All in all, we like this setup. We appreciate that it's pretty simple to open up.
We like that it comes with an add-a-room standard. It extends the living space and keeps the skeeters out.
(You can stand inside, but only near the entrance.)
What this pop-up does NOT have:
- Inside stove
- Microwave
- Inverter
- Seating area
Explore more about the Coachmen Viking/Clipper Express HERE.
Summary:
This is the first camper on the list that has a toilet option, or at least has dedicated room for a toilet to fit, right under the bed.
It's the most complete as far as amenities go seeing as how it comes with a furnace and has the option to include an air conditioner. We love that it comes with a little screened-in area.
Otherwise, this 2-sleeper recreational vehicle should keep you happy camping wherever you go- and you can go many places with such a small popup camper!
6. Aliner LXE
Cost: Starts at about $25,000
Sleeps: 2
Length: 15 feet
Weight: 1795 pounds
The good ol' hard-sided A-frame Aliner made it on our list again!
The difference between this small pop up camper and the one above (Scout Lite) is two feet and ALL the basic amenities one has in a home.
The LXE is as complete of a travel trailer as we found for such a small one making it the best small pop up camper on this list for having the most amenities.
It comes complete with a shower, cassette toilet, microwave, furnace, AC, water heater, water pump, 11-gallon freshwater tank, and the other usual things such as a sofa bed, couch, etc.
The Aliner LXE is also the only one on the list with an indoor stove (besides the briefly mentioned Cricket).
It's the most expensive on the list, but what should one expect? You get what you pay for.
It has more appliances than any others and is the most 'luxurious' of any.
Additionally, it's the heaviest one on our list at 1795 pounds, but it's still considered a light pop up camper, considering that most travel trailers weigh 3,000+ pounds.
Yes, there's a little setup involved, but it's effortless.
All in all, as one of the best pop-up campers you can get that fit inside a garage and have all the amenities of home, you can't beat the Aliner LXE.
Like most on this list, there's no grey tank!!
You'll have to connect a garden hose and set it out to where you want the liquid to go or set out a bucket to catch the greywater. Alternatively, you can always bring along a portable gray water tank.
Also, there's no awning or outdoor screened-in area on this one, so that's something to keep in mind.
Sure, you could buy an outdoor screened tent if you'd like. It just won't be connected to the LXE.
What this pop-up does NOT have:
- Stereo
- Awning
- Inverter
Explore more about the Aliner LXE HERE.
Summary:
This is the most expensive but also the most feature-filled pop up on our list!
It is the only one sporting a wet bath and also a microwave.
This is your true home away from home and is less like camping than the others.
It's a great pop up that is short, light, fully loaded and gets you off the beaten path with the most luxuries.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Many People Can Small Pop-Up Campers Sleep?
Pop up campers sleep anywhere from 2 to 5, depending on the amenities you purchase with the trailer.
They are small, so you can't expect them to sleep extended families!
How Much Do Small Pop-Up Campers Cost?
The range of the small pop up campers we found that are 15 feet and under cost between $11,000 and $25,000 (base retail price).
Do Small Popup Campers Have Toilets?
Yes, some small popup campers come equipped with toilets.
There are only two on our list that has one or has room for one. There are other popups that are longer than also do have toilets (and showers) installed.
If you want a bathroom, you simply have to search for the ones that have one.
Do Small Pop-Up Campers Have Heaters And Air Conditioning?
Some small pop up campers have heat and air conditioning while others do not.
Usually AC comes as an option, but not in all units.
Therefore, while searching, you must check each individual recreational vehicle (unless buying new/custom) to see what they do and don't have.
Can I Tow A Popup Camper With A Car?
There are certainly some cars that have a decent tow capacity and can pull a popup.
SUV's and small trucks are generally better suited to tow than cars, though the smallest pop up camper can be towed by just about any vehicle.
But yes, you'll have to check the weight of the popup you're interested in and then check the tow capacity of your car to see if it's compatible.
Remember to NEVER push your towing capacity to 100%.
You'll need to stay under about 80% to stay safe and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.
What Are The Features And Amenities?
Some pop up trailers have zero to very few amenities, while others have pretty much everything you want as far as the comforts of home.
The more features and appliances it has, the more expensive it will be.
This also often pushes the size of the camper, and the larger it is, the more can fit inside.
On our list, the one with the MOST amenities is the Aliner LXE.
The one with the LEAST amenities happens to be the Aliner Scout Lite, with only a sink.
Conclusion
If you're looking for short, 15 feet or under light pop up trailers, you're in the right place.
We featured the most basic, the shortest, and the most well-equipped so you have a variety of choices.
It's up to you to decide what 'must-haves' are on your list, such as having an inside area or not, being able to stand up inside or not, having an indoor stove or outdoor stove, etc.
It's also essential to make sure you are comfortable with the floor plan.
Floorplans vary wildly, and you should be pleased with the one you pick.
But ultra lightweight pop up campers are great because you can fit them in your garage, are easy to tow, and they fit just about anywhere.
If you're looking for small tent trailers, ultra light pop up campers, or small pop ups with no slide outs, you found the right page!
Author: Kelly Beasley
I dedicated myself to living the full-time RV life for over 6.5 years, immersing myself in the unique quirks and joys of the boondocking lifestyle and gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way. In December 2020, my business partner and I made the transition to part-time RVing, but in January 2023, we hit the road once again, this time in our trusty vans. My mission is to help others embrace the RVing lifestyle with confidence and excitement, armed with the knowledge and resources needed to make the most of their adventures. I believe that the more you know, the more you can truly appreciate and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the open road.
Sever years ago I saw a pop camper the was simply pulled out was 2 beds and a table and that was it. Di you know were I could find one? It closed down to just a small square. Thank you for your assistance.
Hi Elaine,
I was going to answer with the Sylvan Sport Go, but we did list it in this article. So beyond that, unfortunately, I am not sure what camper you are speaking of. Good luck in your search!