8 Small Travel Trailers Under 4000 lbs – Pros And Cons From REAL Owners!

Janine is the founder of GirlCamper.com and uses her trailer recreationally, and LOVES camping. I love her spirit and enthusiasm when it comes to supporting women who camp!

We finally met in January of 2020. Here's what she does/doesn't like about her Max- she's got one of the best decorated small teardrop camper interiors out there!

Note: It's the heaviest/longest trailer on this list.

Website: Go Little Guy

Dry Weight: 3450 pounds

Length: 21 feet

Towed With: Ford F-150

# People Using: 1

FT/Recreational: Recreational

# Years Owned: 2

Bought New Or Used? New

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Teardrop Trailer?

1. Interior storage.
2. Build quality.
3. HUGE windows.

Three Least Favorite About Your Tiny Camping Experience?

1. I don't love the awning.
2. Exterior storage doors are too small.
3. Everywhere you go, people want to ask you about it and get a tour of the bells and whistles.

Did The Small Living Space Benefit You? If So, How?

I think it is the perfect size for a solo traveler using it recreationally. I am generally not on the road for longer than six weeks so this small camper is fine for me. If I traveled for months at a time I would probably want a small toy hauler trailer.

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Teardrop Trailer?

1. Interior storage.
2. Build quality.
3. HUGE windows.

Three Least Favorite About Your Tiny Camping Experience?

1. I don't love the awning.
2. Exterior storage doors are too small.
3. People want to ask you about it and get a tour of the bells and whistles everywhere you go.

Did The Small Living Space Benefit You? If So, How?

I think it is the perfect size for a solo traveler using it recreationally. I am generally not on the road for longer than six weeks, so this small camper is fine for me. If I traveled for months at a time, I would probably want a small toy hauler trailer.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

This was the big solution to storage RV. MY past two RVs had such little storage that I was always going without things I wanted or tripping over the things I wanted but didn't have a designated storage place. The Max has an astounding 57 square feet of interior storage, which is enormous for a 3,500-pound RV.

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In The Trailer 1-10?

I say nine because of a few key build ingredients.

1) The European windows with built-in shades and screens. I love this feature, and they are the highest quality window manufacturers make, and they are a game-changer. I would never choose a small travel camper model again without these windows.

2) The cabinetry in my Max is custom-made and solid wood with dovetailed joints. They build their cabinets on site.

3) The exterior is Azdel and cleans up beautifully. The framing is welded aluminum. I gave it a nine instead of a ten because the exterior storage doors are chintzy and always hard to open and close and because the trailer sewer hose opening is not big enough for a hose with the end caps attached to it.

What Would You Change About This Small Camper Trailer If You Could?

I would change the locking components on the cabinetry. The durability of the existing ones is a constant FAIL and is constantly being repaired or replaced. I wish the pantry had factory-built slide-out trays.

That's a DIY I don't want to tackle. The cabinets are so deep you can't get to the stuff in the back. That convenience is lacking. Two televisions are overkill. I took my bed one out and put a fireplace in its place, giving it more of a cabin feel.

Was It Worth The Money?

Yes. Every penny.

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Small Camper Trailer?

Do it! It's the best in show for its category and has so much interior storage space. It is the third camper I have owned (new, that is. I've owned several vintage rigs), and it is my favorite by far.

Would You Buy This Model Again?

In a heartbeat. In fact, it is my second one, and I upgraded from the original to an off-road model.

Summary:

I think it is a great RV for what I use it for - short recreational solo travel and the occasional couple trip. The interior space is so bright because of the huge windows, and there is plenty of storage space.

Because of all the storage, the RV always feels clean because there is a place to put everything. I do not like how loud the air conditioner system is, and I rarely use it in high temperatures because of how loud it is.

The wet bath is a good trade-off for me. I don't mind not having a three-piece bath because I love the smaller length and lighter weight that I pick up because of that.

Although it is a wet bath, there is still plenty of room to turn around and use it without bumping your elbows. I am not a fan of this small camper trailer's glass door equipment on the wet bath.

Rick is a full-time RVing friend who recently got his 1982 Scamp after having a C class RV for a good while.

He travels with his dog, Mazzie, and is pretty much a fulltime boondocker. He loves his new-to-him Scamp camper trailer. Ask Rick about awnings. 🙂

Website: Scamp Trailers

Dry Weight: 1200-1500 pounds

Length: 13 feet

Towed With: 2002 Jeep Liberty 4x4

Number Using: 1

FT/Recreational: Full-time

# Years Owned: 7 months

Did You Buy New Or Used? Used

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About Scamp Fiberglass Trailers?

1. Everything about the Scamp is simple! It's easy to hook up and tow.
2. It's lightweight.
3. There is not much to go wrong or that needs fixing.

What Are Your Three Least Favorite?

1. It's small!!
2. There is not a ton of room for storage.
3. The refrigerator is SMALL!! The freezer is basically a small ice box.

Did The Small Size Benefit You? If So, How?

My old rig was an old 27 foot C-Class, it had many issues (breakdowns), and travel days were stressful. My dog was not a fan when we moved from the noise and how it moved. So going with the Scamp eliminated all that, and she likes the Jeep much better.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

That's a frame of mind, it was tough getting rid of some things, and from time to time, I wish I had a thing or two I have stored, but it's good to get rid of things I don't need. I also converted half the back of my Jeep Liberty into storage, which works great!

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In The Trailer?

9- It's a 1982 model with mostly all original parts, I have only had it a short time, but everything is holding up well. The fiberglass trailer shell is a huge plus.

What Would You Change About Your Compact Camper Trailer If You Could?

Maybe a couple more feet of flooring! Everything else I feel has a solution.

Was It Worth The Money?

I think so. I got a good deal when I bought it in AZ. I could easily sell it for more than I spent on it, rare for an RV!

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Trailer?

Mine does not have a bathroom! It's the standard model without that option. You CAN get a bathroom with the standard option, as well as with the deluxe option. I like to have a bench seat to work and have a place to relax beside the bed. My customization solution for this was to get a composting toilet which has worked out so far. Be sure you know if you can live without a bathroom or not. (Find small camping trailers with bathrooms.)

Would You Buy This Small Camper Model Again?

I would buy another Scamp for sure.

Summary:

I bought the Scamp for a couple of reasons. It was time for my old rig to go, I wanted to travel small for my Baja Mexico adventures, and I just bought my Jeep and wanted to find something I could tow with that.

I traveled from Washington State to Arizona to look at and buy the Scamp, and after I bought it, I was sitting in its tiny floorplan and said, "What the hell did I just do?" Haha…I was a little stressed about space and if my dog would like it.

I told myself I would travel in it for the winter and maybe get something bigger. Now, as I sit here, I really love it, I created a space that's good for me, and I have all the room I need most of the time.

I bought a small Clam tent I use from time to time for more space, and I've been making little improvements to make it homier.

Most of the shortfalls can be solved. I added upgrades: a 12-volt fridge I use in addition to my onboard propane fridge, the storage in my Jeep, the compost toilet, and I even bought a projector and screen to watch movies like a big screen!

Shawna and Ray are newer RVers, only having been on the road full-time for six months. She and Ray dig their Airstream, but it's a touch small for them and their two dogs for full-time. Other couples may do fine in it.

They went smaller because they wanted their Jeep to be able to tow the small RV camper. Take heed if you are in the market to buy a trailer! Switching out your vehicle to a heavier-duty truck might be a better idea.

Website: Airstream

Dry Weight: Around 2,900 pounds

Length: 16 feet

Towed With: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Number Using: 2 Humans, 2 doggies!

FT/Recreational: Full-time

# Years Owned: 6 months

Did You Buy New Or Used? New

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Small Towable Camper?

1. Easy to tow/small.
2. Good quality.
3. Sleek and sexy- nice aesthetic!

What Are Your Three Least Favorite?

1. No separate areas for shower and toilet. It's a double-function combo shower/toilet area.
2. Bed area can feel small, like a bunk.
3. Tank (combo black/gray) is small for boondocking, but it's a small trailer.

Did The Small Size Benefit You? If So, How?

It definitely did benefit us with ease of travel! The small size is very to tow and maneuver. However, we prefer to live in something a little bigger for comfort, and we may upgrade to a bigger size in the future.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

We wouldn't say it was a "big" problem, but it is a problem, haha. We don't have many belongings, yet we have to store a lot of stuff in our Jeep.

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In The Trailer?

8.5

What Would You Change About This Trailer If You Could?

We would love the option to have a bigger fresh water holding tank since we boondock a lot.

Was It Worth The Money?

Yes (Are Airstreams worth it?)

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Trailer?

It's really a great little trailer! Feels like a tiny rocket ship, haha. Ideal for weekend getaways, vacations, or a full-time solo traveler. If you are planning to live full-time in this trailer and have more than one person, we recommend going up to a bigger floorplan to the 19 or 20-foot size.

Would You Buy This Model Again?

No, because our next rig will have bigger tank space for boondocking and a bigger bed.

Summary:

In our opinion, if you are full-time, you will want to go for the slightly bigger size (19 or 20 foot Bambi). It's doable to live full time in the 16 foot Bambi, but you'll probably want a little more space for amenities.

The 16 foot size was the only thing we felt would be OK to tow with the Jeep without straining it. Also, be aware of the shower/toilet combo in the 16 foot model. It can feel cramped in there while showering. The 19 foot model layouts have a separate toilet and shower space, and the tanks are a little bigger. 

If you are into fitness or yoga, you will be limited on exercises you can do inside. We like to be active and spend time outside, but when the weather is snowy or rainy, we want to be able to do some yoga or workouts inside. This is why we are leaning towards upgrading to other configurations.

Overall, we love the Airstream look and feel the quality is great!

Keri (@keepupwithkeri) and I met at an Xscapers New Years gathering. She's super intelligent, and I dug her right away. She and her dog Keith lived in her 2018 Aliner folding camper for about a year. Finally, the dream of trying to full-time in this small camper trailer, one step up from tent camping, saw many a downside for her. It took too much energy to set up/take down, so Keri sold it.

She now lives in her self-converted Sprinter van, as the Aliner was too much work and effort in one package than she preferred. This may be more of a good weekender camper. At least it wasn't great for this full-time solo female.

Website: Aliner Campers

Dry Weight: 1590 pounds

Length: 15 feet

Towed With: 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Number Using: Me and my Doberman, Keith!

FT/Recreational: Full-time

# Years Owned: 18 months

Did You Buy New Or Used? New

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Small Tow Behind Trailer?

1. Easy to heat and cool.
2. Beautiful views from windows and dormer pop-out windows.
3. Simple systems were easy to modify and work on.

What Are Your Three Least Favorite?

1. Constant set up and take down (especially for an average-sized woman- the top was particularly heavy) for fulltime boondocker.
2. Complete lack of overhead storage space and very inaccessible lower storage spaces.
3. Nine pieces came together for every setup and take down, which sometimes feels like a big jig saw puzzle and commitment.

Did The Small Size Benefit You? If So, How?

I ended up selling it and getting a van. For one woman and a dog, the size was about perfect. I love the way the van is more nimble and has far less effort in set up / take down.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

Inside storage, yes. Parking it? Not so much. It was 15 feet from bumper to tongue, so it fits into almost any spot and on any terrain.

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In The Trailer?

7

What Would You Change About This Trailer If You Could?

Make the manufacturer provide wind-protection safety features standard for all Aliner models. Almost all members of the Aliner community buy additional after-market mods ('wind cheetah') for more advanced wind protection.

Was It Worth The Money?

Used, yes. I recouped most of the value when I sold it.

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Mini Camper?

I'd highly recommend it for weekend warrior families. It can be towed by almost anything owing to the very lightweight construction.

It did not fare well in gusting winds, such as those common in the winter in the desert Southwest; it's a 3D jigsaw puzzle made of 9 independent parts, which means gaps, rattles, and farts make a lot of noise.

I did worry that I might end up like Dorothy with my trailer getting picked up in the wind and ending up in Oz (or Joshua Tree, when I was camped in Borrego Springs).

Would You Buy This Model Again?

Yes, if I were to limit my travel to a few days or I planned to spend weeks in a place. My decision is I'd definitely buy it with the soft dormers. Totally worth it!

Summary:

I've hit 20 national parks in the last year. I love traveling fast and far, and it was easy to do in this mini trailer.

I work full-time, so the inconvenience of setup/moving and lack of structured storage space ate up a lot of my day and added a lot of unnecessary stress with this type and style unit.

I've known Cass since we met at the RV Nomads premiere in 2018. There, she told me she didn't think she had large enough tanks to boondock full-time. 

I laughed when she told me how large they were (they rivaled mine)! If I could do it, she sure could too!

Cass now mostly full-time stays out boondocking as I do, tee-tee-hee. She travels around full-time in her 2018 Basecamp with her two pets.

Website: Airstream Basecamp

Dry Weight: 2585 pounds

Length: 16 feet 3 inches

Towed With: 2018 Toyota 4Runner

Number Using: 1, sometimes more with friends visiting

FT/Recreational: Full-time

# Years Owned: 2 years

Did You Buy New Or Used? New

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Mini Camping Trailer?

1. The kitchen, which offers panoramic views through all of the front and side windows, as well as more counter space than I've seen in most small to medium-sized RVs.
2. The short trailer size makes for easy towing and maneuvering. I can do a u-turn in a four-lane street and have done so many times!
3. I love the two doors (one is a rear door or rear hatch), which both have screens, allowing for a ton of cross ventilation and giving the entire RV a feeling of something much larger than it actually is.

What Are Your Three Least Favorite?

1. The bed (or lack thereof). The cushions are quite firm, requiring additional padding or camper trailer bedding, which you must then roll up and down daily if you want to use the tables.
2. The bed rests directly against the aluminum interior walls, which are very easily scratched by the dog's claws when he sleeps.
3. A wet bath means if you go to the bathroom right before you shower, you either have to A) stand outside the bathroom and let the fan run for a few minutes or B) shower in all the joys of toilet smells.

Did The Small Size Benefit You? If So, How?

I went with the small size because it could be towed by the vehicle I already owned, my Toyota 4Runner, and that really appealed to me. I love the maneuverability of the small size, and it has taught me how to truly live tiny, completely downsize my life, and focus on non-material things.

On the really long work days, something bigger would be nice. But for the towing, adventuring, and boondocking, I love the tiny RV trailer size I have.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

The Basecamp offers a good amount of interior storage. One of the entire benches is storage. It has three cabinets in the kitchen and ceiling cargo nets.

I carry everything I need to live and all of my backpacking gear for the mountains right in the Basecamp.

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In The Trailer?

Depending on the part of the RV, from a 6-10.

The material on the cushions and my floor have seen a lot of use, but still no signs of wear: 10.

The counters are a lightweight material that has dented under the slightest drop of a kitchen utensil: 6.

I would rank everything else from an 8 to a 9.

What Would You Change About This Tiny Trailer If You Could?

My recommendations would be to make the cushions that come with the trailer out of much more comfortable memory foam, so they can be used to sleep on without additional cushioning.

I would also love to see more exterior storage, as very little is offered.

Was This Tiny Camper Trailer Worth The Money?

This is the cheapest Airstream they sell, but still at the high Airstream camper price. To me, as a full-time home, it was absolutely worth the money.

It had all the features I wanted in just 16 feet, offered a modern look and feel, and depreciates slower than most other RVs. The construction also feels extremely solid, and the insulation seems good. I have stayed cozy during wind storms of over 40mph and winter temperatures down to -15º.

If I had been someone who was only going to be camping a few times a year, I would have purchased something smaller and cheaper (a teardrop trailer!). You can find some great quality travel trailers for less frequent use at lower prices.

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Trailer?

It's an amazing layout, offering tons of interior storage (for the size), a "big" kitchen, and an almost king-sized bed in just 16 feet.

I think it's a great utilitarian trailer for boondocking or extensive travel where you are driving miles upon miles, all while offering some modern accessories, touches, and comforts, giving it the Airstream feel.

Just remember, it's still an RV, and it's still going to require repairs and maintenance and have those fun little quirks that all the brands of travel trailers will have.

Would You Buy This Model Again?

When I purchased the Basecamp, I had no idea if full-time RV living would work for me, and I was nervous about towing something large.

Under those circumstances, I would absolutely buy the Basecamp again, as I love the unit's size, layout, and feel. As it turns out, I ended up absolutely loving this lifestyle and met my boyfriend, who comes to visit me in the RV quite often.

If I had known what I know now, I would have gone with an exterior length 20-25 foot model from the dealership. (Instead, now he's just looking at tiny camping trailers to buy his own, so I can keep my Basecamp as a single person camper.)

Summary:

As a general tip, make a list of your needs and wants before starting to shop for small travel trailers. My list included items such as enough room for the cat litter, a big bed (at least a RV queen bed size) to fit the dog, cat, and I, a comfortable kitchen space to cook in, tons of windows, etc.

I sat down with that list during my small RV trailers search for small pull behind campers, and it significantly narrowed the results, making the search much easier. Also, knowing the size of larger items you need to fit is critical. For example, when I first showed up to tour the Basecamp, I brought a measuring tape and specifically scoped out an area to put the litter box.

I also stood in the shower for over 5 minutes to ensure the shower felt big enough, all while the salesman sat awkwardly on the bench (and yes, even after two years, it is a very comfortable wet bath). For any RV you look at, compare it to your list of needs and take all the time you need to sit or move around in the ones you check out to ensure they may fit you and your lifestyle.

For the Basecamp, in particular, I would recommend it for someone who likes to cook, loves natural lighting and airflow, doesn't want the typical brown RV interior, and is okay with moving the bed and dining space around every day. It also offers 12-volt tank heaters and a Truma heater, which are a great combination for cooler weather camping.

Towing is a breeze with my SUV; most of the time, I forget the Basecamp is back there. It has a very unique body, so you will be stopped by strangers asking tons of questions, which as a solo traveler, I personally enjoy it as it's a great way to start a conversation.

You can also get a solar panel as an option, and it comes standard with a Zamp plug, making it very easy to add plug-in solar panels and be boondocking ready right off the lot. Overall, I absolutely love my Basecamp and find it extremely cozy and comfortable compared to other tiny travel trailers.

A little advice: If you are taller or like to entertain guests, there are a few items to consider. First, the bed is almost a "king" size in terms of dimensions, but the rear of the RV is curved. Therefore, you only get the full width and length in the middle of the RV before it starts curving in.

Alone, this is completely fine. However, I'm 5 foot 7 inches, and my boyfriend is 6 foot, so when he comes to visit, we must sleep at an angle to be comfortable. I'd definitely recommend figuring out your sleeping sizes and configuration before buying.

Second, I love to cook for others but have no seating to host any guests. This isn't a big deal to me as we just sit outside, where I would prefer to be anyway.

If you are considering a Basecamp, I would recommend joining one of the Airstream Basecamp Facebook groups. The Basecamp offers an amazing community of owners, and these groups provide some great tips, tricks, and the common repairs/issues and how to address them.

Darcy volunteered to show her Happier Camper off when I was searching for people with small lightweight campers. Boy, was I excited to hear from someone with a Happier Camper! They are so unique in their look and the interior build.

Here's what it's like to have a cute bubble of a small camping trailer that is modular.

Website: Happier Camper

Dry Weight: 1,100 pounds

Length: 13 feet

Towed With: Honda Element

Number Using: One + 2 dogs

FT/Recreational: Recreational

# Years Owned: 3 years

Did You Buy New Or Used? New

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Mini Trailer Camper?

1. I love that I can take everything out and clean it, no carpet or wood.
2. I love the airiness, with all the windows and back hatch.
3. I love that I can hitch it up to the car in just a few minutes.

What Are Your Three Least Favorite?

1. The back hatch lock is not sealed, and water gets into it.
2. As a newish product, it is constantly morphing, and I feel that some of its design was put out on the market before it was really perfected.
3. The awning is pretty wimpy, and now they offer a better one. Currently, I know that one of the main complaints is the wait time.

Does The Size Of This Tiny Trailer Camper Benefit You? If So, How?

I bought this size because I did not want to purchase a bigger car to tow it with. Its size and simplicity suit me well.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

There is ample storage.

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In The Trailer?

8

What Would You Change About This Trailer If You Could?

Since it is modular, everything about it can be changed as my needs change. I suppose I wish the door handles/locks were better and that there was a gutter over the door (I think new models have this).

Was It Worth The Money?

Because the resale value is so high, yes.

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Trailer?

It is perfect for me in its simplicity, and I think the newer models offer better design. Be prepared to wait longer than the company tells you. Also, be ready to have inquisitive people constantly telling you how cute your trailer is!

Would You Buy This Model Again?

If I were to purchase a car with greater towing capacity, I might look at other options.

Summary:

I first heard about the HC1 in 2015, the first year of production, and saved for two years before purchasing one. I fell in love with the ability to change the layout, clean all parts out, and avoid rot and mildew as I have serious allergies.

I have several setups I use, depending on if I am traveling alone, with my dogs, or with my partner. I might choose to use a different layout if I am camping for an academic class or for vacation time.

If I am camping when there is rain and I am inside, I make a cozy nest, but if I am going to be outdoors all the time, I might leave the sink behind and just set the kitchen up outdoors. I can shoulder it into place if I need to because it is so light, and the windows and back hatch enhances my connection with my location.

Happier Camper is a quirky company, and many of the improvements in design have come at the dissatisfaction of owners, who have been the test drivers of their mini pull behind camper.

They have made many modifications since I purchased mine three years ago, and hopefully, they have stabilized a bit. Wait times are a year or more, which frustrates some people.

The Happier Camper community on Facebook is supportive of owners, and we have had super fun meetups in the spring and fall in California.

Jim happily volunteered to talk about his 2016 Rpod when I asked in a Rpod owner forum if they would be willing to participate.

We really wanted to have a Rpod represented in this post as they are so popular on the road, so we appreciate that he jumped in to show and tell!

Website: Rpod Trailers

Dry Weight: 2950 pounds

Length: 20 feet

Towed With: 2015 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

Number Using: 2, usually!

FT/Recreational: Recreational user, "full-timed" for 2 months and 10,000 miles

# Years Owned: 2 years

Did You Buy New Or Used? Used

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Small Camper Trailer?

1. It's easily towable, relatively lightweight, and narrow - no need for tow mirrors; it's a joy to see around the trailer when towing.
2. It's very amenable to customization to better fit your lifestyle. Many floor plans of these micro travel trailers have a camper slide that gives a larger living space while keeping the narrow tow configuration.
3. I love that it's pre-wired for solar, so I can just plug my suitcase solar panels in.

What Are Your Three Least Favorite?

1. Not a lot of bad things, but the build quality is not the best.
2. Non-Hood River Editions have horrible ground clearance, but Forest River offers 3-inch axle risers as a retrofit.
3. For us, the refrigerator is a bit small.

Did The Small Size Benefit You? If So, How?

The small size is why we have a r•pod. It's perfect for the two of us, and we can accommodate more with the R-dome (tent that attaches to the r•pod). For us, this micro camping trailer is roomy because we moved up from tent camping.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

We have more storage than we need, even on our 2-month trip, although we pack light.

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In This Small Trailer?

6

What Would You Change About This Trailer If You Could?

We added an inverter for limited AC electricity when boondocking. I would really like to have pass-through basement storage.

Was It Worth The Money?

The used market was a little pricey in our area, not a lot lower than MSRP new (what is my RV worth?), but in hindsight, it was worth it, and all the new trailer bugs were worked out.

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Tiny Trailer?

Check the RV sewer connections to the bottom of the trailer - a notorious weak point of the r•pod. Many Podders have reported the original WFCO converter failed, probably due to vibrations affecting the circuit board. We had to replace ours while on our 2-month-long journey.

And although it's light, please consider loaded weight, your towing capacity, and specifications. A Prius, among other cars, won't tow it.

Would You Buy This Model Again?

Yes

Summary:

We upgraded from tent camping, so this is glamping for us. We wanted to have a tow vehicle that was relatively small and maneuverable, so we needed a camper that could be pulled by a small vehicle.

We also do a lot of boondocking and wanted our vehicle to be able to negotiate rough terrain, not just dirt roads (when unhooked; the r•pod's not really suited for rugged offroading). With the r•pod's short length added to our tow vehicle's length, we can still park in a normal double head-to-head parking stall.

We are pretty conservative on the "stuff" we bring, so the r•pod has plenty of storage. We took a 2-month, 10,000-mile trip in the Pod, and we never wished for more camper storage. We're not sure if we are "full-time" in it.

The r•pod allows pretty much full-featured camping with very little stress over the actual driving to get where we're going. And it has a unique look - we constantly get comments about how someone loves our small trailer camper! Definitely a conversation starter!

Adam and Lindsey full-timed in their Casita camper for two years before having a baby. Then they became a part-time roaming trio. It's amazing to see two people live in such a small space.

How did they do it? They don't even mention it is too small for them below. These two are really good at living tiny. Read on...

Website: Casita Trailers

Dry Weight: 2800 pounds

Length: 17 feet

Towed With: Ford Explorer

Number Using: 3

FT/Recreational: We were full-time for two years with two people, now we're part time as a family of three.

# Years Owned: 5 years

Did You Buy New Or Used? Used

What Are Your Three Favorite Things About This Trailer?

1. It's lightweight for towing.
2. It's small, so you can access all parks, campgrounds, and boondocking places.
3. The tininess keeps you accountable to live minimally and stay clean and organized in the trailer.

What Are Your Three Least Favorite?

1. The cooking area of the sink and stove is small.
2. The bathroom is a wet bathroom where the shower and toilet are in the same space, so after a shower, the toilet's wet.
3. The bed only has one side accessible to it. So, if two people are sleeping in the bed, one person has to climb over the other in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

Did The Small Size Benefit You? If So, How?

We love the small size of the Casita Travel Trailer to access any park, campsite, or boondocking spot. And we also like how the small space keeps us accountable to live minimally and stay clean and organized.

Was Interior Storage Ample Or Problematic?

There is minimal storage in the Casita Travel Trailer. For us, that was okay. We had lived out of backpacks traveling the world before living in the Casita, so we had enough space for our things.

A good mantra to have with the Casita is "Having less is more." Living full-time with two people in the trailer, we only carried one pot, one pan, a moka pot for coffee, and two each of cups, plates, forks, knives, and spoons.

When we lived in the Casita full-time, we also used our Explorer's back seat and trunk area as our "garage" for tools, bikes, and other things we didn't need access to in the trailer.

How Would You Rate The Quality Of The Materials In The Trailer?

7, everything works and does its job.

What Would You Change About This Small Trailer If You Could?

1. Lift the axle. We lifted ours 3 inches, and it helps us better get out of our driveway and handle dips in the road at campsites.
2. Install a propane heater. We ended up installing one, so we could boondock with heat.
3. Not have carpet on the wall and floor. It's hard to keep all the carpet clean. We cover our floor carpet with area rugs.

Was It Worth The Money?

Yes! Totally worth the money! Used Casitas are a little more expensive than other trailers their size, and ours was a bit above what we wanted to spend.

However, we decided to spend more on a Casita Travel Trailer because they hold their value, and we decided that if it didn't work well for us, we could probably sell it for what we bought it for. Five years later, we're still loving her!

What Would You Advise Someone Looking To Buy This Trailer?

Make sure everyone can fit in the bed and stand up straight in the trailer. We're 5 foot 7 inches and 5 foot 1 inch, have a baby, and it's perfect for us, but some taller friends that visit can't stand up straight and are too long for the bed space.

So, before making the big investment, make sure you can stand and lay down in it.

Would You Buy This Model Again?

Absolutely! We love our Casita.

Summary:

We lived in our Casita Travel Trailer as a young married couple for two years living, traveling, and working together in the trailer full-time. You can take a tour of ours and see us during the buying process on HGTV's Tiny House Hunters show here.

It is perfect for roaming the US and Canada in. Having a little camper helps you travel spontaneously because you don't have to research everywhere you want to go first to see if you'll fit. Also, it's nice to have a small rig when you're running errands in Walmart and grocery store parking lots. (Can you park overnight at Walmart?)

When considering the Casita, make sure you can stand up in it, sleep well, and cook in it comfortably. It is tiny, so it's great when the weather is nice, and you can extend your living space outside. However, we tend to travel with the good weather because when it's cold and rainy for a few days, it does become small inside.

Be prepared to have minimal clothing and gear and kitchen appliances and food. We took out the microwave and used that space as a pantry. Also, to be able to boondock more comfortably, we got a Renogy solar suitcase for more power, and we installed a propane heater that didn't come on our model.

These small camp trailers are fun! And, a bonus is, when you have a Casita, you're automatically in a new family. Casita owners have a super friendly and supportive community to help each other. Be ready to make fast friends on the road with other mini camper trailer owners! Happy trails from Adam and Lindsey!