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Micro Campers

What are micro campers? Micro campers are incredibly small campers that some people design and build entirely on their own, and others purchase from companies that manufacture campers and trailers. Some micro campers look like futuristic space pods, and others resemble the classic “canned ham” shape of 1950s travel trailers.

What is a micro trailer?

A micro trailer is a camper that’s usually less than ten feet long and often no more than five feet wide. Variations do exist, but micro trailers are precisely what you might think. An enclosed trailer that fits one or two people and offers minimal creature comforts. Many micro campers and trailers feature an outdoor kitchen that’s accessible at the rear of the vehicle.

A micro camper is often much lighter than a traditional trailer and may have a weight that’s light enough for a sturdy car to tow. You don’t need a 4×4 with a tow package for many of these campers. However, it’s worth looking at your car’s warranty because towing may invalidate the warranty when you blow the transmission on your Civic while towing your mini micro camper up a mountain.

How much do micro campers cost?

Just because a micro camper is small doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Campers routinely cost upwards of $10,000 and may rise many times higher when you start adding luxury features. For example, the TAXA Outdoors Cricket costs more than $30,000 and has a dry weight of about 1,750 pounds. 

Compare that to the Highway Deluxe micro camper from Hiker Trailer, which starts at just $5,995 with a dry weight as low as 800 pounds. The Polydrops P17 Essential, meanwhile, has a middle-of-the-road price of around $15,000 and a weight that varies from 820 to 1,100 pounds.

How much does a micro camper weigh?

Tiny trailer campers and small campers tend to weigh somewhere between 500 and 3,000 pounds. As manufacturers add more features, the weight increases. Most campers average around 1,000 pounds, which is easily towable by small SUVs and some sedans with solid transmissions. It’s helpful to remember, however, that the camper’s weight will increase as you add things like food, supplies, and clothing.

What is the smallest RV on the market?

Generally speaking, the smallest drivable RV is a Class B, just a large van full of all the features you’d expect in an RV, like beds, a kitchen, and a toilet. Popular models include the Airstream Interstate, the Coachmen Nova, the Winnebago Revel, and most vehicles by Pleasure-Way.

If you want to add tiny travel trailers and micro trailers into the mix, some of the smallest on the market start at just 400 pounds and barely fit a single human for sleeping. Technically, you could even buy a tiny, enclosed trailer meant for hauling various materials and convert it into a camper with a bed and other comforts.

Can I build my own micro camper?

Just as you might embark upon a van camper conversion, you can also build your own micro camper. If you’re particularly adept at woodworking, you can take the frame of a trailer and build a tiny trailer on it. You can also start with a simple enclosed trailer and outfit the interior with features like insulation, bedding, ventilation, and windows.