The 7 Best Campers and Travel Trailers You Can Pull With an SUV

There are few greater pleasures in life than getting away from the daily grind, heading out into nature, and truly relaxing. But for a lot of us, the idea of tent camping doesn’t always sit so well. 

That’s where campers and travel trailers come in. 

With the rise of the almighty SUV in recent years, I thought it was well overdue to dive deep and find all the best campers and travel trailers that can be towed by the most popular car class on the market!

Why Choose a Towable Camper or Trailer?

I mean, there’s a smorgasbord of answers to this question. If you have ended up here then I’m sure you have your own reasons.

I used to love tent camping, but as the years pass by I find myself enjoying a few more of the creature comforts. I bought my first camper about a decade ago, and although I still do a bit of tent camping from time to time it has definitely become a rarity.

At the bare minimum, campers and travel trailers offer a comfortable sleeping space and a food preparation area. Might not sound like much but it can make a huge difference to the ease and pleasure I get from trips away. 

So, now without any more pitstops and in no particular order, I present the best campers and travel trailers that you can pull with just an SUV!

Happier Camper HC1 – The Best Tiny Camper Featuring Retro Styling With All The Modern Touches

If you are a fan of all things vintage then it’s going to be hard not to fall head over heels for the Happier Camper HC1. This gorgeous little fiberglass pillbox of brilliance is not only pretty to look at, but it’s also pushing the boundaries.

The Happier Camper HC1 may look straight out of the 1950s, but take a step inside and you will find one of the newest age setups available. Packed to the brim with modern conveniences and featuring the highly flexible Adaptive™ modular interior system which allows for easy on-the-go customization, this camper certainly stands out from the crowd.

Specs:

• Price: MSRP $29,950
• Dry Weight: 1100 lbs
• Tongue Weight: 110-150 lbs
• Shell Length: 10’
• Exterior Height: 7’4”
• Exterior Length: 13’
• Inside Width: 6’6”
• Inside Height: 6’1”
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 3500 lbs
• Rear Hatch Door: 54.5” w x 53.5” h
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 5
• Walkable Floor Space: 42 square foot
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 5 Gallon
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: 5 Gallon
• Black Water Tank Capacity: NA
• Bathroom Facilities: Optional 4 Gallon “Roadshower” and Dry Flush Toilet
• Kitchen: Optional Kitchenette
• BTU per hour furnace: NA

The  Adaptiv™ cube modular floor design is what makes this camper so unique. 

You can change up the layout and components in a literal blink of the eye, with all the options made from super durable 1.5″ thick honeycomb fiberglass – lightweight and built to last. 

This one is actually small and light enough to be towed by a range of cars and can sleep up to a family of 5 depending on the layout. 

With proper care, fiberglass trailers can last decades and tend to hold their value particularly well.  The HC1 is easy to maintain and should stay in great condition for decades. Sure, there are cheaper options available, but remember to keep in mind resale value and overall quality.

I would usually discuss floor plans, and the HC1 does come with a range of options, but the  Adaptiv™ cube modular design makes this one way more customizable than most of the competition so it’s best to head over to https://happiercamper.com/pages/hc1-travel-trailer# to see for yourself!

FOREST RIVER RV R POD RP-153 – The Best Tiny Camper with a Full Bathroom

One feature that you find missing from the vast majority of tiny campers is a full bathroom. Not the case here.

The Forest River R Pod RP-153 comes standard with a separate shower and toilet, plus a vanity and half-length mirror.  And somehow, the space doesn’t feel cramped. Sure, it’s not the biggest bathroom you’ve ever seen but it’s roomier than I expected.

Specs:

• Price: MSRP $29,950
• Dry Weight: 1100 lbs
• Tongue Weight: 110-150 lbs
• Shell Length: 10’
• Exterior Height: 7’4”
• Exterior Length: 13’
• Inside Width: 6’6”
• Inside Height: 6’1”
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 3500 lbs
• Rear Hatch Door: 54.5” w x 53.5” h
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 5
• Walkable Floor Space: 42 square foot
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 5 Gallon
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: 5 Gallon
• Black Water Tank Capacity: NA
• Bathroom Facilities: Optional 4 Gallon “Roadshower” and Dry Flush Toilet
• Kitchen: Optional Kitchenette
• BTU per hour furnace: NA

I’m a big fan of the whole layout of this camper. Everything seems to have been thoughtfully laid out, and at a squeeze, it can sleep up to 5 people. The main Murphy bed is surprisingly comfy and folds away for extra room during the daylight hours. 

The kitchenette area is well stocked with a decent-sized fridge (actually the largest for this class) and pantry, a 2 burner stovetop, and a convection oven. Everything you need to prepare delicious, fresh meals for the whole family. 

In terms of build quality, there’s a lot to like. The Azdel composite panels are tough SOBs and have been designed to withstand even the harshest weather conditions while keeping the overall unit lightweight and easy to tow. This is combined with an independent suspension torsion axle which ensures the smoothest possible ride.

Overall, a solid and roomy small camper that covers almost every possible base. Click right here to see more for yourself – https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/r-pod/RP-153/5914

FOREST RIVER Flagstaff E-PRO 12RK Trailer – The Best Tiny Travel Trailer For Small SUVs

https://visalettersapplication.com/

Staying with Forest River, the Flagstaff E-PRO 12RK Trailer is the smallest option in their entire range. Perfect for those among us with smaller SUVs or even just a medium to large-sized car, this travel trailer offers a comfortable sleeping area with a well-stocked outdoor cooking area.

Specs:

• Price: MSRP  $9,950.00
• Dry Weight:  1133 lbs / 513.9 kgs
• Tongue Weight: 110-150 lbs
• Exterior Height:  90 in / 228 cm
• Exterior Length: 11.33 ft / 3.5 m
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:  820 lbs / 372 kgs
• Body Material: Aluminum
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 2
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 20 Gallon
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: 6 Gallon
• Black Water Tank Capacity: NA
• Bathroom Facilities: NA
• Kitchen: Outdoor Kitchenette
• Structure Warranty (Months): 24
• Roof Warranty (Years): 12
• Basic Warranty (Months): 12

The  Flagstaff E-PRO 12RK Trailer is very highly rated, with a score of 4.3 out of 5 on RVinsider.com and it is easy to see why!

The outdoor kitchen is fully packed with a bar fridge, microwave, outside sink, and a gas griddle. The kitchen cover pops up to offer full coverage from the weather, and I for one really enjoyed cooking surrounded by nature but with the convenience of modern appliances.

In terms of internal space, let’s be totally honest. Apart from the ultra-comfy double bed, there is really not a lot of space. Thankfully, Forest River has been kind enough to include an entryway on both sides making the cabin easily accessible. There is a wall-mounted LR 12V TV and DVD player combo, a little outdated but this TV does feature an HDMI port. 

There is also a handy WiFi booster with every unit which does a top-notch job of ensuring you have solid WiFi coverage as long as your service provider covers the area you are camping in. There is also a dual-band radio which incorporates BlueTooth and USB ports for charging or pairing, two 20 lb. propane tanks, a 1000 watt inverter that is ready for solar panel connection, 4 stabilizing jacks, and an A/C that sits flush with the roof.

This Trailer is perfect for couples who want an easy to tow, no setup camper that can be strapped to a large vehicle and is ready to go at a moment’s notice. And, at just $9,950.00 is super affordable.  Check out Forest Rivers website for the full details – https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/flagstaff-e-pro/E12RK/3553  

Aliner Scout Lite – The Best Mini A-Frame Trailer

The Scout Lite by Aliner has been around for a while and is still one of the best-selling mini trailers on the market. Why you ask?

Well, it’s probably thanks to the less than 30 second set-up time, the super lightweight frame that offers easy towability, the affordability, and the fact that it has been rated 4.3 out of 5 on RVinsider since it was first released.

Specs:

• Price: MSRP $10,125.00
• Exterior Height: 4.7 ft closed 
• Exterior Length:  13 ft
• Dry Weight:   1180 lbs / 535.2 kgs
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 2500 lbs / 1134 kgs
• Body Material: Aluminum
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 2
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: NA
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: NA
• Black Water Tank Capacity: NA
• Bathroom Facilities: NA
• Kitchen: Outdoor Kitchenette
• Structure Warranty (Months): 24
• Roof Warranty (Years): 12
• Basic Warranty (Months): 12

As you can see from the specs there is no bathroom on offer here, and the kitchenette comes as an optional extra. But, these exclusions mean that the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (the amount of weight the trailer is rated to carry) is much higher than many on this list. This allows for the owner to pick and choose exactly what they want to bring, and not be forced into lugging unnecessary equipment about. 

So, what does come standard with the Aliner Scout Lite?

Well, in simple terms, A LOT! 

You get Azdel lightweight thermoplastic composite interior wall and ceiling panels, Performax   500 premium marine-grade flooring, and vacuum bonded fiberglass panels that keep the overall weight down. There are 4 stabilizer jacks, a 35 amp converter, the e-coated frame with powder coating on the front tongue and bumper, two skylights with nightshades, 10″ electric brakes for extra safety, and 3 interior electrical outlets all as standard!

The bed is an absolute dream to sleep on and converts into a cozy dining area once folded away. There’s a full spread sofa area for relaxing which is big enough for a smaller person to comfortably sleep on, bringing the overall sleep to count up to 3!

Head over to https://aliner.com/campers/scout/ to check out all the options!

Airstream Bambi 16RB – The Best Airstream For SUV Owners

No travel trailer/camper roundup would be complete without at least one Airstream unit being featured! Don’t worry, I have 2 coming your way right now!

First up we have the Airstream Bambi 16RB. This trailer is a little bigger than the previously reviewed options but is still small enough for most SUVs or larger trucks to easily handle. There are a few Bambi floor plans available, the smallest being the 16RB.

Specs:

• Price: MSRP $48,900.00
• Dry Weight:   2900 lbs / 1315.4 kgs
• Exterior Height:   111 in / 281 cm
• Exterior Length:  15.92 ft / 4.9 m
• Exterior Width:  96 in / 243 cm
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:  3500 lbs / 1587.6 kgs
• Body Material: Aluminum
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 4
• Number Of Double Beds: 1
• Number Of Sofa Beds : 1
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 23 Gallon
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: 28 Gallon
• Black Water Tank Capacity: 28 Gallon
• Bathroom Facilities: Wet Bath With A Toilet, Shower, And Sink 
• Kitchen: Two-Burner Propane Cooktop, Sink, Microwave, 12vdc Compressor-Based Refrigerator
• Basic Warranty (Months): 36

The Airstream Bambi 16RB offers all the features of a full sized travel trailer in a much more compact unit. The 16Rb is the smallest of the traditional trailers offered by the universally loved company, and I cannot stress how much I love the look of this one (or any Airstream for that matter).

The very first thing that jumped out at me was the wrap-around front window that covers the whole front end where the dinette is located. It makes the whole unit feel so much bigger than it actually is, and gives the interior a feeling of lightness. The whole unit is covered in windows, for that matter, and It all works perfectly. 

The bed is a little smaller than what’s on offer by some of the competition at just 48” X 78”, but to be totally honest this smaller space did not worry me or my partner, although this may be something to take into consideration. It comes with a memory foam topper that is cloudlike to lay on.

In terms of build quality, Airstream has always had a great reputation of producing top-quality units that last the test of time. The Bambi 16RB is no different, so absolutely nothing to be sorry about here. The Aluminum based design does need to be looked after, but that goes for any travel trailer. 

Check out all the info at https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/bambi/ 

Airstream Basecamp 16 – The Best Mini Airstream

So, we have seen one of the larger Airstream Travel Trailers that an SUV is capable of towing. Now it’s time to check out the absolute smallest Airstream currently being produced – the Airstream Basecamp 16!

Specs:

• Price: MSRP  $35,900.00
• Dry Weight:    2585 lb / 1172.6 kgs
• Exterior Height:    104 in / 266 cm
• Exterior Length:   16.25 ft / 5 m
• Exterior Width:  84 in / 213 cm
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:  3500 lbs / 1587.6 kgs
• Body Material: Aluminum
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 2
• Number Of Double Beds: 0
• Number Of Sofa Beds : 2
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 22 Gallon
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: 29 Gallon
• Black Water Tank Capacity: 0 Gallon
• Bathroom Facilities: Wet Bath With A Toilet, Shower, And Sink 
• Kitchen: Two-Burner Propane Cooktop, Sink, Microwave, 12vdc Compressor-Based Refrigerator
• Basic Warranty (Months): 36

They say good things come in small packages and never has it been more true than with the all-new Airstream Basecamp 16. This little bundle of brilliance somehow manages to fit a sleeping area big enough for 2, a bathroom, and a kitchen into a tiny footprint, and does so in a pretty ingenious way.

The sleeping area is huge. I mean, it’s not a king bed or anything, but for the size of this camper the bedding area is large to say the least. These are converted into a tidy dining and sitting area for daytime use, with easy and quick conversion. You can choose to have the bed totally tucked away, or to use just half the sleeping area while still having the dinette fully assembled.

Again we are treated to a huge wave of windows, with the riveted aluminum superstructure seemingly covered in panoramic vistas.

The kitchen comes ready for meal prep, with a 2 burner stovetop, a decently sized fridge, a convection microwave, and more storage space than I was certainly expecting. 

And then we have the bathroom. Seriously, this is the smallest trailer I have ever seen that offers a full bathroom experience. Sure, this trailer is a bit more expensive than similar sized units,  but it offers absolutely everything you could need for an extended trip away.

Definitely a hard one to pass up! Check out all the relevant info right here – https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/basecamp/ 

The Meaner Bean – The Best Teardrop Offroad Ready Travel Trailer

The Meaner Bean is the newest addition to the Bean Trailers line of campers, and it 100% does not disappoint. Priced to please and ready for any adventure you can throw its way, the Meaner Bean is perfect for the overland adventurer looking to explore the less traveled path!

With 17 inches of clearance, a fully redesigned Timbren independent suspension system, and a shell that can deal with all the punishment you can throw at it, the Meaner Bean is one tough son of a gun. 

Specs:

• Price: MSRP  $17,900.00
• Dry Weight:   2000 lb
• Exterior Height:   83 in 
• Exterior Length:   14.25 ft 
• Exterior Width:  7 ft 4 in
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:  2500 lbs
• Body Material: , Armadillo coated stand-on fiberglass 
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 2
• Number Of Double Beds: 0
• Number Of Sofa Beds : 2
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 18 Gallon
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: 5 Gallon
• Black Water Tank Capacity: 0 Gallon
• Bathroom Facilities: NA 
• Kitchen: Rack-out Partner Steel Stove, Stainless steel sink with foldaway faucet, Powder coated cooler/fridge rack-out.
• Basic Warranty (Months): 12
• Roof Warranty (Years):  Lifetime Warranty

I’ll just say this straight up – If you are looking for a super comfortable, luxurious camper then this may not be the one for you. But, if you want a camper you can take almost anywhere, and one that can handle the knocks and bumps of offroading then stick around.

The bed area is more than capable of handling 2 big people, and folds away in seconds. Is it the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on? No, but I was more than happy to sleep on it for the 3 day trip. 

Once packed away you are able to set up the sitting area, and this offers ample space for use as a work or dining area. 

The outdoor kitchen area has been built to last. The 2 burner stove is about as heavy duty as they come, and the cooler or fridge (your choice) slides in and out with ease. The whole area just has a super rugged feel to it, matching the overall feel of the trailer. 

Build quality is always important to look at, but even more so for a trailer marketed for off road use. The cabin has a roomier feel to it than I am used to from teardrop designs, and every component seems to have been thoroughly thought out. 

The entire shell is a single-piece fiberglass shell. This means there are zero seals to fail, and the whole shell comes with a lifetime guarantee which is something you just don’t see with any other company I can think of. This warranty alone should fill you with confidence, 

The chassis itself is made for war, and as hard as I tried I just couldn’t find any way to fault the build quality here!

So, head to https://beantrailer.com/meaner-bean-off-road/ to see what the fuss is about!

Jayco Jay Flight SLX 7 174BH – The Best Large Low Cost Trailer for SUV Owners

So, you want a decently sized travel trailer with a bathroom and kitchen, but you don’t want to spend more than about $20,000? Easier said than done!

Say hello to the Jayco Jay Flight SLX 7 174BH. This feature packed, budget friendly camper has pretty much every you need as standard, and an exhaustive list of optional extras. 

Specs:

• Price: MSRP  $19,037.00
• Dry Weight:    3075 Lbs / 1394.8 Kgs
• Exterior Height:    117 In / 297 Cm
• Exterior Length:    21.67 Ft / 6.6 M
• Exterior Width:  85 In / 2.15 M
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:  3750 Lbs / 1701 Kgs
• Body Material: Wood With Aluminum Sides
• Sleeping Capacity: Up To 5
• Number Of Queen Size Beds: 1
• Number Of Sofa Beds : 1
• Number Of Bunk Beds: 2
• Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 20 Gallon
• Gray Water Tank Capacity: 19.9 Gallon
• Black Water Tank Capacity: 19.9 Gallon
• Bathroom Facilities: Tub/Shower Combo 
• Kitchen:  Two Stove Burner, Overhead Cabinetry, Stackable Pantry, And 3 Cubic Foot Refrigerator And Freezer.
• Structure Warranty (Months): 36
• Basic Warranty (Months): 24

The kitchen has the biggest fridge out of any on today’s list. It’s easy to forget how handy it is to have extra fridge room when out camping, but let me tell you that I filled up every cubic ft with fresh ingredients and we ate like kings for almost a week! The 2 burner does a great job, as do the rest of the fittings. There is a bunch of counter space for prep, which as the main cook I really liked.

In fact, the entire cabin felt roomy. After trailing so many tiny campers in the previous weeks, it felt amazing having all this space and never having to pack away the bed! The bed itself is also pretty large and very comfy, as are the two bunks.

The bathroom feels like a mini home bathroom. Everything is there, it’s all just shrunk down slightly with enough room to do a standing snow angel if and when the feeling strikes. I mean, how often do you find a decent-sized bathtub in a travel trailer? Almost never!

So what are you waiting for? Head to https://www.jayco.com/rvs/travel-trailers/2022-jay-flight-slx-7/174bh/ to see if this is the one for you!

The Wrap Up

So, there you have it. My comprehensive list of the best and brightest SUV-ready travel trailers on the market. 

There really is an option for any family size or travel want, but if you want my definitive favorite then it’s pretty hard to pass up the very first on today’s rundown – The Happier Camper HC1! Sure, this camper definitely is not for everyone, but I am a total sucker for retro styling and I always love to see new innovations such as the  Adaptiv™ cube modular floor design.

Happy Camping!