Small Campers That Can be Towed by a Motorcycle
Hit the Road with One of These Lightweight Towables on Your Next Motorcycle Tour.
Image Caption: Image Courtesy of Kompact Kamp
Motorcycle touring and camping are two activities that have always gone well together. Hitting the road on a two-wheel adventure that includes camping under the stars brings a sense of freedom that few other types of travel can match. In the past, this usually meant packing a small tent, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear. But thanks to an increasing number of motorcycle camping trailers, riders now have the option to travel in comfort and style.
Image Courtesy of Easy Rider Campers
What is a Motorcycle Camper?
As the name implies, this type of camper is a small towable that is small enough to be pulled behind a motorcycle. Most feature a pop-up design, although some resemble scaled-down versions of traditional hard shell camping trailers. All the models are compact and lightweight, usually providing just enough space for one or two people to sleep comfortably.
As with towing a camper with a car, you’ll need a hitch on your motorcycle to pull one of these trailers. The bike should have at least a 1000cc engine to ensure you have enough power to pull the trailer safely. Additionally, the camper’s weight should not exceed 50 percent of the total weight of the motorcycle. That means If the curb weight—the total weight of the bike without passengers—is 600 pounds, the trailer attached to it should not exceed 300 pounds. Anything beyond that may be too unsafe to tow and could impact the performance of the motorcycle.
Image Courtesy of Time Out Trailers
Benefits of Motorcycle Camping
Towing a camping trailer behind a motorcycle has some obvious benefits for riders. The biggest of those benefits is that it provides a place to sleep at the end of a long day of travel. This eliminates the need to book hotel rooms throughout the journey, and it allows for much more flexibility when it comes to adjusting routes and schedules.
Like a regular camping trailer, a motorcycle camper is also a warmer and more comfortable place to sleep than a traditional tent. These trailers also offer additional space for carrying cargo—something that is often lacking on a motorbike. However, they usually don’t come equipped with a stove, sink, shower, or other standard amenities found in larger campers pulled by four-wheeled vehicles.
Additionally, motorcycle campers have a lower cost of entry, require less maintenance, and are easy to set up and take down. Because they are so lightweight, it also takes very little time to hitch one to the back of a bike, making travel fast and convenient. These trailers are also small enough to fit into just about any campsite and can be stored in a garage or backyard shed when not in use.
The Best Motorcycle Camping Trailers
Due to improvements in design and lightweight materials, there are some truly impressive motorcycle campers to be had today. These models offer comfortable sleeping quarters and other surprising amenities to make motorcycle travel even more enjoyable.
Here are some of the best options to tow behind your bike.
Image Courtesy of Get Lost Trailers
Kwik Kamp II
Spacious and comfortable, the Kwik Kamp II is one of the most popular motorcycle campers on the market. The trailer features a king-size bed, an eight-foot ceiling height, and a set-up time of under five minutes. The camper’s softshell tent consists of durable 400-denier polyester materials that are wind and rain-resistant, with five large windows that provide exceptional ventilation.
This compact camping trailer is small enough to be towed behind a motorcycle but is also suitable for car, truck, and SUV use. It has a built-in port for powering a portable air conditioning unit, and it comes with a rainfly, an awning that covers the main entrance, and a second exit for emergencies. Best of all, it offers 24 cubic feet of storage, which is accessible even while the camper is in towing mode. This allows riders to carry more gear with them than their bike would typically be able to haul.
Image Courtesy of Kompact Kamp Trailers
Kompact Kamp Mini Mate
Tipping the scales at just 260 pounds, the Kompact Kamp Mini Mate is light enough to be pulled behind just about any motorcycle. When in travel mode, the trailer’s fully-fiberglass body and lid are durable enough to survive the rigors of the road yet compact enough to remain maneuverable. It also provides 15 cubic feet of additional storage space for carrying gear for the trip.
The Mini Mate sets up in just two minutes upon reaching the campsite, transforming into a surprisingly large living space. Inside, it features a full-sized bed for two travelers, with UV and water-resistant fabrics providing protection from the elements. You can choose to add an optional awning to create an outdoor sitting area and an additional sheltered area for riders looking for even more space. Other add-ons include a built-in portable charging station, interior lighting, and a cooler bucket. The Kompact Kamp Mini Mate starts at $3495.
Image Courtesy of Time Out Trailers
Timeout Trailers Deluxe Camper
This trailer offers a massive 23 cubic feet of storage space, which is enough capacity to carry multiple pieces of luggage with room for an air mattress and camping chairs. Set up of the Timeout Trailers Deluxe Camper time takes less than three minutes for a single person, resulting in a sleeping and living area with over 66 square feet of space—enough to accommodate a queen-size mattress and the included table and folding chairs.
The trailer’s rugged construction makes it well suited for travel and includes larger 12-inch wheels built to ride smoothly even over rough roads. The boxy design is both functional and good-looking, serving as a solid base for the pop-up camper hidden within. At 385 pounds, this model requires a bike with plenty of power, but it offers a comfortable camping experience that mimics larger RVs in many ways. Pricing starts at $5195.
Image Courtesy of Easy Rider Camper
Easy Rider Skylite Camper
Resembling a scaled-down version of a traditional camper commonly towed behind larger vehicles, the Easy Rider Skylite offers some surprising amenities. Available in six- and seven-foot models, the trailer provides a flat linoleum floor that nicely accommodates the included foam mattress. The interior space has wooden storage cabinets and a built-in entertainment system complete with a seven-inch screen, a DVD player, and an AM/FM/MP3 audio system. Power comes from a 12-volt electrical system and a 110-volt converter, which can charge electronic devices on the go.
The Easy Rider weighs in at 640 pounds, making it one of the heftier motorcycle campers on this list. But its cabin provides a quiet, well-protected space out of the elements in a way that tent-based trailers can’t match. A powered roof vent and side windows help keep the interior ventilated in warm weather, while the trailer’s hard-shell body ensures a dry and comfortable night even if storms rage outside. Additional features include exterior LED lighting, a locking deadbolt for added security, and twin skylights.
Image Courtesy of Little Guy Trailers
Little Guy Trailers MyPod
For the ultimate in motorcycle camping luxury, look no further than the Little Guy Trailers MyPod. This sleek and streamlined fiberglass trailer is spacious, comfortable, and comes with some great features. For instance, the sleeping area is large enough for a full-size bed, and the interior includes a built-in air conditioning unit with a three-speed fan. An integrated 12-volt/110AC power system provides electricity for the interior lights and entertainment system, consisting of a flat-panel TV and speakers for listening to music. The camper even has window shades for those mornings when you feel like sleeping in a bit longer.
With a dry weight of 760 pounds, the MyPod is easily the heaviest camper on this list. That makes it a bit more challenging to tow around, requiring a powerful bike to pull it from one campsite to the next. But the experience that it delivers is about the closest thing riders will get to the full-size camping trailer experience while still enjoying a motorcycle adventure. Optional accessories include an awning, an add-on external room, and a trailer cover. MSRP for the Little Guy Trailers MyPod starts at $10,022.
Image Courtesy of Aspen Quality Trailers
Aspen Classic
If you’re looking for a spacious, lightweight camping trailer, the Aspen Classic may be the one for you. This model has a sleeping area that is large enough to accommodate a king-size mattress, along with an adjoining room that provides a private space for enjoying meals, changing clothes, or just relaxing. The water-resistant shelter has a seven-foot ceiling and excellent ventilation courtesy of several large mesh windows. A set of integrated storm flaps block wind and rain and convert into a full-size rainfly with some optional poles.
The Aspen Classic weighs in at 350 pounds and is so quick and easy to set up it can be ready to go within five minutes of reaching the campsite. It includes a 25 cubic-foot storage space that is accessible while the trailer is being towed or from the interior living space when parked. The tent also includes a duct flap for an air conditioning unit and has an awning attached to the rear window for increased privacy.
Image Courtesy of Solace Trailers
Solace Deluxe
The Solace Deluxe motorcycle tent is another example of a camping trailer that provides a surprising amount of space. This model includes a sleeping area with an included queen-size foam mattress and a dining area with a foldout table. The tent requires less than five minutes to set up, and when fully constructed, it creates a comfortable mini-cabin that includes covered outdoor storage underneath the sleeping platform.
Like the Aspen Classic, the Solace Deluxe has a built-in air conditioning duct for those who pack a portable AC unit for use in warm weather. The tiny towable also offers 16 square feet of storage space while the tent is in place but remove the shelter and this model becomes a cargo hauler with a 23 square foot capacity. At 350 pounds, the Deluxe feels substantial without being overly heavy when towing it behind a bike. Priced at $3949.00, the Solace Deluxe is a full-featured camping trailer at an affordable price.
Image Courtesy of Roll-a-Home
Roll-A-Home Motorcycle Camper
Available in “standard” or “wide” models, the Roll-A-Home Motorcycle Camper offers everything a rider could ask for in a lightweight towable. The two versions of the trailer share many of the same features, including a screen door, five screened windows, and a self-contained accordion set-up that takes just minutes to complete. However, they differ in the mattress size they can accommodate, with the standard version limited to a double bed, while the wide model has room for a king-size cushion.
In addition to the sleeping area, the camper also has a small second living space that provides privacy and shelter from inclement weather. An additional 18 cubic feet of storage space makes it easy to haul all your essential items without sacrificing any living area. The trailer weighs 325 pounds and is customizable with a host of optional accessories, including an air conditioning flap, aluminum cooler rack, a second door, and an awning. Prices for a Roll-A-Home camper start at $4799 for the standard version and $5499 for the wide model.
If you’re someone who likes to travel by motorcycle, anyone of these camping trailers will make a great companion for your next adventure. You’ll be surprised at how comfortable and spacious they can be while providing you with extra storage space and saving money on hotels.
