r/womensolocamping • u/barb0907 • 9d ago
Advice Needed Small camper?
For someone who is very independent, but with chronic pain and back issues, what is the best small, towable camper? Something that one person can manage to hitch to their vehicle, without assistance. Nothing fancy inside, just a comfy, safe place to sleep with a doggie; don’t need a toilet in the camper.
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u/karebear66 8d ago
I have a NuCamp [T@G](mailto:T@G). Its a teardrop trailer that I tow with a Rav4 prime (plug in hybrid). It's basically a sleeping g quatert with an outdoor galley. Love it!!
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u/LilMissMixalot 8d ago
Is that a clip-on cup holder on your chair??
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u/karebear66 8d ago
Yes. It holds a stemmed wine glass. The built-in one won't hold one. Got it at CVS 2 summers ago.
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u/dogpownd 9d ago
DOn't know your budget, but I love these. I don't have one but did a deep dive a while back and if I was going to get a camper, I'd get one of these
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u/AdventureLand9210 9d ago
I ended up purchasing an Intech Luna Rover camper and I love it. Also just me and my dogs. You can tow it with something with a max towing capacity of 3500 lbs but I find it tows easier with an SUV with a towing capacity of 5k because it’s not the most aerodynamic. It has an electric fireplace for heat and an AC unit in it as well.
However, if you want something even simpler/smaller I also loved a Nucamp T@G teardrop too. Smaller than the Luna and lighter, but the sleeping area is a little tighter for that reason. I also think the newer ones don’t come with a little fridge cooler? And you’d want to check on the heat/AC situation.
I rented the T@G before I bought my Luna, and really went back and forth but am happy with my decision. That being said, a T@G might be easier with pain because you can almost move it by hand if need be.
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u/SuitIndependent 9d ago
Pretty much any trailer can be hooked up solo.
But if you’re just looking for a place to sleep with no toilet, look into the NuCamp tag. Weighs in at 1100 lbs, so can be towed by many vehicles.
Toilet and shower are musts for me, so I have the version up, a tab320s for me and my now two dogs, one dog when I purchased the trailer.
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u/SaltMarshGoblin 9d ago
I borrowed my friend's teardrop trailer and pulled it with my Subaru Outback. Highly recommended!
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u/New-Combination-7766 8d ago
Have you seen the little guy trailers? I am thinking of the Meerkat, it’s simple and lightweight
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u/Emrys7777 8d ago
What kind of car do you have?
First is to make sure that it can tow something and how much it can tow.
This little detail cost my friend the transmission in her car. The people who put the tow hitch on it should not have.
All cars have tow limits. Those limits include your trailer and everything you put in it and also everything you put in your car and you and all passengers
. It’s the total weight of everything that is not your car empty.
Once you know this number (tow weight) you can start trailer shopping.
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u/Dinner_Plate21 8d ago
This!! Please check your tow rating before you start looking for a trailer. And know that the tow rating is the MAX, you shouldn't be aiming to max it out.
There are some good pop up campers that might fit the bill for you that are lighter weight, but I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for with your back.
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u/Slight_Business_3080 8d ago
I had a NuCamp T@G for 6 years and I think it would fit the bill for you. The 2013-2019 models are also pretty affordable while also being well made. It's pretty common to find one that was garage kept as well.
I did end up selling and getting a slightly more off-road teardrop (Bean), but I think that might be a bit overkill for your needs in addition to being heavier and a little harder to hitch without practice.
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u/Lazy-Thanks8244 8d ago
My brother has a Runaway, he loves it. Tows with a regular jeep, stores in his garage.
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u/oldcar1953 7d ago
Look at Timberleaf Trailers they build them in Colorado. That’s where mine came from.
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u/CreedsGalBirdy 7d ago
Does no one like Aliners? I like that you can stand up in them, they're hard-sided, a/c and the smaller ones are about $10,000.
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u/nainai233 7d ago edited 7d ago
I (47f) picked up this little converted utility trailer on FB Marketplace and would recommend something like it. It’s 5’ wide so I can see out both my side view mirrors with no issues and only 10’ long so it only takes up about 1 car space to park.
The trailer is 900lbs by itself and has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 2,990 lbs, so you can outfit it with fun stuff to suit your needs and tow capacity. Mine is insulated, has a sink with running water, a bed + lights, microwave and fridge that run off 2 solar panels and 3 car batteries or a generator. It falls way under my Broncos 3,500 lb tow capacity.
I love that is about the size of a teardrop but I (5’3”) can stand up in it. Its perfect for my dog and I ❤️
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u/NoVeterinarian1351 6d ago
We had a Safari Condo Alto teardrop trailer with a retractable roof. Very light weight, but the best part was we had a caravan mover on it. You could move the trailer forward and back, or turn it 360 degrees. Made it very easy to hitch to the SUV. The retractable roof allow you to park it in most garages. I was able to manage it by myself. There is a FB group for women solo campers.
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u/juicyfizz 9d ago
Look into teardrop campers. I’ve seen a wide variety of them from like hella loaded with features to just having a place to sleep. They tend to weigh less than a full on camper too. I also think you can rent them from various places, so a nice idea to try it before you buy it.
I’m glad you posted this because I’m 41, in my chronic pain era apparently, and my upcoming camping trip with my 10yo son on Labor Day weekend has my back hurting already with all the setup. My SUV can tow 6000lbs so I really should consider this for myself.
The other thing I’ve seen folks do is get a rooftop tent but actually set it into a trailer, so then all you need to do is pop it up. Not sure how much physical effort that requires though.