As Greek storyteller Aesop once famously said, “Good things come in small packages”–and such is true with pod camping trailers. These small-sized camping trailers offer the comfortable amenities of home sweet home with the benefits of being lightweight enough for a compact car to carry; some styles can even be trailed by a motorized bike!
If you’re looking to purchase a camping trailer to bring on your next adventure, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of features these space-saving pods can carry. Keep reading to check out our list of the best pod camping trailers across five different categories.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
HC1 Studio from Happier Camper
Best Family-Friendly
TAB 400 Teardrop Camper from nuCamp RV
Budget Option
The Kestral Camping Trailer from Timberleaf Trailers
Best Overall
HC1 Studio from Happier Camper
You’ll certainly be a “happier camper” with the HCI Studio camping trailer! This pod camping trailer has an inside width of 6’6” and height of 6’1”, and it includes a queen-sized bed, a bathroom, and a kitchenette; all of which are perfect for solo travelers or couples.
This camping trailer has a dry weight of about 1,800 lbs., which is towable by many four-door cars. The camper’s interior can be configured at a moment’s notice to suit the user’s ongoing needs. Adjust the queen-sized bed to a dining area or the perfect lounge space in just minutes!
Ready for going off-the-grid, this pod camping trailer has access to solar power, water, and heat. Its propane-powered air- and water-combination heater will keep you warm on cooler nights. Use the propane-powered kitchenette to cook your meals inside using the cooktop and drawer refrigerator. And when it’s time to clean the dishes, there’s a separate sink for this very purpose.
This camping trailer has a 17-gallon freshwater and a 17-gallon gray-water tank. Another great feature, it also has a dry-flush toilet and shower in the unit. Dry-flush toilets don’t use plumbing or require the maintenance and cleanup of blackwater tanks. Simply use the dry-flush toilet and dispose of the accompanying waste bags. When it’s time for a heated shower, place the dry-flush toilet outside the bathroom.
Pros
- Includes a dry-flush toilet; no sanitizing, dumping, or maintenance required
- Offers solar power, water, and heat
- Has a complete kitchenette with cooktop burners, a drawer refrigerator, and a sink
Cons
- Not suitable for taller users; inside height is 6’1”
- To bathe, users must place the modular toilet outside of the bathroom
Best Family-Friendly
TAB 400 Teardrop Camper from nuCamp RV
Looking for a pod camping trailer that can accommodate the whole family? Well, you’re in luck with the TAB 400 Teardrop Camper from nuCamp RV! This trailer has a roomy interior height of nearly 6’6” and enough room to sleep up to four people!
This pod camping trailer has a dry weight of about 2,840 lbs., which can be towed by most midsize SUVs. The camping trailer offers plenty of storage space, which you’ll need if you’re traveling as a family. Prepared for rugged terrain, it also has a pitched axle for more ground clearance.
The living space includes a kitchenette with a two-burner glass-top stove, a roomy fridge, a stainless-steel sink, and deluxe Amish-made cabinetry. Enjoy meals at the adjustable table, which converts into a second sleeping area with fold-down bunk beds. The main sleeping area includes a standard queen-sized bed.
This easy-living camping trailer also has a 25-gallon freshwater tank to accommodate a bathroom and external shower. If you’re in need of a cool-down after a hot day, make use of the power roof fan and screen/shade system. It also comes complete with a heating system, roof-mounted solar power, and a Bluetooth media center with a 24” TV.
Pros
- Has room to sleep up to four people; includes a fold-down bunk bed
- Includes a bath and shower
- Has a propane-powered water heater
Cons
- No outside storage
- Moderate price point
- Not ideal for extreme weather conditions
Most Budget-Friendly
The Kestral Camping Trailer from Timberleaf Trailers
The Kestral Camping Trailer from Timberleaf Trailers is the most competitively-priced pod camping trailer on our list, and it’s also perfectly designed for the minimalist traveler. This trailer, which features a 4’5” long by 7’5” wide frame, isn’t tall enough to stand in, but it has a dry weight of 860 lbs., which means that it’s towable by most compact cars.
This ultra-lightweight teardrop trailer has two doors, two windows, a roof vent, and a 6” thick double-size mattress that comfortably sleeps two people. It’s protected by an over-built, fully-welded and powder-coated 11-gauge steel frame with enamel-baked aluminum sides.
This camper trailer is designed to offer the most available cabin storage possible while also maximizing open space. The sleeping area is illuminated by three battery-powered warm white LED lights, two reading lamps at the head of the bed, and a dome lamp toward the foot of the bed.
This trailer is a true pod camping trailer, and doesn’t have a kitchenette, galley kitchen, bathroom, shower, heater, or access to plumbing. It’s described by Timberleaf Trailers as being more nimble and without all the bells and whistles of a larger trailer, but still containing enough amenities for on-the-road comfort.
Pros
- Towable by most compact cars
- Features a double-size mattress that comfortably sleeps two
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Does not have a rear-access hatch, galley, built-in power, skylight, or fan
Best for Rugged Use and Off-Roading
TOPO2 Teardrop Trailer from Escapod
If you’re someone who likes to take a walk on the wild side–the wild side of the wilderness, that is–then the TOPO2 Teardrop Trailer from Escapod is for you. Built to last, this pod camping trailer arrives with virtually no setup required and is ready to ride over uneven, rugged terrain.
The exterior of this camping trailer is made from a single-piece composite fiberglass body with a unique PET core fashioned from recycled milk cartons. It has molded rain gutters to direct water away from the hatch and side doors. With a dry weight of nearly 2,000 lbs., this pod camping trailer is towable by most midsize SUVs.
The cabin space fits a queen-sized bed and 6” memory foam mattress. Sit comfortably against the bed’s angled headboard with 42.5” of headroom, and gaze out the 2.5’ long by 5’ wide stargazer window. The galley of this pod camping trailer has a full outdoor kitchen with an additional 7.5-cubic-feet of cabinet storage space. It includes a full-size sink, a two-burner cooktop stove, a hidden knife storage cabinet and spice drawer, and space to fit a standard YETI 75 cooler. The exterior also includes access to an outdoor shower.
This pod camping trailer offers 44” of interior headroom with a 70.5” interior width. Its interior is also temperature-controlled via forced-air heating ducts and a standard four-speed exhaust fan. A water tank provides a usable capacity of 21 gallons of water and can be accessed year-round.
Pros
- Includes a cabin space, a kitchenette galley space, and an outdoor shower
- Eco-friendlier design; features a PET core made from recycled milk cartons
- Built for rugged, outdoor use on uneven terrain
Cons
- Higher price point
- Does not include a toilet
Most Compact
My Pod from Little Guy Trailers
The most close-packed camping trailer pod to round out our list is My Pod from Little Guy Trailers. Handmade in Somerset, Pennsylvania, this camping trailer has a 5’ tall and 37” wide interior. With a dry weight of 840 lbs., it’s ultra-lightweight and easily towable by most small town cars. It’s even towable by some touring bikes and trikes!
The interior shell is covered with carpet to deaden sound and provide insulation. This is a fair-weather camping trailer, as it doesn’t have a propane system or heater. However, it does have a 30-amp connection and a 100V electric plug, so you may bring a small electric heater on board. There is also a platform on the tongue if you wish to bring a small generator.
This pod camping trailer comfortably fits a double-size bed with a 52” x 76” mattress. The mattress folds in half so you can sit on it during the day and convert it back to a bed at night. You can enjoy a cool space with installed air-conditioning, and watch movies on the built-in entertainment system.
Available in white, silver, black, blue, or red, this camping trailer offers an optional add-on screen room, which is especially made for Little Guy trailers. The screen room tents feature a sewn-in floor with a form-fitted cloth wheel cover and rain fly.
Pros
- Handmade in the USA
- Compact; can be easily towed by small vehicles
- Competitive price point
Cons
- No standing room
- No water storage or plumbing on board
- No propane use; better suited as a mild-weather trailer
Pod Camping Trailer Buyer’s Guide
Selecting the perfect pod camping trailer for you, and possibly also for your travel buddy and family, is a decision that should hinge on a few different factors. With the price of camping trailers varying greatly, price point is likely a part of your decision-making. However, there are a few other areas that you should consider as well.
Layout
When considering a pod camping trailer, one of the first decisions to make is what the camper should include. Some travelers prefer a pod camping trailer with only enough space for a bed and minimal storage to ensure a simple on-the-road experience. Others prefer to have a galley kitchen to make food prep easy, especially when off-roading. And others may prefer to have the kitchen enclosed within the camping trailer, along with a wet bath.
The layout of the camping trailer you choose should accommodate your needs as a traveler, and as an individual or family. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable or desperately in need of more space when you’re far from home.
Amenities
There is an expansive list of amenities that pod camping trailers can offer. Some include a wet bath, while others feature an outdoor shower and a modular toilet, and still others have space for neither. Some camping trailers have built-in propane heat and air-conditioning, while some only have fans. Others have on-board entertainment systems while others offer a skylight for gazing at the night’s sky.
Again, the amenities that best suit your personal preference should be considered when making this long-term investment in fun and adventure.
Construction
The construction of your chosen camping trailer should be contingent on the type of traveler you are. For instance, if you plan to visit local campgrounds and such, then you won’t need a camping trailer that’s built to withstand rugged terrain.
Also worthy of consideration is the type of weather conditions that you’ll be traveling in. If you typically travel in mild-weather climates, then temperature-control amenities aren’t as much of a necessity. This differs if you’re partial to traveling in high-heat or cold, wintry environments. The construction of your pod camping trailer should be built for the climate that it’ll be used in.
Wrapping Up on the Best Pod Camping Trailers
Investing in a pod camping trailer will provide you and your travel buddy or family with the opportunity to explore the Great Outdoors in a way that you haven’t before. With trailers like the HC1 Studio from Happier Camper, you can explore new local and faraway sights without having to worry about finding lodging or other accommodations. Consider your pod camping trailer as your newest ticket to freedom!
Need ideas for places to go in your new pod camping trailer? Visit our RV Camping page for more blog posts on best RV camping destinations.