Just because you don’t own a ½ pickup truck doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the perks that come with a towable RV. Even the smallest RVs can now come with showers and toilets, and you can tow most of these campers with an SUV!
Don’t believe us? Check out these fantastic tiny RVs!
The smallest RV with shower and toilet.
1. iCamp Elite
The iCamp Elite is one of the lightest RVs we found with both a toilet and a shower. With a gross vehicle weight of just 2,890 pounds, most SUVs can easily tow it. Not only does this compact RV come with a toilet and shower, but it also has a fridge, oven, and dinette!
While iCamp Elite has a ton of features, it’s insanely small at just 14′. This is part of the reason it’s so light. With such a small size though, you’ll find you don’t have much space for guests.
However, it does come with an optional digital/audio system with a built-in iPod connection to play your tunes throughout the RV.
Finally, the interior height is a bit small too, at only 5’11”. While this isn’t a problem for many people, if you’re over 6′, you won’t be able to stand up straight inside!
Pros
- Outfitted with a bathroom, fridge, oven, and a dinette in addition to a shower and toilet
- Dinette converts into a large, comfortable bed
- Optional digital/audio system with iPod connection
- Lower gross vehicle weight at 2,890 pounds
Cons
- No set price – you’ll need to find a local dealer for pricing
- 5’11” interior height
2. 13′ Scamp Trailer With Front Bathroom
The 13′ Scamp Trailer comes with two different floorplans, but only one of them has a front bathroom. The other floor plan comes with extra sofa space, but we think it’s well worth the tradeoff.
It has a larger interior height of 6’2″, so most people will fit inside easily without ducking. While this is an extremely lightweight trailer with a 1,500-pound dry vehicle weight, Scamp does not list a maximum gross vehicle weight as most other manufacturers do.
Because of this, we’d recommend your vehicle has at least a 2,200-pound towing capacity. While this makes it the most lightweight trailer we found with both a shower and a toilet, it also makes it difficult to determine for certain if your vehicle can handle it.
The 13′ Scamp Trailer sleeps up to four people and has a stove, sink, and dinette area for you to enjoy. However, it does not have an oven.
Pros
- Large 6’2″ interior height
- Sleeps up to four people
- Lightweight at 1,500-pound dry vehicle weight
- Equipped with stove, sink, and dinette area
Cons
- Scamp does not list maximum gross vehicle weight
- No oven
3. Little Guy Mini Max
The Little Guy Mini Max might be a small RV, but it comes with tons of features. Not only does it have a shower and toilet, but it also has an interior height of 6′ and a design that incorporates large, spacious windows for tons of natural light.
Even better, those windows tilt out so you can get a breeze inside your RV when the weather is nice! Additionally, the rear window acts as a way to look out at the stars when you lay down for the night.
While most compact trailers have a refrigerator under two cubic feet, the Little Guy Mini Max trailer features a fridge with five cubic feet of space! This is definitely a perk in our book!
Furthermore, it comes with a glass top stove so you can make delicious meals on the go. Not only do you get a top-notch trailer with a bathroom and stovetop, but you also get a state-of-the-art entertainment system.
It comes with a 19″ television and a control panel that allows you to dim lights, change the tunes, and adjust heater controls with the touch of a button! It’s a small trailer, but it carries a mighty punch.
While it’s not lightweight by any means, it is still considered a lightweight trailer, albeit on the heavier end with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 3,500 pounds.
Pros
- Larger five cubic feet refrigerator
- Large windows provide tons of natural light
- 19″ television and entertainment control center
- 6′ interior height
Cons
- Larger camper at 3,500 pounds gross vehicle weight
4. Jayco Hummingbird
While the Jayco Hummingbird is small when it comes to weight, it’s much larger than many of the other compact RVs we looked at. The interior height is a whopping 6’6″, which makes it the tallest compact RV we reviewed.
Furthermore, it’s 16′ long. That isn’t a ton of space, but it is a few extra feet to work with. Jayco makes good use of these additional feet, incorporating a microwave, stove, sink, and television into the space.
Furthermore, they offer a pantry, linen closet, and a storage closet for a little extra storage space when you’re on the road.
Moreover, the bathroom isn’t a wet bath like many of the other designs. Instead, they have a separate shower and toilet area, making it one of the few compact trailers with a dry bath.
If the interior space isn’t enough, the Jayco Hummingbird comes with a 10′ awning, which increases your outdoor living space too!
While the Jayco Hummingbird still fits into a lightweight RV category, the maximum gross vehicle weight of 3,550 is the second biggest of all the trailers we looked at here. If you have a vehicle that can tow it, this is a great compact trailer.
Pros
- Large 6’6″ interior
- Equipped with microwave, stove, sink, and television
- Separate pantry, storage, and linen area for extra storage
- 10′ awning extends space outside
Cons
- Larger gross vehicle weight at 3,550 pounds
5. Airstream Basecamp 16′
The Airstream Basecamp 16′ is a compact trailer that feels even smaller than it really is. While all of the trailers here are compact and small, this trailer feels like it doesn’t have much space.
In reality, this can be chocked down to design. It has two large bench seating areas that take up most of the free space inside.
However, it does come with a few extra amenities in addition to the shower and toilet. It has a two-burner gas stovetop, refrigerator, and a sink.
Additionally, the Airstream Basecamp 16′ only sleeps two people, so the extra seating only has limited applications. Because it is a larger trailer, it still has a larger maximum gross vehicle weight of 3,500 pounds.
It does come with three unique features that set it apart from the pack. First, it’s prewired for solar panels if you want to upgrade. Second, it has an openable rear hatch, which allows you to quickly load and unload bulky cargo like a dirt bike or four-wheeler.
Finally, the bench seating doubles as storage space, so if you’re looking for a compact RV with tons of storage space, this is a great choice. Overall, it’s not a bad RV, but the other RVs reviewed here offer more, especially since this RV starts at 40,000 dollars.
Pros
- Equipped with a stove, microwave, fridge, and sink
- Prewired for solar panels if you want to upgrade
- Bench storage space
- Rear hatch to quickly load and unload cargo
Cons
- Similar gross vehicle weight to larger models – same weight with less space
6. Coachmen Viking Ultra-Lite
What really sets the Coachmen Viking Ultra-Lite apart from the pack is that it comes with a dry bath and a tub instead of a standup shower. This might not sound like a big deal, but if you have children you need to bathe or just need a little soak after a long day, a bath is a massive upgrade.
In addition to the bath, the Viking Ultra-Lite offers a gas stove and sink so you can make meals on the go.
Furthermore, this trailer provides tons of storage space compared to many other options. It has two bench storage areas in addition to two overhead storage areas and a separate wardrobe.
Finally, it comes with a 10′ awning for extra outdoor living space.
While this compact RV has a ton of features, it does have the heaviest maximum gross vehicle weight of all the compact trailers we looked at.
With a maximum gross vehicle weight of 3,823 pounds, it’s not like it’s a behemoth, but if you have a smaller SUV or crossover, you won’t be able to tow this trailer.
Pros
- 10′ awning for extra living space
- Tub instead of a standup shower (dry bath, not a wet bath!)
- Equipped with a stove, sink, and extra storage space
Cons
- Heavier gross vehicle weight at 3,823 pounds
Buyer’s Guide
When you’re thinking about purchasing a trailer or RV, you’re bound to have a few questions. That’s why we took the time to break down all the things you need to ask yourself as well as all the information you need to have to confidently purchase the perfect trailer!
Check Your Towing Capacity
Before you purchase any trailer, no matter how small or light, you need to check your vehicle’s towing capacity. There are three easy ways you can do this.
First, you can check the door jamb on the driver’s side of your vehicle. On the vehicle data plate, there is usually a maximum towing capacity. This is the same data plate that gives you your vehicle’s VIN.
Second, you can check your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Just make sure you check your specific model and engine size, as often the manufacturer puts out a single manual for all models.
Finally, you can try Google to find your vehicle’s towing capacity. Just be sure to use a reputable site, like the manufacturer’s site, to get your information.
As a final consideration, keep in mind the tires currently on your vehicle. If you replace them with tires that have a lower load rating or less traction, your vehicle’s towing capacity will suffer as a result.
Dry Weight vs. Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight
Just because you’ve identified the trailer or RVs dry weight doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. That’s because the dry weight is the minimum amount of weight the trailer has before you add any equipment or water.
The maximum gross vehicle weight is the maximum amount of weight the trailer or RV will weigh with all of the equipment and gear. If you’re looking for your maximum towing capacity, you want to use the maximum gross vehicle weight, not the dry weight.
Finally, even when you have the maximum gross vehicle weight, you need to add at least 10 percent to account for road variations and elevation. If you’re traveling to higher altitudes, you need to account for even more variance.
Dry Baths vs. Wet Baths
One of the most common things you’ll hear people talk about in the RV and camping world is wet baths and dry baths. But if you don’t know what these are, you won’t know which one might suit your needs best.
Fortunately, the answer is pretty straightforward. Dry baths have separate shower and toilet areas. Wet baths have a shower area that shares a space with the toilet. If you can sit on the toilet while taking a shower, it’s a wet bath, and if you can’t, it’s a dry bath!
Typically, dry baths are a little more expensive and viewed as a more luxurious option.
Identify the Features That Matter
There are tons of features on RVs and trailers. While those features are great for some people, if you never plan on using them, then it’s just a waste of money.
Before you go out shopping for an RV or trailer, identify the features you care about and which ones you’ll never use.
This will prevent you from getting suckered into features you don’t really need when you’re with a salesperson. Furthermore, it will help ensure you get all the features you actually care about and not miss out on anything important!
Don’t Skimp on Interior Height (Especially If You’re Tall!)
It might not seem like a big deal if the interior height is an inch shorter than you, but when you have to spend a day or two inside because of inclement weather, the last thing you want to deal with is never standing up straight.
Furthermore, if you don’t have enough space, you’re bound to hit your head a time or two! Prioritize a trailer that fits you, and know even some compact trailers have an interior height of 6’6″!
Is Smaller Better?
So what if you have a ½ or ¾ ton truck! That doesn’t mean you need a bigger trailer. While there are some perks to larger trailers, like extra amenities, more sleeping arrangements, and additional space overall, that doesn’t mean it’s what you need!
Small trailers offer their own list of perks, even if it’s not readily apparent. First, they’re far less taxing on your vehicle, and you’ll get much better fuel economy by towing them. This will reduce the cost of your trip, allowing you to save a few bucks and take your trailer out a little more!
Second, smaller trailers are simply easier to tow! If you’re not used to towing trailers, then a large trailer might add stress to you and your vehicle that isn’t necessary, especially if you don’t have any plans for the extra space.
Finally, compact trailers are far more affordable than their larger counterparts. This means you can opt for premium features you might not be able to afford otherwise. Identify how much space you need and what features you want.
If you can find a trailer that fits all those needs for a lower price tag, why not save a few bucks by getting the cheaper trailer. Then you can put the money you saved toward a trip of a lifetime!
Of course, if you need the extra space, a larger trailer might be worth it, but bigger isn’t always better.
Make Sure You Use It
There are tons of trailers collecting rust in driveways. When you buy a trailer, make sure you have the funds and time to use it! Plan out your trips and stick to them – they’ll be the most fun you’ll ever have.
The good news is compact trailers are far more affordable to use than other options out there, and they’re easy to take across the country for tons of memorable vacations too!
Don’t let your dreams of adventure slip to the wayside as life passes you by. Hit the open road and find the perfect adventure! With so many great compact trailers out there, there’s no reason to not adventure into the great outdoors.
Summary
Just because you have a smaller vehicle doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the great outdoors! The truth is often all you need is an SUV or a larger crossover to get the job done!
The future of trailers is getting smaller – in size – and that’s great news for those dreaming of owning their own small RV! With tons of features and a more affordable price tag, there’s never been a better time to hit the open road and explore the great outdoors at an affordable price!
