Top 10 Campers for a Jeep Wrangler or other Mid-Size SUVs (2024)
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- Do you have a Jeep Wrangler or similar mid-sized SUV with a Tow Capacity between 3,500-5,000 lbs and are looking for a great travel trailer. In this video I present 10 of the best lightweight campers with many having full bathrooms that can be towed by a vehicle with a 3,500 tow capacity. I discuss popup campers, A-Frame Campers, teardrop trailers, and travel trailers.
Hey Folks, just got off the phone with NuCamp. In regards to the 360, the dry weight of the Tongue will be 290lbs. They have the battery in the unit, so if you put propane in the 1 tank, you're looking at about 308 lbs wet. So, should be no issue towing the new 360 with a 3,500 tow vehicle like a Wrangler.
I can’t believe you left out Scamp! Talk about a community! The Scamp 13 has a designated bed, pretty nice kitchen, and a couch or little dinette. If it comes with the bathroom set up, you have a bathroom with a flushing toilet, a shower, and a small closet. They are just over 1000 pounds, mine is in 1983 and still going strong. In my opinion, they leave Casitas in the dust!
I might have made a bad call. Casita's and Scamps are pretty similar. Casita's have a little larger beds compared to scamps so chose that campers. Thanks so much for sharing.
I have a 2011 13’ Scamp with bath and absolutely love 💕 it. Going strong and gets better every time I use it. Easy to repair and the mods I’ve made are awesome!
I used to have a 17’ Casita and sold it. I much prefer Scamp.
We own an Alto R1713. It's a 2020 & we picked it up in Canada late 2019 after a 14 month wait. We have owned every type & size of Camper over the years from another teardrop to a big 5th wheel. The R1713 is our favorite!!! Hands Down!!!
Thanks for sharing. I actually saw one in Mammoth Lakes last week.
Towing Capacity is not what you can Pull, it's what you can safely Control and most importantly STOP, and i'm glad you brought up a very important thing, some people like to tow for instance a trailer with a 950lb tongue weight, behind an F150, thats essentially 10,000lb of trailer behind a 5000ish lb pickup, doable, but not safe by any means, i'd honestly suggest look at the weight of the trailer you want to pull, find the specced out trailer you want, then find a vehicle to tow said trailer, but as you have a wrangler and like a lot of us it's likely your daily driver, your method is perfect, find a trailer that meets your needs and fits within the vehicles safety margin for towing and specifications, i don't want to see another bonehead pulling a 44' travel trailer behind an F150 squatted to the ground on the rear "because it can do it, i don't care what the door or Ford say" be safe out there y'all
Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately I see a lot of folks towing way overweight. For Wrangler owners, I tried to provide appropriate travel trailers that will provide a margin of error in regards to towing and tongue weight. Appreciate your comment Mr. Jeeper!!
Good of you to point out that you have to consider the weight of the cargo carried in the trailer. Since you go by the 80% rule I'm sure you're aware of the need to also consider payload in the tow vehicle but this is something many people don't think about. All the people, pets and cargo carried in the tow vehicle will take away from payload, which will take away from tongue weight, from Gross Combine Vehicle Weight Rating, and ultimately from tow capacity. That's why my F150 drops from over 11,000lbs ratewd towing capacity to an actual capacity under 6,000lbs.
True, for those that carry a lot of stuff in their tow vehicle, they are likely to exceed payload before exceeding their tow capacity. Lots to figure out for sure.
I have the 320S from NuCamp. It does not cost $28k, unless you are buying used. If you want more head space, they came up with the 360. However, that one is a 2 twin set up. I am 5’1” and I fit perfectly in my 320, and I love it!
Hi there, thanks for commenting. For the 28K I just did a search for new 320s's on RVtrader. Was pretty easy to find some good deals. They were new. In my video, I talked about the 360. One local dealer actually had two of them, but they got sold right away. He said the next batch will come in October. Interested in the pricing of those. They look really nice. Love the quality of the Nucamp trailers.
This is a great overview of exactly the class of campers I'm interested in - thanks!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Let me know what you decide on getting.
I’m out unless there is a toilet, shower and sink in the bathroom. Need adequate fresh water and holding tanks too.
Yeah, that's a very good point. The Rove Lite's are very nice and it's the only one with a dry bath. I just wish they could make one with a queen or twin beds.
Great video so much food for thought soooo many options thank you for doing so much research truly appreciated
Thank You so much !!
My favorite of the bunch is the Happier Camper. The lightest model is the HC1 Breeze. It comes in only at 1100 pounds starting weight. If you can stay away from the options list, and stick with the basic options to meet your needs, you can get a nice trailer for not a lot of money. The listed starting price is right at 25,000, and I have seen them on sale a few times for less. My favorite features are the rear hatch and BIG wide side opening door. It’s the only trailer on your list I can get my shoulders through the opening without having to turn sideways and scrape all the buttons off my shirt to squeeze through the mail slot size doors on the rest of the models.
I like the a-frame trailers like the A-liner, however, the entry door is just too skinny. The worst door in the lot is on the New-camp T@b teardrop.
The happier camper is really very cool. Thanks for sharing !!
I have a Sunray 109 sport with a rooftop tent so it will sleep 4.
It pulls nice behind my Gladiator on 35’s. It’s small and I have one of those popup tents for the bathroom. The camper is just to keep me dry and off the ground. I enjoy being gone all day exploring and less time in the camper. I can do that at home.
I hear that. Give me a nice comfy bed in my camper. Everything else doesn't matter that much. Cept maybe the fridge.
I absolutely love the A liner, but but when I watched you pop up the side with the roof, I thought wow he’s strong and I don’t know if I would have the strength to do that as a woman
I'm not that strong. It does help to be tall though. But there are a lot of single women camping with the ALiners. There are certain techniques you can use. Also, if you don't get the hard dormers, it's quite a bit lighter. If you're interested in ALiners, you should check out my facebook group - facebook.com/groups/aliners.out.west - lots of great folks.
See little PJ at Princess Craft put up an Aliner. It will give you a better perspective.
I would recommend a small cargo trailer for only 3k. Then you can build it however you want and save ten times the money.
Definitely an option.
Awesome idea if you have the time and skills. I've seen some really fantastic ones but I'm not sure I have the patience or skills to pull it off so well. But If you do that is a great idea.
I own a 2019 T@B 320 modified for off road. I've pulled it all over the US and on several moderate 4x4 trails. Two 6V AGM batteries and a full propane tank net a 295lb tongue weight which I counter by lifting the rear of my TV 1" higher then the front. Your correct - weight maters! Old Man Emu springs and shocks will hold up to the stress of towing better then most. YES size maters - I've seen a lot of 320's behind Wringers
Thanks for sharing !!
Thanks for sharing, great info. I have always preferred to buy used towable campers (with an inspection). Next I may just build out a cargo trailer.
Yep, another viewer mentioned that. I'd stick with getting a used one though. You can really wheel and deal and get a great price.
28k for the Aliner. Holy crap. So many other choices way less I'd personally prefer. The weight and storage capability are the high points but wow!!$$$$$
The big advantage is that it's one of the few that can fit in a garage. I got a used one and saved tons though. It's a very cool camper. Nice user community as well.
Towing capacity must include the tow vehicle cargo and passengers. People forget that plus for safety sake I only do 80% of the manufacturers rating ! Example a tow rating of 7500 lbs for me at 80 % is only 6000 lbs .I also recommend for safety sake is electric brakes , weight distribution and sway control . Overkill ?? What price do you place on your life ? Last but not least ...we have the Safari Condo Alto f2114...2500 lbs . Check it out...we love it ❤❤😂😂
Thanks for sharing. That's a common misperception (adding cargo and passengers and subtracting that from the towing capacity). The cargo and passengers affect payload. Now payload, can have an affect on towing capacity if you are over your payload limit, but otherwise they don't affect your towing capacity. Brakes are for sure mandatory for any trailer over 1K. I think for any trailer over 3K need weight distribution and sway control- especially if you don't have a full size truck.. I love the Alto stuff.. saw an R series at Mammoth Lakes last week.
There’s another company that makes A-frame rigs called Chalet and they make them in all kinds of sizes.
The one I like the most is the CL1938. It has a dry bath in the front in the dormer. It might be too heavy for you because loaded up it tops out at 3500lbs.
You should also look into hybrid trailers. They look like regular trailers but the ends pop open and open up for beds much like tent trailers.
Chalet has been out of business for a while now. I do like the idea of hybrid trailer, thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed this video. I think you need to make another, including the "Snoozy" Fiberglass camper. It is a great little camper. Uniquely made.
Thanks for sharing. See that they have both a queen and twin model.
We have a 4Runner that has a 4900 pound tow capacity. We ended up with a Intec Sol Horizon, we like the full queen and separate dinette that converts into a bed. With a wet bath, nice sized kitchen sink and an separate outside kitchen. It is a bit bigger at 19 feet than the one's in this comparison. At 3300 pounds dry and 4000 max we are within our tow rating. They do have teardrop and other smaller trailers like the Dawn that would fit within this weight range. Having aluminum frames allows more trailer with less weight. Great comparison though. So many cool trailers, research is key.
Wife & I bought a barely used 2018 InTech Flyer in 2020 for $10K cash from a private party. Loaded with camping gear, it weighs less than 2500 lbs on the road. Build is all aluminum with inside insulation. EZ pull for our 22 Toyota Tacoma Off Road 6 cyl with manual trans. It's a utility style trailer and has a rooftop AC/Heat unit + Maxx Air Fan which we use for comfortable & protected sleeping. Has battery & 30 amp connection to run frig, TV, radio. It also has a front pull-out kitchen we cover with a large roof only style tent. The rear of the trailer has the usual utility style double doors where we attach a large Iron Man tent with floor to the camper. This provides us with a large stand-up living/dining area during bad weather & also rear entry into the camper instead of the side door. We live in the Tampa area but frequently camp in the mountain areas of north GA & SC. And, it fits in our garage.
Nice, Intec makes a quality product.@@georgedreher2322
Thanks for sharing. I met someone in the campgrounds yesterday that has a bigger Intech (2 axle). They also really like it.
That's a really cool and flexible little trailer.
Usually the hitch weight capacity is 10% of the tow capacity, example: tow capacity is 3500lbs, hitch weight capacity is 350lbs! 2:30
Absolutely. Trailers though vary.. Some are more tongue heavy than others.
Safari condo one of the most expensive mini trailers. Bean 2 “bean square”, hold my beer.!!
Talk about expensive. Holly crap.. 70K for an off-road trailer. Wow.
For $28K you could almost buy a used class c & tow the Jeep.👍
True, not everyone wants that big of a rig though.
I did not know about the Happier Camper but will investigate their larger model since I tow with an F150 and can handle closer to 6,000lbs.
It's a pretty interesting unit. Thanks for sharing.
Taylor Coach in Ontario, Canada, will custom build a travel trailer for you that will weigh under 2,500 lbs, will have a wet or dry bath, AC, fresh, grey and black tanks, furnace, hot water, etc. But - there is a 2 to 3 year wait list. Used models sell within a few hours of being posted online.
Thanks, I did hear about them and contacted them to get an estimate on trailer cost and weight for my perfect trailer.
Curious as to why you didn’t consider an R-Pod. I’ve been looking at them and know some people that have them and love them; I’ve also heard they are not built well too. 🤷♀️
Even the lightest one is too heavy for my criteria.
Do you think my rubicon jeep would pull the new tab 360 trailer.
I think it still fits into your weight limits but I'm not sure
I still haven't found out the tongue weight on the 360 yet. I'm assuming you don't have a 2024 Rubicon with the 5K tow rating. The 360 is slotted right between the 320 and 400. I'm not sure why the tongue on the 400 is so high, as there is not much there. I left a message with NuCamp asking them about the tongue weight on the new 360. We'll see how their customer service is. I'll provide that on here if they reply.
@@The.Garage.Studio thank you, yes I have a 2015 jkur with 410 gears.
@@wadedog4280 I'll let you know when they get back to me.
@@wadedog4280 Looks like they have pretty good customer service. They called me back this morning. The dry tongue weight of the 360 will be about 290 lbs. The Battery is located inside the unit so will not affect tongue weight. I'd say you should be okay towing the 360 with your JKU with the 4.1 gears. I'd contact a dealer and get on the waiting list. They are selling like hotcakes!!
Ok what do you do if it is raining to set it up with out getting the inside all wet
I'm fast !!
Informative video! I am considering an A frame myself. May I ask if you have had any issues with rain, wind noise, or dust getting inside? I seems like a great option over a teardrop.
Mine has been solid. The only thing is when it's cold, it is a bit chilly inside the trailer. The furnace heats things up quick though. There is a Metal/Aluminum seam where the trailer folds, and that get's cold as well.
@@The.Garage.Studio I’m a new subscriber, thanks for the reply. Look forward to more of your videos.
Great info here thank you
You bet
Trailmanor's 2518 KB meets your listed requirements. Why not that one?
definitely an interesting concept. Lots of moving parts though.
Great job, but why not the Escape or Roulette Pro lite from Canada?
All of the Escape's I looked at had smaller beds. Hadn't hear of the Roulette pro lite, thanks for sharing.
Intech Explore toy hauler ?
Thanks for sharing. I really like the Sol, just a bit too heavy. The explore is certainly an interesting rig. Appreciate the feedback.
top 10😂😂 thats like trying to find the best smelling item it a 1 week old trash can😂😂🎉
They're not that bad.
Sorry but Wrangler is not a good tow vehicle with 3,500 capacity. A minimum should be 5,000 lbs.
I think I said that in the video. Nevertheless, folks tow with their Wrangler, including myself. I'm just trying to give folks some good choices, instead of towing a 3,500 lb rig. Thanks for your thoughts.
Plenty of us have absolutely no need for a vehicle weighing more than 5000lbs, I’ve never owned anything over 3500lbs - big enough to tow a Scamp or smaller Casita. Towing at 80mph is another thing no-one should be doing.
@@alexwilsonpottery3733 Yes sir. Absolutely right on point !!
If you want to sell the A-Liner, I’d love to chat.
Not for a couple of years. thanks though.