Entering the gates at the Tampa Fairgrounds, home of the Florida Trade Association RV Super Show, was overwhelming. RVs covered the entire facility.
The show had everything from multi-million dollar luxury motorcoaches to tiny truck campers.
I was, however, on a mission to discover the five best tiny travel trailers with bathrooms and under 3,500lbs.
Here’s what I found.
2024 NuCamp Barefoot
The NuCamp Barefoot Travel Trailer is a remarkable blend of nostalgia and modern functionality, designed for the adventurous soul who craves a touch of retro charm. With its fiberglass body, the Barefoot stands out as a lightweight, durable companion for road-trippers and camping enthusiasts.
Compact Design Meets Efficiency
Weighing in at a modest 2,135 lbs, the Barefoot is an easy tow for a range of vehicles, making it an accessible choice for both seasoned and novice travelers. Its 16’7″ length perfectly balances spacious comfort and compact mobility.
Generous Water Capacity for Extended Adventures
One of the Barefoot’s standout features is its water storage capabilities. With a 26-gallon fresh water tank, it ensures that travelers can venture off-grid without worrying about running out of water. The 17-gallon grey water and 5-gallon black water tanks are thoughtfully sized, considering the trailer’s overall compact footprint, offering a practical solution for waste management during longer trips.
Retro Aesthetics with Modern Amenities
The NuCamp Barefoot doesn’t just perform well; it looks good doing it. Its fiberglass body is sturdy, weather-resistant, and exudes a classic charm reminiscent of vintage trailers. However, don’t be fooled by its retro look—the Barefoot is equipped with contemporary features that ensure a comfortable and convenient experience.
Airstream Basecamp REI Co-op
The Airstream Basecamp & REI collaboration represents a fusion of two iconic American brands, combining Airstream’s timeless aesthetic with REI’s renowned rugged outdoor features. This travel trailer is a dream come true for enthusiasts of stylish design and outdoor adventures.
Elegant Design with Robust Features
Weighing 3,500 lbs and measuring 20’2″ in length, this travel trailer is a testament to Airstream’s legacy of sleek, aerodynamic design and REI’s commitment to durability. It’s an ideal size for families or groups of friends, providing ample space without sacrificing ease of mobility.
Water Capacity for the Long Haul
With a 23-gallon fresh water tank, 28-gallon grey water tank, and a surprisingly large 21-gallon black water tank, the Airstream Basecamp & REI trailer is prepared for extended journeys off the beaten path. These capacities ensure that travelers can enjoy the wilderness for extended periods without frequent water management.
Travel Lite Rove Lite 14FL
The Travel Lite Rove Lite 14FL travel trailer presents a fantastic entry point for new campers eager to experience the joys and simplicity of tiny trailer life. This model is specifically designed to offer the essentials of comfortable camping without the complexity or cost of fancier, more aesthetic units with high-technology features.
Lightweight and Easy to Maneuver
With a dry weight of just 2,072 lbs and a length of 16’6″, the Rove Lite 14FL is remarkably easy to tow, even for those who are new to the world of trailers. Its compact size makes it ideal for navigating through tighter spaces, perfect for exploring a variety of campgrounds and remote locations.
Water Capacity Tailored for Short Trips
The water storage in the Rove Lite 14FL is thoughtfully designed for short trips. It features a 10-gallon fresh water tank, complementing the trailer’s minimalistic approach. Interestingly, it has a generous 30-gallon grey water tank and a 5-gallon black water tank, balancing the need for waste storage with the simplicity of shorter camping experiences.
A Gateway to Tiny Trailer Adventures
As an entry-level unit, the Rove Lite 14FL is perfect for those who are just starting out in the camping world. It allows new campers to get a taste of tiny trailer life, providing enough comfort and amenities to make the experience enjoyable without overwhelming novices with too many features or a hefty price tag.
Little Guy Mini Max
The Little Guy Mini Max Trailer is not just a travel trailer; it’s a statement on wheels. Perfect for those who believe that the best things in life come in small packages, the Mini Max is a blend of quirky charm and practical design.
Compact and Hip: A Traveler’s Delight
With a dry weight of 2,400 lbs and measuring a cozy 17 feet in length, this trailer is a breeze to tow, making it a favorite among solo adventurers and couples alike. What sets the Mini Max apart is its hip exterior graphics, sure to turn heads at every campground and rest stop.
Sky’s the Limit with Rooftop Windows
One of the most captivating features of the Mini Max is its large rooftop windows. Perfect for stargazing or simply basking in natural light, these windows bring a bit of the outside world into your cozy interior, ensuring you never feel cramped.
Water Capacity: Ready for Adventure
The Mini Max is equipped for the long haul with a 20-gallon fresh water tank, a 30-gallon grey water tank, and a 9-gallon black water tank. This means more time exploring the great outdoors and less time worrying about water logistics.
Sol Rover
Introducing the Sol Rover, a travel trailer that’s not just a means to explore the great outdoors, but a bold statement of style and modernity. Think of it as the James Bond of travel trailers: sleek, sophisticated, and always ready for an adventure.
A Window to the World
One of the most striking features of the Sol Rover is its enormous front window, reminiscent of the classic Airstream design. This window doesn’t just let in light; it invites the entire landscape in, providing panoramic views that turn every moment inside the trailer into a scenic experience.
Sleek on the Outside, Party on the Inside
Weighing in at 3,370 lbs and stretching to 19 feet, the Sol Rover strikes a perfect balance between ease of towing and spacious comfort. But the real party begins inside. The interior boasts a modern aesthetic, complete with funky accent lighting that can shift from ‘cozy evening’ to ‘disco night’ at the flick of a switch.
Hydration Station on Wheels
With a 28-gallon fresh water tank and a whopping 32-gallon black water tank, the Sol Rover is prepared for the long haul. The absence of a grey water tank is a bold move, reminiscent of a rebel without a cause, adding to its unique character.
The Tiny Trailer Tampa RV Show Round-Up
As we wrap up our tour of the 2024 Florida RV Super Show, it’s clear that the world of tiny travel trailers is more vibrant and diverse than ever. Each of the five models we explored – the NuCamp Barefoot, Airstream Basecamp REI Co-op, Travel Lite Rove Lite 14FL, Little Guy Mini Max, and Sol Rover – stands out for its unique blend of style, functionality, and comfort, all under the 3,500-pound weight limit.
The NuCamp Barefoot charmed us with its retro aesthetics and fiberglass body, proving that classic styles can still hold their own in modern times. The Airstream Basecamp REI Co-op, a result of a collaboration between two iconic brands, brought a rugged yet refined edge to the show, resonating with both outdoor enthusiasts and design aficionados.
For those new to the RV world, the Travel Lite Rove Lite 14FL emerged as an ideal entry-level option, demonstrating that starting small doesn’t mean compromising on quality or experience. The Little Guy Mini Max, with its hip exterior graphics and large rooftop windows, was a testament to how compact trailers can pack a big personality.
Finally, the Sol Rover dazzled with its huge front window and funky interior lighting, blending modern comforts with a touch of flair, perfect for the stylish adventurer.
As we leave the sunlit avenues of the Florida RV Super Show, it’s evident that the appeal of tiny travel trailers lies in their ability to offer freedom, flexibility, and fun, all in a compact package. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a curious newcomer, these trailers provide a gateway to countless adventures without the bulk and hassle of larger units.
The world of tiny trailers is indeed evolving, and these five models are leading the charge, each offering a unique take on what it means to travel light and live large. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and remember: great adventures often come in small, towable packages.
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