A camper trailer is a towable camper: you hitch it to a car or pickup, park it at a campsite and sleep, cook and store gear inside. It suits people who already own a suitable tow vehicle, or who want a campsite base they can leave while they explore. In the US, hire typically runs from about $60 a night for a small pop-up or teardrop to around $225 for a larger travel trailer, and the same idea is often called a camping trailer.
| What it is | A towable camper, or a camper that sits on a pickup (truck camper) |
|---|---|
| Typical length | About 4 m (13 ft) for a teardrop to 9 m (30 ft) or more for a large travel trailer |
| Typical weight | Roughly 450 kg (1,000 lb) to well over 3,000 kg (6,600 lb), depending on type |
| Sleeps | 2 for a teardrop, up to 8 or more in a large trailer |
| Tow vehicle needed | Yes, except truck campers, which need a pickup with enough payload |
| Typical hire price (US) | Pop-ups and teardrops about $60 to $130 a night; travel trailers about $75 to $225 a night |
| Best for | Campsite-based trips, families, and anyone with a tow vehicle who does not want to buy a camper |
The types of camper trailer compared
"Camper trailer" covers several different vehicles. In Australia it often means an off-road trailer with a fold-out tent. In North America it is a general term for anything towed that you can sleep in. The table below sets out the main types.
| Type | How it attaches | Typical weight | Sleeps | Setup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel trailer | Ball hitch on the back of a car, SUV or pickup | About 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) to over 4,500 kg (10,000 lb) | 2 to 8+ | Park, level, stabilise, connect hook-ups; about 15 to 30 minutes | Families, longer stays, home comforts |
| Teardrop camper | Ball hitch; light enough for many smaller vehicles | About 450 to 900 kg (1,000 to 2,000 lb) | 2 to 3 | Very quick; open the hatch for the outdoor kitchen | Couples, solo travellers, small cars |
| Pop-up camper | Ball hitch; folds low for towing | About 600 to 1,500 kg (1,300 to 3,300 lb) | 4 to 8 | Crank up the roof, pull out bed ends; about 15 to 30 minutes | Budget family camping, easy storage |
| Truck camper | Slides into the bed of a pickup; no trailer to tow | About 600 to 1,800 kg (1,300 to 4,000 lb) or more, all carried as payload | 2 to 6 | Fast once loaded; park and level | Off-road tracks, tight sites, easy reversing |
| Fifth wheel | Special hitch fixed in the bed of a heavy-duty pickup | Often 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) or more | 4 to 8+ | Similar to a travel trailer | Long stays, large families |
| Hybrid | Ball hitch | Often lighter than a similar-sized travel trailer | 4 to 8 | Fold out tent-style bunk ends | Extra beds without extra towing weight |
Weights are typical ranges across the category, not specs for any one model. The weight on the listing and the plate on the trailer are the figures that count. Fifth wheels and hybrids are built and hired much like travel trailers, so that page is the place to start for both.
How to choose the right camper trailer
Start with what you can tow, then work back to what you want to sleep in.
- Your tow vehicle. Check its rated towing capacity in the handbook, specification sheet or VIN plate. Keep the loaded trailer well inside that figure.
- Your group. Two people with a small car point to a teardrop. A family of four usually needs a pop-up or a travel trailer.
- Your itinerary. One campsite for a week suits a big trailer. Moving every night favours something light that sets up in minutes.
- Your roads. Narrow lanes, forest tracks and tight pitches suit smaller units, or a truck camper if you already have the pickup.
- Weather. Hard-sided trailers cope with cold and wind better than canvas pop-ups.
Towing basics
You do not need to be an expert, but you do need to know the limits before you collect.
- In the UK, since 16 December 2021 drivers with a standard car (category B) licence can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass. The towing vehicle's own limit, the combined weight and the noseweight still apply. A trailer that weighs over 750 kg when loaded must have its own working brakes. The speed limit when towing is 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways, and you must not use the right-hand (outside) lane of a motorway with three or more lanes. See GOV.UK: towing with a car and GOV.UK speed limits.
- In the US and Canada, most rental trailers need no special licence, but rules vary by state or province. The tow vehicle's rated capacity, the right hitch class and, for heavier trailers, a brake controller all matter.
- Everywhere, check the noseweight (the downward load on the hitch ball), a working tow-bar socket for lights, and the mirrors. A first reverse is easier in an empty car park than at a campsite. Driving a campervan for the first time has more general tips, and licence rules for campervans covers the motorhome side.
Camper trailer or motorhome?
A trailer lets you unhitch and use your car for day trips, and it usually costs less per night than an RV. You supply the tow vehicle, though, and you have to manage the hitch, the reversing and the extra length. A motorhome or camper van is all in one, which suits shorter stops and travellers who do not own a tow vehicle. See RV rental, Class B and Class C options, or the difference between Class A, B and C motorhomes.
Is a camper trailer right for you?
Pros
- Cheaper per night than most motorhomes and RVs.
- Leave it at the campsite and drive your own vehicle.
- Wide choice, from a tiny teardrop to a family trailer.
- Some owners will deliver and set up at the site.
Cons
- You need a suitable tow vehicle, and to know its limits.
- Towing and reversing take practice.
- Fuel use rises, and some roads and campsites restrict longer rigs.
- Choice is widest in North America and Australia; fewer are listed in the UK.
How hire works
- Search by location and dates and filter by trailer type.
- Read the listing: is delivery offered, is the hitch included, what tow vehicle does the owner require, and what is the cancellation policy?
- Book through our partner Outdoorsy. Insurance and payment protection come with every booking, and 24/7 roadside assistance is optional. See what insurance you need.
- Collect it, or have it delivered. In the US, delivery and setup for a local trip often costs about $150 to $300, and more further afield.
For regional detail, see the USA, Canada and Australia guides, plus RV parks and what it costs to rent an RV.
Frequently asked questions
Is a camping trailer the same as a camper trailer?
Yes, the terms are used interchangeably. Some people also say caravan (UK and Australia) or travel trailer (North America) for the larger hard-sided kind.
What is the least expensive type of camper trailer to hire?
Pop-ups and teardrops, at around $60 to $130 a night in the US. Travel trailers run about $75 to $225 depending on size. Prices vary by season and location.
Can I tow a camper trailer with my own car?
Often, if the loaded trailer is within your car's rated towing capacity and it has a tow bar or hitch. Teardrops and small pop-ups suit more cars than a travel trailer does.
Do I need a special licence?
In the UK a standard car licence covers trailers up to 3,500 kg MAM, subject to your vehicle's limits. In most US states no special licence is needed for typical rental trailers, but rules vary.
Do owners deliver the trailer?
Many in the US do, and set it up at the campsite for a fee. Check the listing for delivery distance and cost.
Find one for your dates: search trailers and campers near you.