Going bicycle camping takes advantage of an open trail adventure while remaining eco-friendly. This is a great type of camping for cycling enthusiasts who want to experience more of the outdoors while out in nature. It’s also a bit cheaper than staying in a hotel.
Bike camper trailers are lightweight enough to be hauled by almost any bicycle. Many of these trailers work like a pop-up camper to provide a shelter that’s easy to take with you. This gives you the freedom to explore and hit the trails or roads.
It’s important to keep in mind that most bike campers work as rigid tents and like a traditional RV. Instead, they share many features to a teardrop trailer that a small car may tow. You’ve got space for 1 to 2 people to sleep with some space to keep your gear protected and that’s all. Here are 7 great bike camper options:
1. Wide Path Camper – Bicycle Camper
Source: Wide Path Camper
- Price: $4,290
- Weight: 88 lbs
The hardshell collapsible camper utilizes a fold-over system when not in use. You’ve got large windows, a sitting area that transforms into a bed, a nightstand, and a removable dining table are some of the standard features. This creates a space large enough to sleep two people, albeit a little tight. You can also opt for a variety of additional packages such as luxury, solar, kitchen, outdoor, and sun cover.
2. Foldavan Bicycle Caravan
Source: Wooden Widgets
- Price: $45 for DIY plans
- Weight: 66 lbs
Not too large or heavy, and not lacking in quality and still cheap to build. This unusual DIY caravan named the “foldavan” compresses to a width of just over 8 inches when stowed away. When opened for use as a camper, it expands to just over 3 feet. It takes less than 5 minutes to set up to a length of about 8 feet with plenty of room to sleep one person on the two-piece mattress. The company will plant 5 trees every time someone buys a set of plans, which earns a few peace signs for all the hippies out there. The estimated build time is 50 hours.
3. B-Turtle
Source: Gentle Tent
- Price: $3,500
- Weight: 64 lbs
This useful bicycle trailer from Gentle Tent offers the convenience of a transport trailer and camper all in one. In turtle mode, you have a trailer measuring 3.5 by 2.5 feet with a total storage capacity of 120 liters. Camping mode features an inflatable tent that sits on top of the trailer on a platform measuring 30 square feet.
The tent sleeps two people comfortably with a headroom of about 4 feet. It also features three zip-up windows as well as a zippered hatch that allows access to the trailer without needing to leave the tent. It’s popular for use with e-bikes, although any bike will work as long as you’ve got some leg drive.
4. Camper Bike
Source: Kevin Cyr
- Price: Unavailable
- Weight: Unavailable
Although this one is a one-off design by Kevin Cyr, it’s a must-include due to its unique design. The camper bike is a human-powered RV on a tricycle frame that models after a traditional truck camper. It’s a sculptural piece built in April 2008 that’s featured as a subject for many of Cyr’s paintings. While this one is not for sale, it’s an impressive structure that could be a DIY build if you’ve got some extra time on your hands with skills in engineering, architecture, and mechanics.
5. The Waterbed
Sources: Daniel Durnin, New Atlas
- Price: Unavailable
- Weight: 165 lbs
Another out of the ordinary one-off design bike camper, the waterbed designed by Daniel Durnin is also a must-include. It tows like a regular bicycle trailer until you drop it into water. The small shelter can be placed into the water by one person and secured with a dock line to keep it from drifting away. The side hatch opens to the interior which features a small side table and cushioned seating that converts into the bed. It’s designed for urban environments and waterways hailing from London, with a new way to camp on a river.
6. Nomad Bicycle Camper
Source: ElkinsDIY
- Price: $20 for DIY plans
- Weight: 60 lbs
This nomad bicycle camper made by Ekins DIY is an affordable do it yourself design. It’s also known as the $150 bike camper in the interview by Kirsten Dirksen. Elkins describes the idea as “For a little money, you can put something together, you can travel around the country. If you have a little time on your hands, tools, this doesn’t take that much time and energy to put together and you have yourself a semblance of home”. The bike camper features a round design with insulation, a small kitchen, a bed, and storage.
7. Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka
Source: Kamp-Rite
- Price: $499
- Weight: 56 lbs
Known for their popular tent cots, Kamp-Rite’s Midget Bushtrekka bike trailer pop up tent features an oversize tent cot, storage compartments, and leveling jacks. This is their all-in-one solution for distance bicycle touring. Although it may be difficult to get your hands on one of these nowadays as it seems many are out of stock, or unavailable. You may be able to contact Kamp-Rite directly to purchase one.
Conclusion
Each of these small camper trailers can be pulled behind a bike. Of course, this does depend on how much weight you feel comfortable with towing as to which camper to choose. There are many DIY or pre-built options for bicycle campers. No matter which one you pick, each is sure to offer you a more comfortable experience on your next adventure.
George Allen
Monday 5th of September 2022
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