Interested in buying an RV that doesn’t require a heavy-duty tow vehicle?
Tiny RVs are ideal for first-time RV buyers. They’re great for weekend getaways but can also handle long-distance trips because they’re more fuel-efficient to tow.
Teardrop campers have long been one of the most popular types of small campers. But in recent years, manufacturers have innovated beyond that design style, prompting us to look more closely at some of the best tiny RVs that aren’t teardrops.
Why Are Tiny RVs So Popular?
We have several theories why people prefer tiny RVs:
- They’re easier to tow with a wider variety of vehicles.
- They’re easier to store – some even fit inside a garage.
- They’re more affordable.
- They’re easier to drive and navigate than larger luxury RVs.
- They’re just stinkin’ cute!
The truth probably lies somewhere in a combination of these theories, but the tiny RV craze isn’t going anywhere. So let’s look at our favorite tiny campers that can’t call themselves teardrops.
Tiny RVs that Aren’t Teardrops
Coleman Rubicon 1200RK
RV Specs
- Length: 13’5”
- Dry Weight: 1,682 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
The Coleman Rubicon 1200RK is a rear kitchen towable designed to handle off-grid adventure. The interior has an electric fireplace that warms up the space surprisingly well. Just ask Kody and Kyler McCormick, brothers who experienced the 1200RK for the first time on a trip to the northwesternmost point of the contiguous US.
Ample ground clearance and rugged all-terrain tires give the Rubicon its off-roading ability. And at the end of your trip, this camping trailer is small enough to fit inside most residential garages, keeping it protected from the elements until your next excursion.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Rubicon 1200RK tiny RVs.
Coleman Rubicon 1400BH
RV Specs
- Length: 1511”
- Dry Weight: 1,908 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
Coleman’s Rubicon 1400BH tiny trailer boasts the same rugged off-roading features as the 1200RK, but this one has more space inside. The bunk width is minimal but wide enough to accommodate small children or furry road trip companions.
In the rear kitchen, you still get a mini fridge, a sink with a high-rise faucet, and a griddle that pulls out and mounts to the side for your cooking needs. As an added bonus, this model has two doors for his-and-hers entryways.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Rubicon 1400BH tiny campers.
Happier Camper HC1 Studio Special
RV Specs
- Length: 13’5”
- Dry Weight: 1,800 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
Happier Camper is known for its Adaptiv® System, a modular design that allows for complete customization of the RV’s interior. With their Studio Special model, they update the exterior paint job and made a few important improvements inside.
The major addition is a dedicated room for your portable RV toilet. Although this model doesn’t boast a black water holding tank, it has a built-in bathroom with a dry flush toilet and a shower fixture.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Happier Campers.
Airstream Basecamp 16
RV Specs
- Length: 16’2”
- Dry Weight: 2,650 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
Go farther and camp in style with the Airstream Basecamp 16. Airstream shrank its iconic aluminum look into a compact trailer that gives you the ability to roam from the mountains to the beaches with ease.
The rear hatch provides an additional entry/exit point, but its real benefit is allowing you to open and enjoy a beautiful view as you sip your morning coffee. Plus, a 12,000-BTU ducted furnace system keeps this tiny RV warm and cozy if your ideal base camp is at the foot of the ski hill.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Airstream Basecamp tiny RVs.
Airstream Caravel 16RB
RV Specs
- Length: 16’5”
- Dry Weight: 3,500 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
If you’re into a stylish yet classic look, search no further than the Airstream Caravel 16RB tiny camping trailer. This revival of an original Airstream model features a modernized interior with high-end amenities like a stainless steel gas cooktop with cast iron burners and temperature-resistant Ultraleather® seating.
The 16RB boasts a European-style wet bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. As an added bonus, the showerhead can stretch out the pass-through bathroom window to help you rinse feet, pets, paddleboards, or anything else you don’t want to wash inside.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Airstream Caravel campers.
Winnebago HIKE 100
RV Specs
- Length: 15’11”
- Dry Weight: Up to 3,284 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4
The Winnebago HIKE 100 is available in five distinct floorplans, with sleeping capacity and dry weight varying slightly between each. All are designed with the outdoor adventurer in mind, boasting plenty of storage for your gear, both inside and out.
A 2” hitch receiver allows you to secure a bike rack or cargo platform. At the same time, the side-mounted ladder provides easy roof access, where you can secure kayak racks or other accessories on the trailer’s roof rail system.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Winnebago HIKE 100 trailers.
Grand Design Imagine Aim 15BH
RV Specs
- Length: 19’11”
- Dry Weight: 3,560 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
Grand Design offers four floorplans for their Imagine Aim tiny RV. The 15BH is the most compact while boasting enough sleeping space for a small family. The 60” x 80” rear bed is the primary sleeping area, with a 40” x 80” flip-down bunk above it. There’s also a convertible booth dinette in the central living area.
With a 20,000-BTU furnace and a 13,500-BTU air conditioner, this compact trailer can handle extended-season camping. It also features a whopping 74-gallon gray water capacity, making it an ideal tiny RV for off-grid camping.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Rubicon 1200RK tiny RVs.
Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD
RV Specs
- Length: 14’2”
- Dry Weight: 1,587 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
Coachmen’s Clipper Express 9.0TD is an expandable tiny RV with a unique look. The rear opens at an angle to provide standing room in the kitchenette and lounge space. There’s no fridge in this model, but the countertop next to the sink has plenty of storage space underneath for an electric camping cooler like the Camco 350.
The rear entry door makes this a perfect tiny RV to back up to the beach or a mountain view. Plus, optional packages include solar prep, a 5,000-BTU air conditioner, and a 20,000-BTU furnace to keep you comfortable and extend your boondocking adventures.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Coachmen Clipper Express tiny RVs.
Forest River Rockwood Hard Side A122S
RV Specs
- Length: 18’8”
- Dry Weight: 2,120 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
The Rockwood Hard Side A122S is one of Forest River’s premier pop-up campers. The A-frame design eliminates the tent fabric on most pop-ups, replacing it with a white fiberglass exterior and an Autumn wood interior.
The kitchenette boasts a three-burner cooktop, a small sink, and a microwave, but you can opt for the Hard Side package, which features a 1.7 cubic-foot mini fridge. This tiny pop-up camper is prepped for solar and can be equipped with a filtration system to help you find clean water anywhere you camp.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Rockwood Hard Side tiny RVs.
Casita Trailers
Casita also boasts a number of tiny camping trailers that aren’t teardrops. Their models include the Spirit, Independence, Liberty, Freedom, and Heritage. Each is available in a standard or deluxe package with varying features and optional upgrades.
Shop Camping World’s inventory of Casita tiny trailers.
There are many benefits to keeping things small if you’re buying your first RV. Enjoy easier towing, better campsite selection, improved fuel economy, and many other benefits.
Explore our complete selection of tiny RVs for sale.
Which tiny RV do you want to know more about? Let us know your favorites in the comments below.
