I never thought I’d say it. After 8 years of weekend adventures, solo trips, and over 80 campsites in my small camper — the question finally came up: am I outgrowing it?
If you’ve ever wondered whether your small camping trailer is still the right fit as your trips get longer and your camping style evolves, you’re in the right place. This post breaks down exactly what’s changed for my husband and me, what still works, and how to decide if it’s time to upgrade your small travel trailer.
Why We Bought a Small Camper in the First Place
When my husband Tom and I bought our small camping trailer, we were complete beginners. We’d never camped before. We just wanted the freedom to leave on a Friday afternoon and actually go somewhere — without the stress of managing a massive rig.
Our priorities at the time were simple: easy to tow, easy to park, and easy to store. A small travel trailer checked every single box. And honestly? It was the perfect choice for where we were in life.
Here’s what we loved most about going small:
- Fits in almost any campsite — including tight national park spots
- Easy for solo camping (a game-changer I never expected to love)
- Lower fuel costs and maintenance compared to a large travel trailer
- Cheaper to store than full-size camping trailers
- Has a bathroom — small but essential, especially overnight
8 Years and 80+ Campsites Later: What’s Changed
Here’s the thing nobody tells you when you buy your first small camper: how you camp doesn’t stay the same.
We started as weekend warriors. Short trips, always moving, always exploring. The small travel trailer was perfect for that rhythm. But over time, we started staying longer. We discovered boondocking. We fell in love with off-grid camping in remote spots away from crowded campgrounds.
And that’s when the small camper started showing its limits.
Tank Size Becomes Critical on Longer Trips
When you’re weekend camping, tank sizes barely matter. But when you’re staying 5, 7, or 10 days at a stretch — especially off-grid — the black tank becomes the clock that runs your trip. Out of 80+ campsites, I can count on one hand how many had sewer hookups. With two of us, we typically get 3–4 days before we need to find a dump station. That’s fine for a short trip. It starts to feel limiting on a longer adventure.
Rainy Day Reality: Interior Space Matters More Than You Think
When you’re hiking and exploring every day, you barely notice how small your camping trailer is. But spend two rainy days inside with another person, and a few extra feet starts sounding very, very nice. This was probably the biggest surprise for us.
The Bedroom Situation (aka the Crawl-Over Problem)
Our small camper has a full queen-size bed — and we love that. But the layout means one person has to crawl over the other to get out. It’s fine for a night or two. After several weeks of this on a longer trip? Not so charming. A small travel trailer in the 18–22 ft range often solves this with better bedroom configurations.
What Still Makes a Small Camper Worth It
Before you think we’re ready to trade up to a 35-foot fifth wheel — we’re not. The things that made us choose a small camping trailer in the first place still matter a lot to us.
We still want the flexibility to fit into any campground. We still want manageable towing. We still value the lower costs of a smaller rig. And honestly, some of our best memories were made in this little camper. It wasn’t a compromise — it was exactly right for a long time.
If you’re a weekend camper, or someone just getting started, a small travel trailer is still one of the smartest choices you can make. The flexibility, affordability, and ease of use are genuinely hard to beat.
So, Are We Upgrading? Here’s Where We’re At
We’ve started exploring what a few extra feet would actually feel like — something in that 18–22 ft sweet spot. Big enough to give us more living space and better tank capacity for off-grid camping. Small enough to still fit in most campgrounds and stay easy to tow.
We’re not rushing anything. But with some big lifestyle changes ahead, we’re asking the right questions now:
- What size camper do you actually need for longer trips?
- Can you go bigger without losing the flexibility that makes small campers great?
- Is it worth upgrading your small camping trailer — or do you regret it?
Thinking About Buying a Small Travel Trailer? Avoid These Mistakes First
Whether you’re buying your first small camper or considering an upgrade, the buying process is full of costly traps. In our related video, we cover the biggest mistakes people make when buying a small camping trailer — so you don’t have to learn them the hard way. Watch it before you sign anything.
