bike travel trailer

7 Best Bike Camper Trailers

By: Author Brennan Valeski

Posted on Last updated: April 30, 2020

Categories Auto & RV , Cycling

• Pinterest 54

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

• 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.

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

Do you have anything else on bike campers please send me newsletter or anything thank you

• Travel Gear

The 18 Best Bike Trailers for Bicycle Touring

Like the clip-in vs. flat pedal debate, bike trailers are very polarising amongst cyclists. There tends to be the perception that bike trailers add a lot of weight and can be cumbersome to use. While somewhat true – when you match a trailer perfectly to your use, you may find it’s better than using panniers.

This article will look at the best bike trailer options for touring… but first, a little intro about bike trailers and trailer design.

Why Use Bike Trailers?

This is just a few reasons to ditch the panniers…

To Use A Lightweight Bike Trailers eliminate the need for heavy-duty frames, forks and wheels. This not only allows you to use lighter weight bikes and components, but permits the use of mountain, road, cyclocross and folding bikes (as touring bikes).

Carry a Hiking Pack If you’re biking and hiking, it can be awkward to carry a decent-sized hiking pack on the bike. Trailers are able to easily cradle large bags.

Carry Bulky Items Given the large single storage space of trailers, you can fit long tent poles and other bulky items into trailers.

One Drybag Instead of Four Panniers It’s often easier to cart around one bag off the bike rather than the complete suite of panniers. The Sentier Trailer/Trolley (above) even has a retractable handle and trolley wheels built-in!

Bike Trailer Design

Axle Mount The rear axle is the most common mounting location and is often the quickest for trailer installation and removal. Despite what you may be thinking, trailers put a surprisingly low-stress on bike frames. Got a 12mm rear axle? Check out any of the ‘seatpost mount’ trailers (more below), the Topeak Journey TX trailer, the Burley Coho XC trailer, and the aftermarket axles from  The Robert Axle Project  for BOB trailers.

Seatpost Mount The key advantage of seatpost mounting trailers are that they offer a tighter turning circle as they pivot closer to the front of the bike. The disadvantage is that the rear wheel cuts corners when you turn, so it’s impractical on off-road trails.

Single Wheel vs. Two Wheel You’ll notice that most bicycle touring trailers listed are single wheel. This is because they are generally narrower, lighter, have a lower rolling resistance, are more manoeuvrable (as they lean with the bike), have one less wheel to puncture and can better avoid potholes. Two wheel trailers tend to be better for around town as they’re easier to load and are more stable at low speeds.

Foldable Some trailers have been designed to fold into a small package so that you can pack them away into a bike box with your bike.

One of the reasons people avoid trailers is due to their weight. But you may find that the true weight difference is quite negligible.

For example:

Ortlieb F+R 65 litre Pannier set – 3500g Tubus F+R Steel Rack set – 1000g Total = 4500g

Free Parable 75 Litre Drybag – 1200g Free Parable T2 Trailer – 3600g Total = 4800g

When comparing like-for-like in terms of storage and waterproofing, there’s no doubt that trailers add a bit of weight. But it’s probably not as much as you’d think: it can be as little as +300g over a set of racks and panniers. To put this weight into perspective, I’ve determined that a kilogram is worth no more than a few seconds on a hilly day of bicycle touring.

Criteria for the Best Bike Trailers For Touring

Under 10kg / 22lb You already lug around enough weight when you’re bicycle touring. I’ve capped the trailer weight to 10kg because the below trailers have an adequate carrying capacity of 30kg+.

Reputation Almost all of the below trailers have been tested extensively by bicycle tourers around the world. I’m happy to add other options if enough people have firsthand experience with other bike trailers.

Ok, let’s take a look at the best bike trailers for bicycle touring.

Adventure CT1

Adventure Outdoor Co. make this single wheel bike trailer which can fold flat for storage or plane travel. The rather affordable CT1 is supplied with a large drybag and flag to get you on the road without fuss. A recommendation by users is that the low-quality rear tyre is replaced for something a bit harder wearing.

Weight – 6.5kg / 14.3lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – £249

Aevon KIT L80

Aevon are well-known in Europe for producing some of the best bike touring trailers. The KIT L80 is their lightweight option which can actually fold quite flat given the lack of frame; great news for those who travel with planes. All of the Aevon trailers use a seatpost mount making them quite manoeuvrable as they pivot from a mid-point on the bike. Up the back is an adjustable air shock to dampen vibrations on rougher surfaces.

You can read my review of this trailer HERE and watch me ride 2500km across Japan with it HERE .

Weight – 5.5kg / 12.1lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – 755€

Aevon STD 100

The STD 100 is the biggest and most heavy-duty Aevon trailer option.  It can carry an additional 20 litres and 10 kilograms over the KIT L80 and still incorporates the shock for off-road use. With the STD 100, there’s also a more substantial side frame for additional drybag support.

Weight – 7.0kg / 15.4lb Capacity – 45kg / 99lb Price – 695€

Aevon UNO 100

The UNO is the low-cost Aevon model designed for road-only use. The UNO omits the rear shock which generally isn’t necessary on smooth surfaces. This model will still carry the same 100 litre drybag as the STD.

Weight – 7.0kg / 15.4lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – 355€

BOB Ibex Bike Trailers

BOB bike trailers have got to be the most popular option for bicycle touring due to their relatively low cost and good build quality. The Ibex model employs a coil shock to reduce vibrations and make it more suitable for off-road use. All BOB trailers use axle mounts to make connecting and disconnecting a breeze.

Weight – 7.7kg / 17.0lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $409 ( Amazon Special US $318 )

BOB Yak Bike Trailers

The BOB Yak is the most affordable model in the BOB trailer range. The side frames do a good job of supporting the big BOB drybag and up the back is a tight fitting fender to keep everything clean.

Weight – 6.1kg / 13.4lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $329 ( Amazon Special $303 )

Burley Coho XC

Fresh from receiving a 2018 Eurobike Design Award, the Coho XC is one of the most versatile trailers in this list. For the off-road riders, the trailer will fit a fat 16 x 3.0″ wide rear tyre, and it has a coil rear shock which should help on the rougher trails. A handle at the front of the trailer has been built with a neat release button for removing the Coho quickly and easily from your bike’s rear axle. A feature uncommon on most single wheel trailers is the built-in double leg stand which is actually stable enough to hold your bike up too. In addition, the Coho XC ‘folds’; you can pack the trailer’s parts away into its cargo area without tools, which will be handy for those flying or storing their trailer in the garage. A long platform at the rear helps you stow objects longer than the cargo area (as shown in the picture). And finally, all rear axle sizes including quick release and 12mm can be accommodated, however, the trailer only comes with the quick release 9mm axle. It will fit on all rear end widths from 126mm (retro road bikes) through to 197mm (fat bikes).

Weight – 9.7kg / 21.5lbs Capacity – 32kg / 70lbs Price – US $419  ( Amazon Special HERE )

Burley Nomad

The Burley Nomad is one of the only two-wheel trailers on the list. The magic of this trailer is that it folds flat for travel, or alternatively you can remove the wheels and check-in the trailer as a separate piece of baggage. The Burley Nomad actually works out to be competitive in weight, price and still offers a huge carrying capacity.

Weight – 6.5kg / 14.3lb Capacity – 45kg / 99lb Price – US $339 ( Check the best price on Amazon )

The Extrawheel trailer is unique in design as it creates a second rear rack for two additional panniers. It has a much larger wheel than most trailers which allows it to float over uneven terrain in a more efficient manner than many of the others listed here. The Extrawheels come in multiple wheel wheel sizes: 26″, 29″ or 700c.

Weight – 4.8kg / 10.6lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – US $299

The USA-made FarFarer is a seatpost mounted option that’s ultra versatile given its seatpost mount and small turning circle. It uses a hammock-style bag to carry goods which unfortunately isn’t waterproof like the rest of the options. The most impressive feature is the ability to sling the trailer over your handlebars for technical sections of trail.

Weight – 4.5kg / 9.9lb Capacity – 35kg / 77lb Price – US $550

Free Parable T2

The Free Parable T2 is the lightest trailer listed with the smallest fold and the smallest wheel (perhaps less suitable for off-road use). The T2 uses a series of ‘ribs’ under the 75 litre drybag to keep the bag stable and the weight down.

Weight – 3.6kg / 7.9lb Capacity – 30kg / 66lb Price – US $645

The Maya Cycle Bike Trailer is the cheapest trailer on this list. The construction quality isn’t quite to the same level of the other options, but from all reports it still does a great job. Unfortunately, it doesn’t use a drybag so you’ll need to ensure your gear is in waterproof bags.

Weight – 5.9kg / 13.0lb Capacity – 30kg / 66lb Price – US $249 ( Amazon special $239 )

Radical Design Cyclone IV

The Radical Design Cyclone is the lightest two wheel trailer on this list. It uses better quality materials than the Burley Nomad, but this is of course reflected in the price. Like other two wheel designs, it folds flat and can be checked onto an aeroplane is baggage. A really nifty feature is that you can move the two wheels to a rear slot location (see pic) so that it’s portable off the bike. The bag isn’t waterproof, but the trailer is instead provided with a rain cover.

Weight – 5.5kg / 12.1lb Capacity – 40kg / 88lb Price – 549€

Topeak Journey

Renowned bike component manufacturer Topeak makes one of the only sub-5kg trailers. Using aluminium instead of steel, they’ve managed to shave off 15-30% when compared to similar designs. The Topeak drybag (1.6kg extra) is designed specifically for the trailer, strapping in at multiple points along the frame.

Weight – 4.85kg / 10.7lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $499 ( Amazon special $446 )

Topeak Journey TX

Topeak also makes a wider yoke model for those with rear 12mm thru-axles on their bikes. The trailer is good for the 142mm, 148mm, 157mm and 177mm axle widths, which means only a handful of fat bikes cannot fit it (but many can, check the dropout specs). Otherwise, the trailer and drybag (1.6kg extra) remains the same.

Weight – 5.35kg / 11.8lb Capacity – 32kg / 70lb Price – US $499

Tout Terrain Mule

Tout Terrain may be famous for their touring bikes, but they also make a touring trailer called the Mule. The seatpost mount provides a tight turning circle and the air shock takes the edge off bumps on rough roads. The complete package is comparable in weight (and price) to the Aevon Kit L80.

Weight – 6.7kg / 14.8lb Capacity – 45kg / 99lb Price – US $700

Weber Monoporter

The Weber Monoporter is another trailer option that folds flat. Its name is derived from the fact that the wheel attaches from just a single side. This trailer works out to be quite lightweight too as it doesn’t use a side frame to stabilise the bag on the sides.

Weight – 5.7kg / 12.6lb Capacity – 25kg / 55lb Price – US $549

The soon to be released Sentier is the only convertible trailer/trolley option. Within 23 seconds you’re able to convert your trailer into a travel trolley and vise versa. The only downside to this design is the additional weight; it works out to be about 25% heavier than a BOB trailer and drybag.

Weight – 9.0kg / 19.8lb Capacity – 30kg / 66lb Price – 549€

Have You Had Any Experience With One Of These Trailers?

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54 comments

One of the biggest disadvantages of bike trailers imho are the uncomfortable way if you travel with train and bike or have to carry your bike. I believe the future is bikepacking. Ok, and if you have to carry more weight, maybe cargobikes are still an option.

But if you’re two on a tandem, that shouldn’t be a problem.

The ct1 adventure folding trailer is worth checking out as a bobalike. Managed surprisingly well over my last 20k even. Much cheaper than most of these at 250 euro and the provided drysack is fine!

We found the biggest advantages to having the trailer were 1 cars giving more space and 2 attracting many admirers/selfies/gift givers!

We were on tandem but worth mentioning no ‘tail wagging the dog’ even at 80+kph.

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fbc7cc0e635e069f0fb9e709122d13b6df52f3b4cee3fee284ac015f568f7c5c.jpg

The Adventure CT1 looks great – I’ll add it to this list. Thanks!

Got mine years ago and only used extensively this year (with throughaxle: nuts from sjs). Goggled when posting the above to see it at current price from amazon seller… but checked again now and see ebay sells units v similar for 66 euro (!) with suspension thingie.

I can’t attest for either these or the ct1 units from amazon… Only my experience: pros- *speaking with someone using an old bob the ct1 attachment is 10 times easier *through axle or qr compatibility folding-great on flight *that price! Cons- *supplied tyre poor *skewer wears and eventually brakes if bad roads+45kg!

(tip: take a spare squewer on longer tour + wheel bearings if on v grimy roads. Maintain/locktite bolts on spring fastener- I replaced mine with larger for better fit after 10km wear- now better)

We have used the Extrawheel bike trailer on the back of our tandem for a couple of 600 mile tours. Got it used for a reasonable amount so thought it was worth a try. My thinking is that it helps remove some weight from the tandem with the hopes of less wear-and-tear on the components. We use a wheel with a dynohub to generate some charging capacity for our electronics. So far it has worked great, and there are many times I look over my shoulder to make sure it is still there since I rarely feel it through the bike nor hear it. It is no wider than the bike with panniers on and trails behind us quite nicely. I have no problems maneuvering, at least as much as you can with a tandem. Yes, we are quite the sight, and draw a lot of attention, but that is all part of the fun. Haven’t tried traveling with it by train or plane yet, but with a tandem it’s not going be so easy anyway (even with the couplers). We love touring with it.

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I was in the middle of an 11k mile tour and switched from my BOB Trailer to panniers and almost immediately regretted it. I started breaking spokes because of the added weight on the bike and more wind resistance with the front panniers (and there was a lot of headwind). But the downside was traveling with the BOB and and extra tubes, tires and bearings. I have since stuck with panniers but seeing the foldable models does spark new interest.

Thanks for another great article and informing me brands I never knew existed.

It’s great to hear your thoughts, Paul!

The tail wagging was about the only thing I didn’t like about the BOB. I had to swerve lightly back and forth, especially on long descents, to counteract the effect. The CT1 must be more rigid throughout.

Love backpacking too but this doesn’t look very uncomfortable…: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyOlTUrTI2I

To prevent sway when pulling a Bob trailer: Cut an old mountain bike inner tube and tie it to the top center of the front side rail and wrap it in a figure eight configuration to the top of the yoke, like wrapping a sprained ankle. Don’t wrap it too tight nor too loose. Yes, its an effective cheap anti-sway trick.

On downhill pavement, the Bob Ibex, with the suspension doesn’t seem to sway. Using the anti-sway inner tube trick, I don’t notice a sway at all when the trailer is loaded with 15 pounds or more. I live in Colorado, USA, and have gone down some long steep, paved and gravel mountain roads and have never experienced any sway. I never go over 25 miles per hour, yes, the disk brakes get pretty hot.

Make sure you don’t stand up to power pedal or else it will become a heavy dog’s tail. This is what the people that experience sway must be doing. Also, after many downpours, the inside of the dry bag is indeed dry. This trailer was money well spent and solved a problem. My wife will tour with me only if I carry all the camping gear and food. Yup, I’m the mule. Anyway, I fully recommend the Bob Ibex.

Thanks for tip!

I’ve toured a fair bit with a frances / farfarer, and use it around town quite frequently. Honestly it is one of the best cycling inventions in decades, and the description here doesn’t do it justice. Most trailers place the load on the rear axel. By placing the load on the seatpost the farfarer prevents almost all of the lateral flex that characterize most trailer touring (“speed-wobbles” but also poor handling and large turning radius). I put my 5 year old in it frequently, without issue, and even ride dirt that way. Especially recommended for folks who consider touring on and off of roads. Contrary to the comment here about not being “water proof” the open hammock design makes it fast to use and easy to access stored items and snacks, and when touring I just shove all my gear in a dry-bag, which is cheap and easy to replace. In full disclosure, the inventor (Quintin) and fabricator (Josh) are some of my closest friends, but seriously, this trailer rules.

Thanks for the comment – it’s great to hear good things about this trailer design.

Alee, finaly you’ve touched subject of trailers 🙂 My both thumbs go up!

My vote goes to Extrawheel.

Yes, I have experience traveling with it by train. I confirm: it’s possible and easy. In my part of world (Central Europe) usually these days there are special hooks to place bicycle in special compartment, usually close to doors of wagon. If there are not so many travelers with accompanying bicycles I hang Extrawheel at additional of such hooks. If not, it’s so small I can leave it anywhere. Usually I use portable tourist lock to connect it to bicycle frame.

My review of this trailer is available here: http://mslonik.pl/rowery/turystyka/879-przyczepka-rowerowa (please don’t afraid of Polish – in top right corner of the page you may find raw of map icons, just pick up one feasible for you, e.g. British one and supported by Google translator engine magic will take place). One more word: sales and after sales support of Extrawheel producer is just superb. Not only astonishing quick, but also really supporting. It was the case they’ve provided me with spare parts free of charge (including free delivery!) which theoretically were not present as official item in their Internet shop. Also worth of mentioning is very good contact with support. This is what I call Support with capital “S”.

At last but not least, this is one of the cheapest, the most affordable trailers and the lightest at the same time. Just compare above numbers collected by Alee, and still there is some room for modification and invention. One may use whatever wheel, not necessary the one from stock. This is normal size wheel, what gives advantage that may work as a spare part (!) if necessary in your bicycle. I did some modifications (see my article) and I’m happy with that. Regards.

Thanks for letting us know about the Extrawheel. 🙂

Can you post a picture please. Or send me one… optimisticchris@gmail

Cheers, Chris

FWIW, add a Portage Pack, a Dry bag with shoulder straps and you can wear the trailer, to climb steps, walk over mud slides , etc.. And lift your unladen bike in your hands..

Can you clarify what you mean? Are you talking about a trailer in particular, or a mod that can be used with any of them?

If it takes a dry bag one can potentially add shoulder straps ,

Some of the ones I am familiar with are

a Burly Flatbed , the open cargo version of the Nomad, The BoB trailers

and the Carry Freedom City trailer … their ‘Y’ trailers also have potentials

IDK much about the others not sold in the US,,

In General, To not make sewn holes, in the bag, you can use girth straps, around the bag, and use those, to sew on D rings , to add clip on shoulder straps..

A bag I got that inspired this Idea was From Cascades Designs, the ‘thermarest’ company in Seattle

but a Canoeist who tours, would be familiar with a bag they could wear, for their gear, while they carry their canoe between lakes and streams…. over their head.. walking.

. a canoe has a ‘Shoulder Thwart.’ to do this, It’s a cross brace, at the balance point..

Portage is the act of carrying your canoe between bodies of water.

Easily the biggest bonus of a bike trailer is what was mentioned in the intro, the fact that you can use your current bike! No need to buy an entirely new bicycle plus you have ssentially 2 bikes wherever you go , one is for touring ,the other is your fancy road bike or your mountain bike which can add greatly to any trip, Compared to panniers the weight savings and cost can be negligable also which leaves just ride quality and transport. Undoubtedly, having a trailer would be more of a hassle if train hopping etc so these are things you need to consider ahead of time. Ride quality is arguably superior in all ways but up hill. My Yak is surprisingly unnoticable until a hill, its really quite a surprise. Oh, and stopping takes a bit getting used to with a single wheel. Like with everything there is no one way is better than the other because it all depends on what you are doing and what is most important to you. Bikepacking has exploded and I think its graet but that really is more of a light weight minimalist style. Not everyone wants to have to go out and buy all new equipment that will fit. This whole light weight trend is really opular and I get that but not everyone likes this. I like the camp part and if you are a minimalist the camp part is not going to be all that unless you are some super bushcrafter who can get by with just a Mora.

Thanks for providing your impressions of the Yak!

. I put my money into a Tout Terrain Mule. I did so mostly because I bought the TT Panamericana also. Although I highly prefer a trailer that connects to the seat post rather than the rear axle, I can turn on a dime still. and with a full load too. Love the hardware, hate the company. Just plain bad customer relations, but then I live in the USA so why would they care, right? I currently ride with full front Arkel Dolphin 32 panniers, containing 20 pounds per. A over full Arkel bar bag, varying from 5 to 10 pounds, maybe more at times. The bike also carries water bottle, GPS, headlight, umbrella, machete, K-Bar, cameras, folding camp chair, Fugoo XL Bluetooth speaker and digital Walkman, cable locks, a front dynamo and Rohloff Speed-hub, plus a 750w Bafang center drive and one of two 17 pound 1+ kilowatt Li-ion triangle battery packs using the newest Samsung LJ1 cells. The trailer carries about 70 additional pounds of gear to make things comfy, oh yeah, and the additional battery. As I learn and grow more capable I will be able to mount the rear Arkel Dolphin 48 panniers on the bike too, giving me 40 more pounds of gear. The mule handles it well, stay balanced, doesn’t shimmy and really can turn on a dime. The liner that comes with the trailer is ok at very best, but seems like more of an afterthought than a well-designed accompaniment to the Mule. It took a few visits to a tactical tailor to make it worthwhile. I use a large Exped waterproof expedition bag to hold the gear and stretch a x-large Sea-to-Summit backpack cover over all to keep things clean and dry when necessary. Expedition grade from start to finish. With a bow, slingshot, rod and reel and great water filtration system the only addition item I need to stay off the grid and out of towns indefinitely is a 300w portable folding solar panel. Magruder corridor here I come.

Sounds like quite the rig, Brian. Have you got any photos? And many thanks for your impressions on the Mule.

I added photos and assume they are in the process of being approved now. Here is a link – http://imgur.com/a/LfW9F

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As a small person riding a small bike, I find the two wheeled Burley Nomad is excellent. Having full touring weight in panniers results in a bike too heavy for me to lift if it is lying down, and one-wheel trailers would not help that. Did a self-contained Transam with my Burley Nomad and it worked very well. My main issue with it is that it is not waterproof; however it is possible to pack internally in smaller drybags or take off the cover and the top cross-bar and use a large drybag.

I use the BOB Yak. I would say I push it to its limits. It has held up for the most part carrying anything i could pile on it. Some of the other designs in this article look interesting and well built. But they all miss one mark; Low centre of gravity. All the seat post yolk designs fail because of this, they make handling with heavy loads quite dangerous. The BOB Yak has the best overall design because of this, but i wish they were just a little more robust. After 20,000kms of touring with mine loaded like the picture below, I have had to re-weld the bottom cage and it is failing a second time. But that isn’t really the Yak’s fault, I have it weighed down over its rated capacity and to make things worse I use straps with quite a bit of pressure to hold my instruments down, pushing on the lower cage… I have already rebuilt the front-upper part of the frame to accommodate my Sitar case and I am at the point now where I will just build my own from scratch based on the bob design. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1261ea7e7a28285767a65f233f6beb40e8c93c709e31b9e951dcd119af8baff2.jpg

A great point with regards to picking a heavy bike up, and thanks for letting us know how you got along with the Burley Nomad!

Great to hear your thoughts and experience with the Bob Yak! I’d like to add that I’ve been using the Aevon KIT L80 (seatpost mount) over the last 2500km and have had no problems with handling whatsoever. I’ll have a review coming up soon after I’ve spent a bit more time with an axle mount trailer like the BOB. 🙂

I have a Aevon KIT L80 trailer to which I have installed an electric wheel. Unfortunately my knees are not up to long days of touring any more. The trailer now makes it possible to do 60-100kms between charges, fully loaded. When I need to travel by train I pull the L80 apart and it fits in a extra large duffel (including battery) with about two thirds of my equipment, this takes me about 20 minutes. The rest I carry in a Ortlieb Rackpack which I can strap to the top of the trailer. As long as most of the weight is in the trailer’s bag I have no “speed wobbles”.

I would also be interested in a picture please. My email is [email protected] I’ve just been ejected pulling a CT1 trailer. I think it happened because the correction took place at the peak of the swing so the correction amplified the movement, just like you push an ordinary child’s swing. Researching, all modern caravans have a device to prevent such swinging occurrences. Having experienced the painful result with a bike trailer, there has to be a way to solve the problem!

Hi. Missed one. Burley Travoy.

Did a quick tour of the Lesser Caucasus this summer. Nothing too long. 500 km. Will do more in the future there. I used the Topeak Journey. Light weight and strong. No problems at all. Quality is extremely good. Loaded the trailer with my and my friend’s equipment and never noticed any handling problems whatsoever. Loaded descents were no problem whatsoever. No fishtailing or swerving. Some descents were done at speeds up to 67 km/h, not recommended but it was rock solid. Highly recommended. Bike is a Charge Cooker 1. Also recommend the bike for rough road touring or bikepacking. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2ab249e7e362e6f60d8213917cbe2a555419fa407129f303829afa65ebf78632.jpg

Just looking at the blow up picture and forgot that the plastic skids on the trailer did pop off, so there is that problem. Before I our my friend who toured with me use the trailer again I will most likely wrap the aluminum tubes nearest the bike’s rear tire with some thin strips of leather or some other improvised protection. That said, great trailer.

I’m looking to convert a BoB Ibex for bike/dog-packing trips. I ride a fatbike with a Rohloff XL, so we’re spreading the yoke to accommodate that. Then the rear wheel “fork” will be removed to allow fitment of a 26″ x 4.8″ tyre on an 80mm wide rim (with 150/15 dynamo hub). This will be achieved using a cro-moly fatbike fork as the basis for the swingarm “frame”.

Then a padded “tub” for my 3yo Samoyed (see pic) to ride in when he’s taking a rest. A rear rack over the trailer wheel will take small panniers (positioned low and just forward of the axle) for his food and water needs and a rack bag up top for items being charged via the dynamo, plus his puppy first aid kit and leads etc.

We’re also planning to add a “drag brake”. Using a mechanical disc caliper on the swingarm/fork “leg”. This will be activated by an old XT thumbshifter on the handlebars and a cable joiner/connector positioned at the rear dropout of the fatbike itself.

We’ve come up with ideas for using corflute (real-estate signs), on the inside of the rear rack and inside the front yoke to keep his tail and paws away from the bikes rear wheel and the trailer wheel.

Ultimately… his comfort and safety are my first consideration.

have you done a test on the efficiency of carrying weight with a trailer compared to racks? You know, how you compared efficiency of gearboxes. I’m curious for a given weight, which of the two would be more efficient? and I’m wondering what difference would it make when going uphill and downhill?

Hi Juan. I haven’t tested it yet, but I’m hoping I have time before I go away to Argentina. If I were to guess, I would say the outcome would be roughly the same.

sounds good! going to Argentina for bike touring? I’m from Argentina!!! let me know if I can help you in any way!

Hi, I’ll tell you something interesring. I have a trek domane slr 9 58 cm.It weighs around 8.00 kg without any bags.I have a freeparable t2 trailer wieghs about 3.6 kg.So 8+3.6 kg=11.6. If i put panniers the front and rear racks in totla weigh about 1.00 kg and the panniers (front and rear) weight without luggage is 2.5kg, so, 8.00+1.00+2.5=11.5 basically the difference is just 100 grams and my bike does not have rack mounts, I have to use a trailer.

Anyone have a recommendation for a bike trailer that is safe for a carbon frame mountain bike with a dropper seat post? I think I’ll end up having to make it myself with a tig welder. I haven’t seem many out there that I’ve been impressed with.

Do you have a bolt up rear axle, or quick release? Any room under the ‘dropper’ section of your seatpost?

My I suggest this one made in France:TZC-R1. There are 2 sizes: 100L and 140Liters. We own a 140L and love it! Water proof, can be locked, 20” Wheel, 7kg. 2 Options: 1) Fiberglass or 2) Carbon Fibre. https://sites.google.com/site/tzcsite/remorque-velo-globe-trotter/caracteristiques-et-prix https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c4621489397e1ca8ef0d5afce8916beb82ab3a71931b1062712c4d3777c940e5.jpg Our friends are currently riding Alaska to Ushaia from April 2016. Currently in Chile. http://www.schnellyss.com/fr/accueil/

Great article. I own a trailer (can’t remember the brand name) but it is essentially identical to the Adventure CT1 Bike Trailer mentioned in this article. While I’d say it’s a decent trailer for light-duty use, I can’t really recommend it for heavy-duty long term use. While mine hasn’t failed me in any way, the build quality just doesn’t seem to be robust enough for long term, heavy-duty use. Also, there’s a bit of flex in the frame which becomes more and more apparent the more the trailer is loaded (this can affect handling performance and be felt in turns and slight directional changes). That being said this trailer is a great low-cost option if you just need it for light-duty use, won’t be going long distances with it, and don’t want to spend a bunch of money (you can get them on eBay new for under $90-100USD!!!)

I’ve since upgraded to the Topeak Journey trailer (also mentioned in this article). In my opinion (and for what it’s worth), the Topeak is hands down the best trailer out there of any model available. It’s at least 2-3 lbs lighter than most of all the other brands including the most popular BOB Yak trailers, and has the largest cargo area. It tows like a dream The frame is stiff with zero flex. I hardly even know it’s back there (until I have to climb a hill or go over big bumps, otherwise it just glides along smoothly and silently). The Topeak has a very rugged and robust twin spar aluminum frame design, so it’s light while durability is second to none. The custom-fit drybag is exceptionally made as well. The only downside to the Topeak is that the hitch is only compatible with standard quick release axles, so you’re out of luck if you have a bike with a thru-axle of any kind. And as far as I know, there are no aftermarket solutions (like the Robert Axle) or otherwise to adapt the Topeak to Thru axles. I’ve pushed my Topeak to the limit on 80-100 mile days off-road through nearly every type of terrain and weather condition imaginable. I’ve towed it over miles of paved roads as well as miles of off-road singletrack and everything in between, loaded with 45-50 lbs of gear (I even rode a few miles of railroad track with it once!) In a word, it worked GREAT, and is my personal top recommendation for anyone looking for a serious piece of kit in terms of a bike trailer. Check out one of the adventures I did with it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6i5bgy9Y_exCfoEinolqnaWihXdB1QqC

Does anyone have a recommendation specifically for mountain biking on fire roads and single track? Ideally with camping gear?

It’s best to steer clear of the singletrack where you can because a bike with a trailer is really long! Otherwise, pick a trailer with a rear shock. They make a huge difference on rougher surfaces. The Aevon KIT L80 I reviewed was really good in the dirt.

Hi! I’m looking for the interior dimensions of the Tout Terrain Mule. A few of the pieces that I’ll carry are 31 inches long and I’m wondering if they’ll fit. Thank you.

You’ll want to get in contact with Tout Terrain on that one…

Have had a BOB Yak for more than ten years and have done between 500 and 1000 miles a year of bike camping with it. Three advantages of the axle hitch:

*Lower center of gravity makes riding more stable *Trailer wheel tracks rear wheel very closely so you can move through tight spaces with ease *Does not tend to pull the bike over during handling/parking

Best thing about a trailer is being able to carry all the comforts of home – 70 pounds of tent, tarp, hammock, camping chair, stove and cast iron skillet etc. Perhaps bike glamping?

Have never had a problem with tail wagging and have been on long winding descents at >45MPH, I sit and spin up hills so perhaps this is why.

Oh yeah, put a Schwalbe Big Apple 2″ tire, no flats on that tire, smooths out the bumps off road and rolls easier on the road as well.

IMO bikepacking and trailers are 2 very different styles. Neither is better just different. Its like declaring ultralight backpacking is best…ut isnt. It comes down to simply what is important to the individual and what they plan to do. If you want to camp more comfortably or bring some luxury items or simply do not have a bunch of lewer minimalsit kit than a trailer is a great option. My self, I bought a used Bob Yak for $100 and was able to use my existing non UL backpacking kit . To go bikepacking would mean a lot of money spent on the bags and light weight gear. I was surprised how easy the trailer was to pull to be honest.

Actually, your “issue” with the Yak being welded raises another benefit, that it can be easily repaired. The fact you load it that much AND have that kind of milage speaks greatly to the durability of the design. I wonder if the other pricier alumium trailers would have faired. They certainly would be more difficult to repair if cracked vs steel. The smaller diameter cromo tubing should flex more and withstand much more in terms of fatigue vs aluminum which hates flexing.

Why carry a helmet if to put on handlebar. Unnecessary weight to save for your next trip! Just pulling your leg!!!

Own a BOB trailer and it’s been good to me since the day I got it. Lost the rear reflector but that about it with the mishaps. Plan on switching from a 16” to a 20” wheel, and a dynamo hub, mayby a rear rack for extra load, I don’t know, help me! But in retrospect, a strudy steed!

In my defence it was 48c with little traffic, but I ought to be more sensible on next trip 🙂

Comments are closed.

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5 Best Bike Campers in the USA

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People are starting to learn about bike campers in the USA. Yet, in Europe, these micro campers have been around for years. In the “Land of Motors,” our growing population of cyclists who don’t own a car are learning that they can enjoy the RV lifestyle. Using a bike camper in American cities and trails throughout our country allows them to see and do more.

In this discussion, we’ll show you some of the best bike campers that are available in the USA that you can purchase. Some are DIY bike camper trailers you can build yourself, and others come ready-made. Since the bicycle camper is still a new concept in the U.S., you’ll discover what they are and the realities of towing one with your pedal and e-bike.

What’s a Bike Camper?

Bike campers are one or two-person dry mobile shelters that connect to pedal or electric bicycles. These campers may have small batteries for lighting or charging mobile devices. Their key advantages are that they are a step or two above a tent, have storage, and give you some creature comforts.

As you explore the many bike camper designs, you’ll see that they come in three primary shapes. Many European companies make them either a fat-tire teardrop bike camper form or a half-circle. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and some manufacturers use a rectangular box with a rounded roof that looks like a neighborhood mailbox. 

The key to a bike camper build is to make them the most ultra-lite travel trailer on the planet. Pre-built bike camper frames generally use wood, but some manufacturers use aluminum tubing. Exterior camper shells can be canvas, fluted plastic, a hard shell polymer, or nylon. Mattresses for the sleeping space use moisture-resistant foam.

The majority of bike camper manufacturers exist in Europe. Bike trailers in the U.S. mainly exist as small versions for cargo, children, or pets. However, bike campers in America are finding their place both in the DIY and prefab sectors. If you’re interested in paving the way into this exciting new way of #BikeLife, here are some bike campers in America you can choose.

1. Wooden Widget Foldavan – Best DIY Bike Camper Plan

• Length: 7.10 ft.
• Height: 4.11 ft. 
• Open Width: 3.9 ft. 
• Closed Width: 2.5 ft 
• UVW: 66.14 lbs.
• CCC: 165 lbs.
• GVWR: 440 lbs 

Wooden Widget is a french company that sells blueprints around the world. The owner, Benjy, started as a boat builder using locally sourced materials. He expanded into many other sectors, including bikes and the Foldavan folding bicycle caravan (the European word for a travel trailer). 

When you buy this DIY bike camper plan , it comes with a guide on using the standard tools, epoxies, and everything else you’ll need to build the micro bike camper trailer. Benjy designed the Foldavan, so anyone at any skill level can create one themselves. Wooden Widget will also plant five trees for every purchase customers make.

As you see in the video, the example bike camper uses a white outer material, but the other two-person sleeper used a piece of green patterned fabric for the roof instead. Since the Foldavan folds up, you may want to have your traveling companion use a cargo bike trailer for your essential accessories and supplies.

2. Wide Path Bicycle Camper – Most like a Camper Trailer

• Folded Length: 4.89 ft.
• Open Length: 9.35 ft.
• Height: 5.74 ft.
• Width: 3.18 ft.
• UVW: 88 lbs.
• CCC: 10.59 cu.ft.
• GVWR: 120 lbs.

You may have read about this manufactured bike camper before. The Wide Path Camper Model 3 has had a lot of coverage here in the U.S. This Denmark company was the first to export its bike camper in the American marketplace. It’s the most RV-like compared to its contemporaries and has bigger siblings towable by compact cars.

When you pivot down the bike camper’s shell, the interior living space gives you an incredible amount of room. Users can set up the dinette table inside our out. The folding cot inside can stretch out for dual sleeping or fold into a bench for two on one side of the four-person table. The standard mattress is 2-inches, but the luxury package adds an extra inch.

When you purchase the Wide Path Camper bike trailer , you can add the solar package, a fold-up panel that connects to a battery. Other accessories include an attachable awning, an outdoor furniture kit, and additional decor features with the luxury package.

3. Nomad Bike Camper – Inexpensive DIY Bike Camper

• Length: 6.5 ft.
• Height:  4.2 ft.
• Width:   3.2 ft.
• UVW: 60 lbs.

Paul Elkin’s Nomad Bike Camper is one of many ideas in his da Vinci Notebook sketchpad. The inspiration came from an emergency homeless shelter he saw, but he let his creative mind reimagine it. The Washington State resident used locally sourced, repurposed materials to take the design off the page, bringing the DIY bike camper into America’s bike paths.

The residential mailbox-shaped bike camper frame has a rounded top and front for aerodynamics. Elkin used 1×2 wood studs for the chassis and fluted plastic campaign signs as the outer shell. 

The near-weightless polypropylene plastic’s rigidity, UV resistance, and waterproof nature was the perfect building material for the bike camper’s shell. (also, it was free after election day). In addition, Elkin used zip ties to hold everything together, saving weight on hardware pieces.

Elkin insulated the bike camper with radiant sheeting and sealed it with duct tape. He made the most out of the fluted plastic by creating overhead cabinets and counters. Plastic bins added storage space throughout the bike trailer. He even installed a single burner propane stove using aluminum heat shields with a one-pound bottle.

Paul’s total cost to build his Nomad Bike Camper was $150, including the used $20 bike. He sells the 61-page bike camper PDF plans via PayPal for $20. The instructions include drawings, photos, and written instructions that walk you through the DIY bike camper build process. You’ll need basic hand tools, a drill, a conduit bender, a creative mind, and the will to see it through.

4. BikeStream RV – Bike Camper Built in the USA

• Height: 4.2 ft.
• Width: 3.2 ft.
• UVW: 70 lbs.

When Paul Elkins built his Nomad Bike Camper in 2015, he created his website to tell his story and share his various ideas with the world, including his DIY bike camper plans. That summer, the founders of BikeStream RV saw great potential in the design. Located in the “RV Capital of the World,” they made an exclusive agreement with Paul and invested six years on R & D.

Today, BikeStream RV has bike campers and cargo trailers that sell in several bike shops and outdoor stores in the greater Michiana area (Northeast Indiana and Southwest Michigan). 

Customers can customize the interiors, choose from 14 colors, and add their unique design to the exterior. For example, look how great maize and blue compliment each other on the bike camper video above!

If you’d like to take one of these $2,395 bike campers for a trial run, BikeStream RV leads three all-inclusive “hands-on” trips a year. Then, after the adventure, if you’ve fallen in love with your bike camper, they’ll deduct the cost of the journey from the purchase price of the bike trailer . 

5. Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka – Super Lightweight Bicycle Camper Trailer

• Open L x W x H: 30 x 32 x 6 inches 
• Closed L x W x H: 90 x 32 x 40 inches  
• UVW: 56 lbs.
• CCC: 4.3 cu.ft.

Kamp-Rite’s Midget Bushtrekka bicycle camper was a fantastic idea for on or off-road multi-day bike hiking. The tandem axle micro bike trailer looked like a high-sitting bike cargo trailer with a thicker top. When it was time to pull over for the night, users would set the four corner jacks down and unfold the 600-denier rip-resistant nylon tent.

Users could lift the expanded tent without collapsing it to access the storage bay if needed. Collapsing the tent the following day was a matter of pulling the aluminum poles towards the center of the bike camper. The weather wouldn’t be much of an issue since the nylon had a weather coating to enhance the moisture resistance.

You’ll find the Midget Bushtrekka bike camper listed on Amazon , but you won’t find it on Kamp-Rite’s website . It could have been due to poor sales performance or an issue with the axles. Yet, with the growing appeal of bike campers in America, we could see Kamp-Rite improve the design and release a new version. Meanwhile, you may find used Midget Bushtrekka’s online.  

How Much Weight Can You Pull With a Bicycle?

You’ll be surprised how much weight you can pull with a bicycle. Looking to the past, rickshaw bikes and street vendors with concession bicycles have populated city streets worldwide for decades. Using thicker frames similar to a mountain bike and all-terrain hybrid variants, the average person can tow around 300 pounds on a bicycle.

The average person in good physical shape could tow that much on level pavement on a calm day at 10 Miles Per Hour (mph). The same person can pull 600 pounds at eight mph at a strenuous level. 

Climbing a hill requires much more effort. A hill with a 2% grade requires three times the effort with 300 pounds. The same hill with 600 pounds requires 4.5 times as much physical power. Luckily, if you have a multi-speed gear system on your bike, the 18-22 inch gears will give you that low-end torque assistance you need. These gears will help you conquer those hills without deflating all of your energy.

Electric bikes and bike camper trailers pair well together. But, like their car and truck counterparts, the heavier the trailer, the less distance you’ll get from the battery on your e-bike. Learn more about this in RVBlogger’s June 2021 issue of RV Camping Magazine . 

It’s a good idea to upgrade your e-bike’s battery and have a spare on hand. If you’re on a multi-day adventure, have a solar generator with a portable solar panel in your bike camper to keep your batteries charged. 

The micro bike campers themselves have an Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW, a.k.a. “Dry Weight”) that ranges between 50- 150 pounds. Depending on the model and customizations, the Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) can be as little as 80 pounds or as much as 180 pounds. 

You could buy DIY bike camper plans and build them with repurposed materials for under $50. The other extreme is to order a manufactured model for around $5,000. 

How Do You Camp With a Bike Camper?

The outdoor experience with a bike camper has a lot in common with small teardrop trailers. Like the Little Guy MyPod for cars, you can’t stand up in a bike camper, but you can sit. The floor has a foam mattress that acts as your sitting and sleeping area. The sidewalls have storage space and surface areas. 

Unlike tiny teardrops, micro bike campers usually have space for one person. People have kept themselves occupied by installing Bluetooth speakers, lighting, and other ultra-low wattage components that use small power sources. You’ll even see a few people install a single burner propane stove with a removable one-pound bottle. 

What Do I Need for an Overnight Bike Camper Trip?

To successfully use an enclosed bike camper, minimalism is the key. You don’t have to wear the same clothing for more than one day but micro bike campers are great for a weekend bike hike. You can balance your essential accessories by attaching your water bottles and mobile devices to your bike frame.

The other essential points are safety and security when heading out for your bike camping excursion. For example, you’ll want to place reflective signs and tape on the back and sides of your bike trailer so others can see you at night. 

As we stated above, you could keep a pace of 10 mph with 300 pounds, but most veteran cyclists will tell you that’s a slower pace, and rarely you’ll find a flat trail. So you’ll want to keep your Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW= UVW + CCC) as lightweight as possible. 

You’ll also find that some of these bike campers have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR, the total weight they can safely hold) under 400 pounds. Increasing the GVWR on DIY bike camper projects can be as simple as substituting chassis and frame components with stronger materials.

As the days get closer to the trip, keep an eye on the weather report. Bike camper shells can handle rain because of their round roofs, but you don’t want to get stuck in a storm. Also, make sure the route you’re taking allows overnight bike campers.

A big issue that’s given the traditional RV community a headache is the cities and counties cracking down on crime and homelessness. Camping in certain commercial parking lots, parks and other areas now forbids RVs from staying overnight. 

Some of these places require a permit to stay overnight. No one wants to be woken up at 3 a.m. because a law enforcement officer wants to know what you’re doing there.

Where Are the Best Places To Use a Bike Camper in the USA?

The best places to use a bike camper in the USA have some intersections with traditional RV categories. Many National Forests and other public land areas have bike trails like nothing you’ve ever seen. 

There are many apps and websites online that help bikepackers plan routes, find accommodations, and locate other resources along the way. For example, the Travel Channel lists the best bike trails in the U.S., like Denali National Park in Alaska, Oregon Timber Trail, and Virginia Mountain Bike Trail. 

No matter where you take your bike camper in America, make sure you prepare yourself properly and learn more about the camping lifestyle. RV Blogger has some great articles about camping safely and excellent tips no matter what type of rig you’re towing. Also, if you need some essential accessories camping gear, we have some great recommendations on our RVBlogger Amazon page we use ourselves.

So, enjoy your bike camper adventure; thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next time!

Related Reading:

– 5 best portable solar generators for rv life and camping, – 35 biggest rv beginner mistakes to avoid, – 20 best ways to reduce rv weight, – 25 must-have campervan accessories, – rv boondocking beginner tips and “how-to” guide, – how to charge an ebike while camping.

Brian Newman – Author and Full Time RVer

Although he’s from Motown, Brian Newman is a legacy RVer that grew up on I-75. He, and his wife have enjoyed the full-time RV lifestyle since 2017.

Like John Madden, he hasn’t “worked” in years because he gets to write about his passion. When he’s not working, he supports his daughter’s dog rescue efforts and disability causes.

6 thoughts on “5 Best Bike Campers in the USA”

How much would one of those camper trailer for a bike be?

have not tried a bike trailer. Have cycle toured for years. Keep your mileage within limits 50 to 75 per day. Minimize gear. Have fun

Great info for minimalist who would enjoy much affordable freedom and creative endeavors while exploring beautiful places.

Glad you liked the article! Thanks again Dwight!

I have mountain bike trekked across Mojave Desert and mountain biked from Los Angeles California down to Anzo-Borreggio State Park and Aqua Caliente’ hot springs spa, about 500 miles. Older now and soon retiring. Hoping to aquire affordable, sustainable, small RV lifestyle for Creative Retirement.

Hi Dwight! Thanks for sharing some of your adventures! I wish I was younger and able to bike for 500 miles! Hope you enjoy your retirement and the RV life! Mike

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