Seriously, who would have thought two years ago we would be buying a small camper? But, here we are and we couldn’t be more jazzed. As a photographer who seeks the outdoors as much as I can, it’s nuts that we didn’t come up with this idea before.
If you’re thinking about investing in a method of exploring with your own camper, read on! I mean seriously, waking up to beautiful small lakes, woodland areas or mountains vistas? We’re all in!
Note: The term small camper applies many types. Here’s a few: teardrop camper, teardrop trailer, small camper, off road campers, off road tear drops, RV’s, camper van’s, converted vans. This blog was originally posted in October 2020, a few updates have been added.
We’ll start with the how the idea got started, share our decision criteria and the options we considered along with our final decision.
What Inspired Buying a Small Camper?
It was on one of our day trips in Empire, Michigan where a teardrop trailer popped up out of nowhere. Parked on a city street as a traveler was en rout from Point A to Point B.
Hmmmm. Interesting. Very, very interesting. Instead of loading images on my computer the moment I got home, the wild and fascinating research of teardrops began. Then many family conversations followed.
Fast forward to today. We just returned from one of our first travel trips since the COVID pandemic. The remote adventures and photography in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? Awesome.
Staying in hotels where safety standards, respect for distance and mask standards fluctuate like the weather? Creepy. That’s not a Michigan thing, that’s an everywhere thing!
A New Way of Travel for Us
Out of challenging times, our horizon lights up differently. Our recent hotel experiences pushed us over the edge.
Time to look at different way of traveling. Plus, our dogs. Well, they’re ready to roll with us no matter what. But we’re thinking they’re going to be digging this too.
In fact, our dogs are travel ready since they’re pretty savvy on the road as they go where we go anyway: (My Amazon Shop includes a specific idea list for dogs).
Instead of focusing in on one type of camper, we opened the search to look at what’s out there. Holy cow! So many options, considerations. Videos, blogs, testimonials are on steroids about van life, camping, RV’s and teardrops.
We realize that this is a huge decision that requires thinking a lot of details through. Thoroughly.
Decision Criteria for Buying a Small Camper
We love our home and where we live so we’re not leaving. We’re just looking to leave for quick and extended adventure and photography travels across the US.
#1: The reality is that with a husband and two dogs, livable space reigns as a priority. With our photography, clothing, gear (my Amazon Storefront: Sheen Watkins Amazon Storefront includes attire, gear and accessories) and dogs, we need to live comfortably on the road in solid structures. This lead us to researching: Van Life, RV’s and Teardrops.
#2: Easy access to locations. As a nature photographer, I need to get up and go quickly. Flexibility to get off road, hit two tracks, traverse highways and freeways. The ability to take our living quarters into more rugged terrain offers off-road camping experiences too.
#3: Next up is flexibility for the family. As much as I love having Dave with me on all of my shoots, let’s just say he doesn’t get quite as enthusiastic about the 100th star shot of the night. The ability for him to have his own time and space when I’m searching and shooting helps preserve family togetherness.
#4: The last primary criteria is bathroom and showers. We don’t want to rely on public areas to do our business. Environmental responsibility and personal hygiene must converge safely!
Van Life & Lifestyle
The van life concept for camping intrigues the travel romantic in me. Full time van lifers live, I mean really live, in their vans full time by choice. The minimalistic lifestyle is living in an equipped van with the freedom to move whenever and where ever.
Their vacations and breaks are staying in homes, hotels and work related travels. With van life folks, they don’t all have an integrated shower or bathroom. Larger van lifers with camper vans move about although a bit more conspicuously.
The van lifers make it work and they are having a blast. Check out the following Van Lifers who are leading the pack and how they do it: Christian Schaffer, Emmy Schneider Green, Brian/AdventureVanMan
The ruling out factors for the van life approach for camping were quick. We can’t drop the van and then drive to another destination. For two people, two dogs and remote work, it’s a big tight. Add in the need for packing, tying items down before driving to a sunrise takes away from our desired spontaneity.
Plus, it forces us to all go to a location when we may not want to. We both agree that while we love being together, some alone time is good too. (Check out our blog on: Travel Photography & Vacations: The Friends and Family Plan)
RV’s (Recreational Vehicle)
Now that we’ve started searching, we see RV’s everywhere when on the road. I mean everywhere!
Maybe because it’s fall color season, but just about every 4th vehicle on the road was some form of RV. Motor homes, campervans, travel/camper, fifth-wheels, popups and truck campers.
Instead of going green with envy, it turns to research and more research.
Our criteria ruled out single, integrated driving/sleeping RVs for the same reason we ruled out vans. We don’t need or want a huge RV that’s a beast on the road or that would require a huge truck. We’re looking for comfortable, clean and convenient.
Using our existing SUV while towing our living quarters makes sense for photography flexibility and family dynamics. This led us to either the traditional, rectangular format or teardrop camper.
Buying a Small Camper: Must Have’s for Camping & Travel Photography
Our list took us to towable RV’s. Smaller in scale, there’s much to consider for safety, comfort and livability. Plus we need the freedom to live without being attached to power for a few days. Here’s our additional criteria:
- The right towing and tongue weights for our SUV (this is a huge driver safety issue and both weights are important). After doing our research, this the first item we check when looking at options. Safety on the road for us and others is #1.
- A separate eating and sleeping area so we don’t have to break down the bed to have breakfast, or if we both need to work at a table.
- The ability for Dave to stand up straight (he’s 5’11).
- A bathroom that has a potty, shower and sink with black water tank due to as we’ll need to boondock along the way. (Leaving the bathroom to wash your hands in the kitchen sink ruled out some great options though).
- Solar power ready or installed.
- 15″ wheels for rugged terrain.
- Small and aerodynamic so we’re not pulled all over the road when driving.
- A camper that’s easily heated for colder nights.
- Good reviews and solid company.
- A camper that if needed, I could manage on my own or with a girlfriend for photography travels
- Solid price performer and retains value.
- Battery, propane and solar so we can camp for a few days without being attached to power.
Surprise! References for Buying a Small Camper are Easier than we Thought
The irony in our thinking about buying a small camper? While we were ‘thinking’ about this, good photographer friends just started ‘doing’ this. They recently bought their camper were already out west. Norm Vexler (awesome, award winning, underwater photographer and across the earth too, website: Far Out Photos) and his wife Anne purchased the same type of camper we were looking at.
Both shared rave reviews which helped cinch our decision.
Buying a Small Camper: The Winner
The easy part is looking and seeing what’s out there. The hardest part? Refining our criteria and ruling out choices when they appealed emotionally. We’ll include the other’s that made the final cut too.
The winner is: Nucamp’s T@B 400 Boondock. See the image with Anne above. We’ve ordered from Nature and Me RV in Traverse City, MI for delivery this year. This gives us time to get our act and camper in gear for its maiden trek when spring returns. The overall experience has been terrific so far.
Why the T@B 400 Boondock.? It met our criteria above and the following attributes separated it from the others in our search list.
- It’s rugged, has 15″ wheels for better clearance, the back end curves up which minimizes bottoming out. We know areas where we’ll be glad to have this feature.
- Separate eating and sleeping areas. Bed size is queen.
- Bathroom has potty (black water tank), sink and shower.
- Good storage and overall inside room
- Solar panels come as standard, efficient use of battery and propane.
- From the driver’s seat of the SUV, you can see thru the car and the camper due to the traffic behind you. Great positioning of the windows.
The runner ups (and very viable alternatives) are listed below. They made the decision tough. Some pulled at me emotionally, and the same with Dave.
Even though we didn’t select these as our final due to sticking to our criteria, they represent excellent choices for campers looking for big adventure and fun in smaller camper sizes.
What’s Next?
We’re placing our order this week. Next up is adding our ‘camper living’ items and setup. Oh yes, and planning our upcoming travels. Look for blog updates on our progress, challenges mistakes and travel fun!
Update: the next glamping and camping blog post in this series is now up. The 1st Glamp Trip: Planning for a Successful Adventure
4 comments
Sheen, we are looking to do the same! I’m in love with the Airstream Basecamp but I will take a look at the others you list. Thanks for doing the grunt work! I agree that a separate bed and table area are important, as is solar and high clearance. Four season use is also a big consideration. The idea fills me with excitement! Good luck with yours and happy camping.
Hi Ann! I am so excited for you. And good luck to you in your search. The awesome news is that we have so many options. The hardest part was staying true to our criteria as there were emotional pulls across many. Let me know what you come up with. Have a super day and week!
We just got a camper earlier this year too. Camping is a blast. Congratulations on the new camper. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.
Hi Dave! Awesome hearing from you and that you have a camper (congratulations!!). Waiting for spring is going to be tough. Thanks for the note and have an awesome week.
Comments are closed.