In recent years, the tiny house trend emerged, inspiring some to ditch their rambling ranches in exchange for diminutive dwellings. Similar trends can be found in the RV industry, with more tiny trailers coming to the market. Some might say bigger is better, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to RVs.
Our family purchased a Jayco 184BH for our first travel trailer almost four years ago, and we’ve considered buying a larger model many times over the years. Once we started weighing the pros and cons of larger rigs, we realized there are many things to love about our 20-footer.
Small trailers can range anywhere from tiny teardrops to expandable pop-ups and hybrids to hard-sided towables that can fit a family of four in under 150 square feet. Here are 10 reasons you should consider purchasing an RV on the smaller side:
Extra Cozy 
There’s something I really like about having my family in close proximity while camping. Once we tuck in for the night, it’s easy to soak up the family time in our small trailer. In a larger rig, we would be more likely to retreat to our own spaces. I appreciate that my RV doesn’t feel like a house. We’re all there, together.
Easy to Maintain
Often, small trailers have less to maintain. They have fewer tires to repair and replace and may have no slides requiring care. As total RV newbies, we truly appreciated the chance to follow the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid) as we dipped our toes into RV ownership.
Nimble Towing
It is easier to zip around with a small trailer behind you. You won’t have to be anxious about stopping for gas or food since you can pull through parking lots more easily. On the highway, you’ll have less trouble with traffic and narrow roads with a small trailer. Plus, you can easily glide them into your campsite, putting on less of a show for the Nosy Nellies nearby.
More Campsite Options
With a small trailer, you can fit into almost any campsite. Not all spots can accommodate long rigs. This is especially true for state and national park campgrounds, which sometimes cap out at around 30 feet. The shorter your trailer, the more options you’ll have.
Lightweight
Smaller trailers often weigh less, which means you can tow them with smaller vehicles. You may not need to replace your daily driver in order to pull one. Towing larger RVs usually requires a pickup or SUV with a serious engine, which means you could find yourself buying a new vehicle in order to buy a bigger trailer.
Gas Savers
If you have a smaller vehicle and tow a smaller trailer, you will save money on gas. Small trailers are lightweight and more aerodynamic, making them more economical to tow. This leaves you more money to spend on the fun parts of travel.
Budget Friendly
Often, small trailers cost less to purchase than larger ones. If you are unsure about how much you are comfortable investing in an RV, a small trailer may be a budget-friendly option. Our first trailer has everything our family needs, and it didn’t break the bank.
Easier Storage
Small trailers take up less space, making them easier to store. Some short rigs can be parked in residential driveways, and some are small enough to store in your home’s garage.
The Cute Factor
There’s no denying that small rigs can be super cute. They’re the puppies and kittens of the RV world. Jayco is introducing the new 2018 Hummingbird 10RK , and it’s one that is sure to turn heads thanks to its fun, sporty design.
Minimalist Lifestyle
Minimalism is all the rage these days. Why do we have so much stuff we don’t use or need? The great thing about a small trailer is that you are more thoughtful about what you bring along. Henry David Thoreau once said, “Simplify, simplify, simplify.” Where better to practice this than at the campground?
Looking back, I’m so glad our family bought a small trailer. We sometimes have to scrunch to fit into it, but that’s part of the fun. It has everything we need and nothing we don’t. For now, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Our small trailer brings us big joy. Good things really can come in small packages. If you’re considering an RV purchase, don’t overlook the small trailers. You might appreciate their cost, convenience, and coziness just as much as we do.
This post was written by Kerri Cox of Travels with Birdy. Kerri writes about her family and RV travel at travelswithbirdy.com. You can also follow their adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
