Love Camping And Biking? Meet The Bicycle Camping Trailer That Does Both
If you love long bike rides but hate wrestling with bags, poles, and tent pegs at the end of the day, a bicycle camping trailer can completely change how you travel. Instead of piling gear onto racks and panniers, you tow a compact basecamp that carries your kit, organizes it, and often doubles as your sleeping setup.
The Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka sits right in this sweet spot. It is not a full hard-sided camper; it is a clever blend of off-road bike touring trailer and camping cot trailer, designed so you can tow your gear by day and sleep comfortably at night. Understanding how it fits into the wider world of bicycle camping trailers will help you decide if this style of setup works for your riding, routes, and comfort level.
What Is A Bicycle Camping Trailer, Really?
A bicycle camping trailer is a bike-pulled trailer built specifically for overnight travel. Unlike a simple cargo trailer that just hauls bags or boxes, a camping trailer is designed around life on the road: sleeping, storing gear, and sometimes even cooking. You are not just moving stuff from A to B; you are dragging a tiny, organized campsite behind you.
Some models are full camper units with built-in beds and compact living spaces. These might include sleeping platforms, integrated storage, and even small kitchenettes. Others are cargo-first but shaped and sized for camping gear, cots, and tents, which is where setups like the Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka and similar bicycle tent trailer concepts come in.
The core distinction is intent. A camping trailer prioritizes comfort and usability across multiple days and nights, while a pure cargo trailer focuses on maximum load without caring how you live once you stop riding. When you look at a design, ask yourself whether it solves the “how do I sleep and live” problem, or only the “how do I haul” problem.
Bike Touring Trailer vs Bicycle Camping Trailer
Bike touring trailers grew popular as a way to move weight off the frame and onto a separate platform. Instead of overloading your wheels with heavy panniers, a touring trailer lets your bike stay lighter and more responsive while the trailer deals with bulk. These designs range from minimalist single-wheel systems to wider two-wheel haulers for big loads.
A bicycle camping trailer borrows that towing concept but adds camping-specific features. Many cargo touring trailers can be adapted for camping simply by loading them with a tent, cot, and kitchen kit. You still get touring flexibility, but all the comfort depends on what you pack, not what the trailer is built to do. This is how many riders currently use off-road bike trailers from well-known brands.
Dedicated camper-oriented designs go a step further. Some models use lightweight aluminum frames with enclosed sleeping pods and compact storage areas. Others are modular, allowing them to switch between cargo hauler and mini-camper configuration. The Midget Bushtrekka lives in that in-between zone: it is a cargo trailer designed around a cot-based camping system rather than a solid shell.
Single-Wheel vs Two-Wheel Trailers: Handling And Terrain
Before you fall for any specific camping trailer, it helps to understand how it will behave on the road and on the trail. The biggest difference is between single-wheel and two-wheel layouts, and this matters whether you are using a dedicated bicycle tent trailer or a more traditional bike touring trailer.
Single-wheel trailers trail directly behind the bike and lean with it. This makes them feel more like an extension of the bicycle, especially on narrow paths, technical trails, or winding routes. Models in this category often include suspension coils or shocks to handle rough ground, and their off-road performance has made them favorites among long-distance riders exploring remote terrain.
Two-wheel trailers trade that agile lean for stability. They stay upright on their own, are easier to load at a standstill, and feel more composed at low speeds or in tight urban settings. Many touring and trekking trailers use two wheels to create a broad platform with strong cargo capacity. For camping setups similar to the Midget Bushtrekka, the two-wheel format makes sense because it supports a cot or tent-style system and spreads weight more evenly.
Where The Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka Fits In
The Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka belongs in the “cargo trailer with camping potential” category. Instead of a full hard camper shell, it marries a gear-hauling base with an integrated cot system. You tow the trailer loaded with your camping kit, then set up the cot-based sleeping surface when you stop, transforming it into a compact camp that rises off the ground.
This design approach solves a few real-world problems for riders. First, a camping cot trailer keeps you off wet, rocky, or uneven ground without the bulk of a full camper pod. Second, the gear areas under or around the cot give you defined storage zones, so you are not digging through one giant bag in the dark. Finally, the bike still tows a relatively low-profile load compared with taller camper shells, which can help with stability in crosswinds and when cornering.
Because it is still effectively a cargo trailer at its core, the Midget Bushtrekka also suits people who want flexibility. You can use it as a regular touring trailer by loading dry bags, or pair it with its matching camping cot tent system when you plan overnights. That dual role makes it attractive for cyclists who do not want a single-purpose toy taking up space when they are not on a bike-camping trip.
Comfort Features To Look For In A Bicycle Tent Trailer
Whether you are eyeing the Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka or another bicycle tent trailer, comfort should be treated as a system, not a single feature. The goal is to create a compact retreat that actually lets you recover between riding days. Start with the sleep platform: a level, supported cot or mattress space will matter more to your long-term comfort than any clever storage nook.
Gear organization comes next. Dedicated storage compartments, dry zones for clothing, and accessible spots for cooking equipment can make camp setup fast and predictable. Camper-style trailers often include defined storage bays sized for standard bags or boxes, making it easy to pack methodically. Cargo-based designs with camping in mind, like the Midget Bushtrekka, achieve something similar with structured cargo pods around the cot.
Weather protection is another key layer. Some full camper models use solid walls or hard shells, while tent-based systems rely on fabric and poles. In both cases, look for secure closures, sufficient ventilation to limit condensation, and a layout that allows you to enter and exit easily, even in foul weather. If you ride in colder conditions, consider how you will insulate the sleep platform and store damp items away from your bedding.
Off-Road Bike Trailer Features For Rugged Routes
If your rides include gravel, forest tracks, or rough doubletrack, you will want your bicycle camping trailer to behave like an off-road bike trailer first and a micro-camper second. That means paying close attention to suspension, wheel size, ground clearance, and overall durability.
Suspension systems such as coil or oil shocks significantly reduce the abuse transferred to the trailer and your cargo. They also limit bouncing, which makes handling more predictable and helps keep your campsite gear in better shape over time. Trailers built for off-road use often pair these shocks with larger wheels, commonly in the 16 to 20 inch range or more, to roll over obstacles more easily.
Ground clearance matters when you are navigating ruts, roots, and rocks. Some dedicated off-road cargo trailers are built with generous vertical clearance, helping them clear obstacles that might otherwise snag or damage the frame. If you are considering a cot-based trailer like the Midget Bushtrekka for mixed terrain, compare its clearance and suspension with proven off-road models and stay realistic about which routes it can handle safely.
Comparing Camping-Focused Trailers And Cargo-Based Setups
The market around bicycle camping trailers is still small compared with general cargo trailers, but there are a few clear patterns. On one side, you have true camper-style trailers with lightweight frames, integrated sleeping areas, and compact living functions. These often prioritize an enclosed, pod-like experience where the interior converts from seating and dining space to a bed, and every centimeter serves more than one purpose.
On the other side are modular or cargo-first trailers. Some use aluminum frames with large open beds, ready to accept boxes or bags. Others have shaped, rugged shells built for trekking and travel that can double as luggage when detached from the bike. A few brands focus on ultra-light single-wheel designs that lean hard into performance and minimalist packing instead of built-in comfort.
Hybrid concepts like the Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka sit between these two ends of the spectrum. They keep the towing simplicity of a cargo trailer while bundling in a purpose-designed camping system around a cot. You gain meaningful comfort without the extra bulk or mechanical complexity of a full camper pod. The trade-off is that you rely more on external fabric components for weather protection and may have a less insulated space than a hard-sided mini-camper.
Key Buying Considerations For A Bike Touring Trailer You Can Camp With
If you are researching a bike touring trailer that can double as your campsite, focus on a few core criteria: weight, capacity, durability, and packability. Lighter trailers are easier to tow, especially on climbs and in headwinds, but they usually carry less and may feel more nervous on rough roads. Heavier-duty models offer higher cargo capacities in the range that touring riders often need, yet demand more effort with every pedal stroke.
Durability is about more than frame material. Look at how the hitch connects to your bike, how the trailer handles twisting forces, and how the cargo or sleeping structure copes with repeated setup and breakdown cycles. Established touring cargo trailers often use proven designs that can handle thousands of kilometers under harsh conditions, making them reliable bases for tent or cot systems similar to the Midget Bushtrekka idea.
Packability matters if you travel by train, bus, or plane before or after your ride. Some two-wheel trailers fold flat or convert to duffel-style bags, allowing them to be checked as standard luggage. Others are more rigid and require dedicated transport solutions. A camping cot trailer that folds into a compact package can be far easier to live with between trips than a large, rigid camper pod.
Pros And Cons Of Bicycle Camping Trailers
To decide if a bicycle camping trailer is right for you, balance the practical benefits against the added complexity. Towing a small basecamp behind your bike dramatically simplifies camp setup. You can stop, deploy your sleeping area and gear, and be ready to rest in far less time than full ground-up tent pitching usually takes. Your bike remains less cluttered with packs, making it more enjoyable to ride during the day.
On the downside, any trailer adds drag and rolling resistance. You will feel it particularly on steep climbs, soft surfaces, and when riding into the wind. Maneuvering a rig with a trailer through tight spaces, busy cities, or narrow gates can take more planning and care. Parking and securing both bike and trailer also demands more attention, especially in urban or shared campsites.
For many riders, the decision comes down to comfort versus minimalism. If good sleep and organized gear matter more to you than outright speed and the smallest possible setup, then a system like the Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka or a comparable bicycle camping trailer can justify the weight penalty. If you prioritize nimble riding and ultralight packing, a traditional bike touring trailer with a standard tent might suit you better.
Quick Comparison: Cargo Trailer vs Camping Cot Trailer
The table below summarizes the practical differences between a standard cargo touring trailer and a camping cot trailer concept like the Midget Bushtrekka.
| Aspect | Cargo Touring Trailer | Camping Cot Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Haul gear efficiently | Combine hauling with sleeping comfort |
| Sleep System | Separate tent or bivy required | Integrated cot-based setup |
| Setup Time In Camp | Longer; more pieces to assemble | Shorter; cot and gear zones built-in |
| Weight | Usually lighter for same volume | Typically heavier due to cot structure |
| Versatility | Excellent for many cargo uses | Best for touring and camping trips |
People Also Ask: Bicycle Camping Trailer FAQ
Is a bicycle camping trailer hard to tow?
You will notice the extra weight, but how hard it feels depends on your fitness, route, and how heavily you load it. Single-wheel designs feel more natural on narrow or winding roads, while two-wheel setups offer more stability. For multi-day trips, many riders find that the comfort in camp outweighs the extra effort on climbs.
Can I turn a regular cargo trailer into a bicycle tent trailer?
Yes, many riders start with a robust cargo or bike touring trailer and pair it with a compact tent or cot. You will not have a built-in camper shell, but you can approach the functionality of systems like the Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka by packing a folding cot, a small tent that fits over it, and well-organized storage bags.
Are off-road bike trailers necessary for bicycle camping?
Not always. If you stay mostly on paved or well-maintained gravel roads, a standard touring trailer may be enough. An off-road bike trailer with suspension, larger wheels, and good clearance becomes more important when you plan to ride technical trails, rocky tracks, or poorly maintained roads where the trailer will frequently hit bumps and ruts.
How much gear can a bicycle camping trailer carry?
Capacities vary widely, but many touring-capable trailers are designed around load ranges suitable for multi-day trips, including camping gear, clothing, and food. When you add an integrated camping system such as a cot or tent frame, some of that capacity is consumed by the structure itself, so you need to pack more efficiently.
Is a camping cot trailer comfortable in bad weather?
Comfort in bad weather depends on the design of the tent or shell over the cot, not just the trailer frame. With a well-designed fabric shelter and careful setup to block drafts and manage water runoff, a cot-based system can stay dry and comfortable. However, it typically offers less insulation than a solid-walled micro-camper, so your sleeping bag and clothing choices still matter a lot.
Key Takeaways Before You Try A Bicycle Camping Trailer
First, decide whether you value integrated comfort more than the lightest possible setup. A camping cot trailer like the Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka adds weight but streamlines camp life. Second, match the trailer layout to your routes: single-wheel for technical, narrow tracks, two-wheel for stability and loading ease. Third, treat the whole system as your moving home, not just a gear hauler, and prioritize good sleep and weather protection when comparing options.
If the idea of reaching camp, unfolding a ready-made sleep system, and being off the ground within minutes appeals to you, exploring bicycle camping trailers and cot-based designs is worth your time. They offer a different way to experience bike travel: a little slower, a bit more deliberate, and a lot more comfortable when the day’s riding is done.