Last Updated on August 25, 2022
Going on a trip does not always mean flying or sailing to and from your destination. A road trip is a fun and more grounded way to travel, especially if you want to hit different attractions on the way to your final stop.
The thing is, a regular car can be inconvenient as it does not have enough space for your family and your things. It also does not have everything you will need on the road. The good news is you can use your existing car and get a homier space by purchasing a pop-up camper.
These vehicle additions have a lot to offer as they come with areas for sleeping, sitting, dining, cooking, and storage. You can even find folding campers with shower. If you are interested in getting one, here’s a useful buying guide.
Folding Campers vs Recreational Vehicles
Now, if you are thinking of having these amenities while you drive, you might be wondering if a pop-up camper or a recreational vehicle (RV) is right for you. They offer similar features, but they have essential differences that can help you decide which one to get.
An RV is either a trailer or a vehicle in itself. It needs to be towed with a tow vehicle or if a motorhome it has its own engine, and driving system, along with living quarters typically composed of a dinette, kitchen, as well as bedroom, toilet, shower, and sitting areas. The amenities area is a permanent part of the vehicle.
A folding camper is lightweight and space-saving, making them easier to drive around. They also need less space for storage but can be expanded when needed.
Folding campers are usually affordable, but keep in mind that the price will depend on what types of amenities and features it has. The drawback is you need to set them up before you can use them.
Why Go for Folding Campers?
If you are choosing between folding campers and regular RVs, you might want to choose the pop-up ones. They are space- and cost-efficient, making them more marketable to those with a limited budget for storing and purchasing.
While they can be more reasonably priced compared to their motorized counterparts, they are excellent options due to their completeness, particularly folding campers with showers. What you just need to remember is that you need to have the patience to set them up.
10 Best Folding Campers with Showers
Now that you know how folding campers fare with recreational vehicles, you want to make sure that you pick the right option. The best way to go is to go to an RV dealer and see what they have to offer. This way, you can see for yourself whether it is fit for your needs. It also lets you check the quality and versatility of the trailer.
Forest River Rockwood High Wall Series HW296
We are starting strong with the Rockwood High Wall series from Forest River. The HW296 is a great choice for individuals who want every essential amenity when they travel on the road. This attachment lets you enjoy a living, sleeping, dining, cooking, and showering.
The camper is equipped with two beds, a three-burner stove, a cabinet and microwave, a refrigerator, and lots of exterior and interior storage. It even has an awning and an outdoor griddle for your maximum convenience.
It can carry up to 26 gallons of fresh water, 12 gallons of gray water, and 12 gallons of black water. This is pretty manageable in terms of weight, even with the tanks filled.
Coachmen Clipper Classic 1285 SST
Next up is Coachmen’s Clipper Classic offering model 1285 SST. It has living quarters that can house seven people, even when sleeping. This lightweight pop-up trailer is space-efficient, even with 23 gallons of freshwater. If you have a small SUV, then this camper is perfect for you.
It maximizes interior space by expanding out when set up. With this, you can enjoy queen- and king-sized bunks, one of which has a sliding exterior storage box to accommodate your things.
This trailer lets you cook with a two-burner stovetop, and enjoy your meals with a dinette table complete with seating. While it has no living space for a sofa and a TV unlike the first option, it has a toilet and a shower for your convenience.
Jayco Jay Sport 12SC
The Jayco Jay Sport 12SC from 2019 is one of the best choices for road trips because it can carry up to 28.2 gallons of freshwater, for your shower, toilet, and faucets. Up to eight people can sleep in this camper thanks to its queen and king bed and a sofa.
It has a kitchen equipped with a two-burner stove on the inside, and a carryout stove with additional two burners for outdoor cooking. It has plenty of interior storage including the kitchen cabinet, as well as underneath the king bed.
The sleeping areas are retractable, so you can easily keep the space minimum when not in use. Plus, the aluminum stairs are foldable, as well.
Somerset Mesa
This offering by Somerset comes with a complete amenities area covering all the essentials such as the sleeping quarters, toiler, shower, refrigerator, and dining area. It even comes with a heater than can carry up to six gallons of hot water.
It can accommodate up to eight people at once, so a small group is definitely welcome in this camper. What you need to know is that it can be a bit heavy. This is not a disadvantage, but you need a car that is capable enough to tow this trailer.
A true drawback is the fact that it was released a few years back and it can be difficult to find a unit in brand-new condition.
Forest River Flagstaff Hard Side T21DMHW
Another entry from Forest River is the Flagstaff Hard Side in the model T21DMHW. If you are looking for a camper that looks good and is sturdy, then this is one of the best bets. The company calls this an Expandable Camper, which is different from the tent-like builds of other folding campers.
Its smaller frame comes with essential facilities such as storage, sleeping, shower, toiler, dining, and kitchen areas. It also has a two-burner stove and a fridge, as well as a cassette shower.
What you should know is it only has one bed and no sofa, so it has limited space for sleeping. In fact, the entire camper can be pretty small.
Forest River Flagstaff 23SCSE
Forest River is the Flagstaff 23SCSE. It comes with several differences from the Flagstaff Hard Side T21DMHW and Rockwood High Wall HW296. First, this is bigger than the Flagstaff Hard Side but smaller than the Rockwood High Wall.
It comes with two beds, a dinette, and plenty of interior and exterior storage. It also comes with a three-burner stove and a fridge, as well as a cassette shower. What it lacks compared to the Rockwood High Wall option are a sofa and a TV area. However, it offers more space than the Flagstaff Hard Side model.
It can accommodate up to six people sleeping and has a 26-gallon water tank for your shower, toilet, and faucet.
Jay Sport Pure Escape
Those who are new to the folding camper scene will be glad to know that there is an option that makes it easier for them to set up. This trailer comes with a pretty simple build that is easy to pop up and fold down.
This is your best option if you are ready for an outdoor experience without having to let go of your warm showers. It has a six-gallon heater for your hygiene needs. The downside is that it does not have a built-in shower inside, but an outdoor curtained shower.
Nevertheless, it has everything you need including a toiler, sink, bed, and storage. It also comes with a five-year warranty, which covers three years more than most campers.
Aliner Lxe A-Frame Camper with Shower
Those who are looking for something like the Flagstaff Hard Side with a more structured build, then you might want to go with the Aliner Lxe A-Frame Camper. It comes with a shower complete with a six-gallon water heater for your comfort and convenience.
Keep in mind that it can only store 11 gallons of fresh water, so make sure to conserve your supply or find somewhere to refill it along the way.
With this camper, you can do most things such as cook, dine, shower, and sleep. It even has a burner stove, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave. However, it can only accommodate two people. The good thing is that it is pretty light and small, which can be easier to manage.
Trail Manor 3124
Adventurers who want a little bit of luxury when in the Great Outdoors should take a look at what Trail Manor has to offer. It has hard sides, so you can retire for the night with peace of mind. Regardless, these still fold up and down when needed for portability and versatility.
The best thing about this option is it has a tub shower, so you can make the most out of the bathing space. It has the biggest bathroom out of all the options given here. This camper comes with a king bed and lots of storage space.
Turtleback Expedition Trailer
If you are looking for an extremely compact option, then the Turtleback Expedition Trailer is good for you. It looks like a typical backend of an off-road, but in reality, it expands considerably to accommodate your needs.
This is truly the definition of pop-up because a huge part of its coverage relies on the foldable tent. It offers a sleeping area for experienced outdoor adventurers, but it is not equipped with beds. It has a 42-gallon tank for your water needs. You can set up a curtained outdoor shower with this option.
While it is compact, making it lightweight and easy to manage on the road, it can be very limited. What it provides is covering for the outdoor kitchen and lounging. In short, this offers a more outdoorsy camping experience than the rest of the options.
Final Thoughts
Folding campers with showers is your best bet if you want to have everything you will need and more while camping. Now that you have ideas about the best options out there, you can make the decision and get one for yourself today.
