Marketing is constantly telling us that we need more stuff on top of the stuff we already bought (and maybe never even used), but what if we resisted the urge? This most basic teardrop trailer is here to make an argument that sometimes, more is really just more, not better.
Little Guy Trailers, a U.S.-based maker with a showroom in San Diego, California, has been working hard for the past several years to bring to market a variety of teardrop trailers inspired by the classic design but adapted to the needs of the modern traveler. Over the years, they've developed an impressive lineup with models of various sizes and features, for the budget of every potential customer.
We've covered some of the most popular entries in that lineup, from the MeerKat to the Max in some of its iterations. In 2019, Little Guy Trailers introduced the CampKat, which is also a popular option, though exclusively with a certain type of adventurer: the kind that believes that extra stuff is just… extra and, as such, completely unnecessary.
The CampKat is best described as a "most basic"teardrop trailer for the unfussy traveler who just wants a place to rest at night and a setup that resembles a galley where they can throw together a quick bite. It's offered in the Standard and Off-Road spec, with the names being self-explanatory: the former is for occasional getaways at the campsite, while the latter allows you to get off the beaten track for as long as you can muster this kind of lifestyle.
Photo: YouTube/Playing With Sticks
The 2024 CampKat Off-Road model is now out. The video below is a complete tour of the model, courtesy of Playing With Sticks. It comes across as a sort of covert ad, which it probably is, but it also offers a good look at the towable while shining a light on its pros and cons.
Like with previous upgrades to other models, the 2024 CampKat brings certain improvements over its predecessors. It still lives up to the original motto of "I go where I'm towed," which is supposed to highlight its highest selling points: its low weight, its reliability, and the fact that you can tow it with your daily car without an issue.
The CampKat has a one-piece fiberglass body with diamond plate metal fenders and a matching storage box on the tongue. There's an 18-inch ground clearance, thanks to a 3-inch lift kit, and the unit boasts R15 tires and a Dexter rubber torsion axle, allowing the wheels to move independently one from the other.
Photo: YouTube/Playing With Sticks
Dry weight is under 1,200 lbs (544 kg), with the basic configuration starting at just 880 lbs (399 kg) before you add optionals. The trailer is 11 feet (3.35 meters) long, 5.8 feet (1.73 meters) wide, and 6.4 feet (1.93 meters) high. The difference between the Standard and Off-Road versions is that the former is slightly heavier because of the fiberglass fenders, and shorter in height because there's no lift kit on it.
Inside, the CampKat offers sleeping for two adults at a squeeze but in relative comfort – a "cozy" fit is how the Little Guy Trailers rep puts it. There's some cabinetry for storage at the head of the bed, while the foot of the bed is open and communicates with the exterior when you open the tailgate. That is on purpose, we learn, allowing you to store duffle bags at the foot of the bed, which you can take out through the tailgate. It also allows a taller person to sleep stretched out.
There's a small galley at the rear, which is the most generous description of a galley you're likely to read this week. The galley is basically a shelf with a small storage compartment underneath, where you can place a portable stove and a small wash basin. But if your goal is to be out on off-road adventures and not play Master Chef in your rolling kitchen, the CampKat will do just fine.
Photo: YouTube/Playing With Sticks
For all its basic spec, the CampKat does allow for a certain degree of comfort. It has two opening side doors, each with opening windows with bug screens (no bug screens on the open section of the bed, though), a ceiling fan, and an interior lined with fabric, which helps with insulation and moisture management, while also allowing you to add velcro pouches for storage of small items.
Moreover, the mattress can be rolled up, allowing you to use the cabin for activities other than sleeping – like additional storage, remote working, or eating in bad weather. There's a sizable storage box on the tongue, while the battery to run the lights and the fan is placed at the rear. The fenders will not support your weight but could effectively double as makeshift tables when you're taking some time out from whatever your adventures might be.
The CampKat comes with a roof rack with lights and a not-so-impressive payload of 100 lbs (45.5 kg), so it won't take a rooftop tent as an option for expanding available space. The list of features also includes a 110V exterior outlet for plugging in, a 12V system inside, and a roof fan for extra ventilation. Optionally, a Euro-style opening window can be added to the front.
Photo: YouTube/Playing With Sticks
The CampKat starts at $11,995 for the Standard model and $13,970 for the Off-Road one, but all options will add to the final tally – and ultimately, the weight with which you hit the road with your trusty, "most basic," non-frills teardrop trailer.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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