This Affordable Trailer Is a Cozy Micro Camper With a Simple yet Functional Living Space

Micro campers might not be for everybody, but they can be excellent mobile homes. They compensate for the lack of interior space with accessible price points, low weight (meaning you can tow them with smaller cars), better fuel efficiency, and cheap maintenance.

Meet Jesse and her dog Nash, who travel and live together in a tiny yet well-equipped trailer. She bought it because she needed a change from her basic suburban life in Nashville, Tennessee.

She tried the van life but soon found out it wasn't for her, so the next best thing was getting her hands on a 2010 Dutchmen T@da (yes, that's its name) trailer and a 2017 Toyota 4Runner to tow it. Even though she knew nothing about trailers and how to operate them, she learned all by herself to adapt to this new lifestyle.

According to JDPower, a basic 2010 Dutchmen T@da retails for about $3,600 (€3,307), although that price will quickly increase if you add extra options, such as an awning, A/C, jacks, and more. Jesse purchased this unit from Facebook Marketplace for $10,000 (€9,203).

On the outside, the rig is quite simple. It boasts three windows, one on each side and one at the rear, two portholes, and two storage compartments. One holds various tools and equipment that allow her to drop the trailer, such as cranks, a greywater tank, and a 6-gallon (23-liter) freshwater tank. The other houses a small septic tank similar to a suitcase, meaning it has wheels for easier transportation at the dump site.

On your left, after you step inside, you'll find this micro camper's no-frills kitchen. It features an eye-catching reflective backsplash, a stainless steel sink/two-burner stove combo, and a wall-mounted water pump switch. Regarding storage, Jesse can use two decently sized overhead cabinets and three spacious cabinets underneath the countertop.

Dead ahead of the entrance, you'll discover a wet bathroom. Just like the kitchen, it's minimally equipped but does the job. It comes with a shower (which Jesse hasn't used yet) and a toilet. The least favorable thing about it is that it's very short because it follows the teardrop shape of the trailer. However, that's no problem for Jesse, as she's only 5'3" (160 centimeters) tall.

Walk deeper inside the trailer, and you'll have the second part of the kitchen on your right, which Jesse also uses as a "prep area" and utility space. It consists of a floor-to-ceiling unit integrating two large cabinets and an overhead microwave, a TV mounted on a swivel, two overhead cabinets with a radio/CD player underneath, two fridges, two shoe storage compartments, and a massive countertop perfect for preparing food.

Opposite the utility space, you'll discover the seating area/office. Since Jesse works remotely for her own company as a social media manager, she needed a dedicated space to work on her laptop. It comprises two benches with a large table in between. Moreover, above, you'll notice a fan with a rain sensor.

If Jesse wants to accommodate guests overnight, she can lower the table to connect the two benches and create a small bedroom. One of the benches houses the rig's A/C and a water heater. For heating, Jesse can use a furnace and a heat pump. However, she can't go in very cold environments, as the furnace and heat pump don't work under 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius).

Finally, the front part of the trailer is taken up by the cozy couch/bedroom. It features a full-sized mattress and three overhead cabinets for clothes storage. There's enough room for both Jesse and Nash, her large doggo, to rest comfortably.

I love that this space is very well-lit due to the two portholes on the sides and the front window. By the way, the windows inside this trailer are awning-style, meaning they open upward and don't let rain leak inside. They also come with bug screens and black-out shades.

All in all, Jesse managed to turn this 14-year-old trailer into a livable, full-time tiny home on wheels. It's cozy and cute, and despite not having the best amenities, it does the job just fine.

I know this trailer isn't that old, but considering how far mobile homes have evolved, you can call it old. There's one disadvantage I see with older models – many, like this one, come with some outdated features, such as the TV, microwave, radio and some of the utility systems, which you pay for but you'll probably have to replace if you want the maximum levels of comfort and convenience.

Anyway, if you're interested in purchasing a small trailer, check out this article I wrote last year about the 10 best micro campers. However, keep in mind that those are new models.