Camping's Newest Trend: Motorcycle Motorhomes

Jake Robison - August 01, 2023

Every year, the biker community gains more members. Just 20 years ago, there were over 4.3 million bikers in the United States. Now, that number has surged to more than 13 million, and it continues to grow. Reports also show that the camping community is thriving. By some accounts, it has more than doubled just over the last few years.

 

Of course, those two communities aren’t necessarily separate entities, are they? Motorcycles are perfect vehicles for long-distance outings, and camping and road trips basically go hand in hand, don’t they? Because of that, many people walk both worlds, and they’re enjoying the countless benefits of both.

 

Exploring Different Options for Motorcycle Camping Trips

 

Touring and cruiser bikes are popular choices for long-distance rides. Touring motorcycles are particularly suited to these types of road trips. They’re designed for optimal comfort, and they have extra built-in storage capacity for clothing, camping gear, and other essentials. Cruisers aren’t specifically built for cross-country rides, but they can be modified to fit the occasion. With all the accessories and customization options on the market, they can easily be modified for long hauls.

 

That being said, cruisers and touring bikes aren’t the only options for people who want to enjoy camping on cross-country motorcycle trips. Adventure bikes allow riders to explore the open road and venture off the beaten path. With that being the case, they can certainly be great for camping adventures. They may need to be fitted with leather saddlebags, luggage racks, and other accessories to truly meet riders’ needs, though.

 

Beyond the Bike

 

Whether you’re looking for the perfect used motorcycle for long rides or a new model to customize and make your own, being equipped for camping trips means looking beyond the bike itself. Several solutions are available to make camping easier and more comfortable. At the very least, some bikes have small storage compartments under their seats that can hold a few essential items.

 

Saddlebags can give you more storage capacity, but they have their limits. Panniers are generally larger and more durable. Top-boxes give you even more storage space. They can be mounted behind the passenger seat, and some of them lock for added security.

 

Pull-behind trailers are also available for bikes. They’re small and lightweight, so they can easily be towed by motorcycles. They give you a great deal of added space for tents, air mattresses, sleeping bags, snacks and drinks, extra clothing, and other camping must-haves. Hard-shell trailers are covered, so they keep all your gear secure while riding.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, you have toy haulers. These are larger, heavier campers that must be towed by trucks or SUVs, but they also feature a built-in garage of sorts. You can park your bike inside and take it along on camping trips. Unfortunately, you can’t enjoy riding the bike until you set up camp with these RVs. These days, though, all those options pale in comparison to some of the available possibilities.

 

Motorcycle Motorhomes: The Growing World of Towable Campers for Bikes

 

Countless camping enthusiasts have pointed out that too many options are available to settle for sleeping on the cold, hard ground. Campers and motorhomes offer far more comfort and protection from the elements. Until fairly recently, though, RVs were only meant to be towed by trucks and SUVs. Now, there are numerous campers designed to be towed behind motorcycles, and they’ve opened up a world of new possibilities.

 

Kwik Camp II

 

The Kwik Camp II folds away for riding and can quickly and easily be set up when you get to a campsite. It’s a basic dome-style tent with an 8-foot ceiling at its highest point. One of its best features is the elevated king-size bed that gives you plenty of space to sleep comfortably and keeps you off the ground. It’s also wind- and water-resistant, making it a safe haven in all types of weather.

 

It even has a built-in AC port you can plug a portable air conditioner into. Aside from sleeping space and added comfort, it offers plenty of storage room. Its 24-cubic-foot cargo bay can hold quite a bit of camping gear, so you can take along the essentials. It’s built on a sturdy frame, but the body of the trailer is made of fiberglass. That gives you a great blend of durability and towability. With a 12-inch hitch height, you can tow it with a motorcycle, car, truck, or SUV.

 

Excel Lees-ure Lite

 

Next in line is the Excel Lees-ure Lite. It features a double bed, so it gives you less sleeping room than the Kwik Camp II. Still, it keeps you off the ground and gives you a comfy memory foam mattress to snuggle into at night. Its pop-up tent was redesigned for the 2023 lineup and has mesh windows with zip-up flaps. It also comes with a rainfly.

 

Several optional add-ons are available for the Excel Lees-ure Lite. Those include a 7-foot awning, an extra room, and additional storage containers. It offers 30 cubic feet of internal storage space, too. According to the manufacturer, different versions of this motorcycle tent trailer are available to accommodate motorcycles with different towing capabilities. Rumor has it you can set up this camper in about a minute.

 

Kompact Kamp Mini Mate

 

Kompact Kamp Mini Mate trailers are slightly smaller than some of the other models on the market, but that doesn’t mean they fall short on features. They’re very light at only 260 pounds. Their full-size bed slides in for traveling and out for sleeping. The Mini Mate’s tent is designed to withstand the elements. When set up, it stands just over 6 feet tall.

 

You’ll have 15 cubic feet of storage space in this motorcycle camper. The storage area can be reached through the back hatch for extra convenience. Several add-ons are available as well. Those include an awning, an add-a-room package, and a rear exterior light bar to name a few. This is a fairly basic camper, but it gives you plenty of freedom for traveling and spending the night in areas that may not be accessible with other trailers. Setup only takes a couple of minutes.

 

Roll-a-Home

 

On the more spacious and luxurious side is the Roll-a-Home pop-up motorcycle camper. This one has an array of interesting features to make camping more comfortable. It has two beds, one on each end, and about 18 cubic feet of inside storage space. It also features zippered screen windows. A selection of optional add-ons is available to further ramp up your camping experiences.

 

The body of this camper trailer offers additional storage as well. It actually opens up to reveal a deep underlying storage compartment. Two models are available, a standard and a wide-bed version. Both give you plenty of interior room to stand up and move around once the tent is set up. The Roll-a-Home is heavier and a bit more expensive than some other models. It’s also a little more complicated to set up. Still, many people insist the extra space and amenities are worth the higher price.

 

Solace Deluxe

 

Another great option for motorcycle camping trips is the Solace Deluxe. It has 16 cubic feet of storage space for extra gear while traveling. At about 400 pounds, it’s geared toward more powerful bikes, especially if it’s loaded with extra essentials. It comes with numerous features that’ll make any camping trip more comfortable and enjoyable.

 

On the inside, it has a queen-size bed with an air mattress. It even has a dining area with a table. Its tent stands 6 feet, 7 inches tall at its peak, and it boasts 72 square feet of interior space. The Solace Deluxe has a handy air conditioner port, too. There’s a special cooler package available that’ll give you a cooler and a built-in rack for it. That places cold drinks well within arm’s reach whether you’re on the road or inside the camper.

 

Aspen Motorcycle Campers

 

Aspen also offers a diverse lineup of motorcycle camper trailers. The Classic model is packed with features, like double beds, foam mattresses, a heavy-duty tent, zippered windows with rain flaps, and 25 cubic feet of storage space. Optional features include trailer brakes and even a party deck for campers who want to go all out.

 

While the Aspen Classic is a nice choice for motorcycle camping, the Base Camp and Sentry are also available. The Sentry is a bit smaller than the Classic, and the Base Camp is designed for solo campers. Aspen announced that it would no longer be manufacturing trailers as of 2020, but its campers are still widely available, and the company continues to supply parts.

 

Camping in Style without Leaving Behind Your Motorcycle

 

Those are a few of the most highly acclaimed motorcycle campers on the market right now. Several other models are also available, so you can explore a range of options to find one that meets your needs and suits your budget. They come in numerous sizes and weights with different storage capacities, sleeping accommodations, and other features.

 

These days, there’s no need to sacrifice comfort when going on long motorcycle trips. You don’t have to leave behind your motorcycle to enjoy a luxurious camping trip, either. With the growing selection of motorcycle motorhomes, you can have the best of both worlds.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Jake Robison

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Jake Robison has operated powersports dealerships since 2003.  With an extensive background in the motorcycle industry including sales, service, parts, finance, management and powersports training, he covers all things motorcycles and enjoys sharing valuable information to newcomers on two-wheels

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