Small Trailers with Bathroom A Complete Guide: Discover the best small trailers equipped with bathrooms

Small trailers with bathrooms have changed the game for road trippers, campers, and travel enthusiasts seeking both freedom and convenience. No longer do you need a massive RV to enjoy the luxury of on-board plumbing—modern small trailers are ingeniously designed to combine compactness with essential amenities. In this guide, I’ll break down the key features, types, and considerations for choosing the ideal small trailer with a bathroom, and offer design insights to help you create a space that feels bigger, brighter, and perfectly tailored to your needs.

1. What Qualifies as a Small Trailer?

Small trailers typically refer to towable RVs under 22 feet (about 6.7 meters) in length and less than 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg) in weight. They’re easy to tow with midsize SUVs or trucks and are nimble enough for tight campgrounds. Despite their size, manufacturers now manage to incorporate both wet and dry bathrooms—an impressive feat of design optimization.

2. Types of Bathrooms in Small Trailers

- Wet Baths: A compact all-in-one space where the shower, toilet, and sometimes the sink share the same enclosure. Space-saving but requires some adaptation.

- Dry Baths: A more traditional setup with a separate shower stall and toilet—rare but available in some premium smaller models.

- Cassette Toilets & Porta-Potties: Found in the smallest models, these solutions are more portable and involve manual waste disposal but conserve space.

3. Key Features to Look For

- Efficient use of space: Fold-away sinks, swiveling toilets, and sliding doors.

- Ventilation: Skylights and roof fans to manage moisture.

- Storage: Overhead shelves and hidden cabinets.

- Water heaters and holding tanks sized for sensible capacity.

4. Popular Models and Brands

- **Scamp 16’ Deluxe:** Offers a wet bath, compact kitchen, and dinette.

- **Airstream Basecamp:** Known for sleek design and surprisingly spacious wet bath.

- **Winnebago Micro Minnie:** Features dry bath layouts in select floorplans.

These options balance size with comfort—ideal for solo travelers, couples, or small families craving flexibility on the road.

5. Design Insights for Small Trailer Bathrooms

As an interior designer, I recommend using light-colored materials to make the bathroom feel more open, adding mirrors for visual expansion, and opting for clear or frosted shower enclosures over opaque options. Low-maintenance, waterproof surfaces are key, and consider multifunctional fixtures (like a mirrored medicine cabinet) that double as storage. If you want to visualize or even re-imagine your own trailer’s space before committing to a floor plan or remodel, digital tools like a room planner can help you test layouts, storage solutions, and design finishes—all in 3D—making the most of compact square footage.

Tips 1:

When browsing for your trailer, don’t just focus on the floor plan—step inside, close the bathroom door, and check the headroom, elbow space, and storage. And remember to verify fresh, gray, and black tank sizes—they directly impact your autonomy off-grid.

FAQ

Q: What is the smallest trailer size that comes with a full bathroom?

A: Some trailers as short as 13-15 feet, like the Scamp or Casita, can be equipped with a wet bath—offering a shower and toilet in a compact space.

Q: Wet bath vs. dry bath in a small trailer: Which is better?

A: Wet baths use space more efficiently but require you to keep everything waterproof. Dry baths are more comfortable but take up more room and are less common in smaller trailers.

Q: How much water do small trailer bathrooms use?

A: Usage depends on tank size; most small trailers have 10-20 gallon fresh water tanks, so plan short showers and efficient use.

Q: Can you add a bathroom to an existing small trailer?

A: In some cases, yes—but it’s a significant retrofit and may require plumbing upgrades, new tanks, and structural considerations.

Q: What are the best ways to maximize bathroom storage?

A: Utilize vertical space (above/to the side of the toilet), install hooks or shelves, and opt for modular organizers that lock in place during transit.