The Honda CRV is a popular model of SUV (sport utility vehicle). Many people enjoy them for their spacious and comfortable interiors as well as all the luggage and people they can transport. But if you’re the proud owner of a CRV, you might be wondering what your options are in terms of towable campers.
Due to their fairly low towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. Honda CRVs can only tow light campers such as teardrop trailers, stand-up trailers, and pop-up trailers.
Below is a table that describes some basic information on the different models of Honda CRVs. Each one has the same towing capacity, but it’s good for owners to know the base weight of their vehicle before they look into choosing a camper.
| Model Name: | LX | EX | EX-L | Touring |
| Tow Capacity: | 1,500 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. |
| Unladen Vehicle Weight: | 3,307 lbs. | 3,358 lbs. | 3,377 lbs. | 3,397 lbs. |
1,500 lbs. isn’t a range that gives you a lot of wiggle room for choosing a trailer, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a good option! There are a lot of companies and suppliers that create miniature trailers for people with low towing capacities. You can still get what you need from your Honda CRV and get a trailer that’s both functional and comfortable.
Things to Keep in Mind
The most important measurement if you want to tow any kind of trailer is the towing capacity of your car. There are a lot of teardrop trailers that will be compatible with the 1,500 lb. limit of Honda CRVs, but it’s a good measurement to look at regardless. There are teardrop trailers that can be up to 3,000 lbs!
Look at the dry weight of any campers you’re interested in and try to calculate how much you’ll be packing into them once they’re fully loaded. Dry weights are recorded when the trailer is completely empty of luggage, water, fuel, etc. Once you’ve got them loaded up, they can be much heavier than you might have intended.
A good rule of thumb for all of the campers on this list is to try to stay at least 20-35% below your maximum tow capacity to create a safety margin for yourself! This is to prevent accidents on the road before they happen. Pushing the weight limits of what your car can handle is never a good idea, especially since your whole vehicle setup will be longer, heavier, and harder to manage with a camper behind you.
Teardrop Trailers
Teardrop trailers are great options for anyone with a low towing capacity and a sense of adventure! These miniature travel trailers are super easy to tow behind just about any type of vehicle. They’re light, aerodynamic, and are sometimes small enough that they won’t even block your rearview mirror!
This small size doesn’t mean that they can’t do anything though. Teardrop trailers come in a lot of different forms, lengths, and designs. Some of them have lots of fold-outs and extensions that make them great for outdoor cooking. Some maximize their storage space to double as storage and equipment haulers. Others even offer a good amount of sleeping space!
Teardrop trailers are easy to fit with just about any type of tow vehicle because they’re so light and adaptable. Towing capacity is rarely a problem with this type of camper. It’s unusual to find a teardrop trailer that weighs much more than 3,000 lbs. If you can’t tow anything else, you’ll be able to tow a teardrop.
If you’re just looking for a cozy, simple living space to bring along on trips, then teardrop trailers are probably the most stress-free option on this list. You may sacrifice a bit of space and functionality, but these campers still manage to do a lot despite their small size.
Most manufacturers have a totally unique approach to their trailer design, so each one is different. To help you in your search, here are some teardrop trailers that I think would be great matches for Honda CRVs.
MyPod
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 630 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: 1,570 lbs.
- Hitch Weight: 110 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 11 feet, 7 inches
- Maximum Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
The MyPod is a sleek little teardrop trailer that manages to fit a bed, entertainment center, and even a full ventilation system and fan into the small floor plan. There are also attachments built into the roof that enables this trailer to carry extra gear for camping or fishing. You can even fit kayaks onto these racks!
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
Papa Bear (Standard Model)
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 975 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: N/A
- Hitch Weight: 130 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 14 feet
- Maximum Height: 5 feet, 9 inches
The Papa Bear teardrop is built to stand the test of time! The front of this trailer, as well as the wheel wells, are all protected by a diamond plate covering. Benches and a table are included with every purchase, but other than that, all customers can choose the furniture and interior design that they want. You can either select options from the manufacturer, or add your own gear. This is a fully customizable teardrop!
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
Basedrop
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 1,000 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: 1,200 lbs.
- Hitch Weight: 55 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 12 feet, 4 inches
- Maximum Height: 5 feet, 10.5 inches
The Basedrop teardrop trailer is a luxury camper that offers customers a wide range of optional upgrades and amenities. It’s built with a reinforced aluminum frame with a large set of birch cabinets and storage spaces inside. Customers can choose to add features like a stargazing window, attachments for an outdoor shower setup, an LED TV, or even an espresso machine! It’s harder to find a more comfortable and luxurious trailer of this size anywhere.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
nuCamp TAG
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 1,282 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: 807 lbs.
- Hitch Weight: 146 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 13 feet, 7 inches
- Maximum Height: 6 feet, 4 inches
This teardrop trailer has a fairly spacious layout that can accommodate standing room! This isn’t a given for this type of trailer, so keep this model in mind if you like to get up and stretch after a good night’s sleep. This model also comes with two optional packages of amenities for customers to choose from. They include things like window screens and nightshades, a stargazer window, and a 2-burner stove.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and additional options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
Stand-up Trailers
Stand-up trailers (sometimes called standy campers) are miniature campers that you can comfortably stand up in. Other miniature formats such as teardrop trailers often have layouts that make them comfortable to sleep in, but not stand in!
Stand-ups have tall ceilings and can usually incorporate some kind of storage into their floor plan due to the additional space around the walls and ceiling.
While teardrop trailers are often longer than they are tall, stand-ups have good height but aren’t very long. This doesn’t necessarily make them better or worse than any other type of camper, but it’s just something for customers to keep in mind!
As is the case with any camper design, the title of “stand-up” has a lot of variation within that blanket description. Some stand-ups have kitchenettes and dining space, while others prioritize sleeping space or storage.
To help you navigate your search for the perfect standy for your Honda CRV, I’ve picked out a few good options to explore below.
Polar Bear (Standard Model)
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 1,450 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: N/A
- Hitch Weight: 130 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 14 feet
- Maximum Height: 6 feet
The Polar Bear stand-up has three different models for customers to choose between. There’s a base model with only the bare essentials, a standard upgrade, and a deluxe upgrade. They each have their own benefits depending on the preferences of the buyer. Some optional upgrades for this unit include a portable toilet, a spare tire on the back, a mounted TV, and a kitchen pull-out.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
MeerKat
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 900 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: N/A
- Hitch Weight: 100 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 13 feet
- Maximum Height: 7 feet, 4 inches
The MeerKat is a fun little trailer that is almost a perfect miniature of a full travel trailer. There’s a full-sized sleeping area, plus a little kitchen and dining area. There’s even room for some extra storage space in the form of cabinets! To increase standing room, the MeerKat also includes an extendable slide-out installed into the ceiling. When this is fully extended, there’s a good amount of elbow room to stand and stretch out in.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
Weis Craft Little Joe
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 1,100 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: N/A
- Hitch Weight: 180 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 12 feet, 6 inches
- Maximum Height: 7 feet, 4 inches
This stand-up trailer has a simple, but very effective design! A pair of long padded couches/ benches span almost the entire length of the trailer, providing nice places to sit or even sleep. A square table sits at the front, making a dining area. A kitchenette occupies the back of the unit, including a 2-burner stove, an ice box (with optional refrigerator upgrade) and a sink with an attached water pressure system.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
Relic
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 1,000 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: 1,000 lbs.
- Hitch Weight: (approximately) 100 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 12 feet, 6 inches
- Maximum Height: 7 feet, 4 inches
The Relic is a stand-up trailer that any vintage enthusiast will absolutely love! They have a sleek and colorful design that is reminiscent of classic cars and are completely wood-paneled on the inside. Chrome accents are common throughout this design as well. This unit can comfortably accommodate 2 people, and it comes with a full lighting system, a ton of storage space, and laminate countertops that help tie the whole aesthetic together.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
Pop-up Trailers
Pop-up trailers (sometimes called camping trailers) are usually fairly small travel trailers with fold-out sections along the sides. These are different from traditional slide-outs because they are often covered by a flexible material such as canvas or other types of weather-proofed fabric. There are some pop-up trailers with hard-sided pop-ups, but generally, they will be soft-sided.
Pop-up trailers usually include a small living space inside which is enlarged once the pop-outs are extended. Dining space, kitchenettes, and small bathrooms are commonly found in these designs. The fold-outs usually contain beds. These are convenient for customers because space can be easily added and removed based on your needs.
If you’re a family that loves to travel and camp as you go, a pop-up trailer could be a good option for you. They’re basically pre-made campsites that take little to no setup once you arrive!
You can also enjoy the open-air feeling of a tent due to the soft sides of the pop-outs. Windows and airflow are a major benefit of this camper design. You can feel connected to nature, while also feeling safe and comfortable.
Sylvansport GO
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 840 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: N/A
- Hitch Weight: (approximately) 85 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 12 feet, 10 inches
- Maximum Height: 9 feet
The Sylvansport GO is a highly versatile and adaptable trailer. It has three different modes it can switch between. There’s a gear-hauling mode with attachments on the roof to carry bulky equipment, a utility hauling mode where the base can be used to carry large items, and the classic camper mode that can be used as a living space. The camper mode comes with several canvas extensions that will keep you, your campsite, and your trailer protected from the elements.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
QuickSilver Rock Climber Tent Camper
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 1,270 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: 930 lbs.
- Hitch Weight: 124 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 10 feet, 9 inches
- Maximum Height: 4 feet, 1 inch
This pop-up trailer folds down into a compact, easy-to-manage trailer when it’s not in use. You’ll almost forget it’s there! Once everything is set up though, this camper offers a full living space with a sofa bed, set of aluminum cabinets, and even a collection of electrical outlets to power your gear. This camper is built to last and comes with protective diamond plating along its edges.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
Flagstaff Tent 176LTD
- Unladen Vehicle Weight: 1,465 lbs.
- Total Carrying Capacity: 793 lbs.
- Hitch Weight: 162 lbs.
- Maximum Length: 12 feet, 1 inch
- Maximum Height: 5 feet, 4 inches
This camper is going to be right on the edge of your towing capacity with a Honda CRV, but I thought it was worth mentioning due to the great amenities it offers! With some adjustments and some careful packing, this might work out quite nicely for your needs. This unit comes with two beds in it’s fold-outs, plus a kitchen and dining area in between. It’s a spacious and comfortable design that maximizes the available space.
For more information on this camper, including additional product specifications, tour/ photo galleries, and extra options and upgrades, visit the manufacturer’s website here.
