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Lightweight Bicycle Micro Camper: Tow with Your Bicycle


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This lightweight bicycle micro camper made to be towed by bicycle is called The Wide Path Camper.

And it’s actually set to go into production and become available in early 2015 with a price of about $2,500, according to this article on Gizmag.

It weighs about 88 pounds unloaded so it’s relatively lightweight and actually has tons of features like storage, windows, seating, bed, and more.

Imagine using it with the help of electric power on your bicycle along with solar panels to help keep charged on the roof of the camper.

Related: Micro Gypsy Wagon You Can Tow by Bicycle

Lightweight Micro Camper to Tow with your Bicycle

wide-path-camper-bicycle-002

Images © Wide Path Camper

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Images © Wide Path Camper

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Our big thanks to Bob Sheraton for tipping us on this story!

If you enjoyed this micro camper you can pull with your bicycle you’ll absolutely LOVE our free daily tiny house newsletter with even more! Thank you!

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 31 comments… add one }
  • Garth
    November 22, 2014, 3:05 pm

    Being a fit cyclist myself, and interested in traveling by bike without having to set up camp in the evening and tear down in the morning, I’m interested in these, but I have a few concerns. One is about crosswinds that could blow the thing over if it’s that tall and narrow. Even the wake of a big truck passing can do this, particularly if the truck has a headwind. Another is that there need to be trailer brakes. bikesatwork.com has bike trailers that can haul 600 pounds; but trying to stop that when you’re going downhill without trailer brakes may not work. It’s not that bike brakes aren’t that good; because on our road tandem with 350 pounds gross rolling weight, I can easily lock up both tires with the rim brakes with a single finger on each lever. Imagine the jack-knifing possibilities with a single (ie, non-tandem) bike though. I think the trailer will have to be kept low during travel also because of uneven ground at the edge of the road, and so you can see over it in the mirror on your glasses. I’m sure a pop-up tent trailer arrangement would be better. At least the right-side wheel should probably be sprung because there will be times it will have to be off the edge of the pavement. I’ve seen several attempts at this kind of thing, but probably none of them serious.

  • bob
    November 22, 2014, 8:08 pm

    Garth, you raise many fine points however, what you fail to grasp is the following. In the picture above, the tow vehicle/rider combination provides the additional normal force required to increase braking effectiveness of the tires. In your case, you would need trailer brakes (60:40 aft:fwd distribution recommended) or a neighborhood buffet.

  • November 23, 2014, 9:36 am

    Cute, but I would agree with the person who commented about cross winds, braking and instability problems. A lot of these sorts of designs with side-by-side wheels come from people who don’t understand the difference between the dynamic stability of a bike and the weight-based stability of a vehicle with side-by-side wheels. They are using their car-based design sensibilities rather than bike-based design. This little trailer looks good in the picture, but I’m sure that upon actually trying it the designer will quickly realize its shortcomings. It has very few advantages over a tent, and many drawbacks.

  • Marcy
    November 23, 2014, 9:46 am

    I can’t imagine myself ever being fit enough to tow this behind me on a bike, but I certainly could see it behind my little car! Nice design and well laid out. Thanks for the useful info. from one who does bike, Garth.

  • Cat
    November 23, 2014, 11:46 am

    Looks like there’s lots of leeway for setting up the inside however you like.
    I’d worry about stability with its being so high-profile, as far as tipping in the wind, also jackknifing possibilities.
    I can imagine a “built-in” camper with a similar design to this one, not a towable, but the same idea as a pedi-cab on sort of an elongated tricycle frame. Someone must have done this already, don’t you think?

  • Linda
    November 23, 2014, 12:07 pm

    I agree totally. Seems to me the manufacturers of this camper have not considered these points. I’m wondering if this will cost them sales. I know I wouldn’t buy this camper unless had the ability to become lower during travel. Otherwise, I can’t see using it except on bike paths… where, unfortunately, it would block all other bikers and pedestrians.

  • Bruce B
    November 23, 2014, 12:11 pm

    Needs a horse

  • Joe
    November 23, 2014, 4:33 pm

    My kids and I camp with our bikes frequently and I wouldn’t want to pull this thing to far. We built trailers from a web site to carry our tents,chairs and what ever and we spent about $20. each. These things are to high and would grab the wind every time it blew. this is glamping not touring. good for the more money than brains club.

  • Billy
    November 23, 2014, 5:58 pm

    While I can certainly see limitations on places you could tow this thing, I’m not sure it’s as unstable and tough to pull as some of you think. Not saying it’s practical or anything, I think the price seems awfully high to give it any consideration either way.

  • Paul
    November 23, 2014, 11:36 pm

    Even if I “could” ride a bike and tow this, I wouldn’t. Far too claustrophobic for me. I need space I can stand up in and move around (back issues), and be able to (but not actually really do) swing the proverbial cat.

  • Cal Drake
    November 24, 2014, 12:29 am

    I just finished an electric bike conversion that would pull this. It runs a 48 volt bigger motor and larger battery pack, because I weigh 230, and want to go up hills as well as longer rides. I used an older Schwinn trail bike, and don’t see the extra system weight as a problem, just use lower bike gears. The smaller motors do not work for bigger folks, or trailer uses. The batteries must be lithium, they drain lower, and put the input power to better work. I have built EV power 48 v. systems for blown out outboard power heads, and needed the answers and more options for when I do wood boat shows, tiny home shows, and have serious hills to climb. My 6 by 8 ft. tiny home is in process, but thought to add thoughts to a bike powered tiny home. It does work, but not with minimum motor power, or small batteries.

    Great interior ideas, that is how I got this far with this site, we also plan to rent some tiny houses for vacations in the Portland, Oregon area. I boat there, so why not stay in a cool new one ?? Thanks, — Cal

  • November 26, 2014, 7:11 am

    Saw this in facebook a while back, lot easier to tow, especially if there is a head or side wind.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=538084566243652&set=a.176165619102217.50940.100001263390660&type=1

  • Comet
    December 22, 2014, 11:28 pm

    There is a Canadian co that makes–for either around the same or a bit more—a MOTORCYCLE TRAILER that unfolds—kind of origami!—into a FULL bed with storage; a SCREEN ROOM that can sleep or hold stuff AND a small AIR CONDITIONER UNIT. Yes–you read that right.

    Sure you could pull that one with even a Smart Car.

    And it is MADE to go on the actual ROAD.

    Unlike this toy which is just a severe ER visit waiting to happen.

    If you want to get ideas for actual road worthy BIKE trailers go to INSTRUCTABLES. Many many ingenious ideas and comments.

    IF you are interested in my off the cuff instructions on how to hack a Harbor Freight trailer into a tow behind your motorcycle or small or large car trailer with storage etc. contact me using my G Mail jmloebel. Not selling anything; we built it and you can too! For under $300.

    • Marce
      July 21, 2015, 12:52 pm

      the store that I have seen that bike trailer/camper that someone posted a Facebook link?
      Cabella,
      its pretty cool

    • Comet
      November 22, 2015, 1:24 pm

      http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Tow-Behind-A-Motorcycle-or-Small-Car-Trail/

      This is MY build; posted recently to INSTRUCTABLES; feel free to contact me for any questions. Still working great after three years of use but I do have some more insight on certain aspects.

      One is–do NOT use the grease fittings as they come shipped; the grease is crap and NEEDS to be replaced with a high quality brand and packed WELL; do not burn out your hub in less than 100 miles because you did not spend $10 on grease! It wasn’t me but I know some one who did and it was not pretty. We also did not use one of the leaf springs as this had made it much too bouncy which tends to smash things inside; ask me how I know this. We have tried various methods of containing stuff inside and made some baffled dividers and also use milk crates to separate and secure stuff. One thing we are going to be adding is some internal tie downs so we can transport stuff when we are not packing the whole thing so stuff will stay in place.

      We are also possibly going to do a “Winter Project” to make a different topper for this–the one we used is fine but we can see advantages to building something custom and with different stowage options and that better matches the style of our bike.

      I did see some one who used one of the larger “steamship trunk” kind of PLASTIC totes (with a hinged top and sturdier than the ones you out your ornaments in!) to make a BICYCLE tow behind. That might also be on Instructables; can’t remember now.

  • Adam Chapman
    January 1, 2015, 5:07 am

    Hi,

    Regarding the designers of this camper… I wanted to say “Good on them!” for putting their hearts, minds and souls into this design and prototype creation. I am sure the makers’ appreciate the POSITIVE comments from this supportive community! To all the people who basically slagged the design off or gave negative feedback, I want you to have a good think about how it feels or has felt when you have come up with an idea and it has been shot down, it sucks, right!!! So, if you want to comment constructively, that is great… even negative points given in constructive ways are (IMHO) OK, but, if you want to just leave comments that don’t help anyone, consider leaving the somewhere else! Oh, I have no affiliation with the designers of this travel trailer and I am sure that I could reveal some positive pointers if I felt it necessary!

    I hope you good citizens of the world understand and appreciate my rant, this is the Tiny House Movement isn’t it… open your minds and hearts and let the tiny love out!

  • Rebecca
    January 11, 2015, 2:21 pm

    incredible ideas. love them

  • Gary
    February 1, 2015, 2:19 pm

    1. From the pictures, I doubt if there would be a wind problem, it doesn’t stand that tall. Besides, if there was a wind strong enough to knock it over, you wouldn’t want to ride then anyway. 2. How much weight can the trailer hold? I weigh 400 lbs, and yes, still cycle! What is the pulling force it takes to pull the trailer (empty of course)? Being 63, I don’t bend that well. The one thing I would like to see is that a 6′ person be able to stand up in the trailer. Overall it looks great!

  • John Koch
    February 3, 2015, 6:51 pm

    The first thing that popped into my head wasn’t pulling this with a bicycle, it was towing it with a moped. Now that would be a really cool combination.

    • Natsumi
      September 30, 2015, 11:42 am

      Then do it with an electric bicycle……

  • Dusty
    March 16, 2015, 11:04 pm

    How wide is the bed? How many small adults could lay side by side? Love the idea though!!

  • Daniel
    July 8, 2015, 5:26 pm

    Hi, Love the camper. Is it available in Australia?

  • Comet
    November 22, 2015, 1:27 pm

    I posted abhttp://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Tow-Behind-A-Motorcycle-or-Small-Car-Trail/ove ^^^ the link for MY build for a tow behind a motorcycle or small car (any car really!) build that we made; feel free to contact me if you have questions and I can try to help.

  • Marsha Cowan
    November 22, 2015, 3:17 pm

    Amazing design and concept! Cudos!

  • Cheryl Smith-Bell
    November 22, 2015, 9:53 pm

    Very cool design. I’m sure improvements will be made, but thumbs up from me. The only thing I could add, would have your biker friend be able to hook on behind and pedal to help push you up the hills. Some sort of harness, that could connect someone behind.
    Or maybe just a push up against bar under handlebars of second bike! Invent something!

  • Susanne
    November 25, 2015, 7:32 am

    Let me ask you something- this coming from someone who has never pulled anything behind a bicycle before-how far do people normally pull this type of thing using a BiCYCLE??? Really? Instead of a car or motorcycle or scooter?’especially for women, very dangerous.
    How far are we talking? It’s a bicycle????!!!!!!

  • Glema
    December 2, 2015, 5:10 pm

    Personally, I think these would be great for the homeless! At least they could get out of the weather somewhat. Just adjust the pull bar to be in the air so one can pull it on foot. Wala insta home! Less likely to have crosswinds walking. 🙂 small enough to be on sidewalk or park a bunch in a vacant lot. even if you lined these around the edges of the parks to be out of the way in the daytime. It wouldn’t cause problems as long as they left a walkway for people and their animals to come in and out of the park. Just sayin. Of course the homeless probably don’t have just under $4000. to buy one. It still may be cheaper for the cities the homeless are in than to build large solutions. Just sayin. Ok, love you guys, God bless you all. Happy trails!

  • Harry
    January 19, 2016, 6:22 pm

    Sure it has its problems. Still, about the overall concept of a bicycle camper: something similar would surely help a homeless person. Other than that: it’s like no-one ever had tried to set up a tent on their bike trips feeling dead exhausted, cold, completely soaked due to previous/ongoing rain or in a sudden threat of the next one. I would greatly appreciate any kind of enclosed, effortless and quickly available capsule just for a nap on my tours. As these seldom get mentioned it seems some people don’t mind cooking their coffee and resting in a nice little shower or a pleasant little blizzard on their faces, gear and everywhere. Or then they cosily tour and camp at the internet and designing clever survival schemes for other people.

  • Ed
    April 25, 2016, 1:31 pm

    Good looking trailer. I know from building my own which is not yet
    completed that keeping the weight down is a struggle. To any naysayers, try building one yourself if you think you can do better.

  • Tom Osterdock
    February 27, 2018, 1:28 pm

    Wow this is really nice and a great idea. To bad we do not have anyone making them in the US.

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