Skip to main content

Hitch Hotel Might Be the Most Compact Travel Trailer We’ve Ever Seen

For some camper and RV owners, there’s no such thing as too big. For others who value mobility, versatility, and portability, less is more. That’s where a well-made, ultra-light travel trailer comes in. The new Hitch Hotel, billed as the “world’s first expandable wheel-less trailer,” may be the most clever and compact model we’ve ever seen.

From the outside, Hitch Hotel’s boxy design is straight-up utilitarian. Beyond the brand logo and a gently sloping roofline, the exterior is devoid of graphics, paint, and unnecessary aesthetics. It’s a bland, straightforward cube that’s meant to be purely functional, good looks be damned. The aluminum and fiberglass shell weighs less than 240 pounds and mounts to any standard Class II (or higher) trailer hitch. It easily fits any SUV. In fact, it’s small and light enough to affix to the rear of even a Smart car or Mini Cooper.

Recommended Videos

The unit is comprised of three telescoping segments that collapse into one another. In the closed position, it’s less than 3 feet deep but provides 60 cubic feet of watertight storage. It’s ideal for packing up mountain bikes, camping gear, fishing poles, and anything else you might need for a weekend (or a few adventurous months) on the road. A full-size cargo door at the rear guarantees easy access to your essentials. This ultra-compact footprint also means it’ll fit neatly into almost any garage.

Hitch Hotel | The Expandable, Wheel-less Trailer

Once expanded to the “open” position, Hitch Hotel lives up to its name. In a few minutes, the interior stretches to a spacious 135 cubic feet of living space. That means it’ll sleep two adults or three who really like each other. A lockable door leads to the inside which features a 12V overhead light and a USB charging port. An exhaust fan and two vented windows also help maintain a comfortable interior.

After a fully funded Kickstarter campaign in summer 2018, we were just waiting for production news. The trailers retail for $4,199 (plus taxes and shipping). Models are expected to be delivered in March 2019.

Article originally published July 23, 2018.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Airstream’s Most Popular Travel Trailers Are Looking a Lot Sexier for 2022
airstream flying cloud international updates 2022 2021 27fb exterior bug eye web

Airstream builds some of the most sought-after travel trailers in the world. The brand’s iconic “silver bullet” design has been a part of the Great American Road Trip since “road tripping” was first popularized in the middle of the 20th century. Next year, Airstream is upping its game with top-down refreshes of its two most popular models. We have to admit that they’ve never looked better.

For almost a century, the Flying Cloud has been Airstream’s most popular travel trailer. It’s versatile and family-friendly thanks to 14 available floor plans, making it easy to choose a layout that fits your particular mode of travel. For 2022, the model is receiving a complete interior overhaul. The new Sunlit Maple decor is light, airy, and thoroughly modern. Virtually every aspect of the fit and finish, including the fabrics, upholstery, countertops, fixtures, and flooring, is getting an upgrade. Airstream pulled heavily from residential design for inspiration. The sinks, for example, feature a square design and premium Delta pull-down faucets in the bathroom and kitchen. Many of the fabrics have also been swapped for Ultraleather options, which are more durable and handsome. Other functional updates include blackout curtains, soft-close cabinet hinges, and better overhead storage design.

Read more
Lotus Caravans’ 2022 Off Grid Travel Trailer Is Designed to Go Almost Anywhere
lotus caravans off grid 2020 overlanding vehicle offgrid exterior profile

In the last few years, overlanding has exploded in popularity in the U.S. There are plenty of competent off-road-ready travel trailers to complement a properly outfitted truck or SUV. But, most tend to be of the smaller, pop-up variety. In stark contrast, the new 2020 Off Grid from Australia's Lotus Caravans is a full-sized, full-featured luxury camper designed to trek to almost any corner of the globe.

Inside and out, every component and feature of the 2020 Off Grid is ideal for venturing and staying far, far off-grid. The RV’s hybrid shell combines industry-best timber wall construction, marine-grade composite paneling, and aluminum panels around the bottom of the rig. All are designed to withstand the harshest elements. The entire affair rolls on oversized BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires and custom 17-inch Lotus Caravan wheels to ensure it can travel wherever the road takes you. Gabriel shockers, 12-inch off-road brakes, and a heavy-duty twin-shock suspension help maintain a safe, smooth ride along the way. These combined features also make the Off Grid easier to tow than most.

Read more
The most popular Christmas destinations for every state — where are you headed?
Where is your state heading this Christmas season?
Vienna

As the holiday season approaches, many Americans are dreaming of their perfect Christmas getaway. Cloudwards recently conducted a study to uncover the top Christmas destinations for every U.S. state by analyzing 2024 search data on holiday travel. 

The study spans 69 countries and includes both international and domestic destinations. While Vienna takes the cake for the favorite international Christmas spot for Americans, according to their 2024 report, there are plenty of other cities around the world – and stateside – that are drawing attention this year. Here’s a closer look at the most sought-after locations for Christmas travel in 2024.
Top international Christmas destinations for Americans

Read more