Subaru has some of the most brand-loyal customers in the auto industry, thanks to their numerous 5-star vehicle safety ratings, standard all-wheel-drive, and long-lasting durability.
Some of their most beloved vehicles though are their crossovers, due to their higher ground clearance and off-road capability.
One of Subaru’s most popular crossover models is the Subaru Forester, thanks to its powerful yet fuel-efficient 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel-drive, large cargo-carrying capacity, and 9-inch ground clearance.
What many don’t know, however, is that the Subaru Forester makes a pretty good tow vehicle as well, as it’s capable of pulling smaller teardrop campers, lightweight stand-up campers, and even some pop-up campers.
Subaru Forester’s Towing Capacity
Before we take a look at the most popular campers you can pull with a Subaru Forester, we must talk briefly about its towing capacity, as not all Foresters are created equal when it comes to towing.
As the base Forester has had a variety of towing capacities since its release in 1997, ranging from as little as 1,500 pounds to as much as 2,400 pounds, depending on the production year.
Which you can see in the below table that shows the various tow ratings of the Subaru Forester throughout the years.
Subaru Forester Max Tow Capacity By Year (Standard Model)
| Year | Max Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2,000 Pounds |
| 2005 | 2,400 Pounds |
| 2010 | 2,400 Pounds |
| 2015 | 1,500 Pounds |
| 2020 | 1,500 Pounds |
| 2024 | 1,500 Pounds |
But it’s not just the production year that can affect the Forester’s towing capacity, as its trim level can also have an impact.
For example, the 2024 Subaru Forester has either a 1,500 or a 3,000-pound towing capacity depending on its trim level.
As the Forester, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trim levels on the Forester, all have the same 1,500-pound towing capacity, while the Wilderness trim level offers a 3,000-pound towing capacity.
So before towing anything with a Subaru Forester, it’s important to know its specific towing capacity first.
Best Campers for the Subaru Forester (Lightest to Heaviest)
| Make/Model/Trim | Class | Dry Weight | Average Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Little Guy Trailers MyPod ⬇ | Teardrop | 760 lbs | $14,000 |
| 2. Sylvansport Go Trailer ⬇ | Pop-Up | 840 lbs | $14,495 |
| 3. inTech Flyer Chase ⬇ | Teardrop | 1,060 lbs | $16,000 |
| 4. Happier Camper HC1 ⬇ | Stand-Up | 1,100 lbs | $32,950 |
| 5. Little Guy Trailers Meerkat ⬇ | Stand-Up | 1,180 lbs | $30,000 |
| 6. Aliner Scout Lite ⬇ | Pop-Up | 1,180 lbs | $15,000 |
| 7. 13-Foot Scamp Trailer ⬇ | Stand-Up | 1,200 lbs | $17,000 |
| 8. Braxton Creek Bushwhacker 10HD ⬇ | Teardrop | 1,300 lbs | $12,000 |
| 9. TAXA Outdoors Tigermoth ⬇ | Teardrop | 1,310 lbs | $20,546 |
| 10. nuCamp TAG ⬇ | Teardrop | 1,341 lbs | $20,000 |
1. Little Guy Trailers MyPod
Quick Specs
- Average Price: $14,000
- Dry Weight: 760 Pounds
- Length: 11 Feet 6 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Bathroom: N/A
The Little Guy Trailers MyPod is the lightest teardrop camper you can buy, with a dry weight of just 760 pounds and a tongue weight of only 110.
Making it a great fit for the more limited towing capacity of the Subaru Forester.
In fact, the dry weight of this ultralight camper is so low, that it’s less than half the Subaru Forester’s max tow capacity, which leaves plenty of capacity left over for cargo.
Allowing you to load the MyPod up with camping gear and supplies.
But just because this Little Guy Trailers MyPod is the lightest camper on this list that doesn’t mean that it’s some bare-bones stripped-down camper.
As the MyPod is loaded with comfort and convenience features despite its lighter weight and more compact size.
Including such features as 12V and 110 power, interior and exterior LED lighting, a three-speed fantastic fan, wall-mounted A/C, and an entertainment center with a built-in TV.
For more information on the Little Guy Trailers MyPod, check out Little Guy Trailer’s website by clicking here.
2. Sylvansport Go Trailer
Quick Specs
- Starting Price: $14,495
- Dry Weight: 840 Pounds
- Length: 11 Feet 8 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
- Bathroom: N/A
One of the more unique campers on this list is the Sylvansport Go Trailer, which has a dry weight of just 840 pounds and a tongue weight of only 70 pounds.
Making it the lightest pop-up camper on the market today.
But it’s not just its ultra-lightweight that makes this camper so special, as the Go Trailer is far more than your average pop-up camper.
Thanks to its utilitarian versatile design that includes not only a tent pod that sleeps up to four but also a large equipment rack and storage box, as well as a robust gear deck.
Allowing you to bring all sorts of cargo with you, not to mention just about any outdoor or sporting gear you could want.
Including bikes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and even a dirt bike or small ATV, thanks to the tilting gear deck.
For more information on the Sylansport Go Trailer, check out Sylvansport’s website by clicking here.
3. inTech Flyer Chase
Quick Specs
- Average Price: $16,000
- Dry Weight: 1,060 Pounds
- Length: 12 Feet 5 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 5 (with Optional Add-A-Room Tent)
- Bathroom: N/A
The inTech Flyer Chase makes the perfect base camp for off-grid and backcountry camping, thanks to its versatile rugged design and off-road-friendly features.
Built using a rugged all-aluminum welded frame, the inTech Flyer Chase is not only super lightweight but also extremely durable and built to last.
Also, the Flyer Chase can easily keep up with the off-road capabilities of the Subaru Forester, as it features 11 and 1/2 inches of ground clearance, oversized fenders, and optional aggressive off-road tires that add 2 inches of ride height.
But it’s not just its rugged exterior and off-road capabilities that make this teardrop camper so great for backcountry camping, as the inTech Flyer Chase also offers a very versatile and minimalist interior perfect for off-grid camping.
Giving you the ability to customize the interior to your liking.
In addition, the Flyer Chase also offers numerous boondocking-friendly features including a MaxxAir vent fan, LED dome lights, USB ports, and 120V outlets.
And if adventuring is your thing the inTech Flyer Chase has you covered.
As this small lightweight camper comes standard with a 2-inch receiver hitch that can accommodate a bike rike and other accessories as well as an optional roof rack, allowing you to bring larger items such as kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
For more information on the inTech Flyer Chase, check out inTech’s website by clicking here.
4. Happier Camper HC1
Quick Specs
- Starting Price: $32,950
- Dry Weight: 1,100 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet 5 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
- Bathroom: Porta Potty
If you’re looking for versatility and customization in a small lightweight camper, there is perhaps no better option than the Happier Camper HC1.
As the HC1 features a one-of-a-kind modular interior that Happier Camper calls their ADAPTIV floorplan.
Which utilizes a modular honeycomb fiberglass floor and ADAPTIV components that allow you to build out the interior of the camper to your specific needs and wants.
The Happier Camper HC1 can be equipped with a variety of interchangeable furniture pieces including benches, storage cubes, nesting tables, bunk beds, kitchenettes, and even a porta-potty.
However, all of this customization and versatility doesn’t come cheap, as one of the biggest drawbacks of the HC1 is its large price tag.
As the Happier Camper HC1 has a starting price of $32,950, which makes it one of the most expensive lightweight campers available.
But for those with the means, the HC1 offers best-in-class functionality and usability.
For more information on the Happier Camper HC1, check out Happier Camper’s website here.
5. Little Guy Trailers Meerkat
Quick Specs
- Average Price: $30,000
- Dry Weight: 1,180 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Bathroom: Porta Potty
Another unique camper that can comfortably be pulled by the Subaru Forester is the Little Guy Trailers Meerkat.
Which is produced by the same RV manufacturer that makes the MyPod from above.
Designed to be a crossover or hybrid between a stand-up camper as well as a pop-up, the Little Guy Trailers Meerkat offers the best of both worlds.
As the Meerkat offers superior insulation and sound-deadening, thanks to its fiberglass shell.
While still keeping the overall height of the camper to a minimum, thanks to its unique pop-top at the front of the camper that provides standing room in the camper where you need it most.
And thanks to its lower exterior height of just 6 feet 5 inches, the Meerkat can comfortably fit in a standard-size garage.
Which helps to protect the camper and makes it much easier to store when not in use.
For more info on the Little Guy Trailers Meerkat, visit Little Guy Trailer’s website here.
6. Aliner Scout Lite
Quick Specs
- Average Price: $15,000
- Dry Weight: 1,180 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
- Bathroom: N/A
When most people think of pop-up campers the first thing that usually comes to mind is the standard canvas tent-style pop-ups with opposing fold-out bunks on either end.
However, there is another popular type of pop-up camper on the market today called the hard-sided pop-up camper.
That features fold-out fiberglass walls instead of canvas tent-style walls, which offers better sound-deadening as well as insulation.
And one of the cheapest and lightest examples, of the hard-sided pop-up camper, is the Aliner Scout Lite.
Which is the lightest and cheapest hard-sided A-frame camper that Aliner makes, with a dry weight of just 1,180 pounds and an average price of only $15,000.
Making the Aliner Scout Lite a great match for the more limited towing capacity of the Subaru Forester.
Just because the Scout Lite is the cheapest and lightest hard-sided camper that Aliner makes though, that doesn’t mean it’s not a well-equipped camper.
As the Scout Lite is one of the most feature-rich lightweight campers on this list offering a large convertible dinette booth, a Fantastic vent fan, a kitchen sink, four stabilizer jacks, 10-inch electric brakes, and an optional wall-mounted AC with a heat pump.
For more info on the Aliner Scout Lite, check out Aliner’s website by clicking here.
To see other hard-sided pop-up campers, check out our blog post “The 8 Best Pop Up Campers for Winter Camping“.
7. 13-Foot Scamp Trailer
Quick Specs
- Average Price: $17,000
- Dry Weight: 1,200 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
- Bathroom: No Bathroom Floorplan
One of the most endearing and cute lightweight campers on this list has to be the iconic 13-Foot Scamp Trailer, with its rounded egg-shaped fiberglass hull.
Made in Backus, Minnesota, Scamp has been turning out pretty much the same lightweight campers since the mid-1970s, which is part of their charm, because, except for a few modern conveniences, the 13′ Scamp is pretty much the same today as it was when it was originally released in the 1970s.
However, if you plan to tow the 13′ Scamp trailer with a Subaru Forester, you need to be mindful of the trailer’s weight.
As Scamp offers several different floorplans and options for the 13′ Scamp that can put it over the max towing capacity of the Forester, especially if the Forester only has a 1,500-pound max tow capacity.
Because of this, if you plan to pull a 13-foot Scamp Trailer with a Subaru Forester, it’s best to opt for the floorplan without a bathroom and keep the options and add-ons to a minimum.
To keep the weight of the camper below the Forester’s max tow capacity.
For more information on the 13-foot Scamp Trailer and to learn how to order one, check out Scamp’s website here.
8. Braxton Creek Bushwhacker 10HD
Quick Specs
- Average Price: $12,000
- Dry Weight: 1,300 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet 2 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Bathroom: N/A
While the Braxton Creek Bushwacker 10HD might have fewer bells and whistles and a simpler design compared to more premium teardrop campers, the one thing it has going for it is its affordable price.
As the Bushwacker 10HD has an average price of just $12,000.
Making it one of the cheapest teardrop campers you can buy, which makes it a great choice for those shopping for a lightweight teardrop camper on a budget.
However, while the Bushwhacker 10HD offers a simpler design, Braxton Creek didn’t skimp on the things that matter the most.
As the Braxton Creek Bushwacker 10HD offers many of the same features and amenities that are offered on more expensive teardrop campers.
Including a 5,000 BTU wall-mounted AC, Bluetooth stereo with indoor speakers, 12V three-speed roof vent, and a well-appointed rear exterior kitchen with a two-burner propane stove, sink, and K2 cooler.
In addition, the 10HD also offers a standard roof-mounted gear rack, which allows you to bring larger items with you while camping, such as bikes and kayaks.
For more info on the Braxton Creek Bushwacker 10HD, check out Braxton Creek’s website here.
9. TAXA Outdoors Tigermoth
Quick Specs
- Starting Price: $20,546
- Dry Weight: 1,310 Pounds
- Length: 12 Feet 10 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 4 (with Optional Roof Top Tent)
- Bathroom: N/A
For those looking to do a lot of boondocking and off-grid camping, one of the best options out there for the Subaru Forester is the TAXA Outdoors Tigermoth.
As the Tigermoth is loaded with off-road and boondocking-friendly features, allowing you to reach some of the most remote campsites and stay there for as long as a week at a time.
TAXA Outdoors Tigermoth Off-Road & Boondocking Features
- Torsion Axle Suspension with Electric Brakes
- Powder Coated Steel Chassis
- 15 Inch Steel Wheels with All-Terrain Tires
- Powder Coated Gravel Guard
- 12 Volt Electrical System with Digital Voltmeter and Pre Wired Solar Inlet Port
- Double Battery Compartment
- 5 Gallon NATO Can for Fresh Water
- Interior and Exterior LED Lighting
- Multiple 12V and USB Outlets
- Optional 5 Pound Propane Tank and Mount
However, all of these off-road and boondocking features don’t come cheap though, as the Tigermoth is one of the most expensive lightweight campers you can buy, with a starting price of $20,546.
But for those with the funds that have a calling for adventure, the TAXA Outdoors Tigermoth is second to none for off-grid and backcountry camping.
For more information on the TAXA Outdoors Tigermoth, check out TAXA Outdoor’s website by clicking here.
10. nuCamp TAG
Quick Specs
- Average Price: $20,000
- Dry Weight: 1,341 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet 7 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Bathroom: Outdoor Shower
The nuCamp TAG uses one of the most popular and common designs for small non-stand-up teardrop campers, which includes a rounded teardrop exterior, enclosed main sleeping area, and rear outdoor kitchen.
Providing many of the same benefits and conveniences found in larger campers, just in a smaller and lighter package.
The nuCamp TAG has a very well-appointed interior with AC, heat, a power roof fan, LED lighting, a star-gazing window, and a good amount of storage space.
In addition, the TAG also offers one of the most feature-rich kitchens on this list, thanks to its large rear exterior kitchenette.
Which offers a two-burner propane stove, kitchen sink, microwave oven, cooler, and a decent amount of storage and counter space.
And while the standard TAG is more than capable of light off-roading and off-grid camping, if you really want to get off the beaten path with your Subaru Forester, the TAG can be equipped with nuCamp’s Boondocking package.
Which offers loads of off-roading and backcountry features, including aggressive off-road tires, a heavy-duty pitched axle, large rugged diamond plate fenders, and an aluminum utility platform.
For more information on the nuCamp TAG, check out nuCamp’s website by clicking here.
To see what kind of campers you can pull with a Subaru Outback, check out our blog post “10 Campers You Can Pull with a Subaru Outback“.
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