Whenever I assume that there can’t possibly be a micro camper that is impressive enough, trailer manufacturers across the globe seem to be on a mission to prove me wrong. Whether it’s the Opus O4 that surprised me with its roomy interior, or the ELE off-grid camper that amazed me with its sleek, modern design. Camping trailers keep evolving, and Columbus-based Hiker Trailers is a testament to this fact. Breaking away from its decade-long focus on teardrop trailers, the camper trailer manufacturer has now introduced a high-rise micro camper dubbed GearLoft.
As seen in the pictures, GearLoft carries a two-story gear cage and a Z-frame tent. Primarily meant to transport large items like kayaks and canoes via its two full levels for gear storage, the trailer also features an optional electric-lift penthouse tent. This is possible courtesy of a spacious flatbed with a robust above-bed gear rack capable of supporting a rooftop tent and multiple tenants.
The flat, expansive deck allows for the transport of larger items such as kayaks and paddleboards. Hiker enhances this capability by offering a length-adjustable tongue that can slide forward to accommodate longer items, including 12-foot canoes. The three-position tongue adds up to 42 inches in length, extending the trailer from a minimum of 10.5 feet to a maximum of 14 feet.
For those carrying taller gear or stacked loads, the GearLoft’s exoskeleton adjusts between 55 and 70 inches in height, providing ample clearance above the 4 x 6-foot deck. This height adjustment is a standard feature, with an optional electric lift available for convenience.
What looks like a toy hauler initially, can be transformed into a micro camper with the addition of a rooftop tent. The upper bars of the GearLoft are designed to serve as a second level, boasting a dynamic load capacity of 400 lbs and a static capacity of 850 lbs. This configuration allows for transporting various sports gear, as well as accommodating additional items like water tanks, cargo boxes, awnings, and rooftop tents.
Speaking of the latter in particular, there is no word on the number of campers, the tent can accommodate, but looking at the size and other specifications, the tent can host a minimum of two people with ease. This stylish Z-framed tent can be transported as a low-profile hardshell and expanded into a spacious camping structure. Hiker offers a range of rooftop tent models, with the two-person Alpine 51 and the larger Alpine 61 (by Tuff Stuff), being prominent among those. Both these models feature an aluminum shell that collapses to a compact 8 inches in height.
Customers who choose a Tuff Stuff tent can still carry additional gear on the roof, supported by the included crossbars, that have a load capacity of 728 lbs. The GearLoft weighs approximately 625 lbs when empty and has a gross vehicle weight rating of 1,900 lbs, allowing for a maximum payload of 1,275 lbs.
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The trailer also boasts off-road capabilities, thanks to a straight axle design with leaf springs for cushioning, and offers 11.5 inches of ground clearance. The base model (Toy Hauler) of the GearLoft starts at $4,499 for the empty exoskeleton, while the micro-camper version ranges from $5,624 to $9,423, depending on the selected rooftop tent and additional features.
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