Hiker Trailer costs $4,999 to $16,999 at base. Most buyers spend $11,000 to $24,000 fully configured. Budget 1.5 to 2x the base price.
Most people find Hiker Trailer through that $4,999 base price and start doing the math in their head. The number is real — but it is almost never what anyone actually pays by the time the order is placed. The moment you start adding the things that make it worth buying in the first place, the total moves fast. This guide breaks down what each model actually costs, which options eat the most budget, and what number to have in your head before you open the configurator.
Hiker Trailer Base Prices — All Five Models
The Highway Lite is $4,999 flat. No size choices, no upgrade paths at the base level. Lightweight, brakes included, easiest to tow. If you are coming from tent camping and do not need to go off road, this is where Hiker starts.
The Highway Deluxe runs $6,299 to $8,299. Better frame and axle than the Lite, works well on highway and light gravel. A lot of people towing with a RAV4, Outback, or Crosstrek end up here because it fits what their car can actually handle.
The Mid Range is the most popular model in the lineup, starting at $8,699 to $10,699. Torsion suspension, a 3,500-pound axle, a welded rear hitch. First model that can genuinely handle trails, rough paths, and open fields.
The Mid Range XL starts at $9,999 for the 5×9 and $11,999 for the 5×10. Same base as the Mid Range but with a 2-inch lift kit and bigger tires from the factory, so it handles heavier terrain without jumping to Extreme Off Road pricing.
The Extreme Off Road runs $14,999 to $16,999 and is built for serious terrain. It is also the model where the gap between the advertised weight and the real weight after a full build is the largest, which matters more than most people realize when planning a budget.
What You Will Actually Pay — Real As-Built Averages
Almost nobody picks up a base-only Hiker. Customization is the whole point, and the additions that make it feel like a real camping setup add up quicker than expected.
The most detailed real cost data comes from an owner who built a Mid Range Deluxe 10-foot in late 2022 and kept track of every expense. Her final total with all options and transport came to $17,338 on a model that started around $9,000. Nearly double, and she said she would make most of the same calls again.
Based on her breakdown and other owner accounts, here is where people typically land. Highway Deluxe with common additions comes in around $11,000 to $12,500. A well-built Mid Range runs $14,000 to $16,000. Mid Range XL averages $18,000 to $20,000. A fully loaded Extreme Off Road regularly hits $22,000 to $24,000. Ready-built units currently listed on the manufacturer’s site range from $10,673 to $22,442, and those numbers tell a more honest story than the base prices do.
The Options That Cost the Most
A few additions account for most of the gap between base and final. The 270-degree awning runs $1,000 to $1,100 and is usually the single biggest optional line item. It is also the thing owners most consistently say was worth it — shade, rain cover over the galley, actual outdoor living space.
The electrical setup is the biggest wild card in the whole build. Pre-wiring at the factory is not expensive, but add a lithium battery, solar panels, and an inverter and the power system alone runs $1,500 to $2,500. A lot of buyers pre-wire at the factory and buy the components themselves later to avoid Hiker’s markup on the hardware.
After those two, the additions that quietly stack up are the second door at $350, screen door at $440, MaxxFan at $300 to $400, roof racks at $350 to $425, toolbox at $450 to $500, electric brakes at $390, spare tire with mount at $500, and flood lights at $500 to $525. Together that is $3,500 to $4,500 above base before anything premium.
Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About
The cost that catches most buyers off guard is delivery. Unless you are driving to Columbus, Indiana to pick it up in person, professional transport runs $800 to $2,000 depending on how far you are. That is a real number that does not show up anywhere in the configurator.
If your tow vehicle does not already have a brake controller, add another $400 to $450. You need it to run electric brakes legally and safely, and first-time trailer buyers almost always find this out too late — sometimes after the order is already placed.
Sales tax and registration are two more lines that Hiker’s pricing page never mentions. Depending on your state and your final build total, that alone can add several hundred to over a thousand dollars. If you are financing, which became an option in 2025, a multi-year term means the total you actually pay will be higher than whatever number you see at checkout.
How to Spend Less
Hiker runs a sale every October called Stocktober with $900 to $2,000 off depending on the model. If your timing is at all flexible, this is the easiest way to cut the total without cutting the build. Spring reservations let you lock in current pricing before annual increases kick in, which is worth doing since prices have gone up steadily in recent years.
On the options side, pre-wire for solar at the factory and buy the panels and battery separately. Skip the front window — it is a known breakage point on rough terrain and costs more to fix than it was worth to add. The spare tire at $505 with mount is the one thing most long-term owners say they would not add again since the stock tires have held up fine over thousands of miles.
Used Hiker Trailer Prices
Hiker Trailers hold their value better than most comparable trailers. Used units typically list at 85 to 90 percent of new equivalent pricing in good condition, and buyers who negotiate can get to 70 to 75 percent. RV Trader listings have ranged from $9,340 on the low end to $15,460, averaging around $12,400 across different models and years.
One 2025 Mid Range 5×9 was bought new from the factory for $15,000 and relisted at $18,000 with significant aftermarket additions. Well-optioned recent builds can actually list above the original purchase price when the extras are documented, which also tells you something about demand in the used market. For a full look at whether the quality matches the cost, see our Hiker Trailer review.
How Hiker Cost Compares to Competitors
When Outside Magazine reviewed a Hiker, the average base price of the closest competing teardrops was $12,031 at a time when the comparable Hiker started at $4,700. That gap has closed somewhat as Hiker prices have risen, but Hiker still comes in below comparable builds from other brands. Timberleaf runs 20 to 30 percent higher at equivalent spec. Boreas and other boutique off-road teardrop builders are in the same range or higher. For a US-made, custom-built, off-road capable compact trailer, Hiker is still the most affordable option in the category.
FAQ
How much does a Hiker Trailer cost?
Base prices run $4,999 to $16,999. Most buyers spend $11,000 to $24,000 depending on model and options.
What is the cheapest Hiker Trailer?
The Highway Lite at $4,999, one price, no size options.
How much do options add?
The most common additions including awning, MaxxFan, second door, roof racks, electric brakes, and toolbox add $4,000 to $5,000 before anything premium.
Does a Hiker Trailer hold its value?
Better than most. Used units typically list at 85 to 90 percent of new equivalent pricing.
Are there any discounts?
The Stocktober sale every October offers $900 to $2,000 off. Spring reservations lock in current pricing before increases.
Is financing available? Yes, since 2025. Multi-year terms add interest so paying in full costs less overall.
Final Verdict
Plan on 1.5 to 2 times the base model price as your real total. Add transport, tax, registration, and a brake controller if your vehicle needs one. Order during Stocktober if the timing works.
The people who walk away feeling like they got great value are almost always the ones who knew the real number going in, not the base price on the website but what the build actually costs once you add everything that makes it worth having.
Go in with that number and Hiker makes a strong case. Get surprised by it partway through the configurator and the whole experience feels different.For all five models and specs in one place, see our complete Hiker Trailer guide.
Pricing here is based on manufacturer listings and verified owner records at the time of writing. Confirm current pricing directly with Hiker Trailer before placing an order.
