T42 vs S42 comparison: differences and uses of each model

Both models sit on an aluminum frame and Timbren suspension, a rubber spring system that replaces the traditional leaf-spring axle. They’re insulated in the floor, walls and roof, and both are 75 inches wide overall, or about 1.9 m.

According to the École nationale de police du Québec quick-reference guide, a trailer more than 2 m wide must carry additional lamps, reflectors or flares. Both models stay under that threshold and don’t need this equipment.

On the electrical side, each has a 30 Ah lithium battery, a charger, LED lighting, 120 V and USB outlets, and a 12 V roof fan.

The T42 follows the teardrop principle: an enclosed sleeping area at the front and a kitchen under the rear hatch. With 47 inches of interior height, you go inside to sleep, read or take shelter, but not to stand up.

The T42 suits a couple or a solo traveller who spends the day outdoors, kayaking, hiking or cycling. It’s the trailer you hitch up on Friday after work to wake up Saturday by a lake. Its light weight and 69-inch height let it follow a small car without catching too much wind. The outdoor kitchen offers a 56-inch-long counter, with an 18-inch-high storage space underneath.

In prolonged rain, life happens under the hatch or under an awning. Interior storage is limited to a 42 x 15 x 18-inch compartment, plus the space under the kitchen counter.

The S42 keeps the T42’s width but gains length and, above all, height. With 68 inches under the ceiling, or about 5 ft 8 in, a person of average height can stand up in the mini-trailer. The benches convert into a bed and a table lets you eat inside.

The S42 meets the needs of those who camp for long stretches, want a comfortable refuge in bad weather or like being able to get changed standing up. When the rain settles in for three days on the North Shore, it makes the difference between cutting your vacation short and pulling out a deck of cards at the table.

Two windows with screens and privacy curtains, a screened door and a four-speed roof fan improve airflow. Its structure is completely wood-free and described as 100% rot-proof.

Weight and height go up. At 92 inches tall, the S42 rises above the roof of most cars and catches more wind. It requires a vehicle with a net mass of about 1,000 kg or more, based on the calculation below. Its launch in fall 2025 is covered in the article S42: more space, same freedom.

Torn between the two models? A visit lets you sit in one and stand up in the other. Book an appointment to see both models.

The Highway Safety Code requires brakes on each load-bearing wheel of a trailer whose mass, load included, reaches 1,300 kg or exceeds half the net mass of the vehicle towing it. Both models are far from the first threshold. The second depends on your vehicle.

With 100 kg of gear, a T42 weighs about 320 kg. You then need a vehicle with a net mass of at least 640 kg to travel without trailer brakes. An S42 loaded with the same weight reaches about 505 kg, which requires at least 1,010 kg. In both cases, the towing capacity in the owner’s manual remains the limit to respect.

CAA-Québec’s short guide to driving with a trailer points out that a vehicle towing a trailer is heavier and takes longer to stop. The taller the trailer, the more caution is needed in strong winds.

For a tour of the Gaspé Peninsula with a different stop every night, or to park on narrow trails, the T42 has the edge. It’s easy to hitch and manoeuvre, and its outdoor kitchen opens up in seconds when you lift the hatch, supported by two struts.

On the same site for a week, the S42 becomes more comfortable. Eating inside when it rains, putting clothes away on a shelf and getting up without bending over change the day-to-day experience.

Both models are insulated. The S42, however, offers a larger interior volume, where you can sit at the table and spend the evening in the warmth, while the T42 invites you to slip straight under the covers.

A trailer for two can sometimes fit a child. An extra bed is among the options on the Customization page. The S42’s extra space makes this setup more livable over several days.

The T42 vs S42 comparison pits two priorities against each other. The T42 is the compact mini-trailer that goes anywhere with a small car, from $15,495. The S42 is the premium mini-trailer that turns a rainy stay into a cozy evening inside. Either way, the goal is the same: spend more time outdoors and less time organizing the trip.

Ask yourself three questions: can your vehicle tow 500 kg loaded with a comfortable margin, how many nights do you usually spend in the same place, and how much does standing up matter to you? Both are presented side by side on the mini-trailer models page.

To confirm your choice with an advisor who knows both models in detail, write to the team or call directly.

The main difference in the T42 vs S42 comparison is interior height. The T42 offers 47 inches, for sitting and sleeping, while the S42 offers 68 inches for standing. It adds a table, benches and a door, but increases the weight from 485 to 885 pounds and the starting price from $15,495 to $27,995.

It depends on the car. The S42 weighs 405 kg empty and about 500 kg once loaded. The vehicle must have a towing capacity above that weight and a net mass of at least double, otherwise brakes become mandatory on the trailer. Many common small SUVs, with a capacity around 680 kg, can meet both conditions.

The S42 is designed with a slide-out outdoor kitchen with a stainless steel counter and a sink, which keeps odours and moisture out of the sleeping area. The interior is meant for eating, resting and taking shelter, thanks to the table and benches. A 12 V outlet, a 120 V outlet and a USB outlet are provided in the outdoor kitchen.