The 7 Best Lightweight Travel Trailers - Neighbor Blog

If you want to tow your travel trailer using your daily driver, you'll need to ensure that the trailer weight is not too high. Enter the lightweight travel trailer.

For more information, please visit light weight camping trailers.

Why Choose a Lightweight Travel Trailer?

Camping has become increasingly popular, leading outdoor enthusiasts to seek more compact, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-tow trailer options like lightweight travel trailers. The critical question is, which models fall into this "lightweight" category, and which of these ultra-light trailers are top-rated for both towability and overall amenities?

Luckily, we've curated a list of the top 7 best lightweight travel trailers on the market. Each comes with unique features and equipment, fitting various budgets.

Exploring Lightweight Travel Trailers

Utilizing lighter materials and streamlined designs, ultra-lite travel trailers, also known as "lightweight travel trailers," significantly reduce the burden on your tow vehicle.

Weighing no more than 6,000 pounds, these trailers are perfect if you do not have a heavy-duty truck or large tow vehicle. Some can even be towed by a minivan. Always check your towing capacity, gas mileage, and personal needs before making a purchase. There are also ways to increase your vehicle’s towing capacity if required.

Top 7 Lightweight Travel Trailers for 2024

So, you've decided to opt for the lightweight travel lifestyle? Excellent! But with a vast array of models out there, finding the perfect match might be overwhelming. Fear not! We have done the heavy lifting and curated a list of the top seven lightweight travel trailers for 2024.

Trailer Model	Starting Price Range	Trailer Weight	Notable Features
Airstream Bambi 16RB	$55,000 - $65,000	Approx. 3,000 lbs	Retro-style, accommodates up to 4, off-road tires
Escape Trailer 23 First Edition	$64,999	5,500 lbs	Luxury features, Off-Grid/Off-Road package
Forest River IBEX 19QBH	$46,000	4,469 lbs	Family-friendly, ample storage, outdoor kitchen
InTech Sol Dusk	$45,000	3,800 lbs	Flexible layout, aluminum construction, outdoor kitchen
Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1700BH	$20,000	3,485 - 3,510 lbs	Accommodates 4-6, tankless water heater, LED TV
Lance 1475 Travel Trailer	$41,706 - $48,990	3,225 lbs	Compact, residential-style features, Bluetooth speaker
Winnebago M-Series 2326RK	$26,495 - $42,658	4,510 lbs	Rear kitchen, heated underbelly, powered awning

Key Features to Look for in a Lightweight Travel Trailer

Now that you understand the top models, let’s delve into crucial features to consider when shopping for a lightweight travel trailer.

Towability

The best lightweight trailers are designed to be:

• Lighter in weight, reducing the strain on your vehicle
• Aerodynamic, reducing wind resistance and improving fuel efficiency
• Well-balanced, ensuring stability on the road

Durability

Durability is vital as your trailer will face the elements and road rigors. Look for high-quality materials like RENOLIT GORCELL, Thermo-Lite Board, XPS Panels, and Fiberglass.

Storage Space

Besides the amount of room inside the trailer, consider how the space is utilized. Innovative storage solutions like under-bed storage, stackable bins, and pull-out drawers can optimize every inch.

Summary

If you are purchasing a lightweight travel trailer to tow with your daily driver, it’s crucial to consider the camper's weight, length, and width. These dimensions will determine both the type of towing vehicle required and the storage space needed for the off-season.

Most lightweight campers don’t exceed 30 feet in length and can fit in a standard-sized garage. However, if your garage space is occupied, an off-site storage place may be necessary to protect the camper from humidity, debris, and UV damage. The company is the world’s best off road mini camper supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Renting a 10'x30' or 10'x40' storage unit is a perfect solution. Use Neighbor, a self-storage marketplace, to find budget-friendly RV storage for your travel trailer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Company Makes the Lightest Travel Trailers?

Companies like Airstream, Scamp, and Jayco are known for making some of the lightest travel trailers available.

What Is the Best Ultra Lite Camper?

The Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro is often praised as one of the best Ultra Lite campers due to its balance of features, weight, and usability.

What Is the Lightest Weight Travel Trailer With a Bathroom?

The Scamp 13’ Deluxe Trailer is one of the lightest weight travel trailers with a bathroom, offering compact convenience.

Are Ultra-Light Travel Trailers Good?

Yes, ultra-light travel trailers are beneficial for those preferring easy towing and optimal fuel efficiency but may have limited space and amenities compared to larger trailers.

Relaxing with family and friends while enjoying all the amenities of a home is why a good travel trailer makes RV outings so special. Add in the ability to tow one with a vehicle that's likely already in your driveway—plus the opportunity to drop the trailer at the campsite and use the tow vehicle to explore the surrounding area, and it's easy to see why the popularity in lightweight travel trailers has been at an all-time high for the past few years.

The Year Ahead

According to the RV Industry Association (RVIA), more than 60 million Americans are expected to take to the highways, byways, and backroads in the coming year, all in an RV of some type. About one in five of those doing so towing a travel trailer.

"Travelers continue to choose RVing as a top travel option because of its affordability and ability to bring family and friends closer together," said RVIA President & CEO Craig Kirby. "Our research shows that consumer interest in living an active outdoor lifestyle remains strong, and there are RVs available at every price point for consumers eager to get outdoors."

Why are Lightweight Travel Trailers So Popular?

Travel trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 6,500 pounds or less are especially popular because they are considered lightweight travel trailers and are easily towable by half-ton pickups and full-size SUVs. They can also be towed by properly equipped vans, mid-size pickups, and smaller SUVs, making it simple to plan your RV trip, whether months in advance or the week before your vacation.

There are more than 50 brands of travel trailers, and within those brands are dozens of lightweight travel trailers that have a multitude of floorplans, amenities, and options to suit different lifestyles. This can make choosing the perfect lightweight travel trailers for your camping needs a little mind-boggling, so we're highlighting 10 of the best lightweight travel trailers of 2024 (in alphabetical order) to help you find your perfect RV.

(If you're looking for previous model-year lightweight travel trailers, check out these posts: 10 Best Lightweight Travel Trailers For 2023 and 10 Best Lightweight Travel Trailers of 2022).

Airstream REI Special Edition Basecamp 20X

Airstream and REI have collaborated on the design of the 20-foot Special Edition Basecamp 20X, a rugged new lightweight travel trailer targeting adventure-bound outdoorsy families. From the three-inch lift, off-road tires, and rear cargo entry door to load bicycles, kayaks, and other outdoor gear, to the wrap-around galley in front, the 20X is one of the most advanced and eco-friendly lightweight RVs on the market. It has plentiful storage options overhead and built-in storage spaces, plus two convertible sleeping/lounge areas. Base MSRP: $62,400

Features

• GVWR: 4,300 lbs
• Hitch Weight: 535 lbs
• Sleeps: 4
• Exterior Length: 20' 2"
• Exterior Height: 9' 5"
• Exterior Width: 7' 9.5"
• Interior Height: 6' 7"
• Freshwater cap: 23 gal
• Black-/Gray-water cap: 21 gal/28 gal

Escape Trailer 23 First Edition

Escape Trailer's new Escape 23 First Edition is one of the few custom-built lightweight travel trailers and is available with either a walk-around queen bed or twin beds. Buyers can also choose between Contemporary or Maple interiors, plus different table styles and sink colors, along with seven choices for flooring, countertops, and fabric as standard features. This luxurious fiberglass-body camper also comes with a state-of-the-art 400-watt solar system with dual lithium batteries and a Victron control package for an excellent off-grid power supply. Base MSRP: $64,999

Features

• GVWR: 6,000 lbs
• Hitch Weight: 600 lbs
• Sleeps: 4
• Exterior Length: 24' 11"
• Exterior Height: 9' 6"
• Exterior Width: 8'
• Interior Height: 6' 5"
• Freshwater cap: 42 gal
• Black-/Gray-water cap: 40 gal/40 gal

Forest River IBEX 19QBH

Forest River's IBEX lightweight travel trailers with the Beast Mode option feature a comfy chaise dinette in the amidships slide, a queen bed up front, a central vacuum system, heated tank pads, Curt Beast Mode independent suspension, and a panoramic front window. There’s also a butcher-block countertop, premium accent lighting, a power awning, an exterior kitchen, and a 2,000-watt inverter. The 2024 19QBH adds rear bunk beds to the mix, making it a great family camping trailer. Base MSRP: $44,987

Features

• GVWR: 5,365 lbs
• Hitch Weight: 495 lbs
• Sleeps: 6
• Exterior Length: 23'
• Exterior Height: 10' 6"
• Exterior Width: 7' 4"
• Interior Height: 6' 4"
• Freshwater cap: 30 gal
• Black-/Gray-water cap: 30 gal/30 gal

InTech Sol Dusk

Central to inTech's new Sol Dusk's design is its versatile bed/lounge area. This adaptable space can be effortlessly transformed from a comfortable lounge to twin beds to a luxurious 80-by-80-inch oversized king bed in minutes. The Dusk’s huge curved front window provides a panoramic view and the luxurious interior with a wet bath is soothing, while the 10-foot awning and the cool slide-out exterior kitchen add to the enjoyment of the RVing outdoor experience. Base MSRP: $44,940

Features

• GVWR: 4,800 lbs
• Hitch Weight: 540-575 lbs
• Sleeps: 4
• Exterior Length: 20' 8"
• Exterior Height: 9' 6"
• Exterior Width: 8' 6"
• Interior Height: 6' 6"
• Freshwater cap: 28 gal
• Black-/Gray-water cap: 32 gal combined

Jayco Jay Flight 260BH

Jayco's Jay Flight 260BH is a new floorplan designed for growing families. The bunkhouse in the rear is opposite the full bath and is set up with 48-by-76-inch beds. The midships galley and dining/living area is spacious and well-appointed with a jackknife sofa. The master bedroom up front has a queen bed with good storage space beneath. This Jay Flight is perfect for RVers who want a comfortable, well-built travel trailer that easily tows behind any vehicle with a maximum tow rating of more than 6,500 pounds. Base MSRP: $33,749

Features

• GVWR: 6,000 lbs
• Hitch Weight: 515 lbs
• Sleeps: Up to 10
• Exterior Length: 29' 5"
• Exterior Height: 9' 10"
• Exterior Width: 8'
• Interior Height: 6' 9"
• Freshwater cap: 52 gal
• Black-/Gray-water cap: 39 gal/39 gal

Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1700BH

If you're looking for an entry-level single-axle lightweight RV that is easy to tow and can accommodate a growing family, the 2024 Bullet Crossfire from Keystone is for you. The 1700BH sleeps up to six with the rear bunks and queen bed up front. The new Goodyear Endurance tires and TORFLEX rubber torsion suspension do a great job protecting the trailer and cargo on long road trips. This new floorplan also makes smart use of cargo space and lots of standard features, like power stabilizer jacks and Hyperdeck flooring, that make it one of the most durable and comfortable lightweight travel trailers. Base MSRP: $24,150

Features

• GVWR: 4,825 lbs
• Hitch Weight: 425 lbs
• Sleeps: 6
• Exterior Length: 21' 5"
• Exterior Height: 10' 5"
• Exterior Width: 8'
• Interior Height: 6' 6"
• Freshwater cap: 37 gal
• Black-/Gray-water cap: 30 gal/30 gal

Lance 1475 Travel Trailer

Lance Camper's ultra-light 1475 Travel Trailer is nicely equipped with a residential 60-by-80-inch queen bed that has an extra-large under-bed storage area. It features a nice