Looking for a straightforward setup, comfortable living space, and easy towability—without needing to upgrade your current vehicle? Then explore the wide range of lightweight travel trailers designed to fulfill your RVing dreams. This type of RV is popular for a reason. We spoke with Karen Gilcher, Sales Representative at General RV Center, Wixom, Michigan, to learn why.
“A lightweight travel trailer can be towed by a variety of vehicles because of its weight, making it a popular choice for people who don’t want to upgrade to a heavy-duty truck,” says Gilcher. “People come in and say, ‘What can I tow with a Ford Edge? It rained on our tent last camping trip, and I don’t want to sleep on the ground anymore.’ We have trailers that weigh under 2,000 pounds that could fit that need.”
Examples of SUVs and crossovers that tow up to 5,000 pounds include the Subaru Ascent or Chevy Traverse, while a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Nissan Pathfinder allow for a little more weight with a 6,000-pound max.
“Your tow capacity will vary depending on the vehicle and whether it’s equipped with a tow package,” explains Gilcher. “Oftentimes your lightweight travel trailers will not have a slide. They can if you are allowed a trailer weight of 3,500 pounds or more. Each slide adds about 500 pounds. When that slide comes out—oh my gosh—you now can walk by each other; there’s so much more room!”
Weight depends not only on size but also on materials. Lightweight travel trailers are made from either fiberglass or aluminum.
“The traditional aluminum-sided trailers are going to be less expensive, but they weigh more. Your smooth-sided fiberglass unit is going to be more expensive, but you can usually get them to come in lighter. If you want a bigger unit but you can’t tow a lot, then check into fiberglass—as long as the budget allows,” explains Gilcher. “The aluminum-sided ones are built on a wood frame, with fiberglass batten insulation, just like your house. Those traditional units are typically framed out like a house, 16 inches on center. Fiberglass trailers are framed out in aluminum using block foam insulation (think Styrofoam cooler).”
Manufacturers may choose lighter materials on the interior to help keep the trailer light—such as plastic toilet bases instead of porcelain and pressboard countertops instead of solid-surface Corian.
These lightweight travel trailers can be more aerodynamic (teardrop- or egg-shaped) or more traditional rectangular. Some are intended to sleep two, while others are configured for four or more people.
Choosing the best lightweight travel trailer involves more than exterior appearance or sleeping capacity. To help potential buyers find the ideal unit, Gilcher—and any RV salesperson—will start off with a simple five-minute interview to better understand your needs and intentions. This helps narrow down which of the 300+ units on the lot best fit your lifestyle and makes the most of everyone’s time.
The biggest question that will help determine your ideal unit: How are you going to camp?
“Are you going to camp in early spring or late fall where the weather could dip down to the 30s at night? Then you’d want a travel trailer that has a heated underbelly to keep the water lines from freezing,” explains Gilcher. “How will you use this? Are you staying local or pulling your trailer through the mountains? Are you going to campsites with power or pulling in next to a lake without hook-ups? Do you have to travel through uneven terrain to get there? Is it just a couple of weekend trips here and there, or do you stay somewhere for a month or two at a time?”
As answers are gathered, knowledgeable salespeople mentally sort through available units, homing in on the best options based on your responses—such as larger tank size, storage needs, bed sizes, off-road tires/ground clearance, and solar readiness.
The next primary question is just as important: What are you planning to tow with?
Weight is the most important factor. There’s a finite number, and it’s essential to stay within that limit.
“I like to take the unloaded vehicle weight of the travel trailer (UVW), add roughly 700 to 1,000 pounds of gear, and then 700 to 1,000 pounds of buffer. Then I know what’s a good fit for the vehicle,” says Gilcher. “You want to pack your trailer knowing the weight’s going to be fine; you don’t want to pick a unit that leaves only 200 pounds of margin, forcing you to limit camping gear, clothes, or food.”
Even if your trailer has been carefully matched by a sales professional to fit your tow vehicle, Gilcher recommends one additional accessory for added safety and stability:
“We encourage purchasing a weight distribution hitch with sway bars to make them safer to tow. This will ‘keep the tail from wagging the dog,’ so to speak—it helps keep your trailer in line when big semi-trucks fly by you. It also takes some of the weight off the hitch, keeping your vehicle from sagging in the back.”
A lightweight travel trailer doesn’t mean going without comfort. Amenities vary by floor plan and manufacturer.
“Some units have full rear baths, meaning the bathroom spans the width of the trailer, allowing for more counter space and larger showers,” says Gilcher. “Others may have an air fryer microwave, a farm sink, stove, and oven in the kitchenette area. You can have recliners facing a large Smart TV, a dinette for six, even a fireplace or floor-to-ceiling pantry. Having a refrigerator inside is pretty standard, but some models will have a second kitchen area outside. Manufacturers are hearing what customers want and are catering to their needs.”
When it comes to sleeping quarters, flexibility is key.
“You can get a Murphy bed instead of a fixed bed, allowing you to fold the bed up against the wall for more space and another seating option when the fun moves indoors,” says Gilcher. “Wider ‘double-over-double’ bunks allow two kids to share each bed comfortably. Some trailers sleep six to eight people, but most range from two to five. There are also many floorplans offering space and comfort for two people, often referred to as ‘couples’ coaches.’”
The affordability and variety of lightweight travel trailers make them one of the best RV types to showcase at RV shows. General RV attends RV shows across the country, including several in Michigan hosted by MARVAC.
Visiting a dealership lot, as well as attending an RV show near you, gives you valuable insight and a real-world, hands-on opportunity to explore all the options available.
Discloser: General RV is a member of MARVAC.