Looking for a lightweight travel trailer to accompany you on your road trips? They're the perfect towable trailer that pretty much any car can take along for the ride.
Of course lightweight trailers compromise on certain things, such as space and luxuries, but they make up on many other aspects, including getting into areas where bigger, more family-sized travel trailers can't.
They're equipped with beds and a kitchen and various other features that vary from model to model, and they give you a base to crash when you really want to get away from it all.
But which are the best lightweight travel trailers? And why do they stand out? In this review, we look at some of the best models on the market. We've also included a guide in what to look for when shopping for one.
And if you have any unanswered questions we've added an FAQ section dedicated to all things lightweight travel trailers.
Travel light with TAXA Outdoors Cricket Camper
What Makes a Travel Trailer Lightweight Compared to Other Models?
Lightweight travel trailers are designed to reduce the overall dry weight of the RV. For a travel trailer to be light, it does not necessarily have to be smaller. Small restructurings and a few replacements for better-suited options can really affect the weight of a traveler. A few changes that are usually made to make a lighter travel trailer are as follow:
Construction Material
The construction material has a big say in the overall weight of the trailer. Usually, for motorized RVs or heavy trailers, high-grade thick steel and iron are used for construction. For lightweight travel trailers, however, composites are highly popular. They're made with a combination of two or more different materials so that the overall dry weight is reduced, and yet the strength is not compromised.
Shape
It might not seem like it has anything to do with the weight, but an important factor that decides the overall weight of the travel trailer in addition to its dry weight is the way the headwind hits the trailer during towing.
Using the principles of aerodynamics, the bodies of the trailers are designed with a somewhat pointed front and low enclosed underbellies. This helps against resistance against air and prevents it from getting trapped on the underside of the trailer. Overall, the shape greatly affects the weight of the trailer during movement.
Interiors
There are numerous beautifully designed interior ideas that utilize lightweight objects such as a compact and energy-efficient stove or a lighter frame but equally comfortable bunk bed. These things are stylishly designed to give your trailer an aesthetically pleasing look while also reducing the weight.
Review of the Best Lightweight Travel Trailers
Lightweight travel trailers are widely available in the market. Each model has its own features. Choosing the one best suited to you and your travel needs is not difficult but requires careful considerations. Following we’ve picked out and reviewed some of the best available lightweight travel trailers so that you don’t have to go through all the hassle:
Best Overall Lightweight Travel Trailer:
TAXA Outdoors Cricket Camper
What we love
Quick Specs
- Sleeps: 2 adults and 2 kids
- Number of Floorplans: 1 story
- Length: 15’
- Width: 6'7"
- Weight: 1800lbs.
Our Review
The TAXA Cricket Camper is an incredible travel trailer. It is 15’ long and could be easily parked in a garage or in camping spaces. It is structured with Aluminum Composite panels and features a non-slip patterned flooring, which gives it a strong and dependable laser cut design.
The design elements are stylish, lightweight, and sturdy. The Cricket is equipped with a combo furnace, a water heater, and a refrigerator. The café table is large enough to hold family meals or other activities. 12V USB onboard outlets are suitable for charging and powering devices.
The pop-up roof is a great addition that allows cross ventilation and keeps the temperature inside the trailer pleasant with the help of a 12V exhaust fan. The interior is equipped with LED lighting and reading lights illuminating the insides when needed.
It has full-sized beds as well as facing seats for a wide and broad sitting area. The trailer is secured with electric brakes as well as wireless brake controllers to avoid bumping into the towing car and mishaps.
Runner-up:
Happier Camper HC1
What we love
Quick Specs
- Sleeps: 5 people
- Number of Floorplans: Unlimited, you can design the interiors however you want
- Number of Slide-Outs: Depends on your choice of added components
- Length: 10’
- Width: 6’6”
- Weight: 110-150lbs.
Our Review
At first, the small size of the Happier Camper HC1 may seem insufficient, but once you take a deeper look, it is anything but. The small and compact size is made of very durable fiberglass that has a high strength to weight ratio. There are multiple shaded windows to give you a view of the outside.
Secondly, the HC1 is incredibly versatile. You can change it into anything you want it to. With the modular components, the interior could be designed whichever way you desire to suit your needs. Select the right equipment, components, and interior objects to make it suitable for anything from camping and hauling to a guest quarter.
The grooved floor design holds the customizable components securely in place like pieces of Lego. The HC1 is super exciting to travel in. You can make use of the space however you want. It combines form and function into one trailer and gives you an authentic camping experience.
Best for the Money:
Winnebago Micro Minnie
Pros
Quick Specs
- Sleeps: 3
- Number of Floorplans: 12
- Length: 19’2”
- Width: 7’
- Weight: 2980lbs.
Our Review
The Winnebago Micro Minnie feels like you are carrying a mini home on 4 tires. It is very well-equipped and still has a compact design for easy towing and maneuvering. This trailer has multiple floor plans to choose from making it one of the best small travel trailers for a variety of needs.
The walking area is covered with Linoleum, which is easy to maintain, clean, and is also quiet. The kitchen has a stovetop, a microwave, a large counter with sinks, and a refrigerator. What more could you ask for? You can prepare anything inside this kitchen.
One of the most appealing features is that the Micro Minnie has a bathroom on-board. The bathroom has a fully functional shower with a water heater delivering warm water to it and a toilet and sink. The trailer’s smallest floor plan has a freshwater capacity of 31 gallons.
Additionally, the travel trailer is easy to control during towing. It is lightweight with a compact width, which makes it extremely responsive in following the towing car’s directions. All in all, this trailer has redefined the measures of comfort within a small space.
Best Dual Axle Lightweight Travel Trailer:
KZ Sportsmen Classic
What we love
Quick Specs
- Sleeps: Depends on the floorplan; minimum 3
- Number of Floorplans: 9
- Length: Varies; smallest is 18' 11 long
- Width: 90”
- Weight: Varies; lightest is 2,790lbs.
Our Review
The KZ Sportsmen Classic expandable hybrid trailer is very versatile when it comes to designing spaces. With multiple floor plans to choose from, you could select between foldable beds or dinettes to increase the space inside. The beds or dinettes are extended into a suspended tent upon unfolding.
The tents are water and heatproof and are supported on very strong aluminum latched knuckle hinges. The trailer has pass-through storage for convenience. It has a very sturdy frame that is fully equipped with toilets, showers, kitchen, closet, and refrigerators.
In all, this trailer is ideal for your travel with friends or family, for it will go wherever the road leads, bringing comfort along. For more expandable travel trailers take a look at this review...
Best Lightweight Bunkhouse Travel Trailer:
Forest River R-Pod Travel Trailer
What we love
Quick Specs
- Sleeps: Variable; minimum 3
- Number of Floorplans: 16
- Number of Slide-Outs: 1; Exterior Sliding/Removable Outside Kitchen in select models.
- Length: Varies; smallest 18’4”.
- Width: 96”
- Weight: Varies; lightest 2437 lb.
Our Review
Forest River R-Pod understands when you say safety and utility like home. This trailer is versatile and fully secure. It has strong locks to block out any unwelcome intruders, a smoke alarm, a CO detector, and an LP detector to warn against potential leaks.
Other than that, it has all the interior equipment to make it as comfortable for you as possible with a TV, a thermostat to regulate temperature, a central vacuum, and an air conditioner. In addition to a wet bath available on all models, some models also carry a dry bath. In some models, the kitchen may also be extended out. The queen-sized beds are comfortable and large enough to sleep up to 3 people.
Additionally, the lightweight travel trailer has a wide dinette for comfortable meals, which may also be used for various other activities. The camper also boasts a premium look to it with a stylish interior and sturdy exterior. Overall, this model will go where you want it to and take care of your needs while you enjoy your time.
Best Lightweight Fiberglass Travel Trailer:
Aliner Travel Trailer
What we love
Quick Specs
- Sleeps: 2-3
- Number of Floorplans: Multiple; different models available.
- Length: 15’
- Width: 78”
- Weight: 160lbs.
Our Review
The Aliner Travel Trailer is a perfect solution for small families or solo travelers. It's designed in an aerodynamic teardrop shape to cut through the resistance headwind. This helps the towing car to gain speed, and the trailer follows without bumping or wavering on the road.
The fiberglass construction is strong and resistant to damage, yet it is lightweight and enhances fuel efficiency. The trailer has an equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and water pump. The beds are large enough to hold 2 adults. It is solar-power enabled and has interior lights as well as 2 skylights for use at night, making this an ideal camper for boondocking.
This travel trailer could mostly be used for small distances or for trips where multiple layovers are possible to restock supplies and freshwater. It has various models, each with their own specifications, but the compact and easily towable size is constant among all.
Best Lightweight Travel Trailer Under 3500 lbs:
Airstream Sport
What we love
Quick Specs
- Sleeps: up to 4
- Number of Floorplans: 2
- Length: 16’ 4” to 21’8”
- Width: 8’ to 7′ 3.25″
- Weight: 2860lbs. to 3634lbs.
Our Review
This Airstream Sport trailer is very handy and useful lightweight travel trailer. The intelligent model utilizes all spaces efficiently, giving comfort without exceeding the size need. The interior is very beautifully designed, with contrasting colors, and gives a very relaxing feel.
For its size, the trailer is very well equipped, boasting all the necessary kitchen appliances and large comfortable beds as well as a dinette. It has A/C and a 65” TV for entertainment. Like most other trailers, it is also solar-powered and could be pulled with an SUV.
An equally beautifully designed rear bathroom features a shower, a toilet seat, and a vanity cabinet. The trailer has USB outlets to charge or power your devices. The Airstream is full of little details that greatly add to the comfort and experience. Including these are leather seating, well-lit interior with cheerful color combinations, memory foam mattresses, and kitchen appliances.
Pack this trailer and stock it up. Park it alongside a river, at an RV park, or down a country lane, between the meadows or in a valley surrounded by mountains; you’ll find it to serve everywhere. You’ll be able to enjoy your trips without having to let go of your comfort.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Lightweight Travel Trailer
Lightweight travel trailers are becoming a popular substitute for hotels, especially for traveling to the suburbs or outside the city limits. A good travel trailer is a onetime investment and a lifetime luxury. Following are reasons for investing in a good trailer:
Budget-Friendly
Unlike larger 5th wheels or motorhomes, most lightweight travel trailers are very budget-friendly. It is not only the individual trailer purchase that does not burden your pocket but also many other considerations that save you money along the way.
For a lightweight trailer, you don’t have to buy another vehicle to tow it. It is perfectly pull-able by your regular trucks, SUVs, or in some cases, even Sedans. Additionally, they are lightweight and do not put too much pressure or resistance on the towing car hence increasing fuel efficiency. These things overall make it a very affordable option.
Easy Set-up
Lightweight travel trailers are very easy to set up. They come with pre-designated areas for toilets, bedrooms, kitchen, and sitting area. All you have to do is store your belongings. In travel trailers, you don’t have to worry about not having enough appliances to survive long, for they are literally mini houses on wheels.
Mostly, they have fully functional and equipped bathrooms and kitchens, as well as heating systems and water holding capacities.
Multiple Floorplans
We all know that one design might not fit the need of all. Everyone has different preferences regarding space utilization and the use of appliances etc. This is kept in consideration by most travel trailer companies, and hence their designs come with multiple floorplans for the customers to choose from.
The floorplans might vary in length, width, space utilization, and features available. You can customize them to some extent to suit your comfort.
Lightweight Travel Trailers FAQs
You might have some unanswered queries regarding lightweight travel trailers that might have been left unanswered or need more clarification. Below we discuss some of those questions in a more detailed way through careful research.
What is Considered a Lightweight Travel Trailer?
The towing ease of a travel trailer depends upon its weight. The weight decides which car might be suitable to pull the caravan behind and the on-board storage and sleep options. A lightweight travel trailer is usually 6,000 lbs. or less of dry weight i.e., without the weight of the added load in the form of supplies and luggage.
How Much Do Ultra-Light Travel Trailers Weigh?
Ultra-lightweight travel trailers are one step ahead. They are extremely lightweight and might or might not be fully functional in terms of kitchen and toilet. They weigh around 2500lbs. or less in dry weight. They are very convenient to pull and could be towed even with a standard city car.
Lightweight Travel Trailers - Compact, Cozy and Cool Campers
Travel trailers are a modern travel solution. Lightweight trailers are gaining popularity due to their ease of maintenance, versatility, and fully functional experiences.
Many lightweight models are available with innumerable choices to select from according to the traveler’s needs. We recommend all of the above, but don't let this be your only research. After all, it's a big investment, not just in money, but you want to get it right, because you'll hopefully be spending a lot of time in it.
Whichever lightweight camper you go for, we're sure you'll love its versatility. Happy camping!
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