travel trailer search by features

• Surprisingly capable kitchen and bath amenities
• Can be stored in most standard garages
• Towable by a wide variety of vehicles
• Designed to make camping more often easier
• Easy to maneuver
• Most comfortable for 2-3 people
• Lower cargo capacities
• Minimal campsite setup

• The most popular RV type
• Wide range of floorplans, sizes and features
• Varying price points to fit most budgets
• Packed with all the amenities of home
• Available family-friendly bunk rooms
• Can be hitched up to more than just a truck
• May require a large tow vehicle
• Construction can vary from aluminum sidewalls to laminated fiberglass

• Equipped with a cargo area for ATVs and toys
• Travel trailer and fifth wheel floorplans
• Ranges from ultra lites to luxury fifth wheels
• Features versatile living spaces
• Packed with home-like amenities
• Useful cargo area for small business owners and collectors
• Available with walkout patios
• A portion of the RV is devoted to cargo space
• Fifth wheels must be towed by a pickup
• Usually priced higher than other towables

• Bi-level floorplans with private bedrooms
• Varying price points and home-like features
• Available as a midweight for half-ton trucks
• Luxury options available
• Spacious outside storage
• Must be towed by a pickup with a special hitch
• Most fifth wheels need a full-sized truck to tow them
• Usually priced higher than other towable RVs

• Packed with features for long-term stays
• Open living spaces and tall ceilings
• Usually features atrium profile for curb appeal
• Equipped with residential kitchen appliances
• Cheaper than building on-site
• More suitable to be parked semi-permanently
• Most park models need a full-sized truck to tow them
• Usually a 4- to 6-person sleeping capacity

• Easy to drive and park
• Good gas mileage
• Easier access to narrow roads and secluded campsites
• More service options
• Can fit in many garages
• Most comfortable for 2, maybe 3 people
• Limited storage

• Family can spread out on road trips
• Gas or diesel models with truck-like profile
• Ranges from entry level to luxury models
• Can be used for long-term stays
• Separate entrance door
• Usually a 5- to 7-person sleeping capacity
• Usually priced higher than towable RVs
• Some motorhome owners travel with a small car in tow

• A variety of driving/towing capabilities
• Gas or diesel models
• Ranges from entry level to luxury coaches
• Ideal for long-term stays
• Usually a 4- to 5-person sleeping capacity
• Prices can vary greatly

Finding the right RV for you

Traveling in an RV is a fast and comfortable way to escape the day-to-day and spend quality time with friends and family. Since recreational vehicles pack in more value than any other form of travel, you can venture out more often, taking a little slice of home on each adventure.

Use My RV Selector to get you on your way to fun. Quickly narrow down your search from the many types and sizes of available RVs to the one that's just right.

Scroll down to begin My RV Selector.

Travelling in an RV is a fast and comfortable way to escape the day-to-day and spend quality time with friends and family. Since recreational vehicles pack in more value than any other form of travel, you can venture out more often, taking a little slice of home on each adventure.

STEP 1 First, how would you like to get to your adventure? (SELECT ONE)

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Travel Trailers

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Best Travel Trailers – Complete Buyer’s Guide

Also referred to as towable RVs, travel trailers offer you the comfort of your home while you are on the road. However, choosing the best travel trailer for yourself from a variety of thousands can be difficult. 

They're perfect for a trip to the beach, mountains, or just to get away from the city and chill in an RV park. Whatever the reason, a travel trailer will be one of the best decisions you can make for your family’s enjoyment.

Travel trailers differ from motorhomes in that they're towable. However, they're similar design to 5th wheels , and although they're not as luxurious, they can be as spacious as and much cheaper than fifth wheels .

Today, there are so many types of trailers, so you need to be careful when looking to buy one. There are a number of things to consider, and it's always a good idea to rent the model you intend to buy beforehand.

That said, to help you select the best travel trailer for your next road trip, this article will be of great help. You will also find a helpful buying guide below to further assist you in decision making. 

What is a Travel Trailer?

A travel trailer acts as a towable unit that consists of solid walls, along with other features such as kitchens, living rooms, and plenty of storage and cupboards. 

The purpose of a travel trailer is to offer homey comfort to you when you are on the road. Compared to other RVs such as 5th wheels , travel trailers are smaller in size but offer very similar designs and features. 

• Radius entry door 
• Full LED lighting interior 
• Rooms have electric slide doors
• Comes with solar panel and Wi-Fi prep
• Exterior is made with high-grade aluminum
• Number of Floorplans: 17 
• Length: 22 to 30 feet

If you are a little tight on the budget, but still don’t want to compromise on your comfort during the traveling experience, then the Shasta travel trailers are your best pick. 

These trailers are all affordable and also more lightweight and well-built. They feature well-lit interiors and exteriors, with the exterior being built with high-grade aluminum to ensure longevity. 

Also, the trailers feature back-up camera prep, along with Wi-Fi options and solar panel prep as well. The entry doors are the most distinctive feature of these trailers since the radial entrance with a protective screen makes it stand out. 

Extra features that further make this the best choice include safety features, including smoke detector, LP leak detector, and fire extinguisher. 

Best Bunkhouse Travel Trailer: Jayco Eagle HT

How Long Do Travel Trailers Last?

A good, reliable travel trailer will last somewhere between 10 and 12 years, but it depends on how often you use it and how well you look after it.

What Does GVWR Mean on a Travel Trailer?

GVWR stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating . This is the maximum weight that the trailer can take while operating. This weight will also include the trailer’s own components, such as wheels. 

Should You Cover Your Travel Trailer?

If you are traveling to an area with lots of rain or unpredictable weather, it is advised to cover it with various types of covers found on the market. These will protect it from the harsh elements of nature, including rain, snow and strong sunshine.

The Best Travel Trailers - Perfect Companions for Road Trips

So, there you have it: the best travel railers. It's important to note, however, that there are many different travel trailer sizes and designs that suit different people.

Overall, if you are searching for a travel trailer, you will have to make several considerations before you can make the final choice. The best trailer is the one that meets your needs, gives you comfort on your traveling days, and does not require lots of maintenance. 

All of the above are recommended, but don't let this be your final stop. it's essential that you get the right one, because you'll hopefully be spending a lot of time in yours. Whichever trailer you go for, however, we're sure you've made the right decision and will start making many amazing memories. Happy camping!

Travel Trailer Buyer Guides

If you are looking for more travel trailer-specific guides, here they are:

• Forest River Travel Trailers Reviews
• For Jeep Wranglers
• For Retired Couples
• Lightweight
• Travel Trailer Insurance
• Travel Trailers Under 3000 Lbs
• Under 4000 Lbs
• Under 5000 Lbs
• Under 8000 Lbs
• Vintage Travel Trailer Manufacturers
• Wheel-Bearing Grease
• Jayco Travel Trailers
• Best Brands
• Bunkhouse Under 30 Feet
• Travel Trailer Accessories
• Dry Camping
• For Families
• For Full-Time Living
• Four-Season
• Half-Ton Towable
• Remodels-Before and After
• Travel Trailers Under 2000 Lbs
• Travel Trailer With Bunk Bed

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The 15 Best Travel Trailers for Camping and Road-Tripping Adventures

Vehicles that will allow you to feel right at home, no matter where you are..

Senior Staff Writer

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Traveling doesn’t mean having to step foot in a frenzied airport. In fact, there’s never been a better time to go camping. With the right travel trailer, you can easily leave the city behind without having to deal with anyone other than your nearest and dearest. Today’s featured-packed caravans are nothing like those you rode in as a kid, either. Not only do they look good, but they’re packed with enough luxury features that you’ll feel right at home, no matter where you are.

We’re also at the point where there’s a trailer for practically every kind of camper, regardless of what vehicle they drive. If you’re the kind of person who likes the classics, there are multiple aluminum-sided Airstream and Bowlus models to choose from. Want to bring as much of your home on the road with you? How about Living Vehicle or Land Ark’s mammoth condos on wheels? There are also caravans you can take off-road with your 4×4 and ultra-light and compact models you can tow with an EV. Some can even be turned into a mobile office if you want to mix work and play. Below are 15 travel trailers that will allow you to take to the road in just about any way you can imagine.

Our Best Travel Trailer Picks

Best overall: living vehicle hd24, best for luxury lovers: bowlus endless highways performance edition, best for off-road enthusiasts: mammoth overland extinction level event.

• Best to Live In: Airstream Globetrotter

Best for Entertaining: W2 Romotow T8

Best for going off-the-grid: escapod topo2, best for tech obsessives: retreat cabin and ozxcorp’s erv, best for stylish trips: eriba touring 820, best for families: land ark drake, best for ev owners: pebble flow, best for beginners: colorado teardrops boulder, best for couples: hunter nature raptor xc.

• Best for Design Obessives: X-Cabin300

Best for Roughing It: Taxa Mantis

Best under 5,000 pounds: happier camper hc1.

If you want a better understanding of how far travel trailers have come over the decades, just look at the Living Vehicle lineup. The Santa Barbara-based company’s boxy trailers are basically mini apartments you can take with you on the road. Our favorite might be the new HD24, which is far from the company’s biggest offering, but comes with all the amenities you could need at the campground—and then some.

The all-electric model, which starts at $299,995, may measure only 24 feet, but its minimalist interior still has more than enough for a bedroom, kitchen, entertainment area, and a bathroom with a dedicated shower. One particularly clutch feature is a five-by-eight-foot multi-purpose space that can be used as an office, guest room, or laundry room. If that wasn’t enough, the top-of-the-line Pro variant has a solar-assisted power system that can keep the trailer running for up to a month off the grid.

Special Features:   —Trailer can be configured to include a laundry room, office, or guest room. —Interior has a clean minimalist look and comes packed with premium amenities. —Range-topping Pro version’s power system produces enough energy for 30 days of off-the-grid living,

It may not be the most famous shiny caravan maker—that would be Airstream—but Bowlus is the company that gave us the first riveted travel trailer. The company, which was revived in 2014, knows not to mess with a good thing, so its well-regarded trailers—like our favorite, the  Endless Highways Performance Edition —look just like those it produced in the 1930s, only bigger and with better materials (think: alclad aluminum for the exterior and birchwood for the interior).

Despite its classic look, the $225,000 trailer has all the conveniences you expect in 2022, including heat and air-conditioning systems, a WiFi modem and plenty of outlets for charging all your smart devices. Best of all, though, might be a lithium iron phosphate that gives you the ability to live off the grid for two peaceful weeks. If you’re an animal lover, there’s also the  Terra Firma , which features a bunch of Fido-friendly features like a built-in food bowl, pet bed and remote temperature control system.

Special Features:  —Thee’s a double-sided indoor galley and an outdoor cooking area with electric and propane outlets. —The hotel-style shower has teak flooring and seating. —Lithium iron phosphate power system can keep the entire trailer running for up to two weeks.

Mammoth Overland’s latest model is a burly off-road trailer designed to withstand anything it encounters in nature. The appropriately named Extinction Level Event (ELE) rides on a set of chunky all-terrain tires and has an angular aluminum body reinforced with steel armor and skid plates. If that doesn’t sound like enough, you can upgrade to Level 3 bullet-proof armor. There’s also a built-in bear spray system too, for added security. The ELE, which starts at $67,000, is pretty compact since it’s a tear-drop trailer, but it can comfortably sleep two and has an integrated workstation inside its cabin. There’s also a swing-out kitchenette in the back for cooking.

Special Features:   —Comes with a built-in bear spray system and is available with bullet-proof armor. —Despite its compact size, the interior cabin still has room for a built-in workstation. —The swing-out kitchenette isn’t big, but has everything you need to cook a delicious meal.

Best Overall: Airstream Globetrotter

One brand leaps to mind when most of us think about travel trailers—Airstream. Its iconic aluminum-sided caravans have been instrumental in popularizing road trips and  camping  in the US for decades. One need only look at the company’s  Globetrotter  model to see why: In addition to looking beautiful, the silver-covered caravan is packed with creature comforts to keep you traveling comfortably. It’s not the brand’s largest model—that would be the flagship  Classic —but it’s available with one of six different floor plans, each of which has room for a spacious entertainment area (that can sleep up to four adults).

Inside you’ll find a full-featured kitchen, half-bathroom, shower and sizable bedroom with either a queen-sized bed or two twins. As you would expect from Airstream, the amenities are top-rate, too, like Franke faucets in the kitchen and bathroom, stainless steel appliances, Quietstream climate control system and multiple LG LED TVs. The Globetrotter starts at $120,000. If it doesn’t fit the bill, the brand has plenty of other models to choose from, including collaboration editions like the  extra-homey Pottery Barn Edition  or their  ultra-rare Supreme edition .

Special Features: —There are different floor plans to choose from, each of which features a full kitchen, half bathroom and dedicated shower. —The Quietstream climate control system barely makes a peep, even when the heater or A/C is running. —A built-in canopy provides shade when you want to spend time outside.

Good things come to those who wait. More than a decade after it was first announced, the Romotow T8 is finally available to order. The 30.5-foot caravan, which was designed by New Zealand-based architecture and design firm W2, has two main components—a fixed chassis and a smaller living space that fits just inside of it. When the $268,500 trailer is parked, the cabin slides out at the touch of a button and can be rotated 90 degrees like a swiveling USB stick. When rotated like this, the hydraulic-powered chassis can then be used as a patio. While this unique design may be the vehicle’s main selling point, its interior cabin comes with all the features you need and has enough room for six adults.

Special Features:   —Unique rotating design is unlike anything else currently on the trailer market. —The living area is large enough to sleep up to six adults. — Hydraulic patio comes with an integrated deck set.

The  Escapod Topo2  is a trailer for anyone looking to take their camping trip off road with minimal fuss. The brand’s update of the classic teardrop trailer is an off-road-friendly model without any of the bulk. Unlike most of the trailers on this list, Escapod’s bedroom and kitchen area are separated from one another. The dedicated sleeping area has room for a queen-size mattress and is equipped with a stargazer window so you can really take in the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. The galley, meanwhile, is only accessible from outside the $39,500 trailer, but has ample counter space for meal prep and cooking. Both sections get their power from a VPR 4EVER lithium ion battery with some solar panels to help keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

Special Features: —Exterior is made from a single-piece of composite fiberglass that is rugged and weather-resistant. —Laser-cut tube steel frame should last for years. —Bedroom’s stargazer window offers up a beautiful view of your surroundings.

It was only a matter of time until the  electric revolution  made its way to the world of trailers and campers.  Retreat Caravan and OzXcorp’s ERV  is a rugged trailer that also happens to run entirely on battery power. Roof-mounted solar panels provide juice for a 14.3-kWh lithium battery that keeps the trailer’s many appliances running. And while the trailer is perfectly equipped for some off-road fun, thanks to a specially tuned suspension and all-terrain tires, it also packs all of the comforts of a luxe hotel room inside, including a bathroom, spacious seating area and master bedroom suite with a king-sized bed and closets. But the true highlight may be the $75,000 caravan’s full-size kitchen, which features an induction cooktop, fridge and washing machine. There’s also a Weber electric barbecue and slow cooker for making your meals outdoors.

Special Features: —Solar panels and 14.3-kWh battery power the trailer and let you go off grid. —A specially tuned suspension and large all-terrain tires let you go off-road. —The primary bedroom has enough room for a king-size bed and its own closets.

Are you looking for an aluminum-sided trailer that looks like more than just another Airstream or Bowlus’s rip-off? If so, the  Eriba Touring 820  might fit the bill. The company’s top-of-the-line caravan updates the classic silver bullet look with a retro-futuristic shape and details. Even more impressive, though, is the 27-foot-trailer’s interior. The company has packed it full of luxury amenities like a sizable, leather-covered lounge area (that can be converted into a bed), customizable mood lighting and a surprisingly fashionable bathroom. The true highlight, though, is a bedroom with a large panoramic window that offers up a gorgeous views of your surroundings. That’s good, too, since you might not actually want to leave the $88,500 trailer.

Special Features: —The kitchen has a mini wine cellar for keeping your best bottles at the ready. —The leather-upholstered entertainment area can be converted into an additional sleeping area at night. —Adjustable mood lighting will help you feel at home no matter where you are.

Almost more of a portable house than a trailer, the  Land Ark Drake  basically lets you take all the comforts of home on the road. The gigantic, yet stylish, two-level, 357-square-feet trailer can comfortably sleep seven adults. Stark and modern on the outside, the trailer features an equally clean white-washed pine and black metal decorated interior. Across its two floors, it has room for a full-sized kitchen, living room and bathroom (which includes a bathtub), along with two loft bedrooms and an office which can also be converted to a sleeping area. Its $139,000 starting price may sound a lot for a trailer, but for a two-story house on wheels it’s not that bad.

Special Features: —The two-level design means you have 357-square-feet of space. —Downstairs bathroom includes a tub for when you need to take a relaxing soak. —It has a primary bedroom and two loft-style sleeping areas.

There are plenty of EV-friendly travel trailers on the market at this point, but none are nicer to an electric powertrain than the Pebble Flow, which starts at $109,000. The futuristic vehicle is available with an optional propulsion that includes two electric motors—one situated on each wheel—to help make sure its 6,200-pound weight isn’t eating up all your battery-powered vehicle’s range. That’s far from the Flow’s only forward-thinking feature though. The trailer also comes with an “Instacamp” system that can be used to park the vehicle and set up camp (which includes leveling out the vehicle, deploying its staircase, and turning on the lights). The unique feature can also be triggered remotely via Pebble’s smartphone app.

Special Features:   —An optional propulsion system means it can even be towed by EVs. —Unique “Instacamp” system allows you to park the vehicle remotely via the company’s smartphone app. — Solar-assisted battery pack produces enough power for a week of off-the-grid living.

There are EV-friendly trailers and then there’s  Colorado Teardrops’s Boulder . Not only is the company’s latest designed to be towed by a battery-powered SUV or truck, it can also charge your EV’s battery. That ability comes courtesy a 75-kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a built-in DC fast charger that will give you some much needed peace of mind out on the open road. At the very least, it gives you the freedom to come up with a route centered around sights instead of charging stations. Aside from this very vital feature, the compact caravan has everything two adults and two children need to live off the grid for a for a few days, including a comfortable queen-sized mattress, two bunk beds (for the kids), an enclosed kitchenette and an optional climate control system. The $55,000 trailer also comes in a variety of two-tone color schemes that all look pretty sharp.

Special Features: —Doesn’t just ease the burden on your EV’s battery; it can charge it, too. —A unique bunk-bed design creates room for four people to sleep (two adults and two children). —The enclosed kitchenette has plenty of counter space.

A big trailer can be a godsend on the campground, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends. The problem, of course, is getting the hulking vehicle there. No matter how experienced the driver, maneuvering a large caravan can be very tricky. Luckily there are trailers like  Hunter Nature’s Raptor XC . The brand’s angular model looks compact but features a pull-out section that just about doubles the size of its interior. When it’s fully extended you’ll have more than enough room for a dedicated living area, kitchen and bedroom. This will come in handy if there’s more than two in your traveling party, too. That’s because the $44,000 trailer’s entertainment area can easily be converted into an additional sleeping area at night.

Special Features: —An expanding segment turns this trailer into a multi-room cabin. —The bedroom has a large skylight so you can see the stars at night. —A spacious lounge can be converted into an additional sleeping area if you need more room.

Best for Design Obsessives: X-Cabin300

Silver trailers don’t all need to be bullet-shaped as nice as the classic Airstream may look. Just take a gander at the X-Cabin300. The all-aluminum vehicle has a boxy shape that looks both classic and modern. The Japanese-made caravan is compact, but comes with four different interior layouts designed to meet your varied needs (it can even be used as a food truck). The $50,000 trailer is smaller than most—it measures just seven feet tall, seven feet wide, and 15 feet long—and only tips the scales at 1,650 pounds, which means a compact SUV can even tow it. 

Special Features:   —A refreshing spin on the classic all-aluminum travel trailer. —Available with four different interior layouts. —Small and light enough to be towed by a compact SUV.

It can be hard to find a trailer that fits everyone’s needs, but the  Taxa Mantis  comes close. Its no-nonsense design means it fits with nearly anyone’s style. Thanks to a pop-up roof section, ingenious use of space and plenty of storage compartments, the Mantis has all the room you and your friends and family need to camp in comfort, which can be crucial on longer trips. It’s also got all the necessary features, including a bathroom with a built-in shower, water heater, kitchenette and 8,000 BTU air conditioner. The trailer, which starts at $46,000, is ideal for off-roading, but there’s a  special Overland edition  if you want something even more rugged.

Special Features: —A pop-up roof means you don’t have to sleep in the kitchen if you don’t want to. —There’s a built-in water heater and climate control system with a 8,000 BTU air conditioner. —It comes with a built-in canopy for outdoor hangouts.

Imagine if you didn’t need a truck or SUV to tow your trailer. You don’t if the caravan in question is Happier Camper’s compact  HC1 . The Los Angeles-based outfit’s smallest model is as light as they come, with a dry weight of just 1,100 pounds, meaning it can be towed by practically any car, even a modern-day Mini Cooper. It features a semi-modular interior designed by Adaptiv that can be customized to fit your camping style—components snap in like Legos—with either a full kitchen or enough sleeping room for up to five people. You can even add solar panels if you want to go off the grid. The $34,450 trailer’s old-school design is also sure to stand out on practically any campground. Even better, no pickups needed.

Special Features: —At only 1,100 pounds, it can be towed by just about any car. —The semi-modular floor plan allows you to arrange the interior to accommodate your camping style. —The larger rear hatch opens up space when you are entertaining.

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13 Best Travel Trailers for Road Trips and Camping

Hit the open road and camp in comfort with the best travel trailers.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

With so many brands, sizes, and amenities to choose from, it can be difficult to know which travel trailer is right for your next adventure in the great outdoors . Paige Bouma, executive vice president of sales and operations of Trader Interactive, knows a thing or two about RV travel. She has been taking RV vacations with her family for years, often traveling for 30 weekends a year. According to Bouma, towable RVs (like travel trailers) are great for camping , and there are a number of choices to consider. "Families looking to experience the great outdoors have several choices when it comes to trailers they can tow behind their car, SUV, or pickup," she said. "The traditional travel trailer comes in a variety of lengths and weights, and provides a multitude of amenities and a sleeping capacity for any size family to go camping."

With this in mind, we've rounded up 13 of the best travel trailers so you can plan your next road trip . Whether you're a first-timer looking for tips to get started or a frequent traveler trying to decide on your next RV rental , this list includes fan favorites like Airstream, Winnebago, and Jayco travel trailers, ranging from luxury vehicles to small and lightweight campers.

1. Airstream Classic Smart Trailer

Airstream travel trailers are among the most luxurious, spacious, and advanced towable RVs. They say not to mess with a good thing, but Airstream's new and improved Classic Travel Trailer is an exception. This elegant and roomy travel trailer is best for long trips, with lots of space and innovative amenities, like a heated bathroom and handcrafted cabinetry. Now, this iconic trailer has smart-control technology, allowing you to adjust the lights, awning, and air-conditioning as well as monitor propane, battery, and tank levels from your phone. This trailer can be between 30 and 33 feet long and can sleep up to five people with four different floor plans. Airstream is currently working on more improvements for future RVs, including off-road capabilities and advanced electric vehicle compatibility.

2. Winnebago Micro Minnie

Winnebago travel trailers are beloved in the RV world, and the Winnebago Micro Minnie is one of their most popular options, even winning the RV News Top Lightweight Towable Trailers Award in 2021. This compact, seven-foot-wide trailer offers a number of floor plans to choose from, with features like a spacious kitchen with a sink, a double-door refrigerator, a microwave, and a cooktop. Each floor plan also has windows designed for cross ventilation. With a starting weight of 3,360 pounds , the Micro Minnie is the perfect tow for electric vehicle owners. It also comes solar-ready, with a spacious, walkable roof. With certain packages, the trailer even includes off-road tires, perfect for the boondock explorer. Once you've settled into your campground, take the fun outside with its patio speakers and a power awning featuring LED lighting.

3. Jayco Jay Flight

The Jayco Jay Flight has been a family favorite for years. This travel trailer has a large range of floor plans, offering options with luxurious kitchens featuring stainless steel appliances, comfortable seating, spacious lounge areas, and more. Jayco's elite package offers solar prep, which, depending on your rig, comes with corresponding batteries, inverters, and Go Power! kits for sidewall and roof-mount prep. It's important to keep in mind that certain floor plans may exceed an electric vehicle's towable weight limit. Jayco prides itself on its craftsmanship and construction so you know this trailer can handle any adventure you embark upon.

4. TAB Teardrop Camper

If you're looking for a small travel trailer, the TAB Teardrop Trailer might be the best choice for you. This nuCamp RV is perfect if you're traveling alone or with a partner. It is compact, but still has amenities such as a wet bath, a kitchen, and a dining area that converts to beds. Available with the TAB Teardrop Trailer is the Boondock Package, which includes everything for your off-roading needs, including the Boondock Aluminum Platform, aggressive off-road tires, heady duty entry door step, and much more. The Convenience Package comes with a solar roof package, perfect for electric vehicles.

5. Happier Camper Traveler

The new, lightweight Traveler trailer from Happier Camper has vintage vibes and flexible, modular seating to accommodate the needs of anyone hitting the road. This travel trailer has a floor grid and Adaptiv components so you can customize your space with areas for sleeping, dining, lounging, and more. Plus, it's towable by standard cars so you don't need a large SUV. The Happier Camper Traveler is 17 feet long with 85 square feet of walkable floor space — the layout is up to you, thanks to the modular design.

6. KZ Durango Half-Ton

The KZ Durango Half-Ton RV is a fifth wheel trailer that offers eight unique floor plans, complete with a washer and dryer, maple-glazed farmhouse-style carpentry, an electric fireplace, a double-door refrigerator, and so much more. KZ offers an "Off The Grid" package, which includes solar panels for their already solar-ready roof. The Durango Half-Ton is perfect for full-time traveling or a weekend getaway with the whole family.

7. Casita Spirit

As far as lightweight travel trailers go, the Casita Spirit is a great option for families on the go. This trailer can sleep three to five people, with dinettes that convert into double and single beds. The Spirit comes in two 17-foot models, while add-on options include roller shades, a furnace, and more. Casita offers a plethora of internal and external add-ons, including — but not limited to — solar panels, a surge protector, and an Anderson "No Sway" Distribution Hitch, as well as a maintenance tool kit to be used inside or outside the trailer.

8. Keystone Hideout

Keystone touts the Hideout as a perfect travel trailer for first-timers. The Hideout has several sizes and floor plans, and it comes with a three-year limited structural warranty, LTE and Wi-Fi antenna, tinted windows, high-quality kitchen appliances, and more. Most floorplans are towable by standard cars, however, the model's heft makes it durable to sustain off-road bumps and swerves. The Hideout features a walkable roof and multiple options for SolarFlex™ solar panels, providing high-quality energy great for electric vehicles.

9. Forest River Alpha Wolf

The lightweight Alpha Wolf trailer from Forest River's Cherokee line was named "Best in Show" by RV News in 2018. According to the Forest River site, the Cherokee Alpha Wolf "offers the best mix of floor plan diversity and top-shelf amenities while at the same time creating a tougher, lighter, better insulated shell." The interiors of this travel trailer look beautiful and modern while providing areas to cook, relax, and dine. Alpha offers multiple packages to personalize your trailer experience, including the Juice Package for all your solar needs.

10. Grand Design Reflection

If you're looking for a towable luxury RV with great value, the Reflection by Grand Design might be right for you. This trailer offers a beautifully designed kitchen, a spacious shower with a glass door, and more. The RV comes with a mandatory Solar Package, 4-Season Protection Package, Peace of Mind Package, and the Ultimate Power Package, with additional add-on packages available to make your Reflections RV experiences as comfortable as possible. This RV is great for owners of electric SUVs and for those who wish to go off-road.

11. Opus OP 15 Hybrid

Looking for a spacious, lightweight, off-road trailer? Then look no further than the Opus OP 15. This hybrid, family-friendly trailer comes fully loaded with a king-size bed, twin bunk beds, an indoor bathroom, a four-burner stove, off-road and alloy tires, and solar panels. The interior is decorated with bamboo cabinetry and features 6'6'' of headroom. The Opus OP 15 was designed specifically to be an off-road, off-grid getaway while remaining easy to use for families and first-timers.

12. Alto Series F2414

Alto's Series F2414 travel trailer is designed to make hitch traveling with an electric vehicle easier than ever before. The trailer comes packed with four beds that can be converted to dining/lounge areas, a full kitchen, a small bathroom, and furniture that can be moved for outdoor fun. It sleeps five comfortably, six with the purchase of an additional electric bed. The interior design takes some inspiration from European trailers while maintaining an all-American flair. Solar panels can be purchased for an additional cost. The F2414 is towable by most SUVs.

13. Polydrops P17A

If you're looking to travel in something high-tech that will undoubtedly turn heads, look no further than Polydrop's P17A1 trailer. This California-made vehicle is specifically engineered to be the most aerodynamic travel trailer on the market. Its unique design and lightweight frame lend it to unlimited possibilities. The P17A's minimalist design comes fully insulated with built-in solar panels, storage, built-in speakers, a kitchenette, an awning, a control panel (for LEDs, air conditioning, chargers, and more), and a full-size mattress. This trailer was made to work hand-in-hand with electric vehicles, with its design specifically created to use less electricity, allowing for more travel and less charging time. Though one of the smaller trailers on this list, the P17A1 is sure to impress even the most traditional trailer travelers.

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The Savvy Campers

16 Awesome Features to Look for on a New Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are beginning to come with more desired aftermarket features directly from the factory. Most of these features are the ones you will want to install to your trailer someday down the road, but if you can get them factory installed, that not only saves you time to research the products and install, but you may be able to save money on the items as well as have them included on your travel trailer warranty.

Depending on where you camp, or how long you are traveling depends on what features you would look for in your specific trailer, but these features are the top ones most travel trailer users desire.

We picked these items with the basis of them improving your camping experience, making it quicker to get up and running, as well as for the function of your trailer. If you are searching for a new travel trailer, read more on our Travel Trailer Buyers Guide .

WIFI Range Extender

Having an included WIFI range extender will help you get a good signal from your campgrounds WIFI in your trailer. Gone are the days of only getting your campgrounds WIFI in specific common areas. A WIFI range extender basically acts as a repeater by catching the signal from the campground, then repeating it in your trailer for you and your family to use. This not only will result in more range, but a quicker signal than you could normally get when on the outskirts of having range or not. This keeps you in communication with the outside world if you are in an area with no cell phone service.

Having this gadget preinstalled can save you the hassle of wiring it into your 12 volt system as well as the hassle of having to make roof penetrations for the wiring and bolting down. In my opinion, a roof penetration is one of the most difficult things to do on a travel trailer as it can cause leaks if done incorrectly. Forest River travel trailers are starting to include WIFI range extenders on many of their units.

If your RV did not come standard with a WIFI range extender, we really like this one .

MaxxAir Vent Fan

Most trailers today come with a small loud fan that doesn’t do too much except waste power. Some brands of travel trailers are starting to include upgraded fans on their units. Forrest River once again is including these on some of their Rockwoods, Rpods, E-Pro’s and some others. This saves the end user from having to do some roof patching when adding a fan as well as the 12v electrical work.

The stock fans on travel trailers are known for how junky they are. The fan is only covers about 20% of the total vent and is not very efficient at moving air. These motors also tend to draw a lot of power with how inefficient they are.

One major must have lots of travel trailer owners recommend is a vent van upgrade. These MaxxAir fans can be had in many different models. Our favorite model is the MaxxFan Plus Vent . The MaxxFan Plus includes the fan, a new vent cover, as well as a remote. Not only does the remote act as a control for the fan, but it also acts as a remote thermostat which can start and stop the fan depending on what temperature you have it set to. This can keep your trailer cool while you are gone for the day and not have to run the a/c.

The MaxxFan Plus also has a motorized vent cover with rain sensor so the vent can be remotely opened and closed and if it is left open and you are out and about, the vent will automatically close if it senses any moisture. This fan covers about 80% of the vent opening with a 10 blade fan and can be operated in forward or reverse. If you have two fans, you can set one to forward and the other to reverse to quickly air out your trailer. These fans are equipped with a ball bearing motor which is more efficient than the stock motor. These fans can be used to exhaust air, or act as a ceiling fan and blow air around in your trailer. These upgraded fans move about 900 cfm of air per minute. A 20’ trailer that is 8’ wide with 7’ high ceilings has about 1,120 cubic foot of air without any furniture. With furniture and fixtures it probably has more like 850 cubic foot. With this fan you can replace your air in your trailer every minute.

Rooftop Solar Panel

As I am sure you have found out if you are out in the trailer market, that there is a difference between solar ready and solar installed. Solar ready basically means you have a terminal on the exterior of your travel trailer for installing a portable system at a later date. We are finding that many manufacturers are including solar preinstalled. Nash includes a 20 watt panel, the Flagstaff E-Pro includes a 100 watt unit. This amount of power will not keep you up and running off grid, but will keep your batteries topped off when in storage and provide a bit of charge if out off grid. Outdoors RV has some models with a preinstalled panel with connectors already installed on the roof to install up to 500 watts with the included controller. This means that you don’t have to do much roof work when installing solar, just fitting the panels on the roof and no cable routing through the unit.

Preinstalled solar and a controller eliminates the running of wires through the roof, to the controller, and down to the battery. This can be hectic finding wire chases to run wires and drilling through your roof or other items.

500 watts of solar should be enough to use most of your basic items while off grid and keep your batteries charged.

Backup Camera Ready

We have seen trailers that come back up camera ready for a select model or style of cameras. Typically we see Furrion branded ready. A backup ready RV doesn’t mean a whole lot, just pre wired for power as well as a mounting plate. Even though this does not sound like a lit, these two items can save hours of finding and running power as well as drilling into the unknown of your RV. A backup camera is a top feature that will help you with your towing game, for information on additional items that will help you with your towing game, read our guide to the Top Towing Accessories .

Solar Ready

Solar ready travel trailers are on the rise and are a good feature to have. If you get a suitcase solar system with controller, you can simply plug the panel into your RV and get some charge. This is very simple for the person who does not need a whole 500 watt array of solar, but just some juice to keep your batteries charged when running lights at night or the occasional water pump.

Dual Wide Axle

Having a wide axle preinstalled on your travel trailer helps with vehicle sway while driving down the road as well as stability. Winnebago, Keystone, Jayco, and others have all jumped on the bandwagon on the wider axle placement for more stability.

How you load your RV also plays a large part on how it acts while going down the road. Some trailers now such as the Outdoors RV are also including shock absorbers. This provides stability from bouncing around when the trailer hits a bump and is important if off roading to get to your back country off grid spot.

Power Tongue Jack

Lots of brands are including a power tongue jack on their new units, and let me tell you, this is a must. Saving your arms from cranking and cranking up then down then up again is much appreciated when hitching up and unhitching. Power tongue jacks can also be installed aftermarket on many trailers. The good news is they are located next to the battery box, so wiring them in is a breeze. We have this jack installed on our travel trailer as it is quick, reliable, and quiet. Also included is a manual crank in case your battery is too low to use the electric jack. You don’t want to get caught without the ability to raise or lower your travel trailer.

Tip: Power tongue jacks do use some power, so when unhooking your RV at a campsite, make sure you are still connected to vehicle power to save that little bit of extra juice.

Power Stabilizing Jacks

Many new trailers are coming with power stabilizing jacks. We have seen these on some Dutchman models as well as Keystone. A power stabilizer jack once again saves your arms from cranking them down.

Some trailers have a single button to deploy all jacks at the same time automatically, and some have a switch at each corner to manually release each jack. This saves you time from not having to get your hand crank out and crank them each down.

Tip: If you are not interested in power stabilizing jacks, buy this drill attachment and get them down quickly.

Built in Window in Front Cap

There is never enough windows installed in travel trailers, by having a window installed on your front cap gives you the ability to see what is going on to the front of your trailer, but gives you the natural light that you could have been missing.

Some of these trailers come with a shield to install when driving, and some are made of automotive windshield glass. We have seen Rockwood, Airstream , Lance, and other manufactures use this technique to make their units feel more open and livable.

Outdoor Kitchen

A built in outdoor kitchen can bring the party to the outdoors, which is the reason you have gone camping in the first place and can be found on most all manufactures trailers. Some units include a sink, fridge, as well as stove.

We loved the idea of getting an outdoor kitchen, but could not find one in the size of RV we were looking for. These kitchens not only keep people outside in nature, but keep them out of walking in and out of the RV trying to cook and prepare meals keeping your trailer cleaner as well as the AC or heat inside depending on the season.

One downside of the refrigerators installed in outdoor kitchens, is they are typically 120v units meaning they will not work on battery. If you plan on being off grid, you may not find this refrigerator as important and remove it for extra storage on these off grid trips.

Power Awning

At the last RV show we attended we found out some manufacturers are still installing manual awnings. In this day and age this is a no no. A large power awning is a must in our book. Our awning is about 13’ which is a good size to have a table and room for chairs under.

We love the power feature as we can quickly bring it in at night if it is windy, or bring it in if we are gone for the day. Some awnings in new units include a wind sensor. This automatically brings the awning in if it senses it will have wind damage. A 13’x10’ awning is like a huge sail, so you want to make sure it does not get caught in a huge wind storm. If you do, you could find yourself without an awning or one with significant damage.

Heated and Enclosed Undercarriage

A heated and enclosed undercarriage is very important in winter months when you don’t want pipes or your holding tanks to freeze. It is also important to have an enclosed undercarriage to keep debris out when you are driving. Your undercarriage will only be heated when your heat is on, so do not think that this will keep you safe when on a winter trip.

Lots of RV’s include this feature, but you want to make sure that the valves for your dump tanks are also enclosed so they get heated. Going to the dump site and not being able to dump can cause problems. This is also why you do not want to leave your dump valves open at all times so your sewer pipe does not get frozen closed.

If you are considering getting an RV for its heated capabilities, read our tips on how to keep warm in the winter .

Heated Holding Tanks

Holding tank heaters go along with a heated and insulated undercarriage. Many people mistake the fact that they have a heated undercarriage that they will be OK in the winter. The fact is, that if your heater is off in your RV because it is up to temp, then you do not have heat going to your tanks.

Installing 12v heat pads on your tanks can keep them freeze free. Some RV manufacturers are including heaters on their unit. One we have found once again is the Rockwood units. Many more may have this option or have it included as well. These are also easy to install aftermarket, but running the wiring can be a bit difficult if you don’t know what you are doing.

Heated Mattress Pad

We are seeing a pattern here, Rockwood once again is including heated mattress pads on their units. This is great for the cold or winter months. By using this heat, you can save propane if on a longer trip or away from filling stations. We have seen some E-Pros include this as well.

A heated mattress pad is an easy install on a used unit, or you can go for a heated blanket which would be just as good.

Dual Pane Windows

Dual pane windows not only keep your RV cooler in the summer, hotter in the winter, but quieter from outside noise as well as reduce condensation on your windows. Dual pane windows are nice to have if they are included on the trailer you are looking at, but if you are just using it to camp here and there, they may not be as important.

I do not believe you can install dual pane windows after the fact as they will have different mounting options from your stock windows. If you are full timing in your rig in northern climates, these would be a must have on my list in either a cold or warm climate.

On Board Generator

Some brands such as Nash, Outdoors RV, as well as others have a space to either buy direct from the manufacturer, or install aftermarket. Typically these generators are propane so there is no need to lug around a big generator, gas, and extra tanks. Even if you have a generator space, you don’t necessarily need to get a preinstalled unit, you can use the space to fit a small Honda or Yamaha in the space for travel and take out for usage. Pre installed units typically start at the push of a button getting you up and running with power without leaving your bathrobe.

All in all, there are many features to look for when purchasing either a new or used travel trailer. These are some of our favorite features to look for as most typically are installed down the road by many travel trailer users, so you can save yourself some trouble by finding them preinstalled.

Our current trailer has a electric jack, heated and insulated undercarriage, power awning, dual wide axle, and is solar ready. We plan on adding a WIFI extender, holding tank heaters, 200 watts of rooftop solar, a backup camera, as well as a MaxxAir fan. Looking back at it now, I do wish we spent more time finding a trailer which included all of these features as it may not have cost as much, and taken our time to install.

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Beginner's Guide to RV Trailers

How to choose the right model for you

Traveling by RV is a resurging trend amid the coronavirus pandemic, with families seeking an escape while maintaining social distancing. A motorhome or travel trailer allows you to see the country without the need to use public lodging, restaurants, or even restrooms.

“We are noticing increased interest in the lifestyle both virtually through online resources and resuming interest in states where dealerships are open when compared to when the pandemic began,” says Sam Jefson, a spokesman for Winnebago Industries, maker of Winnebago and Grand Design motorhomes and travel trailers.

Trailers are the least expensive way to get into the recreational vehicle (RV) lifestyle. That’s because owners often need nothing more than the family SUV or truck to haul them. They’re much cheaper and simpler to get started with than a motorhome , and they come in a wide range of designs, sizes, and prices.

Because a trailer can be removed, the SUV or truck that hauls it can be used year-round rather than serving solely as a vacation coach, as is the case with an all-in-one RV. Plus, the vehicle towing the trailer is likely to have modern safety features that are just now arriving in some RVs, including forward collision warning , automatic emergency braking , blind spot warning , and robust crash protection. Tow vehicles also provide the ability to safely travel with kids and their car seats , an option that's often not available in motorhomes.

Trailers also offer a lot of flexibility when you’re on a campground. You can unhitch the trailer, leave it behind, and use the tow vehicle to explore. This means you don’t have to pack things away inside the camper and disconnect all the power and water lines each time you want to leave the park, like you have to do when traveling in a motorhome. And a tow vehicle will be a lot easier to handle when sightseeing, especially when navigating downtown roads, parking, and getting food at a drive-thru.

Still, there’s a compromise for that flexibility. Towing an RV trailer requires drivers to develop new skills that are very different from those needed to drive a car. A lot of space is needed to park a long tow vehicle and trailer combination. Learning how to reverse the trailer takes patience and practice. You also need to learn how to safely hitch and unhitch the trailer. Of course, you need to own a vehicle that's capable of safely towing the trailer you have in mind.

Approach this aspect with care, as it's very easy to buy more trailer than a vehicle can comfortably handle. (Learn more about what you need to know before you use your pickup to tow .) There are several types of recreational trailers to consider, outlined below.

Safe Practices for Traveling Now

The RV lifestyle has social distancing built in, but there are times when you'll be around other people.

"RVing and boating are great ways for families to get back out and enjoy the enrichment that comes with active outdoor lifestyle activities,” Jefson says. But he adds that campers should follow guidelines from federal and state governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in determining when and how to use an RV.

Traveling in an RV always involves certain logistics, such as scheduled maintenance, park reservations, route planning, and stocking up on provisions. But during this pandemic, you may need to be more methodical and self-sufficient.

Darryl Saunders, a traveler who pulls a 27-foot Airstream Globetrotter, shared several tips with Consumer Reports from his recent experiences on the road:

• Plan your stops. Park closures, restrictions, and crowding are all factors now.
• Double-check your reservations to make sure they are still valid.
• If you're traveling to a destination for a certain attraction, make sure it's open. Saunders mentioned that a place he wanted to see (Sequoia National Park) was closed.
• Plan ahead for food. Many businesses are now reopening, but there are still restrictions. And remember that you won't be able to go through a drive-thru with a large trailer.

Many travelers recommend checking with RV parks about their amenities because some, including restrooms, laundry facilities, and on-site convenience stores, may be closed. Ask about specific rules regarding social distancing, which can have an on impact on pool usage, playgrounds, and campfires.

Restrictions vary by region, and they'll certainly change throughout the year. They may include the need to self-quarantine after traveling in certain states. Check the restrictions for your state and those you plan to travel through, because they could have a significant impact on your plans.

Folding or Pop-Up Trailers

Jeep / Scott Lane Jeep / Scott Lane

Sitting only about 4 feet high when towed, pop-up trailers can be raised by hand crank or electrically at a campsite. Most have tentlike sides and extensions that pull out of either end. Some brands, such as Aliner and TrailManor , have hard sides, providing more durability and insulation.

Length: 8 to 20 feet Weight: 1,000 to 4,000 pounds Sleeps: Two to eight people Price: $10,000 to $30,000

• Least expensive type of trailer.
• Can be very lightweight; the smallest ones can be towed by many cars.
• Low aerodynamic profile helps fuel economy.
• Pull-out end extensions, which typically house beds, create large sleeping spaces for what is a relatively short trailer.
• Some hard-sided models can be put up very quickly.
• These often lack the luxuries of larger trailers, such as a private toilet (or any bathroom facility at all).
• There isn’t much insulation from noise or cold.
• Tent-sided models need more maintenance, and the fabric requires replacement eventually.
• Tent-sided models are prohibited in some campgrounds because of the danger posed by bears.

Travel Trailers

Winnebego / www.joehendricks.com Winnebego / www.joehendricks.com

Travel trailers are the most widely sold and most varied type of towable RV. They have solid walls and often feature a slide—a section of wall that either pulls out or motors out to provide more space inside when camping.

Travel trailers come in a wide variety of sizes and designs:

• Small retro-inspired “teardrop” trailers that are essentially a tent and bed on wheels.
• Small molded fiberglass trailers, such as the Casita and Scamp, have drawn passionate fan bases for their low-maintenance designs.
• Midpriced trailers from companies such as Forest River, Gulf Stream, and Jayco offer a lot of space and features for the money.
• The iconic Airstream has a distinctive aluminum body. Aerodynamic and low to the ground, these are easy to tow but are expensive for their size.

Smaller trailers typically have a single axle; larger trailers can have two (or even three). More axles increase towing stability and let you limp the trailer to safety in case of a single flat tire, but they can also add to tire replacement costs.

Many small trailers can be pulled by a midsized SUV. As trailers increase in size and weight, it is necessary to increase the capability of the tow vehicle. Make sure you pay attention to the key weights: the tongue’s and total trailer’s.

The tongue extends from the trailer and puts direct downward pressure on the hitch, so it’s essentially considered a payload. Then there is the weight of the entire trailer, which is how much the vehicle has to pull. Some vehicles may look appropriate until you factor in the added weight of passengers and cargo, including water in the tanks.

Many SUVs and trucks can be equipped with transmission coolers to ease the strain of a trailer on the drivetrain. Consider adding anti-sway bars or a load-leveling kit for a travel trailer, even a smaller one.

Consumer Reports / jb Consumer Reports / jb

Length: 8 to 40 feet Weight: 1,000 to 10,000 pounds Sleeps: Two to eight people Price: $10,000 to $150,000

• Rigid walls provide some insulation from cold and noise compared with a pop-up trailer or tent.
• Very little setup time.
• A wide variety of lengths and weights.
• A suitable tow vehicle is required, which may need to be larger and more powerful than you think.
• Towing requires drivers to learn (and practice) different driving skills.
• Larger trailers won’t fit into small campsites.

Hybrid or Expandable Trailers

Hybrid or expandable RV trailers increase sleeping space without the downsides—the added length and weight—that come with getting a bigger trailer. They do that by combining the hard-sided body of a conventional travel trailer with the pullout end extensions typically found on a folding trailer. This design can let you use a smaller tow vehicle while still providing enough sleeping space and amenities for the whole family.

Length: 8 to 26 feet Weight: 2,500 to 5,500 pounds Sleeps: Four to eight people Price: $10,000 to $40,000

• Extra sleeping space without added length and weight.
• Takes more setup time than a typical travel trailer.
• Tent-sided material needs to be maintained, and the fabric may need replacing eventually.
• Doesn’t do as good a job at blocking sound in noisy campgrounds as fully hard-sided trailers do.

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

AJ Mueller AJ Mueller

Fifth-wheel trailers are designed to be towed by pickup trucks. The front of this type of trailer extends over a pickup bed that has a hitch that sits beneath the forward quarters. The trailer slides into place in the pickup truck bed.

Fifth-wheel trailers are generally large and heavy, requiring at least a half-ton truck equipped by the factory to handle a heavy payload. A handful of manufacturers make smaller fifth-wheels that can be easily towed by smaller trucks, such as Escape fiberglass trailers. It's common to use a heavy-duty truck to tow a fifth-wheel. If you're shopping for a trailer and a tow vehicle, consider a pickup truck with dual rear wheels (often referred to as a “dually”) to pull the largest trailers for better stability and payload capacity. Look at the specific capabilities on the truck you own or plan to buy, because truck cargo and towing capacities can vary widely depending on the engine, the cab configuration, and transmission gearing.

Winnebego Winnebego

Length: 20 to 40 feet Weight: Typically 7,000 pounds and up, excluding a few small models Sleeps: Four to eight people Price: $20,000 to $150,000

• Provide more living space for their towing length.
• Fifth-wheel hitches tend to be very stable for towing.
• Typically has a dedicated bedroom in front.
• Often needs a heavy-duty truck.
• Tall height might not fit under some bridges.
• The truck bed’s use will be limited when you’re towing.
• Not many truly small fifth-wheel trailers are available; “lightweight” ones typically weigh at least 7,000 pounds.

Toy Haulers or 'Sport-Utility Trailers'

Toy haulers or “sport-utility trailers” can come in any travel trailer type. They usually have an enclosed garage in back, designed for carrying motorcycles, ATVs, or other outdoor playthings. A ramp is built in off the back of the trailer, letting you drive these toys out. The ramp itself can often be used as a porch once the toy is unloaded.

Length: 18 to 40 feet Weight: 3,000 to 10,000 pounds Sleeps: Four to eight people Price: $10,000 to $150,000

• Lots of storage space.
• Provides garage space to keep things dry or store tools.
• Garage can be used for additional sleeping space or a room to hang out in.
• Unique porch functionality.
• Shrinks available living space.
• Putting heavy ATVs or motorcycles at the rear can hurt trailer balance and handling.

Truck Campers

Truck campers slide into the back of a pickup truck’s bed—no towing needed. Often they stick out over the top of the truck’s cab to increase living space. Lightweight “expedition style” models usually have tentlike fabric sides that pop up to add headroom.

The key for truck-camper owners is having enough payload capacity. Some pop-top lightweight models fit into smaller trucks, but the typical hard-sided truck camper is too heavy for a half-ton truck, unless that truck is carefully optioned to maximize payload. Most owners tend to use heavy-duty trucks.

Length: 6 to 12 feet Weight: 1,000 to 3,000 pounds Sleeps: Two to four people Price: $15,000 to $50,000

• Compact and easy to drive; not much bigger than the truck itself.
• Allows for off-roading adventures.
• Some specialty models fit in midsized trucks, such as the Toyota Tacoma.
• Not much living space.
• It can be a high climb to get in.
• Typical hard-sided truck campers require a heavy-duty truck.
• It can be a hassle to install and remove from truck.
• Often expensive for their size.

Bottom Line

No matter which recreational trailer or RV you buy, take time making your decision. A common adage is to “buy your third trailer first” because many people who stick with this hobby go through two or three RVs before they find the right fit. In other words, pace yourself and do your research.

You can accelerate that process (and maybe save grief and money) by renting an RV before you buy. That will help you sort out which kind of floor plan and features are important for your type of camping and your family.

Shopping for a Pickup Truck?

See our pickup truck buying guide and ratings.

What to Know About Towing

There are so many vehicles to satisfy your inner adventurer. On the " Consumer 101 " TV show, Consumer Reports expert Mike Monticello explains to host Jack Rico what to know about getting these beauties from point A to point B.

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Alpha Wolf has floorplans and standard features designed for the area where they are sold. Please select your region from the map below.

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Rockwood Signature Travel Trailers has floorplans and standard features designed for the area where they are sold. Please select your region from the map below.

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r-pod has floorplans and standard features designed for the area where they are sold. Please select your region from the map below.

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Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailers has floorplans and standard features designed for the area where they are sold. Please select your region from the map below.

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Wildwood Heritage Glen Travel Trailers has floorplans and standard features designed for the area where they are sold. Please select your region from the map below.

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Work and Play has floorplans and standard features designed for the area where they are sold. Please select your region from the map below.

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What Features to Look for in a Travel Trailer

Stabilizing jacks keep a Travel Trailer from rocking back and forth when at the campsite. This travel trailer feature is standard in campsite setup process and many times it is still done with a hand crank, or at times a power drill.

Instead of relying on the wheels and suspension, along with the tongue jack, to keep the trailer from rocking, stabilizing jacks give another four points of contact with the ground. These jacks will make your RV feel more like a stationary home because the RV won’t be jiggling back and forth with each step.

Power stabilizing jacks deploy at the push of a button, again, making your campsite setup easier. Exactly what you need after a few hours on the road. Get to relaxing faster. There are not prizes for who spends the most effort setting up their campsite.

Smartphone/Tablet Control

Tired of walking over to various panels to control the various systems in your RV? A central control system via Smartphone or Tablet is increasingly common in newer travel trailers. These let you adjust everything from the HVAC systems to the power stabilizing jacks above to your slideouts. Imagine extending your slides while actually watching them move, instead of relying on a spotter to make sure you don’t hit the picnic table at your campsite. When you’ve got a portable tablet in your hands, you can keep an eye on everything. RV’s just got a lot smarter.

WiFi Range Extender

If you camp often enough, you’re going to eventually end up experiencing some inclement weather. When the whole family is cooped up in a Travel Trailer at the campground for an extended period of time—pool closed, no jumping pillow, trails too muddy to hike—nothing calms the family down like a little old-fashioned WiFi.

Unfortunately, most campgrounds don’t have great WiFi coverage. Though Starlink internet is promising for roving RVers in search of constant WiFi connection, it’s not quite fully functional yet. A WiFi range extender can help you reach those access points when you’re a little farther away than you might hope.

RVs are getting better and better, with added tech features. Look for some of these options in your next travel trailer and your camping experience will be even more relaxing. Elicit the help of a free Camping World Personal Shopper to help you find the perfect RV for your needs.

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Travel Trailer Benefits & Features You Need to Know About

Today, about 11 million Americans own recreational vehicles of some kind. Some have RVs , others prefer 5th wheels, and still others simply attach campers to their trucks and hit the road. One kind of RV growing in popularity along with all the others is the travel trailer.

Some like living in a travel trailer full time, while others use them for camping. It's time to take a look at travel trailer benefits and facts to see what the fuss is all about!

What is Considered a Travel Trailer? 

What is a travel trailer? Is it just another kind of RV? In some sense, yes, it is a "recreational vehicle." It has a sleeping and leisure space, it's "mobile," and you can hook it up to a campsite's electrical breaker. Other than that, though, there are significant differences between travel trailers and RVs, and also 5th wheels and campers.

RVs and travel trailers both boast benefits and upsides for travelers of all kinds. However, sometimes, one option may better fit a specific type of road trip or individual looking to hit the highway. One huge and obvious difference between the two options is that you have to tow a travel trailer, but you can drive an RV. As for amenities, they can be quite similar. Like RVs, travel trailers often come equipped with pop-outs or slide-outs. Even their lengths can be comparable, though the shortest travel trailer is often shorter than the shortest RV.

Travel trailers are often more closely compared with 5th wheels. Both 5th wheels and travel trailers need to be towed, but 5th wheels offer a bit more stability. This is because 5th wheels tend to be much bigger and heavier than travel trailers.

Despite all these commonalities, there is one significant difference between travel trailers and 5th wheels: in many states, it's legal for people to ride in a 5th wheel. Riding in travel trailers is always illegal, no matter where you are.

As for campers, they exist for one main purpose: shelter and sleep on the cheap. They take up much less space, going right on your vehicle, but they also offer much less space. If more than two people are in your travel party, consider something bigger. Like, say, a travel trailer!

Key Features of a Travel Trailer 

When shopping for a travel trailer, you need to be on the lookout for a few things. What should you be paying attention to?

Stairs: A travel trailer should have a good, functional, and stable set of stairs that can fold up or are otherwise easily stored.

Aluminum framing: Newer travel trailers are being constructed with an aluminum frame and fiberglass outer body. This makes newer trailers lighter than their predecessors - a win for your tow vehicle's mileage!

Stabilizer jacks: Unlike heavier vehicles, travel trailers are more susceptible to shaking or bouncing when you're inside. Stabilizer jacks can help dampen the effects, but they aren't always included in the purchase price of a trailer. Try to find one that includes them.

Beds: There is usually at least one bed in a travel trailer; can there be more? Innovative designers might include another sofa bed or Murphy (pull-down) bed to accommodate more sleepers. It depends on the manufacturer, as well as the length and floor plan.

Fridge: The refrigerator in a travel trailer will usually be smaller than in a larger RV or 5th wheel, and might be powered differently. Gas absorption fridges are lightweight, so that's likely what you'll encounter.

Backup camera wiring: It's somewhat trickier to back up with a travel trailer than in an RV. So, you'll need a backup camera. These don't usually come pre-installed in older models, but travel trailers these days tend to be pre-wired, enabling you to install your own.

Top Benefits Attached to a Travel Trailer 

What's so enticing about a travel trailer? What are some travel trailer benefits?

It's a good middle ground between a self-sufficient RV and a bulkier 5th wheel, true. But is that all there is to it? No. You have much more space in a travel trailer than in a camper. A 5th wheel can be more massive, but is it really what you need? Along with that, 5th wheels and RVs are also far more expensive to buy than your average travel trailer.

Think about paying for gas, and the mileage, too. With 5th wheels being heavier, they are more stable tow, but the weight isn't good for your tow vehicle's fuel economy. RVs are more or less self-sufficient, but likely require far more gas than a travel trailer's tow vehicle. Travel trailers are lighter, so not as much of a burden on your wallet.

Another big benefit? Mobility. With an RV, unless you tow another vehicle behind it, you're stuck with one vehicle your whole trip. However, you can unhitch your travel trailer from your tow vehicle and go wherever you want, leaving the trailer behind. Those who want to stay at your campsite can remain with it, while you go elsewhere. It's far more convenient! 

The Cruise America Travel Trailer 

Here at Cruise America, we understand how every travel trip is different. From the intrepid traveler to the first-time open road warrior, adventuring requires the right companion. With several options to choose from when it comes to the mobile home fleet, you can’t go wrong with any RV, camper, or travel trailer. 

As a shorter hauling, pull-behind, our travel trailer delivers tremendous flexibility and versatility for those making both a weekend getaway or a cross-country excursion. With a 30 gal. water tank, a 6 gal. water heater tank, a 35 gal. sewer water tank, 20 lb. gas tank, air conditioning, and more, feeling comfortable and getting all you can out of the “road lifestyle” isn’t an issue. 

Finding the Right Travel Trailer For You 

You kind of have to admit that travel trailer benefits speak for themselves. With that in mind, it's time to grab one for yourself! Whether you want to rent one for a road trip , or buy one to start living in a travel trailer .

If you need help finding the right travel trailer for you, Cruise America can provide it. The open road is waiting for you, so get in touch with Cruise America now!

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The 10 Most Important RV Features We Can’t Live Without

Listing the most important rv features you're looking for is one of the best things any rver can do when shopping for an rv. here's the list of our “must-haves”.

• 1.1 Question: What are Mike and Jen's Most Important RV Features?
• 1.2 Answer: Some RV Features are Preferences rather than Essentials
• 1.3.1 NOTE: Here is a Video Review of our Leisure Travel Vans Wonder RTB showing many of these most important RV features:
• 1.3.2 That’s our list of the 10 most important RV features we used in selecting our RV
• 1.4 Listen to all of this Episode #323 of RV Podcast for more
• 1.5 Curious about the gear, gadgets, accessories, and RV products Mike & Jennifer use and recommend?
• 1.6 Want to REALLY connect to the RV Lifestyle?

But understand, this list is ours.

Meaning, the RV features you choose for your needs will be different than ours.

The most important RV features you identify will depend on what kind of RV you get, how you like to camp, what you do when you are out there, and how you use your RVs.

This article comes in response to a specific request from a listener to our RV Podcast and we answered it on Episode 323.

Click the Player below to hear the caller's question and an audio recording of our response. It's about 19:25 in on the player.

[powerpress]

For details, photos, and videos of the features, keep scrolling down.

Question: What are Mike and Jen's Most Important RV Features?

Here's a transcript of the question, left on our RV Podcast Voicemail number of 586-372-6990:

“Hi Mike and Jennifer: Thank you for the valuable information you provide to the RV Community. My husband (six foot two)and I are nearing retirement and planned to purchase our RV in the near future. We've narrowed the search to a 20 to 25ft class B or B+ RV, which we believe allows us to fit in  the most national park smaller camp sites do boondocking. I plan to continue to work part-time remotely. We purchased your RV buying secrets and it has been very informative and answered a lot of questions. TIP: CLICK HERE for more information on our RV Buying Secrets eBook. It will save you money! We are a bit overwhelmed with the features. We should be looking for in our RV. I would like to ask the experience two RV experts –  you and Jennfer – to select the top ten features you can't live without in your class B B+ RV, If you could, please focus on features that you must make in the initial purchase that can't be added later. For example, dedicated bed, ducted air conditioning, safety features on the coach like blind spot and lane-keeping assist, on-demand water heater, six-cubic-foot 3-way fridge freezer, convection oven, deep sink, counter space, tank sizes,  propane versus induction, diesel vs gas ,storage capacity. Thank you again for all that. You do to provide quality and educational content to the RV Community wage. I look forward to hearing the top ten features you guys can't live without. Thank you!”

Answer: Some RV Features are Preferences rather than Essentials

The caller asked about a lot of things that deal more with preferences rather than must-haves. 

For example, she asked about:

Gas vs Diesel – We are happy with both. Right now we have a gasoline-powered RV. Our previous RVs are diesel. We can and have been happy with both. Gasoline is a bit easier to find. And, right now, it's cheaper.

CLICK HERE for an article we wrote on Gas vs Diesel

Induction vs Gas cooktop – We've had and have been happy with both. 

Countertop – Most countertops in Class Bs are about the same. The bigger the better, but counter space is not a deal-breaker for us.

Sink faucet – A lot of RVs have very cheap plastic faucets. Stay away from them is you can. But, again, this is not a deal-breaker for us. We can easily replace and upgrade if we want.

Ducted air conditioning – We had this on our last RV and it was awesome. Our current RV does not have it and we do miss it. This is important, almost a deal-breaker. But not quite.

Lane-keeping assist – These come standard on all new coaches

Blindspot detection – This is standard on Class B RVs but is not available as a factory option on B+ r Class C RVs

So let us share our most important RV features list – and some accompanying photos and videos –  in the hopes that it will give you an idea of what kinds of things should be on your list.

Our 10 Most Important RV Features List

• Dedicated beds – And always-made real bed. In our case. We like the twin beds on our Leisure Travel Vans Wonder RTB . They have a nightstand between them that can be converted into a foundation that will allow the mattresses to be fitted next to each other side by side in a near-Queen-sized bed. These are real beds, with mattresses, instead of sofa cushions that are found on many small RVs.

2) Separate living and sleeping areas – We have a sleeping area for the beds and a living area near the galley that doubles as a workspace/office. And the design of our current RV allows the door of the shower to be able to open across the hallway, physically dividing those two areas into separate rooms. The previous model we had, a Unity FX from LTV, has a front lounge and a rear lounge which also gave us two distinct areas to spread out in.

3) A Dry Shower – By this, we mean a standalone shower stall, Many of the smaller RVs we’ve previously owned have wet showers or showers that are part of the bathroom and toilet area. Even with a shower curtain, those areas get wet all over – that’s why they call them a wet shower. A dry shower area is a non-negotiable must-have for us.

4) Instant Hot Water – For us, that means the Truma Aqua Go water heater system. Turn it on and the water is instantly hot. For the shower, there’s no wasting water as you wait for it to get warm. For washing and rinsing dishes and washing your hands it’s a wonderful convenience, a luxury. The hot water is instant, constant and endless if you are hooked up to city water. When boondocking and using our fresh water tanks, it allows much more efficient showers, stretching your freshwater supply much longer than when we had to wait for the water to warm up.

NOTE: Here is a Video Review of our Leisure Travel Vans Wonder RTB showing many of these most important RV features:

5) Heated, lithium batteries – Once you rely on lithium batteries for your RV, you will never go back to regular lead acid or AGM batteries. The more the better, especially if you like boondocking. On our current RV and our previous one, we had two 100 amp lithium batteries. Those have provided all the boondocking power we want. Our current Battleborn lithium batteries were installed at the factory with heaters, keeping them warm and operating very efficiently even in freezing weather,

6) Solar Panels – These work in conjunction with the lithium power system. Solar is often oversold by RV dealers but we feel it is a must-have. For us, 400 watts of solar do the job, effectively topping off our lithium batteries each day from whatever power we drained from them over the previous night.

7) A powerful inverter – We would prefer 3,000 watts but our current RV has a 2000 watt inverter and it powers everything in our RV except the air conditioner when camping off the grid. There’s an add-on gadget called the SoftStart that will allow the AC to work off the 2,000-watt inverter but that’s a separate topic. You do want a powerful inverter. So many RVs come with stingy 1,000 or 1,500-watt inverters. With the technology and power needs posed by boondocking – our preferred style of camping –, that’s just not enough. A 2KW inverter is an absolute minimum you should get.

9) A generator – We would not travel without a generator. Ours is a 2.5 KW Cummins generator that we had installed at the factory. It is wired into the RV’s power system and runs on LP and allows us to run the AC while boondocking for extended periods of time if needed. It will also charge the coach batteries if needed, giving us still another power source while we are off the grid.

9) Apple Car Play in the entertainment system – Because we have iPhones, we use Apple Car Play. But Android Auto offers the same capabilities for those who don’t use Apple systems. Our Wonder, on the Ford Transit cutaway chassis, has a great entertainment system that has Apple Car Play and Android Auto capabilities. We use it to run our favorites raveling apps right through the dashboard display and entertainment system. It plays our music, our favorite podcasts and we use Google Maps and the Waze real-time traffic app for our GPS navigation. This is also a must for us on any RV we will buy in the future.

10) Maximum Exterior Storage Space – The biggest problem with small RVs is finding room for taking along all the things you want to use in your RV adventures. Chairs, bikes, in our case lots of photos and video gear, maybe an inflatable kayak someday. The RV we have has a pass-through are in the rear that will hold two bikes and all the toys and gear we want to take with us. It’s so big we call it “the garage.” We see other small RV manufacturers making similar storage space in their designs. But for us, we’re spoiled now and that extra storage space is another must-have for whatever RV we next get.

That’s our list of the 10 most important RV features we used in selecting our RV

Every RVer is different, of course.  What we think is important may not be to you. We all have different things that are must-haves to get the most out of the RV Lifestyle.

We urge everyone to make a similar list when shopping for their next RV. It helps with your shopping and gives you a checklist and a guide to sorting through all the different RVs out there.

Listen to all of this Episode #323 of RV Podcast for more

The information above comes from Episode 323 of our RV Podcast, which also features RV News of the week, travel reports, and a schedule of upcoming RV Shows. You can listen to the podcast through the player below or by Subscribing to the RV Podcast on your favorite Podcast App.

Curious about the gear, gadgets, accessories, and RV products Mike & Jennifer use and recommend?

On this RV Lifestyle Travel blog , our  RV Podcast  and our  RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel,  we mention all sorts of RV-related products and gear that we use, So we created a special page links to them. We update this all the time.   CLICK HERE to go to it directly. 

Want to  REALLY connect to the RV Lifestyle?

Become a supporter of the RV Lifestyle and get inside access to exclusive tips, trip ideas, how-to RV info, private members-only campouts with Mike & Jennifer, and special perks, giveaways, and discounts. CLICK HERE for info.  

Published on 2020-12-09

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

One Response to “The 10 Most Important RV Features We Can’t Live Without”

December 28, 2020at11:48 am , Rodney LaVancher said:

You grossly underestimated the weight per gallon of water. You stated water weighs 3.79 lbs/gallon when it fact it is 8.34lbs/gallon, so you are off by 4.55 lbs/gallon. On a 50 gallon water tank this means your calculations would be off by almost 228-lbs. This error could cause someone to have an overloaded RV causing safety issues. An even larger water tank would increase this error.

Comments are closed.

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‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Teaser: Will Ferrell Double Books a Wedding with Reese Witherspoon

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What’s better than one wedding? Well, how about two? At least, so long as you’re not the wedding planner who double booked a venue.

Prime Video rom-com “You’re Cordially Invited” stars Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell in a comedy of errors surrounding the big day.

“You’re Cordially Invited” is written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, with Geraldine Viswanathan co-starring. The ensemble cast is rounded out by Meredith Hagner, Jimmy Tatro, Stony Blyden, Leanne Morgan, Rory Scovel, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Ramona Young, Jack McBrayer, and Celia Weston. Related Stories ‘The Surfer’ Review: Nicolas Cage Goes Mad in This Hallucinatory Australian Thriller Dabney Coleman, Emmy-Winning Character Actor Who Became One of Hollywood’s Go-To Villains, Dead at 92

Lead stars Witherspoon and Ferrell both produce along with writer/director Stoller, Conor Welch, Lauren Neustadter, and Jessica Elbaum.

“You’re Cordially Invited” marks the latest Prime Video rom-com title following the success of adaptations “The Idea of You” and “Red, White, and Royal Blue,” which recently landed a sequel . Both films star Nicholas Galitzine, who is apparently Prime Video’s “It” guy.

Meanwhile, Witherspoon is making the most of being “invited” to Prime Video. “You’re Cordially Invited” is just the latest Witherspoon project in the works at Amazon MGM Studios. Witherspoon’s “Legally Blonde” spinoff  TV series is also set at the streamer, with “Gossip Girl”-reboot creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage writing and executive producing. Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter are executive producing through Hello Sunshine, as well as Marc Platt. The series will be produced by Hello Sunshine, Fake Empire, and Amazon MGM Studios.

A “Legally Blonde” prequel series titled “Elle” is also in the works, with Witherspoon producing. “Elle” is created by Laura Kittrell, who will also serve as showrunner. The series is centered on Elle Woods in high school leading up to the events in the first movie.

Witherspoon recently returned to her onscreen rom-com roots with the Netflix film “Your Place or Mine” alongside Ashton Kutcher.

“You’re Cordially Invited” premieres January 30, 2025 on Prime Video. Watch the teaser below.

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