Lightweight Travel Trailer Comparison Guide

Our publication now rates over 96% RV manufacturers and reviews popular-selling models

Our best-selling Lightweight Travel Trailer Comparison Guide reviews the majority of lightweight manufacturers that build towables that weight less than 3,500 pounds fully loaded.

Our consumer guide includes an easy-to-read article for each manufacturer, as well as lots of tips and honest reviews to find the right trailer for your travel needs at the best possible price.

Each article contains information in key areas like; company background, list of best-selling models, average MSRP, objective comments from our research staff and much more.

Who Builds the Best Lightweight, Ultra-Lite, Tear-Drop, Pop-up & Off-Road Towables?

This is an important question, which our research team dedicates a fair amount of time in our guide talking about. We focus on different types, construction methods, materials and over-all quality of popular selling models. We know of no other publication that goes into detail about this subject.

Our RV staff has spent many years un-covering the truth about how travel trailers are constructed and how to successfully chose a well-built lightweight that will retain its resale value over time.

TODAYS LIGHTWEIGHT TRAILERS ARE A DIFFERENT ANIMAL

For several years now there has been a renewed interest in smaller, lighter and simpler trailers. Historically known as a category for first timers buyers looking to dip a toe in the RV lifestyle.

Today’s lightweight trailers are not the stripped down and cheap campers of previous years. They are modern, well-built, attractive and loaded with clever gadgets and features. For the first time ever, Lightweights are the cool kids on the block.

When most people picture a lightweight or ultra-lite camper, they envision the “Canned Hams” of the past, a big beer can on wheels, cheaply built and prone to leaks, broken cabinet hinges and foam mattresses loved by mice and no one else.

While there is a renewed interest in retro campers or “Glamping” (restoring vintage lightweights to like-new condition for some fun classic camping), the new Lightweights are an obvious departure from the past. Built with space-age materials that are stronger, lighter and more durable, today’s small campers take full advantage of new technology, be it USB ports, solar panels, or HDTVs. Eschewing the traditional footprint, the new small camper looks completely different, outside and in.

WHAT CAUSED THE SUDDEN INTEREST IN LIGHTWEIGHTS?

The economic calamity of 2007-2010 was the biggest catalyst for a renewed interest in smaller, simpler campers. Suddenly, bigger wasn’t better, and Corian countertops and chandeliers seemed a bit over the top. $500,000 motorhomes with diesel engines languished on dealer lots, but smaller campers started flying off the shelves. Manufacturers took note and today the lightweight travel trailer is the hottest game in town.

No other segment in the RV world has reinvented itself as successfully as the lightweight class. Still popular with families and first-time buyers, customers now include RVers downsizing from full-sized fifth-wheels or motorhomes, as well as younger buyers looking for a way to get their kayaks, bikes, and surfboards to their destination, while having a home base to sleep, eat and lounge. Being able to tow their camper with almost any car or small SUV meant a new tow vehicle wasn’t necessary.

WHY OUR REVIEWS ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?

We go the extra mile to collect our data which has taken years to compile. Here are a number of ways we gather our information for our guide:

Speak with plan managers
Talk with RV manufacturers about next year’s models
Connect with RV dealers
Talk to existing towable owners
Feedback from our readers
Receive data for various RV resources

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT TOWABLE MODEL

All potential RV buyers want to know if the model they are looking to purchase, new or used is constructed well and will stand the test of time.

Developing a set of construction requirements that appropriately reflect a structurally sound lightweight towable units is

essential and helps remove any frustration when trying to understand the quality of a particular model.

An important element for selecting any lightweight model is how well is it is constructed. In our comparison guide, we cover fundamental aspects of construction like frames, underbelly construction, wall construction, insulation types, plumbing, electrical and much more!

List of Lightweight RV Manufacturers Rated in Guide

Manufacturer	Manufacturer	Manufacturer
Adventure Teardrop Trailers	Little Guy Worldwide	Skyline Corporation
Adventure Trailers	Livin Lite RV	Somerset/Columbia NW
Airstream Inc.	Micro Lite Trailer Mfg	Starcraft RV
Aline/Columbia N.W.	Moby1 Expedition Trailers	SylvanSport Campers
Big Woody Campers	NuCamp	T@B Teardrop Trailers
Camp-Inn Trailers	Oliver Travel Trailers	TAXA Outdoor
Casita RV	Pacific Coachworks Inc.	Taylor Coach
Chalet RV Inc.	Palomino RV	Thor Industries
Coachmen RV	ParkLiner Inc.	TrailManor Mfg.
Cozy Cruiser Mfg.	ProLife	Travel Lite Inc.
Dutchmen RV	Riverside RV	United Recreational Vehicles
Escape Trailer Industries	Scamp Trailers	Weis Craft Trailers
Forest River	SeaLander RV
Gulf Stream	Silver Tears Campers

Some of the manufacturers listed above are out of business, but there are still used towables being sold to RV consumers that would like to know how they rated while in business.

BUYING A NEW OR USED LIGHTWEIGHT WITH CONFIDENCE & PEACE OF MIND

If you have ever attended a large RV show or visited a mega RV dealer you know there are almost unlimited models and options to select from. Many shoppers get OVERLOADED with too much information and become confused and frustrated about the whole process. Some, even decide not to put-off their purchase because of this problem.

Did you know that 70% of all buyers said they either paid too much or choose the wrong RV. Wow, that’s 7 out of 10 buyers that basically felt they made some mistakes? Paying too much, hurts purchasing the wrong model for your travel needs really hurts.

This is where your research begins to pay off. After reading our RV consumer guide, you’ll be able to dismiss the subpar or poorly built models from the top-quality products, and quickly narrowing your search to a handful of units.

In addition to saving valuable time and endless sales pitches our resource will help you negotiate an awesome price, new or used. We reveal important negotiating tips that will save you thousands. We receive regular emails with stories how our buying tips saved people more than they could have ever imaged.

Knowledge is power! Get the facts before you buy and become an educated shopper. Our guide and other RV resources will give you the confidences to make a wise buying decision that will lead to years of enjoyment as you travel in your new or used lightweight trailer.