Ultra-lite travel trailers under 3,500 lbs are convenient in that they can be towed with an SUV or even a car, and they still provide many of the comforts of an RV.
They present a happy medium between tent camping and RVing, while still allowing you to drop the trailer at a campsite and explore in your car. In this article, we’ll cover 7 best of the best options when it comes to ultra-lite travel trailers specifically under 3500 pounds.
7 best ultra-lite travel trailers under 3,500 lbs:
1. Happier Camper HC1
Weight: 1,100 lbs
Price: Starts at $29,950
The HC1 from Happier Camper is so light that it can actually be towed by a sedan or a hatchback. It has a unique Adaptiv design where all the elements and furniture within are modular, so they can be moved around into different configurations, taken outdoors for easy camp furniture, or removed completely if you don’t need a piece for a certain trip.
The components include storage cubes, a nesting table top, a bench/bed, a cooler cube, a standard kitchenette, a bunch bed/couch, a toilet, and more.
The HC1 has a large rear hatch door and a smaller side door. It can sleep up to five people and the kitchenette has 5-gallon fresh and gray water tanks. The optional road shower holds four gallons of water and the dry flush toilet does not require any water.
You can opt for a starter, classic, premium, or build-your-own package. Each package comes with a different set of modular pieces, although you can add extra pieces to any package for extra fees. There are several color options to choose from as well.
More info: happiercamper.com (featured image top of article)
2. inTech RV Sol Eclipse
Weight: 2,695 lbs
Price: ~$30,000
The Sol Eclipse features a dinette that converts to a 55 x 80-inch bed in the back, a wet bath (shower and toilet that share a space) in the middle, and a kitchenette at the front. The kitchenette boasts a fridge, microwave, two-burner stove, and a sizable farmhouse sink against the backdrop of a panoramic window.
The 6’4” ceiling makes the space feel large and easy to move around in. Storage is built in everywhere, so there’s a home for all of your belongings and supplies as you travel. The tilt-forward design means that the typically wasted space over the A-frame can be utilized to make the interior space larger.
Outside, you’ll find a 10-foot manual awning to increase your living space and provide a cool shady spot to sit. The camper is equipped with a 20-gallon fresh water tank and a 24-gallon black water tank as well as a 20-lb propane tank. The trailer is solar ready, with a Zamp Solar Prep kit.
An air conditioner and furnace will keep you comfortable no matter the weather, and a 6-gallon water heater provides hot showers.
More info: intechrv.com
3. Safari Condo Alto R-Series
Weight: 1,825 lbs
Price: Starts at $37,000
The Alto R-Series from Safari Condo has two models: The R1713 and the R1723. The R1713 has a 72 x 76-inch king size bed that can be converted into two 27 x 76-inch twin beds or a dinette, while the R1723 has a 60 x 76-inch bed that can convert to a dinette. Both models have a front dining area that converts into a 36 x 81-inch bed.
The table can be moved to provide either a five-seat dinette or a two-seat dinette, and the trailers also feature a fixed flush toilet with a black water tank. The toilet is in a small cabinet rather than a full-on bathroom to save space.
Related article: Pop-Up Campers Under 3,500 lbs (10 top picks)
R-Series trailers are equipped with a fridge, stove, sink, and microwave. The R1723 also has a shower. Both models have a retractable roof that pops up with the help of electric actuators. When in the closed or lowered position, the trailer has a drag ratio that’s 75% lower than a standard travel trailer, and they can fit in most garages.
In the open position, this ultra-lite travel trailer has an interior height of 6’10”, although the beds, fridge, toilet, and storage areas are all usable and accessible even with the roof down. Both models have 60-gallon fresh and gray water tanks and 46-gallon black water tanks. There are several interior finishes available to choose from.
More info: safaricondo.com
4. TetonX Hybrid Pop-Top
Weight: 2,900 lbs
Price: Starts at $23,995 (~$40,000 with most popular options)
The TetonX Hybrid Pop-Top comes in three different interior arrangement options: an east/west queen bed, a north/south queen bed, or a north/south almost-king bed. All three options have a front storage area that doubles as a 25 x 76-inch bunk. There’s also an upper bunk option to sleep even more people.
The Hybrid has a pull-out outdoor kitchen that makes camp cooking super easy. It boasts a dual-zone fridge, a pantry cabinet, a stove, and hot and cold water in the sink. There’s also an outdoor shower, forced air heat, an indoor dining table, and tons of storage space. With the top popped, there’s 6’6” of head room inside.
The trailer is designed for off-grid, off-road use. The trailing arm suspension is extra beefy and the approach and departure angles are generous for easy maneuvering. The camper also has more ground clearance than many other options.
These trailers are priced on a build-to-suit basis, so they have only the amenities that you need and nothing more to keep the weight down and the trailer purpose-built for you.
More info: tetonx.com
5. Forest River No Boundaries
Weight: 3,478 lbs
Price: ~$25,000
The No Boundaries ultra lite travel trailer from Forest River is a bit larger than the other options on our list, and even boasts a slide-out. It has a queen bed, a wardrobe, a wet bath, a pantry, an entertainment center, a dinette, a fridge, a microwave, a stove, and a sink. The dinette and fridge are in the slide-out, which makes the interior feel much more spacious.
The camper is equipped with 30-gallon fresh, gray, and back water tanks. Outside, a 12-foot awning provides a shady place to hang out, expanding your living space.
More info: forestriverinc.com
Also read:
7 Best Travel Trailers Under 6,000 lbs
The 10 Smallest Trailers with a Bathroom
6. Jayco Hummingbird 10RK
Weight: 1,570 lbs
Price: ~$20,000
The Hummingbird 10RK from Jayco is a very small ultra light camper with a fixed 54 x 74-inch bed, a microwave, a fridge, a sink, and not much else. The inside is a small sleeping pod with a TV, while the back hatch flips up to reveal the kitchenette area. An air conditioner keeps the sleeping area cool and some storage compartments provide space for personal belongings.
An outdoor awning provides a shady spot to hang out. While there is no stove in this unit, a camp stove can be stowed in the drawer in the back and set up to cook outdoors. This rig is a great weekender option, although the lack of indoor cooking options might make it impractical for long trips or for areas where the weather isn’t ideal.
More info: jayco.com
7. Forest River R-Pod 171
Weight: 2,714 lbs
Price: ~$24,000
The R-Pod 171 from Forest River features a 60 x 74-inch queen bed in the back and a dinette in the front that converts to a 42 x 74-inch bunk. The trailer has a wet bath and a kitchenette opposite that includes a fridge, two-burner stove, sink, and a convection microwave.
A furnace and air conditioning unit keep the indoor temperature comfortable. This ultra-lite trailer has 30-gallon fresh, gray, and black water tanks. A TV faces the dinette/front bunk.
The R-Pod is super easy to clean with its central vacuum system. It’s solar-ready and has connections for a backup camera if you wish to add one. The axle features independent suspension for an easy ride that minimizes bouncing.
Pass-through storage makes it easy to load up the trailer from the outside and then access your belongings from the inside. A massive front windshield provides an excellent view while eating at the dinette.
More info: forestriverinc.com
My Closing Thoughts
The biggest benefit of all of these lightweight trailers is that you don’t have to purchase a truck to tow one, which can be a huge additional expense. Even a Subaru Outback XT can tow 3,500 pounds! However, be sure that you account for the weight of your gear and supplies when choosing a trailer.
The ultra lite travel trailer weights listed in this article are generally empty weights, and the weight can vary based on add-ons and extra features that you may select. It does not account for the weight of water in the tanks, propane if applicable, or your food/gear/clothing/accessories that you might pack in the trailer.
And, it’s a good idea to not completely max out the towing capacity of your vehicle. If your car is rated to tow 3,500 pounds, you will likely want to select a trailer that’s in the 2,000-3,000 pound range when fully loaded in order to be able to drive easily and avoid completely killing your gas mileage.
If I had to pick a favorite from this list, I would likely choose the Happier Camper HC1. The modular design is such a unique idea and it would allow for multiple uses for the trailer. You could go bare-bones in order to sleep more people for a weekend trip or add in all the amenities for a longer two-person trip.
The possibilities are endless and for such a small unit, it’s super functional. I also like that you can just purchase the modular pieces that you need to avoid wasting space.
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Cat is originally from Seattle, WA but has traveled around the US and Canada full-time in a self-converted school bus with her boyfriend Aaron since April of 2018. She enjoys rock climbing, paddleboarding, hiking, and generally being outdoors!