There are few better ways to live life on the open road than with a travel trailer in tow. However, travel trailers are known to be quite heavy, which means they can be difficult, if not impossible to tow with a crossover or SUV.
That being said, there are plenty of great lightweight travel trailers under 4,000 lbs out there, if you know where to look. With a sub 4,000 lb travel trailer, you can hit the road without the need for a full-sized truck, giving you more flexibility and freedom to camp in style with the vehicle you already have.
We know how hard it is to find a travel trailer under 4,000 lbs, which is why we’ve put together this list of the best options on the market today. Up next, we’ll introduce you to 7 crowd favorites so you can spend less time researching your new trailer and more time enjoying your next adventure.
Here are the 7 best travel trailers under 4,000 lbs:
1. Jayco Hummingbird 10RK
Image via Jayco
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 1,570 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 2,000 lbs
- Length: 12’11”
By far the lightest travel trailer in our review, the Jayco Hummingbird 10RK tips the scales at a petite 1,570 lbs and has a minimum GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 2,000 lbs. This means that it’s well within the towing range of a mid-size SUV, like a Subaru Outback.
The Jayco Hummingbird 10RK achieves its lightweight status thanks to its fiberglass roof and composite Stronghold VBL sidewalls and floor. These help to cut weight without reducing the durability and lifespan of your trailer on the open road.
It comes stock with a set of Goodyear 15″ mud radial tires and a Dexter rubber-torsion axle, which makes it a nice choice for more remote adventures. Plus, the Hummingbird 10RK measures at just 12’11”, so it’s relatively easy to maneuver on tight campground access roads.
On the inside, the Hummingbird 10RK has a spacious sleeping area with a queen-sized bed and some extra floor space and overhead cubbies for gear storage.
Meanwhile, Jayco made the most of the lightweight design of this trailer by creating a rear-access outdoor kitchen. The kitchen’s large rear door opens and converts instantly into an awning to offer protection from the rain and sun.
It also comes stock with a sink, microwave, grill, fridge, storage, as well as a TV for outdoor relaxation. The sink faucet can also be removed to serve as an outdoor shower while you’re on the road.
2. Forest River R-Pod RP-171
Image via Forest River
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 2,504 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 3,500 lbs
- Length: 18’4″
Weighing in at just over 2,500 lbs, the Forest River R-Pod RP-171 is a small but mighty trailer for people that don’t want to sacrifice comfort on the road.
The R-Pod comes complete with everything you’d need to get outside without giving up your homely creature comforts. On the inside, you have a comfy queen size bed with 2 over-sized windows for views of the outdoors.
There’s also an intelligently-designed kitchenette that comes with a 2 burner cooktop, convection microwave, and a refrigerator, as well as plenty of storage for all your cooking needs. When it comes to seating, the R-Pod has a large front dinette that can be converted into a bed for extra sleeping space when not in use.
Oh, and unlike many trailers this size, the R-Pod has a full wet bathroom with a toilet and shower for staying clean while living on the road. The trailer comes straight from the factory with a water heater, furnace, and air conditioner, too, to help you stay comfortable, regardless of the conditions outside.
Despite being a teardrop-style trailer, this model also comes with a tall center ceiling height that can easily accommodate campers that are up to about 6’3″ tall.
Learn More at forestriverinc.com
3. Lance 1575 Travel Trailer
Image via Lance
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 2,775 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 3,700 lbs
- Length: 20’5″
Blending together a great mix of weight savings and plenty of living space, the Lance 1575 Travel Trailer is a go-to model for people that don’t want to skimp on comfort.
Each Lance 1575 Travel Trailer comes with a deluxe queen innerspring mattress for getting a good night’s sleep after a long day of relaxation. The bedroom area has built-in LED reading lights and a TV, as well as a set of well-placed windows so you can watch the sunset without having to get up out of bed.
Once you’ve found your parking space for the night, you can pop out the dinette seating area, which has plenty of seating for 4 at each meal. When you’re not lounging about, you can also convert the dinette into extra sleeping space for 2 more adults.
Inside the trailer, there’s a well-outfitted kitchenette that has overhead cabinetry, a 3 burner range, a beautiful backsplash, a sink, and a refrigerator. You also get a sizable closet for storage space while you’re on the road.
Plus, the Lance 1575 has a stylish dry bathroom with a marine-style toilet, an adjustable slide bar shower head, and a dual-pane skylight for natural light as you shower. The trailer also comes wired for solar power and it has a great selection of exterior LED lighting and speaker options for entertainment during your camping trips.
4. Winnebago Minnie Drop 170S
Image via Winnebago
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 2,800 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 4,000 lbs
- Length: 21′
A lightweight favorite from one of the best-selling travel trailer companies of all time, the Winnebago Minnie Drop 170S is a fully-featured option for adventurous campers.
Boasting a teardrop-style design with 77″ interior ceilings, the Minnie Drop is a small but livable option that can be towed by most SUVs. It has an aluminum and fiberglass construction that helps to keep its dry weight well below 3,000 lbs without sacrificing durability.
The interior floor plan of this trailer features a comfortable entryway that leads into a central living space. You get a sizable dinette for eating and relaxation, as well as a pop-out kitchen for cooking up scrumptious meals. For added sleeping space, you can convert the dinette into a bed that fits up to 2 adults.
The kitchen comes stock with a refrigerator, microwave, sink, and a 2 burner stove, too, so you can craft gourmet meals, even when you’re far from home.
Meanwhile, the front of the trailer holds a large bed that holds a mattress that’s just between a queen and full size model. On the other end of the trailer, you also have access to a full dry bathroom with cabinetry, a toilet, and even a shower.
5. Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite 17CBH
Image via Coachmen
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 2,959 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 3,883 lbs
- Length: 20’4″
Just barely eeking by at under 3,000 lbs, the Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite 17CBH is a high-value, low-weight option for folks that focuses on comfort.
This trailer is functionality-oriented thanks to its smart layout, which makes the most of a small space. At the front of the trailer, there’s a full-size bed that also offers plenty of storage options for all of your gear.
Meanwhile, the rear of the Clipper Ultra-Lite is a set of twin-sized bunk beds for added sleeping space. This convenient layout makes this trailer particularly well-suited for families with children, or for anyone that doesn’t want to have to convert their dinette into a sleeping area each night.
For eating and living, the Clipper Ultra-Lite has a 4 person dinette sitting area with gear storage overhead. The kitchen comes stock with a large counter space, which is nice for food prep during each meal. there’s also plenty of storage, as well as a 2 burner stove, a sink, and a refrigerator.
This trailer also takes comfort to the next level with its spacious bathroom. The bathroom on the Clipper Ultra-Lite has a skylight, a dry shower, and a toilet for added convenience while on the road.
6. KZ Sportsmen Classic 181BH
Image via KZ
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 3,000 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 3,500 lbs
- Length: 20’9″
One of KZ’s lightest trailers, the Sportsmen Classic 181BH is a comfortable home away from home when you’re on the road. It weighs just 3,000 lbs despite being nearly 21′ long, so it offers a great blend of functionality and versatility all at the same time.
The Sportsmen Classic 181BH’s floor plan includes a large bed that the front of the trailer with an oversized window on either side for sunset views. From the exterior of the trailer, you can also access the pass-thru storage area that goes under the bed, allowing you to make the most of your available space.
Moreover, the interior of this trailer has a set of twin-sized bunks for added sleeping space for your friends and family. The pop-out dinette area also allows you to maximize your living space without limiting your seating options.
As far as the kitchen goes, the Sportsmen Classic 181BH has a sink, fridge, microwave, and 2 burner range. There’s also plenty of cabinetry and storage options for keeping your trailer organized, regardless of where your adventures take you.
Finally, KZ wraps up a great set of features on this trailer by including a dry shower and a toilet for convenience on the road. Oh, and there’s also a retractable awning system so you can enjoy some outdoor relaxation during your camping trip.
7. Airstream Nest 16FB
Image via Airstream
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 3,300 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 4,000 lbs
- Length: 16’7″
Style meets functionality with the Airstream Nest 16FB, which is one of the sleekest-looking trailers on the market. With the Nest 16FB, Airstream decided to take all the features that make their trailers so comfortable and popular and integrate them into one lightweight and mobile package.
This trailer makes the most of its limited space by including only multi-functional amenities. For example, the large dinette eating area can convert into a massive bed when not in use, while the built-in couch provides a secondary seating area, day or night.
Featuring the modern-meets-contemporary look that Airstream is famous for, the Nest 16FB has a cozy kitchen layout with a large sink and 2 burner stove that comes equipped with a top cover for added food-prep space. It’s all-wood interior also includes plenty of storage space for staying organized on the go.
Despite its small size, the Nest 16FB also has a full bathroom with a wet shower, which is quite hard to find in a trailer of this length. Plus, Airstream outfits this trailer with wiring for solar panels, as well as air conditioning, heating, a power awning, and Bluetooth-controlled lights for added functionality.
The Verdict…
If you’re looking for a quality travel trailer but don’t want to have to get a full-sized truck, then a lightweight model is just what you need. These 7 travel trailers under 4,000 pounds provide an awesome mix of livability and functionality when you’re on the road. That way, you can enjoy your camping trip and make the most of your time outside.
Up Next In Travel Trailers:
What is the Smallest Trailer with a Bathroom? (10 Crowd Favorites)
Best Overland Trailers (10 Off-Road Favorites)
What Travel Trailers are Under 1500 lbs? (7 Lightweight Favorites)
Best Travel Trailers Under 6,000 lbs? (7 Crowd Favorites)
David is an accomplished mountain endurance athlete who has completed over 25 ultra marathon races (follow on Strava). He is most proud of his finish at The Drift 100 – a high elevation, 100 mile winter foot race that zigzags along the Continental Divide in Wyoming. In the future he hopes to compete in the ITI 350 and ultimately the full 1,000 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational that follows the same path as the historic dog sled race.
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