Travel trailers are a great way to live life on the open road without having to sacrifice any of life’s little luxuries. But, many travel trailers, while comfortable and spacious, are too heavy to be towed by all but the most powerful of trucks.
Thankfully, there are plenty of great travel trailers under 6,000 lbs on the market today, which are perfect for road tripping. These lightweight trailers are not only easier to drive, but also provide better fuel efficiency to help you save money on longer trips.
To help you find the right model for your needs, we’ve put together this guide to the best camper trailers under 6,000 lbs. Here are 7 crowd favorites to check out…
The 7 best travel trailers under 6,000 lbs:
1. Lance 1685 Travel Trailer
Image via Lance
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 3,980 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 5,500lbs
- Length: 16’6″
The Lance 1685 Travel Trailer is a luxurious option that prioritizes living space and functionality for life on the road. This trailer is lightweight for the high-end camper trailer world, tipping the scales at just 3,980 lbs. When combined with its short length of just 16’6″, the Lance 1685 is one of the most maneuverable and easiest to drive options on the market.
However, despite its relatively short size, this trailer doesn’t skimp on comfort. It has a complete dry bath with a skylight over the shower for plenty of natural light.
For living space, the Lance 1685 has a large pop-out dinette that’s comfortable enough to lounge in all day. It also comes with a stunning kitchenette with a multi-burner stove, oven, sink, and built-in microwave, as well as a spacious fridge so you can cook up a storm on the road.
Lance also managed to fit a queen bed in this trailer, as well as a bunch of storage space. You can organize your gear in the trailer’s closet and store some equipment in multiple exterior compartments for easier access during multi-sport adventures.
2. KZ Sportsmen Classic 181BH
Image via KZ Sportsmen
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 3,000 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 3,500lbs
- Length: 20’9″
The KZ Sportsmen Classic 181BH is a lightweight bunkhouse trailer that weighs in at a cool 3,000 lbs. Even though it’s so lightweight, this trailer is 20’9″ long, which means it hits a nice balance of interior space and driving maneuverability.
This trailer has been a fan favorite since its debut because it includes all of the standard features that campers know and love, but trims down on the excess to cut back on weight.
The Classic 181BH is particularly great for adventurous families because it offers plenty of sleeping space for up to 4 campers. It has a single queen-sized bed at the front, as well as a set of twin bunk beds at the rear to save weight.
Plus, this trailer has a full dry bathroom with a shower for longer trips on the road. As far as living space goes, the Classic 181BH’s pop-out dinette is a great place to enjoy hanging out as a family or small group. The trailer also has plenty of interior storage and a large pass-thru storage compartment at the front, which is perfect for storing all of your family’s gear.
3. Jayco Jay Feather X23B
Image via Jayco
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 4,380 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 5,500 lbs
- Length: 24’5″
The Jayco Jay Feather X23B is the longest trailer in our review at 24’5″, but it still manages to weigh in at a respectable 4,380lbs. It features a modern, luxurious design that’s completely outfitted with everything you need for an extended family road trip.
The interior of this trailer provides an exceptional amount of living space, thanks to its pop-out bed design. It can comfortably sleep up to four people in its two full-sized beds, which are located at either end of the trailer.
Inside, the Jay Feather has a full dry shower for staying squeaky clean while you travel. It’s also built with a super-functional kitchen, including a dual sink, high-rise faucet, three-burner stove, a large refrigerator, and plenty of built-in cabinet space for storage. Opposite the kitchen, the Jay Feather also has a comfy sofa for relaxation, as well as a large dinette for family meals.
Outside, the trailer has a sleek fiberglass exterior, as well as a pull-out awning for extra shade on those sunny days. Overall, the Jayco Feather X23B is a solid choice for anyone that wants to maximize their trailer’s interior space while still having a model that’s towable by a full-sized SUV or lightweight truck.
4. 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″
Forest River is known for its ultralight travel trailers, and the R-Pod RP-171 doesn’t disappoint. This lightweight trailer comes complete with everything you need for an extended road trip and is one of the smallest options on the market that also includes a full bathroom.
The R-Pod manages to fit a comfy queen-sized bed into its 18’4″ frame, which also serves as a nice place to lounge and stare out at your beautiful surroundings through two large windows.
It also includes a 2 burner cooktop, refrigerator, convection microwave, and a sink for cooking up some gourmet grub on your adventures. As far as socializing goes, the R-Pod has a dinette at the front, which can comfortably seat 3-4 people.
Plus, the R-Pod is fully outfitted to create a cozy climate-controlled interior, thanks to its built-in air conditioner and furnace. It’s also a nice choice for use during the winter months because its exterior is made with Azdel, a composite material that has twice the insulation value of wood, to help keep you warm at night.
5. Dutchmen RV Aspen Trail LE 1950BH
Image via Dutchmen
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 3,815 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 5,000 lbs
- Length: 23’5″
For 4-season use in particularly harsh environments, the Dutchmen Aspen Trail LE 1950BH is a solid bet. The Aspen Trail LE offers nearly all of the great features of its heftier Aspen Trail siblings, but in a smaller package that’s easier to drive.
In particular, the 1950BH floorplan is a great choice for families and small groups because it has a unique layout that combines a residential queen-sized bed at the front with two bunk beds at the rear. It also has one of the largest bathrooms available for a trailer this size, with a comfortable dry shower.
For cooking and dining, the Aspen Trail LE has a kitchenette that’s outfitted with a 2 burner cooktop, a 6 cubic foot refrigerator, a galley sink, and a microwave. Additionally, it comes with a dinette that’s also a great place to hang out and relax at the end of the day.
As far as winterization goes, the Aspen Trail features an 18,000 BTU furnace and a water heater, as well as underbelly heating to keep you warm at night. It also includes a small outdoor kitchen system so you can grill and enjoy the sunshine during the summer months.
6. Airstream Nest 16FB
Image via Airstream
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 3,300 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 4,000 lbs
- Length: 16’7″
Airstream is famous in the travel trailer world. But, if you’ve always thought that Airstreams are too heavy for light trucks and full-sized SUVs, then think again: The Airstream Nest 16FB is a lightweight and fun little travel trailer for shorter road trips where comfort is key.
The Nest has a unique and stylish fiberglass exterior, which is a step away from the heavier aluminum typically found in Airstream trailers. It weighs in at just 3,300lbs, making it one of the lightest models in Airstream’s line up.
At 16’7″, the Nest is easy to drive. But, it still features a comfortable floor plan with all-food furnishings that scream luxury and durability. In particular, the Nest has a full bathroom, which is almost unheard of for a trailer this size.
It has a fully-featured kitchen and a spacious dinette at one end that can be quickly converted into a bed at night. Other great features in the Nest include built-in air conditioning, heating, Bluetooth-controlled lights, and a power awning. This trailer also comes pre-wired for solar panels, so you can outfit it with a renewable energy source for off-grid adventures.
7. TAXA Outdoors Cricket
Image via TAXA Outdoors
Specs:
- Dry Weight: 1,800 lbs
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 2,500 lbs
- Length: 15′
The TAXA Outdoors Cricket is a revolutionary new adventure rig for rugged conditions. Even though it features some burly steel wheels with all-terrain tires and high clearance for those rough dirt roads, the Cricket is still one of the lightest travel trailers on the market at 1,800lbs and its 15′ length makes it easy to tow around.
TAXA Outdoors created the Cricket so that it can comfortably house two adults and two children. It has a unique floor plan that maximizes your interior space by combining a full-sized bed with under-bed storage.
For seating, the Cricket has a small dinette that can be covered up for added sleeping space for young campers. It also has a functional kitchen with a stove and a sink that are perfect for cooking up a meal for a couple or small family.
Although the Cricket doesn’t have a full bath, it does have an outdoor shower that can provide both hot and cold water. The roof of this trailer also pops up for added ventilation and headroom. It’s even completely outfitted with LED lighting and is pre-wired for solar panels, making it a great option for shorter trips in particularly remote locations.
The Verdict…
A travel trailer under 6,000 lbs is a great way to road trip without the hassle of a larger camper. With the right trailer in tow, you can have a comfortable place to sleep, wherever life takes you.
If I had to choose just one of these travel trailers to take on my adventures, I’d probably opt for the Airstream Nest because it packs everything you need into a small frame without sacrificing livability.
That being said, if I was planning on camping with a family, the Dutchmen RV Aspen Trail LE would be my top choice because it provides enough living space and functionality for a small group. Do these all look far too expensive? Don’t miss our tips for finding a used RV for sale under $5,000.
Up Next In Trailers:
What is the Smallest Trailer with a Bathroom? (10 Crowd Favorites)
Hiker Trailer Review: Pros/Cons and Owner QnA
Best Overland Trailers (10 Off-Road Favorites)
What is the Smallest 5th Wheel? (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.
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.