What is the lightest travel trailer with a bathroom? That’s a question that many people ask when planning an RV purchase. While there are many factors to consider when choosing an RV, weight is often one of the most important.
The lightest travel trailer with a bathroom is the Travel Lite Rove Lite. The compact RV weighs 1,675 pounds dry, making it easy to tow with a smaller vehicle. It’s also fuel-efficient, easy to store, and durable, thanks to its compact and light aluminum frame.
If that sounds like the travel trailer you need, you’re in the right place. Stay tuned for detailed insights into what the Rove Lite offers.
How the Rove Lite Travel Trailer Got So Lightweight
Arguably, the Rove Light deserves recognition as one of the decent lightweight travel trailers with a bathroom. It is not only one of the lightest but also one of the decent rigs on the market today. But what makes it so light?
Let’s take a more detailed look at how the Rove Lite got to be so light.
A Dry Weight of 1,676 Pounds
The Rove Lite’s main selling point is its weight. At just 1,675 pounds dry and a maximum of 2500 pounds (1134 kilograms) loaded, it’s a travel trailer anyone can tow.
Whether you drive a small car or a large SUV, you can tow the Rove Lite easily. And because it’s so light, you won’t have to worry about exceeding your vehicle’s towing capacity.
Here are a few key specs of this RV:
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 2500 pounds
- Unloaded Vehicle Weight (Dry Weight) 1675 pounds
- Fresh Water Capacity: 10 gal (38 liters)
- Black Water Capacity: 30 gal (113 liters)
- Gray Water Capacity: 5 gal (19 liters)
Fiberglass Sidewall
The Rove Lite’s sidewalls are made of fiberglass, which is lighter than traditional RV materials like aluminum. Notably, fiberglass has a density of 1.5 kg/m3 (0.09 lb/cu ft), making it up to 44% lighter than aluminum.
In addition to being lightweight, fiberglass is also solid and durable. As a result, you won’t have to worry about your RV’s side walls buckling or breaking while on the road.
Adzel Composite Panels
Another reason the Rove Lite is so light is its Adzel composite panels. These panels are made of a lightweight yet strong material that can withstand years of use.
As a result, the overall weight of the trailer reduces, making it easier to tow and maneuver. That’s another crucial advantage if you’re looking for a travel trailer that’s easy to tow with a small car.
An Aluminum Frame
Another factor that makes the Rove Lite light is its aluminum frame. Unlike traditional RV frames, made of steel, aluminum is much lighter. As a result, the Rove Lite weighs less than other travel trailers on the market.
To put things into perspective, Aluminum has a density of 2.7 g/cm3 (0.1 lb/cu in), while stainless steel has a density of 8.0 g/cm3 (0.29 lb/cu in). As you can see, aluminum is much lighter than steel, making it an ideal choice for the Rove Lite’s frame.
No Cabinets in the Interior
The Rove Lite also has a unique feature that makes it even lighter: no cabinets in the interior. That may seem strange, but it makes sense when you think about it.
By eliminating cabinets and introducing netting and other storage solutions, the Rove Lite reduces its overall weight. And that’s a huge advantage if you’re looking for a light travel trailer.
Bathroom? Here’s a look at the wetbath option:
PROS of a Light Travel Trailer
Now that we’ve taken a closer look at what makes the Rove Lite so light, let’s discuss some benefits of owning a light travel trailer. After all, there are many reasons why you might want to consider a lighter RV.
Here are a few of the biggest pros of owning a lighter travel trailer:
You Can Easily Pull It With a Small Car
One of the main advantages of owning a light travel trailer is that you can easily pull it with a small car. If you’ve ever tried to tow a large RV with a small car, you know how difficult it can be. But with the Rove Lite, you won’t have to worry about that.
You can easily tow the Rove Lite with a small car or SUV. And because it’s so light, you won’t have to worry about damaging your vehicle.
It’s More Fuel Efficient
Another great advantage of a light travel trailer is that it’s more fuel efficient than a larger RV. If you’re planning on doing a lot of traveling, you’ll want to save as much money as possible on gas.
And since these RVs are so light, they reduce the weight that your vehicle has to tow. That means you’ll use less gas overall.
It’s Easy To Store
When you’re not using your travel trailer, you’ll need to find a place to store it. And if you have a large RV, that can be difficult. But with a compact, lightweight trailer like the Rove Lite, storage is easy.
Here are some of the places you can store your Rove Lite:
- In your garage.
- On your property.
- At a storage facility.
- It’s Easier To Maneuver
Another great benefit of owning a lighter travel trailer is that it’s easier to maneuver. If you’ve ever tried to park a large RV, you know how difficult it can be. But with the Rove Lite, you won’t have any trouble.
You can easily maneuver the Rove Lite into tight spaces and any campsite. And if you ever need to move it, it’s much easier to do with a lighter travel trailer.
You Can Take It Almost Anywhere
One of the best things about owning a light travel trailer is that you can take it anywhere. If you want to explore remote areas or go off-roading, you can do that with the Rove Lite.
Because it’s light and narrow, you can take the Rove Lite on roads that most RVs can’t go on. That includes narrow, winding roads and roads with low overhangs. You can also take it to places where parking is difficult, like crowded city streets.
CONS of a Light Travel Trailer
Despite all the advantages of owning a light travel trailer, there are some disadvantages you should know. These trailers are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and they may not be right for everyone.
Here are some of the biggest disadvantages of a lighter travel trailer:
- There’s Less Interior Space – One of the main disadvantages of a light travel trailer, including the Rove Light, is less interior space. If you’re used to having a lot of room in your RV, you may be disappointed with the smaller size of these trailers.
However, there are ways to maximize the space in your light travel trailer, such as:
- Using fold-down tables and beds.
- Hanging shelves and organizers.
- Investing in space-saving furniture.
It May Not Have All the Features You Want
Another disadvantage of a light travel trailer is that it may not have all the features you want. If you’re used to having a lot of amenities in your RV, you may find the smaller size and lack of features to be a deal-breaker. Something like having a wet bath instead of a regular bath.
For example, while the Rove Light features a small, 3-door fridge, it lacks a cabinet, microwave, and oven. So if you’re looking for a fully-equipped RV, this may not be the right option.
You Might Feel Every Bump on the Road
If you choose a light travel trailer, you should know that you might feel every bump on the road. Because these trailers are so light, they don’t have as much suspension as a heavier RV.
So if you’re planning on doing a lot of off-roading or traveling on rough roads, you may want to choose a different option.
Closing Thoughts
The Rove Lite is the lightest travel trailer on the market and has several great features. For example, it’s easy to maneuver, fuel-efficient, and easy to store. If you want to go even deeper into finding lightweight camping trailers, you should also consider teardrop campers.
However, there are some disadvantages you should be aware of when looking for the lightest camper trailer, such as the lack of interior space and features. Therefore, ensure you consider these factors before making a decision.
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(featured image: travelliterv.com)
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.