Looking to travel in style on your next road trip, but need a travel trailer that’s under 2000 pounds? Whether you’re looking to save on fuel economy or your vehicle just can’t tow a heavy trailer, a lightweight travel trailer is a solid choice for intrepid adventurers.
That being said, the market is inundated with heavy trailers that can only be towed by SUVs and large trucks, so it can be tricky to find a suitable model for a smaller vehicle. The good news is that we’ve done the research for you and we’ve come up with this list of the 7 best travel trailers under 2000 pounds that are available today.
Up next, we’ll introduce you to our top picks and give you some advice on choosing the right model for your needs.
What travel trailers are under 2000 pounds?
1. Happier Camper HC1 (1,100 lbs)
Happier Camper is fairly new on the travel trailer scene, but they’ve made a big splash with their little HC1 Travel Trailer.
This fully customizable trailer has a base weight of just 1,100 pounds and it comes standard with a honeycomb fiberglass floor, panoramic windows, a wide entryway, and a large rear hatch However, the HC1 Travel Trailer boasts Adaptiv technology instead of a list of standard floor plans so you can pick and choose your interior options to best suit your unique style.
You can opt for a range of different interior components, such as storage cubes, beds, nesting tables, coolers, toilets, and a kitchenette. Depending on the options you choose, you can customize this trailer to sleep up to a family of 5, all while still being able to tow it with a standard sedan.
Although the Happier Camper HC1 Travel Trailer is a bit on the extensive end of the spectrum when it comes to flexibility and portability, it’s hard to beat.
Learn more: happiercamper.com
2. InTech RV Flyer Chase (1,280 lbs)
A rugged option for adventurous families, the InTech RV Flyer Chase is a durable, yet lightweight travel trailer that’s designed for life on the open road.
Featuring a 1,280 pound dry base weight, the Flyer Chase is among the lightest models on the market. But, it comes with a full-aluminum welded tube cage frame that’s designed to last for years on end.
At the front of the Flyer Chase, you get a Tongue Box, which is perfect for storing your extra camping gear. Additionally, each Flyer Chase comes with a built-in 2″ receiver with a 100 lb weight rating for taking your bikes along on your travels.
Inside the trailer, you get a spacious full-sized bed, plenty of windows, Bluetooth speakers, LED lights, and lots of storage options. You can also choose from a number of add-ons, including off-road tires, AC and heat, a 2″ lift, roof racks, and even an awning for extra outdoor living space.
Overall, for weekend trips in more remote locales where functionality is key, the Flyer Chase’s simple and practical set-up is a sure bet.
Learn more: intechrv.com
3. Riverside RV Retro 511 (1,570 lbs)
The Riverside RV Retro 511 might feature a retro exterior, but its interior layout and overwhelming functionality make it a fantastic choice for road trip adventures.
With a dry weight of 1,570 lbs, the Retro 511 is light, yet surprisingly spacious. The interior of the trailer features plenty of gear storage space and a standard closet, as well as a jiffy sofa, which can be opened up into a bed at night.
To save space and provide maximum livability, Riverside RV designed this trailer with an exterior kitchen. The rear hatch on the Retro 511 opens up to reveal a funky little kitchenette with a sink, stovetop, microwave, fridge, and plenty of storage so you can cook up a scrumptious meal.
Plus, the trailer comes stock with heat, AC, and a freshwater tank, as well as a side awning to help you make the most of your outdoor living space.
Learn more: goriversiderv.com
4. Jayco Hummingbird 10RK (1,570 lbs)
Jayco is a household name in the travel trailer world, but the Hummingbird 10RK is one of their only trailers that tips the scales at under 2,000 lbs.
The Hummingbird 10RK has a dry base weight of just 1,570 pounds, which means it’s towable by the vast majority of vehicles. But, with an exterior length of 12’11”, this trailer is among the largest sub-2000 pound trailers on the market.
With this floorplan, the interior of the trailer is home to a large bed with a plush topper for catching some Zs at night. The interior also has plenty of windows and vents to allow for airflow and natural light, as well as some storage pockets for smaller gear items.
On the outside, the Hummingbird 10RK has 2 external storage compartments as well as a cozy kitchenette that comes complete with a sink, microwave, and fridge. Plus, like all Jayco trailers, this model comes with their 2 year, 24,000-mile warranty on any issues with quality or workmanship.
Learn more: jayco.com
5. Aliner Ascape Plus (1,630 lbs)
Purposefully built to be one of the lightest and most maneuverable travel trailers on the market, the Aliner Ascape Plus is a cozy home on the road.
The Ascape Plus weighs in at 1,630 pounds unloaded weight, so it’s towable by your average-sized car. But, despite being so portable, it comes complete with everything you need to enjoy yourself on your road trip.
On the inside, this trailer has a large bed for relaxation, as well as a table and dinette seating for hanging out after a long day of adventure. Unlike many other trailers this size, though, the Ascape Plus comes with an interior kitchenette, storage, and an optional toilet for full-comfort living.
Additionally, the Ascape Plus comes with LED lights, front-mounted solar panels, an optional rear awning, heating and cooling, and an outdoor shower. Despite its small size, this trailer also has plenty of interior and exterior storage options, making it a quality all-around choice for campers that want a bit of everything with their trailer.
Learn more: aliner.com
6. Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E12SRK (1,763 lbs)
The little brother to the fan-favorite R-Pod, the Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro is a cozy travel trailer that packs a lot of quality into a small package.
Thanks to its 1,763 pound dry base weight, the Flagstaff E-Pro is a highly versatile option for short road trips and weekend getaways. Inside the main living area of this trailer, you get a 74″ gaucho couch which can convert into a plush bed for the evening in just a few seconds.
Moreover, the interior of this trailer has plenty of overhead storage for your smaller essentials while the exterior has larger compartments for stashing your bulkier gear.
Meanwhile, on the exterior of the Flagstaff E-Pro, you can enjoy cooking up a delicious meal with the outside kitchenette, which comes complete with a fridge, cooktop, sink, and microwave. Finally, the Flagstaff E-Pro has an optional 8′ awning for folks who want to extend their living space into the outdoors.
Learn more: forestriverinc.com
7. TAXA Outdoors Cricket (1,800 lbs)
Rugged and reliable, the TAXA Outdoors Cricket is a family-friendly solution for your road trip adventures.
Decidedly durable, the Cricket weighs in at 1,800 pounds dry weight despite its burly powder-coated steel chassis and laser-cut aluminum skeleton. It also comes stock with 15″ alloy wheels and all-terrain tires for driving on dirt roads.
Within the Cricket, you have enough sleeping space for up to 2 adults and 2 children, as well as plenty of gear storage capacity. During the day, the bed can quickly transform into a dinette while the large kitchen counter, 2 burner stove, and covered sink make meal prep as easy as can be.
TAXA Outdoors also crafted this trailer with comfort in mind as they included a Truma Combi Eco Furnace and Water Heating System, full LED interior/exterior lighting, and an exterior hot and cold shower for maximum livability.
Learn more: taxaoutdoors.com
How to choose the best lightweight travel trailer for YOUR needs
Buying a lightweight travel trailer is a serious commitment, so you need to be sure that you’re getting the best model for your needs. Here are some key things to keep in mind as you shop.
Weight
If you’re reading this article, you’ve likely already established that you’re only interested in travel trailers under 2,000 lbs. But, there are quite a few different trailers out there under this weight limit, with the lightest among them tipping the scales at just around 1,000 lbs.
So, when deciding what trailer is right for your needs, you’ll need to start by consulting your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to give yourself quite a bit of wiggle room between your vehicle’s max towing capacity and the dry weight of your prospective camper.
It’s generally best to keep the dry weight of your trailer at or below 75% of your vehicle’s total towing capacity, so you won’t exceed the capacity with the weight of your gear, water, and other essentials. For example, if your vehicle can tow up to 2,000 lbs, you’ll want to look for a trailer that’s no more than, say 1,500 lbs.
Need a really lightweight travel trailer? (Check out our top 7 travel trailer models under 1,500 lbs)
Bathroom vs No Bathroom
Smaller travel trailers are all about compromises and one of the first things you’ll often need to compromise on is a bathroom.
It’s fairly rare to find a sub-2000 lb travel trailer with a full bathroom (i.e., interior shower and toilet) and only 2 models on our list even have an option for a toilet. That’s because bathrooms take up lots of interior space and add quite a bit of weight to a travel trailer.
However, there are quite a few lightweight travel trailers that come with options for cassette toilets and exterior showers. While this may not be as convenient as you’re used to at home, it can be a nice compromise that makes a big difference in your comfort on the road.
Off-Road Capabilities
Depending on where you plan to travel, you may want to consider opting for a lightweight trailer that’s capable of handling some off-road driving.
While you probably won’t be able to tackle true 4×4 terrain with a travel trailer, getting a model that’s outfitted with a durable steel frame and a set of all-terrain tires is a good start. Doing so will make it easier for you to drive over rough forest service roads or on non-maintained tracks to get to and from your campsite each night.
How to know if a travel trailer company has a good reputation
If you’re going to shell out a decent sum of money on a travel trailer, you want to know that you’re buying from a reputable company. With the proliferation of #vanlife and the increase in outdoor recreation in recent years, many new travel trailer companies have sprung onto the market, too.
While this means that we have more options to choose from, it also means that we need to be more critical when deciding where to spend our hard-earned money. To find out if a travel trailer company has a good reputation before you purchase your next trailer, consider the following:
- What do customers say about the company on forums? Facebook and iRV2 Forums are good starting points for general discussions about the company’s reputation.
- Does the company have reviews on the BBB profile? The BBB (Better Business Bureau) is a decent place to find customer reviews and see how the company responded to the customer. But, remember that most comments on BBB are complaints, so this is really just a good place to see if a company actively works to resolve issues.
- Are there reviews for the company’s trailers on RV Insider? RV Insider is sort of like the TrustPilot of the RV and trailer world and it’s a treasure trove of reviews.
- Can you find in-depth video reviews of a trailer on Youtube? Video reviews give you a chance to dig deeper into the quality of a trailer and they give you a better sense of how the owner actually feels about the model that they bought.
- What is the warranty like? Some companies try to wow you with fancy warranties, but when you get into the nitty-gritty, you realize the warranty isn’t worth much. Take the time to read the company’s warranty policy and see if anyone that reviews the trailer mentions trying to make a warranty claim.
Closing Thoughts
A lightweight travel trailer can be a great option for weekend adventures and longer road trips, alike. Finding the right model comes down to matching the trailer’s design with your specific needs, though if I had to choose 1 of these trailers, I’d go with the Happier Camper HC1.
Although it’s a bit pricey, I appreciate the modular design of the trailer and how many great options there are for customizing it to your specific needs. Plus, the retro fiberglass shell design wins full marks in my book.
Up Next In Travel Trailers:
Best Overland Trailers (10 Off-Road Favorites)
Best Travel Trailers Under 4000 lbs? (7 Lightweight Options)
What is the Smallest Trailer with a Bathroom?
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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