When you’re buying a travel trailer, the price may be the top consideration; however, you also need to consider your tow vehicle and how you want to camp. If you already have a truck or an SUV, it’s a good idea to keep the weight of your trailer at 80% or less of the maximum tow capacity – a benefit of ultra-lightweight travel trailers. Likewise, if you plan to spend most of your time in RV parks or off-grid may also ultimately determine your trailer.
If you already have a ¼ ton truck or SUV, then ultra-lightweight travel trailers may be the right choice. Likewise, if you plan on spending a lot of time “boondocking” outside of an RV park, a smaller, more maneuverable trailer will serve you best.
We’ve compiled a list of the ten best ultra-lightweight travel trailers under 2,000 pounds on the market today. In our opinion, these are durable, with a stylish design and an excellent level of craftsmanship. These models also have extra features and options that go the extra mile to make your camping experience completely enjoyable.
The Scamp
Anyone who’s spent anytime RVing has probably seen a Scamp; they are the classic lightweight fiberglass trailer. The style hasn’t changed at all over the decades. The Scamp ranges in length from a tiny 13’ at 1,200-1,500 pounds to a more generous 19’fifth-wheel, weighing in at 2,400-2,900 pounds. Scamps are all made to order and sold directly from their factory in Backus, Minnesota.
Scamps have a multitude of features and options. The Deluxe 13′ Front Bathroom models come equipped with a toilet and shower, and weigh in at a very modest 1300-1600 pounds. The 16’ Standard models weigh in at 1750-2000 pounds. If you want to step up to a 16’ Deluxe model, for an extra 200 pounds, you can get a shower.
The interiors are appointed with oak or birch hardwoods, and your choice of carpet or vinyl floors. The styling is basic and practical, and ready to style as your own. These classic little trailers are not only sturdy, but they also have everything you need to live comfortably on the road.
The Cricket Camper
The Taxa Cricket is a pop-up camper with a rugged, space-age look. It would look great towed behind your Jeep! It weighs in at 1,800 pounds and is 15’ in length, and it has a high ground clearance to get you deep into the backcountry.
One great thing about this camper is the airy, well-ventilated interior. It also has an interior kitchen with a 2-burner stove, a refrigerator, a sink, and a generous countertop for meal prep. This little pop-up trailer also has a dining table. Likewise, there’s an exterior shower with hot and cold water. You can also get a cassette toilet as an option.
The pop-up roof offers extra headroom, and depending on the model, you can add a roof-rack to carry all of your gear. Moreover, the body is Kynar-Painted and also has UV-resistant aluminum panels. It also comes with all-terrain tires and is pre-wired for solar.
A-Liner
A-Liner produces the distinctive, hard-top ultra-lite pop-up trailers you may have seen. The classic A-Liners have a low profile when towing, and weigh less than 2,000 pounds with a length of 18’. The Family Scout model also has an interior shower and a toilet, and still comes in at less than 2,000 pounds. While A-Liner trailers come equipped with a small refrigerator, they don’t have kitchens.
A-Liner has three different lines of trailers, their classic A-shaped hard-topped pop-up trailers, the Ascape, and soft-sided pop-up trailers.
The Great Ascape Plus is perhaps their most comfortable model, with an exterior shower, a kitchen, and a cassette toilet, all at 1850 pounds.
The Riverside Retro Travel Trailer
This is brand produces simple, high-quality trailers with a retro look and feel. These durable little travel trailers feature an interior of birch wood walls and furniture, reminiscent of an old Silverstreak trailer. The retro look is complete with a checkered tile floor. The frames are built with aluminum, and they’re pre-wired for solar.
While Riverside makes several models of Retro travel trailers in a range of lengths, only one could be considered an ultra-lightweight travel trailer; that’s the Retro511 weighing in with a dry weight of 1650 pounds and a length of 12’8″. One thing to note, this trailer has an outdoor shower, but it does not have a toilet inside.
The Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro Series
Forest River is a well-known and trusted brand that not only produces ultra-lite trailers, but they also manufacture quality fifth-wheels, motorhomes, and park models.
The Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro travel trailer is not only affordable, but it’s also lightweight and beautifully appointed. The interior is a sleek, soft gray that can be customized any way you like. Best of all, for those who wish to boondock, a WIFI Ranger booster and a solar panel mounted on the roof with a 1000 Watt converter comes standard on most models.
The E-Pro series has seven different floor plans, which can sleep two to four people. The lengths range from a tiny eleven feet to twenty-one feet. The unloaded weight ranges from just over 1,100 pounds to around 3,200 pounds. The two models under 2,000 dry-weight are the EK12K at 11’ 4” weighing in at 1252 pounds and the E12SRK at 12’ and 1763 pounds. Both of these models feature an outdoor kitchen and grill, and neither has a bathroom.
If you can afford to tow a little more weight, the E15TB weighs in at 2483 pounds with a length of 15’ 10”. This model not only has an outdoor grill, but it also has an interior kitchen and a wet bath with a shower and a toilet.
The Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro
The Rockwood Geo Pro series is designed to work with today’s smaller and more fuel-efficient SUVs. These trailers also come with a 100W solar panel on the roof and a 1000W inverter. Likewise, a WiFi Ranger signal booster comes standard.
The two models that are under 2,000 pounds are the G12RK at 11’ 4” and 1252 pounds, and the G12SRK at 12’ long and 1763 pounds. Like the Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro series, the interiors are decorated in a soft, neutral, and contemporary light gray.
The queen-sized bed dominates the interior of the G12RK. This unit has an exterior kitchen and a grill, a generous 20-gallon freshwater tank, but there is no bathroom.
The G12RK has a gaucho-style sofa that folds out into a bed, giving this unit a little more interior floor space. It also has an outdoor kitchen, a 26-gallon freshwater tank, but no bathroom.
If you’d like an interior kitchen and a bathroom, and can afford to tow a little more weight, the G15TB weighs in at 2483 pounds. This trailer is nearly 16’ long, and has twin beds.
The Jayco Hummingbird
Jayco is among the most highly rated RV manufacturers for quality. The Hummingbird series has seven models, ranging in a dry weight of 1,545 to 3,015 pounds and lengths of 13’ to 20’. These trailers are pre-wired for solar.
The only one that qualifies as an ultra-lite is the 10RK, weighing in at 1,545 pounds and 13’ long. The floor plan is basically like a teardrop trailer; the interior filled with a bed, a TV, and an outdoor kitchen. It has a generous 25-gallon freshwater tank, but it does not have a shower or a toilet.
The Intech RV Luna
This styling on the Luna is ultra-modern, and the high clearance allows you to go almost anywhere. It has a raised suspension, off-road tires, and a roof rack, making this a great little trailer to tow behind your 4×4. The Luna weighs in at 1,800 pounds with a length of 15’ 6”.
One of the best things about this teardrop trailer is the huge, panoramic front window for great views. Unlike most teardrop style trailers, the Luna has front bench seats and a table at the front. This allows you to comfortably look out of the large front window and admire the view. Likewise, the rear futons fold out into beds or fold up as seating. The outdoor kitchen has a 3-burner stove, a refrigerator, a sink, microwave, and lots of cabinet space. The Luna also features an entertainment center with a 32” TV.
If you want to camp in style and comfort, the Luna might just be the lightweight teardrop for you.
The Roulottes Prolite
This is a Canadian manufacturer, but they do have a few dealerships in the United States. Roulotte travel trailers use ultra-light materials from start to finish during construction. Likewise, they’re very aerodynamic, which makes for easier towing.
The smallest model weighs in at an incredible 550 pounds and is 11’ in length, while the biggest model weighs 3,700 pounds and is 23’ 4”. Overall, Roulette has eleven floor-plans that are less than 2,000 pounds. Prolites are built with a one-piece, fiberglass shell roof, that’s resistant to UV rays. Furthermore, the walls are insulated with DuroFoam, for long-lasting thermal performance.
The larger models, while still very lightweight, feature full kitchens and bathrooms. Some even have slideouts. For example, the Mini has a wet-bath, a kitchen with a large sink, a two-burner stove, and lots of counter space, all in a 14’ length weighing in at 1,150 pounds.
While it may be hard to find in the U.S., a Roulette Prolite may be worth a trip across the border.
Armadillo Trailers
This is another Canadian manufacturer, and Armadillos look very similar to the classic Scamps. While all Armadillos come in a 13.5’ two-piece fiberglass shell, there are five floor-plans to choose from. Furthermore, Armadillos are very well insulated and are designed to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
These little trailers are carefully built with the best materials. You can customize the interior with a choice of several interior colors and fabrics, and have your choice of a dinette, a convertible couch, or even bunk beds. Armadillos also come equipped with a stove, kitchen sink, and a refrigerator. However, there are no options for a bathroom.
Final Thoughts
Before you purchase any trailer, carefully consider the type of lifestyle, you’d like to have while camping or living on the road. Most of these ultra-lightweight travel trailers don’t have a toilet or a shower, which may be OK for a short trip to a campground with a vault toilet. However, for a longer trip, or if the weather gets bad, that may not be acceptable. There is a lot to consider, so make your choice carefully, and enjoy your life on the road!
