My husband and I have been on the search for the perfect travel trailer for almost a year. After many nights of researching on manufacturing websites, RV forums, and watching thousands (seriously, we think it’s about 3,000) YouTube videos we realized… The perfect travel trailer doesn’t exist.
However, here are a few that come pretty darn close. Here’s the parameters I’m going by – as this is what we preferred:
- Walk around queen bed (RV size or residential)
- Separate refrigerator and freezer
- Dinette
- Max total length of 24 feet
- Max dry weight 4500 pounds
- Dry bath (separate shower/toilet)
- Good storage
- No bunks/bunkbeads
- Not a toyhauler
- Under $20,000
Here are a few trailers that we strongly considered while looking for our new travel trailer.
1. Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1800RB
Keystone is owned by Thor Industries, which also owns Airstream, Jayco, Dutchmen, and more. The 1800 RB (RB = rear bathroom) features a queen murphy bed which allows for a walk-around bed, while still keeping the coach at a smaller length. This is an affordable camper, with lots of storage options.
Pros: Campsite dinette, big rear bathroom with good storage, outside shower, dual propane tanks, enclosed underbelly (this is more important that you may think), outside shower.
Cons: No side tables/storage next to sofa, no black tank flush, murphy bed has to be supported at the base, tri-fold mattress
Stats:
- Length: 21 feet, 4 inches
- Height: 10 feet, 5 inches
- Width: 8 feet
- Dry weight: 3400lbs (approx)
- Floorplan
2. Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 18MT
Forest River is another big name manufacturer of RV and travel trailers. This Grey Wolf model is a step above an entry model, with some really nice features. First, it has an awesome outdoor kitchen with sink, mini-fridge, and ice maker. This model is also a murphy bed, but boasts a lot more storage than some of its counterparts.
Pros: Campsite dinette, bathroom has mirrors and storage, amazing outdoor kitchen and shower, backsplash, storage rack on back.
Cons: The bed has a funky set up and it’s a bit on the heavier side.
Stats:
- Length: 23 feet, 5 inches
- Height: 10 feet, 6 inches
- Width: 8 feet
- Dry weight: 4200lbs (approx)
- Floorplan
3. Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108FBS
Winnebago is one of the best brands you’ll find when shopping for a travel trailer. They are well made, have the best materials, and some of the best warranties in the business. This 2108FBS is a beautiful trailer (and it’s more on the expensive side, but you can find it for less than $20K new if you try hard).
Pros: Easy to tow at 7 feet wide, lots of beautiful windows, privacy curtain, over and under bed storage (separate from passthrough storage), backsplash, framed doors, enclosed belly, huge awning, cross breeze at sleeping area.
Cons: It’s a bit more expensive and harder to find on lots. Outside showers are optional and not on all units.
Stats:
- Length: 21 feet, 11 inches
- Height: 10 feet, 5 inches
- Width: 7 feet
- Dry weight: 3980lbs (approx)
- Floorplan
4. Forest River Salem Cruise Light 171RBXL
Another model from Forest River – this time from the Salem line. The 171RBXL is a murphy bed model with a campside dinette. If you’re a weekend warrior, or just starting out – you may want to check out this travel trailer. It’s very affordable (I’ve seen new models at $12,500). It’s very spacious, has a lot of accessible storage, and is much roomier than it looks. I would just look into swapping out the fan for a Fantastic and making sure to reinforce any leaks in the underbelly.
Pros: Super affordable entry level camper, lots and lots of storage space that’s easy to access, shower doors.
Cons: Underbelly not enclosed, no outside shower, and weak shower/exhaust fan.
Stats:
- Length: 22 feet, 5 inches
- Height: 10 feet, 1 inches
- Width: 7 feet
- Dry weight: 3800lbs (approx)
- Floorplan
5. Sunset Park Sunray 199
Sunset Park Sunray trailers have that vintage look and are so Instagram friendly. The trailer offers a bit of separation from the sleeping and living area.
Pros: Comes in awesome vintage look/feel, large dinette than turns into a bed for 2 people, outside shower.
Cons: Not a ton of inside storage.
Stats:
- Length: 21 feet, 5 inches
- Height: 10 feet, 1 inches
- Width: 7 feet, 1 inch
- Dry weight: 3000 (approx)
- Floorplan
6. Forest River R-Pod 192
R-Pods are known for the cute frog (Forest River Owner Group) on the side of the coach. While the R-Pod started as a teardrop trailer, newer models have expanded by a few feet and boast full-size refrigerators. The 192 model has a murphy bed for extra space while still keeping the cozy look and feel of a traditional R-Pod. Also, check out the 195 and 196 that have similar chassis.
Pros: Massive campsite dinette window, comes standard with TV, large pantry, lots of storage, exterior kitchen with spray hose, pet latch, residential queen.
Cons: Folding bed, shower lacks tile/coating, no mirror/med cabinet in bathroom, is not backup camera ready.
Stats:
- Length: 22 feet, 2 inches
- Height: 9 feet, 10 inches
- Width: 8feet
- Dry weight: 3000 (approx)
- Floorplan
Other trailers to consider…
Like I said, we watched a LOT of videos. Here are some other models to consider that did not meet our specifications, but are models others may consider if you have a higher budget, can pull more weight, or a smaller refrigerator is OK.
In no particular order:
- Keystone Outback 210URS
- Lance 2075
- Apex 213 RDS
- Venture RV Sonic 231VRK
- Cougar 22RBS
- GeoPro 19FD
- Keystone Passport 216RD
- Airstream International Serenity 23FB
We can’t wait to start our travel trailer adventures. You can follow along here on the blog, or on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
Have a travel trailer you think should go on this list? Let us know in the comments below.
So did you end up buying one of the above, or did I miss your pick in the content?
we got the 22rbs. we liked the open floor plan with seats and large bath.
We really liked that model. In truth, the layout of the 22rbs would prob be better for us — but the weight was just a bit too much and we’d have to upgrade our TV.
We are in the process of deciding on a couples lite trailer and have been researching the floorplans etc. online. One of the items on our wish list is appropriate counter space, which seems to be in short supply in most of the units we have looked into. Our one major question from a practical standpoint is this: where on earth do people put their coffee makers and toasters???
We use a French press coffee maker ourselves, so we only have it out when using it. And we never used a toaster (just used the convection oven when we needed something toasted). Many people in the 192 add a shelf to the right of the sink. Some even add small carts. But that’s where our pup sleeps – so we make due.