Got a car or SUV with a 3,500 lb tow rating? You’re not alone. That number is common for small SUVs like the Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and even some minivans. And while it technically means you can tow a trailer that weighs 3,500 lbs, the truth is… you really shouldn’t.
Why You Should Only Tow 70% of Your Vehicle’s Max Capacity
Experts (and experience) say it’s best to stay around 70–75% of your max tow rating—especially if you’ll be towing in the mountains, driving long distances, or carrying passengers and gear. For a 3,500 lb tow capacity, that means your trailer should weigh no more than 2,450 lbs loaded.
Not all trailers that advertise themselves as “under 3,500 lbs” are truly safe to tow with a vehicle rated for 3,500 lbs. Many use the dry weight for marketing purposes, but dry weight doesn’t include water, propane, gear, or upgrades. What matters most is the trailer’s GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)—its total weight when fully loaded. And many trailers on the market today push that 3,500 lb threshold when loaded.
You also need to factor in your tow vehicle’s payload (passengers and cargo), tongue weight, and handling under real-world driving conditions. Exceeding your vehicle’s rated limits doesn’t just stress the brakes and suspension—it may void your warranty or even make your insurance invalid in the event of an accident.
For true towing safety, always check the GVWR and assume you’ll use most or all of the available cargo capacity. Then, aim for at least a 20% buffer below your vehicle’s maximum rating.
When you see a trailer listed as “2,400 lbs dry weight,” that number doesn’t include water (8.34 lbs per gallon), propane, your gear, food, or upgrades. Add a full water tank (30 gal = 250+ lbs), some dishes and camping supplies, and it’s easy to tack on another 500–800 lbs. (Source: Kelley Blue Book – Towing Capacity Guide)
Bottom line: If your tow vehicle maxes out at 3,500 lbs, aim for a trailer with a dry weight under 2,500 lbs and a GVWR around or under 2,800 lbs.
What Happens If You Tow Too Heavy?
- Your brakes take longer to stop.
- Your transmission and suspension wear out faster.
- You can sway or lose control at highway speeds.
- Your warranty may not cover damage.
- Your insurance may not cover an accident if you’re over your rated towing capacity.
- It’s stressful to drive, especially in wind or hills.
A Quick Glossary of Trailer Weights
- UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight): Trailer’s empty weight from the factory. Also called dry weight.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): The max total weight of the trailer once fully loaded.
- CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity): The weight of cargo you can add = GVWR – UVW.
Lightweight Travel Trailers for 3,500 lb Tow Vehicles
Each trailer below has a dry weight under 2,500 lbs and is grouped by type. We’ve also included whether it typically has a bathroom or fridge.
Teardrop Trailers
Teardrops are compact, aerodynamic trailers built for minimalist travel. Most have a small sleeping area and some combination of kitchen and storage. Many include a “garage kitchen” in the rear hatch that opens up to reveal a cooking space, cooler or fridge, and storage shelves. A few higher-end models even include a wet bath inside.
nuCamp TAG
The XL model is a rugged teardrop is built for boondocking and off-road adventures. It has a dry weight of 1,400 lbs and a GVWR of 2,200 lbs. There’s no bathroom, but it includes a fridge and a rear hatch kitchen.
Little Guy Micro Max
With a dry weight of 1,860 lbs, this teardrop manages to include a wet bath option and a full interior kitchen. It’s compact but cleverly designed, with a GVWR of 2,500 lbs. Unfortunately, Little Guy recently ended production of new traielrs, but there are many used Little Guy’s on the market, and the company still supports parts at Teardropshop.com.
TAB 320 / TAB 320 S / Boondock
These popular teardrops offer wet baths, a dinette that converts to a bed, and high-end cabinetry. Dry weight ranges from 1,993 to 2,069 lbs, with GVWR up to 3,000 lbs.
Happier Camper HC1
A modular fiberglass trailer with dry weight starting at 1,100 lbs and GVWR around 3,500 lbs. The HC1 doesn’t come with a built-in bathroom or standard fridge, but it’s designed to be highly customizable with add-on modules like a dry flush toilet or kitchenette with cooler. It’s a great fit for travelers who want maximum flexibility and a retro-modern aesthetic in a lightweight package.
Ultimate Toys Ultimate Camper Woody
This stylish retro-inspired teardrop is 16 feet long with a dry weight of 2,200 lbs and a GVWR of 2,900 lbs. It includes a kitchenette, small dinette, and sleeps one. There’s no built-in bathroom, but it’s a lightweight and eye-catching option that fits comfortably within towing limits for a 3,500 lb-rated vehicle.
A-Frame Trailers
A-frames fold down flat for towing and pop up into hard-sided campers. They’re lightweight and easy to store, though usually lack bathrooms. A-frames fold down flat for towing and pop up into hard-sided campers. They’re lightweight and easy to store, though usually lack bathrooms.
ALiner Scout-Lite
One of the lightest hard-sided campers available, the Scout-Lite weighs just 1,180 lbs dry with a GVWR of 2,000 lbs. It has no bath but includes a basic cooler-style fridge.
Compact Travel Trailers
These are hard-sided trailers with more space and comfort than teardrops, often including full kitchens and wet baths. Still small enough to tow safely. These are hard-sided trailers with more space and comfort than teardrops, often including full kitchens and wet baths. Still small enough to tow safely.
Scamp 16’ Deluxe
This fiberglass classic weighs around 2,200 lbs dry and 2,800 lbs GVWR. It has a full wet bath, small kitchen, and a timeless design that holds value well.
Casita Spirit Deluxe 17’
The Casita is another molded fiberglass favorite. With a dry weight of 2,480 lbs and GVWR of 2,800 lbs, it’s one of the most complete compact trailers you can tow safely.
Roulotte ProLite Plus S
This Canadian-made trailer is just 1,795 lbs dry and 2,500 lbs GVWR. Despite its small size, it includes a wet bath and kitchen, perfect for minimalist but comfortable travel.
Coleman Rubicon 1200RK
Weighing 1,682 lbs dry with a GVWR of 2,500 lbs, this rugged model skips the bathroom but includes a rear kitchen and compact fridge.
Coleman 13B
A more traditional layout with a wet bath and fridge, this unit comes in at 2,460 lbs dry and 3,500 lbs GVWR. It works well as long as you pack lightly.
Sun Lite 15MB
This lightweight model includes a bathroom and fridge and pushes right up to the 2,500 lb mark with a max dry weight of 2,495 lbs. GVWR is 3,500 lbs. Pack very lightly.
Pop-Up Trailers
Pop-ups have canvas sides and compact towing size. Most don’t have bathrooms, but they’re light and often include a small fridge or cooler. Pop-ups have canvas sides and compact towing size. Most don’t have bathrooms, but they’re light and often include a small fridge or cooler.
Forest River Rockwood Freedom 1640LTD
This simple pop-up weighs just 1,465 lbs dry and has a GVWR of 2,283 lbs. No bathroom, but it includes beds, a dinette, and optional fridge.
Coachmen Clipper 128LS
At 2,300 lbs dry and 2,800 lbs GVWR, this is a roomier pop-up with optional cassette toilet and fridge. It offers sleeping space for 4+.
Off-Road & Adventure Trailers
These are rugged and built for boondocking or off-grid camping. They vary in amenities but many include a wet bath and compact appliances. These are rugged and built for boondocking or off-grid camping. They vary in amenities but many include a wet bath and compact appliances.
TAXA TigerMoth Overland
With a dry weight of 1,360 lbs and GVWR of 2,200 lbs, this ultra-rugged trailer fits in most garages. No bathroom, but great for gear-heavy trips.
Travel Lite Rove Lite 14 Series
This series includes the 14FL, 14FD, and 14FB—each offering slightly different layouts but all sharing the same lightweight appeal. Dry weights range from 1,707 to 2,020 lbs, with a GVWR of 2,500 lbs. Each floorplan includes a wet bath and fridge, making them a great pick for minimalists who still want indoor plumbing and a few comforts of home.
Forest River No Boundaries NB10 Series
The NB10.4 and NB10.7 are compact, off-road-ready trailers with dry weights of 2,179 and 2,274 lbs respectively. Both offer optional bathrooms and come standard with fridges. With a GVWR of 3,725 lbs, you’ll need to pack carefully to stay within safe limits for a 3,500 lb-rated vehicle. Still, they’re a solid option for travelers who want flexibility and durability in a small footprint.
One Last Warning: Don’t Trust Dealer Claims
This post was inspired by a real story: a dealer told someone they could tow a trailer with a 3,800 lb dry weight using a vehicle rated to tow 3,500 lbs. Their justification? “It’s fine. People do it all the time.”
It’s not fine. And unfortunately, some dealers (I said some, not all) will lie to make a sale. They may not explain dry vs. loaded weight, or how much water, gear, and propane add up. Always check the numbers yourself.
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