Looking for the best travel trailer brands? You’re at the right spot. Travel trailers are a convenient way to travel long distances. They are good for vacationing and a great way to save costs especially when travelling in groups.
It offers comfort which can be used for many functions, can be moved easily from one place to another, and is cost-effective.
In this post, we’ll be looking at the best travel trailers to buy right now and why they are a good fit for you.
What Are Travel Trailers?
Travel trailers are non-motorized RVs (Recreational Vehicles). They come in different styles which include teardrops, stand-ups, pop-ups, classic travel trailers, and toy haulers. The different styles also mean they come in different sizes too.
They are sometimes referred to as “House on wheels” and “bumper-pull” when they first became popular in the early ‘50s because they were attached to the bumper of a tow car. In sequence, the modern travel trailer employs a hitch secured to the frame of your tow vehicle, along with specialized hardware to make towing safe and easy.
How Big Are Travel Trailers?
When measured from the hitch to the rear bumper, they vary from about 10 feet up to about 40 feet and can weigh from as little as 1,000 lbs. to as high as 8,000 lbs. or more. It is important to note that this is how much they weigh before adding supplies and extra finishing.
Extra weight can add up quickly. For instance, a small generator can add an extra 70 lbs. while a medium-sized generator can add an extra 200 lbs. Then there are other amenities like water, food, containers, furniture, and electrical appliances that can add thousands of pounds extra. These factors are important in determining what tow car to use
How Much Do Travel Trailers Cost?
Many factors influence the price of these recreational vehicles like the size, style, type, and quality of materials used for construction, and the different features it possesses.
A trailer made of aluminum is more expensive than one made of steel due to factors like corrosion resistance, cost of alloys, and refining. Small teardrop trailers can be sold for about $5,000 straight from the showroom. Pop-up-style campers start at about $10,000.
Classic travel trailers with their firm exteriors can cost up to $35,000. Other factors like brand, location, and condition (brand new or previously owned) can affect the price. An Oliver Travel Trailer will cost more than an Airstream.
A trailer bought in Arizona is considerably cheaper than in most places. Purchasing a used travel trailer can help you save a lot of money but they sometimes tend to need some repairs that can be capital-intensive.
Benefits Of Owing A Travel Trailer
Owning a travel trailer can prove to be a very wonderful experience for all types of people or situations that require constant movement. Road trippers, people on tour, and even families relocating to a different area make use of travel trailers for comfort. Below are a few benefits of owning a travel trailer:
- Flexibility
If you’re traveling with the intent of exploring new places i.e., you stop at multiple locations for a road trip or a tour, travel trailers give you the flexibility of traveling without having to worry about booking hotels and the packing and unpacking that comes with lodging at multiple locations
- Comfortability
Travel trailers give the convenience of a modern-day home while on the road. It has amenities like kitchens, restrooms, and beds to make your trip smoother and more convenient
- Outdoor Living
If you’re someone who enjoys being in the great outdoors, living in a travel trailer grants you the opportunity to explore nature while still having access to modern-day amenities. You can go fishing and cook your catch in your modern kitchen. It also provides more protection from the cold and wild animals than a tent could provide
- Paced Travel Plans
With a travel trailer, you have the luxury of traveling at your own pace without having to rush to meet hotel reservations or flight schedules especially if you have multiple stops.
- Cost-Effective
If you’re a frequent traveler, having a travel trailer can prove to be cost-effective as it helps save money on flight tickets, car rentals, and accommodation.
For instance, flight tickets can range from $200-$400 for domestic flights, hotel prices per night are about $100-$250 and rental cars are about $30-$60 but can be higher for more expensive or luxurious cars. By the time you calculate all these costs plus feeding, no one will have to tell you to get a travel trailer.
- Form Of Investment
A travel trailer can be used repeatedly hence serving as a long-term investment. If properly maintained, it can retain its value and can be sold for a good price
- Great For Group Travel
When traveling in groups, a travel trailer is one of the best options if you want to save costs. Money that would have been spent on booking flights and making hotel reservations will be saved.
It also helps family and friends to bond throughout the trip. So if you’re ever traveling in a large group and don’t want to spend on hotels, the travel trailer is the most suitable means of saving costs.
How Do We Determine The Best Travel Trailer Brands?
The best travel trailer brands for you can be largely dependent on your preference, budget, and number of occupants. After combing through reviews and analyzing data, we have been able to identify the major criteria to keep in mind while thinking of the right travel trailer for your use and they are:
- Road-Tested Reliability
As with all vehicles, having issues is a matter of when and not if. The ability of your travel trailer to serve you for a long time without breaking down is a matter that should be taken into high consideration. You should not only rely on company specifications and comments on a product or YouTube videos aimed at advertising but also largely on user reviews.
Get feedback from friends and even strangers on how reliable a travel trailer brand is before purchasing. This can help to save a lot of money in the long run.
Go to community forum pages on Reddit, Facebook, Tumblr, and other social media platforms. Visit sites and blogs dedicated to travel, RVs, and vehicles and read the reviews. This is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t make a mistake during the purchase
- Value For Your Money
It is important to get a good price while making a purchase. However, a price that is too cheap can be an indication of poor attention to detail during production or the use of below-standard materials. The affordability should not be at the cost of quality because this can lead to a high cost of maintenance. The best travel trailers should have just the right price with above-average qualities
- Customer Service
When dealing with a brand, their customer service is a reflection of the brand itself. They may have a good quality product but terrible relationship with their customer. Supposing a customer has an issue with his travel trailer and needs to contact the company or dealer for a warranty, their terrible attitude may leave the customer unsatisfied and unhappy.
The company and dealer should always try to make their customers happy because a good reputation brings more customers Read reviews of people who have had an encounter with the brand or dealer. An overwhelming amount of bad reviews is a clear indicator to look elsewhere. Without wasting your time, here’s a compilation of the brands that made it to our list.
The Top 5 Travel Trailer Brands
The 5 best travel trailers were chosen based on reviews. They have proven to be exceptional in producing quality products. They are known for providing excellent customer service and prompt warranty repairs. These 5 brands are:
#1. Airstream Flying Cloud
First on the list is the Airstream company produces one of the most common RVs in the industry. These are high-end trailers and rightly so because the customer is assured value for their money.
Besides this trailer model, other iconic models include the Classic, Flying Cloud, Tony Bahama, and a lot more. Airstream, which is now owned by Thor Industries continues to lead the industry with a reliable and iconic design
The Flying Cloud
As the years go by, the Flying Cloud has been associated with the romance of the open road. Manufactured with both novice and veteran RVers in mind, the Flying Cloud merges vintage feel with modern leisure
With a starting price of about $94,000, this beauty is not for everyone. It has a very distinctive design that matches its high-end price tag. It is the envy of every campsite with the ability to turn heads and leave mouths drooling. With its distinctive aluminum shell, it combines durability with a light towing weight
With a sleeping capacity of about 4-8 persons, length of 23-30 feet, and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 6,000 to 8,800 pounds, this camper is truly the envy of the road
The features include:
- Ultraleather seating
- High-end kitchen appliances
- Memory foam mattress
- Handcrafted cabinetry
- Retractable awning
- Rear-view mirror system
- Roller blinds
- Blackout curtains and so much more
#2. Grand Design RV Imagine
Grand Design RV is another one of the best travel trailer brands. They have a loyal fanbase that considers their travel trailers better than some brands in the industry, even the Airstream.
In many reviews, Grand Design owners rave about the quality of these units and their outstanding customer service. This list would not be complete without mentioning the Grand Design
One amazing fact about this company is that all their tables and fifth wheels have a 3-year albeit limited structural warranty. The Imagine XLS is one remarkable trailer with excellent styling, features, and amenities.
The Grand Design has only been around since 2001 and today it operates independently within Winnebago Industries. This camper has earned its place on Number 2 of our list of the best travel trailer brands
The features include:
- Arctic 4-Seasons package
- Aluminum framed fully laminated walls
- Gel-coated fiberglass exterior
- Heat and enclosed dump valves
- Factory-installed RV solar power system
- 11 different floor plans in 3 lines
- Length of between 19ft, 11 inches and 36ft, 11 inches
- Double insulated floor, roof, and front cap
- Solid hardwood drawer fronts
- Upgraded residential furniture
- Large panoramic windows
- Residential quality countertops
- 3-burner range with oven
#3. Oliver Legacy Elite 2
The Oliver brand was started by twin brothers Jim and John Oliver in 2008. The company makes high-quality luxury fiberglass trailers in its Tennessee manufacturing facility.
Moreover, It is important to know that the Oliver brand manufactures fiberglass trailers with an unbeatable blend of luxury and resilience. It is designed to withstand the elements and whatever is thrown at it. Its double-hull fiberglass shell gives protection against all weather conditions. With these high-end features, this brand comes at a high price
The company also makes customization options for their customer’s different preferences. Whether it’s a specific floor layout, advanced solar system, or different furniture choices. The company makes it available to fit all its customer’s needs and styles
The Legacy Elite 2 comes in two-floor plans. One with twin beds and a dinette bed conversion. This model is loaded with a lot of standard features
The Legacy Elite 2 features include:
- Quad shocks on dual Dexter leaf spring axles
- Full custom molded interior and exterior insulated shells
- Plumbing, holding tanks, and drain pipes are enclosed between shells with heat to diminish the risk of freezing
- Moulded vanity
- 15’domestic awning
- 22” Flat screen LCD TV
- 4 custom-mounted speakers
An Oliver Travel Trailer is worth every penny when shopping for a new RV. It has a unique blend of luxury, customizability, and top-notch customer service which makes these fiberglass trailers a champion of the road
#4. Winnebago Industries- Micro Minnie
With a history spanning over 50 years, the Winnebago is a well-known and respected brand in the RV industry. With headquarters in Forest River, Iowa, the company builds a large selection of RVs including high-quality motorhomes, campers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers
However, as of 2023, Winnebago makes five popular travel trailer models. Of these 5, one of the best is the Micro Minnie for both new and experienced RVers
With their small size, they can strike the perfect balance between compactness and comfort. They pack up a lot of amenities in their small package.
Interestingly, It has a fully equipped kitchen that comes with a refrigerator, a three-burner stove, and even a microwave so whether it is warming up leftovers or cooking a full-course meal, the Micro Minnie has got you covered
The features include:
- 11-floor plans
- GVWR of 5,500 to 6000 pounds
- Grey water holding capacity of 25 gal
- Black water holding tank capacity of 25 gal
- Dry weight 3,755 to 4651 pounds
One very important of the Micro Minnie is its tow ability, been towed by a Mid-sized SUV, pick-up trucks, and some beefier Crossovers
#5. Happier Camper Hc1
Lastly, on our list is the Happier Camper HC1. It is the perfect camper if you’re looking for an ultra-light trailer. The Happier Camper HC1 is the “go-to trailer” for people who want a smaller trailer that can be towed by your average passenger car.
Furthermore, the versatility of this trailer is amazing; the furniture and cabinetry are made as modular cubes that allow you to customize the layout to suit your specific.
Aside from other features, the modular system includes lightweight cubes that can be rearranged to create a comfortable sleeping area, a cozy dining space, or even a workstation
Happier Camper trailers were built with the capacity to last. Crafted with high-quality materials and attention to detail, they offer durability and reliability on the road. When you think of comfort and convenience you think of Happier Camper.
The notable features and specifications include:
- 100% double-hull insulation fibreglass
- Width: 6’11
- Exterior height: 7’4
- Inside height: 6’1
- Dry weight: 1,100 lbs.
- GVWR: 3,500 lbs.
- Adaptive modules are all 20” by 20” and of varying height
Conclusion
Choosing the right travel trailer is not a decision you want to make hastily. It is also important to buy from a reputable dealer if it’s brand new.
Once used, you must inspect before making a purchase It is important to do your research and know what goes for you. Choosing the right
The best travel trailer will align with your needs, accommodate your family, and fit within your budget. Ensure you are always rooting for the best.
