Are you considering dry camping adventures near the canyons of the West or in the national forests of the East? Are you longing to park on the beaches in southeastern Texas and stay for days or maybe even weeks? These experiences are amazing but require a bit more than your standard travel trailer. Today, we’re looking at the best travel trailers with solar panels so you can get off-grid to enjoy scenic destinations away from the crowds.
Forest River Campsite Reserve
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 5
- Lengths: 25’0” to 32’9”
- Dry Weights: 5,100 to 6,421 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 100 watts
With only a single slide-out, these travel trailers by Forest River offer excellent lightweight options with comfortable interiors. From a rear corner kitchen to bunk beds to hidden pantry shelves, this Campsite Reserve line also offers a floorplan for many outdoor enthusiasts.
Two options also provide over 2,000 pounds of cargo carrying capacity, so bring all your outdoor gear! For families, the 26CJ floorplan is a great model with corner bunk beds, a booth dinette, and a sofa. Couples and solo travelers will appreciate the spacious rear bathroom in the 23CC and 25MW.
The 100-watt solar panel trickle charges your batteries, allowing you to use the inverted bedside outlets to charge laptops, phones, and televisions. While you won’t be able to operate a microwave or keep your fridge running for days, it will provide enough recharging capacity to do so in small increments. So if you have full propane tanks and can conserve electricity, the standard 100-watt solar package on the Forest River Campsite Reserve travel trailers will allow you to dry camp for a couple of days.
East to West Longitude
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 6
- Lengths: 28’6” to 38’1”
- Dry Weights: 6,113 to 7,788 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 100 watts
The Longitude travel trailers with solar panels offer more interior space than the Campsite Reserve. If you’re a larger family or want to entertain friends, there are several East to West RV floor plans in the Longitude that include a rear bedroom, corner bunk beds, a bunk room, and a huge rear corner lounger. The 310RL feels more like a fifth wheel layout with a spacious rear living area, center bathroom, and front bedroom.
Like the Campsite Reserve travel trailers with solar panels, the Longitude models come with 100-watt panels and a 30-amp charge controller. This helps keep the batteries charged and provides power for interior and exterior lights and 12V appliances. This line’s biggest advantages are the larger floorplans and more spacious interiors.
Keystone Coleman Legacy
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 5
- Lengths: 23’11” to 33’11”
- Dry Weights: 4,944 to 6,670 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 220 watts
Keystone is introducing a brand new line of travel trailers with solar panels in the Coleman Legacy. Power stabilizer jacks, HyperDeck water-resistant flooring, tankless water heaters, and 220 watts of solar charging capability are standard features.
These smaller trailers will sleep 2-4 people comfortably and come with all the basic amenities. Not only will the 220-watt solar package, which includes a 30-amp charge controller and inverter prep, allow you to power your refrigerator for about a day, but the large tank sizes – especially a 54-gallon fresh tank – will enable you to dry camp comfortably. Whether you’re planning a trip to boondock on public lands in the West or to nestle into a forest in the Appalachian Mountains, the all-new Coleman Legacy is an excellent option.
Forest River Alpha Wolf
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 12
- Lengths: 23’1” to 38’1”
- Dry Weights: 4,613 to 8,593 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 100 watts
These Alpha Wolf campers feature a fiberglass exterior, while the Campsite Reserves are aluminum. This provides better insulation but a lighter shell. The Alpha Wolf travel trailers also have large cargo carrying capacities with eight floorplans ranging from 2,000 to 2,700 pounds.
I love the Alpha Wolf 33RL floorplan because it feels like a fifth wheel. Its spacious rear living area includes a kitchen island, dinette, entertainment center, two sofas, and plenty of storage. For families, the 24DBH and 26DBH have bunk beds, while the 33BH and 280QBS have a large rear bunk room for even more dedicated kid space.
The 100 watts of solar power will help you maintain battery power for lights, charge devices via inverted outlets, and power some 12V appliances for a short amount of time. The solar package also boasts a battery disconnect switch, which helps you avoid battery drain when storing your RV.
East to West Alta
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 14
- Lengths: 22’8” to 38’5”
- Dry Weights: 3,960 to 10,334 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 200 watts (x2)
The Alta campers are East to West’s premier laminated travel trailers, including two toy haulers and two all-season models in addition to the ten other floorplans. Seven layouts have sleeping space in the rear and front to accommodate families. Plus, the two toy hauler travel trailers provide room to bring along a golf cart, ATV, or bicycles.
If you’re looking to dry camp often or for longer than a day or two, the Alta line is an excellent choice. I especially love the 3100KXT, which features a corner office area with a stable bunk system. If you need to spend a day answering emails or helping clients before you can enjoy hiking, biking, or paddling, this setup is ideal for remote workers. The two 200-watt solar panels, 30-amp charge controller, and second battery that come with the West Coast Package (a mandatory option for the 3100KXT and other floorplans) will provide plenty of energy capture and storage for extended boondocking.
Grand Design Transcend Xplor
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 5
- Lengths: 24’1” to 30’11”
- Dry Weights: 5,756 to 6,505 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 180 watts (w/ prep for up to 600 watts)
Already prepped for 600 watts of solar, Grand Design’s Transcend Xplor is ready to take you wherever you want to go. Each of these travel trailers with solar panels also has a 56-gallon fresh tank and a 39-gallon black waste tank to help you enjoy off-grid camping for a few days.
Each Transcend Xplor travel trailer comes with a 12-volt refrigerator, which runs solely on electricity and has no propane option. However, if you add additional solar panels to the standard 180 watts, you’ll enjoy comfortable camping in the middle of nowhere without worrying about whether the fridge will stay cold.
The 24BHX and 26BHX offer bunks for the kids, and the 20MKX and MLX feature rear kitchens with good countertop space. Whether you’re a family, couple, or solo traveler, this line has a layout for everyone.
Keystone Cougar Half-Ton
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 24
- Lengths: 25’11” to 37’5″
- Dry Weights: 5,607 to 8,690 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 220 watts
If you’re looking for a travel trailer line with the most options, the Keystone Cougar Half-Ton is the answer. Already prepped for an easy inverter upgrade, these travel trailers are ready for more solar panels if needed. You can also easily add Dragonfly Energy lithium batteries if you plan on dry camping for days at a time.
I love how the Keystone Cougar Half-Ton line has a floorplan for everyone. If you’re a solo traveler or couple who just wants the basics, the 22MLS has everything you need but nothing you don’t. The 25FKD features a front kitchen, ideal for folks who enjoy entertaining.
The 29RLKWE feels more like a fifth wheel, with a spacious rear living area and kitchen peninsula. Finally, a family will find the 34TSB’s bunkhouse comfortable for the kids while still including a sofa and dinette in the living room.
Forest River Wildwood
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 18
- Lengths: 26’11” to 38’11”
- Dry Weights: 5,885 to 9,276 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 200 watts
Forest River’s Wildwood lineup is another aluminum-sided travel trailer with solar panels. Offering 18 unique floorplans, this RV brand also provides plenty of options for all types of travelers. The new 32VERANDA looks amazing with its rear outdoor living space and spacious interior. The 29VIEW is also noteworthy with its huge U-shaped kitchen that offers bar seating and ample countertop space.
Roof mount solar prep is standard, but with an option for up to 200 watts of installed solar panels and a 30-amp charge controller, these travel trailers will provide enough energy capture for a comfortable camping trip, like many other options on this list. You won’t be able to run the entire system for days on end, but if you know how to conserve, you can easily enjoy a weekend camping trip off the beaten path.
Coachmen Apex Nano
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 10
- Lengths: 20’7” to 26’0”
- Dry Weights: 3,358 to 4,500 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 200 watts
If you’re looking for small travel trailers with solar panels, the Coachmen Apex Nano may be your best option. This line comes standard with 200 watts of solar for your off-grid camping. But you’ll find all of these travel trailers under 5,000 pounds, giving owners of small trucks, SUVs, and even some sedans great travel trailers for weekend camping trips.
Even though they’re smaller, they come fully equipped with all the essentials like a bathroom, booth dinette, kitchen appliances, and storage solutions. If you prefer the Murphy bed, several floorplans offer this as an alternative to the queen bed. For outdoor enthusiasts who don’t need the bells and whistles, the Coachmen Apex Nano answers the call while still offering off-grid accessibility.
Grand Design Imagine XLS
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 8
- Lengths: 21’8” to 29’9”
- Dry Weights: 4,674 to 6,198 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 180 watts
The Imagine XLS is another Grand Design travel trailer with solar panels. These are a step up from the Transcend models and feature fiberglass exteriors, lightweight construction, and versatile floorplans. These campers are ready for all seasons with their heated and enclosed underbellies, suspended tanks, heated and enclosed dump valves, and designated heat ducts to the subfloor.
These eight floorplans have 180 watts of solar, a 40-amp charge controller, and 12V refrigerators. They’re also prepped for additional solar panel installation, allowing you to expand up to 600 watts.
Like the Nano, they are some of the smallest options yet still come packed with the essentials. You can choose from floorplans that include a Murphy bed, a rear bedroom, a rear kitchen, and bunk beds. I especially love the design of the 23LDE, with the long rear kitchen counter and huge window to let in natural light.
Alliance Delta
Specs
- Number of Floorplans: 9
- Lengths: 23’11” to 36’11”
- Dry Weights: 4,992 to 8,253 pounds
- Standard Solar Panel Size: 200 watts
Alliance RV is one of the newer kids on the RV block, and its premium Delta travel trailer line comes with 200 watts of solar, a 40-amp charge controller, and inverter prep. Alliance’s solar system is also lithium-ready, making it easy to add panels or upgrade your batteries without rewiring.
There are seven standard floorplans and two ultra-lite floorplans. The Delta series has some of the longest travel trailers with solar panels on this list. So, if you’re searching for a spacious interior and have a truck with enough towing capacity, these campers might best suit your needs.
All of these travel trailers come with a 10-cubic-foot 12-volt refrigerator to help reduce the amount of energy used compared to a standard residential fridge. I love that the 292RL has a kitchen island, two sofas, a fireplace, and an entertainment center to make it feel like a home on wheels.
The 294RK’s U-shaped kitchen offers bar seating and ample countertop space to prepare meals and entertain guests. This model also comes with an outside TV, the perfect addition for RVers who enjoy tailgating.
Are Solar Panels on an RV Worth It?
RV accessories and gadgets are only worth it if you use them. To determine if solar panels are worth it, you’ll need to consider where you camp, how often you camp, and how long your camping trips last.
If you boondock on public lands out West for most of your overnights, then solar panels are almost a necessity. But if you’re only visiting the local campground a few times a year and have full hookups every trip, then solar panels won’t be advantageous.
These travel trailers with solar panels offer standard amenities that can help you determine whether more panels, batteries, or an upgraded inverter are necessary for you to enjoy your camping lifestyle.
Read our full tutorial on deciding if solar is worth it for your RV.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need to Power My Travel Trailer?
Everyone’s answer to this question will be different because not all campers use the same amount of energy. A family of four will need more power than a solo traveler. Someone who works remotely will use more energy than someone who is going to be gone all day.
A good way to see how much energy you use is to visit a Harvest Host for a night. How long will the 12-volt refrigerator run on a single solar panel and standard battery without hookups? Camp the way you want to camp by running appliances and charging gadgets. Then you’ll discover if one solar panel is enough.
As I mentioned throughout this article, a 100-watt solar panel won’t supply enough energy to power a microwave or keep your fridge running for days. But the type of battery you have also can enhance your dry camping experience. Upgrading to lithium batteries and a compatible inverter will keep your camper fully operational for longer periods of time.
Discover how much solar your RV needs.
How Much Does It Cost to Add Solar to a Travel Trailer?
Solar panels aren’t very expensive. Upgrading batteries is more costly. So if you want to start with a couple of 100-watt solar panels, this is a good way to begin your dry camping adventure. Because solar panels come standard on these travel trailers, they’re great options for campers who don’t have much experience with solar.
Depending on the brand and wattage, solar panels generally range from $200-400. The biggest expense when adding solar to a travel trailer is the labor.
Explore solar options to extend your off-grid trips.
Having solar on a travel trailer can enable you to camp practically anywhere. The postcard photos on Instagram where RVers are parked on the side of canyons or along the beach only happen because of solar set-ups. These travel trailers with solar panels can get you started on these adventures!
Learn more about solar for RVing:
- How To Optimize Solar Panels
- How To Protect RV Solar Panels from Hail
Which travel trailer with solar panels is your favorite? Let us know which and why in the comments below.
