Top manufacturers are competing to make lightweight, inexpensive travel trailers that don’t require a heavy-duty truck to tow. The list of travel trailers under 5000 pounds could include hundreds of floor plans. So, we’ve narrowed it down to our favorites and pointed out distinct features for each. We’ve also provided links to larger collections to help you compare RVs under 5,000 pounds from leading brands. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- Lightweight Travel Trailers for Easy Towing – Leading manufacturers are designing travel trailers with GVWRs under 5,000 lbs, making them towable by SUVs and small trucks without sacrificing comfort.
- Top Picks for Different Needs – Recommended models include the compact Keystone Coleman 13B, family-friendly Heartland Mallard 17BHL, couple-oriented Coleman Light 17RX, slide-out equipped Jayco Jay Flight SLX 160LK, and the space-efficient Keystone Hideout Sport 171MB with a Murphy bed.
- Consider Towing Capacity – Buyers should match their tow vehicle’s capacity with the trailer’s GVWR, keeping in mind loaded versus dry weight differences to ensure safe and efficient towing.
Best Travel Trailers Under 5,000 Lbs GVWR
If you have an SUV or small pickup truck with a maximum towing capacity of around 5,000 pounds, you don’t need a larger vehicle to go camping. These travel trailers have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) below 5,000 pounds. While compact and lightweight, they still boast comfortable amenities for all RVers.
Technician Tip: GVWR = Unloaded vehicle weight (UVW, or dry weight) + cargo carrying capacity (CCC)
Keystone Coleman 13B
Smallest
Specs
- Length: 15’11”
- Dry Weight: 2,460 pounds
- Cargo Capacity:1,040 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4
At just under 16 feet, the Keystone Coleman 13B is as compact as it gets while still offering sleeping space for four. The corner bunks are perfect for the kids, and the front queen bed offers a comfortable space for parents.
The bathroom has a shower and toilet, and the kitchen has a 3.2 cubic-foot 110V refrigerator, sink, microwave, and induction cooktop. There’s also a larger countertop than you’ll find in most smaller campers. As an all-electric RV, you won’t need to worry about propane with the 13B.
Heartland Mallard 17BHL
For Families
Specs
- Length: 20’10”
- Dry Weight: 3,080 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 764 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6
If you’d like more space, the Heartland Mallard 17BHL is almost 21 feet long. It features a booth dinette, a full kitchen, bunk beds, and a queen bed. The rear bath has a shower and toilet, and the kitchen has a 3.3 cubic-foot 12V refrigerator, sink, microwave, and cooktop. There’s also a nice space on the counter between the sink and cooktop for meal prep, a coffee maker, or an air fryer.
Many travel trailers under 5,000 pounds won’t have a dinette because it adds more weight, but I love that Heartland put one in this camper. This is a huge feature for families with younger children!
Coleman Light 17RX
For Couples
Specs
- Length: 20’5”
- Dry Weight: 2,695 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,305 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 3
The Coleman Light 17RX is the perfect camper under 5,000 pounds for couples. It gives you a dedicated front sleeping space, a booth dinette along the large campside windows, a full kitchen, and a rear bath.
Coleman makes the most of this small space by creating excellent storage options in the overhead cabinetry in the kitchen, the linen closet in the bathroom, and the overhead storage above the bed. However, this camper has much less counterspace than others on this list.
But if you like amenities like a high-rise faucet, stainless steel sink, 2-burner gas cooktop, microwave, 3.3 cubic-foot 12V refrigerator, and tankless water heater, you’ll feel right at home in the 17RX.
Jayco Jay Flight SLX 160LK
With Slideout
Specs
- Length: 21’5”
- Dry Weight: 3,455 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,245 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4
Since slide-outs are so heavy, you won’t find many travel trailers under 5,000 pounds with them. But Jayco stepped up and manufactured the Jay Flight SLX 160LK. You’ll feel like you’re in a much larger camper with the slide-out that opens up the living space. This is a huge feature for RVers with pets or those who work while camping.
This camper also features a jackknife sofa and a moveable table instead of a dinette, offering more flexibility. You can watch a movie without the table or easily set it up for dinner. The sofa provides a second sleeping space if you bring grandkids or host guests.
The L-shaped countertop is another favorite of mine because it provides so much counterspace in a travel trailer under 22 feet. There’s also plenty of cabinetry in the kitchen, and with a 1,245 cargo capacity, you can bring whatever gear and gadgets make your camping experience more enjoyable!
Keystone Hideout Sport 171MB
Travel Trailer With Murphy Bed
Specs
- Length: 20’11”
- Dry Weight: 3,358 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,032 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 2
If you’re looking for a unique floor plan under 5,000 pounds, check out the Keystone Hideout Sport 171MB. With its Murphy bed and campside window bar seating, I love this design for a solo traveler or couple!
Whether you need a spot to drink coffee in the morning or a workstation in the afternoon, the long countertop along the huge campside window offers beautiful views. This also maximizes the living area because the stools push underneath the counter, giving you plenty of room for meal prep or playing with pets.
The sofa provides an additional sitting area to watch movies or entertain guests, and you can easily pull down the queen Murphy bed for a comfortable night’s sleep. The rear bathroom is spacious, and with a Girard tankless water heater, you can enjoy long, hot showers after a day in nature.
More Options
Explore additional brands with excellent 5,000-pound campers:
Best Travel Trailers Under 5,000 Pounds Dry Weight
Compare the ultra-lite travel trailers under 5,000 pounds above with these slightly heavier options. These are still travel trailers under 5,000 pounds dry, but they boast higher GVWRs that might require a higher towing capacity when fully loaded.
East to West Silver Lake LE 1610BHLE
Smallest
Specs
- Length: 22’5”
- Dry Weight: 3,878 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,062 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6
The Silver Lake LE 1610BHLE offers a Murphy bed up front and rear corner bunks, an ideal setup for families or RVers who like to entertain. The added sofa provides seating for friends or a comfortable place to watch a movie, and the queen Murphy bed easily comes down for a cozy sleeping space. The double bunks provide a sleeping area for up to four kids.
The corner rear bath is small, but that’s to be expected with a travel trailer under 23 feet. The full kitchen across from the booth dinette makes it easy to prep and serve meals. For a camper this size, you still get all the amenities and a decent amount of counterspace. And the booth dinette along the campside is a nice feature because you get the view you’re longing for when camping.
Campsite Reserve 17LS
For Families
Specs
- Length: 23’10”
- Dry Weight: 4,304 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,321 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6
If you’re looking for a family-friendly travel trailer with bunk beds and a more spacious interior, the Campsite Reserve 17LS may be the perfect option. With a slide-out in the main living area, you’ll enjoy a larger space between the kitchen and dinette where the kids can play, or pets can lounge.
The rear has double-over-double bunks with space to sleep four kids and a corner bathroom with a toilet, sink, medicine cabinet, and shower. This layout is great for families with younger children who may need to run to the bathroom during the night.
The kitchen has everything you need, plus a pantry, offering even more storage for families. But Forest River didn’t stop there because there’s more storage under the bottom bunk and ample overhead cabinetry in the kitchen and front bedroom.
Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S
For Couples
Specs
- Length: 22’4”
- Dry Weight: 4,493 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,344 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 3
If you’re looking for privacy in a travel trailer under 5,000 pounds, the Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S features a curtain between the front queen bed and the rest of the camper. When you have friends over and want to hide your sleeping area, or if you want to keep pets from jumping on the bed, this privacy curtain will do the job.
I also love that Rockwood installed a 72” sofa with a removable table instead of a dinette. This allows more flexibility, and the slide-out creates even more interior space. Along the campside is the kitchen, which means you’ll have campsite views while preparing meals or washing dishes. There’s also a flip-up counter extension, increasing your counterspace.
Forest River Wolf Pup 17JW
With a Slideout
Specs
- Length: 23’11”
- Dry Weight: 4,311 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,396 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 7
Another travel trailer under 5,000 pounds with a slide-out is the Wolf Pup 17JW, which features a huge U-shaped dinette. You can lounge here to watch TV or gather around for a meal. The slide-out provides space for pets to roam or younger children to play, and you can easily move from meal prepping in the kitchen to serving at the dinette.
This camper also has double bunks, providing room for up to four kids or more spacious sleeping areas for two teens. The biggest downside of the 17JW is the small kitchen. When cooking for a family, you need more counterspace than what this camper provides. But there is a mini fridge outside, which extends your food storage.
Forest River Ozark 1680BSK
With Murphy Bed
Specs
- Length: 23’2”
- Dry Weight: 4,269 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,386 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 7
Another Murphy bed option is the Ozark 1680BSK, a floor plan similar to the Wolf Pup above. Instead of the stationary queen front bed, this camper has a front sofa with a Murphy bed. If you’re a camping family, you may like this layout because it provides an additional seating area, especially if you have older children. There’s still a U-shaped dinette in a slide-out across from the kitchen, which opens up the space and makes mealtime easy.
This camper also features a small outdoor kitchen with a mini fridge, which is a great upgrade for families when the inside kitchen is so small. You have all the amenities of a refrigerator, microwave, cooktop, and sink, but the counterspace is quite limited.
Rockwood Geo-Pro 20FK
Double Axle
Specs
- Length: 21’2”
- Dry Weight: 4,233 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,262 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4
The only travel trailer on our list with a rear bed is the Rockwood Geo-Pro 20FK. This camper also has a flip-up bunk above the queen bed. At just over 21 feet, the 20FK maximizes space with this bed configuration. The sofa offers additional sleeping space in the living area, so you could potentially sleep up to four people.
Since the bedroom is in the rear, Rockwood designed a spacious L-shaped front kitchen. If you’re looking for plenty of meal prep space or extra counterspace for kitchen gadgets, this camper may be perfect. You’ll also be surrounded by windows when cooking dinner or washing dishes.
Rockwood also extends the kitchen space outside with a pull-out stove and griddle, and a 15’ awning means you can spend all day enjoying the outdoors. This double axle travel trailer under 5,000 pounds is one you have to see!
More Options
Compare these top picks to other leading brands with 5,000-pound RV trailers that have a slightly higher GVWR:
Can Your Vehicle Tow These 5,000 Pound Campers?
Before purchasing a lightweight camper, ensure your vehicle can safely tow it. If you’re choosing a travel trailer under 5,000 pounds fully loaded, you might tow it with an SUV like a Subaru Ascent, Kia Telluride, or Honda Pilot—all of which boast a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.
If you choose a travel trailer under 5,000 pounds empty but may exceed the 5,000-pound threshold when loaded, check out the towing capacities of an Audi Q7/Q8, a GMC Yukon, or a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. There are even SUVs for towing a camper with capacities of over 9,000 pounds, like the Toyota Sequoia and Ford Expedition.
Always ensure you understand vehicle weight ratings before purchasing a camper or towing vehicle. These numbers help keep everyone on the road safe and protect your SUV or truck from potentially expensive repairs.
Whether you’re looking for a travel trailer under 5,000 pounds with a Murphy bed, bunk beds, or a rear bed, these options provide all the essentials without the heavy weight. But if you’re not sure these campers are the right fit, check out these other articles!
- Awesome Micro Campers You Shouldn’t Overlook
- Lightweight Travel Trailers Under 3000 Pounds
Do you have a travel trailer under 5,000 pounds that you love? Let us know about it in the comments!
Any A-Liner recommendations?
Hi Barry!
You can explore our ALiner inventory here: https://tinyurl.com/ysntbnan