Vacations are expensive. Even the less costly ones can rack up a bill when you have a family of four.
Cost aside, then you have to work around the planning, taking everyone’s preferences and requests into account. God forbid someone’s not happy. And on top of that, you have to enjoy yourself, otherwise what was the point of the vacation?
That’s why more and more people are turning to travel holidays. It’s more convenient than packing the family into an expensive airplane and navigating your way through a mess of a holiday.
With a travel holiday the cost is significantly less. There’s no need to pay for plane tickets, hotel tickets, shuttle costs, or anything like that.
Even better, you don’t have to spend ages queueing for a bathroom because you’ve already got one built into whatever you’re travelling in, RV, motorhome, or travel trailer.
They’re even great for camping in the great outdoors. No more worrying about peeing in the bushes or eating a half cooked meal over a dying fire. With transport like that you get the best of both worlds.
But how do you know which one of these is the best one to get? Well, in our unbiased opinion it would have to be a travel trailer.
Travel trailers have all the benefits of an RV or motorhome but don’t suffer from the same high maintenance issue.
Since they only need to be hooked up to the back of your vehicle, they don’t have engines. This means that there’s no chance of them breaking down and you having to spend your life savings on the repair.
Travel trailers are also much less expensive than other options out there.
In the long run they pay for themselves when you compare it to all the savings you’ve made on accommodation and travel expenses. You might think that because of their size travel trailers would be trickier to tow, but actually it’s the opposite.
Compared to an RV, travel trailers are so much easier to move and haul around. There’s no need to fork out for a larger pickup truck or huge car to pull it around, it’ll easily attach and move with a regular sized car.
So bearing all that in mind, a travel trailer would be an ideal vacation solution for a family. We’ve put together a list of 12 of the best travel trailers already out in the market for you to peruse and pick from.
All these products have been thoroughly researched and reviewed so you can trust us when we say we know what you’re looking for.
OUR TOP PICK
The Scamp 13 trailer is the industry approved standard for a travel trailer. It comes with all the basics that you’ll need when travelling.
Though it may seem small on the outside once you have a look inside it’s clear that every inch of space has been utilized for the most efficient purpose.
Inside is compact and transformative, after switching things around the space can be easily modified.
The table's benches can be converted into either bunk beds or a large king sized bed to accommodate your family’s sleeping habits.
The compact bathroom fits not only a toilet but a shower too. And littered all throughout the trailer are tons of cupboards for storage. Moreover the small size makes it a lot easier to tow than larger models.
The Scamp 13 comes with 2 burner stoves, a refrigerator, a 12 volt water pump, 45 amp power converter, wet bathroom (meaning the shower is not separate to the toilet and sink area and is designed to get the whole bathroom wet), and a 24 series battery pack. It’s 13” in length and weighs only 1,200lbs, fitting up to 4 sleepers.
And if you’re not happy with the fabric colour of the interior there are 3 different swatches to choose from. This makes it a very efficient choice.
Pros
- Easy to tow
- Compact
- Lots of storage
- Wet bath/shower
- Bunk beds
- Convertible dinette
- Inexpensive
- Sleeps 4
Cons
- Small
EDITORS CHOICE
Coachmen have been producing recreational vehicles since 1964. They’re founded on the principle, ‘dedicated to the enrichment of your life’.
Doesn’t that just give you chills? All of their products follow that ideology and they’ve done their best to make some of the best travel trailers out there, at a great budget.
The Coachmen Viking Saga 17SBH is one of the more elite travel trailers. Though that doesn’t mean it costs an arm and a leg.
Quite the opposite actually. For how stylish and sleek the coachmen viking is it’s also an incredibly affordable model.
Many have actually dubbed the coachmen viking saga a mini RV because of how chic and functional it is.
Complete with a dinette, bathroom, bunk beds as well as a separate large bed, this travel trailer is designed for comfort as well as efficiency.
The Coachmen Viking Saga 17SBH is 20ft in length and weighs 3,883lbs. If you’re travelling with small kids, the dry shower/tub combo is perfect.
It’s the ultimate option for first time travel trailer buyers looking for something inexpensive without having to sacrifice luxury.
Pros
- Luxurious interior
- Bunk beds
- Double bed
- Affordable
- Shower/tub combination
- Sleeps up to 5
- Dry shower/bath
Cons
- Heavier to tow than the Scamp 13 but will still attach to any standard vehicle.
BEST VALUE
Jayco is invested in helping you ‘find your freedom’ when it comes to recreational vehicles.
Operating for over 50 years, they have tons of experience in making travel trailers. They’ve made it their mission to help people see the benefits of using RVs compared to your traditional holidays, and are budget friendly.
They’re so confident in their travel trailers and other products that they offer one of the industries longest available warranties.
Similar to Viking with it’s chic interior and affordable price, these two travel trailers share many features including the inexpensive nature.
The Jayco Jay Flight SLX 7 174BH from a separate bunk bed area and double bed means after a long day of relaxing mom and dad get to have privacy from the kids.
Complete with its own convertible dinette and kitchen set, this trailer sleeps 5 people in comfort and style and even has its own inbuilt microwave and various other appliances.
Though the Jaco Jay Flight SLX 7 174BH may not have as much countertop space as other models, it does have a dry shower.
This means the shower is separate from the bathtub and you don’t have to worry about getting the whole bathroom wet. The Jayco is 21ft 8inches in length and weighs around 3,950lbs
Pros
- Sleeps 5
- Affordable
- Separate sleeping areas
- Dry shower/bath
- Chic interior
- Convertible dinette
- Long warranty
Cons
- Not as much countertop space
RUNNER UP
Established in 1996, though Forest River may not have been around as long as some other companies, their thoughtful designs and excellent quality have propelled them forward in the industry. They’ve quickly become a favourite to those familiar with the RV industry.
The Forest River Flagstaff E- PRO 19RD represents the beginning of the mid-range cost travel trailers.
This compact trailer can sleep up to four people. It comes with a good sized bathroom equipped with a dry shower/bath that isn’t so squished it will leave you claustrophobic, compared to other travel trailers at a similar price.
The kitchen has a stove with a foldable cover for safety and plenty of countertop space for meal preps. And the sleeping areas include bunk beds and a double bed separate from each other.
Moreover at the back of the trailer there’s a large dining area that acts as a perfect hangout space for the family when you’re just chilling around.
The Forest River Flagstaff E - PRO 19RD is 20ft 2 inches in length and weighs around 4,336lbs.
The Forest River Flagstaff E-PRO range actually comes in 13 different floor plans so if you find that this one doesn’t appeal to you it might be worth checking out the others.
Pros
- Foldable stove cover
- Separate sleeping areas
- Dry bath/shower
- Countertop space
- 13 different floor plans to choose from
Cons
- Mid-range price
RUNNER UP
Coachmen is a homegrown RV company, established and operating in Indiana.The Coachmen Clipper Ultra Lite 17BH is called ultra lite for a reason.
It was designed to be lightweight yet comfortable for the average journey and has achieved just that.
Ultra lite means it is very easy to tow and attach to your vehicle, so you don’t have to worry about hauling it around.
It comes with separate sleeping areas, bunk beds and a double bed and a convertible dining area so in total sleeps 5. Inside the compact bathroom it benefits from a dry bath.
The Coachmen Clipper Ultra Lite 17BH is 20ft 5 inches in length and weighs around 3,840lbs. With plenty of storage and counter tops in the kitchen, space is one thing you won’t be lacking.
The Coachmen Clipper Ultra Lite 17BH is also not as expensive as other models and floats around the budget side of travel trailers. This means it’s great for first time buyers.
Pros
- Separate sleeping areas
- Sleeps 5
- Dry bath/shower
- Storage
- Counterpace
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not unique, similar floorplan to the Coachman Viking Saga 17BH.
RUNNER UP
From the same family as the Forest River Flagstaff, the Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro is their solution to an increased sleeping capacity.
In addition to the bunk beds, and double bed, the dinette can be converted into another bed. In the interest of safety there’s also an exit built into the wall by the bunk beds.
The marble effect design gives the trailer a very classy, chic look. You’d never know that this trailer is actually on the mid-budget range and not that expensive. Though it may cost a little more than your standard trailer, the lightweight design and thoughtful interior are definitely worth it.
The Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G20BHS is 21ft 2 inches in length and weighs around 4,355lbs.
Pros
- Dry bath/shower
- Sleeps 5
- Emergency exit
- Separate sleeping areas
- Lightweight
- Marble effect design
Cons
RUNNER UP
Lance travel trailers are known for their luxury trailers. With decades of experience making travel trailers, and an industry known name, when it comes to trailers they know what they’re doing.
So while the Lance 1685 may be on the expensive side, there’s a reason for it. With classy mahogany interiors, you’d be forgiven for thinking you just walked into a studio apartment.
An extendable tap head is just one of many cool features, and while we’d love to tell you about them all there’s just too many to fit, so we’ll stick to basics. Inbuilt kitchen appliances, a dry shower, and four seasons capability.
What that means is that the trailer is designed for any kind of weather. The Lance 1685 is 21 inches in length exactly and weighs 5,500lbs
Pros
- Four seasons capability
- Inbuilt appliances
- Mahogany interior
- Luxury design
- Dry shower/bath
Cons
- Expensive
RUNNER UP
Aside from having the one of the coolest names ever for a travel trailer, the Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1900RD also has one of the coolest interiors.
With a cool white marble interior, dry bath, compact floor plan, convertible dinette, this travel trailer is the bridge between a basic and luxury trailer.
Though it may look expensive, luckily the 1900RD model is one of the more affordable ones.
Where most travel trailers force you to choose between comfort and cost, the Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1900RD manages to perfectly balance both.
The only potential issues we can foresee is that this trailer is a little longer than the standard and heavier too.
But it’s still towable by any standard vehicle and most skilled drivers. The Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1900RD is 20ft 11 inches and 4,700lbs.
Pros
- Dry bath
- Luxury interior
- Inexpensive
- White marble design
- Compact design
Cons
- Long
- Heavier than average trailer
RUNNER UP
Much like the Disney movie it’s named after, iconic is the best word to describe the Airstream Bambi 19CB.
You’d never know from it’s harsh tin can exterior, but the soft interior has a very homely, romantic feel to it.
A dry shower, room for 4 sleepers, compact kitchen, accessible plugs, and a convertible dinette, means this travel trailer is perfectly equipped for cross country trips.
Though the airstream may be on the top end when it comes to price, no expense has been spared in it’s thoughtful design.
The gross weight of the airstream is about 5,000lbs which is clearly on the heavier side, however the manufacturers have made it about 19ft in length to combat the weight issue and still allow for an easy tow.
The Airstream Bambi 19CB is 19ft in length and weighs 5,000lbs.
Pros
- Dry shower
- Homely interior
- Convertible dinette
- Sleeps 4
- Lots of plugs
Cons
- Expensive
- 5,000lbs weight
RUNNER UP
The Airstream Flying Cloud 23CB is the heftier, pricier, and longer sibling of the Airstream Bambi 19CB.
At 23ft and 6,000lbs this travel trailer is a behemoth in luxury. While most travel trailers have a smaller dinette area, this trailer has a huge one. Along with a double bed, and convertible dinette set this trailer sleeps 6 people in total.
With a handcrafted modern interior, Airstreams very own patented QuietStream AC technology, and comfortable yet easy to clean ultraleather, this trailer has everything you could ever want from a travel trailer.
It’ll have you wishing you lived in it all year round. The Airstream Flying Cloud 23CB is 23 ft in length and 6,000lbs in weight.
Pros
- Seats 6
- Luxury
- QuietStream AC
- Ultraleather
- Convertible dinette
- 23ft
Cons
- 6000lbs
- Expensive
RUNNER UP
Winnebago is one of the leading manufacturers of travel homes in North America, and have been creating innovative travel trailer designs for years.
The Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH is perhaps one of the most ingenious designs. First let’s start with the best part, the dinette. Convertible, but also slide out. This means you can move it around to make space.
The rear door by the bunk beds allows you to use it as storage, and the enclosed underbelly tanks means this truly is a four seasons trailer.
The dry bath, multiple countertops, double bed, and tons of storage makes this an ideal choice for a family.
Moreover, for all it’s ingenuity and features, the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH is still incredibly affordable as a mid-range cost travel trailer.
The Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH is 21ft 11inches in length and weighs 5,500lbs.
Pros
- Slide out dinette
- Convertible dinette
- Storage
- Four seasons
- Dry bath
- Lots of counter space
- Sleeps 5
Cons
RUNNER UP
Finally we have the Winnebago Hike H171DB, which you may have guessed is related to our previous entry.
The main difference between the two is that the Winnebago Hike H171DB is far more compact than its counterpart and lighter too.
It sleeps up to 4 people on a double bed and convertible dinette, has a dry bath, and a slide out kitchen. Food prep and storage has never been easier with all the space provided in this trailer.
Though it may not have as many bells and whistles as the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH, it still has enough to classify as good enough for your family.
And with a great affordable price like it has, who really cares about all the extras?
The Winnebago Hike H171DB is 20ft 7.5inches in length and weighs 4,200lbs.
Pros
- Compact
- Affordable
- Slide out kitchen
- Convertible dinette
- Dry bath
- Sleeps 4
- Easy to tow
Cons
- Not as big as Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH
Best Small Travel Trailers For A Family Of 4 Buying Guide
When buying a travel trailer, it’s essentially like buying a second home. And similarly, there are so many things to consider.
But if this is your first time it can be overwhelming, especially when there are all these different features, and buzzwords, and you have no idea what they mean. That’s where we come in.
Below is a guide to help you figure out what to look for when buying a travel trailer, and what to think about.
Size
The size of the travel trailer you want is going to depend on loads of different factors. In particular, think about the size of your family. If you’ve only got four people travelling with you then it's perfect!
Any of these trailers listed will do. However if you have more then consider some of the larger trailers on the list.
Your Vehicle
Most travel trailers are designed to hitch on easily to a standard car or truck, but some of the heavier ones might require a stronger ride.
Wherever you buy from be sure to have a look at the details listed and it should say what kind of vehicles are suitable for towing the trailer.
Use
As with anything, what you’re using it for influences what you get. For example if you’re looking for a travel trailer to use for camping or just cross country travelling, then any of these will work.
In fact, if you’re looking for one to live it, any of these will work. But think about the amount of uses it will have. You don’t want to invest in a cheap travel trailer if you plan on using it a lot, because they are prone to have short life spans.
On the reverse, a handy rule of thumb is that the more expensive the trailer, the longer it will last.
Small Travel Trailers For A Family Of 4 - FAQ's
What’s The Difference Between A Fifth Wheel And A Travel Trailer?
The main difference between a travel trailer and a fifth wheel trailer is the shape of the design. While travel trailers are more squarey, fifth wheels have a curve to their design, right over the hitch.
This is because of the difference between the way they are both attached to a car. Because of the way they are attached, fifth wheels are typically easier to manoeuvre as they overhang less.
They also tend to have steps inside separating the bed area, so while that can be nice for space, it can also be an accessibility issue.
While fifth wheels may seem great in terms of luxury because of their higher ceilings, easy hookup, more space, and multiple levels, they can be much more expensive, less fuel efficient, much heavier, and when it comes to boondocking or off-roading, they aren’t as durable as travel trailers.
What Is A Slideout And How Does It Work?
Slideouts are exactly what they sound like. Parts of a travel trailer that are designed to move around and slide out. This is often to help with the issue of space. Because travel trailers are limited in how much area they can realistically have, slideout’s help solve this issue.
Most times the areas that are slideout are either the kitchens or dinettes as they’re not needed all the time.
What States Can I Ride In A Travel Trailer In?
The rules can change every year and t it varies on the kind of vehicle you have.
In most states you are allowed to have a travel trailer or 5th wheel attached to the car, but riding inside it is a different story. This is because of safety.
Currently the states that allow you to ride inside a travel trailer are: Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia,
Through this blog, I want to share all of my hints and tips, along with reviews of the best RVing accessories. I hope this blog will help others with their RV trips, and make traveling easier for you.
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