If you’ve been researching travel trailers, you know one thing by now: there are a TON of options out there! Before you go any further in your search, one option you might want to look into is ultra-light travel trailers.
There are plenty of reasons you might want to consider ultra-light travel trailers. You may have a vehicle that can’t tow a 10,000-pound trailer; thus, an ultra-light might work well for you. Also, you may not need a ton of space in your trailer and are looking to save some money.
Advantages of Ultra Light Travel Trailers
As we mentioned above, an ultra-light trailer is great for a vehicle that doesn’t have a huge towing capacity. Depending on the weight of the individual trailer, you should be able to tow an ultra light trailer with a much smaller tow vehicle than is normally required. This can eliminate the need to invest in a huge pickup truck.
Price is another benefit of an ultra-light trailer. Many trailers of this class are built out of cheaper materials so you won’t have to pay nearly as much. They are also typically smaller in size, which also means a smaller price tag.
A lightweight trailer is also going to help out with gas mileage on your tow vehicle. You are going to save a bit on gas pulling a 4,000-pound ultra-light trailer versus an 8,000-pound rig.
In summary, the advantages of ultra-light trailers include:
- Lower price tag
- Towable with smaller vehicles
- Often smaller in size
- Better gas mileage
Disadvantages of Ultra Light Travel Trailers
Ultralight trailers are so light because they are built with thinner materials than other trailers. This has a weight benefit, but it comes with some disadvantages.
The main disadvantage is that you will have more trouble in very hot or very cold weather. The thinner wall panels will make it more difficult to keep your trailer climate controlled. So, if you frequently travel to very warm or very cold locations you may not want an ultra-light trailer.
Another important disadvantage is that your trailer is going to be more susceptible to external conditions when towing. Heavier trailers are less vulnerable to crosswinds but an ultra-light trailer is going to get pushed around more.
These are important factors to keep in mind before getting an ultra-light travel trailer, and you’ll need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages in your particular situation.
Best Ultra-Light Travel Trailer Brands
There are a few different brands and models in the ultra-light travel trailer segment. We will outline a few of the most popular here to help you start your search!
Viking Ultra-Lite
The Viking Ultra-Lite was created as an affordable alternative for families who want a travel trailer. It weighs around 3500 pounds and will be towable by most vehicles.
It is a Certified Green vehicle by TRA Certifications, meaning it is resource-efficient and has minimal impact on the environment.
The Viking Ultra-Lite comes in three models, ranging from 3634 pounds GVWR to 3719 GVWR. The smallest size has two bunks while the largest size has a full-sized bed plus the two bunks.
Rockwood Ultra-Lite
The Rockwood Ultra-Lite is manufactured by Forest River. It’s created from lightweight materials but does not sacrifice design or amenities.
Rockwood offers quite a few different ultralight options, both for fifth wheels and travel trailers. There are 17 different models between the two categories to choose from.
All models offer a kitchenette, dining area, and sleeping area. The ultra-light models range in weight from 5536 pounds UVW to 6437 pounds UVW.
Livin’ Lite CampLite
The CampLite ultra light travel trailer is designed around livability and function but made with efficient materials. It is made completely from aluminum, even the chassis, which creates a super lightweight trailer.
The CampLite is offered in six different paint colors and the interior is customizable as well. There are four different design schemes for the interior.
Aside from the aesthetic customization, you can choose from eight different models with unique floor plans. The smallest model weighs in at 2872 pounds GVWR, while the largest model weighs 5468 pounds GVWR.
All models include a living room and kitchen area, bathroom, and bedroom. If you are looking for additional amenities, Livin’ Lite offers an “XL Living Package” you can look into!
SolAire by Palomino
Solaire offers a range of ultra-light trailer options. The trailers are made from lightweight aluminum and have a barreled roof for additional interior space.
The ultra-light trailers come in 14 different models, ranging in weight from 5196 pounds GVWR up to 11089 pounds GVWR. All of their models include a kitchen and dining area, queen bed, and bathroom.
In any model, you have the option of adding in some upgrades. These include a TV, air conditioning modifications, and additional bedding.
Lance Ultra-Light Travel Trailers
Lance claims to have the highest quality and most innovative ultra-light travel trailers on the market. All their trailers are made from lightweight but durable materials to reduce tow weight and increase longevity.
Lance offers trailers from 14 feet up to 23 feet long, varying in weight from 3500 pounds to 6500 pounds GVWR.
The larger models offer more dining and sleeping space, accommodating up to 7 people. The smaller models don’t have quite as much space and usually sleep 2-4 people.
All models offer a sleeping and dining area, kitchen, and bathroom.
For more information on Lance’s ultra-light trailers.
Summary
Whether you are buying an ultra-light travel trailer for its low price or easy towability, there are some great options out there. Above we have listed just a few of the popular names in this category, but there are plenty more options to choose from.
When deciding whether or not an ultra-light trailer is right for you, it’s important to keep in mind both the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of trailer.
We would like to thank you for reading this article. Find out more about the List of Travel Trailers and Travel Trailer Consumer Reviews.
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