You’ve been looking at buying an RV for a while now. You’ve settled on a travel trailer, but that’s still a big category to choose from. Like every home, every trailer is unique. Understanding different travel trailer sizes and types is going to narrow down your search even further, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
Key Takeaway
- Travel trailers vary in size from 8 feet to over 40 feet, with average lengths between 20 to 28 feet. The size dictates the living space, amenities, and the type of vehicle required for towing.
How to Choose the Right Travel Trailer Size for You
Selecting the ideal travel trailer size isn’t a universal choice. You have to assess your own needs and wants based on…
- What Are You Going to Use It For?
If you plan on traveling to remote places down dirt roads and around windy mountain roads, then you’ll want something maneuverable. If you’re traveling to campgrounds, then you want to consider any length restrictions that RV parks have.
- What Style Do You Prefer?
Choosing the right travel trailer size isn’t just about length and width. You need to consider what style of camping you prefer. Do you like to cook your meals indoors or outdoors? Do you prefer to spend all your time outside and use your camper solely for sleeping? Are you planning on living in your RV full-time?
- How Many People Does It Need to Accommodate?
Are you bringing your family, your hunting buddies, ski mates? It’s more than just who you’re bringing, but what accommodations do they need? Do they require privacy and separate rooms or is everyone good with sleeping in the same space?
- Are You Hauling Smaller Recreational Vehicles With Your Camper?
Do you like to bring dirt bikes, four-wheelers, paddleboards, kayaks? Those toys count against your GVWR, so keep them in mind.
- What Terrain Do You Plan to Travel?
Make sure the trailer you choose can stand up to the trails you take it on. You can take trailers off-road, but you need a camper that can absorb the bumps.
- What’s Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity?
Your current vehicle’s tow capacity is how much weight you can safely tow. So if you have a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) of 10,000 lbs and your vehicle weighs 2,000 lbs, then you can tow a trailer weighing up to 8,000lbs.
- How Do You Plan to Store Your Trailer?
Do you have enough space on your property? Or do you need to find storage? If you need more storage space than you have, then you can look at renting a storage place with something like Neighbor.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace where you can find safe, affordable RV storage close to home.
- How Much Are You Looking To Spend on Your Travel Trailer?
It’s easy to go looking and forget that your budget is limited. So decide on a good price range for you to narrow down the selection.
To help you think through these questions, let’s look at different types and sizes of travel trailers.
What Are the Different Travel Trailer Sizes?
Travel trailers range between 10-40 ft. Average RV lengths are between 20 to 28 feet. That means there’s a perfect fit for you, so let’s find it!
Micro or Mini Travel Trailers
Mini or micro trailers are a minimalist’s dream. They measure between 10 to 14 feet and are easily towed by smaller vehicles like crossovers and SUVs.
These are best for a quick getaway with your significant other (sleeps 2-3) or if you prefer a minimal approach to camping – without having to sleep on the ground.
Here are some examples for inspiration:
Small Travel Trailers
Small travel trailers include a small kitchen, air conditioning, and sometimes a wet bath. They range from 14 to 20 feet and provide room for 2-4 people to travel comfortably.
Because these trailers tend to weigh over 2,000 lbs, you’ll need an SUV or pickup truck to tow a trailer of this size.
Here are some examples for inspiration:
Mid-Size Travel Trailers
Mid-size travel trailers (21-35 ft) come with all the basic amenities and offer more space and sleeping accommodations for families. These trailers provide amenities such as:
- Multiple sleeping areas
- A separate bedroom
- A full kitchen
- A dining area
- A dry bath
- An entertainment center
To tow these trailers, you need a tow vehicle that can tow over 6,000 lbs.
Here are some examples for inspiration:
Large Travel Trailers
Large travel trailers, like fifth wheels, require a heavy-duty tow vehicle with more power that can safely tow 10,000+ lbs. If you’re planning a long road trip or even living in it full-time and you want more living space, large travel trailers are the way to go.
These recreational vehicles typically measure between 35-40+ feet in length, and they come with all the comforts of home. The largest trailer that you can buy has a total length of 40 ft 7 in.
Now be careful committing to one of these big boys because some campsite regulations don’t allow for them. Also, to tow large trailers, you may need a fifth-wheel, hitch, or gooseneck.
Here are some examples for inspiration:
Popular Travel Trailer Types and Camper Sizes
The variety of campers available is one thing that makes RVing appealing to an eclectic range of people. Each camper type has its own unique features and size ranges, catering to different traveler needs.
Teardrop Trailers
Teardrop trailers are:
- Small, stylish, and lightweight
- Offer basic amenities
- Easy to tow by small vehicles
The hallmark of a teardrop camper – other than its shape – is that the kitchen space is in the trunk area of the camper. So you sleep inside the body of the teardrop, and then you get out of the camper to access your kitchen.
A-Frame Trailers
Image courtesy of RV Share
A-frame trailers are easy to set up and light enough for crossovers to tow. They’re narrow, fit into a compact space, and are mainly designed for sleeping and light food prep for one or two people.
Travel Trailer
Travel trailers are the most common choice among travelers. They vary in size and configuration from 10 to 40 feet and provide a mix of comfort and convenience. Travel trailers include a:
- Full kitchen
- Bathroom
- Sleeping and dining areas
- Storage space
- Heating and air conditioning
- Complete water and sewage systems
There’s a lot of variation on the market, so you’ll be sure to find the size and configuration that suits your needs.
Fifth-Wheel Trailers
Fifth-wheel trailers are spacious, luxurious, and heavy. That’s why they use a gooseneck hitch. They typically measure between 21 to 40 feet.
They are an excellent option for full-time RVers because of their spacious living area, full-sized bathroom, optimal storage, and home-like amenities.
Toy Hauler Trailers
Toy hauler trailers have a built-in cargo area specifically designed to carry a separate recreational vehicle – like an ATV. They come in various sizes and offer versatility for camping trips.
Toy haulers typically have convertible beds/sofa units. When traveling, the bed can be lifted to the ceiling to create space for the toys, then lowered for use once the toys are unloaded.
Summary
Choosing the right travel trailer size is a journey in itself. Once you’ve reconciled your wishlist items with your budget restrictions, you’ll be well on your way to finding the right travel trailer at the right size and the right price.
While shopping, do your best to savor the buying process. Go to an RV show. Look at everything from sport utility trailers to truck campers, so you can pick the right travel trailer size for your next adventure.
