Why small campers are better?

09 Apr.,2024

 

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Ultra-Lite Travel Trailers

Ultra-light or ultralite travel trailers weigh less than other options. Their light weight makes them great for towing with a vehicle you already own, like an SUV. Designed specifically to be light and aerodynamic, ultra-lite travel trailers are a wonderful option for easy towing and conserving gas.

What is an Ultra-Lite Travel Trailer?

An ultralite or ultra-light travel trailer is any travel trailer designed to be both lightweight to tow and more aerodynamic than a typical travel trailer. Ultralite RVs typically use lighter, still-durable materials for construction, inside and out. This helps keep them light enough to be towed by a variety of vehicles, from SUVs to trucks. Heartland has ultra-light travel trailers with dry weights starting under 3,700 lbs.

What are the benefits of an ultra-lite travel trailer RV?

The biggest benefit of an ultra-light travel trailer is that it’s extremely light to tow. Ultra-lite travel trailers can contain the best features of other travel trailer models. You’ll find a wide range of beds, floor plan layouts, and amenities in ultra light travel trailers. For instance, our lightest Pioneer Trail travel trailer can also sleep up to eight people. Perfect for bringing the whole family!

Ultra-lite travel trailers are also specially designed to be more aerodynamic. So, they’re not just lighter on the ground, but provide less drag in the wind when you’re towing. They’re also built with lighter materials, such as our Azdel composite side walls. Azdel walls are thinner than traditional materials but better at insulating against noise, bad weather and extreme temperatures. They’re perfect for reducing the weight of a lightweight travel trailer for towing.

Who should consider buying an ultra-lite travel trailer camper?

Lightweight travel trailer RVs are great for anyone who wants to tow an RV with a capable vehicle they already own. With dry weights starting below 3,700 lbs., you can tow an ultralite travel trailer with many SUVs and trucks. No need to buy a new vehicle just to tow your new RV. And with a range of sizes, amenities, and sleeping capacities, ultra-light trailers have a model to suit almost anyone. You don’t have to sacrifice comforts like climate control, workable kitchens or generously sized bathrooms with an ultralite travel trailer. There’s something that will meet all your needs.

Ultra-Lite Travel Trailer Models

If you’re interested in a lightweight Cruiser travel trailer, take a look at our floor plan options on our website. Our ultra-lite RVs start around 21 feet in length with dry tow weights starting under 5,000 lbs. Visit our RV Finder to help your best RV model by its specific capacity and features.

Small Travel Trailers

What is a small travel trailer?

A small camper trailer is an RV that’s a travel trailer, meaning it’s towed, but specifically designed to fit a smaller footprint. Small travel trailers can span from micro-trailers to the smaller end of standard travel trailers. Cruiser RV small travel trailers start at under 4,000 lbs. dry weight and 22 feet in length. Small travel trailers can be an affordable entry into RV ownership, providing all the necessities in an easy-to-handle package.

What are the benefits of a small RV trailer?

Benefits of a small travel trailer RV include affordability, flexibility, and convenience. Because they’re small, they can be a great value for first time RV owners. The lightest models can often be towed by an SUV. That means you can often own a small travel trailer without needing to buy a new vehicle. And because small travel trailers are affordable, they are a great entry level choice for anyone who wants to try RVing.

Small travel trailers are built with an efficient use of space. They can often sleep four or more people, perfect for young families or couples traveling with friends. But even though they are small, they can still contain best-selling features. For instance, with a Heartland RV, you’ll still get heat and A/C, a fridge, a cooktop, and a bathroom in a small travel trailer. No need to sacrifice comfort for convenience.

Who should consider buying a small travel trailer RV?

Small campers are perfect as a first RV, because they are shorter and can have a lower price point than other models. They’re ideal for couples and young families and can easily fit a family of four or more. Small travel trailers are also a great choice for solo campers looking for a good value in an RV. The best small travel trailer for you will depend on which features are most important for your lifestyle. There are models that prioritize beds over living space, and those that sacrifice beds in exchange for more features.

Small Travel Trailer Models

Our small campers start around 22 feet in length, and can sleep a max of between 4 and 8 people. Dry tow weights start under 4,000 lbs. Visit our RV Finder to help find your best RV model by its specific capacity and features. Or learn more about travel trailer floor plans here.

Disclaimer: Always consult owner’s manuals for vehicles and accessories before towing a recreational vehicle. Towing capacity will vary based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, and number of passengers.

When you picture an RV, what comes to mind? Do you envision a huge, tour-bus sized Class A? Or an extra-long fifth wheel that can hold off-road toys? It’s easy to see why big RVs get a lot of attention, but there are other options. Small and Ultralite RVs are two categories of travel trailers that can be perfect for a wide variety of campers. (Class B RVs, which you might know as camper vans, may be smaller or lighter than other RVs–but small RVs and ultra lite RVs refer specifically to travel trailers.)

 

Small RVs

Small RVs are travel trailers that are shorter than other options, offering a smaller footprint at a campsite or in storage. Like fifth wheels and toy haulers, small RVs are travel trailers that you tow behind a vehicle. Models called small travel trailers include everything from micro-trailers to more typical travel trailers that fit within a certain length. Anything less than 24 feet long is considered a small RV. At Heartland RVs, we have options that begin at 22 feet in length, including the Mallard, Pioneer and North Trail. Our newest line, Mallard Pathfinder, has units that start at just 21 feet long. 

One way we maximize space in a small RV is by designing them with slide-outs that expand the interior square footage when you’re parked. Other details, like fold-away Murphy beds or convertible seating options, mean small RVs can sleep more guests than you may realize. It’s not uncommon for even our smallest RVs to sleep up to 8 people.

 

Ultra Lite RVs

Similar to small RVs, ultralight RVs are designed intentionally to be lighter and more aerodynamic than other RV options. They use durable, lighter-weight materials in the construction to keep the dry weight down. For example, in Heartland ultralite RVs, we use Azdel composite for the sidewalls. It’s lighter than wood and provides better insulation against weather, extreme temperatures and noise than other options. And our plywood tongue-in-groove floors don’t just look nice. With the highest strength-to-weight ratio compared to particle board or solid wood, plywood lightens the load, too. 

As for aerodynamics, ultralight RVs have enclosed underbellies to reduce drag and optimize airflow during towing. That means a greater number of vehicles can tow an ultralight RV than more traditional options.

Anything lighter than about 5,000 lbs. can be considered an ultra lite RV. But be sure to double check the construction materials and the aerodynamic design to ensure you’re making the best choice for your lifestyle and your tow vehicle.

Benefits to Small and Ultralite RVs

Transporting & Parking

Smaller RVs and ultra lite travel trailers have tons of benefits for campers. First, they may be less intimidating for beginner campers to tow and park. A shorter length trailer is a lot easier to maneuver into a back-in camping site than a bigger RV for people just starting out. And ultra light RVs can be towed by a variety of vehicles, from trucks to some smaller SUVs. That means you may not need to buy a new tow vehicle alongside your new RV purchase, which is often the case with larger, heavier RVs.

Affordable Options

Second, small and ultralight RVs tend to skew more affordable, which makes them perfect for younger campers or people buying their first RV. Large, luxury fifth wheels and toy haulers can be expensive–the sky's the limit. But a smaller, lighter, less expensive travel trailer RV is a more accessible option for the majority of campers. 

Tons of Amenities

Third, despite their size, small and ultra lite RVs can still hold tons of amenities to make camping more enjoyable. From full bathrooms to bunkhouses, single axles to double axles, and one or more slideouts, these models don’t skimp on features. You don’t have to sacrifice comforts like climate control, workable kitchens or generously sized bathrooms with a small or ultralite travel trailer.

Storage Flexibility

Fourth, smaller and lighter RVs can be easier to store, which is particularly important for seasonal campers who live in regions with cold winters. More people may be able to store a shorter RV on their own property (but check any applicable local ordinances first). And storage units typically charge by the storage space needed, meaning a shorter RV could equal a smaller winter storage bill. 

 

Heartland Models to Shop

If you’re looking for a small or ultra light RV to fit your budget, Heartland has plenty of options to choose from.

The Heartland Pioneer BH170 measures only 22 feet, 6 inches with a dry weight under 3,700 lbs. But it sleeps up to eight people and includes a queen-sized mattress in the main sleeping area. A private full bathroom and a kitchen with a 6 cu. ft. fridge give you everything you need for any camping trip.

 

The Heartland Mallard M180BH can also sleep up to eight people, including four guests in the generous double queen bunk beds. And despite being less than 23 feet in length, it still holds a fully functional bathroom with a shower that fits someone up to 6’3” in height comfortably. 

 

The Heartland North Trail Ultra-Lite 21RBSS - comes in at 22 ½ feet and less than 4,600 lbs. dry weight. Although it’s a small, ultralight RV, it boasts a king-sized main bed, an outdoor kitchen, stainless steel appliances and a butcher block kitchen counter.  

 

Our smallest units, the new Mallard Pathfinder, begin at just 21 feet long and 3,500 lbs. dry weight. This affordable option has four different floor plans,  that can sleep up to six people, despite its size. And because it's so light, a wide variety of vehicles can tow it—not just trucks. Plus, with a 110W solar panel and 1200W inverter, the Pathfinder is a nimble choice for going off-grid and doing some boondocking.

 

Find Your Match

Ready to start researching your perfect RV match? Whether you’re looking for a small RV, an ultralight RV or something else, check out our RV Finder and see everything we have to offer. 

Why small campers are better?

What are Small RVs and Ultralight RVs?

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