When it comes to choosing a travel trailer for your camping trips, the possibilities are almost limitless – and with so many to choose from, it can become confusing and overwhelming. From teardrops to pop-up tents, 5th wheelers, and A-frames, here’s a rundown of some of the 10 best travel trailers that will suit any adventure.
Check out the article, “Should I Buy a Tent Trailer, Travel Trailer, or RV?” for more information on choosing what trailer is right for you and your camping style.
The following list is based on standard fixtures, optional add-ons, size, and dry weight.
Teardrop
The teardrop travel trailer is a perennial favorite, dating back to the 1930s. The original design was made of plywood sheets and generally ranged from 4 to 6 feet in width and 8 to 10 feet in length with a height of 4 to 5 feet. The compact size and weight (usually less than 1,000 pounds) of teardrop trailers made them ideal for pulling behind an average-sized car. Teardrops fell out of the mainstream in the 1960s but enjoyed a massive resurgence in the 1990s.
Teardrop travel trailers generally have enough room in them for 2 people to comfortably sleep, plus plenty of space for all your things. The kitchen traditionally extends from a rear hatch to allow for outdoor cooking, and lighting and electrics are powered by battery or electric hookup.
Nucamp Tab 400
- Length: 18 feet
- Width: 7 feet 6 inches
- Height: 8 feet 8 inches
- Dry Weight: 2,876 pounds
- Standard Features: Exterior LP hookup, off-road tires, solar package, electric brakes, kitchen with fridge, 2-burner stove and sink, alloy wheels, LED lights, exterior shower
A brand new design for 2021, the Nucamp Tab 400 is a much larger and more spacious version of the classic teardrop travel trailer. With enough room inside for a queen-size bed in the master bedroom, a wet bath, kitchen, plus a dinette that can convert into a second bedroom, the Tab 400 camper is perfect for longer camping trips or for those who prefer to be surrounded by the comforts of home.
The Nucamp Tab 400 is significantly larger than most teardrops with a dry weight of around 2,876 pounds, so you may need a bigger, more powerful vehicle to pull it. However, it is still compact and light enough to take on any camping trip, and the added size allows for plenty of space for 3 people to live comfortably.
A/C, a screen/shade system, a 3-speed fan, and central heating allow you to use the Nucamp Tab 400 whatever the weather, and the stargazer windows and large picture window on the front of the trailer let in tons of natural light, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of the indoors. Fully customizable trims and color schemes also mean that you can make your Nucamp Tab 400 as unique as you are.
Polydrops P17A
- Length: 13.5 feet
- Width: 6 feet
- Height: 5.3 feet
- Dry Weight: 1,200 pounds
- Standard Features: Sleeps up to 2 adults, full-size mattress, Bluetooth speakers, LED lights, kitchen with 20 liter fridge, induction stove, sink, table, closet, open-galley
Polydrops’ newest teardrop camper is the P17A – a redesign of their 2017 model with added comfort, security, and sustainable energy.
With a cool, futuristic geometric design, the Polydrop camper stands out as one of the oddest looking travel trailers on the market and is engineered to be the most aerodynamic trailer there is, with less air drag, making it incredibly easy to tow, even by electric vehicles.
In fact, the P17A is the first teardrop travel trailer to be designed specifically for use with electric cars. As a result, not only is the P17A incredibly easy to transport but is also extremely energy efficient. Complete with solar panels, A/C, and a heater, the P17A offers a sustainable and comfortable camping experience, no matter the weather.
Additional options also include a “dog corner” for your pets, complete with a cozy bed and a cubby hole for all of their supplies.
The Polydrop is another camper that is slightly bigger than the traditional design and can fit a full-size mattress to comfortably sleep 2 people. However, being built of aluminum with a foam core, the P17A still has a very low weight of just 1,200 pounds (dry weight) and is easy to transport behind a family-sized car.
A-Frame Trailers
A-frame trailers are another popular, nostalgic choice. Reminiscent of the old school camping tents of the 1970s, the classic design of the A-frame pop up trailer is pretty much just that – a tent on wheels. They do, however, provide a little more living space, comfort, and security than their canvas counterparts, with solid walls, toilets, and A/C. With a foldable design, A-frames are compact and lightweight, making them perfect for family camping trips.
Aliner Expedition
- Length: 18 feet
- Width: 7 feet
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches
- Dry Weight: 1,850 pounds
- Standard Features: skylights with shades, outside shower, kitchen with fridge, 2-burner stove, microwave, sink, solar port
The Expedition by Aliner is the epitome of a luxury camper, with nearly double the living space, taller kitchen counters, beds, and almost twice as much storage room as Aliner’s other models. The Expedition is the largest of the Aliner range, but still manages to maintain a low dry weight of 1,850 pounds, and is ideal for couples who want more room or holidays for the whole family.
A large sofa turns easily into a double bed, with a dinette at the other end converting into a smaller bedroom area. The spacious travel trailer also comes with a 2-burner stove, fridge and sink in the kitchen and an optional cassette-style toilet in the trailer, with a separate shower that can be set up outside. With a furnace, A/C, and water heater, this camper is perfect for use all year.
Flagstaff Hard Side Pop-up Camper
- Length: 18 feet 10 inches
- Width: 7 feet
- Height: 5 feet 1inch
- Dry Weight: 2,120 pounds
- Standard Features: Port-A-Potty, kitchen with microwave, range and fridge, Bluetooth, MP3, USB and auxiliary ports, TV outlet and satellite hook up, LED lights, floor lights, outdoor grill and table, outdoor speaker, heated mattresses
The Flagstaff Hard Side camper models are the perfect blend of tent camping and travel trailer camping.
With a shower and cassette toilet as standard, plus a spacious refrigerator, microwave and stove you can enjoy the luxury of being able to cook full meals and enjoy a hot shower after a long day of adventuring. A TV outlet and cable TV capabilities make the Flagstaff ideal for those who like to lounge in the evenings. Heated mattresses fitted in some models allow you to sleep in the lap of luxury even in the middle of nowhere!
Tent Trailers
Tent trailers perfectly bridge the gap between traditional tent camping and caravanning. Canvas tents that fold neatly into a trailer pulled behind your car, these small campers bring a whole new element to glamping.
All Road/Off Road Opus
- Length: 19 feet
- Width: 6 feet 6 inches
- Height: 8 feet
- Dry Weight: 1,763.7 pounds
- Standard Features: leatherette surround seating, a demountable table that converts into a double sleeping area, kitchen with stainless steel sink and running water, 2-burner gas stove and cabinet-mounted fridge, portable toilet/storage unit, electric heating, LED lighting, skylights, two fixed double beds with inner privacy tents
The Opus is the epitome of a luxury trailer tent with everything you need for a comfortable family holiday. With dozens of color and fixture options available, you can make your camper exactly what you need it to be. Installed with air tent technology, which inflates the canvas in a little over 1 minute, it’s possibly one of the easiest travel trailers to erect.
The Opus also comes in All-Road and Off-Road, meaning that you have the option to take your tent anywhere you like. The Off-Road model gives you three chassis options which you can change depending on the weight you’re putting on it and the nature of the adventures you want to take it on. The Opus is made for extreme adventure!
Jayco Jay Sport Camping Trailer
- Length: 16 feet 2 inches – 21 feet 6 inches
- Width: 7 feet 1inch
- Height: 6 feet 7 inches
- Dry Weight: 2,270 pounds
- Standard Features: sleeps up to 8 people (1 queen bed, 1 king bed, and 2 sofa beds), cassette toilet cabinet, exterior shower, kitchen with acrylic sink, 2-burner stove and fridge, A/C, heating, TV hookup, radio, speakers, optional heated mattresses
The Jayco Jay Sport camper comes in a variety of slightly different models, offering different sizes and configurations, so it’s worth exploring the entire range to find what suits you best. However, all of the Jayco travel trailers do come with the same standard fixtures, designed to make your trip as comfortable as possible.
With plenty of space for up to 8 people, the Jay Sport boasts a spacious living area, fully functional kitchen, and optional carry-out stove for outdoor cooking. Although the trailer does not come with a toilet, there is an option to add one (or you can buy one from elsewhere) and all models come with a port-a-potty cabinet to store it safely and neatly away. All models come with an exterior shower, but the 12SC model also comes with the option of replacing a cabinet for an indoor bath or shower with a curtain.
This may look like a pretty simple set-up, but it includes everything you need for your family adventures. Ample space and the option of additional hanging wardrobe space means there’s room for all of your equipment, and the unique dome-shaped fiberglass roof and one-piece construction means better water runoff and incredible leak prevention – so you can use your trailer any time of year.
5th Wheel Trailers
5th wheel trailers are much larger campers, more akin to caravans, that require a 5th hitch wheel to tow. With their added size comes much more weight and 5th wheels need to be towed by a full-sized one-ton truck.
Incredibly popular, 5th wheels offer much more room than the other travel trailers on this list and are enjoyed for their luxury amenities and extra sleeping space. Many of these campers also come with several slide-outs so you can extend them even further. The size and weight of them do mean that they are not as agile as smaller trailers and won’t stand up to the off-roading that others might offer. But if camping in style is your thing, then 5th wheel trailers might just be for you.
Heartland RV Bighorn 3120RK
- Length: 37 feet 6 inches
- Width: 8 feet
- Height: 13 feet 3 inches
- Dry Weight: 11,972 pounds
- Standard Features: spa bathroom with sink, marble look shower, and porcelain flushing toilet, kitchen with three worksurfaces, maple hardwood cabinets, 3-burner gas stove top with large oven, microwave and full-sized stainless steel sink, heated and massaging theater seating, panoramic windows, A/C, 55-inch LED TV, satellite and WiFi compatible, DVD player, stereo, radio and Bluetooth, built-in closet, king-size bed, backlit headboard, under-bed storing space, 32-inch LED bedroom TV
Heartland RVs appear on a lot of “best of” lists all over the world, but the Bighorn was recently named one of the luxury 5th Wheel trailers of 2021 at the RV Awards. And for very good reason.
As you can see, this RV is truly built for luxury. With all of the comforts of home, the Bighorn is spacious enough and well-equipped for permanent living and even has room for added extras including a washer/dryer, RV refrigerator, cordless vacuum, solar panels and extra awnings.
The Bighorn comfortably sleeps up to 4 people with one king-size bedroom on the upper deck and a comfortable sofa bed in the living area, 2 sofas, and a large dining table.
Forest River Cardinal 390FBX
- Length: 43.25 feet
- Width: 8 feet
- Height: 13.25 feet
- Dry Weight: 12,844 pounds
- Standard Features: sleeps up to 6 people in a king-size bedroom and 2 sofa beds, 2 bathrooms with porcelain toilets, double basins and shower cubicles, fully air-conditioned and heated, stereo/radio with interior and exterior speakers, WiFi compatible, kitchen with 3-burner stovetop and oven, microwave, full-size electric refrigerator and full-size sink, 3 TVs, 2 recliner/rocker sofas
This is the biggest trailer on our list, and probably the most luxurious. If you thought the Bighorn was fancy, wait until you see the Forest River Cardinal 390FBX. Another winner at the RV Awards, the Cardinal was noted for the incredible amount of space, dual-basin master bathroom and 4-door fridge.
Equipped with a massive 64-gallon freshwater tank, this RV is ideal for long holidays or permanent living. Imagine being able to take your luxury home anywhere you want. With the Forest River Cardinal, that’s exactly what you can do.
Travel Trailers
Travel trailers come in all shapes and sizes, as we have seen, and suit every need you may have. To finish off, let’s look at two of the best that don’t fall under the categories we’ve already seen.
Winnebago Micro Minnie
- Length: 21 feet 11 inches
- Width: 7 feet
- Height: 10 feet 4 inches
- Dry Weight: 3,860 pounds
- Standard Features: kitchen with sink, double door refrigerator, microwave and cooktop, sleeps up to 5 people with a bunk bed, double and sofa bed, bathroom with shower and foot flush toilet, stainless steel sink and ceiling fan, heating and A/C, LED TV, USB charging ports, WiFi capabilities, wireless phone charger
Everyone knows Winnebago, and the Micro Minnie proves why they are such a household name. With a wide range of floor plans to choose from and additional options, this compact travel trailer shows how it should be done. With a surprising amount of space, enough for 5 people, and a separate bathroom and bedroom, the Minnie Micro is an incredibly comfortable home away from home.
Jayco Jay Flight
- Length: 28 feet 1inch – 40 feet 6 inches
- Width: 8 feet
- Height: 11feet – 11 feet 3 inches
- Dry Weight: 5,560 pounds – 9,165 pounds
- Standard Features: solid hardwood cabinet doors, LED lighting, wardrobe/pantry, security camera capabilities, jackknife sofa, adjustable and removal dinette table, kitchen with countertop space, 3-burner range with hood, oven with interior light, under bed storage, privacy curtains, double bunk beds, bathroom with shower and toilet
Another Jayco to add to the list, the Jay Flight has been America’s number 1 selling travel trailer for 15 years in a row. Available in a wide range of sizes and with additional options to choose from, the Jay Flight has some of the strongest framework you’re likely to find on a trailer, making it perfect for any trip.
Wrapping It Up
As with any large purchase you make, it’s important to take your time choosing the right trailer for you. With so many to choose from, this list provides just a few details about a tiny number of trailers on the market. Head to your nearest dealer to discuss your needs, or check out the manufacturers’ websites online. You may also want to read the article, “How Much Does a Travel Trailer Weigh?” to find out if your vehicle can tow the trailer you may want.
