There’s no question about the level of convenience, aesthetics, and functionality that a towable RV can bring. The only problem is it can be tricky to find the right travel trailer for your needs. Compared to finding a motorhome, you have to consider a lot more factors apart from just the RV’s capacity and features.
You specifically have to take a close look at its weight and your towing vehicle. There are also a lot of weight-related terms that may come up, which doesn’t really make it any easier.
To avoid being overwhelmed, the first thing you should do is know how much weight your vehicle can tow and then look for trailers that fit the range.
For instance, if your truck or van can only two around 4,000 lbs max, then you should specifically look for an RV under 4,000 lbs. This is actually the most common cause for those with small trucks and utility vehicles.
That said, if you’re looking for travel trailers under 4000 lbs, you’re in the right place. This article will walk you through the 8 best models for a 4000 lb travel trailer, along with everything that you need to know when choosing.
Basic Travel Trailer Weight Terms:
Here are some basic travel trailer weight terms that you need to know for today’s topic:
Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC):
CCC refers to the maximum weight that the travel trailer can hold. These include the combined weight of everything inside, specifically the passengers, accessories, baggage, and likes.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
GAWR is a term pointing to the maximum weight that the axle of your towing vehicle can handle. These are usually followed by FR and RR, which means Front Axle and Rear Axle, respectively.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR):
GCWR is the maximum weight capacity of the towing vehicle along with the trailer that is attached to it. Similar to CCC, this includes everything inside the two connected units.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
GVWR refers to the travel trailer’s operating weight. This includes the engine, accessories, cargo, and likes. This is what you should look at when deducing an RV’s towing weight. It’s also explicitly stated in a travel trailer’s specification list.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW):
UVW is the weight of the travel trailer when it has nothing in it. This is important to know if you want to estimate the total weight if it’s fully loaded.
8 Best Travel Trailers Under 4000 Lbs:
Now that you already have a gist of the possibly unfamiliar travel trailer terms let’s now proceed to talk about the best travel trailers under 4,000 lbs. Here are the top 8 models from various manufacturers that you should definitely look into:
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Coleman Lantern Conventional: 2,883 lbs
Starting off with the lightest travel trailer on our list, we have the Coleman Lantern LT Conventional. With 2,883 lbs and a length of 18 feet, this is a must-consider choice for small families because of the 4-person sleeping capacity, fully functional essential rooms, and a lot of advanced family-friendly features.
To make it even better, the trailer’s structure also focused on privacy, a quality that most RVs seem to pay less attention to.
For an overview of the layout, you will find bunk beds, a dinette, and a bathroom with a shower and toilet. The kitchen is also fully-equipped, having everything that you will need, including a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and more.
To add, you will be provided with two main options for the interior design. The first one is Mackinac Décor, and the second one points to Shoreline Décor. You can find the full differences on the company’s official website.
If you’re all for aesthetics, you will also be glad to know that the Coleman Lantern LT Trailer is equipped with LED lights for the patio, an air conditioner, a vinyl floor, and full blinds throughout the whole trailer. You can get all these for an MSRP of $38,000.
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Forest River Independence Trail 172RB: 3,065 lbs
Moving on with the 3,000-pound range for travel trailers, we have the Forest River Independence Trail 172RB. This is known for its very elegant and private structure, which makes it a good choice for couples and very small groups of travelers. It has a weight of 3,065 lbs and a length of 20.5 feet. The size is just enough to fully enjoy campsites despite the maximum sleeping capacity of 3 people.
For the layout, it also has all the necessities. The bedroom comes with a queen bed. There’s a dinette, functional kitchen, and a bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, and mini cabinet. A refrigerator and stove are also provided in the cooking area.
Despite this, expect that there will still be enough space for you to comfortably move around the trailer. There are also several cabinets in the pantry, which is a big plus if you plan on stocking a lot of essentials.
The interior design is somewhat simple, but it will be the apple of the eyes of those who like classic and minimalist styles. The 172RB is currently available for an MSRP of $22,813. It’s on the affordable side of travel trailers, so it’s definitely worth looking into.
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Jayco Jayflight SLX1754BH: 3,250 lbs
The Jayco Jayflight SLX 1754BH is one of the most spacious travel trailers around despite only being 3,250 lbs. It comes in 21.6 feet in length and has a maximum sleeping capacity of up to 8 people. This makes it perfect even for large groups of friends and family.
The only people that this unit will not suit are those above 6 feet in height since the trailer only reaches up to 6.1 feet.
For the interior, the trailer comes with an air-conditioned bedroom with a queen bed, a dinette, and a bathroom with a shower and a tub, and a toilet. The fact that it offers a bathtub and a standing shower is worth emphasizing since it’s quite rare for trailers in the said weight range. For the kitchen, you can find a microwave, refrigerator, and pantry.
Another thing, there are separate bunk beds outside of the master bedroom to expand sleeping capacity.
The design itself also lies on the minimalist side, which also makes it a classic. The exterior is equipped with an awning, which is another distinct quality of the unit. You can get this for an MSRP of $27,250.
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Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser 19CSK: 3,395 lbs
Gulf Stream is one of the most accredited brands when it comes to top-grade and functional travel trailers. Hence, you can expect that this list won’t end without one unit from them.
That said, for trailers under 4,000 lbs, we have the Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser 19CSK. It weighs 3,395 lbs and stretches up to 23.2 feet. The height won’t be a problem since 7.6 feet. Overall, it has adequate dimensions for a comfortable trailer trip. Despite the relatively wide space, however, expect this to cater to only 4 people at most. Small families and friends should still look into this if they fit the capacity range.
The Vintage Cruiser 19CSK has a bedroom equipped with a queen bed and overhead cabinets, and shirt closets. The living room has a sofa bed for additional sleeping capacity. It also has a folding table that can function both as a dinette and a living room table, whichever is needed at the time.
For the kitchen area, it’s quite a little more spacious compared to other units. The appliances aren’t swamped in only one area, despite having a microwave, stove, sink, refrigerator, and pantry. Its MSRP is currently at $25,995.
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K-Z RV Escape Mini: 3,500 lbs
The K-Z RV Escape Mini is more of a modern-style travel trailer. It has a weight of 3,500 lbs and a height of 9.4 feet. The length, on the other hand, stretches up to 20.9 feet.
For reference, the travel trailer comes with a queen bed in the bedroom, dinette, fully-equipped kitchen, bespoke closet, and a simple but functional bathroom. Some more things that you will get with the trailer include a refrigerator, TV, and microwave.
What made this specific unit stand out was its set of features designed specifically to aid in heating, cooling, and ventilation. It’s also equipped with a power awning for more convenience.
If you’re an interiors junkie, you will also like the fact that you can choose from four different floor plans for the trailer’s interior. With this, expect versatility and flexibility for your trailer styles.
The K-Z RV Escape Mini is currently one of the most affordable travel trailers in the market. You can get all of its offers, along with the spacious and tall dimensions, for an MSRP of only $13,995. Think of how much more budget-friendly it will be if we’re talking about a second-hand unit.
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Airstream Basecamp: 3,500 lbs
Similar to the former travel trailer, the Airstream Basecamp also has a weight of 3,500 lbs. This is a rather miniature version of regular travel trailers with a length of 16 feet, and a height of 6.3 feet. Again, the height can be an issue if you are a very tall person or you’re traveling with one.
Even so, this stands as one of the most durable and functional travel trailers under 4,000 lbs. It can also cater to 4 people at most despite being mini.
Made with an aluminium exterior, this trailer comes with a five-person seater couch. This will also serve as the sleeping bunk since it’s convertible to a half bed, which is about 41 by 78 inches. You also have the choice to turn it into a full bed if you’re preparing for a spacious, full sleep. This will expand up to 82 by 78 inches.
Like the others, this also has a bathroom, convertible dinette, and a fully-equipped kitchen. The design itself is very modern, utilizing space to its best use despite being significantly small. This retails for an MSRP of $51,900.
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Lance 1575: 3,700 lbs
The Lance 1575 is another family-friendly trailer. This weighs 3,700 lbs and has a length of 20 feet. It has a sleeping capacity of 4 people.
The interior is significantly spacious despite having a medium capacity. It has a queen-sized bed for the bedroom, a wide dinette, fully-functional kitchen, and a regular bathroom consisting of a toilet and shower. There is also a refrigerator by the dinette area.
To contribute to durability, the Lance 1575 has aluminum frames for the main structure. This is a notable quality considering that it’s considered a lightweight travel trailer. It also has a skylight roof, which greatly enhances the aesthetics inside.
The unit’s current MSRP is at $40,811.
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Coachmen Viking 17BH: 3,716 lbs
The heaviest on our list is the Coachmen Viking 17BH, which weighs 3,716 lbs. This is still significantly below 4,000 lbs, stretching at 21 feet and standing at the height of 6.4 feet. IT has a sleeping capacity of up to 5 people, which is already enough for a medium-sized group. If this is not enough, then the brand offers add-on features like a bunk bed.
The interior consists of a queen bed, a fully functional kitchen, a skylight-based bathroom, and several cabinets for storage. It specifically has a refrigerator, microwave, and stove. For the exterior design, it has an outdoor shower, power awning, and LED lights.
The durability of the whole trailer is also nothing to doubt because of the aluminum frames surrounding it. It has electric power brakes that enhance the unit’s safety. Security and safety are also prioritized due to the heavily tinted glass windows.
At present, the Viking 17BH has an MSRP of $15,225. This makes it another budget-friendly and definitely cost-efficient choice for many.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Travel Trailers Under 4000 Lbs:
To get the best travel trailer under 4000 lbs, you need to know the other factors that you need to consider aside from the weight. Here is a list that you can refer to:
Travel Trailer Size:
There are some cases wherein the size and weight of a travel trailer don’t match. Even if a travel trailer is under 4,000 lbs, some designs can still be either too tall or too long for your needs and liking.
That said, it’s just right that you take a certain RV’s dimensions into account. You want to opt for trailers that are less than 25 feet if you want to ensure full access to national RV campsites and parks. You should also ensure that you can perfectly snug inside the trailer by ensuring that the interior’s height is the same as yours, or even more.
Interior Layout and Features:
No matter if you’re keen on an RV’s interior, it’s still important that you consider it when looking at a unit. Make sure that it has all the essentials like a bedroom, full bathroom, kitchen, and likes. You can also look for advanced features like a bespoke entertainment room, built-in devices, and other functional accessories that you want to come with your purchase.
The design should also already match your preference if you don’t want to spend more time and money in availing of renovations after buying a unit.
Trailer’s Current Condition:
You’ll have little to zero issues with the trailer’s condition if you’re going to buy a brand-new unit. However, this becomes a very significant aspect for those looking into second hand units.
Don’t fall into paying less money for the unit itself, but more on necessary repairs in the long run. If you can, bring a mechanic or an expert before buying a pre-owned travel trailer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about owning and buying a 4000 lb camper, and other matters:
- What are the benefits of having a travel trailer that’s less than 4,000 lbs?
The most evident benefit of having a travel trailer that’s less than 4,000 lbs is it can easily be towed by small trucks, vans, and even regular pick-up vehicles.
This means that you won’t need to have a bigger truck or a separate vehicle with higher towing capacity, which is very costly. Even if you do have the budget, it isn’t really practical to buy another truck just for your future trailer. You might as well buy a motorhome if you’re going to do this.
- Are trailers under 4,000 lbs expensive?
The answer to the question will depend on what you consider expensive. A 4000 lb camper and those with even lower weight levels are more affordable than those that are more than 10,000 lbs.
Even so, expect that you will still need to make an investment. Brand new units generally start at around $20,000. If you want to save a little, you can always look into secondhand RVs.
- Is it fine to go over 4,000 lbs for travel trailers?
You can always go over 4,000 lbs when looking for a travel trailer as long as you’re sure that your towing vehicle can handle it. Look at your vehicle’s towing capacity to see if you can do this.
Conclusion:
As long as you know, the specifications to consider and what models have the right offers as your needs, finding a 4000 lb trailer won’t be hard. Understand terms like UVW, GVWR, CCC, etc. All of these play a part in an RV’s total weight and capacity.
Keep in mind that you also have to consider the entirety of the RV. Don’t settle with opting for a model just because it’s under 4,000 lbs. You should look at its dimensions (important if you plan on bringing your trailer to state parks and sites), interior design, features, and of course, price.
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