5 Best Travel Trailer Models for a Beginner

So, you are interested in owning an RV or camper…but aren’t 100% sure where to start.

Does this sound familiar? 

• You are sick of tent camping and want a shower, A/C, and a real roof over your head. 
• You are looking for a camper for work and travel.
• Your friends are getting into RVing and you want to tag along.
• You went RVing with your parents, but have no idea where to start on your own camping journey.

You are in the right place. 

We will explore why a travel trailer RV is a great choice for beginners, what characteristics to look for, and five travel trailer models to consider. We want to arm you with the information you need to make the best possible decision. 

Keep reading. 

• Why travel trailer RVs are ideal for beginners
• What characteristics should a beginner look for?
• Five specific RV models ideal for a beginner

Why travel trailer RVs are ideal for beginners

Of all the various RV classes, the travel trailer is the best class for those who are just getting into RVing and camping. 

There are three primary reasons for this. 

Affordability – These are the most affordable forms of an RV when compared to motorhomes and fifth-wheels. You can pay cash for an RV, but most beginners usually finance their RV purchase.  Travel trailers allow you to get an RV for a relatively low monthly payment (generally between $250 to $325 per month).

Ease of towing – Towing is a skill you will need to learn when you purchase an RV. Travel trailers are usually smaller and easier to maneuver compared to larger 5th wheels and Class A motorhomes.

Pairs with many vehicles – Travel trailers are able to be towed by smaller vehicles. This means you can often use your existing vehicle,  rather than having to buy an additional truck to pull your unit (as you would with a fifth-wheel RV).  

What characteristics of a travel trailer RV should a beginner look for? 

Compatibility with your current vehicle’s towing capacity

The #1 question you ask at a dealership is, “Can I tow this RV with my current vehicle?”

There are two metrics to look at when assessing your vehicles towing capacity: 

1. Gross towing capacity (how much weight you can physically tow)
2. Expected traveling destination (on-road, off-road, city, country roads, mountains, etc.)

Gross towing capacity – You should be able to find this information in your vehicle’s user manual OR you can give the car dealership a call and they will have that information for you. Be sure to have your vehicle identification number (VIN) when you call.

Write down your vehicle’s towing capacity and bring it to the dealership.

Expected traveling destination – Are you planning to primarily visit state parks in your area? Do you want to visit out-of-state relatives? Will you encounter mountains or off-road areas? Getting an idea of your future trip plans will give your salesman a better idea of which campers to show you. Suspension system, tires, aerodynamics, and weight will all be considered.

Example: let’s say you have a Chevy Traverse. It can pull 5,000 pounds. It’s best to look for a travel trailer with a dry weight of under 4,500 lbs. This will give you room for gear, bikes, luggage, food, etc. when traveling, and you will not be overweight. 

Think about the most likely trips you will take in the next 5 years. Write these down and bring them to the dealer. 

Correct sizing for the family next 5+ years

Remember, you will have this RV for many camping seasons. It’s important to not only think about how much space you need for this coming camping season, but how much space you need in the next 5+ years. 

Does this RV model have enough sleeping space? 

Will I have enough room for growth if my family expands in the next few years? 

Always have a little bit of leeway for family growth. 

Opt for features that make RVing simple

Since you don’t have an extensive amount of RVing experience under your belt (yet), you want to look for features that will make your camping experience smooth, easy, and simple. 

Why? 

If you get frustrated with your equipment, it will put a damper on your vacation and will make you avoid camping in the future. 

Don’t let this happen to you. 

A handful of considerations for easy setup, towing ability, and use:

• Do you want a power tongue jack on the front? A tongue jack is what raises and lowers the camper. Power tongue jacks make it easy to get the RV on-and-off your vehicle. 
• What kind of jacks do you want for stabilizer jacks? Stabilizer jacks are supporting hoists that are on either side of the travel trailer to ensure it does not tip or rock when your family is inside. Some models have power jacks, others have manual jacks. Be sure to ask about both.
• Do you want an outside shower? (Perfect for getting sand off your feet or washing the dog)

Best models for beginners

We had the Adventure RV sales team give us their opinion on what they believe are the best travel trailer models for beginners. They looked at each from the perspective of the RV being (a) entry-level and (b) easy to use. They landed on a top 5 list. 

1) Coachmen Catalina SUMMIT 7 134 Series 

• Overall Length – 16′
• Avg. Weight – 2720 lbs
• Sleep between – 2-4 

What makes it great for the beginner: 

The Coachmen Catalina Summit 7 series campers are small, light & value priced. (NOW AVAILABLE IN FIBERGLASS!) At only 16′ (bumper to hitch), it will navigate with ease behind nearly any SUV. Three awesome floorplans to choose from. Don’t let their average dry weight of 2720 lbs fool you – they sleep up to 4 people and are built strong & tough as well as being backed with features. Front cap lights, black tank flush, JBL premium audio, GE A/C w/ heat pump and much much more! Brand new from $14,844 to $15,997, it’s the best deal you will find in its class.

2) Coachmen Catalina Summit 261BHS

• Overall Length 30′ 5″
• Weight – 6,060 lbs
• Sleeps – 8-10

What makes it great for the beginner: 

Not all beginner campers have to be small. This bunk camper is roomy, light & timeless. Timeless because it has everything a family needs. So you may never need to upgrade. In a camper that is only 30′ 5″ and 6,060 lbs, the slide-out provides a very roomy feel. The new 10-foot panoramic window provides an incredible view. The Summit line gives you quality, well-built campers. You will love having an outside kitchen too! They are great for a beginner but can also last a lifetime.

3) Winnebago Access 24RB

• Length – 29’11”
• Weight – 6,504 lbs
• Sleeps – 6

What makes it great for the beginner: 

This couple’s plus camper is roomy, easy to use & loaded. Sleep 6 people and still have room for gear. Lots of interior & exterior storage. Easy to use power awning, power tongue jack & flip up step. Also comes with a tankless water heater, 200w solar panel w/ 30 amp controller, 66×80 Olympic Queen bed, and much, much more. It also doesn’t hurt that the 2026 has a hot new look!

4) Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH

• Overall Length – 25′ 6″
• Weight – 5,326 lbs
• Sleeps – 3

What makes it great for the beginner: 

This couples camper is light, roomy & packed with extras. Coming in at 5,326 lbs and 25 ft, it is towed with ease by many SUVs & 1/2 ton trucks. It has a slide-out with super comfortable reclining theater seats. Now in fiberglass, nothing in its class compares. A 200-watt roof mounted solar panel, 10.7 cu. ft. fridge, premium JBL audio & the GE 60K BTU on demand tankless water heater are only the beginning of the extras you get in this quality, well-built camper.

5) Winnebago M-Series 1923RB

• Length – 22′ 11”
• Weight – 4,740 lbs
• Sleeps –  3

What makes it great for the beginner: 

A Beginner camper can also be luxury! This luxury couple’s camper is light, roomy & high quality. Coming in at just over 4,700 lbs, it is an easy tow for most SUVs. The 18FBS Thrive floorplan is thoughtfully designed for comfort and convenience. You’ll feel right at home in your monster 66×80 king bed with nightstands, wardrobes, and under-bed storage, a large bathroom with a spacious shower to refresh after a day of adventure. The kitchen includes a 10.7 cu. ft. refrigerator, fiberglass molded countertop / sink, soft close drawers and soft close cabinet doors. Most impressive are the sharp new modern lines of the exterior. The white awning, white flip steps, white entry door and white speaker covers are just the beginning. The front cap with tinted window and bright LED cap lights finish the luxury look!

Conclusion

It can be intimidating trying to pick an RV or camper if you have little experience. Travel trailers offer a great mix of affordability, ease of use, and vehicle adaptability, making them perfect if you are just getting started. Be sure to talk to your dealer about your vehicle’s towing capabilities and what trips you intend to take in the future. This will make it a better shopping experience.