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 164BHX

2024 Coachmen Catalina Summit 164BHX

• Length – 19’6”
• Weight – 3,077 lbs
• Sleeps – 5

What makes it great for the beginner: 

This bunk camper is small, light & value priced. At only 19’6″ (bumper to hitch) it will navigate with ease behind nearly any SUV. Don’t let a dry weight of 3,077 lbs fool you – It sleeps up to 5 people and is built just as strong as its big brother the Catalina Summit 231MKS. Brand new at $16,997, it’s one of the best deals you will find in its class.

2) Coachmen Catalina Summit 231MKS

2024 Coachmen Catalina Summit 231MKS

• Length 28’2”
• Weight – 5,101 lbs
• Sleeps – 2

What makes it great for the beginner: 

This couple’s camper is roomy, light & timeless. Timeless because if you only need to sleep 2 people 90% of the time you may never need to upgrade. In a camper that is only 28′ 2″ and 5,101 lbs, the slide out provides a very roomy feel. The Summit line provides you with quality, well-built campers. They are great for a beginner but can also last a lifetime.

3) East to West Della Terra 181BHSLE

2024 East to West Della Terra 181BHSLE

• Length – 24’0”
• Weight – 4,826 lbs
• Sleeps – 5

What makes it great for the beginner: 

This bunk camper is light, roomy & packed with extras. Coming in at 4,826 lbs and 24 ft, it is towed with ease by many SUVs. It has a slide out that gives you plenty of room for a family of 5. The double over double bunks are soft and spacious. 200 watt roof mounted solar panel, power electric tongue jack and a black tank flush are only the beginning of the extras you get in this quality, well-built camper.

4) East to West Della Terra 251RD

2024 East to West Della Terra 251RD

• Length – 29’10”
• Weight – 6,411 lbs
• Sleeps – 5

What makes it great for the beginner: 

This couple’s plus camper is roomy, easy to use & loaded. Sleep 2-5 people and still have room for gear. Lots of interior & exterior storage. Easy to use power awning, power tongue jack & power stabilizer jacks. Also comes with a tankless water heater, 200w solar panel w/ 30 amp controller, Winegard Air 360+ HDTV Antenna and much much more. 

5) Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108FBS

2024 Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108FBS

• Length – 22’5”
• Weight – 4,142 lbs
• Sleeps – 4-6 

What makes it great for the beginner: 

This couple’s camper is light, roomy & high quality. Coming in at just over 4,000 lbs, it is an easy tow for most SUVs. Driving ON or OFF road is a breeze with its torsion axles and oversized Goodyear tires. The slide out provides a roomy feel. Even with having a 60″ x 80″ residential walk around queen size bed. Built with an aluminum frame, Azdel in the walls, a fiberglass exterior and a TPO roof. These are just a few of the high quality features that gives beginners peace of mind.

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.