The Best Travel Trailers Under $20,000

Drive by an RV dealership, and you get the picture: the hundreds of towable RVs and motorhomes can overwhelm anyone interested in buying their first RV. We’ve written many resources for first-time RV shoppers, but I’ll go on a limb and offer one catch-all piece of advice for those getting into RVing: choosing a budget-friendly travel trailer makes the buying process much easier. 

Narrow the playing field this way, and you still have plenty of new and used models to choose from. Here, we take a closer look at some of the best travel trailers under $20,000.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Trailers Under $20,000

These travel trailers under $20,000 are perfect for first-timers, but they’re also great options for anyone looking to downsize from a larger towable RV.

Coleman Lantern LT 17B and 17R

Travel Trailer Specs

	17B	17R
Length	21’5”	21’5”
Dry Weight	2,985 pounds	3,013 pounds
Cargo Capacity	1,005 pounds	1,387 pounds
Sleeping Capacity	Up to 5	Up to  4

These Coleman stick-and-tin travel trailers are among the most affordable options for anyone looking to buy their first trailer. The 17B is a family-friendly bunkhouse floorplan with more sleeping space for the kids, and the 17R is a couples-friendly floorplan with more floor space. 

The major floorplan difference between the two is the swap of the bunks (in the 17B) for more bathroom and closet space (in the 17R). Both are lightweight, easy to operate, and don’t require a heavy-duty tow vehicle like many larger towable RVs.

Find Coleman Lantern LT 17B or Lantern LT 17R trailers near you.

Enjoy some of our supporting content for these two beginner-friendly RVs: 

• How the Coleman Lantern LT 17R is Made
• Must-Have Coleman Lantern LT 17B Upgrades
• Must-Have Coleman Lantern LT 17R Upgrades

Forest River Evo Select CE 157FB and 175BH

Travel Trailer Specs

	157FB	175BH
Length	19’6”	22’10”
Dry Weight	3,001 pounds	3,255 pounds
Cargo Capacity	1,741 pounds	1,531 pounds
Sleeping Capacity	Up to 3	Up to 5

These two Evo Select trailers are Forest River’s offering in the category of affordable travel trailers. The 157FB boasts a main sleeping area with a 60” x 74” bunk mat and a sofa that can be pulled out to a second sleeping area. The 175BH uses its extra length to include two rear bunks. 

The larger 175BH also includes a full front pass-through storage compartment, whereas the 157FB has two smaller storage compartments – one on the camp side and the other on the off-camp side. Both include a powered exterior awning and an electric fireplace inside. 

Find information on the pricing and availability of these Forest River Evo Select trailers below: 

• Forest River Evo Select CE 157FB
• Forest River Evo Select CE 175BH

Coleman Rubicon 1200RK and 1400BH

Travel Trailer Specs

	1200RK	1400BH
Length	13’5”	15’11”
Dry Weight	1,682 pounds	1,938 pounds
Cargo Capacity	1,318 pounds	1,062 pounds
Sleeping Capacity	Up to 2	Up to 4

Coleman’s Rubicon Series offers the smallest and most lightweight models on our list, with the 1200RK and 1400BH, both built for off-grid adventures. They can be towed by nearly any vehicle and offer awesome outdoor kitchens that provide cover with the rear hatch opened, allowing you to cook comfortably in inclement weather. 

The 1400BH offers two small bunks best suited for kids. While small, they make a comfortable alternative to a bumpy tent setup. The 1200RK is a couples-friendly micro camper with a Gaucho-style couch that converts into a comfortable bed. Both include an electric fireplace for heat and a 5,000-BTU wall-mounted air conditioner to keep you cool. 

Find Coleman Rubicon 1200RK and 1400BH micro campers in your region.

Learn more about these affordable Coleman campers: 

• Is the Coleman Rubicon 1200RK Your Ideal RV?
• First-Time Family Camping with the Coleman Rubicon 1400BH

Coachmen Clipper 15CBH and 17CBH

Travel Trailer Specs

	15CBH	17CBH
Length	17’10”	20’5”
Dry Weight	2,559 pounds	2,896 pounds
Cargo Capacity	1,271 pounds	1,047 pounds
Sleeping Capacity	Up to 4	Up to 5

These two Coachmen Clipper floorplans weigh under 3,000 pounds and provide a surprising amount of sleeping space. They’re ideal for families with small kids but might also serve well for friends, siblings, or even band members looking to take life on the road and have a comfortable place to rest, cook, sleep, and shower. 

The major difference between the 15CBH and the slightly larger 17CBH is the addition of the 54” x 74” bed at the front of the unit. Besides that, both feature 28” x 72” bunks, a booth dinette, a full kitchen, and a dry bathroom with a 24” x 36” shower. With the 17CBH, you’ll have a front pass-through storage compartment for gear, while the 15CBH has two exterior storage compartments on the camp side.

Visit our RV Sales department to find these unique Coachmen campers: 

• Coachmen Clipper 15CBH
• Coachmen Clipper 17CBH

Forest River Salem FSX 164RBLE

Travel Trailer Specs

• Length: 20’
• Dry Weight: 2,819 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,061 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 2

The 164RBLE floorplan features a large rear bathroom with a linen closet, the kitchen on the off-camp side, and the sofa on the camp side. It has a queen-sized bed in the main sleeping area, which lies parallel to the trailer’s length. 

That allows for wardrobe closets on either side of the bed with overhead cabinets above. The exterior features an 8’ powered awning and an oversized door on the off-camp side to access the exterior storage compartment.

Shop our full inventory of Forest River Salem FSX 164RBLE travel trailers.

Jayco Jay Flight SLX 174BH

Travel Trailer Specs

• Length: 21’8”
• Dry Weight: 3,140 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,010 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 5

This compact Jayco Jay Flight SLX single-axle camper boasts an integrated A-frame chassis, dark-tinted windows, and galvanized steel wheel wells. The 174BH is a bunkhouse floorplan that can sleep up to five people comfortably.

The 195RB can still sleep up to four with the convertible dinette (available in both models), but it’s a much more comfortable option for couples. That’s largely because the bed is rotated 90°, eliminating the need to climb over each other to use the restroom in the middle of the night and creating space for closets on either side of the bed.

Explore our selection of Jayco Jay Flight SLX 174BH travel trailers.

Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS

Travel Trailer Specs

• Length: 21’9”
• Dry Weight: 3,367 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,632 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 5

With a truly unique exterior finish, the Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS is one of those small travel trailers that consistently turn heads on dealership lots. But it’s more than just a flashy camper, as it has all the perfect features you’d look for while remaining squarely in the conversation as one of the most affordable trailers out there. 

The sleeping capacity and exterior amenities are hard to beat for its size – especially a mini outdoor kitchen with a mini-fridge and an exterior TV mount. The interior layout is similar to many others in this price range, but you get a true queen-sized bed and an exterior access door to the bunk area if you convert it to storage space. 

Find Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS travel trailers near you.

East to West Silver Lake LE 16RBLE

Travel Trailer Specs

• Length: 21’3”
• Dry Weight: 3,584 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,371 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 3

I’m a huge fan of the Murphy bed inclusion commonly seen on newer trailers that measure under 25’, like this East to West Silver Lake. It’s tough to state just how functional this feature is when it comes to opening up the living space during the day. It’s one of those things you just have to experience to believe, but with a small camper that’s going to have limited floor space, it can be a game-changer. 

East to West also didn’t skimp in the bathroom in this model, with a walk-in, 14” x 40” shower, a single-basin sink with a mirrored vanity, and a wardrobe closet – three amenities you typically won’t find together in a bathroom in a camper of this size. Plus, you get a front pass-through storage compartment for camping gear, an LP quick connect for your outdoor griddle, and an exterior shower for rinsing off gear, feet, or anything else that gets dirtied. 

Explore our nationwide inventory of Silver Lake LE trailers.

Forest River Viking 15SBH

Travel Trailer Specs

• Length: 17’10”
• Dry Weight: 2,540 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,290 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4

Similar to the Coachmen Clipper 15CBH, Forest River’s Viking 15SBH is one of the most compact floorplans on this list – without entering into the world of teardrop campers. It still offers a comfortable convertible dinette and two bunks, great for small families just getting into the RV lifestyle. 

With an optional fireplace below the entertainment center, you can all stay warm and enjoy your favorite movies or shows on rainy days. This affordable travel trailer also features a compact kitchen, a comfortable dry bathroom, two underneath storage compartments, and a 10’ powered awning on the exterior.

Input your zip code to find Forest River Viking travel trailers near you.

Crossroads Zinger-Lite 18BH

Travel Trailer Specs

• Length: 21’
• Dry Weight: 3,362 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,064 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 5

Nobody needs to set up a tent outside with the Crossroads Zinger-Lite 18BH. The kids or teens will be comfortable in the 38” x 74” bunks, the parents can enjoy the spacious 60” x 74” queen bed, and the 38” dinette converts to a third sleeping area when needed. 

The 6’6” interior height makes the Zinger-Lite ideal for taller campers. You’ll also have plenty of interior storage between the wardrobe at the foot of the queen bed and the overhead cabinets above the kitchen and the dinette. It’s also prepped for a backup camera and solar if you decide to upgrade. 

Search our inventory of Crossroads Zinger 18BH travel trailers.

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If nothing on this list catches your attention, here are a few other collections of featured travel trailers: 

• Off-Road Pull-Behind Campers: What to Know & How to Buy
• What is the Best RV for Beginners?
• 15 Best Small Campers from Camping World

Which would you select for your next (or first!) travel trailer? Let us know in the comments below.