RV adventures don’t require big money—travel trailers under $20k (Keystone Coleman 13 B, Jayco Jay Flight SLX) are perfect for new RVers/downsizers. They simplify buying & depreciate slower (37% over 5 years vs 60% for Class A motorhomes)—your investment retains value longer!
A significant practical benefit of these economical travel trailers is their ability to be towed by a wider range of vehicles. Unlike their larger, heavier counterparts that require heavy-duty trucks, many of these best travel trailers under $20,000 can be easily towed by common SUVs and minivans, drastically expanding their accessibility and lowering the overall cost of ownership. This flexibility means more people can embrace the freedom of road travel without needing to purchase a new tow vehicle.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve undertaken a rigorous evaluation, much like the extensive research and hands-on testing that defines our approach, to identify the top contenders in the under-$20,000 category for 2025. Our selections are built on a foundation of practical utility, robust features, and excellent value, ensuring that each recommendation serves as a definitive guide for your next purchase. We’re here to help you navigate the options and make an informed decision, starting with the first five outstanding models that exemplify affordability without compromising on essential camping comforts.
1. **Riverside RV Retro 135**
The Riverside RV Retro 135 carves out a unique niche on our list, largely thanks to its distinctive retro styling. This camper is meticulously designed to evoke the charm of a 1950s trailer, both on its exterior and throughout its interior. While this throwback aesthetic might not appeal to everyone, it undeniably imbues the trailer with a very specific and appealing look and feel, setting it apart from more conventional modern designs.
However, the true brilliance of the Retro 135 lies in its ability to seamlessly blend vintage appeal with contemporary functionality. Despite its classic styling, this trailer is packed with all the same modern features and amenities you would expect from any new travel trailer. It offers the best of both worlds, providing a nostalgic experience without sacrificing the comforts and conveniences of today’s RV technology.
A significant upgrade for a travel trailer of this compact size is its two-piece dry bath. Most compact, lightweight campers typically feature a wet bath, which integrates all bathroom fixtures into a single, often cramped, wet area. The Retro 135’s dry bath configuration, with separate areas for the toilet and shower, offers a much more comfortable and practical experience, enhancing its overall livability.
Beyond the bathroom, the Retro 135 features a compact galley for preparing meals, a comfortable east-to-west queen bed for sleeping, and a versatile living area that can include a jack-knife sofa or an optional dinette booth for two. Additionally, it boasts a 13,500 BTU roof A/C, a 20,000 BTU furnace, a 6-foot awning for outdoor shade, plenty of interior storage, and well-sized holding tanks, making it a surprisingly capable option for its size.
2. **Highland Ridge RV Open Range Conventional 19BH**
Another excellent bunkhouse travel trailer option that remains under the $20,000 mark is the Highland Ridge RV Open Range Conventional 19BH, typically priced around $17,500. This model is thoughtfully designed with families in mind, specifically catering to those who need ample sleeping space without exceeding their budget, presenting a very attractive option for family getaways.
To comfortably accommodate larger groups, the 19BH cleverly includes four distinct sleeping areas. These consist of a front east-to-west queen bed, a versatile convertible dinette booth that easily transforms into an additional sleeping surface, and two single bunk beds neatly situated in the rear corner of the trailer, allowing the Open Range Conventional 19BH to sleep up to six people.
However, this camper from Highland Ridge RV offers much more than just enhanced sleeping arrangements; it’s also equipped with a suite of comfort and convenience features designed to elevate your entire camping experience. These amenities include a fully equipped galley for all your cooking needs, a practical dry bath, and, as noted earlier, a generous and comfortable dinette booth perfect for family meals or social gatherings.
Furthermore, this single-axle trailer distinguishes itself with several notable upgrades that are often absent in campers priced below $20,000. These include durable residential vinyl flooring, elegant hardwood cabinet door fronts, a generously sized 13-foot power awning for ample outdoor living space, a robust Magnum Roof system, effective rain guttering, and a reliable PVC roofing membrane backed by a limited lifetime warranty. These features underscore its value and long-term durability.
3. **Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Super Lite 197BH**
The Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Super Lite 197BH, with an average cost of $18,000, distinguishes itself from many budget-priced travel trailers through three primary attributes: its wide-body design, versatile sleeping arrangements, and exceptional sleeping capacity. These elements collectively make it an outstanding choice for families or groups who require substantial space without exceeding the $20,000 budget.
Its full eight-foot width, a departure from the more common seven-foot width found in many entry-level trailers, is a significant advantage. This wide-body construction provides class-leading interior space, creating a more open and comfortable living environment, notably achieved without the need for cumbersome slide-outs, which simplifies setup and maintenance.
Beyond its expansive design, the Ameri-Lite Super Lite 197BH shines with its innovative sleeping solutions. As a bunkhouse model, it features double bunk beds capable of comfortably accommodating two children or snugly fitting two adults. Complementing this, a front Murphy bed ingeniously maximizes both living and sleeping areas, offering remarkable flexibility for day and night use.
In its daytime configuration, the trailer provides a spacious dinette booth and a comfortable couch, ideal for relaxation and social activities. When transitioning to nighttime, it offers four separate sleeping berths: the double bunk beds, a convertible dinette booth, and a north-to-south queen Murphy bed. This combined arrangement delivers one of the highest sleeping capacities available in an entry-level, budget-friendly travel trailer, making it a highly practical choice for larger groups.
4. **Forest River Salem FSX 179DBK**
Another highly functional bunkhouse model, the Forest River Salem FSX 179DBK, enters our selection at an average cost of $18,500. This travel trailer presents a layout remarkably similar to the Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Super Lite 197BH, appealing to buyers who value a proven, space-efficient floor plan designed for family comfort and utility within a budget-conscious framework.
Indeed, these two campers share a nearly identical floor plan, incorporating a front Murphy bed that cleverly converts from a sofa to a queen-size sleeping area, a camp side dinette booth for meals and additional sleeping, a full-featured galley for cooking, and a corner three-piece dry bath. The rear of the trailer is dedicated to double bunk beds, ensuring ample sleeping quarters for larger groups or families.
However, the Salem FSX 179DBK carves its own niche with several key distinctions. A significant upgrade over its counterpart is the inclusion of an outdoor kitchen, a highly sought-after amenity that extends culinary capabilities to the campsite, perfect for al fresco dining and entertaining. This feature adds considerable practical value, enhancing the overall camping experience.
Furthermore, the Salem FSX 179DBK offers a suite of enhanced features, particularly when equipped with the Best-In-Class package. These upgrades include larger panoramic windows for improved natural light and views, a higher BTU furnace for superior heating, and a larger 11 cubic foot 12V refrigerator for extended food storage. Additional conveniences like an outside shower and upgraded appliances further solidify its position as a feature-rich option, providing robust utility for discerning buyers.
5. **Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite 162RBU**
Positioned just under the $20,000 mark at an average cost of $19,500, the Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite 162RBU is an exceptional compact and lightweight camper specifically tailored for couples. Its design prioritizes comfort and an optimized living experience over maximizing sleeping capacity, making it an ideal choice for duos seeking a refined and manageable travel trailer for their adventures.
This model offers comfortable sleeping for two thanks to its full-size front Murphy bed, which efficiently transforms from a daytime sofa into a cozy sleeping area. Complementing this, the front oversized U-shaped dinette booth and an opposing large entertainment center create a spacious and inviting area for relaxation and enjoyment during the evenings, enhancing the livability within its compact footprint.
A standout feature for a trailer of this size is its unexpectedly large rear bathroom, which thoughtfully occupies the entire back wall of the camper. This generous space includes a substantial vanity with a sink and medicine cabinet, a stand-alone separate toilet, and a spacious 24-inch by 36-inch shower. Such comprehensive amenities are a notable luxury in sub-20-foot trailers, significantly improving privacy and usability.
The kitchen area of the Clipper Ultra-Lite 162RBU is equally impressive, utilizing both sides of the trailer to offer extensive culinary facilities. It features a 7 cubic foot gas/electric refrigerator, a two-burner cooktop, a microwave, a large pantry, and an abundance of upper and lower cabinetry. This well-appointed kitchen ensures that couples have all the necessary tools and storage for preparing meals on the road, without compromising on functionality.
6. **Forest River Viking 182DBU**
Also falling just under the $20,000 price point, with an average cost of $19,500, is the Forest River Viking 182DBU, which was previously known as the Coachmen Viking 182DBU and is now part of Forest River’s 4K Series, offering many shared design and construction principles with the Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite, making it a compelling choice in the affordable segment.
This travel trailer boasts a length of 22 feet 3 inches and a dry weight of 3,840 pounds, providing a robust yet manageable profile for various towing vehicles. With a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 4,433 pounds, it is engineered to be a capable and reliable companion for road trips, comfortably accommodating a sleeping capacity of four individuals.
A significant advantage of the Viking 182DBU is its inclusion of a three-piece dry bath. This practical amenity offers separate areas for the shower, toilet, and sink, a substantial upgrade that enhances comfort and convenience compared to the more common wet bath configurations found in many smaller or budget-oriented trailers. This feature underscores its commitment to livability and user comfort.
Being a “sister RV” to the Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite implies a shared heritage of functional layouts and reliable construction. This relationship offers buyers another well-vetted option that benefits from proven design elements and quality components, providing a strong alternative for those seeking dependability and smart spatial utilization in their sub-$20,000 travel trailer.
At the end of the day, buying an RV doesn’t have to break the bank—and the ton of travel trailers under $20,000 out there prove that cheap doesn’t mean you have to give up the good stuff like key features, comfort, or how well the trailer works. These budget models are super clever with their space: some have dinettes that fold into beds to sleep six people, and lots come with awesome perks like outdoor kitchens (perfect for grilling while camping!) and roomy dry baths with separate showers and toilets. It just goes to show that the dream of hitting the open road isn’t some fancy luxury—it’s totally within reach. Whether you’re traveling alone, looking for a cozy escape with your partner, or planning family trips you’ll remember forever, there’s a cheap trailer that fits exactly what you need. From small, easy-to-tow models for solo adventurers to bigger ones for families, these budget options give you a great start for all your future trips—and your money goes a long way too.
