Buyer’s Guide: Sweet Tow, Little Dough

Wanted: A starter family travel trailer that won’t break the bank. What’s out there?

Photo Credit: Winnebago

Winnebago Access

Bells, Meet Whistles

The Flying W turned heads last year with the brand-new Access, a dual-axle trailer at a starter price that’s big on perks. Among them: 200-watt rooftop solar, 12-volt water-tank heaters and an enclosed, heated undercarriage. For newbies, electric tongue jacks and powered stabilization jacks are a boon for hitching and leveling. Five models range from 29′ to 33′ 2″ (all but the smallest, the 26BH, has a slide-out), and all are equipped with clever, generous storage: under-bed, overhead, and in a downright cavernous pass-through locker on the galley-front 28FK (the rest have a queen bedroom up front). Clean, understated interior styling. MSRPs start at $29,600

PRO: So many features for the price tag.

CON: No oven; just a three-burner range and microwave

Specs:

Exterior Width 11′ 5″
Exterior Height 8 ‘
Interior Height 6 ‘8″
GVWR 8 ,800 lbs
Dry Weight 5,700–7,146 lbs
Freshwater Tank 60 gal
Gray Tank(s) 4 7–49 gal
Black Tank 4 7–49 gal
Awning Length 20 ‘–21’

Photo Credit: LIV

LIV 19BHD

Composite-ive Thinking

The acronym stands for Light Innovative Vehicle, and the all-welded, no-wood, Georgia-built thermoplastic trailers live up to it. The unique construction means a 21’2″ trailer that sleeps six (a full bed, two bunks, and a fold-down dinette) for not much more than some teardrops. Some nice touches throughout—including Bluetooth-ready interior and exterior speakers, an electric fireplace and an optional outdoor shower—are among the details that earned this one a nod from trade mag RVBusiness as one of last year’s top debuts. MSRP starts at $25,485 for 2024 models.

PRO: The wood-free build aims to prevent leakage and rot.

CON: Not an ideal four-season rig; small awning.

Specs:

Exterior Width 7 ‘
Exterior Height 8 ’11”
Interior Height 6 ‘4″
GVWR 3 ,500 lbs
Dry Weight 2,250 lb s
Freshwater Tank 25 gal
Gray Tank(s) 30 gal
Black Tank 30 gal
Awning Length 8

Photo Credit: Rockwood

Rockwood Geo Pro G19BH

Tough Little Fella

The compact, aluminum framed Geo Pro line is geared towards campers with smaller tow vehicles and/or boondocking proclivities—and the 20′ or larger models make solid entry-level trailers for small families. With a queen, two double bunks, and a dinette eating space, the G19BH isn’t the roomiest floor plan. But the bottom bunk folds up to supply some clutch storage, roomy enough for kids’ bikes and accessible from outside via a half-size accessory door. The side-mounted outdoor griddle and power awning make it a great pick for a fam that prefers to spend their time outdoors. MSRP starts at $31,963 for 2024 models.

PRO: 200W rooftop solar panel (more optional); 15″ radials.

CON: Even the slide-out models are on the snug side.

Specs:

Exterior Width 7 ‘8″
Exterior Height 9 ’11”
Interior Height 6 ‘6″
GVWR 4 ,425 lbs
Dry Weight 3 ,209 lbs
Freshwater Tank 31 gal
Gray Tank(s) 27 gal
Black Tank 27 gal
Awning Length 14

Still Budget, But Make it a…

Photo Credit: Escape

FIFTH-WHEEL

Escape 5.0

Molded fiberglass, 21’2″ long and a cinch to tow with a midsize truck. The sleek, Canadian-built fifth-wheel has a full queen bed, high ceilings, and beaucoup custom options—just a bit more glam than a similarly sized travel trailer. MSRP starts at $44,510 for 2024 models.

Photo Credit: InTech

Toy Hauler

InTech Flyer Discover

A welded aluminum cage frame makes this utilitarian rig lightweight and sturdy, with a carrying capacity of up to 2,760 lbs. Beds in a comfy tip-out (or two) save room in the bay for both your ATV and a mod little kitchen. MSRP starts at $28,056 for 2024 models.

Photo Credit: nuCamp

Teardrop

nuCamp Tag Classic

Sure, you can find cheaper teardrops, but the Tag is a plush, bombproof little camper for the same budget you’d spend on a starter trailer. Outdoor shower and (gorgeous) galley, storage-smart interior, optional solar. MSRP starts at $25,167 for 2024 models.

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