Entering the world of RV travel doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. For many first-time buyers and those looking to downsize, the realm of travel trailers under $20,000 presents an incredibly attractive and accessible entry point. These budget-friendly options not only make the purchasing process significantly easier but also come with the added benefit of typically lower depreciation compared to other affordable RVs. This financial advantage means your investment holds its value better over time, a crucial consideration for any smart buyer.
Furthermore, one of the most practical advantages of these economical travel trailers is their compatibility with a wider range of tow vehicles. Unlike larger, heavier RVs that demand specialized trucks, many of these best travel trailers under $20,000 can be easily towed by common SUVs and minivans, significantly broadening their appeal and reducing the overall cost of ownership. This flexibility allows more individuals and families to enjoy the freedom of the open road without needing to upgrade their primary vehicle, making the dream of RV travel a reality for many more.
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. **Braxton Creek Bushwhacker Plus 17FD**
At an average cost of just $14,000, the Braxton Creek Bushwhacker Plus 17FD stands out as one of the most budget-friendly travel trailers available today. Despite its exceptionally low price point, this camper impressively delivers a full suite of features and amenities that you might expect to find in more expensive models, proving that affordability doesn’t have to equate to compromise. It’s a compelling option for those who prioritize cost-effectiveness without sacrificing functionality.
This model is thoughtfully designed to accommodate up to four people, making it suitable for small families or groups of friends. It boasts a full-featured galley, allowing for convenient meal preparation on the go, and comfortable seating for four, thanks to its versatile front convertible dinette booth. This clever layout maximizes usable space, ensuring that both dining and relaxation needs are met within its compact footprint.
Moreover, the Bushwhacker Plus 17FD is a completely self-contained camper, offering genuine independence on your travels. It features a two-piece wet bath, combining a shower and toilet into a single, efficient space. Complementing this, its onboard water pump and holding tanks, which include a 24-gallon freshwater tank, an 18-gallon gray water tank, and a 17-gallon black water tank, ensure you have access to a functioning bathroom even when you’re off the grid or ‘boondocking.’
Overall, the Braxton Creek Bushwhacker Plus 17FD is an ideal choice for individuals or families seeking a simple yet highly dependable and budget-friendly travel trailer. It’s perfectly suited for quick weekend getaways, offering all the essential comforts and conveniences needed to enjoy the outdoors without significant upfront investment or complex setup.
2. **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 includes a compact galley for cooking, an east-to-west queen bed for comfortable sleeping, and a flexible living area with either a jack-knife sofa or an optional small dinette booth for two. Further enhancing its utility are a 13,500 BTU roof-mounted A/C, a 20,000 BTU furnace, a 6-foot awning for outdoor shade, ample interior storage space, and good-sized holding tanks, making it a surprisingly well-equipped option for its size.
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3. **Keystone RV Springdale Mini 1760BH**
For those in search of a travel trailer under $20,000 that skillfully combines a remarkably spacious interior with a high sleeping capacity, the Keystone RV Springdale Mini 1760BH should undoubtedly be a top contender on your consideration list. This model is engineered to maximize living and sleeping areas, making it an excellent choice for families or those who frequently travel with guests.
Indeed, the Springdale Mini 1760BH boasts one of the most expansive interiors and highest sleeping capacities found in a sub-$20,000 camper. This is primarily attributed to its well-integrated slide-out, which significantly expands the interior floor space, and its four distinct sleeping berths. These include a comfortable front east-to-west queen bed, a versatile convertible dinette booth, and practical rear bunk beds, allowing it to comfortably sleep up to six people.
Its impressive array of comfort and convenience features extends beyond just sleeping arrangements. The Springdale Mini 1760BH also offers a three-piece dry bath, providing a separate shower, toilet, and bathroom sink – a luxury in this price range that greatly enhances privacy and usability. The fully equipped galley is another highlight, featuring a two-burner propane stove, a microwave, and a double-door 6 cubic foot gas/electric refrigerator, ensuring all your cooking needs are met.
Moreover, this model provides several desirable upgrades not always found in its class, such as ducted A/C for efficient cooling, in-floor heating ducts for warmth, an on-demand tankless water heater for continuous hot water, a power awning with an LED light strip for extended outdoor living, and dual propane tanks for longer trips. These enhancements collectively position the 1760BH as a feature-rich, family-friendly choice that delivers exceptional value.
4. **Highland Ridge RV Open Range Conventional 19BH**
Another highly regarded bunkhouse travel trailer that comes in under the $20,000 price point is the Highland Ridge RV Open Range Conventional 19BH, carrying an average cost of $17,500. This particular model is meticulously designed with families in mind, specifically catering to those who require substantial sleeping capacity without escalating their budget, making it a compelling option for family adventures.
To accommodate larger groups, the 19BH cleverly incorporates four separate sleeping berths. These include a front east-to-west queen bed, a flexible convertible dinette booth that transforms into an additional sleeping area, and two single bunk beds thoughtfully positioned in the back corner of the trailer. This configuration allows the Open Range Conventional 19BH to comfortably offer a maximum sleeping capacity of six individuals.
However, this camper from Highland Ridge RV offers more than just expanded sleeping options; it’s also packed with a host of comfort and convenience features that enhance the overall camping experience. These include a well-equipped galley for all your culinary needs, a practical dry bath, and, as previously mentioned, a large and comfortable dinette booth that can easily accommodate the entire family for meals or social activities.
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.
5. **KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 130RB**
For those prioritizing maneuverability and ease of towing, the KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 130RB stands out as one of the smallest and lightest travel trailers available. With a length of just 16 feet 9 inches and a dry weight of 2,350 pounds, it represents an ideal option for budget-conscious shoppers who also possess a more limited tow vehicle, such as a small truck, a compact SUV, or even a four-cylinder vehicle. Its diminutive size and lighter weight make it exceptionally easy to tow and navigate, particularly in tighter spots.
Despite its compact dimensions, the Sportsmen Classic 130RB, like all the budget travel trailers on this carefully curated list, is a completely self-contained RV. This means it provides everything you need for either a quick weekend getaway or even an extended multi-week camping trip. Its design cleverly integrates all the essential amenities found in larger and heavier travel trailers, but within a more efficient and lightweight package.
The camper is designed to comfortably sleep three people and includes a practical two-piece dry bath, which is a significant convenience feature for a trailer of its size. Additionally, it features a fully equipped galley for preparing meals and even a spacious dinette booth, ensuring that comfort and functionality are not compromised by its smaller footprint. Every inch of space is utilized to enhance your camping experience.
Beyond the core living features, the trailer also includes several thoughtful comfort and convenience amenities. On the exterior, you’ll find a 10-foot power awning for outdoor relaxation, exterior speakers for entertainment, and keyed-alike baggage doors for security and ease of access. Inside, multiple USB charging ports, a built-in stereo with Bluetooth connectivity, and an easy-to-read tank monitoring panel add layers of modern convenience, making your journey both enjoyable and hassle-free.
Continuing our exploration of the best value travel trailers under $20,000, we now turn our attention to additional models that distinguish themselves through innovative layouts, enhanced amenities, and impressive capacities. These selections offer robust solutions for expanded living spaces, unique utility, and sturdy construction, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to affordability. Our rigorous vetting process ensures that each recommendation provides exceptional value, helping you make an informed and confident purchasing decision for your next adventure.
6. **Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 14CC**
For those seeking a travel trailer under $20,000 that skillfully combines thoughtful design with a feature-rich interior, the Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 14CC stands out as a highly popular choice. With an average cost of $18,000, this sub-20-foot model, weighing just under 3,000 pounds, remarkably integrates a wealth of amenities into a compact and easily towable package. Its efficient use of space positions it as a compelling option for campers prioritizing both functionality and maneuverability.
A key design element contributing to the 14CC’s optimized interior is its unique rear entry door. This unconventional placement allows for all primary features to be strategically positioned along the side walls without interruption, a distinction that significantly enhances the trailer’s interior layout and overall flow. This innovative approach maximizes usable space, a critical consideration in smaller travel trailers.
This intelligent design enables the Cherokee Wolf Pup 14CC to fully utilize its side walls, featuring a compact dinette booth on the camp side for comfortable dining and relaxation, and an efficient galley on the opposite side for convenient meal preparation. Despite its modest footprint, the layout skillfully integrates a split two-piece dry bath at the rear and a comfortable queen-size bed at the front, accommodating a sleeping capacity of three individuals with ease.
Furthermore, the 14CC offers a range of class-leading features for its size and price point, particularly when equipped with its various upgrade packages. Options such as the Wolf Pup Limited Package can include an on-demand tankless water heater, a 14-inch premium wheel package, a Cherokee backup camera system, tire-pressure monitoring, and a Wolf Pup quick jack, adding significant value and convenience for an enhanced camping experience.
7. **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.
8. **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.
9. **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.
10. **Forest River Viking 182DBU**
Also positioned just under the $20,000 threshold, with an average cost of $19,500, is the Forest River Viking 182DBU. Formerly known as the Coachmen Viking 182DBU and now a part of Forest River’s 4K Series, this model shares many design and construction philosophies with the Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite, offering a compelling option within the budget-friendly 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.
Ultimately, the journey into RV ownership doesn’t have to be a daunting financial endeavor. The diverse selection of travel trailers available for under $20,000 proves that affordability does not equate to compromise on essential features, comfort, or utility. From innovative layouts maximizing sleeping capacity to thoughtful amenities like outdoor kitchens and expansive dry baths, these models demonstrate that the dream of hitting the open road is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re a solo adventurer, a couple seeking cozy retreats, or a family planning memorable excursions, there’s a budget-friendly option meticulously designed to meet your specific needs, offering a solid foundation for countless future adventures. Investing in one of these rigorously vetted trailers ensures you’re not just buying an RV, but unlocking a world of freedom and exploration with exceptional value.
