RV living isn’t just for motorhome owners or those with full-sized pickup trucks. There are plenty of mid-sized trucks and SUVs that can tow around 5,000 pounds or more, and there are some excellent towable trailers that provide wonderful amenities, great reliability, and versatility that weigh under 5,000 pounds.
If you own a smaller vehicle, this means you can explore the great outdoors of America without having to swap your SUV for a big hulking truck or purchase a separate motorhome.
In this article, we’ll go over some great options for trailers under 5,000 pounds that you could haul with any small SUV and even some hatchbacks and sedans.
Trailers under 5,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating(GVWR) let you tow with midsize vehicles without sacrificing amenities. Some of the best trailers under 5000 lbs include Keystone Passport 175BH, Airstream Bambi, and Timberleaf Classic. Ensure you match your vehicle's towing capacity to the trailer's GVWR for safe travels.
Here are some of the best towables under 5,000 pounds that make the perfect home on wheels for couples, individuals, and small families.
The Keystone Passport 175BH packs a queen bed, full kitchen, and bunk beds into a 21-foot frame that weighs 4,500 lbs GVWR. Your family of four gets a real home on wheels without needing a heavy-duty truck to tow it.
This floor plan makes smart use of every inch. You'll find a two-burner stove, a miniature oven, a microwave, and a surprisingly large sink in the kitchenette. The booth-style dinette comfortably seats four and faces a small TV mount. Your queen bed lives at the front with wardrobes on both sides, while two bunk beds and a full bathroom (with a shower/tub combo) anchor the rear.
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Airstream's iconic silver bullet styling comes in four sizes, all of which weigh under 5,000 lbs. The 16-foot model weighs just 3,000 lbs dry, and the 20-foot model reaches 4,000 lbs.
These aren't just pretty trailers. Every Bambi includes a mattress, a full kitchen with a stove and microwave, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, and a convertible dinette. The 16-footer gives you 3,500 lbs GVWR, while the 19-, 20-, and 21-foot models all handle 5,000 lbs. It has large windows and clever storage that make even the smallest model feel open and functional.
The KZ 181BH fits a full-size bed, two bunks, and a slide-out dinette into 21 feet while staying under 3,500 lbs GVWR. Your midsize SUV can tow this fully loaded trailer without breaking a sweat.
This model's secret weapon is the slide-out section housing the dinette. When extended, you get real walking space and a convertible bed that accommodates five people in total. The kitchenette includes a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave oven, and sink with a large countertop. The bathroom features a toilet and shower, while the bunk beds provide your kids with their own space.
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At 1,500 lbs dry weight, the Timberleaf Classic opens RVing to hatchback and sedan owners who thought towing was impossible. You get a queen bed, a large sunroof, four side windows, and built-in electricity and AC in a minimalist package.
This teardrop trailer strips camping down to essentials. There's no indoor bathroom or kitchen, but you can add a rear galley kitchen setup and awning as options. The large sunroof and windows allow you to wake up to breathtaking mountain views or starlit skies. Standard electricity and air conditioning mean you're not truly roughing it, just keeping things simple.
The RP-195 maximizes every inch of its 22-foot length with a 6 cubic feet refrigerator, queen bed, full bathroom, and slide-out dinette at just 4,762 lbs GVWR.
This layout creates four distinct spaces without feeling cramped. Your kitchenette features a two-burner stove, toaster oven, spacious pantry, and a proper sink. The slide-out dinette wraps around with storage below and above, converting to a bed when guests visit. The bathroom gives you a full sink, toilet, and shower, while the queen bed at the front includes nightstands and wardrobes.
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The Jay Flight SLX 154BH delivers bunk beds, a queen bed, and family amenities in an 18-foot trailer weighing just 2,640 lbs dry, so your vehicle's towing capacity has room to spare.
Jayco built this compact bunkhouse with durability in mind. You get 16-inch wood studs throughout, R-7 insulation, and bunks rated for 300 lbs each (600 lbs for doubles). The dark-tinted windows keep heat out while maintaining privacy. A 30-gallon freshwater tank supports weekend trips, and the 60,000 BTU tankless water heater ensures hot showers for everyone.
Lance's 1575 features a super slide-out dinette that fits into a 20-foot frame, while maintaining a dry weight of 3,270 lbs. The dual-layer Azdel composite walls and Euro-Ply cabinets prove that lightweight doesn't mean flimsy.
This trailer feels bigger than its specs suggest. Large windows and skylights in the living area and bathroom create an open atmosphere. The U-shaped dinette slide-out converts to sleeping space for two extra guests. Your queen bed includes hanging closet space, and the dry bathroom offers a dual-pane skylight with an adjustable shower head.
The Hike 100 targets off-grid adventurers with 200-watt solar panels, knobby Goodyear Wrangler tires, and independent suspension, boasting a dry weight of 3,000 lbs.
Winnebago designed this for people who drive past established campgrounds. The NXG frame and 2-inch FILONMax fiberglass sidewalls are designed to handle rough roads. Inside, you get 6'5" ceiling height (tallest in its class), a wet bath with a cassette toilet, and a portable induction cooktop. The steel exoskeleton roof supports gear racks, and the single-axle design improves maneuverability on tight forest roads.
Your next adventure doesn't require a new truck or a six-figure investment. The right towable trailer, weighing under 5,000 pounds, will match your current vehicle, budget, and camping style.
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