Travel trailers. Camper trailers. Bumper pull campers. Towable trailer campers. They are known by a bunch of different names and come in just as many designs. Today we are going to have an in-depth look at all the best travel trailer options on the market in 2022. From big names like Jayco, Airstream, and Starcraft to some of the lesser-known brands that have captured the market’s attention in the last year - I have scoured the depths of the internet and traveled to more than my fair share of expos to bring you the most up-to-date info.
But, why choose a travel trailer over an RV?
There are a few key reasons why someone might choose a travel trailer over a motorhome or RV. For starters, the upfront price will be a lot lower for a travel trailer than an RV. The smaller motorhomes currently available on the market will set you back about $50,000 while travel trailers of a similar size are around $20,000 to $30,000 (although you can 100% pay double, triple, or even quadruple this depending on what you are looking for).
Travel trailers are also much cheaper to insure and maintain, and in general, are thought of as the better choice for casual campers who take shorter and less frequent trips.
Jayco Travel Trailers
Jayco is without a doubt one of the most recognizable names in the world of travel trailers. Since 1960, Jayco has offered some of the most popular camper trailers to ever hit the market. From budget designs to the most luxurious units available, the Jayco name has become synonymous with all forms of recreational vehicles!
They offer 9 separate and distinct models which cover every preference and compartment size you can think of! Heralded for their absolute top-quality workmanship, their variety of floor plans, and their range of price points - Jayco really does offer an option or two for everyone!
Jayco 26RK 2021 White Hawk
Jayco’s best-selling travel trailer of the past year is the Jayco 26RK 2021 White Hawk. By combining top-of-the-line, luxurious features with a lightweight and easy-to-maneuver design, Jayco has struck a balance that is hard to find.
Let’s have a look at all the most important specifications for the Jayco 26RK 2021 White Hawk.
Specs
- Price: Starting from $40,035
- Length: 31.17 ft / 9.5 m
- Height: 11ft / 3.35 m
- Weight Rating: 1275 lbs / 578.3 kgs
- Bathroom: Full bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink.
- Sleeping Capacity: Sleeps up to 6
- Number Of Queen Size Beds: 1
- Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds: 2
- Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 48 Gallons
- Gray Water Tank Capacity: 61 Gallons
- Black Water Tank Capacity: 30.5 Gallons
- BTU per hour furnace: 32,767
- Propane Unit: 60 lbs
- Number Of Oven Burners: 3
- Oven Size (BTU): 9,000
- Refrigerator Power Mode: Electric / Propane
- Structure Warranty (Months): 36
- Basic Warranty (Months): 24
- RVInsider average reviews: 3.8
The chassis is a “Norco NextGen” frame that uses high-tensile steel which claims to hold the industry’s best strength-to-weight ratio. There is an integrated A-frame that runs through the base chassis and helps in preventing any bucking or twisting from the hitch.
The walls of the trailer are built using a process called “Stronghold VBL.” This process ensures laminations are not only light but extremely strong and increases the walls' tactile strength.
The front profile has a round appearance which includes a front diamond plate. These design features help aid aerodynamics by reducing wind resistance.
The interior of all White Hawk travel trailers screams luxury with high-end fittings throughout. The kitchen features solid hardwood panelings, a full-size sink, a mid-sized fridge that can run on either gas or electricity, and a 3 burner cooktop with an oven underneath.
In terms of bedding, there is a full-size Queen bed and multiple pull-out sofas with enough for up to 6 people to sleep comfortably. The living area is tastefully fitted with a more retro look than many of the competitors. This area houses a 40-inch OLED TV, with a 4-seater dining area.
One of the features that really put this travel trailer ahead of the pack is the warranty. The vast majority of the competition offers no more than a one-year warranty. Jayco doubles that, with a full 2 years for basic coverage and a 3-year warranty for the chassis!
For more information about the Jayco 26RK 2021 White Hawk, be sure to visit their official website.
Winnebago Travel Trailers
Just like Hoover is to vacuum cleaners or Kleenex is to tissues, Winnebago is a name synonymous with campers of all types, and for good reason. Founded in 1958 in Forest City, Iowa, the company survived a rough beginning and almost closed its doors after just 2 short years. Luckily, the hard times passed and the company survived, going on to produce its first camper in 1966.
These days they boast one of the most comprehensive camper trailer ranges, with 6 base travel trailer models and more than 30 floor plans to choose from.
Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108TB
I’m going to focus on the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108TB variation, as I feel it offers a great balance of room and features for a very competitive price! It boasts a seven-foot wide base with 10 optional floor plans.
Specs
- Price: Starting at $42,492
- Length: 22’7”
- Height: 10’4″
- Dry Weight: 4,040 lbs
- Hitch Weight: 435 lbs
- Bathroom: Full bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink plus an outdoor shower
- Sleeping Capacity: Sleeps up to 3
- Number Of Beds: 2 Twin
- Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds: 1
- Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 31 Gallons
- Gray Water Tank Capacity: 25 Gallons
- Black Water Tank Capacity: 25 Gallons
- BTU per hour furnace: 18,000
- Propane Unit: 60 lbs
- Number Of Oven Burners: Recessed three-burner cooktop w/ backlit knobs & glass cover
- Refrigerator: 8 cubic ft. gas/electric refrigerator
- Structure Warranty (Months): 36
- Basic Warranty (Months): 12
- RVInsider average reviews: 4.3
The Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108TB is a true compact camper that does not compromise on features or cabin space. This model took home the top prize in the “RV News Lightweight Travel Trailer of the Year,” and it’s easy to see why with a list of features as comprehensive as this.
The build quality is absolutely top-notch, with high-grade structural steel and aluminum being used throughout the chassis and frame.
The Winnebago Micro Minnie is jam-packed with interior features that help make this one of the best lightweight travel trailers on the market right now. Every Micro Mini comes with an OLED TV ranging in size depending on how much you want to spend, a cable TV hook point, a carbon monoxide gas and smoke detector, an 18,000 BTU furnace, a refrigerator that can run on gas or electricity, a microwave, a multi-speaker audio system with multiple input options, and much more.
Exterior features include full aluminum framing, a satellite television hook-up point, a diamond plate rock guard, a full-size roof ladder, multiple 4-point stabilizing jacks, an outdoor shower, dual LP tanks, and a powered and LED-lit entertainment area with outdoor speakers.
Overall, the Micro Mini is a top-class travel trailer. It offers a bunch of unique features and a truly innovative design, especially for the lightweight travel trailer class. If you would like to know more about the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108TB, then check out their official website.
Heartland Travel Trailers
Heartland has been in the business of travel trailers for more than 50 years, and boy does that experience show! In this time, Heartland has built a reputation for producing reliable and easy-to-use camper trailers that are built to last.
Heartland Pioneer 250BH
With a range of travel trailers to choose from, I was lucky enough to be treated to a weekend away in one of the all-new Heartland Pioneer 250BH, and let’s just say it did not disappoint!
Specs
- Price: Starting at $30,839
- Length: 29.83 ft / 9.1 m
- Height: 11 ft / 3.35 m
- Weight Rating: 6,900 lbs / 3,129.8 kgs
- Bathroom: Full bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink.
- Sleeping Capacity: Sleeps up to 8
- Number Of Queen Size Beds: 1
- Number Of Double Size Beds: 2
- Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds: 2
- Fresh Water Tank Capacity: 41 Gallons
- Gray Water Tank Capacity: 40 Gallons
- Black Water Tank Capacity: 40 Gallons
- BTU per hour furnace: 30,000
- Propane Unit: 2 x 20 lbs
- Number Of Cooktop Burners: 3
- Oven: Yes
- Refrigerator Power Mode: Electric / Propane
- Refrigerator Size: Mid-Size
- Structure Warranty (Months): 36
- Basic Warranty (Months): 12
- RVInsider average reviews: 2.6
To be totally honest, I was shocked to see the low RVInsider average review score of 2.6. After spending the weekend away in it, I would have assumed it would have scored much higher, but there it is.
This travel trailer has so many fantastic features packed into both the exterior and interior design. Innovative is an understatement!
The exterior shell has an unrivaled storage system with 52 cubic feet of storage capacity, built-in power stabilizing jacks, an outdoor cooking station with a full grill, and space to hook up your TV and exterior speakers.
The interior certainly is no slouch either. The kitchen features a decently sized fridge, a 3-burner cooktop, and a large convection microwave oven. The living area comfortably sleeps up to 8 people and is tastefully fitted with a more retro look than many of the competitors. This area also houses a 40-inch OLED TV and a 4-seater dining area.
