With so many small personal use vehicles prowling the streets of America it is well worth taking the pulse of the RV industry to see how they are responding with new light weight towable RVs. Sampling the plethora of such products we find there are many available that easily put the family in a position to begin enjoying the RV lifestyle with the downsized vehicle that is parked in their driveway. We will look at a folding camping trailer that features both fabric and composite material construction, and one that is a solid wall unit that also folds for travel. Both require only minimum set and provide a low travel profile that fall nicely within the slip stream of the vehicle that is doing the towing.. We will look also one that features permanent solid walls that requires no set up what so ever. All have a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of less than 4,000 lbs. which means they can be towed by small to medium personal use vehicles. All are offered at price points that also make entering and enjoying the RV lifestyle a nearly transparent maneuver.
The Aliner Expedition is a solid wall, pop-up towable camper that comes with a GVWR of 3,500 lbs. has a hitch weight of 260 lbs and can carry 1288 lbs. of cargo. Folded for travel or set up for RV camping it measures 18’ long and when in the RV camping configuration the interior height is an incredible 8’ 5”. The Expedition comfortably sleeps 2-4 people. It carries 11 gallons of fresh water and its standard equipment includes an outside shower, stabilizer jacks, spare tire and carrier, electric brakes and breakaway switch, an outside shower, fiberglass exterior, skylights with shades, electrical system, 2 roof vents, 3.0 cubic foot refrigerator, microwave oven and a water pump. The Aliner Expedition has a base MSRP of $16,313.
The Viking Coachmen Clipper 108 ST folding camping trailer has a GVWR of 2702 lbs. which means it can be towed by almost all personal use vehicles. Its hitch weight is a stingy 202 lbs. This lightweight towable RV has a cargo carrying capacity of more than 800 lbs. which means it will support bringing along everything that is required for even extended family RV vacations. When it is travel ready, it features a travel length of 16’ 4” but when set up for camping is has an overall length of 20’ 9” and has an interior height of 82.” The beauty part of this towable is that it truly can accommodate family RV camping, for it sleeps as many as seven people. It carries 30 gallons of fresh water (w/water heater), comes with a refrigerator, LP cook-top and a 20,000 BTU furnace that takes the chill off those cold mountain mornings. Stand equipped it is available at a base MSRP of $8,000.
The Palomino Yearling Model Y-4102 is a tent camper that comes with a GVWR of 2999 lbs, a hitch weight of 152 lbs. and can carry 1046 lbs. of cargo. When folded for travel it measures 15’ 10” and when set up for RV camping it has an over all length of 20’ 2” and an interior height of 80”. This little giant can accommodate a total of eight for the night. It can carry a total of 29 gallons of fresh water (including the water heater). Standard equipment includes a 9' awning, 25AMP converter with battery charger, LP bottle, window curtains and vented bed end curtains a spare tire bracket and cover. Its suspension is independent torsion suspension with easy lube axle. It comes with a five piece tenting system and a fiberglass one piece roof. Its base MSRP is $8,300.
Happy Traveling! |
