Think you could get hitched on RV travel life?
Travel trailer vacationing has been an American subculture for the last 100 years. Now, full-time RV living is becoming increasingly popular, too. With the rise of social fads like tiny homes, luxury travel trailers, the negative stereotypes of living on the road are falling by the wayside. Not only is sentiment improving, but so is the economics. The rise in travel nursing, cross-country contract work, minimalism, and the surge toward universal internet access in the U.S. are all making living without roots an appealing lifestyle choice. Simply put, RV living is on the rise and there are no clear signs of it slowing down soon.
For the past year and a half, I’ve been living my own dream traveling the U.S. to all kinds of racing events. I love the freedom that RV living has given me to move whenever and wherever the next race is. I’ve started out with a modest fifth-wheel 2005 Keystone Sprinter 267FWSL, but have quickly been learning about the staple brands and models.
Here is a list of the top 5 best camper RV vans to travel (and possibly live) out of.
- Airstream
It doesn’t take much time in the RV world to figure out that Airstream is the gold standard for travel trailers. The iconic chrome-hulled units outfitted with amble window space are some of the most sought-after assets on the market and they never stay long. Airstream has been manufacturing travel travelers since the 1930s. If they’re not being bought up new off of lots or on backorder, older models are quickly being turned over online by those looking to renovate them.
Airstream offers an impressive eight versions of travel trailers, all varying in length and all having customizable features inside. The 30’ to 33’ Classic Travel Trailer sleeps up to five and starts at $179,000. The unit includes a bathroom, kitchen space, bedrooms, and living room space all combined together over two axles — the kind of remote living experience you’d expect only to get out of a full-sized RV.
Airstream Classic Travel Trailer 30RB
- Length: 30’-33’
- Exterior Height: 9′ 6″
- GVWR: 10,000 lbs
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
Lengths and style vary for Airstream, and travelers can consider other models including the Pottery Barn, Globetrotter, International, Flying Cloud, Caravel, Bambi, and Basecamp. These options give single and double axel options and range in length between 16-foot to 33-foot makes.
- Grand Design RV
As a new player in the travel trailer space, Grand Design RV has been pushing out models since 2012 and has been quickly garnering a commanding influence in the market. Grand Design RV offers a wide range of floor plans, sizes, and conveniences in their conventional RV campers. The company has built units with specifications that can be towed using the stand six-cylinder family vehicle.
The standard Grand Design RV Imagine series comes in nine floor plans to meet any kind of desired living accommodations, most of which include multiple slide-out enclaves. These units begin at an MSRP of $50,849 and increase depending on amenities and floor plans.
Grand Design RV Imagine 2400BH
- Length: 28’ 11”
- Exterior Height: 11’
- GVWR: 7495 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 8
Grand Design offers a variety of other options, including the Imagine XLS as lighter-weight options beginning under 5,000 lbs beginning at $42,068 MSRP. Larger, luxury models include the Reflection, the Transcend XPLOR, and the Momentum G-Class.
- Winnebago
Founded in 1958, Winnebago travel trailers is the main arm of Winnebago Industries which also owns Grand Design RV and Chris-Craft brands. The brand name has become almost synonymous with the term “RV.” The 60-year-old brand currently offers six models of travel trailers with 37 various floorplans.
The standard Winnebago HIKE was named one of the top 10 RVs in 2021 by RV Business for its flexible storage features and optimization for outdoor lifestyles. The HIKE is a two-axle pull-behind with all models weighing in under 4,500 pounds and ranging in length between 20’ 7.5” and 25’. The trailer’s exoskeleton feature makes it attractive for those needing to attach additional storage space or hauling bicycles, kayaks, surfboards, and paddleboards. The HIKE is outfitted with off-road tires and fenders and can be hauled by most mid-sized trucks and SUVs.
No, you don’t necessarily need to invest in a large, diesel truck to get into RV camping.
Winnebago HIKE H170S
- Length: 20’7.5″
- Exterior Height: 11’
- GVWR: 4,200 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
The HIKE begins with basic floorplans set at an MSRP of $38,485, making it one of the most affordable options for a modern RV camping experience. Other models include the compact HIKE 100 series for light-weight towing, the Micro Minne, Micro Minne FLX, Minnie, and Winnebago’s Voyage.
- Olive Travel Trailers
When you buy an Olive Travel Trailer, you’re buying a Legacy. Literally. The Hohenwald, Tennessee-based RV manufacturer focuses on just two models: the Legacy Elite and the Legacy Elite II. The whole premise of the company is to produce lifetime guaranteed products at a competitive price that will build a family legacy of travel. The company only operates on direct sales and does not push its products to dealers, giving customers direct engagement with the manufacturers.
Olive trailers are built on aluminum frames and doubled-hulled with fiberglass that gives a slick, classy appearance. The standard Elite series is a small single-axle RV trailer that measures 18’ 5” long and sleeps up to three. Starting at $48,900, the Elite comes with a whole suite of available amenities, including solar panels, lithium battery packs, network, and signal boosters, and even a composting toilet.
Olive Legacy Elite Standard Floor Plan
- Length: 18’5”
- Exterior Height: 9′ 2″
- GVWR: 5,000 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
The Elite II is the most popular Olive product, expanding on the Elite and stretching its floor plans to 23’6” on tandem axles. The Elite II also adds an additional five inches of inside height to the RV cabin.
- Happier Campers
Possibly one of the most compact, lightweight options for minimalist travelers is Happier Campers. Their brand is aimed at bringing the RV lifestyle to the everyday American. The size and compact nature of Happier Campers are an extremely attractive option for those wanting a low-cost, but an effective unit. Unique “ADAPTIV” features on Happier Camper trailers bring the barriers of entry for the RV camping life lower than ever before.
Happier Campers has two styles, the HC1 Travel Trailer starting at $34,450 and the Traveler at $68,950. Their trademark adaptive hitch system allows nearly every popular model vehicle to transport their RVs which have a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,500 pounds. A state-of-the-art flexible interior layout system allows owners to “plug-and-play” with where their amenities are placed within their camper, just like Legos.
Happier Campers HCA Travel Trailer
- Length: 13″
- Exterior Height: 7’4”
- GVWR: 3,500 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: up to 5 (with corresponding add-ons)
The Happier Camper layout system provides owners with a customizable RV experience with plenty of optional additions. The larger Traveler series adds an additional four feet of space, five panoramic windows, and nearly twice the interior square footage for more room for amenities, including a full indoor bathroom and built-in kitchenette.
What are you waiting for?
A few years back my friend inspired me to get into the RV world when he purshaced an Olive Trailer. He was a local contractor with a small business providing interior painting to local homes. He was able to save up enough money by laying aside a couple hundred dollars every month, and he quickly had enough to meet a down payment. He walked me through all of the features of his trailer, how easy it was to load onto his vehicle, and how simple it was to drive while pulling it. I decided shortly afterwards I needed to jump on board.
Whether you’re looking to hitch up with a classic established travel RV brand or looking for a new, modern option, there are plenty of companies to choose from. RV camping doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have to invest in a vehicle with a ton of horsepower to tow your unit. There are plenty of affordable options becoming quickly available for the average American to put their life on the road without putting their life savings on the line.