How to Find the Right Lightweight RV

In the summer of 2015, my wife Alison and I decided to make the switch from tent camping to RVing, but we weren't sure the exact size of camper we should get. Our truck was a new racecar-red 4X4 capable Ford F-150, and we bought it as an efficient, short-range daily driver that could occasionally be used for a little easy off-roading. When we started researching RVs to purchase, we discovered our truck couldn't tow a heavy travel trailer with its smaller 2.7L Ecoboost engine. That was okay since we only needed a small camper to fit four people and some dogs.  

That's the purpose of a lightweight travel trailer. It's designed to carry a few people and pets economically with a lightweight truck and even some crossovers, SUVs, and Jeeps. Although the definition is not set in stone, the general rule for a lightweight travel trailer is anything under 6,000 pounds (GVWR). Since they are so light, you typically can save on gas and still have enough room inside to enjoy the comforts of home. Many people say they are starter RVs, but we are in our ninth year of RVing in a 21-foot travel trailer, so don't believe this myth.

If you decide to purchase a lightweight RV, odds are you'll have fewer issues with length and weight restrictions during your travel. We found this to be true in the tunnels of Zion National Park and through a few of Colorado's narrower mountain passes. People always mention the difficulty of driving a larger RV through the Appalachian Mountains’ Blue Ridge Parkway and along California’s coastal area of Big Sur on US 1. These are more reasons why it's great to go small and lightweight. 

To make sure you stay safe on your own fun road trips, we want you to have the proper information to find the right lightweight RV for your tow vehicle.  Here are our tips for finding the right RV to pair with your tow vehicle. 

Many things go into determining your vehicle’s towing capacity. Your vehicle’s make and model may look the same as another person’s tow vehicle but might have different ratings based on internal factors. You'll need to do a little research to collect numbers on your tow vehicle to see which lightweight RVs are safely towable. 

We suggest you start with your vehicle manual. There are pages and pages of information to guide you and will show you towing ratings. If you don't have a manual, we recommend asking if your automotive dealer can help you look the information up by the vehicle identification number (VIN).  

Now that you have some ideas of where to look, here are numbers you should know. 

Since buying a travel trailer isn't a one-size-fits-all scenario, I’ll walk you through some definitions to help you understand what might work for you. In order to demonstrate how these numbers work together, I’ll reference the RV and truck combination we travel with—a lightweight Jayco Jay Flight 184BS and Ford F-150. 

After you have purchased your RV, you should consider taking good care of your tow vehicle so it will last a long time. We know you probably are budget-conscious like us if you are deciding to purchase a lightweight travel trailer. So, save money by making sure your tow vehicle stays running for many years, and we know you'll go on countless amazing trips. 

Maintain Your Tow Vehicle  

 As your tow vehicle ages, we also recommend you stay on top of the maintenance. This means don't procrastinate on oil changes, timing belt care, tire rotations when you replace (or at least check) spark plugs and replenishing transmission fluid. If you aren't able to handle doing vehicle maintenance yourself, try going to a reliable mechanic and creating a spreadsheet so you can remember when you took care of each one. It'll save you money in the long run by not needing a new tow vehicle as soon. 

Lighten the Load 

Think about how to reduce the amount of stuff you are using on your camping trips and minimize what you bring. This will reduce the stress on your tow vehicle. We have found this to be especially true when towing through the mountains where high-altitude towing can add plenty of extra stress to the engine and transmission. So, ditch those five extra backup pairs of jeans when traveling. 

Drive Smart 

Whenever possible, try to choose routes that avoid steep inclines and rough terrain. We know it's not possible to go through mountainous areas like much of central Colorado, but if you can, this will reduce the strain on your engine and transmission. As our truck has gotten older, we've kept an eye on its gauges even more going over mountain passes. Sometimes you simply have to pull over and let your tow vehicle take a break when you notice any signs of strain. 

Use Tow Mode 

Check to see if your tow vehicle comes with a tow mode. Our Ford comes with a small button on the gear shifter that allows for a tow mode and a sport mode. The tow setting adjusts the transmission shift patterns to reduce wear and tear while towing, so make sure to use it. 

Take Care of Your Brakes 

Apply brakes smoothly and gradually to avoid overheating them, especially on long descents. You can burn through brakes quickly by not using the correct gear on declines. Engine braking can also help. Along the same lines, we highly recommend you get a trailer brake controller that can synchronize the trailer brakes with your tow vehicle's brakes. It provides safer stopping power. 

Sway and Weight Distribution 

Not everyone believes in using these two items on their lightweight travel trailers, but we feel they can help ease the burden on your tow vehicle over the long run. They are a weight distribution hitch and sway control. 

A weight distribution hitch is designed to distribute the weight more evenly across the axles of your tow vehicle and the trailer. This enhances stability and control. While sway control can help prevent the trailer from swaying side-by-side, which can be caused by wind, passing vehicles, or improper weight distribution. Both can add extra safety and life to your tow vehicle. 

Use these tips so your tow vehicle will stay in good shape for a longer time. 

Maintain Your Tires 

We feel it is essential you regularly check your tires before, during, and after your road trips. Ensure they are properly inflated to the currency towing capacity, especially on your longer road trips. We like to do a quick walk around and quickly inspect the two RV tires whenever we pull over at a gas station. 

It takes less than a minute to spot any nails you could have run over, irregular tread wear, or odd bulging. We've had to handle three RV tire changes on our trips because of Alison's sharp eyes spotting issues. So do this every trip, and you'll protect your lightweight travel trailer from the damage of a blowout. 

Get Your RV Weighed  

You'll know you made a good decision when you are loaded for your camping trip and get your RV weighed. There are plenty of places to weigh your setup, our county’s sheriff department has a vehicle enforcement unit that is happy to help check our truck and trailer weights. You might want to check with your local law enforcement to see if they provide a similar service. 

If not, CAT scales at truck stops and RV rallies are common weigh tools in the RV community. Some people even like to get weighed at gravel yards, livestock transporters, feed mills, train yards, and even junkyards. There are plenty of places to look, just make sure you actually get weighed. Don't skip this step. 

It's best if you find a place to weigh all four corners and your tongue separately. If you can't, don't stress. Just find a CAT station since they are at plenty of truck stops wherever you may live. Then, you'll know you made the perfect purchase. 

We hope you find the best lightweight travel trailer for your tow vehicle. You really can't go wrong with this budget-friendly and highly flexible style of RVing.