Considering buying a travel trailer but the thought of having to spend thousands of dollars is holding you back?
Well, fear no more because if you’re willing to sacrifice a few fancy accessories and slide-out options, there are plenty of excellent choices.
Spending your holidays in a travel trailer is a great way to create cherished memories.
Although they will probably save you money in the long run, campers can be expensive.
For that reason, I’ve put together this short, yet very helpful, list of travel trailers under $10,000 that will surely grab your attention.
The 6 Best Travel Trailers Under $10,000
Let’s dive in a bit deeper and review each travel trailer individually:
🏆 TC Teardrops 5’x10′ Model
I’m going to start this list with one of the cheapest travel trailers that still offers some home comforts.
The TC Teardrop camping trailer 5’x10′ model is perfect for adventure-seeking couples or the annual fishing trip.
It’s also super light, which means you can tow it with pretty much any vehicle.
Now, this trailer doesn’t come with a lot of accessories, but that’s ok. Camping is all about being close to nature and living simply, after all.
While this trailer is basic, you still get a nice cozy sleeping area and an outdoor storage space at the back.
The TC is low in height and easier than many others to tow, making it great for those new to towing.
This little trailer can take you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and whisk you away to a peaceful environment.
Benefits
- Simplicity: If you’re used to sleeping in a tent, this is the perfect upgrade.
- Lightweight yet durable material.
Drawbacks
- Not many people can fit inside. It’s best suited to a couple.
- Too simple: I’m going to mention this twice because for some critics this is a big drawback.
Extra Features
- You can customize the color, and choose from 188 different powder-coated side color options.
Technical Specs
- Empty Weight: 1100 pounds.
- Tongue Weight: 170 pounds.
- Coupler: 2 inches ball, 14 inches height.
- Sleeping Cabin Height: 45 inches.
- Sleeping Cabin Width:5 inches.
- Sleeping Cabin Length:5 inches.
- Galley Depth:5 inches.
Riverside Retro 509 Travel Trailer
This retro-inspired trailer is for couples who love a 50s vibes.
Size-wise, it’s an upgrade from the TC Teardrop above. As such, it is a little more pricey. But this means you’ll get a few extra features for your money.
The Riverside Retro 509 travel trailer screams retro.
From your first glance at the exterior, you’ll notice the white paint overcoat.
They finished this off with the classic color panels running through the middle and at the bottom.
It features an aluminum diamond plate at the front, LED lights above the door, as well as windows.
Going inside, you’ll find a queen-sized bed at the front. At the rear end of the bed is a sink, fed by the 17-gallon freshwater tank, plus a two-burner cooktop. To the other side, you have a roomy storage area.
Benefits
- The retro-inspired look makes it stand out and look more expensive than it is.
- Cooking area—even though small, they still made sure you had a place to cook.
- It’s simple, so you can customize it as you want. Some owners added a TV.
Drawbacks
- Although there are not too many negatives to find, some users did claim that they had to add extra stabilizers.
Extra Features
- Two-burner cooktop.
- Sink.
- Freshwater tank.
- A/C unit.
- Plenty of plugins.
Technical Specs
- Overall Length: 13 feet 8 inches.
- Average Shipping Weight: 1,180 pounds.
- Hitch Weight: 200 pounds.
- Carrying Capacity: 500 pounds.
- Axle Weight Ratings: 1500 pounds.
- Exterior Width: 5 feet.
- Exterior Height of Unit: 7 feet.
- Ceiling Height of Unit: 4 feet 5 inches.
- A/C BTU: 10,000
- Freshwater Tank: 17 gallons.
Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro 12RK
This compact trailer from Forest River is perfect for the weekend getaway with your partner or best buddy.
Although small, it comes with all the essentials. But let’s start on the outside first.
From the exterior, you have two doors, one on each side. These have excellent, shaded windows, so you can scan your surroundings before venturing outside.
Inside, toward the rear of the trailer, there is a pop-up countertop. This humble table serves a purpose as the perfect place to put your gas grill and have a snack.
At the rear end, you have an outdoor kitchen. The trailer’s last exterior wall opens up and inside there’s a sink, microwave, refrigerator, and plenty of counter space.
The open door protects from both the sun and the rain, so you can enjoy whipping up some BBQ food, tailgate style.
Walking to the other side and door number two, you have another pop-up counter, where you can prep your fishing tackle, for example.
Opening up the door, you jump straight onto the queen-sized bed. Overhead, there’s a large storage compartment, and at your feet, you’ll find the entertainment center. Toward the other side, you have another storage area.
This trailer will keep you within your budget, while still providing you with some fun times. All in all, this is a pretty good trailer for the price.
Benefits
- Its light weight makes for easy towing.
- The open kitchen at the back.
- There’s still room for an entertainment center.
Drawbacks
- Another window would be useful.
Extra Features
- AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth and USB hookups.
- 12 volt TV with DVD player.
- Multi-directional TV antenna.
- Outside speaker.
- Coleman stove/grill combo.
Tech Specs
- Hitch Weight: 162 pounds.
- Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW): 1164 pounds.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): 798 pounds.
- Exterior Length: 11 feet 4 inches.
- Exterior Height: 7 feet 6 inches.
- Exterior Width: 76 inches.
- Freshwater: 20 gallons.
- Gray Wastewater: 6 gallons.
Gulf Stream 16BHC Ameri-Lite Super Lite
This travel trailer from Gulfstream is closer to our maximum budget than the ones above.
But there’s a reason for that. In this 18-foot trailer, you get bunk beds, a bath, convertible dinette, and a kitchen, all under one roof.
The 16BHC Ameri-Lite trailer is the perfect home away from home for a small family.
As you enter through the door, you see the sizeable convertible dinette. Here you can enjoy a family get-together after a day of exploring, before turning it into a double bed for the night.
Turning around and facing the rear, you will find the kitchen. Now, of course, this isn’t the biggest, but it does provide the essentials you’ll need.
This includes a two-burner cooktop and a sink, plus a roomy countertop for prepping.
Over your head, you will find a cabinet for all your kitchen appliances and to your left, a refrigerator.
Across the kitchen, there is a bunk bed, and it is both adult and child-friendly. There is a window by the top bunk, inviting some daylight into the trailer.
Beside the bunk bed, there is a small toilet and a shower/tub.
Benefits
- You get many of the sought-after essentials without blowing your budget.
- The bunk bed plus convertible dinette allows you to sleep more people.
- Lots of storage space.
Drawbacks
- The toilet is rather close to the bunk bed
Extra Features
- LED interior lights.
- Refrigerator.
- Microwave oven.
- Shower/tub.
Technical Specs
- Dry Weight: 2,590 pounds.
- Hitch Weight: 330 pounds.
- Net Carrying Capacity (NCC): 460 pounds.
- Length: 18 feet 10 inches.
- Width: 84 inches.
- Exterior Height: 9 feet 3 inches.
- Interior Height: 6 feet 8 inches.
- Freshwater: 30 gallons.
- Grey Wastewater: 36 gallons.
- Black Wastewater: 36 gallons.
Forest River Rockwood 1640ESP
This pop-up trailer from Forest River’s Extreme Sports Edition is probably my favorite on this list.
It brings you close to nature while still providing you with the essentials.
This lovely 12-foot beauty is lightweight and easy to tow. Once you reach your destination, pop out the extensions and you have a sleeping cart for four people.
On the outside, above the hitch, you have an extra storage space once the front extension is up.
Here you can place your coolers, extra propane gas bottles, and anything else that can withstand rain.
Walking back around toward the entry, you’ll find a 9-foot awning that protects the carryout range stove. Here, you can cook away outdoors during the warmer evenings.
On the inside, there are two pop-out beds situated on the extensions.
The bed at the front is a little larger, measuring 54 inches by 78 inches. The area at the rear is 42 inches by 78 inches, but there is still plenty of space.
In the center of the trailer, you have a mini kitchen with a two-burner cooktop and a roomy cabinet. In the front corner, there’s another little countertop with a small sink.
To the side, you have an L-shaped seat around the table, with a pull-out gaucho bed.
There are windows all around the trailer, with curtains on the inside, for privacy.
Benefits
- Two pop-up beds.
- 9-foot awning.
- Carryout stove.
- Pull-out gaucho bed for extra sleeping space.
Drawbacks
- Because this is a pop-up, you may have to take extra precautions before you leave, especially if you’re headed for bear country. Make sure you read up on how to stay safe and bear-proof your trailer.
Extra Features
- Brushed white floors.
- Electric water pump.
- Two burner cooktop.
- Water heater.
Technical Specs
- Hitch Weight: 178 pounds.
- Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW): 1722 pounds.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): 656 pounds.
- Exterior Open Length: 17 feet 1 inch.
- Exterior Closed Length: 12 feet 1 inch.
- Exterior Closed Height: 5 feet 11 inches.
- Exterior Width: 84 inches.
Coachmen Clipper 14CR
Another great trailer that is, however, pushing our budget a bit. The Clipper 14CR from Coachmen is ideal for your annual getaway with a partner.
This trailer is 16 feet 4 inches with a width of 88 inches, and comes fully equipped.
When walking inside, you see a roomy dinette with booth-like seats. This part of the camper has lots of storage potential.
Under each seat, you have ample space for any extra stuff you’re bringing. Overhead is another storage unit perfect for blankets or pillows, maybe even a fishing rod.
On each side of the dinette are two sizeable windows, providing enough daylight to brighten the area. Walking toward the rear, there’s a large sofa, with yet another overhead compartment.
Since this trailer is under $10,000, you won’t get anything too fancy in the kitchen.
But you do have all the essentials, like a two-burner cooktop and a sink with plenty of countertop space. One of the optional extras here is a microwave.
Over your head, there’s another cabinet for all the kitchen extras.
Toward the rear of the trailer, you have a separate bathroom. There you get a bit of luxury, with a shower/tub.
Benefits
- Spacious dinette area.
- All the extra storage space.
- The shower/tub in the bathroom.
Drawbacks
- There are some flaws you’ll quickly notice, for instance, there is no sink in the bathroom.
Extra Features
- LED interior lights.
- You can pay a bit more and get a microwave installed.
Technical Specs
- Hitch Weight: 303 pounds.
- Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW): 2335 pounds.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 3803 pounds.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): 1468 pounds.
- Exterior Length: 16 feet 4 inches.
- Exterior Height: 9 feet 8 inches.
- Exterior Width: 88 inches.
- Freshwater: 33 gallons.
- Gray Wastewater: 25 gallons.
- Black Wastewater: 25 gallons.
Why You Will Love Buying A Travel Trailer Under $10,000
Travel trailers and RVs have become quite expensive.
In the past, most used to resemble the simple teardrop and contained only the bare essentials.
Nowadays, most are a luxury hotel on four wheels, but these are, of course, very pricey.
When buying a travel trailer under $10,000, you must be ready to compromise a bit in terms of space.
As you can see, most of the campers on this list consist mostly of a bed and a tailgate kitchen.
But I’ll let you in on a secret. I prefer these travel trailers to the giant ones.
Simple trailers, like the Forest River Extreme Sports pop-up, bring you closer to nature.
In fact, some studies suggest that being surrounded by nature can actually improve your health, even if it’s just for a short time!
These campers take us away from the screens and technology we seem to be constantly attached to, and put us in a place where we can appreciate life, and all Mother Nature can offer. This is what I love.
Get Your Trailer!
Now you’ve been given some inspiration, I hope it will help you make that final decision.
Just remember to keep your personal requirements in mind—where you’re traveling, who with, and how long for.
The good thing about saving money on your trailer is that you now have some extra cash to customize it as you like. In many campers, you can add a TV, stereo, or more.
Which trailer do you want to have a closer look at? Which one did you eventually choose?
Please let us know in the comments section below and share our article with your friends.
