Thinking of taking up the RV lifestyle and want to start with a small RV? Or maybe youâre thinking of downsizing and getting a smaller one? Whatever the case, weâre going to discuss the best small RVs on the market.
Weâll be listing some of the best small RVs on the market, along with their advantages and drawbacks. Hereâs our table of contents to help you navigate:
Best Small RV: A Guide To RV Classes
RV or recreational vehicle is a broad term for mobile homes on wheels. This includes towable trailers, campervans, and those large motorhomes the size of busesâthe last one is what most people think of when they say RV. You can divide RVs into two types: motorhomes and towable trailers.
Motorhomes are powered RVs that you can drive. Meanwhile, towable trailers are trailers that have the amenities of a motorhome, but youâll need to tow them with a separate vehicle since they donât have their own engine. You can break these two types further into their sub-classes:
RV Classes
There are three classes of RVs, which are:
- Class A RVs are the largest of the bunch, also known as motorhomes. Their size range from 26 to 45 feet, and sometimes they have more than two axles. They weigh anywhere between 13,000 to 30,000lbs depending on the size. This is what most people mean when talking about RVs.
- Class B RVs are often referred to as campervans. As the name suggests, they are vans that have been converted into mobile homes. Theyâre usually between 17 and 19 feet in size and weigh up to 8,000lbs.
- Class C RVs are actually bigger than campervans, measuring up to 28 feet and up to 13,000lbs in weight. Theyâre usually built on a heavy-duty truck chassis that has had the chassis converted for mobile home use.
As mentioned, Class A RVs are the largest, sometimes as large as a coach bus. As youâd expect, we wonât be listing our recommendations here since theyâre so big. Instead, weâll be listing down Class B and C RVs since theyâre much smaller.
Most Class B and C RVs are no bigger than heavy-duty trucks since theyâre based on either a van or a truck chassis. This means theyâll be easier to drive and less intimidating for RV life newbies. If youâre looking for big RVs, check out our five biggest RV lists.
Towable Trailer Classes
In addition to the three classes above, there are also towable trailers. These are unpowered trailers with all sorts of motorhome amenities. However, since it has no engine, youâll need another vehicle to tow it. Preferably a truck or SUV with a high towing capacity.
This could be the ideal choice for those who already have a vehicle that can tow. Additionally, theyâre usually cheaper than motorhomes. And they can also be broken down into several classes:
- Lightweight trailers, as the name suggests, are the smallest of the bunch. But they can still come with decent amenities, including a shower. They usually measure no more than 34 feet and weigh up to 9,000lbs.
- Travel trailers are the most popular type of trailers, measuring up to 40 feet and weighing up to 11,500lbs. As a result, you can get more amenities inside and have more space than lightweight trailers.
- Fifth-wheel trailers are the largest and are the trailer equivalent to Class A RVs. Some of them are as long as 46 feet, weighing up to 22,000lbs. This makes them the trailer of choice for those who want an unmotorized mobile home.
Since fifth-wheel trailers are so big, you wonât see them in our recommendations. In fact, our recommendations will only go up to 25-foot, so we wonât be recommending travel trailers either.
Additionally, note that thereâs also a class called âToy Haulerâ. These trailers have an extra space at the back for your toys, such as motorcycles and ATVs. Theyâre also quite big, usually based on a Travel or Fifth-wheel trailer.
Best Small RV: Class B Recommendations
Weâll start with Class B RVs which are campervans. They are the smallest motorhomes you can get, here are our top 3 picks:
1. Winnebago Ekko
This is a brand new offering from Winnebago, and of course, you can expect it to be good coming from a brand thatâs synonymous with RVs. People often refer to RVs as Winnebagos, which shows that the brand is at the top of the mind of many people.
Anyway, the Ekko is built on the Ford Transit chassis with an all-wheel-drive system. Itâs around 23Ⲡ2âł in length, so itâs on the larger end of the scale for Class RVs. How about features then?
It has a 50-gallon water tank, a dry bath, and a cassette toilet. If you donât know, a cassette toilet essentially means it has a portable waste tank. This means you can dump your waste at a public restroom or dump station rather than having to dispose of it from your black tank.
The wet bath might not be your preference though. A wet bath means it has the shower and toilet in one combined space, rather than a separate one in most homes which is known as a dry bath. Nevertheless, itâs still nice to have a bathroom even when youâre mobile.
The Ekko comes only in one floorplan, this includes a twin bed, a kitchen, a refrigerator, and a fold-down table. It also has three solar panels, giving you 445 watts to keep your appliances running even when off-grid.
The MSRP starts at $163,622 brand new. And there are optional extras, such as a power generator which costs an extra $3,190 but will be very convenient should you choose to boondock. Since the Ekko is new, you wonât find any used ones in the secondhand market.
2. Pleasure-Way Plateau TS/FL
I just want to say, the Pleasure-Way Plateau sounds like a car name in Grand Theft Auto. Anyway, based on a Mercedes-Benz chassis, the Plateau measures 22Ⲡ2Ⳡin length, making it smaller than the Winnebago Ekko. But it is still relatively large.
The Plateau comes in two different specs, which are the FL and TS. The TS has a larger bathroom, but itâs still a wet bath type. Meanwhile, the FL has a smaller bathroom, but it uses that space for an extra TV at the front and a table. So, you could use this as an extra lounging area.
Both come with an electric sofa at the rear, which can convert into a 70Ă76-inch queen bed. Additionally, the FL has a hanging closet behind the rear TV. However, everything else, including the pantry, is the same.
If you value your bathroom space, youâre better off with the TS model. Youâre definitely going to appreciate the larger bathroom. It comes with a 2.5KW generator, giving a wattage output of 2,500 watts, plenty for your appliances. If thatâs not enough, it comes with a 30-amp power cord as standard, and there are optional solar panels.
The MSRP is similar to the Winnebago Ekko, starting at around $172,000. If you donât need a new one, used ones from around 2018 cost about $120,000. And there are older ones for closer to $100,000.
3. Winnebago Revel 44E
Another one from Winnebago, the Revel 44E looks like a budget option. But it isnât, the MSRP for one of these brand new starts at a hefty $201,000. So, what do you get for that?
Well, you get a Mercedes-Benz chassis like the Pleasure-Way Plateau, albeit itâs a different and shorter chassis. You also get the same 3.0L diesel engine, but crucially, the Revel 44E has four-wheel drive. So, if you were to take for a bit of light offroading, you donât have to worry too much.
The Revel is also much more compact than the other two weâve listed, measuring 19Ⲡ7âł in length and weighing just a little over 9,000lbs. Itâs really not that much bigger than a conventional van, so itâs great for those of you who are intimidated by large RVs.
As for amenities, you get a pretty large 49âłx79âł power lift bed, a decent size wet bath, bench seats for lounging, and a pantry with a refrigerator. Overall, itâs just as good as the other two options. The main downside is that the smaller size has resulted in a smaller pantry.
Best Small RV: Class C Recommendations
Donât find anything you quite like yet in Class B? Maybe youâll like something in Class C. Additionally, Class C is more ideal if youâre thinking of living the RV life full-time since theyâre larger and usually better equipped. Donât worry, weâll keep the recommendations as compact as possible:
1. Jayco Redhawk SE 22A
First up is the Jayco Redhawk SE 22A, based on Chevyâs 4500 truck chassis. Itâs 25Ⲡ2âł long, and weighs 14,200lbs. The Redhawk comes in several different floorplans, but the 22A seems to be the one that RVers love.
The 22A comes with a 60âłx74âł queen bed, a 6 cubic-feet fridge, and a 24Ă32 dry bathroom. Yes, this means the shower and toilet are in a separate space, so you can keep the toilet dry when taking a shower. This is one of the advantages of going Class C, as most of them come with a dry shower.
The Redhawk has a 43-gallon freshwater capacity and 32 gallons for the black tank. The engine is a 6.0L Vortec V8 with 401 horsepower, so plenty of power to get going on the highway.
Overall, itâs an excellent choice for those who want a Class C RV. The MSRP for the 22A starts at $116,768 before options. Nothing particularly exciting about this RV, but itâs a good one from a reputable RV maker.
2. Gulfstream RV BT Cruiser 5210
If the Jayco is a little too big for you, consider the Gulfstream RV BT Cruiser 5210. The name isnât short, but the Cruiser 5210 is only 22-foot long, making it more compact than even some Class B RVs.
Much like the Jayco, it also has a dry bathroom. However, the Gulfstream doesnât have a queen bed, but rather a couple of jackknife sofas that you can use for both sleeping and lounging. If sleeping accommodation is of the utmost importance, then this probably isnât the RV for you. But itâs still a very well equipped RV, take a look:
Some technical specs you might be interested in is that it has a 41-gallon freshwater tank, but the black tank is only 26 gallons, so a bit smaller than the Jayco.
Itâs not the most luxurious RV youâll find, but one good thing to note is that the bathroom is located at the back and far away from the lounging and sleeping area, which is something some RVers might like.
Again, itâs not the most luxurious RV, but it is compact so it wonât be too intimidating to drive for RV newbies. Additionally, the MSRP starts at a very reasonable $87,237, making it the cheapest one on our list so far. And you can find used ones for around $60,000.
3. Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R
On the larger end of the scale, is the Winnebago Minnie Winnie. Based on a Ford Chassis, this RV comes in several different floor plans, and the smallest one is the 22R, which measures 24Ⲡ10Ⳡin length.
This floorplan gives you a queen bed with a TV, a generously-sized dry bathroom, a refrigerator, and a U-shaped dinette for lounging. Additionally, thereâs an overhead bed above the driving area, giving you extra sleeping space should you be traveling with more than two people.
As for the technical specs, this is based on a Ford E350 chassis and comes with a 7.3L Ford V8 engine. You also have the option to upgrade the chassis to a Ford 14,500lbs GVWR chassis, giving the RV better capabilities.
It comes with plenty of standard features, such as a 32-inch HDTV, powered patio, 3-burner range cooktop, an oven, and many more. To power all of these amenities, thereâs a 4,000-watt Cummins MicroQuiet generator.
Overall, we like the Winnebago the most when it comes to the Class C options. Itâs on the larger side, but not so much that it becomes intimidating or impractical to drive. The MSRP starts at $120,222 before options, but there are plenty of used ones for under $90,000.
Best Small RV: Towable Trailers
If you already have a truck or an SUV that can tow heavy loads, you might be more interested in getting a towable trailer rather than a motorhome.
The biggest advantage of this setup is that you can park your trailer at the campsite, unhitch it from your vehicle, and then you can explore the area or town youâre in your truck or SUV without having to lumber around a motorhome. Overall, this makes for a more agile and practical solution in some cases.
Note that there are plenty of larger trailers out there. However, our list focuses on the smaller ones that donât sacrifice too much in living accommodations. Anyway, here are our recommendations for towable trailers:
1. Braxton Creek iCamp Elite
This is as small as it gets, measuring at just 14-feet long and weighing no more than 2,890lbs. If you want the smallest mobile home possible, the Braxton Creek iCamp is the one for you.
As youâd expect, thereâs nothing fancy about this trailer. Thereâs a U-shaped dinette with a table, a kitchen, a fridge, a decent-sized wet shower, and thatâs about it. So, for sleeping accommodations, youâre either going to have to make use of that U-shaped dinette or sleep in your truck/SUV.
It has electric brakes, a 22-gallon freshwater tank, a 14-gallon gray water tank, and a 6-gallon black water tank. As far as we can tell, it doesnât have a generator, so power will have to come from the campsite. This is fine, but it does mean boondocking is out of the option.
Of course, since itâs so simple, it doesnât cost much. MSRP is a very affordable $13,935, and there are optional extras such as a flat-screen TV and an air-conditioning unit. But this ticks all the essentials of a trailer.
2. Airstream Sport 22FB Bambi
If you donât need the absolute smallest trailer possible, then we recommend taking a look at the Airstream Sport trailer. Particularly, the 22FB floorplan. This is our pick, while itâs larger at almost 22-feet long, it does mean you have more space.
This includes a larger queen bed for sleeping, a larger pantry with a U-shaped dinette, and a closet for your clothes. And crucially, it has a dry bathroom, so you donât have to get your toilet wet when taking a shower.
It sure doesnât look fancy from the outside, but the inside is miles ahead of the Braxton Creek iCamp. If you donât mind the larger size, we strongly recommend this for you.
Of course, the size and luxury come at a price, of $58,984 to be specific. The good thing is that it weighs 4,500lbs, this means a powerful mid-size truck is enough to tow this trailer. So, you donât need to worry about upgrading to a full-size truck or SUV should you want this trailer.
3. Happier Camper Traveler
If the Sport Bambi is too large, then the Happier Camper Traveler is the sweet middle ground in terms of size. Itâs 17-foot long, and as youâd expect, itâs slightly lighter than the Sport Bambi weighing in at 3,500lbs. This means you donât need a lot of power to tow this trailer.
The interesting thing about this trailer is that it has a semi-modular design, which means you can configure the floorplan to your liking. Their standard floorplan includes a two-burner stove kitchen and a wet bathroom right in the middle of the trailer.
After that, you can configure the rest of the area to your liking thanks to the semi-modular design. In the video above, you can configure it to have a dining and lounging area at the front end of the trailer. And you can use the rear area for sleeping accommodations.
Itâs not the most spacious trailer due to the smaller size, but itâs still larger than the Braxton Creek iCamp and has plenty of space for a couple to travel around the country. According to their website, the Premium Package comes with a lithium battery, a converter, an off-grid solar package, and many other features as standard.
It is quite expensive though, starting at around $68,950. Although this already includes the things we mentioned above, as well as several modular cubes so you can configure your living space as you like.
Is it worth it? We still like the Airstream Sport Bambi better. However, the Happier Camper Traveler has a unique modular design, decent space & equipment, and thereâs no denying that it looks really stylish from the outside. Not exactly the most important thing in RV life, but it does have its charm.
Best Small RV: Final Thoughts
So, those are our nine recommendations for small RVs. You have three options: either get a Class B or Class C motorhome that has its own power and you can drive it. Or if you already have a truck or SUV, it might make more sense to get a trailer and tow it instead.
If youâre looking for the smallest option possible, trailers are probably better since they are significantly smaller. Our pick has to go to the Airstream Sport Bambi. While itâs on the larger end of the scale, it has plenty of creature comforts without being too big.
As for the other options, we like the Winnebago Ekko (Class B) and the Winnebago Minnie Winnie (Class C) a lot. The Ekko is a great choice, with lots of equipment and creature comfort. Additionally, it has all-wheel drive, and has won a total of three awards from multiple RV publications. There must be a reason why they love the Ekko, right?
Meanwhile, the Minnie Winnie gets our pick since itâs affordable, decently equipped, and has a dry bath. We donât know about you, but we like to keep our toilet area dry.
Anyway, all of the options above are excellent choices that many experienced RVers love. But before you decide, itâll be a good idea to visit their website, or even better, their dealership to see for yourself if our recommendations will be a good fit for you. Hopefully, this has been helpful for you to get started on your RV life, and good luck!
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