Small travel trailers with slide outs are a wonderful option for RV owners that want something lightweight and compact while also providing the convenience of additional space. Below is our list of some of the smallest travel trailers with slide outs.
Best Small Travel Trailers With Slide Outs
1. 2019 Winnebago Minnie Drop 170K
2. 2018 Winnebago Minnie 2401RG
3. 2020 Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S
4. 2019 StarCraft Satellite 17RB
5. 2019 Lance 1575
6. Keystone 22RBPR Bullet Premier
2019 Winnebago Minnie Drop 170K
A consistent winner
In an industry defined by its lack of quality control, Winnebago stands out for its excellence. Their Trailers and RVs are some of the highest-rated campers on the market. So what makes the 170k stand out above the rest? It’s the attention to the details that the average customer might miss at a glance. They care more about the life of the product than the quick sale. The 170K is proof of this in lots of little ways, and a few big ones. Winnebago’s standards are just a step higher than the rest, and that shows in the lifespan of their products.
T60 Fiberglass
Let’s start with the Fiberglass. Many times these fiberglass units, though good quality, are created with vulnerabilities. The sections of fiberglass are pieced together. The seems in these pieces, after some wear, become openings for moisture. The sides of Winnebago RVs and trailers use the T60 Fiberglass/Gel Coat. These sections of the Fiberglass sidewall cover the entire sides of the trailer which leaves few potential entry points for the moisture to penetrate.
In case you don’t know, this is the type of fiberglass construction that is typically used on the high-end $70k to $90k units. You get this by default on this $27,000 unit.
Plywood Instead of Particle Board
Winnebago utilizes plywood in their construction which goes a long way in preventing water damage. If you have spent any time with RVs, you will know that this is the number one killer of RVs and trailers.
First, particle boards are more prone to being stripped by the screws. This weakens the hold that binds trailers together which adds to the squeaks and vulnerability to moisture. Plywood is a standard for Winnebago. It is less prone to this stripping. It will still happen eventually. Bouncing down the road will do that. The benefit is that plywood holds together, so you will have more time before any repairs are needed.
Second, particle boards soak up moisture easily. Both of them can soak in water. However, plywood is less susceptible to this type of damage. Particleboard is more likely to swell and expand with water, and that warping can cause permanent damage to the trailer. Having a bit more protection can go a long way on that rainy day.
Storage
For such a small unit, there is a decent amount of storage space. Nothing massive, but space is utilized very well, and it should easily hold the necessities.
Outdoor Kitchen
This is nice for an outdoor kitchen in a small unit. The pop-out kitchen contains a two-burner stove and sink and a TV wall mount with appropriate hookups: antenna and wall sockets. There is a mini-fridge for your drinks and a quick-connect barbecue connector.
Large U-shaped Dinette
While the 170k only sleeps 4 people, the dinette sits 6 adults. You can have some friends over without retreating to the outdoors. That’s a nice feature for all of you more sociable characters.
Basic Features
- Water Tanks
- Fresh: 31 Gallons
- Grey: 25 Gallons
- Black: 25 Gallons
- Interior Height: 6 Feet, 5 Inches
- Exterior Height: 9 Feet, 9 Inches
- Exterior Length: 17 Feet
- Dry Weight: 2,760 Pounds
- GVWR Weight: 3,500 Pounds
- T60 Fiberglass/Gel Coat
- Outdoor hot/cold shower
- Wet bath
- Black Tank Flush
- USB Charging Stations
- Powered Slide-out, Awning, and Tongue Jack
- Water Heater: 6 Gallons, 12 Gallon RecoveryT60 Fiberglass/Gel Coat
- Outdoor hot/cold shower
- Wet bath
- Black Tank Flush
- USB Charging Stations
- Powered Slide-out, Awning, and Tongue Jack
Key Features
- Related Floor Plans: 4
- MSRP Price: $26,832
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
2018 Winnebago Minnie 2401RG
At nearly 28′, I struggled to decide if this trailer is too big to belong on the list. However, the Winnebago Minnies offer too much to pass on this one. It is small enough to be manageable and inexpensive enough to stay in many beginner budgets.
Indoor Kitchen
Being 28 feet long, Winnebago was able to fit a bit more inside than the previous 17 feet long unit. The previous trailer had an outdoor kitchen; this one is large enough to have one indoors. It contains a vertically stacked microwave, 3-range stovetop, and oven. The countertop stop is spacious that can be expanded further with the use of cutting board quality sink covers. The deep stainless steel sinks and high-rise faucet are nice touches that should not be forgotten. There is also a fridge/freezer combo that can seamlessly switch between both gas and electric.
Plenty of Storage
Thanks to a clever utilization of space, there is plenty of interior storage space. Near the door, a large compartment can hold whatever might normally clutter up a home’s entrance: shoes, bags, etc. A massive closet is set in the center of the trailer, and it is accessible to everyone. There is a smaller closet located inside the master bedroom. You will also find storage underneath and behind the jackknife couch. Finally, cabinets abound and should be enough for whatever storage needs that you have.
Externally, you have the large storage space that comes with most units. For your convenience, the magnetic luggage locks come on every unit. It’ll keep those vertically flipped doors from swinging down on their hinges and smacking you on the head.
Quality Construction Touches
Did I mention that I love Winnebago? They are a standout company for so many reasons. These are a few of the quality construction reasons that I recommend this unit:
- T60 Fiberglass / Gel Coat (Look at the previous unit for more details)
- Plywood instead of particle board – Higher quality and less susceptible to damage
- Huck Bolt Frame – Easier to replace and it doesn’t rust as easily
Basic Features
- Water Tanks
- Fresh: 43 Gallons
- Grey: 41 Gallons
- Black: 25 Gallons
- Interior Height: 6 Feet, 5 Inches
- Exterior Height: 10 Feet, 6 Inches
- Exterior Length: 27 Feet, 11 Inches
- Dry Weight: 5,300 Pounds
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 6,869 Pounds
- T60 Fiberglass/Gel Coat
- Outdoor hot/cold shower
- 2 Entrance Bathroom with Porcelain Toilet and Roomy Shower
- Black Tank Flush – For Easy Cleaning
- USB Charging Stations
- Powered Slide-out, Awning, and Tongue Jack
- 13,500 BTU Air-conditioner
Key Features
- Related Floor Plans: 12
- Average Price: $17,150
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
2020 Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S
I am trying not to say the same benefits to each of these units, but the truth is, good RVs and trailers contain a lot of the same basic features: Reliable construction, lots of storage, and room to live. At least, these are some of the features that I look for in mobile homes.
Slide Out Space
There are plenty of reasons to love the Mini Lite 2509S travel trailer, but there are downsides to everything. Thankfully, this particular downside is just an occasional irritation. When traveling, the space where the slide-out retracts can be annoying and a bit difficult to maneuver.
The dinette seating is nearly wedged against the kitchen counter. You can make it through the space, but you are forced to make a tall step over it. If you have advanced mobility issues, this could be occasionally problematic.
When extended, this intrusive seating is not a problem. You actually have a ton of room at that point. It has been commented that you have space reminiscent of a super slider rather than what you might expect from a name that includes “Mini Lite.”
Storage
Well utilized space; that about sums it up. You’ll find storage in every nook and cranny on this thing. Tiny spaces get tiny cabinets. The larger ones often have outside access ports. One of the hanging closets can be converted into a pantry if desired. You probably won’t be lacking space.
The beds/couches are fantastic
The industry standard for mattresses has degraded. Now, the too-thin mattresses require a costly upgrade to be comfortable. Rockwood is one of the few remaining companies that give thick, quality mattresses by default; twice the thickness of most mattresses on the market.
Their murphy bed is also very comfortable, and they offer a couple more features than your typical trailer. First, the pop-out footrests. The seating is very similar to the kind that you expect from modern theaters. On each side of the murphy bed, there are tray tables that can swivel from the armrest to the people sitting on each side of the bed/couch.
If you do not personally appreciate this convenience, it can easily be removed. They are not attached by bolts or screws, so you can simply pull up to pop them off of the armrests.
The one downside to the murphy bed is the lack of separation from the rest of the room. You do have a privacy curtain, though standard, I’ve never fully been able to appreciate. I like having my own room. It does give you an illusion of privacy which will probably work well enough for the average consumer.
The Lighting
All of the lights can be controlled in a typical fashion. Throw the switch, and the connected lights turn off. In addition to this, each of the lights can be pressed like a button to turn them off and on individually.
The Suspension
Better than most, some say that it is the “best in class,” and I wouldn’t disagree. The four-wheel independent torsion axle suspension system is fantastic and will put most comparable units to shame. When you find yourself on uneven terrain, you will appreciate having wheels with independent suspension. It gives you more control over the trailer when wheels keep bumping off of the ground. Also, it improves your cornering since it has an improved capability to keep contact with the ground.
Plywood Flooring
As I mentioned before, plywood flooring is great. It holds up better than particle board when it comes up against the elements. I don’t want to rehash, so look under the Minnie Drop 170K for more details.
The Grill Master’s Choice
If you love to grill, you will be happy to hear that the 2509S has a built-in pop-out Capital grill. That sounds good on its own, but that isn’t what makes this unit special. It also has a hookup for an additional grill right beside it.
If you need some counter space, you can use the Captain grill as a surface. It gains you a little bit of additional space, but not much. The cover for the grill does provide a flat surface, but that surface isn’t level with the rest of the counter. It is useful though, so it isn’t a wash.
Basic Features
- Water Tanks
- Fresh: 58 Gallons
- Grey: 30 Gallons
- Black: 30 Gallons
- Interior Height: 6 Feet, 8 Inches
- Exterior Height: 10 Feet, 11 Inches
- Exterior Length: 25 Feet, 11 Inches
- Dry Weight: 5,300 Pounds
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 6,869 Pounds
Key Features
- Related Floor Plans: 12
- Average Price: $25,000
- Sleeping Capacity: 8
2019 StarCraft Satellite 17RB
Why you will like it
The 17RB wasn’t built to be a fully-featured trailer with all the trimmings. It’s a compact unit; built to be towed by most SUVs. It’s short and narrow structure means that you will make sacrifices that most couples will not want to make. It is a situational recommendation.
As a long term unit, this will not be ideal. It does make a fantastic short-term weekend-camper for a couple with a child. If you happen to be single, then the full-time camping could work out. However, I would still recommend another unit for you.
Kitchen Slide
The kitchen is set on a slide which gives you a bit of extra room. It goes a long way in making the space more livable.
Sloped Fiberglass Roof
The roof of the 17RB is a long single piece of fiberglass that stretches from one end to the other. It eliminates many of the seams that would normally find on the roof of a trailer. This limits the vulnerability to moisture in a big way. The slope of the roof improves protection against the rain by running the water straight off of the camper instead of overflowing off of the sides.
Same Features at a Sample Size
When I mentioned sacrifices, I didn’t necessarily mean that you would go without features. It would best be described as sample-sized features. It is a free-trial trailer meant to entice you into committing to the subscription of a full-time camping RV.
Storage
Yikes, yeah, I know that’s a big one. The trailer is a hair under 20 feet long and 1 ½ feet narrower than the average trailer width, so there wasn’t much that could be done about it. That’s one reason why this will be perfect for a short-term camper, but not great for a long-term situation. I will say that they placed cabinets wherever they could.
The Bathroom Is a Little Bit Claustrophobic
The bathroom is located at the end of the 17RB, and the roof has a slope to it. You can probably guess the situation from that. The toilet and sink is located under the slope which means that if you are a man with an average height will need to lower your head just a tiny bit in that area.
It actually isn’t as bad as it sounds. When you are sitting on the toilet, you have plenty of space. The area to the front and sides doesn’t squeeze you, so you can probably sit like you normally do.
The shower is probably the worst part of the trailer. A six-foot-tall person will feel their hair brushing against the roof. And the narrow confines of the shower will mean that your arms will have a difficult time staying within the bounds of the shower curtain.
Bedding for three, but a table for two
The dinette does transform into a bed, so this camper works for those couples with a small child. The bed is a bit too small for most adults, so I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone fully grown. The one problem I have with this dinette/bed is the incongruence of having bedding for three people and a table that only has enough room for two.
Basic Features
- Water Tanks
- Fresh: 31 Gallons
- Grey: 24 Gallons
- Black: 24 Gallons
- Interior Height: 6 Feet, 6 Inches
- Exterior Height: 9 Feet, 9 Inches
- Exterior Length: 19 Feet, 11 Inches
- Dry Weight: 2,915 Pounds
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 3,790 Pounds
- Two Burners and Convection Oven
- Air conditioning
- Black Tank Flush
Key Features
- Related Floor Plans:
- Average Price: $14,250
- Sleeping Capacity: 3 to 4
2019 Lance 1575
Need something really small and lightweight? Of course, sacrifices must be made.
You won’t want to live in this camper, but this will be perfect for anyone that is constantly a weekend away from a camping trip. It doesn’t have all the features, but it is a great little trailer.
Under 3,000 dry weight
As I said, lightweight; weighing in at 2,775 pounds (Dry Weight), this trailer won’t even tax your average minivan. This makes the Lance 1575 an accessible starting trailer
Truma Hot Water System
The Truma Hot Water System is actually pretty cool. Not only does it quickly heat your water supply for your shower and tap, but it doubles as a heating system for your trailer. If you are paying good money to heat up the water, it just makes sense to use any escaping heat to keep yourself warm. I’ve read that it can make as much as a 7-degree difference.
Natural Lighting
One comment that seems to be said again and again regards all of the natural light that the skylights and windows open to the inside of the trailer.
Smart Jack
More than just being powered, the 1575’s tongue jack will recall its last used height. This will make it easier to raise and lower the trailer off and onto your hitch.
The Large Front Window Opens
If you start to feel a bit too warm in the summer, you can simply pop open the sizeable window that is located at the front of the trailer. It will go a long way in cooling you off during those hot and dry summer days
The Dinette
Taking full advantage of the slide-out, the dinette is much larger than you would expect. It’s u-shaped, and as is traditional, transforms into a bed. What isn’t traditional is the length. It is wide, but it isn’t quite as wide as the spacious 22RB dinette/bed. It is, however, very long. Individuals a bit over 6 feet will stretch out comfortably without raising their feet over the cushions.
The Bathroom
I don’t know how, but Lance somehow managed to fit a bathtub into this tiny trailer. The toilet is a bit closer to the tub than I would like, but it’s a worthwhile concession to be able to have a nightly soak. There is a medicine cabinet, but there wasn’t room for any other storage.
Huge Outdoor Storage, Little Indoor Storage
Inside the trailer, there isn’t much storage. It will likely be problematic at times. This is partially countered by having an abundance of outdoor storage. Two massive compartments will hold pretty much anything that you might want to store.
Counter Space
The counter space can be both good and bad. If the sink and stove are left open, there is honestly not a lot of counter space. However, if you use the provided covers for both the sink and three-burner stove, you will find the counter space to actually be quite comfortable. The stove is flush with the counter, and I love that. I also love the stove’s cover which is glass and folds to the back. It looks clean.
Slide Out Slides Way Out
The slide-out extends out very far which could raise stability and durability concerns. However, the double rack and pinion setup is a very stable system and handles the weight with ease. There is also a slide topper above that helps to prevent dirt and rust from damaging the seals.
Solid Construction
A lot of times, the light-weight units sacrifice the quality of their construction to save on weight. The metal is a bit thinner, there is a bit less wood, and ideal parts are traded for lightweight counterparts. That isn’t the case here. You can really feel the difference in the solid plywood construction.
The quality of their work is well-known. They also have a reputation for backing their warranties. You are unlikely to be left in a bad situation.
Basic Features
- Water Tanks
- Fresh: 26 Gallons
- Grey: 26 Gallons
- Black: 26 Gallons
- Interior Height: 6 Feet, 6 Inches
- Exterior Height: 9 Feet, 10 Inches
- Exterior Length: 20 Feet, 5 Inches
- Dry Weight: 2,775 Pounds
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 3,700 Pounds
- Keyless entry
- Black Out Shades
Key Features
- Related Floor Plans: 12
- Average Price: $32,880
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
Keystone 22RBPR Bullet Premier
Two Kitchens
This trailer is perfect for those that love to cook. You get two kitchens, and both of them are well-designed.
Inside Kitchen
In the indoor kitchen, you have a sink that is stainless steel, rectangular, under-mounted, and huge. The high rise faucet only makes your time the kitchen easier. There are a sufficient amount of kitchen cabinets. The trailer has an oven with a three burner stove.
The counter space can either be decent or great depending on what is covered. The sink comes with a cutting board quality cover and the stove has a super convenient attached glass cover that cleanly folds to the back; making it a simple switch between counter space and cooking top.
Outdoor kitchen
The hatch to the outdoor kitchen is located near the back of the camper. When open, it covers the kitchen. That covering will not protect the kitchen from rain coming from the side, but it will provide some shade on a sunny day. Inside, you will find a mini-fridge, a two-burner cooktop, plenty of countertop space, a bit of storage, and an admittedly cheap but useful sink. There is also a single outlet for small kitchen appliances.
Around the corner and connected to the bumper is a swing arm attachment for a mountable grill. When connected, you can pivot the grill around that corner and to the outdoor kitchen space. It sounds bulky, but it’s a smooth operation when it’s all in place.
The Dinette
Back inside and opposed to the indoor kitchen is the U-shaped dinette. It is above average in size, and it doesn’t just barely seat four people; it seats those four people pretty comfortably. The only complaint that I have is common to almost all trailers. It’s that the table supports hinder your legroom. When the dinette is transformed into a bed, that bed is sizable enough to sleep, two people.
A Private Bedroom
If you’ve lived in a small trailer before, you probably know that privacy is very hard to find. The cramped quarters rarely leave room for solitude, and a nice walk is usually the only way to get it. That’s not the case here. You can have your very own room with the 22RB. Contained inside is a residential queen bed, plenty of storage that includes two hanging closets, and a couple of nightstands. The room, cabinets, and finishings are all beautifully themed.
On the downside, you don’t have a lot of room, so you’ll probably find yourself crawling over the bed to access some of the storage.
The Bathroom
Considering the size of the trailer, the bathroom is surprisingly comfortable. From a visual standpoint, the porcelain toilet can look a bit cramped. However, when you are sitting on it, you’ll be surprised by how much room you actually have.
The shower is roomy. You get quite a bit of headroom, and the space around your body is ample. The shower is contained in glass which is a nice upgrade from a flimsy curtain. It keeps the water contained and won’t look as ratty over time.
There is a noteworthy amount of storage in the bathroom. The area above the toilet is so large that you could probably climb into it. You’ve also got the typical storage from cabinets and drawers, but those spaces are topped off with an oversized linen closet. The trailer sleeps 3 to 4 people, and they designed the linen closet to hold a generous amount of space for each of them.
Stability
This particular trailer separates the front and back tires a bit farther than most. This increased separation improves the stability of the overall unit. This is due to the wider stance lowering the overall center of gravity.
Basic Features
- Water Tanks
- Fresh: 43 Gallons
- Grey: 30 Gallons
- Black: 30 Gallons
- Interior Height: 6 Feet, 11 Inches
- Exterior Height: 11 Feet
- Exterior Length: 26 Feet, 11 Inches
- Width: 8 Feet
- Dry Weight: 4,972 Pounds
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 6,500 Pounds
- Aluminum Alloy Wheels
- Powered Tongue Jack
- Black Tank Flush
- Outdoor Hot/Cold Shower
- Backup Camera Ready
Key Features
- Related Floor Plans: 11
- MSRP Price: $33,148
- Sleeping Capacity: 3 to 4
