Published Date: April 17, 2023
Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Camper Front
Are you looking for a brand-new travel trailer in 2023? The best manufacturers and brands will have several things in common. They’re well-known for providing reliable, quality trailers, have a huge focus on customer service, and have a fantastic reputation.
One of the biggest decisions a person can make is to purchase a new travel trailer. They aren’t inexpensive and many people plan to use them a lot whether moving across the state or the country. The top RV brands give you the best options and features.
You want to choose from travel trailers that are capable and ready to handle whatever the road throws at them.
A lot of RV brands also sell travel trailers, but that doesn’t mean they are all the same. When you want a great travel trailer to take out on the road, you must ensure it meets your needs.
This article will delve into all the details so you can make a buying decision that works for you and your unique situation. That includes which RV manufacturers meet your needs.
A few of the travel trailer brands you heard about a lot are names like Airstream, Oliver, Jayco, Winnebago, and Thor Motor Coach. This can be a good start to your shopping since these travel trailers are known for their good value and exceptional quality.
However, there are other brands to be aware of that might not be on your radar. They could be the ones who have the perfect travel trailer for you.
As we go through this article, we’ll talk about some of those big-name travel trailer manufacturers as well as a few of the lesser-known companies.
By the time we’re done, you should have a short list of the best travel trailer brands in the RV industry and an idea of where to start looking for your new trailer.
Table of Contents
12 Best Travel Trailer Brands to Choose From in 2023
Across North America, many RV manufacturers provide a huge variety of travel trailers. These brands have many of the best-quality travel trailers on the market today.
Since there are so many options, whether you want a luxury travel trailer or something with less pizzazz, we’ve broken it down to the handful of brands who are doing something truly special.
#1 – Airstream
The Airstream travel trailer is one that almost everyone has heard of. They are an iconic brand that has been putting out travel trailers for many decades.
Airstream trailers have been around since interstate travel first became popular among the denizens of the United States.
The first thing to be aware of with the Airstream travel trailer brand is that they are known for quality. Their ratings are consistently high.
This is one of the reasons that clubs and collectors have followings dedicated to these recreational vehicles.
Some models that you may have heard of include the Flying Cloud, Tony Bahama, Globetrotter, and Classis.
Nowadays, Airstream falls under the corporate umbrella of Thor Industries. This has led to a more modern lineup with hints of the original aesthetic that made the brand something special.
There are tons of options among their high-quality travel trailers and you may have to look through several of them to find your favorite.
Keep in mind that Airstream travel trailers can be a bit pricy compared to other RV manufacturers. Even older models come at a premium due to the huge demand.
However, if you want a tried-and-true model, it doesn’t get better than this.
#2 – Dutchmen RV
Another industry-leading RV manufacturer is Dutchmen. This brand offers a variety of toy haulers, fifth-wheel campers, and travel trailers.
One of the perks that make this brand stand out is an emphasis on storage space. They also offer a comfy feeling so you can feel good when you step into the trailer.
What else should you know about their travel trailers? For one, they’re known for their great build quality so you can be sure you’ll get the trailer wherever you’re going. Many of these most popular designs used a large amount of high-strength aluminum.
Because of the travel trailer brand quality, there is a three-year limited warranty on structural issues and a 100% pre-delivery inspection.
If you’re interested in an aluminum model, the Aerolite is one to consider. It has several floor plans and can be customized to meet the needs of any family or couple.
The average trim level weighs around 5,500 to 7,500 pounds. It has a gorgeous living space with amenities like an upgraded stereo system, HD TV, fireplace, solid surface countertops, and super comfortable seating.
#3 – Happier Camper
Happier Camper is one of the best-rated travel trailer brands today. They offer stunning fiberglass campers with a modern modular interior and an aesthetically pleasing retro exterior.
While this is a new brand, they’re making waves, especially among those who want to customize their travel trailer.
One of the coolest travel trailers from this manufacturer is the Adaptiv. It has a typical style for the brand with perks like a high-quality cooler, built-in cabinets, a kitchen sink, and plenty of storage that is easy to access and use. It has a small bathroom with a dry toilet, which some people appreciate.
What really makes this one of the top RV brands for the year is the fact that you can have custom changes made to your truck campers. This can be done through the RV manufacturer or a dealership that offers the brand.
After you choose the options you want, the company will construct them to meet your needs. Once that’s done, it will be shipped out to anywhere in the lower 48 states of the USA and some areas of Canada.
#4 – Jayco
Jayco, also known as Thor Industries, is known as one of the best travel trailer manufacturers across the RV industry. The brand was bought by Thor in 2016, which has led to new quality standards for Jayco and other brands under the umbrella.
If you’re looking for a variety of designs in your next travel trailer, Jayco is a good choice to start your search. They have a diverse lineup and are easily one of the best travel trailer brands on the market right now.
On top of that, they also have a very impressive two- to three-year warranty. Of Thor’s acquisitions, Jayco is one of their strongest in terms of travel trailers. They have their own brand identity and a reputation that goes back over 50 years.
When looking into the options, the Jayco Jay Feather is a good place to start. It features several trim levels and many features so you can design the travel trailer you want.
Jayco travel trailers can range from about 3,200 to 6,500 pounds and offer Dexter axles with Goodyear tires.
At the rear are LED light indicators. The travel trailer also offers pass-through storage and accommodates solar power accessories.
It’s available in three levels of decor with options like a fold-out Murphy bed, extra space to sit, and residential counters.
#5 – Prime Time
Prime Time offers travel trailers and acts as the luxury hub of Forest River, which we’ll talk about later in this article. One of the most popular iterations of the brand is the LaCrosse model.
This travel trailer has a ton of high-end features. It offers an excellent 50-inch flatscreen television, a Furrion residential cooktop, a big stainless steel refrigerator, solid surface countertops, and brushed nickel hardware and fixture.
#6 – Avenger
Avenger is one of the most popular travel trailer brands due to their selection of options with multiple options and floor plans. They’ve constantly put in the work to be known as a brand that offers reliability and quality.
A lot of their models have an aluminum exterior while the inside focuses on grand design and luxury. Depending on the model, they can sleep from two to seven people at once.
You’ll notice that many of the favorites from this RV brand include attractive flooring, cherry wood furnishings, and solid countertops. Using such quality materials does make the weight of the trailer climb, though.
These trailers do tend to be heavier than the others on our list with weights from 4,800 to 9,200 depending on what you choose. If you’re looking into the options, the Avenger 28 REI is a pretty good choice. The Bunkhouse offers the following:
- Sleeping for up to eight people
- A front bedroom
- 28′ 11″ design
- Propane heated water
- A 16′ electric awning complete with LED lighting
- 30 amp electric system with available upgrades
- Fresh water capacity of 48 gallons, black water capacity of 34 gallons, and grey water capacity of 34 gallons
#7 – Winnebago Industries
Winnebago Industries is another of those names you’ve likely heard before so it should be no surprise that they are one of the best RV brands today.
Back when this brand was getting its start, it was known for providing a spacious travel trailer at a reasonable price to accommodate traveling families. Over the 50 years they have been in place, they have come to be known for offering great travel trailers.
Winnebago is out of Iown but has a presence across the United States and a large part of Canada. This makes it so much easier to find dealerships or rental companies to take a look at everything they have to offer.
While this brand has a huge lineup, one of the most popular is the Minnie Winnie. It’s made for a small family and has sleeping room for up to four people.
You can expect many trim levels, features, and designs to choose from. This is a travel trailer brand that you want to take the time to explore. You’ll likely want to view several units before you move forward.
Most of the travel trailers from Winnebago offer a three-year structural warranty. This covers manufacturing, workmanship, and assembly of the structural parts of the travel trailer.
While every model is going to be different from the next, below are a few of the things that typically come standard from this manufacturer.
- Steel frames with cross members and outriggers
- Skeletal framing for roof rafters, floor joists, and wall studs
- Reliable structural assembly and slide-out boxes
- Front caps made of fiberglass with crack and fade resistant paint
#8 – Coleman
Next up on our list to help you find the best travel trailer brand is Coleman. This is owned by Dutchmen, who we talked about earlier. They are one of the top options in the RV world for those who want travel trailers made of quality aluminum.
What sets this brand apart is its reputation. They are known for blending elegance and style with sheer comfort.
Some of the models you might hear about include the Coleman Light Elevated, Coleman Light, Coleman Light LX, Coleman Lantern, and Lantern LT.
As one of the best camper brands, you can expect several floor plans to be available. Many of them have hardwood maple cabinet doors, residential-grade vinyl flooring, and aluminum-framed walls.
If an RV dealer has Dutchmen travel trailers, they will often also have a selection from Coleman. The Coleman Light tends to be a good choice to try for those interested in the brand.
It has an aluminum frame construction and includes several great amenities. This includes a queen bed, power stabilizer jacks, an electric awning, and many other things to make you feel right at home.
#9 – Starcraft
Starcraft is an interesting story when it comes to travel trailer brands. The company actually set up in 1903 to create metal implements for use on farms.
However, their product line has evolved over time. In the late 60s, the brand started to get involved in the boat, RV, and camper world.
Since that time, they have been purchased by Thor Industries. While the brand carries the Starcraft name and logo, they have access to the great components available to Thor companies.
One of the most popular travel trailers under Starcraft is the Mossy Oak. It has a three-year warranty and includes many trim levels, features, and floor plans. This also means that the price can vary pretty widely depending on what you need.
For instance, the 20MB version weighs 5,250 pounds and can be purchased for about $15,000. It has sleeping space for up to seven people and is on the low end.
The 27LRI is on the opposite side of the spectrum. It weighs over 7,200 pounds and is closer in cost to $30,000. When choosing Starcraft, it’s well worth it to explore all the options available.
The Mossy Oak line (and other options from the brand) often come with standard features like the following:
- Electric braking assist systems
- Fiberglass insulation
- PVC roof membrane with a 15-year warranty
- Flexible gas lines
- Oversized pass-through storage including lighting
- A fully walkable Magnum roof system
- Seal moisture barriers in the floor
#10 – Forest River
Whether you want excellent recreational vehicles or fantastic accessories for them, Forest River is a brand to be aware of. They are merged with or own many other manufacturers, such as Wildcat, Vibe, Xlr, Cherokee, Rockwood, and Prime Time.
If you’re looking for any of these RV brands, you’ll likely find them at a dealership that offers products from Forest River.
In addition, the brand offers toy haulers, pontoons, camper travel trailers, motorhomes, and fifth wheels.
Technically, the company is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. This means the company has an array of manufacturing locations and dealerships. You can find them across the United States.
For an example of what to expect from the Forest River brand, you can look at the 26DBH-L model. It won Best in Show in 2018 from RV News. It has a nice bathroom and great sleeping accommodations.
It features a weight of 5,795 and a 600-pound hitch weight, making it a travel trailer that needs at least a half-ton truck to tow it down the highway.
The Alpha Wolf is highly popular and comes in many trim levels. The weight range lies between 2,900 to 11,500, making it an option as a lightweight travel trailer or a truly beefy one.
Some of the great standard features you can expect include:
- Deluxe furniture pack
- LED indoor lighting with individual reading lights
- Oversized bathroom sink
- Extra plush mattresses and deluxe bedding
- Porcelain stool with water jet assist
- Full storage space under the bed
- Tubs and showers with overhead skylight
#11 – Palomino
Another popular travel trailer brand is Palamino, which is known for offering high-quality travel trailers with lightweight designs.
This brand has a diverse lineup with base models like the Revolve, Solaire, Real-Lite Mini, Pause, Puma, and PaloMini. All of these models are available with several floor plans.
Weights range from as low as 3,000 pounds to as high as 8,000 pounds. You will need to consider tow-capacity when you do your shopping with this brand. If you want a place to start, the Puma Destination is a great option with lots of features.
The base model has two-bedroom options as well as basic perks that a family or couple will appreciate while traveling. Some exterior features you are likely to see on these travel trailers include:
- ABS automotive-style fender skirts
- Double entry or radius entry doors with storage
- Manual stabilized jacks
- Powder coated frames
- EPDM rubber roof with a 12-year limited warranty
- Super lube axles
- Power awning complete with LED lighting
- Pass-through storage options
Standard features on the interior are also impressive and include:
- Designer window treatment options
- 80″ ceiling height
- Residential carpet
- 35,000 BTU furnace and in-floor ducted heating
- Radius Dinette seat bases
- Decorative kitchen backsplash and ball-bearing drawer guides
- A choice of three interior decors
- High-output range with several LP burners and glass range covers
- High-density foam mattress
- Stainless steel kitchen sink
- A choice between queen and murphy beds
- LED ceiling lights
- 12V shower LED light
- 55 amp converter and battery charger
- Bathroom power vent
- Bluetooth DVD/CD/FM stereo
- Wooden medicine cabinet with mirrored door
#12 – Flagstaff
While technically owned by Forest River, this company has its own brand identity. Because of that, they have many travel trailers with their own floor plans and trim levels to choose from.
What stands out for these towable RVs is that they are largely lightweight. This makes them a good choice if you’re searching for an option that can be towed with a light-duty pickup or a mid-size SUV.
To be even more specific, many of these travel trailers are between 1,100 and 3,200 pounds. The E-Pro is one of the most popular options. It has a media center with a 12-volt TV, a USB port, and an AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth. It also boasts a roof-mount solar panel with a 1,000-watt convertor and a WiFi range booster.
Other great features on the E-Pro and other models include the Shower Miser water saver, a bike rack mounted to the tongue, and a 13,500 BTU air conditioner.
If you prefer an off-road trailer, there is a package that meets your needs. It comes with 15″ Mud Rover radial tires, a lift kit, and features made for tracking and handling when off the road.
Tips for Choosing From the Best Travel Trailer Brands
Now that you know some of the best places to get fifth-wheel trailers, toy haulers, and other travel trailers, we want to talk about how to decide which is right for you. The first thing to consider is how you will be using your fifth-wheel travel trailer.
For instance, someone who is going out on an occasional weekend trip might have different needs than the one who spends weeks out exploring the outdoors in their RV.
What time of year you’ll be traveling also has an impact. Some features are more useful in summer or winter than the opposite. This might not matter if you’ll be out regardless of season, but some people travel during a specific time of year.
Choosing from the best travel trailer brands isn’t going to be easy. Each of these RV manufacturers has great products. But if you know exactly what you want, that will make the process much easier.
What Type of Trailer Meets Your Needs?
Before you move forward, consider the type of outdoor RV that will meet your needs. There are many to choose from, including the following:
- Class A gas
- Class A diesel
- Class B
- Class C
- Fifth wheel
- Pop up
- Small camper
- Toy hauler
- Travel trailer
Check Out the Weight and Dimensions
No matter what trailer you choose, you need an appropriate tow vehicle to take it down the road. If that vehicle doesn’t have a high enough tow capacity, you will need to consider a new SUV, pickup, or another vehicle capable of towing. Keep in mind that this will be expensive and may limit your options for a travel trailer.
You also need to be comfortable using the vehicle that tows your fifth wheels or other trailers. It can be challenging to move them around and may take time to get used to it.
Pop-up campers, small travel trailers, and truck campers are good starting points. Those with more experience might choose larger travel trailers or fifth wheels.
When choosing any Class B, Class C, or other RV, make sure you have a license that allows you to drive it.
Appropriate Licensing to Tow Fifth Wheels and More
Before you start to tow a trailer, there are things to be aware of. You need the right vehicle to pull it around, but you also need to learn how to use a ball and hitch or fifth wheel. Knowing how to choose the right one, connect it to the vehicle, and drive safely are all skills you will need.
Before you start on that process, make sure your license allows you to tow the Class B, Class C, fifth wheel, or other trailer.
Many trailers are lightweight and can be driven with a passenger car’s license. You may need an air brake endorsement if that is included in your fifth-wheel travel trailer.
The class of license you need will depend on the weight of the fifth-wheel travel trailer. It doesn’t have anything to do with how the trailer connects to the vehicle.
When we say trailer weight, this refers to the weight while being towed, not when completely empty. Check into what you’re comfortable with in terms of a license and keep to those vehicles when choosing a travel trailer.
Tow Capacity and Hitch Options of Trailer
When making an RV purchase, safe hauling encompasses more than just the tow capacity of your vehicle. The appropriate hitch is also crucial, which means a knowledge of hitch classifications. If you don’t choose the right hitch, it could lead to issues.
The hitch classes you may come across include:
- Class 1 – These are used for small loads and work on most cars with the ability to pull up to 2,000 pounds.
- Class 2 – A minivan, small truck, or midsize sedan can haul this trailer at up to 3,500 pounds.
- Class 3 – Stronger than the first two, these are often used by large sedans, minivans, and pickup trucks with towing of up to three tons.
- Class 4 – Only large SUVs and heavy-duty pickups can use these hitches to haul up to 10,000 pounds.
- Class 5 – This hitch is used for loads larger than 10,000 pounds.
Be Aware of Cargo Carrying Capacity
Camping trailers have limited space so you want to be able to make the most of it. Consider all the items you want to bring with you so you can be sure you have adequate space. A few of the most common items include:
- Bed sheets
- Camping chairs
- Clothing
- Cooking utensils
- Digital devices
- Dishes
- Pots and pans
- Rope
- Sleeping bags
- Tarp
- Toilet paper
- Towels
Storage Space
Storage issues can happen with travel trailers so it’s a good idea to get as much space as possible. Below are a few ideas for making things work:
- Bathroom – Try hanging shelves for towels and install wall-mounted holders and over-the-door organizers.
- Cupboard – Cupboards are hard to use in some cases but you can use utensil organizers, stackable cookware, dish cradles, and under-sink spaces for storage.
- Outdoors – Save space inside by storing items outside. Consider grills, chairs, bikes, toys, and clothing.
- Under-bed storage – Use boxes under the bed or install bed rises to increase your level of space.
- Vertical storage – Hanging shelves and organizers or stackable bins lets you make use of vertical space.
- Walls – Choose a trailer with shelves, cabinets, and other storage items like pegboards and suction hooks.
Who Will Use the Travel Trailer Outdoors RV?
An outdoors RV is a great option to spend time with family members and friends. You could make great memories with the people you love the most.
At the same time, you want every person to enjoy the best travel in comfort. There are a few things to think about on this topic:
- Count your guests – While you may not be able to plan for unexpected guests, think about how many people you know will be present. Make sure there are enough seats and beds available.
- Make a packing list – Be sure your list accommodates each person who is going to be traveling with you. Remember that you also need room for each person’s belongings.
- Think about external space – Items like external awnings, solid walls, and extendable slides can provide you with extra living space.
Watch the Floor Plan
Remember that a newer Class C trailer is going to have more options than an older Class B trailer. New versions are going to be modern and have extra amenities. For example, a used RV might have no space to install a television or microwave.
Of course, some items can be upgraded easily, such as toilets or seat cushions. That isn’t the case for some other items in the travel trailer.
Final Thoughts
No matter which trailer you buy, using one of the best travel trailer brands can give you peace of mind and great customer service. Consider several options before you make a final decision at an RV dealership. Use the tips and list above to narrow down your list and get yourself ready for your next interstate journey with friends and family.
