Top 10 Best Used Travel Trailers Under $5000

It’s no secret among RVers that brand new RVs are not a worthy investment for their fast depreciation. Used RVs hold their value better—especially if you renovate them—and they are much more affordable! You can find family-friendly used travel trailers under $5000 that can fit up to seven people.

Yes, there are some downsides to buying a used RV, such as having no manufacturer’s warranty coverage, hidden damage, and repair and upgrade costs, but there are also plenty of advantages to owning a used RV.

These include cheaper insurance, price transparency, mechanical issues being fixed off-the-lot, and the RV feeling much more lived-in.

You may think it’s impossible to find an RV—even a used one—for under $5,000. But below, you’ll find ten of the best used travel trailers under $5000!

1. 2004 FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD ROO 19

Key features:

• 2 pull-out double beds
• Small dinette and sofa bed.
• 3-burner stove and oven.
• Average-sized fridge and pantry.
• Spacious bathroom.
• Exterior shower port.
• External storage compartment.
• 15-inch awning.
• AC and furnace.
• Stereo sound system.
• Generous cabinet and drawer space.

If you are interested in this 2004 Rockwood Roo trailer, you should expect some wear and tear to the exterior shell and the pop-out bunk material. The pop-out expandable bunks are made from soft canvas, which is a lot softer than the shell construction of more contemporary camper designs.

Still, it’s a good trailer for the price with all the amenities a party of 4 could need whilst on the road.

There are two double-sized pop-out beds at both ends of the trailer, so 4 can sleep there comfortably. The trailer also has an extended kitchenette with a sink and decent counter space, with a 3-burner stove, microwave, and oven.

There is also a medium-sized fridge with plenty of pantry and drawer space to accommodate a family camping trip and a cozy dinette and sofa bed that doesn’t feel cramped.

The bathroom is spacious without taking up too much floor space. There is a shower and toilet with space for a linen closet, as well as sink storage and a mirrored medicine cabinet.

The stereo sound system and awning give this trailer extra value, but the lightweight canvas material of the awning and pop-out bunks may need to be replaced due to damaged seams or holes. This trailer has an overall dry weight of 4,056 lbs and a hitch weight of about 448 lbs.

2. 2011 Jayco Jay Feather Sport M-165

Specifications:

• 18 feet in length.
• Interior height of 78 inches.
• Base weight of 2,835 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 665 lbs.

Features:

• 13,500 BTU AC.
• Standard bathroom with a shower and toilet.
• 5 sleeping spaces.

Decently sized, the 2011 Jayco Jay Feather Sport M-165 is more comfortable than most similarly placed travel trailers. It is a rather lightweight and compact RV, measuring 18 feet in length, but its layout isn’t too different from that of other larger travel trailers.

There is a bathroom with a toilet and a shower and plenty of space for up to 5 people to sleep comfortably.

The M-165 also has a compact dinette and a high-quality kitchen area with a microwave, refrigerator, and three-burner cooktop. There is also a TV shelf inside the RV, but a TV is not included.

If you want a comfortable RV and aren’t too hung up on its size and weight, then the M-165 might be for you.

3. 2013 Jayco Jay Flight Swift SLX M-145 RB

Specifications:

• 16 feet 6 inches in length.
• Interior height of 73 inches.
• Base weight of 2,285 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 665 lbs.

Features:

• 5,000BTU AC.
• Standard bathroom with a toilet and shower.
• 4 sleeping spaces.

The 2013 Jayco Jay Flight SLZ M-145 RB was released two years after the Jay Feather Sport M-165 but was a more budget-friendly alternative, meaning that you do skip out on the comfort offered by the M-165.

It is just a tad smaller than the M-165, too, and without as much interior room. However, the general layout of the two RVs is fairly similar. Still, despite its compact size, the M-145 RB has an interior shower and toilet and just one less sleeping area than the M-165, still giving you plenty of sleeping space for its size.

While a 5,000 BTU air conditioner isn’t extremely powerful, it should be powerful enough for a trailer of this size. The refrigerator is a small countertop unit, and the cooktop only has two burners instead of three.

4. 2014 Starcraft AR-One M-14RB

Specifications:

• 16 feet 6 inches in length.
• Interior height of 73 inches.
• Base weight of 2,380 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 820 lbs.

Features:

• 5,000 BTU AC.
• 18,000 BTU heater.
• Standard bathroom with a shower and a toilet.
• 3 sleeping spaces.

With an almost identical layout to the Jay Flight Swift SLX travel trailer we’ve just reviewed, there are still a few key differences between these RVs.

Although both RVs are around the same size, the 2014 Starcraft AR-One M-14RB is sturdier. It weighs 100 lbs more than the Jayco trailer and can carry 160 lbs more. While these may seem like relatively small figures, they are still impressive, considering the size of the RV.

Where the Starcraft really has the edge over the Jayco travel trailer, though, is its 18,000 BTU heater, which can be used in the colder months. However, this air conditioner has the same cooling capacity as a 5,000 BTU air conditioner.

5. 2013 Sportsmen Classic M-13FK

Specifications:

• 13 feet 9 inches in length.
• Interior height of 75 inches.
• Base weight of 1,993 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 655 lbs.

Features:

• 6,000BTU AC.
• 16,000BTU AC.
• Bathroom with a toilet.
• 2 sleeping spaces.

The 2013 Sportsmen Classic M-13FK is an extremely compact travel trailer model, weighing just 2,600 lbs and measuring 13 feet 9 inches in length. It would be ideal for those with a low towing capacity.

Still, despite its compact size, this trailer is well-equipped. It comes with a 6,000 BTU AC unit and a 16,000 BTU heater, making it effective at cooling and heating. It also has a great layout full of the amenities you’d expect to see in larger travel trailers.

However, this trailer lacks a shower, but an outside shower may be available with this model. This trailer may also not be as comfortable as previous models, especially as it only has 2 sleeping areas.

6. 2011 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup M-16P

Specifications:

• 17 feet 9 inches in length.
• Base weight of 2,654 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 1,152 lbs.

Features:

• 13,500BTU AC.
• 20,000BTU heater.
• Wet bath system.
• 7 sleeping spaces.

A decently sized RV, the 2011 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup M-16P travel trailer is surprisingly comfortable given its dimensions, and its 7 sleeping areas are particularly impressive.

The 13,500 AC and 20,000 BTU heater provide excellent temperature control options, and the bathroom is also noteworthy. It is a compact wet bath system with a combined shower and toilet. Although wet baths are not as comfortable as average bathrooms, they are far more efficient in terms of space.

The M-16P travel trailer also has an excellent carrying capacity of 1,152 lbs, more than a third of its base weight. If you’re not one for packing light, then this travel trailer may be for you!

7. 2011 Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf M-17BH

Specifications:

• 22 feet 2 inches in length.
• Interior height of 78 inches.
• Base weight of 3,700 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 3,822 lbs.

Features:

• 13,500BTU AC.
• 20,000BTU heater.
• Standard bathroom with a shower and toilet.
• 7 sleeping spaces.

The roomy interior of the 2011 Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf M-17 BG travel trailer means it can accommodate more amenities than other RVs. Its 7 sleeping areas are particularly impressive. There is also a decently sized dinette and a well-equipped kitchen with a three-burner cooktop, a refrigerator, two sinks, and a bathroom with a shower and a toilet.

For its price, the M-17BH trailer provides a high level of comfort. In fact, it’s probably the most comfortable trailer on this list. Its carrying capacity of 3,822 lbs is also surprisingly high for an RV of this size.

8. 2013 Forest River Palomino Canyon Cat M-12RBC

Specifications:

• 16 feet 3 inches in length.
• Base weight of 2,812 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 1,000 lbs.

Features:

• 13,500BTU AC.
• Standard bathroom with a shower and a toilet.
• 2 sleeping spaces.

While compact, the 2013 Forest River Palomino travel trailer is a nicely equipped RV. It’s ideal for those looking for a compact travel trailer and who don’t need a lot of sleeping space.

It is rather similar to the Jayco Jay Flight Swift SLX M-145 RB we reviewed earlier, but there are a few key differences between them. Most notably, the Jay Flight trailer has 4 sleeping areas and is 500 lbs lighter than the Palomino. However, this trailer has an extra 335 lbs of carrying capacity.

There is also a better kitchen here with a countertop area. But it’s not too dissimilar from the Jayco trailer, with a below-counter refrigerator and two-burner stovetop.

9. 2013 Forest River Palomino M-131RL

Specifications:

• 16 feet 10 inches in length.
• Base weight of 1,930 lbs.
• Carrying capacity of 1,766 lbs.

Features:

• 5,000 BTU AC.
• Two dinettes.
• 4 sleeping spaces.

The 2013 Forest River Palomino M-131RL travel trailer is very similar in size to the Jayco Flight Swift SLX M-145 RB and the Forest River Palomino Canyon Cat M-12RBC, but there are differences between these trailers.

For one, the Forest River has two dinettes. The first dinette is 56 x 82 inches, and the second is 36 x 82 inches. While many will appreciate the extra dining space, the trailer has to forgo an indoor bathroom.

This trailer can also sleep 4 people, which is impressive for its size. The 1,766 lbs carrying capacity also shouldn’t be sniffed at for an RV of this weight and size.

While not many would be so eager about the extra dining space offered by this RV, if you would like some more dining space, then this may be the RV for you.

10. 2004 Citation Sprinter Thor 31UKS

Key features:

• Large rear bedroom with a vanity table and wardrobe.
• Lounge area with slide-out dinette.
• Exterior shower.
• Power awning.
• AC and heater.
• Extended kitchen counter-space
• 3-burner stove, microwave, and oven.
• Full-sized fridge freezer.
• Large bathroom.
• Plenty of storage cabinets.
• Wallpapered interior.

The 2004 model of the Thor Motor Coach Château has a lot going for it, considering it is a rather modestly sized trailer. RVers have praised it for having the functionality and feel of a larger RV but without the hefty price tag.

When you step inside the trailer, you would be forgiven for thinking you’re inside a regular home kitchen and lounge area, as the slide-out wall creates more floor space and prevents the trailer from looking cramped.

The Château is aptly named, as it really does feel like a mini-mansion on wheels. The entire slide-out wall has a 4-person dinette and sofa area with overhead cabinets, which means the rest of the floor plan can be dedicated to an enormous bedroom with a Queen-size bed, mirrored wardrobe, vanity table, and plenty of overhead cabinet space for a TV.

The Thor 31UKS model also has plenty of counter-top space and a 3-burner stove, microwave, and oven. The pantry and cabinet storage space make this RV kitchen feel like the kind you’d have at home.

This RV is also wallpapered throughout, and the wood cabinets have a rich, warm tone that makes this RV feel even more homely. The bathroom also has enough space for a separate walk-in shower cubicle, linen closets and vanity and cabinet storage.

Owners of this RV also love its easy towing ability, and it is excellent for couples or family vacations.

Used Travel Trailers Under $5000

When it comes to used travel trailers, you may have to forgo that new RV feeling and there may be compromises on space, but I hope that my above picks have made you realize that you can get an excellent used travel trailer on a budget!

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