It’s no secret among RVers that brand new RVs are not a worthy investment and that you should instead turn your attention to used RVs, especially as these are often the cheaper alternatives to brand-new RVs.
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 which may not make it such a great investment after all, but there are also plenty of advantages to owning a used RV.
These include cheaper insurance, price transparency, mechanical issues are fixed off-the-lot, and the RV feels 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 RVs all costing under $5,000!
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, as well as the material of the pop-out bunk. The pop-out expandable bunks are made from soft canvas material 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 at all 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 gives 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.
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 other similarly placed travel trailers out there. It is a rather lightweight and compact RV, measuring 18 feet in length, but has a layout that isn’t too different from other larger travel trailers.
As well as a bathroom with a toilet and a shower, there is also 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.
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.
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, weighing 100 lbs more than the Jayco trailer and able to 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 18,000BTU heater that you can use in the colder months. However, this air conditioner has the same cooling capacity as a 5,000BTU air conditioner.
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, coming with a 6,000BTU AC unit and a 16,000BTU 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, what’s missing from this trailer is 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.
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 20,000BTU heater gives you 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, when it comes to space they are far more efficient.
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!
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, and 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.
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, as it has a countertop area. But it’s not too dissimilar from the Jayco trailer, with a below-counter refrigerator and two-burner stovetop.
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.
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. It has received praise from RVers 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 cabinets overhead, 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 with a 3-burner stove, microwave, and oven. The pantry and cabinet storage space makes this RV kitchen feel like the kind of kitchen 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.
Final Thoughts
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!
Not interested in a used RV?
There are over 60 different RV manufacturers in the US alone, and more than 700 different makes and models to choose from. Save yourself hundreds of hours of research and get The RV Master List of every single RV model in the US, including links to the manufacturers websites.