The world of travel trailers offers a diverse array of options, each catering to different preferences, needs, and travel styles. One crucial dimension that significantly impacts the overall experience is the width of the travel trailer. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the average width of travel trailers, discuss its importance, and showcase 11 noteworthy examples that exemplify the range of widths available in the market.
Understanding the Average Width of Travel Trailers
The width of a travel trailer is a fundamental aspect that influences various aspects of the RVing experience. It determines the living space available, interior layout possibilities, towing considerations, and the overall maneuverability of the trailer. Travelers must consider the width carefully to ensure compatibility with their towing vehicle, adherence to road regulations, and a comfortable living space.
The average width of travel trailers typically falls within a standard range to comply with road regulations and ensure ease of towing. While variations exist, most travel trailers have a width ranging from 7 to 8.5 feet. This range strikes a balance between providing ample living space and ensuring that the trailer remains manageable on the road.
Factors Influencing Travel Trailer Width
The width of a travel trailer directly impacts the interior living space. Travelers with specific needs, such as larger families or those planning extended trips, may prioritize wider trailers to accommodate additional amenities and provide a more spacious and comfortable living environment.
The width of a travel trailer affects towing considerations, including stability, visibility, and ease of maneuvering. Wider trailers may require larger towing vehicles with adequate towing capacity, while narrower trailers are generally more compatible with a broader range of tow vehicles.
Road regulations vary by region, and travel trailer manufacturers must adhere to these regulations when designing their products. The average width is often influenced by these regulations to ensure that trailers can be towed safely and legally on public roads.
11 Noteworthy Examples of Travel Trailers with Different Widths
- Airstream Basecamp (Width: 7 feet):
The Airstream Basecamp, with a width of 7 feet, is a compact and lightweight travel trailer known for its iconic design. Despite its narrow profile, the Basecamp maximizes interior space efficiency, offering a comfortable sleeping area, kitchen, and wet bath. Its narrow width makes it suitable for towing with a variety of vehicles.
- Winnebago Micro Minnie (Width: 7 feet, 3 inches):
The Winnebago Micro Minnie is a popular travel trailer with a width of 7 feet, 3 inches. Despite its compact size, it features a well-designed interior with a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations. The narrower width enhances maneuverability, making it an excellent choice for those seeking versatility on the road.
- Forest River R-Pod (Width: 8 feet):
The Forest River R-Pod boasts a width of 8 feet, offering a bit more space compared to narrower models. This travel trailer is known for its aerodynamic design and efficient use of space. The R-Pod features various floorplans, each maximizing the available width to provide a comfortable living experience.
- Oliver Legacy Elite II (Width: 7 feet, 4 inches):
The Oliver Legacy Elite II is a fiberglass travel trailer with a width of 7 feet, 4 inches. Despite its narrower profile, it is renowned for its high-quality construction and luxurious interior. The Elite II features a spacious and well-appointed living area, showcasing how effective design can optimize a narrower width.
- Grand Design Imagine XLS (Width: 8 feet):
The Grand Design Imagine XLS is a travel trailer with a width of 8 feet, providing a bit more room for travelers who prioritize interior space. Known for its modern design and amenities, the Imagine XLS offers various floorplans to accommodate different preferences while maintaining a manageable width for towing.
- Scamp 16 (Width: 6 feet, 8 inches):
The Scamp 16 is a compact travel trailer with a narrower width of 6 feet, 8 inches. Despite its narrower profile, the Scamp 16 features a functional kitchen, sleeping area, and wet bath. Its lightweight design and narrow width make it an excellent option for towing with smaller vehicles.
- Lance 1985 (Width: 8 feet, 5 inches):
The Lance 1985 is a travel trailer with a width of 8 feet, 5 inches, providing a spacious interior for a more luxurious camping experience. This wider profile allows for a well-equipped kitchen, a comfortable sleeping area, and a bathroom with ample space. The Lance 1985 showcases how a wider width can enhance the overall livability of a travel trailer.
- Casita Spirit Deluxe (Width: 6 feet, 8 inches):
The Casita Spirit Deluxe is a travel trailer with a width of 6 feet, 8 inches. Despite its narrower design, the Spirit Deluxe features a thoughtful layout with a kitchen, dinette, sleeping area, and bathroom. Casita’s efficient use of space demonstrates that a narrower width does not necessarily mean compromising on comfort.
- Jayco Jay Flight (Width: 8 feet):
The Jayco Jay Flight is a popular travel trailer with a width of 8 feet, offering a spacious interior for families and larger groups. Known for its diverse floorplans and family-friendly features, the Jay Flight demonstrates how a wider width can accommodate additional amenities and create a more versatile living space.
- Escape 21 (Width: 7 feet, 4 inches):
The Escape 21 is a travel trailer with a width of 7 feet, 4 inches, providing a balance between compact design and interior space. This fiberglass trailer features a well-appointed kitchen, a dinette that converts into a bed, and a bathroom. Its narrower width contributes to easier towing and maneuverability.
- Coachmen Apex Nano (Width: 7 feet, 6 inches):
The Coachmen Apex Nano is a travel trailer with a width of 7 feet, 6 inches, offering a middle-ground width that balances interior space with towing convenience. The Apex Nano features various floorplans, showcasing how manufacturers can optimize a moderate width to provide diverse living arrangements.
Pros and Cons of Different Widths
Pros of Narrower Widths:
- Maneuverability: Narrower travel trailers are generally more maneuverable, making them easier to tow and navigate through tight spaces.
- Versatility: Narrower widths are often compatible with a broader range of tow vehicles, providing travelers with more flexibility in choosing their towing vehicle.
- Regulatory Compliance: Narrower trailers are more likely to comply with road regulations and restrictions, ensuring legal and safe towing on public roads.
Cons of Narrower Widths:
- Limited Interior Space: The most significant drawback of narrower travel trailers is the limited interior space. This may impact the overall comfort and amenities available to travelers.
- Potential Cramped Feeling: Travelers may experience a more confined or cramped feeling inside the trailer, especially during extended trips.
Pros of Wider Widths:
- Spacious Interior: Wider travel trailers offer more interior space, allowing for larger kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. This can contribute to a more comfortable and enjoyable camping experience.
- Amenities and Luxury: Wider widths accommodate additional amenities and luxurious features, making trailers with larger profiles appealing to those seeking a more upscale RVing experience.
- Family-Friendly: Wider travel trailers are often more suitable for families or groups, providing enough space for everyone to move around comfortably.
Cons of Wider Widths:
- Towing Challenges: Wider trailers may present challenges when it comes to towing, requiring larger and more powerful vehicles with higher towing capacities.
- Limited Maneuverability: Wider trailers may be less maneuverable, especially in tight camping spaces or on narrow roads.
Choosing the Right Width for Your Needs
When choosing the width of a travel trailer, consider your travel style and preferences. If you prioritize easy maneuverability and versatility, a narrower trailer may be a better fit. For those who desire more interior space and amenities, a wider trailer could be the ideal choice.
Evaluate the towing capacity and compatibility of your vehicle. Ensure that your towing vehicle can safely and comfortably tow the width of the travel trailer you are considering. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for your vehicle’s towing capabilities.
Consider the number of travelers and your specific interior space needs. If you plan to take extended trips or have a larger family, a wider trailer may be preferable to ensure everyone has enough space and amenities for a comfortable experience.
Be aware of road regulations and restrictions regarding travel trailer width in the regions where you plan to travel. Ensure that the chosen width complies with local regulations to avoid legal and safety issues.
Whenever possible, visit dealerships to explore different travel trailers in person. Take the opportunity to step inside and visualize how the width translates into interior space. If feasible, request a test tow to experience how the trailer handles on the road.
Choosing the right travel trailer involves careful consideration of various factors, with width being a key dimension that significantly influences the overall experience. Whether you opt for a narrower trailer for enhanced maneuverability or a wider one for a more spacious interior, the diverse range of options available caters to different preferences and needs. As you embark on your RVing journey, the width of your travel trailer becomes a vital aspect of creating a comfortable and enjoyable home away from home. With the knowledge gained from this guide and an understanding of your specific requirements, you can confidently select a travel trailer that aligns with your vision of the perfect road-tripping adventure.