Many RVers are looking for a camper they can tow with a smaller vehicle or place in the bed of a truck. They’re looking for one that won’t cost them an arm and a leg but still has all the necessities to enjoy a camping trip. Travel Lite RV aims to answer this call with ultra-lightweight truck campers and travel trailers that don’t scrimp on the amenities but won’t rob you blind either. Haven’t heard of a Travel Lite camper? It’s time we educate you on this small company that’s growing a big reputation.
Travel Lite RV Is Aptly Named for Making Lightweight Campers
Initially known as the manufacturer of lightweight truck campers since 1998, Travel Lite RV has added lightweight travel trailers to its product line. It has plans for even more expansion in the near future.
It started in Syracuse, Ind. by Larry Johns who saw the need for affordable truck campers. His goal was to produce beautifully designed truck campers that were not only light in weight but also light on the pocketbook. They accomplished that goal easily with a honeycomb composite material covered by gel coat fiberglass. What came about was a camper that used no wood substrate and was also impervious to leaks.
By 2011 Travel Lite RV expanded its product offerings into ultra-light travel trailers like the Rove Lite, which weighs in at a mere 1,500 pounds. Now, they have introduced a toy hauler trailer with thoughtful design and plenty of space to bring toys along on any camp outing.
Who Owns Travel Lite RV?
Travel Lite is keeping it in the family with the ownership handoff to Larry’s son, Dustin, and his wife, Lindsay, in 2015.
Since then, the company has gone through a restructuring process and came out with a new lineup of products and a reconfigured management team. Ryan Rebar is the new COO and general manager of Travel Lite RV. The company is now held by a group of local investors.
Does Travel Lite Make a 4-Season Camper?
Some RVers state that several Travel Lite campers are for four-season camping. But based on the criteria needed to make a four-season camper, we tend to disagree. Travel Lite does include heaters in their truck campers and travel trailers. However, we wouldn’t recommend long trips in freezing temperatures.
Additionally, none of the units come standard with air conditioners. That means RVers might not be quite as comfortable in some of the most popular summer destinations. You can, however, add an RV air conditioner as an optional add-on.
Also, the underbellies and walls of Travel Lite campers are not well insulated. The roof is one consistent piece of fiberglass without extra insulation, and the floors are not double floors. The windows in a Travel Lite are not double pane. To comfortably withstand true 4-season conditions, you should probably check out other options.
Does Travel Lite RV Make Good Campers?
Travel Lite RV aims to make excellent ultra lightweight campers with high-quality materials. But to produce a rig that doesn’t weigh much, it inevitably must erase certain items from the build.
The appearance of each rig has a clean and modern look. But, instead of cabinet doors, there are cargo nets to hold items in.
The freshwater tank is only 10 gallons, meaning that boondocking trips might be short-lived. There’s no standard air conditioner with any of the campers either. So be prepared for a quality-made RV with fewer amenities and finishes.
A “good camper” however, simply needs to meet your camping needs well. If lightweight, weekend camping is your goal, this camper may very well check all your boxes. Let’s learn more about their offerings in detail.
About Travel Lite RV Travel Trailers
Built with a weekend warrior RVer in mind, Travel Lite travel campers are lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and affordable. Take a look at their lineup:
Models and Floorplans
The Rove Lite has three floorplans, all 16 feet, 6 inches in length, and using the same footprint. The 14BH floorplan has an end sofa with a fold-down bunk over it and a double dinette that makes it into a double-size bed. Similarly, the 14FD has the same double dinette/bed, a sofa on the side, and an end cabinet. The 14FL has a double sofa bed with a single dinette on the side, which makes it into a single bed.
At 24 feet long, the Rove Spur is a toy hauler floorplan with an RV queen bed in front and a drop-down double bed in the garage. It has a garage door at the rear of the vehicle with plenty of space to bring along the toys.
Specs
All Rove Lites are 16 feet 6 inches in length and weigh between 1,707 and 1,850 pounds. They can handle up to 2,500 pounds. The exterior height is 8 feet, 1 inch. Freshwater tanks are 10 gallons, with a 30-gallon gray water tank and a five-gallon black water tank.
The Rove Spur is 24 feet long and weighs 3,094 pounds, handling up to 7,466 pounds. The exterior height for this toy hauler is 11 feet, 6 inches. The tank sizes are the same as with all of the Rove Lites.
Features
All three Rove Lite models have a wet bath and a kitchen setup that includes a sink, a two-burner propane stove, and a refrigerator. All models also have a 20,000 BTU furnace, an on-demand tankless water heater, and a ceiling vent with a fan.
➔ A wet bath may be better than no bathroom at all, but how does it really compare to a dry bath? Find out: RV Wet Bath vs Dry Bath Comparison: Which Is Better?
The Rove Spur has the same wet bath features, but the kitchen has a full range with a stove and oven replacing the propane stovetop. The refrigerator is much larger at 10 cubic feet of space, and there are several tie-downs throughout the vehicle, so there is no other furniture installation.
About Travel Lite RV Truck Campers
Truck campers were what started it all for Travel Lite RVs, and they come with an extra touch of love. You will find high-quality construction with an attention to detail in each of these Travel Lite campers:
Models and Floorplans
Travel Lite has created two different models in their truck camper line. The Extended Stay campers have all of the same amenities and fixtures but are manufactured in different lengths to fit a variety of truck beds.
The 800X is the shortest option, measuring 186 inches long, while the 840SBRX is 187 inches long. The 890RX and the 890SBRX are 193 inches long. All four floorplans have 25-gallon freshwater tanks with five-gallon black tanks.
The Super Lite line of truck campers is simple and ultra-lightweight. With six floorplans, they range in length from 129 inches to 152 inches long. Each has a freshwater tank of nine to 13 gallons, and two floorplans have showers.
Specs
The Extended Stay truck campers have lengths ranging from 186 inches to 193 inches, as listed above. The 800X weighs 2,019 pounds dry and has a floor length of 77 inches, while the 840SBRX weighs in at 2,325 pounds with a floor length of 81 inches.
The 890X weighs 2,397 pounds and has a floor length of 87 inches, while the 890SBRV weighs 2,388 pounds with a floor length of 85 inches.
In the Super Lite truck camper lineup, the 590SL weighs 1,398 pounds with a floor length of 55 inches. The 610RSL weighs 1,459 pounds with a floor length of 68 inches. The 626XSL weighs 1,421 pounds with a floor length of 58.5 inches, and the 690FDSL weighs 1,564 pounds with a floor length of 66 inches. Meanwhile, the 701XSL weighs 1,570 pounds with a floor length of 67 inches, while the 770RSL weighs 1,785 pounds with a floor length of 76 inches.
Features
The Extended Stay truck campers all have a double bed over the cab, a wet bath, a kitchen with a refrigerator, a two-burner stainless steel propane stovetop, and a sink. They also include a dinette that folds into a double bed, although the 840SBRX has a sofa instead. Each floorplan has a 20,000 BTU furnace and an on-demand tankless water heater, and they are prepared for solar if you wish to add it later.
➔ Solar prep might seem like a convenient feature, but is it all it’s cracked up to be? We uncovered the truth: Is Solar Prep for RVs a Marketing Gimmick?
The Super Lite models have different configurations with a dinette and an over-the-cab bed. There’s also a kitchen area, while the 610RSL and the 770RSL models have a shower included. Each floorplan has a 12,000 BTU furnace and an on-demand tankless water heater.
Is a Travel Lite Camper Worth It?
A Travel Lite RV camper can be worth its weight in gold to the right person.
Looking for simplicity, the basic creature comforts of home, and a stylish camper for a reasonable amount of money? Travel Lite truck campers and travel trailers may be the perfect match. They come with most of the features needed to enjoy a camping trip to its fullest. If it’s not in the camper, you might not need it!
Looking for an SUV to tow your new ultra-light travel trailer? Check out the 11 Best SUVs for Towing RV Campers!
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