Portable “tiny house” RVs are cheap and fun

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Have you ever considered selling everything and buying a tiny house? If so, would you consider traveling part-time in an RV first?

The United States is undergoing a social movement that promotes the use of tiny homes that offer eco-friendly and lower-cost lifestyles. But with many tiny house companies charging big prices for small spaces, it’s difficult for some Americans to make the switch to tiny house living.

That’s where RVs come into the picture. A used RV can cost a fraction of the price of a new tiny home, and the portability of a small RV can help potential tiny-home buyers practice tiny-space living before they fully commit to the lifestyle.

Lightweight RVs

There are many reasons to choose a lightweight RV as your portable tiny home, including:

• Fuel efficiency: Lightweight RVs can easily be towed by small SUVs or small trucks. The lightweight RV setup is easier to maneuver than a heavy motorhome, which can be more expensive than lightweight RVs to move and operate.
• Smaller camping spaces, that are not options for motorhomes and larger SUVs, are no problem for small vehicles and lightweight RVs.
• Lightweight RVs are budget-friendly, with some gently used models selling online for less than $10K.
• Lightweight RVs, particularly those with solar capabilities, are easier to take with you to explore backroads and off-grid campsites.

If you’re interested in learning more about lightweight RVs, the following campers can give you a glimpse into the world of small-scale but big-picture living.

Airstream Basecamp

Airstream Basecamps are one of the most attractive lightweight RVs on the market. According to Airstream’s website, the Basecamp is made for “those who want to see the world.”

Airstream Basecamp image via Basecamp | Travel Trailers | Small Airstream RV and Travel Trailer|Airstream Basecamp image via Basecamp | Travel Trailers | Small Airstream RV and Travel Trailer|Airstream Basecamp image via Basecamp | Travel Trailers | Small Airstream RV and Travel Trailer

And the basecamp is a tough little RV, too. Light filters into the RV through wrap-around windows, and an outdoor shower is ideal for those who want to thrive in nature without going full-scale hunter-gatherer.

The Basecamp is available in a 16’3″ or 20′ model. It is 7′ wide and 8’8″ tall and weighs 3,500 pounds before you fill it with your hiking and fishing gear. It also includes a 21-gallon freshwater tank and a 24-gallon graywater tank.

The 10′ version of the RV sleeps up to four people.

Prices on used Basecamps can be as inexpensive as $23K or as high as $73K, so do your homework before buying.

Braxton Creek Bushwackers

If you’re looking to spend around $10K for a small, used RV, consider buying a Braxton Creek Bushwacker. Braxton Creek has been recently rebranded to Bontrager Outdoors, but it still has the same quality and adorability.

The Bushwacker series featured trailers 10-12′ long, which is perfect for vehicles with a lower towing capacity. The Bushwacker Plus trailers, however, were between 15 and 17′ feet long. Bontrager Outdoors will have new lightweight models available soon if you’re only interested in purchasing a new RV, but the recent rebranding may be an excellent opportunity to score a good deal on lightly used Bushwackers.

Bushwacker models can weigh as little as 1300 pounds. And did we mention that used Bushwackers are budget-conscious?

Starcraft Autumn Ridge

You can buy a gently used Autumn Ridge for under $15K, and the new base models start off at the same price. They weigh around 3,000 pounds.

Casita

If you’re looking for a Texas-made, lightweight RV, the Casita might be just the camper for you.

The ultra-lightweight and water-resistant fiberglass body has helped the company develop a cult following, and the high resale prices prove that investing in a Casita may be wise.

At the time of this article’s publication, a used 2021 Heritage Deluxe Casita was listed on rvtrader.com for $28K, while a new Casita Independence (2025 model) was available for $26K. Even a 2018 Casita had an asking price of $24K.

So yes, Casita’s hold their value.

Casitas weigh less than 2500 pounds and have a maximum capacity of 2-3 people.

Inexpensive, new lightweight RVs

Sales prices are as low as $14K for the 2025 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 17EV, which compares to the 2025 Keystone Coleman 13B that lists for $10K. And yes, they’re both brand new.

The Coleman weighs less than 2500 pounds, while the Wolf Pup weighs around 3000 pounds. They are bare-bones basic, but if you’re planning to spend most of your time outdoors while you’re camping, these basic campers are a bargain.

Destination Trailers

If you’re ready to sell it all and live a bigger version of tiny, why not consider a destination trailer? These RVs are surprisingly posh, with two-story options available, and they’re not that expensive when compared to high-end tiny homes.

2025 Forest River Reserve 16SW sells for around $40K, but it features a second-story loft, a washer dryer, a roomy bathroom, and large living room. Source: Forest River image.

Destination Trailers are meant to give their owners the ability to live their RV life in a more residential home-styled design.

Check out this brand new Forest River Salem Villa Grand 42View if you want to completely rethink everything you thought you knew about tiny houses and RVs. But don’t get too attached if you’re on a super tight budget, though, because this bad boy lists at just over $80K and weighs in at more than 13000 pounds before you load it down with hiking boots, bicycles, groceries, and your husband’s baseball card collection that he refuses to part with as you’re downsizing.

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