Lightweight RVs: Towable Models Under 5,000 

Sienne Lite at campground with kayaks

Thinking about getting into RVing? You don't necessarily need to buy a new truck or SUV to start. If you already own a capable vehicle, like a half-ton pickup, a mid-size SUV, or even some crossovers, there's a good chance it can already tow one of these RVs.

You don't necessarily need to buy a new truck or SUV to start. If you already own a capable vehicle, like a half-ton pickup, a mid-size SUV, or even some crossovers, there's a good chance it can already tow one of these RVs.

The key is matching your vehicle's towing capacity to the RV's actual weight, and that starts with knowing what those weight numbers mean:

  • UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight): How much the RV weighs empty, straight from the factory- no water, gear, or passengers.
  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): The maximum the RV can weigh once it's fully loaded with water, propane, gear, and everything else you bring along. This is the number that matters most for towing math.
  • Hitch Weight: How much downward force the trailer puts on your tow vehicle's hitch- an important number for choosing the right hitch setup.

We're not going to tell you what your specific truck or SUV can pull- that number lives in your owner's manual, and it's worth checking before you shop. What we can do is show you real, published weight specs for some of the lightest, most towable RVs on the market today. Pull up your vehicle's towing capacity, compare it against the numbers below, and you may find you're closer to your first RV than you thought.

Model availability, pricing, and specifications reflect the current model year and are subject to change by manufacturer.