This article is about cheap travel trailers. And whether it’s a good idea to buy a new one or not.

And some ideas on how to make sure that you buy a better quality product.

Of course, RVs come in all sizes, configurations, and even price ranges. And really that’s a good thing!

Because it allows us as consumers to choose what works best for us. For our particular circumstances.

So we can choose an RV that fits the way we like to travel and camp. And for our own budget as well.

Table of Contents

• A Very Important Truth About RVs
• The Purpose Of Most Cheap Travel Trailers
• The Advantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers
• The Disadvantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers
• The Problem With Many New Travel Trailers These Days
• What Kind Of Travel Trailers Are We Talking About Here?
• Should You Buy A New Cheap Travel Trailer Then?
• The Best Protection You Can Have When Buying Any RV
• What If You Can't Get An RV Inspection By A Pro?
• The Next Step That Is Critical For RV Buying Success
• Here's Another Way To Buy Quality Cheap Travel Trailers
• Why Consider Buying A Used Cheap Travel Trailer?
• Another Big Help When You Buy A Used Travel Trailer
• Conclusion

A Very Important Truth About RVs

But here’s a simple truth about RVs that’s very important to understand. And interestingly, it applies to a lot of things in life outside of this industry.

It’s a very simple statement really. And that is that you generally get what you pay for. That’s true of RVs and of so many other things in life.

So what that means with RVs is that if you spend more in the RV market, you generally should expect better overall RV build quality.

Also, better customer support from the manufacturer and so on.

The Purpose Of Most Cheap Travel Trailers

But many travel trailers are built to be the entry-level segment of the RV industry.

Of course, that’s really not true of all travel trailers. Because certainly, there are higher end ones like Airstream and other brands like that.

But generally speaking, a lot of travel trailers are built to be more affordable by more people.

And therefore, they’re the entry level segment of the towable RV category.

The Advantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers

So then, that means that you can experience RVing without breaking the bank.

And it brings the RV experience to many people who couldn’t afford it otherwise.

Also, if you’re new to RVing, it’s a great way to learn more before you buy something more expensive.

The Disadvantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers

But here’s the flip side of that scenario. It also means that you’re going to see a lot more examples of poor fit and finish in this area.

Also, you’re going to see lower quality building materials too.

And you’re going to see less attention to good building methods, and so on. Now the question is, is all of that really so bad? Not really!

Because it can be okay if you plan to use that low-cost travel trailer just a few times a year.

But if you’re going to spend an extended amount of time in it, you’re probably going to wear it out pretty fast.

However, if you only use it a few times a year, as many people do, then it may be just fine for you.

The Problem With Many New Travel Trailers These Days

But I personally don’t like what I am seeing coming out of the RV factories right now. Especially in the low-cost travel trailer segment.

Now we all know that the Covid pandemic affected RV manufacturers in a big way.

But of course, it also affected a lot of other industries out there too.

And one of the big problems RV builders faced was with their workforce. It was very difficult to keep experienced people working on the production line.

So as a result of that, we saw a lot of poor quality control coming out of RV factories.

And we saw a lot of build problems. Things that you would not normally see before Covid.

And unfortunately this was happening all across the RV industry too.

I, fact, I would say that there wasn’t hardly any RV manufacturer that wasn’t touched by the pandemic in a negative way.

But we are a couple of years down the line from the pandemic’s effects now.

And some improvement has been made as the industry strives to get back on its feet again.

However, there are still issues with low quality building procedures. Especially in the low-cost travel trailer category too.

What Kind Of Travel Trailers Are We Talking About Here?

Now let me be clear about what I’m talking about here. I’m not really referring to teardrop trailers. You know, very small ones.

Or single person RVs. They do not make up a huge segment of the travel trailer category.

What I’m really talking about are travel trailers that are designed for couples. Or maybe even a small family.

These kind of travel trailers would start around 17 feet or so, and go up from there.

And the build quality that I’m seeing in these kind of travel trailers borders on atrocious in many cases now.

So having said all that, we get back to the question of whether you should buy a cheap travel trailer these days, or not?

Should You Buy A New Cheap Travel Trailer Then?

So should you buy a new cheap travel trailer that has been designed to be an entry-level unit?

Well, it’s your choice. And I cannot tell you what to do. Of course, that’s really the truth about almost everything in RVing.

But I can make some recommendations to help you be protected when you buy any RV.

And these recommendations will help you make wise decisions as you buy a newer cheap travel trailer.

So let’s start with my first suggestion. And it applies if you feel that you really have to buy a new RV.

Of course, there’s many good reasons for buying a new RV. So if you feel that’s really important to you, here is my first recommendation.

The Best Protection You Can Have When Buying Any RV

And that is that I feel that you really should have that RV inspected thoroughly before you buy it. Yes, even if it’s a new RV.

Of course, people who buy travel trailers often feel that’s too much money for them to spend.

But how much money will you spend on fixing a poorly built RV though?

But there could be other situations that stand in the way of getting an RV inspection too.

For instance, the dealer may even deny an RV inspection for any RV you buy from them.

Or you may try to get an RV inspection, but there isn’t a lot of inspectors in your area.

Now if any one of those situations applies in your case, then it presents a challenge for you.

What If You Can’t Get An RV Inspection By A Pro?

But I’ve created a guidebook that can be helpful for you. To make sure that you are getting an RV that is as trouble-free as possible.

The guidebook will show you how to go through and inspect all the various parts of any RV.

And it will show you how to make sure that all the RV components are functioning correctly.

Also, it will have a checklist that goes along with the guidebook too.

That way you can make sure that you don’t miss anything important as you go.

You can find the guidebook for buying new RVs here. Or click on the image below.

Now let me be clear that this is not an equal substitute for an RV inspection from a professional. It’s just not.

But if you can’t get an inspection from a pro, then you can get a lot of really good information about that RV by performing a guided RV inspection yourself.

And if you follow the information in the guidebook you will get a good feel for that RV’s situation.

Whether it’s in good shape and ready for travel, or not. Just by doing an RV inspection yourself with guidance from a pro like me.

The Next Step That Is Critical For RV Buying Success

Now once you get the information on what is happening with that RV, what’s next?

I recommend that you then get the issues you found in your inspection fixed. And make sure you do that before you take delivery of the RV too.

So if you follow those guidelines on buying a new low-cost travel trailer, you can still do very well. And get an RV that you’ll be happy with.

Now let’s move to my second recommendation about cheap travel trailers.

Here’s Another Way To Buy Quality Cheap Travel Trailers

And that is that maybe it’s time that you consider a low-cost travel trailer that’s a little older instead.

Of course, we know that the Covid pandemic really came in around 2020.

And it lasted in force until the end of 2022. So maybe look for a travel trailer from 2019 and older.

Now there’s a lot of advantages to actually buying a used RV too.

Why Consider Buying A Used Cheap Travel Trailer?

For instance, you can consider buying a better quality RV if it’s used.

Because if you’re buying new, you’re paying premium money for that travel trailer.

And that means that you can only choose from so many brands if you are on a budget.

Also, many of those new cheap travel trailer brands are probably not going to be very high quality.

But if you choose from the used RV market instead, the situation changes.

And if you go back a few years, then you can start to work with better brands for the same money.

Now when it comes to cheap travel trailers, I highly recommend that you consider going back before the Covid years too.

Another Big Help When You Buy A Used Travel Trailer

Now I have also made a guidebook about used travel trailer brands.

And it can help you narrow down the brands that you really should be considering on the used market.

You can decide if you think that will help or not. But I highly recommend that you choose from the better RV brands if you want to be happy with your RV purchase.

Just click here to view my used travel trailer guidebook, or click on the image below.

Now one more thing to consider. And that is if you choose to download any of my guidebooks, I’ll be there to personally help you as well.

Yes, I’ll make myself personally available to you as you go through the RV buying process. And getting my help can be crucial to getting a good RV.

But when we’re talking about used RVs and travel trailers let me say this.

Conclusion

I’m a huge fan of getting a certified RV inspector to inspect it before you buy.

That’s because there’s a lot of things that can be hidden in a used RV that could be trouble.

So if at all possible hire a professional inspector to go through any RV you are considering to buy. And that way you’ll know what you’re buying!

Now I hope you’ll follow the suggestions I’ve provided here in this article.

For buying either a new cheap travel trailer. Or going back a few years and getting a little better brand and build quality on the used RV market.

If you follow the advice I’ve given you here, then buying a cheaper low-cost travel trailer does not mean that you have to be buying junk.

And then you’re not just accepting anything that the industry is throwing out of its factory doors.

Instead, you are prepared as an RV buyer. You’ll know what you’re doing as you’re going through the buying process.

And if you follow my advice, I am very confident that you really can buy a cheap travel trailer that you’re going to be happy with.

Not only now, but for many years to come as well.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!