Many camping and outdoor enthusiasts dream of owning their own travel trailer. There are so many benefits that camping in a trailer provides when compared to tent camping. A trailer allows you the freedom to travel to different areas and camp in a wide variety of locations.
If you have solar panels or a generator and large enough tanks, you can spend weeks or even months out in nature. This gives campers the freedom to take their adventures anywhere they like and have many more creature comforts too.
When considering a travel trailer, it’s important to take into account the size and weight. Both of these factors will determine where you are able to travel and camp. Some roads and campgrounds have restrictions on trailer size because they have limitations on space.
The weight is especially important because you will need a vehicle to pull your trailer. Bigger, heavier trailers may need stronger trucks to pull them so it’s important to consider this before investing in a trailer.
In this article, we will look at 20-foot trailers and how much they weigh. This length of trailer is quite popular because it is a manageable size yet provides a lot of space for different amenities as well as plenty of storage for supplies.
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How Much Do 20’ Travel Trailers Weigh?
The answer to the question about trailer weight is not necessarily cut and dry. It often depends on the brand and type of trailer you choose. With so many options, using weight as a factor can help you narrow things down to make a decision.
However, there is an average weight based on length for travel trailers. Those measuring 18-22 feet long often weigh between 2,500 to 2,750 pounds. So a 20-foot trailer will average around 2600 lbs dry weight. This will vary by model and options.
Of course, this is a base or dry, weight that you may see on a listing for a travel trailer or hear about from a dealer. It may not factor in any adjustments you want to make if you plan to modify or customize the trailer.
The base weight also does not include supplies, gear, luggage, and full tanks of gas and water which add a lot of weight. A loaded 20-foot travel trailer could weigh as much as 2,700 or 2,900 pounds.
Some estimate that you will add approximately 1,500 pounds of weight to your trailer once you load it. So this weight should be factored in when determining the overall weight of the trailer and if your vehicle will be able to tow it.
In order to calculate the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the maximum weight the trailer can allow, you should add the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) plus the net carrying capacity (NCC).
The UVW is how much the trailer weighs when it is empty while the NCC is the weight of all the items you pack into the trailer. The NCC usually consists of equipment, gas, water, and fuel. If you have slide-outs or a generator, this will add even more weight to the trailer.
A slide-out can easily add an extra one thousand pounds to a trailer while generators can weigh up to 400 pounds. Pop-ups can also be added to a trailer to create extra room but they do add more weight, although not as much as a slide-out.
To reduce the weight of the trailer, look for materials that are lightweight. Trailers made from fiberglass, for example, are lighter than other materials. However, lightweight travel trailers may be more expensive than their heavier counterparts.
A good method of knowing the maximum GVWR is to look at the gross axle weight rating (GAWR). The GAWR is the total load the trailer’s axles can support without getting damaged. If your vehicle can easily manage the maximum GVWR of the travel trailer, you should have no problems pulling a trailer even when it is completely full.
Although the total weight is important to consider, there are other factors that could affect the difficulty of towing the trailer. One of the most important is weight distribution.
Check with the manufacturer of your trailer to find out the ideal distribution for your specific make and model. If the weight is too far back, it could be dangerous and prevent you from being able to stop easily.
Some cars can tow travel trailers that are on the lighter end. However, most people will need an SUV to tow their trailers safely and effectively. The towing capacity of some smaller SUVs usually ranges from 2,700 pounds to 5,000 pounds.
The Subaru Outback can tow up to 3,500 pounds while a Ford Explorer can tow 5,600 pounds. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a wide towing capacity, ranging from 3,500 to 7,200 pounds.
For those who need extra towing power or simply want a larger, stronger truck, a full-size SUV is the way to go. The Ford Expedition can tow up to 9,300 pounds, making it one of the best options for those who want a large towing capacity.
Examples of 20 Foot Travel Trailers
These 5 trailers measure approximately 20 feet in length with some being a few inches longer or shorter. This will give you an idea of different travel trailers on the market within this length category so you can get an idea of their weight.
As you will see, most of these trailers are quite lightweight, with dry weights ranging from 2,775 to 3,095 pounds. The cargo-carrying capacity varies and not all the heavier trailers have the most cargo allowance.
Although these trailers are small, they do often have spacious designs and features such as windows and skylights that make them feel much roomier. Having a shorter travel trailer doesn’t mean compromising on amenities either.
These trailers have bathrooms with both toilet and shower and most have a full kitchen featuring a microwave, refrigerator, stove, and oven. Smaller trailers aren’t always built for two people either with some of them being able to sleep up to 5 people comfortably.
So have a look at some of the options below to get an idea of the dry weight and cargo carrying capacity you can expect with a 20-foot travel trailer. Then explore the various floor plans and amenities to find your ideal trailer.
- Forest River R-Pod Travel Trailer: RP-178
This trailer is 20 feet long and weighs approximately 2,839 pounds. It is a mini trailer and some of the floor plans are on the small side, with tiny bathrooms and a single slide out. The best part of this trailer is that it is ultra-light and has the lightest hitch weight of similar trailers.
The RP-179 and RP-180 are heavier and have a hitch weight of over 300 pounds. There are a variety of floorplans to choose from and the cargo carrying capacity is 902 pounds, giving you plenty of additional weight to pack it full of everything you need.
- KZ Sportsmen Classic 181BH
This trailer is a bit over 20 feet, measuring 20 feet, 9 inches long. Its UVW is 3,000 pounds and the GVWR is 3,500 pounds. It comes with a 14-foot awning and a spacious interior with a height of 78-inches to make it easy to move around inside.
A 7-cubic foot refrigerator is included and the trailer can sleep up to five people. It also has a shower, toilet, and kitchen complete with a dinette. It is both compact and lightweight, allowing you to tow it easily while still taking all the necessities along.
- Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E17RK
This trailer is 20 feet long and has an unloaded weight of 2,932 pounds. It is ideal for those who want a smaller travel trailer or the environmentally conscious who don’t want a large SUV to tow their trailer.
It comes with an 11-foot power awning and has a lot of extras such as exterior speakers, solar panels that can be mounted on the roof, an air conditioner, and LED lights for the exterior. The cargo capacity is 962 pounds, giving you a lot of flexibility when it comes to packing and adding weight.
- Jayco Hummingbird 17RK
This teardrop travel trailer is just under 20 feet, measuring 19 feet, 9 inches in length. It has an unloaded vehicle weight of 3,095 pounds and a cargo-carrying capacity of 855 pounds.
The interior height of the living area is 6 feet 6 inches tall to accommodate even the tallest campers. The awning measures 10 feet and it comes complete with a kitchenette featuring a 2-burner cooktop, microwave, refrigerator, and dinette.
- Lance 1575 Travel Trailer
This small travel trailer has an overall length of 20 feet 5 inches and a floor-length of 15 feet 9 inches. The gross dry weight is 2,775 pounds which makes it incredibly lightweight. Despite this, it has a cargo-carrying capacity of 925 pounds.
The sleeping capacity is 4 people and it comes with a 5 cubic-foot refrigerator, microwave convection and oven, and a 3-burner range with an oven for all your cooking needs. Large windows and skylights make this trailer feel much more spacious than it is so you never feel cramped or crowded.
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