After doing tons of price comparisons to find the best deals, I purchased a new travel trailer. Because they are more expensive than used trailers, brand new trailers cost significantly more. However, many people find it worth it to buy new because they can be damaged easily.
There are many prices for a new travel trailer, but I was able to find a range of prices. A 24 foot travel trailer of decent construction will run you around $23,000.
Price depends on many factors, not least the size and quality of the construction. Coleman is a great brand to consider if you are looking for a simple trailer with low-end appliances and better construction. These trailers are often half the price of more expensive brands but may still be a viable option for many families.
Example of Average Travel Trailer Prices
These are examples of prices I have seen for new travel trailers. These prices are not necessarily the list price. They represent what I believe you can expect to receive after some negotiation. This article contains my top tips for getting a great deal on a new travel caravan.
- $11,000 – Coleman CT17FQWE 21′ trailer with very basic bare-bones features and budget construction. No slide out siding.
- $13,500 –Coleman CTS235QBWE 27′ trailer with very basic features. It has siding, budget construction and no slide outs.
- Jayco Jayflight (145RB Baja) – $14,000
- $15,000 -Starcraft ARONE 20BHLE 24′ Bunkhouse Plan with Fiberglass Exterior, Decent Features
- $17,000 -Coleman CT262BHWE 32′ (32′) with very basic features, slide and budget construction, bunkhouse design
- $18,500 – Forest River Gray Wolf 24-RK (33′ feet fiberglass walls, nice features and well made, sleeps 3,
- $19,000 – Shadow Cruiser (22′ with slide, excellently made with nice features)
- $22,000 – Rockwood Mini Lite 22109S (22′ with slide, sleeps 4), very well constructed and great features
- Jayco Jay Flight 23RB (23′ Bunkhouse with Slide, Good Construction) $23,000
- $23,500 – Heartland Mallard IIDM29 (33′ bunkhouse, slide, very well built)
- $24,000 – Rockwood MINI Lite 2504s’ 25′ travel trailer with slide, bunks and many other upgraded features
- $25,000 -Keystone Cougar 24-SABWE (28′, slide, nice features),
- $29,000 – Forest River Vibe268RKS 34′ (with a slide, sleeps 4, and very nicely decorated)
- $32,000 – Forest River Wildcat Wildcat 28RKX 32′ (32′) – Very well made, with many excellent features
- $35,000 – Keystone Outback 3326RL (53′, 3 slides, and well appointed)
- Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH – $35,000 (28′ with slide out fiberglass walls and very well appointed)
This should give you an idea about the price range for a new camper trailer.
Don’t Forget! There will be additional costs!
I know firsthand that there will be additional costs associated with buying a trailer. These are some things you should consider:
- Sales tax! Sales tax! You’ll need to add this to your purchase price
- Title and doc fee for dealer (Plan cost about $300, depending on state and dealer)
- Insurance (I wrote an Article on the Cost of Insuring a Travel Trailer).
- Blackwater dump hoses, cords, etc. (I have a complete article here about all the items I needed to get my trailer running after purchasing a new one).
- Two batteries Many RV lots don’t include batteries in their sales price. Batteries for RVs can be as high as $150 per unit!
- Propane tanks (Make sure they are included, and check if they have been filled).
- Spare tire (often not included in the sale, but you will ABSOLUTELY need one)
- Generator (Usually between $900 to $2,500. Read My review of my favorite cheap generator here .
- Storage: If your trailer cannot be stored in your backyard, you will need to pay storage. The cost of storage will vary depending on where you live. Covered storage in Boise costs $95 per month.
Why are the prices of trailers so different?
You can see that there is a significant difference in the price of travel trailers, even though the basic dimensions and floorplan are identical. A 21′ Coleman can cost as low as $11,000, while a Shadow Cruiser, Rockwood, or Forest River can cost as much as $23,000. Why? Let me tell you a story.
The first night in , our new Rockwood 2504s, a gentleman approached us and spoke with us about his camping experience. It turned out that we had purchased our trailers from the same dealer (Camping World, Meridian Idaho) the previous day. We were camping together for the first time. He purchased a cheap Coleman, while we purchased a more luxurious Rockwood. They were almost identical in price. I paid half the price of mine, so I was curious to find out if he liked it.
It was very sad. He regretted the purchase and had many problems with his trailer after the first night. It was not one thing. It was hard to use the fridge, and the faucet in the sink leaked slightly. There were a lot of things that didn’t work as well for him as he had hoped. He regretted not spending more on the features, but there wasn’t any BROKEN.
I am not trying to disparage Coleman campers in any way. You’ll love it, even though we all have different budgets. A good trailer is one that brings your family out into the woods. Saving money is often a smart move. The reason I am sharing this story is because the cost of a travel trailer can be divided into hundreds of small things, and not one large thing. It is the quality of the showerhead and insulation provided by the windows. You can get LED lights instead of halogen. There are also frameless windows, two batteries. Larger propane tanks. A powered awning. An entertainment center. There are many things that a trailer doesn’t show.
When you are shopping for a trailer, make sure you check out reviews from actual owners. Also, look for things that can prevent you from having problems later. You might be more inclined to stay at home Friday night than to take the family out on Friday.
It doesn’t take a lot to get a good trailer. However, this article will give you some ideas. My tips for getting a great deal on a trailer before buying!