Camper Trailer recommendations

Savage160 · 2026-09-06T15:44:31-0700

Hey RangerG6 crew!

I’ve got a 2.3L Ranger and I’m completely hooked on this truck. I know it’s not a heavy-duty towing machine and the payload/towing numbers are pretty modest, but I still want to take it on some longer trips with my wife. We’re looking for a small camper trailer that a 2.3 can reasonably handle for the two of us—nothing huge, just something comfortable enough to travel around in.

Any recommendations for lightweight teardrops, compact travel trailers, or other setups that work well behind the 2.3? Would love to hear what’s actually worked for other people in the same boat (or same truck, haha). Appreciate any advice!

AugPal · 2026-09-06T17:08:18-0700

I towed a 3500 lb travel trailer without any issues from Chicago to Phoenix. No problem going over the Rocky Mountains. When towing I go 63 to 65 mph

bigb · 2026-09-06T17:50:42-0700

There's tons to choose from. First you need to decide what amenities you want. For me, a toilet and shower, AC/heat and at least a microwave and fridge are must haves. If you don't need all of that you can find something cheaper and lighter. For fully equipped light trailers It's pretty hard to beat Casita and Scamp. Casita is one of the best and pricey, but holds resale value very well.

I actually have a folder in my favorite places with 23 links to Ranger capable trailers but I can't figure out how to share it.

bigb · 2026-09-06T17:58:02-0700

I copied and pasted them below. This list took me months to accumulate. Note that Casita and Scamp are not on the list because when talking about small, lightweight trailers they are pretty much the standard that people already know about.

These are (mostly) all with the amenities I mentioned in my first reply, again if you can get by with less they are out there but I didn't bookmark those because they wouldn't work for us. Some of the companies linked below have bare bones tiny models as well bigger models with full amenities.

https://intech.com/rv/sol/
https://therovingfoleys.com/small-travel-trailers-with-twin-beds/
https://aliner.com/aliner-campers/lxe/
https://escapetrailer.com/
https://snoozycamper.com/
https://www.livrvtrailers.com/
https://www.keystonerv.com/product/coleman-travel-trailers/comfort-travel-trailers/floorplans
https://www.kz-rv.com/products/sportsmen-classic-travel-trailers/130RD.html
https://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/1475/
https://sunsettrailers.com/sunray-149/
https://www.proliterv.com/product-c...qffHaNQSa1dlku-s--SLDz2F66btThpkaAsISEALw_wcB
https://happiercamper.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopl10l4L0ExKD3hBBhB4owboEgZVWI1oUpUdCuwlUCqyHzUxCMS
https://www.cortescampers.com/
https://www.theautopian.com/these-are-the-smallest-campers-you-can-stand-up-in-and-also-tow-with-ordinary-cars/#:~:text=A popular alternative to Scamp,of the mega RV conglomerates.
https://www.campersinn.com/product/travel-trailer/small-campers-for-sale
https://modernbuggyrv.com/modern-buggy-series-2/
https://travelliterv.com/rvs/rove-lite-travel-trailers/
https://sunsettrailers.com/sun-lite-18-rd/
https://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/products/light-weight/enlighten
https://www.proliterv.com/produit/classic
https://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/products/light-weight/vista-cruiser/model/19RBS
https://aliner.com/ascape-campers/2026-ascape-st/
https://www.stresslesscamping.com/blog/small-trailers

Dingus83 · 2026-09-06T18:49:14-0700

We have a Rög 12RK. Just 2 of us and has everything we need. Kitchen setup is great, 3 batteries plus solar so if off grid can go a week (45 gallon fresh water). Truck handles it no problem, 14-15mpg at 65mph.

Ford Ranger Camper Trailer recommendations IMG_7320

el_sabio · 2026-09-06T19:21:52-0700

Had an Intech Luna for years, can't even tell it's behind you. Loved it but felt it was time to get an inside toilet and a little more space. Just got an Intech Sol Eclipse. Can feel it a bit more at 3600 dry, 4800 GVW but 2.3L XLT FX4 with 2" Eibach lift and 33's does just fine. Avg 15mpg towing.

Ford Ranger Camper Trailer recommendations IMG_3999

Ford Ranger Camper Trailer recommendations IMG_3412

John E Davies · 2026-09-06T20:08:51-0700

You need to tell us your budget and how many miles per year you would travel.. Most new trailers under $40k are pretty much garbage. It might be time for a field trip to tour the Oliver factory in Hohenwald, TN, the Legacy Elite single axle trailer would be a great match for your truck. They have been out long enough that there are a fair number of used ones on the market.

Video This Oliver Legacy Elite Fiberglass Trailer Has Some Luxury Secrets!

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/travel-trailers/legacy-elite/

I had the bigger LE2 for about six years, it is a truly incredible rig, but that one is too heavy for your Ranger. I no longer have any interest in RV camping, but I would get the small Ollie in a heartbeat for my RR if I did.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Ford Ranger Camper Trailer recommendations IMG_9788

Mystic · 2026-09-06T20:28:13-0700

https://www.tcteardrops.com/

TC Teardrops is a brand I've been eyeballing for a while. They can be customized for moto stuff, which is super cool, and can be ordered in a tandem axle configuration. If I had to pick something else in a 'sleep inside' configuration, I would probably pick a Scamp X.

https://www.scamptrailers.com/showroom/scamp-x

That being said, I like the back to basics setups w/ rooftop tents more...something like a Warhorse Overland trailer.

https://warhorseoverland.com/collections/trailers

Scotty B. · 2026-09-07T06:51:00-0700

I've pulled a 2022 Grand Design XLS 22MLE 22ft travel trailer which weighs around 5,600lbs empty with a load leveling hitch back and forth from Florida to Michigan several times and I haven't had any issues. You'll need electric breaks for sure and you can expect to get about 8 miles per gallon fuel economy. FYI...A full size F-series has better towing capacity, but it would take up too much room in my small garage.

johnalan · 2026-09-07T07:49:52-0700

Scotty B. said:
I've pulled a 2022 Grand Design XLS 22MLE 22ft travel trailer which weighs around 5,600lbs empty with a load leveling hitch back and forth from Florida to Michigan several times and I haven't had any issues. You'll need electric breaks for sure and you can expect to get about 8 miles per gallon fuel economy. FYI...A full size F-series has better towing capacity, but it would take up too much room in my small garage.

Scotty... have you had any issues with trailer sway? Thanks

Cabose-1 · 2026-09-07T08:39:19-0700

I Tow this around. Only problem is there are zero aerodynamics. Just cruise at 60, Ranger loves that speed with this trailer. 6k trailer with all our stuff.

Ford Ranger Camper Trailer recommendations 20260226_134812

tamitchener · 2026-09-07T10:01:43-0700

We have a Jayco Hummingbird 17RB going to Mount Rushmore this week, will let you know

johnalan · 2026-09-07T10:02:51-0700

Thanks, that is a similar size to ours.

Ford Ranger Camper Trailer recommendations Trailer

Blue Wolf · 2026-09-07T11:08:53-0700

You certainly have a lot of choices! We live in a rural location, so a fiberglass trailer made sense to us (more impervious to pack rats). We have a 17" Casita, just right for the 2 of us. No problem towing with our Ranger XLT 4x4, and use an Anderson weight distributing hitch (sway control) Forums are a good place to hear what owners say about their rigs. Here is the Casita site that include some of the other major companies plus the Fiberglass Forum. https://www.casitaforum.com/invboard/forums/

Ford Ranger Camper Trailer recommendations 1788804481736-i0

stemplar · 2026-09-07T11:29:17-0700

John E Davies said:
You need to tell us your budget and how many miles per year you would travel.. Most new trailers under $40k are pretty much garbage. It might be time for a field trip to tour the Oliver factory in Hohenwald, TN, the Legacy Elite single axle trailer would be a great match for your truck. They have been out long enough that there are a fair number of used ones on the market.

Video This Oliver Legacy Elite Fiberglass Trailer Has Some Luxury Secrets!

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/travel-trailers/legacy-elite/

I had the bigger LE2 for about six years, it is a truly incredible rig, but that one is too heavy for your Ranger. I no longer have any interest in RV camping, but I would get the small Ollie in a heartbeat for my RR if I did.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

The LE2 has a dry weight of 4900lbs so that plus cargo (I tend to pack light) is well within my comfort zone. It has a gvwr of 7,000 which is outside of my comfort zone, but I can’t even imagine packing 2,000lbs of gear, water, and food.

Camper Trailer recommendations

Savage160

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AugPal

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bigb

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bigb

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Dingus83

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el_sabio

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John E Davies

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Mystic

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Scotty B.

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johnalan

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Cabose-1

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tamitchener

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johnalan

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Blue Wolf

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stemplar

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