Yes, you can still find used travel trailers under $5000, but expect an older, smaller, or simpler rig — usually a pop-up or a travel trailer 10 to 20 years old. The average used travel trailer sells for about $19,500, with most between $7,500 and $39,000, so at $5,000 the trailer's condition matters far more than its brand.
A used travel trailer is in many ways superior to a brand new trailer. You get to spend less and won't have to bear the impact of high depreciation. And you can own one for as little as $5,000. While that figure may sound conservative, there are trailers available for you to purchase. Here, you'll find what $5,000 realistically buys, where to look, what to inspect, and ten older models that often show up near that price.
You can find these models online, from private sellers, or at your nearest used RV dealer. The exact price will vary with age and condition.
And if you want to test one out for an affordable price before making the investment, you can rent a camper trailer for a weekend first.
Used travel trailers under $5,000 at a glance
- Realistic target: a pop-up camper or a small, older hard-sided travel trailer.
- Biggest risk: hidden water damage, which can cost more to fix than the trailer is worth.
- Check before you pay: roof, floor, frame, tire date codes, propane cylinder dates, and a clean title in the seller's name.
- Price it first: look up the trailer's low and average retail value before you make an offer.
- Never pay with gift cards or a wire transfer, or for a trailer you can't see in person.
Are used travel trailers worth it?
Many campers advise against buying a used travel trailer. While they have some valid points to make, buying a second-hand trailer does have benefits.
The first obvious benefit is the reduced cost. Used RVs and travel trailers often sell for a fraction of their original sticker price, especially once they're more than a few years old.
Old camper trailers are an excellent choice for budget-focused recreationists.
Used travel trailers are also a better buy compared to newer ones. And that's because of value depreciation.
A brand new RV loses some of its value almost immediately after it leaves the dealer. It can lose about 20% in its first year, then roughly 15% a year for the next four or five years, with the decline slowing after that.
So if you happen to resell an old travel trailer down the road, you can expect to lose less than if you'd bought it brand new. Obviously, this depends on condition, type, and how well it's been stored.
There's one more perk: previous owners often add upgrades such as better mattresses, LED lighting, or even rooftop solar panels, and you get them for free.
What can you really buy for $5,000?
At $5,000 you're shopping the oldest, smallest, or simplest end of the market. Dealer data puts the typical used travel trailer well above that, so plan on trade-offs:
- Under $5,000: pop-up campers and small, older hard-sided trailers.
- Just over $5,000: more choice of older bunkhouse trailers and well-kept small campers, though most used travel trailers still sell for far more.
- Bigger, newer, or fancier trailers: expect to pay well above $5,000 unless the trailer needs real work.
Pop-up campers are often the cheapest way in. We've heard from plenty of first-time owners who started with a pop-up and loved it. Their values fell 8.4% year over year at the end of 2024, the steepest drop among towable RVs, though J.D. Power reported camping trailer values rising 6% year over year in Q2 2026. See our roundup of small pop-up campers if canvas walls don't scare you.
If you can stretch to $7,500 to $10,000, you'll usually get a newer, safer trailer with fewer repairs. If you need a trailer now, a $5,000 rig in good condition is a great start. Renters we talk to who stretched their budget a little often say the extra money paid for itself in skipped repairs.
What to look for in a used travel trailer
When buying a used trailer, prioritize checking the frame's condition, plumbing, and electrical systems. Be sure to ask for maintenance records and any history of repairs.
It's always important to check for any evidence of water damage, especially on the subfloor or any area underneath the trailer. Walk the floor in socks and feel for soft spots, and look up at the ceiling corners around vents and the air conditioner. In our experience, a pricier trailer with a sound roof and floor beats a cheaper one with a "small leak" every time.
Whenever possible, have a qualified professional look over the entire unit. The National RV Inspectors Association certifies RV inspectors, and its inspector locator now lives on RV Help. Also, ask that they run a pressure test on the gas lines to ensure safety when using propane.
Tips for finding the right used trailer
- Research Popular Models: Look for common models that maintain their value and are easy to repair.
- Inspect Thoroughly: Have the trailer inspected by a professional or bring a knowledgeable friend.
- Price It First: Look up the J.D. Power low and average retail values for the year and model before you make an offer.
- Negotiate Prices: Always negotiate with sellers, especially if repairs or updates are needed.
Where to buy used trailers under $5000
Consider browsing classified ads, local dealerships, and online marketplaces. Popular sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and RV Trader often feature used trailers at affordable prices. Local dealers sometimes keep a short list of budget trade-ins, too, and they'll usually handle the title paperwork for you.
Wherever you shop, watch for the classic scam signs. Walk away if a seller wants gift cards or a wire transfer, or can't meet in person and let you inspect the trailer. We've heard from plenty of first-time buyers who found a "too good to be true" listing hundreds of miles away — it almost always is.
- See it in person and hitch it up if you can, so you know the lights and brakes work.
- Match the VIN on the trailer's frame or data plate to the title.
- Make sure the title is in the seller's name and free of liens.
- Get a bill of sale with the price, date, VIN, and both signatures.
Ten used travel trailers under $5000
These ten older models often show up near the $5,000 mark. Prices swing widely with condition, so treat this as a shortlist to search for, not a price list:
- 2013 Palomino PaloMini 131 RL
- 2011 Jayco Jay Feather Sport 165
- 2011 Forest River Flagstaff High Wall HW29SC
- 1998 KZ Sportsmen 2303
- 2007 KZ Coyote Sport CS160
- 2013 KZ Sportsmen Classic 13FK
- Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 26BHXL (2010–2011)
- 2011 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 16P
- 2008 Heartland Cyclone 4012
- Keystone Laredo 26RK (2007–2008)
2013 Palomino PaloMini 131 RL
- Class – Travel trailer
- Length – about 16.8 ft
- Dry weight – about 1,930 lbs
- Sleeps – up to four campers
- Best for: couples who want a light, hard-sided step up from a pop-up
The 2013 PaloMini 131 RL is among the best small models you can find in this price range. It weighs about 1,930 pounds dry and sleeps up to four, which makes it a candidate for many smaller tow vehicles.
Its hard-sided shell makes it a natural step up for buyers coming from pop-up campers. It has rigid walls and a sturdy body.
Inside, you'll find a dinette and a sofa that convert into beds, plus a kitchenette with a two-burner stove, sink, microwave, and a compact refrigerator that runs on electric or propane. You have an air conditioner on the roof, which is great for summer camping.
The light weight makes it easier to tow and can help your fuel economy. If you're shopping by weight, our guide to campers under 2,000 pounds has newer options in the same class.
It still has a loyal following among RVers who appreciate its compactness and design.
2011 Jayco Jay Feather Sport 165
- Class – Travel trailer
- Length – 18 ft
- Dry weight – about 2,835 lbs
- Sleeps – up to five campers
- Bathroom – toilet, shower, and tub
- Best for: small families who want a real bathroom on a budget
When the Jayco Jay Feather Sport 165 came out, it was a hit. It is sized decently and has a nice floorplan. It had more amenities than many other travel trailers in the same price bracket.
At 18 feet, the Jay Feather Sport 165 is quite compact, but the amenities are on par with bigger trailers. It has a rear bath with toilet, shower, and tub — rare in a trailer that weighs about 2,835 pounds dry.
Other amenities you will find inside are a compact dinette and a small kitchen area with a cooktop, a microwave, and a refrigerator. It also has a TV shelf and storage compartments along the walls.
The outdoors has a patio awning to create shaded areas at the campsite. Other features are a small storage unit and a propane tank.
This travel trailer is ideal if you are looking for a decent amount of comfort and are flexible with size and weight. Renters we talk to say a real bathroom is the one feature they'd never give up on a family trip.
2011 Forest River Flagstaff High Wall HW29SC
- Class – High-wall pop-up (expandable) camper
- Length – about 26.75 ft listed
- Dry weight – about 3,135 lbs
- Sleeps – up to eight campers
- Bathroom – toilet and shower
- Best for: bigger families who want the most sleeping space for the money
The Forest River Flagstaff High Wall HW29SC is one of the roomiest campers you'll find at this price. Its high walls fold down for towing, and the bed ends and a slide-out open up at camp.
What's interesting about this camper trailer is it can accommodate a crowd. It sleeps up to eight on a queen, a king, and two convertible beds, and it weighs about 3,135 pounds dry.
Other amenities inside the trailer are a toilet and shower, a kitchenette, a microwave, and a refrigerator.
Forest River built the HW29SC for many model years, so floor plans and replacement parts are easy to find. Check the canvas and bed-end seams closely — they're the parts that wear first on any pop-up. We've seen worn canvas turn into a solid bargaining chip.
1998 KZ Sportsmen 2303
- Class – Travel trailer
- Sleeps – five to six campers (check the floor plan of the unit you're viewing)
- Bathroom – toilet
- Best for: buyers who want an old-school, two-door layout and don't mind a project
The Sportsmen 2303 from KZ is an older model. Known for its spacious floor plan and lightweight design, it has been a favorite among many RVers. Depending on condition, you may be able to get one of these used trailers for under $5000.
The Sportsmen 2303 features two doors, which is unheard of these days. Toward the front door, you have a queen-sized bed and TV panels. And the second door is toward the end near the kitchen. The kitchen space has a refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave.
You'll also find a toilet, a dinette, and a slide-out sofa that can serve as a full-size bed. Besides that, there's plenty of space and headroom to move around freely.
The Sportsmen 2303 comes with a long awning that shades both doors. At nearly 30 years old, any 2303 deserves a very careful roof and floor inspection.
2007 KZ Coyote Sport CS160
- Class – Travel trailer
- Sleeps – about five campers
- Bathroom – yes, corner bathroom
- Best for: small families who want bunks in a short trailer
The Coyote Sport is a smaller KZ trailer. Unlike the Sportsmen 2303, it has only one entrance door.
The trailer is equipped with a lower double bed and a bunk bed. At the opposite end, there's a U-shaped dinette that is convertible and can be used as a bed.
The bathroom is tucked in one corner. Along with that, you'll find a pantry, a kitchenette, and overhead storage cabinets.
As a bonus, many Coyote Sports have air conditioning and a furnace, which stretches your camping season. Check that both run before you buy.
The trailer camper has decent ground clearance for gravel campground roads, and dual stabilizer jacks will make your job easier. But note that it's not designed for off-roading.
2013 KZ Sportsmen Classic 13FK
- Class – Travel trailer
- Length – about 13.75 ft
- Dry weight – about 1,993 lbs
- Sleeps – two campers
- Bathroom – toilet
- Best for: solo travelers and couples with a smaller tow vehicle
The 13FK is the third KZ travel trailer on this list. And it happens to be the smallest of them all, which translates to better maneuverability and fuel efficiency.
This travel trailer is designed for two campers. Inside this compact trailer, there's a dinette that converts into a bed, plus a refrigerator and a stovetop. Despite the space limitations, KZ fit in a toilet. It's about 13.75 feet long and 1,993 pounds dry, with air conditioning and a heater listed as options — so ask which ones the trailer you're viewing has.
As opposed to other models, the 13FK is a bit tough to find. Not many campers put these up for sale, and when they do, condition decides whether it lands under or over $5,000.
Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 26BHXL (2010–2011)
- Class – Bunkhouse travel trailer
- Length – about 27.75 ft (2011)
- Dry weight – about 4,042 lbs (2011)
- Sleeps – up to nine campers (2011)
- Bathroom – shower, tub, and toilet
- Best for: families who need bunks and can tow a mid-size trailer
The Wildwood X-Lite 26BHXL is a family-friendly travel trailer. The 2011 version sleeps up to nine and weighs about 4,042 pounds dry, so you'll need a tow vehicle rated well above that once it's loaded.
Starting from the front, you'll find a queen-sized bed with drawers and storage compartments next to it. In the middle, you have a sofa that can be converted into a bed. The same goes for the dinette. Lastly, you've got bunks for the kids.
The X-Lite 26BHXL also has a rear bathroom with a shower, a tub, and a toilet.
To help you prepare meals, there's a kitchenette with a refrigerator, cooktop, sink, and (on some units) an optional microwave, with storage under the cabinets for groceries and kitchenware.
If you're looking for a spacious pre-owned trailer near $5,000, this is a strong bet — just budget for new tires if the date codes are old.
2011 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 16P
- Class – Travel trailer
- Length – about 17.75 ft
- Dry weight – about 2,654 lbs
- Sleeps – up to seven campers
- Bathroom – shower and toilet
- Best for: families who want bunks in a trailer under 18 feet
The Wolf Pup travel trailers aren't known for being massive, but they do an incredible job of cramming amenities into tight spaces. At about 17.75 feet and 2,654 pounds dry, the 16P is among the most compact bunk trailers in its category.
The 16P Wolf Pup has a bunk bed. Next to it is a bathroom with a shower and toilet.
As you go deeper into the trailer, there's a refrigerator with a kitchenette in front. Lastly, there's a dinette set at the rear that you can convert into a bed. Some of the trailers also come with air conditioning and a heater.
The exterior has some storage compartments and a patio awning. Forest River still builds the Wolf Pup line, which helps when you need parts or floor-plan details.
2008 Heartland Cyclone 4012
- Class – Toy hauler fifth wheel
- Length – about 38 ft on 2008 units; confirm on the trailer you see
- Garage – about 12 ft rear garage with ramp door
- Sleeps – about six campers (some listings show more)
- Best for: buyers who already own a heavy-duty pickup and need gear space
The Cyclone was one of the larger toy haulers on the market in its day. RVGuide's 2008 Cyclone review describes a unit just over 38 feet long with a 12-foot rear garage, and it sleeps about six with a separate front bedroom and private bath.
Close to the front bedroom is a well-equipped bathroom, then a kitchen with a pantry, cooktop, sink, and refrigerator. In the middle, there's a dinette and a sofa set.
Just like the interior, the holding tanks are large as well, with over 100 gallons of fresh water and two gray tanks. This makes the Cyclone 4012 a fit for long stays or boondocking. Because it's a big fifth wheel, you'll need a heavy-duty pickup with a fifth-wheel hitch, and one listed near $5,000 deserves a very close inspection.
Keystone Laredo 26RK (2007–2008)
- Class – Travel trailer
- Length – about 28.8 ft (2008)
- Dry weight – about 6,430 lbs (2008)
- Sleeps – up to six campers
- Bathroom – yes, with separate toilet and shower
- Best for: couples who want a big rear-kitchen layout and have a capable truck
Laredo 26RK is a mid-size travel trailer with an impressive floor plan and a good range of amenities. The 2008 version is about 28.8 feet long and 6,430 pounds dry, with one power slide-out.
The kitchen runs across the rear of the trailer and is equipped with a cooktop and a microwave to help you prepare meals.
The adjacent space is occupied by a refrigerator, a slide-out sofa, and a storage cabinet. At the campground, you can extend the slide-out to create more space. In front of the sofa, you'll find the TV and the dinette area.
Next, you have a bathroom with a separate toilet and shower. Lastly, you'll find the queen-sized bed at the front.
The 26RK can accommodate as many as six campers along with any pets you may have. You can use it for boondocking or dry camping since it's a self-contained travel trailer.
The 2008 Keystone Laredo 26RK had an MSRP of $27,907. It'd be a bargain if you secured this spacious trailer for $5,000 or less — and a heavier one than most on this list, so check our tips for towing a travel trailer before you hitch up.
Things to look for in a used travel trailer
Buying a used travel trailer is good, but it certainly isn't easy. It involves a lot of work and due diligence. Otherwise, you could end up with a lemon.
There are many things to inspect in a pre-owned trailer to determine its quality. But there are a few that hold more importance than others. These are:
Water damage
Water leaks are a common issue among RVs as they age. These can occur from the roof, the floor, under the windows, or through the pipes under the sink cabinet. Wherever they start, leaks can rot the wood framing and subfloor of the travel trailer.
Therefore, the first thing you should check is for these water leaks. Mold, brown spots, soft floors, and wet surfaces are clear signs of a leaky camper. Climb up (safely) or use a ladder to look for cracked sealant around vents and seams — our guide to maintaining an RV roof shows what healthy sealant looks like.
We've watched buyers skip this step on a sunny day and find the leak on their first rainy weekend. Ask the previous owner about the water repair work they've done over the years. Then take necessary measures to fix the leaks.
Gas and plumbing
Next, shift your focus to the gas and plumbing section of the travel trailer. These should ideally be in good condition as well.
First, inspect the galley sink and the cabinet under it that houses the pipes. Make sure there are no leaks. Then, look for leaks in other components like the faucet and freshwater tank hose.
Likewise, go over the propane tanks. Most portable propane cylinders are qualified for 12 years from their manufacture date, then must be requalified every five years before they can be refilled. Look for the date stamp on the collar — on a 15-year-old trailer, plan to requalify or replace the cylinders.
Tires
Trailers often sit for long stretches, and that ages tires fast. The last four digits of the tire's DOT code show the week and year it was made, and some vehicle and tire makers recommend replacing tires six to 10 years old regardless of tread. We've seen buyers knock real money off the price just by pointing to decade-old tires.
Electrical system
The electrical system of a travel trailer is built around a 12-volt battery and a converter that charges it when you're plugged in. Make sure the battery, converter, cut-off switch, battery monitor, and fuses don't need significant repairs, and test every light and outlet while plugged into shore power.
If the travel trailer has solar panels, have a technician check the panels, wiring, and charge controller too.
Air conditioning and heater
Sellers will charge a premium if the trailer has air conditioning and a furnace. This is especially true if these features were not part of the standard package.
Therefore, you need to make sure you're getting the right value for the premium price.
Sit inside the trailer and run the temperature first with the AC and then with the heater. It's worth checking the power consumption as well during the process.
Papers and documents
Last but not least, check that the papers for the travel trailer are in order. This includes the title, purchase receipts, repair receipts, and insurance papers, among other things. Look for the RV Industry Association seal by the door, too — member manufacturers must display it on every RV to show it was built to the industry's safety standards. Make sure the owner's claims match the documents in hand. We've found that sellers who kept a folder of receipts usually kept the trailer in better shape, too.
Can you save on taxes by buying in another state?
The merged guide pointed out that some states are cheaper to buy in. Montana is one of five states with no statewide sales tax, along with Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Oregon (Alaska towns can add local sales tax). Our explainer on why so many RVs have Montana plates covers the full story.
For a $5,000 trailer, the tax you'd save is small, so the simplest move is to title and register it in the state where you live. Check your state's DMV rules before you buy, and budget for tax, title, and registration on top of the price.
Before you buy: the ten-year rule and other costs
Before you buy a used RV, you should know about the so-called "ten-year rule." It's a policy at some private RV parks, especially upscale ones, that limits RVs older than about 10 years. It isn't a law, and many parks will accept an older rig if you send recent photos showing it's well kept.
Therefore, before booking an RV park, find out whether they follow the ten-year rule. Also budget for insurance, storage, and maintenance — our guides to the cost of RV living and the hidden costs of RV ownership break them down. If money is tight, these tips for buying an RV on a budget help too.
Don't want that hassle yet? Why not consider renting first?
On Outdoorsy, you'll find a wide range of travel trailer rentals to try a floor plan for a weekend before you spend your $5,000. We've watched plenty of would-be buyers change their minds about bunks, bathrooms, or trailer length after one trip.
About this guide
Originally written by Outdoorsy author Jen Young. Updated in November 2026 by the Outdoorsy Editorial team. Facts in this guide were checked against official and primary sources, linked throughout. Used trailer prices, specs, and state tax rules vary, so confirm a trailer's value, specs, and title with the seller and your state's DMV before you buy.
