This is the first of four postings on the trend toward small towable RVs.
Summer is in full swing with millions of Americans loading their recreation vehicles for weekend family outings. A growing number of these families are pulling smaller, lighter and more aerodynamic camping trailers than their parents trundled off to the lake.
“With gas prices being what they are,” said longtime Airstream owner Bill Knowles, “I think a lot of people are thinking smaller because they are more economical to pull. You just have to get by with taking less stuff with you, which is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Knowles and his wife, Mary, have traversed the west coast from Canada to Mexico in their 1999 Bambi, a 19-foot travel trailer. One favorite road trip is touring along the Oregon Coast, frequently staying only one night at a campground. “The Bambi is very easy to setup then pack up and hit the road,” said Mary Knowles.
Like the Knowles’ many people are opting for towable RVs between 16 and 19 feet, with a dry-weight of less than 4,000 pounds. These smaller rigs are easy to handle, very maneuverable and extremely towable.
Retired research librarian Cathleen Cargile of Oregon has owned a 1989 fiberglass 16-foot Casita Freedom Deluxe for two years. “It is extremely easy on the gas and easy to tow,” she said. “Sometimes I forget that it is behind me.”
Read the complete series on ‘Small Towable RVs’ by clicking here.
Photos: (Top) RVers Bill and Mary Knowles camping near Canadian border in their 19-foot Airstream Bambi from Ca. (Bottom) Research librarian Cathleen Cargile of Oregon shares her 16-foot Casita trailer with travel companions Pacho and Rosie. (Photos by Julianne G. Crane)
