Updated at: 27-05-2022 - By: Lucas

Nearly one-third of all outdoor activities in North America take place while camping. Because of this, there is a growing need for RV vehicles in the US. In 2017, more than 500,000 RVs were sold, which is 17 percent more than in 2016. Since 2009, sales have grown by about 200 percent.

Aluminum Travel Trailers are interesting to a lot of people. Why? About 1 million people live full-time in RVs. Here are some more interesting things to know about the business:

More than 11% of homes in the US have a recreational vehicle.

Almost 600,000 jobs depend on the industry.

RV camping is possible at more than 16,000 campgrounds and parking lots.

More than 100 companies make RVs, and most of them are in the United States.

RV trips can cost about 60% less than other kinds of vacations.

More than 7.7 million people have used the Instagram tag #vanlife.

In 2019, about 472 000 recreational vehicles were made. Since 2018, this was a small decrease of 2.1%.

Between 2009 and 2019, sales have gone up by about 200%.

Nearly 85% of the industry that makes recreational vehicles in the U.S. is based in and around Elkhart County, IN.

Future of RV industry in the US

In North America, RV sales are expected to grow from 2020 to 2023. More and more people want lighter vehicles with more technology and other amenities. Research and development show that the weight of a vehicle is directly linked to how well it uses fuel. Also interesting is that 14% of people who have never owned an RV plan to do so in the future. The following facts show how the US RV market could grow in the future:

By 2023, the industry is expected to grow by more than 500 BPS and grow in size by about 7x.

In a survey done in the US and Canada, 46 percent of leisure travellers said that camping would be the safest way to travel once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Only 8 percent thought that international air travel would be the safest option.

Recreational vehicles made of aluminium are expected to grow quickly in the next few years.

The RV industry has been hit hard by higher US tariffs on steel and aluminium, as well as higher tariffs on many RV parts made in China.

Prominent RV manufacturers in the US

Tanami Hybrid Off-Road Camper

Peter Liegl started Forest River in the year 1996. The company is known as one of the best RV makers in the world. Forest River’s main office is currently in Elkhart, Indiana. The company was bought by Berkshire Hathaway in 2005.

Oliver Travel Trailers makes and sells high-quality fibreglass travel trailers. Their travel trailers are known for being some of the best on the market. Oliver Travel Trailers is in the Tennessee town of Hohenwald.

Thor Industries has companies like Airstream, Heartland RV, Jayco, and Livin Lite RV that make and sell RVs. Thor Industries has factories in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Oregon. Its headquarters is in Elkhart, Indiana, which is a centre for RV manufacturing.

Coachmen RV has been making RVs for more than 50 years and is one of the most well-known RV companies in the world. Forest River Inc. owns Coachmen now, and some of its RVs are the Pursuit, Freelander, Prism, and Leprechaun.

Airstreams are known for their unique round shape and aluminium construction. The company has been around since the 1920s, making it one of the oldest RV companies. Thor Industries is the owner of the company at the moment.

Aluminum RVs

RVs have always been made out of a variety of materials, such as wood, aluminium, fibreglass, and steel.

A lot of aeroplanes, cars, and boats are made out of aluminium. Aluminum is being used more and more to make RV frames in the RV manufacturing industry. Compared to aluminium frames, wood frames are heavier. Travel trailers with frames mostly made of aluminium are quickly becoming a very popular type of recreational vehicle.

There are a lot of reasons why lightweight travel trailers are becoming more popular than regular travel trailers. They are easy to pull with regular trucks or SUVs and cost less than other RVs that do the same thing. When being towed, they also don’t use as much gas as other travel trailers.

More RV companies have started making lightweight travel trailers because they are becoming more popular. This has led to a rise in the use of aluminium in the RV industry. Aluminum is being used more in RV manufacturing than wood because aluminium is stronger and lasts longer than wood.

10 Best Aluminum Frame Travel Trailers

1. Heartland Wilderness 2475BH

Heartland Wilderness 2475BH

Weight when dry: 5,470 lbs.

Distance: 28.75 ft.

Height: 11.33 ft.

Probably the best travel trailer in its class with an aluminium frame. It is very light, so it doesn’t use a lot of gas when it’s being towed. One of the coolest things about the aluminum-framed Heartland Wilderness travel trailer is that it comes with different floor plans. Some of the floor plans are very unique, and some are made for the west coast in particular. But no matter which floor plan you pick, you’ll have plenty of space and storage.

Aside from the big bathroom, it has a fully functional kitchen that is also quite big. One thing that makes this travel trailer stand out is a panel on the outside that opens up and can be used as an outdoor bar or a place to prepare food. This gives the inside more space without sacrificing quality or amenities. I was impressed by how many hidden storage spaces there were. It makes it easier to keep the trailer clean, especially if you are travelling with your family. It’s a good choice for travelling with family or a group of friends because it can easily sleep 8 people.

2. Airstream Flying Cloud Travel Trailer

Weight when dry: 4,500 lbs.

19 feet long.

Height: 10 ft.

Airstream was one of the first companies to make travel trailers with frames made of light aluminium. RVs made by Airstream are known for being light and strong. Since the company has been using aluminium frames for a long time, there is also a big market for old and used Airstream travel trailers that can be fixed up and changed to suit the buyer’s tastes.

The Airstream Flying Cloud is a tough, lightweight, and durable travel trailer that can be easily pulled by a standard SUV. There are 18 different floor plans for this aluminium travel trailer. The layouts are very flexible and are made to meet different needs and preferences. No matter which floor plan you choose based on your needs, you will have a good-sized bed, a good-sized kitchen, bathroom, and enough storage space. All Airstream Travel trailers have big, panoramic windows, which is another thing that makes them stand out from the crowd. So, Airstream is the travel trailer for you if you want to feel like you’re part of nature even when you’re inside.

3. Livin’ Lite Camplite Travel Trailer

Livin’ Lite Camplite Travel Trailer

Weight when dry: 3,684 lbs.

20 feet long.

Height: 10 ft.

This one is for people who like good design. A travel trailer with an aluminium frame that is sleek, very modern, and cutting edge. Also, it is lighter than most of these trailers. It’s also surprisingly small, which makes it easier to pull behind a car. Camplite is known for the fact that both the frame and the structure are made of aluminium. Even though it is small and light, it can carry a very impressive 1,706 pounds of cargo.

It’s a good choice if you like long trips or even if you want to live in it full-time. The best thing about this travel trailer is that you can customise it to fit your needs. There are many colours and styles to choose from. You can change both the way the inside looks and how the outside looks. This is the one for you if you want a sleek, modern, personalised travel trailer that is light, small, and can carry a lot of stuff.

4. Aluma-Lite Travel Trailer

Weight when dry: 6,160 lbs.

10 feet long.

Height: 8.2 ft.

Holiday Rambler Company makes a travel trailer called an Aluma-Lite. Since a long time ago, the company has been known for making travel trailers that are both reliable and stylish. Their RVs have a great mix of cool interiors, different features, and useful features. Because of how well it works and how long it lasts, there are a lot of happy Holiday Rambler RV owners.

Again, Aluma-Lite is easy to pull, just like the other trailers on this list with aluminium frames. It is easy to pull even when there is a strong wind coming from the opposite direction. This will also save you money on gas because your tow vehicle won’t have to work as hard. With a few different floor plans to choose from, you can also make it your own. If you want a tried-and-true travel trailer with an aluminium frame that is easy to pull and is known for being durable, you should give this product serious thought.

5. Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra-Lite Travel Trailer

Weight when dry: 8,781 lbs.

35 feet long.

Height: 11 ft.

Forest River is a company that was started by Peter Liegl in 1996. It is known for making some of the smallest, most stylish, and lightest RVs.

One of the lightest travel trailers made by Forest River is the Rockwood Signature Ultra-Lite. Its frame and structure are made of aluminium, which is very light but strong. It may be one of the heaviest travel trailers on this list, but it is also probably one of the most useful. This travel trailer’s best feature is that it comes in different styles. You can get it as either a travel trailer or a fifth-wheel.

There are 8 different layouts for the travel trailer, while there are 4 layouts for the fifth-wheel. It is made to give you the most comfort, space, and amenities so that you don’t need anything while camping or travelling. The design is the main thing that sets fifth-wheels apart from travel trailers.

The fifth-wheels can only be pulled by trucks because of how they are made. On the other hand, trucks and standard SUVs can be used to hitch up and pull travel trailers. Most of the time, fifth-wheels are also bigger than travel trailers. Depending on how you want to use it, you can buy this Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra-Lite travel trailer as either a travel trailer or a fifth-wheel.

Another impressive thing about this travel trailer is that it can carry a huge amount of stuff. It can carry up to 2,394 pounds. This is a very large amount of cargo that can be carried. This travel trailer can hold a lot of gear, accessories, food, gas, water, and other things. So, if you want to go on a long trip for a while, this is the type of RV you should strongly consider buying. In short, this is a great travel trailer with an aluminium frame that can be used for long trips or full-time RV living.

6. Grand Design Imagine 2150RB Travel Trailer

Grand Design Imagine 2150RB Travel Trailer

Weight when dry: 5,195 lbs.

Size: 27 ft.

Height: 11 ft.

Grand Design is well-known for making some of the most luxurious and durable RVs out of all the well-known brands. RVs made by this company last for generations. If you buy one, you can be sure it will last until your son or daughter is old enough to use it. Like most Grand Design recreational vehicles, the Imagine 2150RB travel trailer is very high-end and built to last. The inside of this trailer is very modern and cool.

There are some beautiful finishes and fun details inside. The cabinets look nice and are made of dark hardwood. The design is meant to make you feel like you are at home even though you are in a travel trailer. Even the floor and walls are insulated twice, which helps keep the temperature inside the trailer comfortable even when it’s very cold outside. The Grand Design travel trailer has a lot of nice features and amenities, but it also has all the basics, like a kitchen, a bathroom, and a place to sleep.

7. Forest River Sonoma 22RBS Travel Trailer

Weight when dry: 5,709 lbs.

Size: 27 ft.

Height: 11 ft.

Since the 1980s, Forest River has been making some of the smallest, coolest, and lightest RVs. They are known for their high quality and new ideas. The aluminium frame of the Sonoma 22RBS travel trailer makes it look and feel very stylish. It comes with a number of different floor plans, starting with a very simple one. You can pay more to get a better room with more comfort and luxury.

All Sonoma 22RBS travel trailers come with a kitchen, a bathroom, a dining area, and a place to sleep, just like most Forest River recreational vehicles. All versions of this travel trailer have a kitchen that works well and has everything you need. We haven’t seen an RV with a better kitchen than this one, to be honest. This is because it has a lot of space and high-quality appliances.

In all versions of this Forest River trailer, the dining area is also well made. But, along with the Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra-Lite Travel Trailer, it is one of the heaviest travel trailers on this list. In short, you don’t need to look any further if you want a lightweight travel trailer that is big on comfort and durability and you also care about the brand. You should get the Forest River Sonoma.

8. Forest River Flagstaff MicroLite Travel Trailer

Forest River Flagstaff MicroLite Travel Trailer

Weight when dry: 4,816 lbs.

Size: 22 ft.

Height: 10 ft.

Another one on the list made by Forest River, which is one of the best travel trailer companies in the world. Microlite is one of the smallest and lightest travel trailers with an aluminium frame made by Forest River. It is just as good as any of the other recreational vehicles on this list. It is 22 feet long and weighs less than 5,000 pounds. Not only is it small and light, but it is also very smart and useful. A common mistake is to think that a “lightweight” trailer would have to give up some important features and amenities.

In this case, we have to say that presumption would be completely wrong. Forest River Microlite has everything you’d want in an RV and more. The RV might look normal from the outside, but don’t be fooled by how it looks. It’s just as cool and trendy on the inside. And there are options for ten-floor plans.

Depending on how much money you have, you can choose between a floor plan with all the bells and whistles or a simpler one that costs less. In all Flagstaff MicroLite Travel Trailers, most of the storage spaces, kitchen items, and beds are made of aluminium. This makes them last a very long time. Last but not least, this travel trailer can carry 1,744 pounds of cargo, which is nothing short of amazing. In short, this is a recreational vehicle that you will be very proud to own and use.

9. Dutchmen Aerolite

Weight when dry: 5,665 lbs.

Size: 28 ft.

Height: 11 ft.

Dutchmen makes the Dutchmen Aerolite. Dutchmen is a company that makes recreational vehicles that are known for being sleek and up-to-date. Dutchmen was the second largest company that made travel trailers, and Thor Industries now owns the company. Their “in-command” system lets you use your phone to control different parts of the trailer, like the outside awning.

Like most of the company’s other products, this Dutchmen RV is very trendy, stylish, and high-tech. On the outside, it’s a classic white colour, but you can customise the inside to fit your needs. The Dutchmen Aerolite RV has ten different floor plans that can all be fully changed to fit your needs. There are many options, from the most simple to the most expensive. I think the Dutchmen Aerolite travel trailer is one of the best options on the market. It has a queen bed and large bunk beds for children or guests.

10. Tanami Hybrid Off-Road Camper

Tanami Hybrid Off-Road Camper

Weight when dry: About 2,425 lbs.

18 feet long.

Height: 8 ft.

Tanami travel trailer is made with an aluminium frame, which makes it one of the lightest trailers on the market. Tanami, a relatively new RV manufacturer, makes this high-quality product. The company makes very unique, but useful, recreational vehicles. One thing I liked about this camper is that it is easy to pull. You will have a hard time finding another RV like this one. It’s so easy to move that many kinds of vehicles can do it. Even though this camper is the smallest and lightest on the list, it has everything you need for your trip.

Final Word

Try to learn more about how RVers talk about weight. It’s always good to know how much you can carry. The number of people who want travel trailers with aluminium frames is growing quickly. We hope that this small list will help you find the right one for you. Happy travels! Keep safe.