8 Best Fiberglass Travel Trailers & Why You Should Buy Them

Fiberglass travel trailers have their own niche following of loyal RV adventurers who choose them over aluminum and wood-constructed campers.

These passionate travelers prefer fiberglass campers for a variety of reasons.

And there are a few manufacturers that stand out in the fiberglass travel trailer niche. Scamp and Casita are two of the stronger names in this marketplace.

The Scamp 16-Foot Deluxe and the Casita Independence Deluxe are very popular models and have a loyal following.

Though they certainly aren’t the only fiberglass travel trailers worthy of consideration.

So, if you are thinking about investing in one to join the loyal throng, then you might want to take a closer look at the benefits and potential drawbacks of Molded Fiberglass Camper Trailers and some of the best fiberglass travel trailers you should consider buying. 

What Makes A Fiberglass Travel Trailer Different?

As the name implies these travel trailer campers feature a durable fiberglass shell, rather than a stick-built wood body on top of a metal frame.

The way they are engineered means that most of the best fiberglass travel trailers offer superior leak resistance, which is important for locals where storms and strong weather are a factor. 

Though, these aren’t the only benefits of a fiberglass travel trailer. To really understand if one is right for you, we are going to have to take a deep dive into the finer points of fiberglass campers and what makes them so special.

This calls for answering some key questions before we dive headlong into reviewing some of the best travel trailers on the market today. 

What Is Fiberglass And How Is It Used To Make A Travel Trailer? 

As the name implies, “Fiberglass” is a special type of composite material that is made by saturating glass fibers with a resin made out of either high-strength epoxy or a special polyester resin.

This also means you can shape fiberglass into a wide range of shapes that go beyond the typical rectangular prisms you find in aluminum and wood travel trailers. 

This also means that the “Shell” or “Hull” of a fiberglass camper has fewer seams than the typical panel construction used in aluminum and wood-constructed travel trailers.

Most of the best fiberglass travel trailers have only two shells, an upper and a lower, that meet at a single tightly bonded seam.

The end result is a travel trailer that is far less prone to leaking and also does a better job of holding the internal temperature without a lot of air leaks. 

Do Fiberglass Travel Trailers Cost More?

Most of the fiberglass trailers do tend to cost more than a similar size stick-built camper.

So, you will need to absorb the initial purchase price. However, they do tend to have a lesser depreciation slope, as they hold their value better as time goes on.

This translates to a better potential resale value if you decide to upgrade or downsize a few years down the road after your kids have grown.

Fiberglass travel trailers also tend to be more aerodynamic, which can save you a little money on fuel costs for your tow vehicle. 

Are Fiberglass Camper Trailers More Durable?

When properly maintained a molded fiberglass travel trailer will be less prone to leaks, as well as less wear and tear than a traditional stick-built travel trailer. This is thanks in large part to the shell or hull design, with a singular seam. 

Are Fiberglass Trailers Easier To Tow?

The shell design of most fiberglass campers allows for better aerodynamics when towing them down the road.

They also tend to be a little lighter, which makes them more likely to be towed by a mid-size or full-size SUV.

Since there are fewer internal structural components, shorter travel trailers under 25 feet or so, also tend to be easier to back into a tight campsite. 

What Are The Drawbacks Of A MoldedFiberglass Travel Trailer?

There are a few drawbacks to consider before investing in a fiberglass camper. You will want to think about some of the following things before you sign on the dotted line. 

Minimal Exterior Innovation 

Fiberglass travel trailers are produced from reusable molds. The process to make the initial mold is labor-intensive.

So, RV manufacturers rarely change them from year to year. This can sometimes give a fiberglass travel trailer camper an arguably “Out Dated” look. 

No Slide Outs  

Since there isn’t a lot of structural components to rely on, molded fiberglass travel trailers don’t have slide-out sections to expand the interior living space once parked up at camp. 

Limited Size 

The molds and construction process used in producing a molded fiberglass RV trailer tends to limit the overall length to right around 25-feet or less.

This in turn limits the number of people you can sleep inside to around four or less. 

Long Lead Times 

A lot of RV manufacturers produce fiberglass travel trailers in limited numbers each year. If you want to invest in a new model, you might need to wait months before receiving it.

Needs Proper Storage 

Fiberglass travel trailers are more durable when they are new, and properly maintained.

Though in extreme northern areas, the deep freeze and thaw cycles can potentially crack the fiberglass shell of an older travel trailer.

If possible, you should store it indoors and out of the elements in the offseason to help maintain the structural integrity of the fiberglass shell. 

Lack Of Insulation 

The shell of a fiberglass camper trailer has superior inherent insulation quality compared to aluminum and wood-framed campers.

Though most RV manufacturers don’t add extra insulation to the walls, which can be a factor if you want to use your fiberglass travel trailer for camping in the colder months.

Fiberglass travel trailers are not an ideal base camp for fall hunting trips. 

Smaller Bathrooms & Water Tanks

Since there isn’t traditional framing, molded fiberglass travel trailers tend to have smaller fresh and wastewater storage tanks.

The slightly limited interior space also reduces bathroom size and amenities.

A lot of fiberglass travel trailers have little more than a “Wet Bath” that combines the toilet and shower. 

8 Best Fiberglass Travel Trailers in 2023

When reviewing the fiberglass travel trailer niche, we started with some of the more well-known names like Casita and Scamp.

Though we also tried to look for other models that had the build quality and features that might niche interests, like boondocking or family-friendly amenities.

Here Is A List Of Some Of The Best Fiberglass Travel Trailers:

1. The 13-Foot Scamp Deluxe

Scamp is a much-beloved brand of RV that is well-known for producing high-quality fiberglass travel trailer campers. 

Their 13-foot deluxe model is one of their more well-known models with a fair amount of optional extras that let you tailor it to your particular travel style. 

One of the interesting things about the 13-foot Scamp Deluxe is that it comes with R-15.

This is a statement about the Minnesota-based manufacturer’s appreciation for the weather.

It also makes the Scamp 13-foot Deluxe a great option for someone who wants to use a fiberglass travel trailer as a hunting base camp in the fall. 

There are a lot of optional extras that you can have the manufacturer install when buying a new 13-foot Scamp Deluxe.

This includes upgrading the RV absorption refrigerator from the standard 1.9 cubic foot model to a 4.6 or even a 6 cubic foot refrigerator.

You can also choose a 16,000 BTU per hour propane furnace as well as a roof-mounted air conditioning unit.

These are just a few of the optional upgrades that make the 13-foot Scamp Deluxe one of the best molded fiberglass travel trailers on the market today.

2. The Scamp 16-Foot Deluxe

The Scamp 16-Foot Deluxe is the next natural step up in Scamp’s lineup of high-quality fiberglass travel trailers. 

It has a lot of what people love in their 13-foot model, but with a little extra elbow room, which is handy for a small or expanding family. 

The Scamp 16-Foot Deluxe has a lot of the same versatility as the fiberglass travel trailer campers in the rest of their lone.

To that end, there are two different floor plans to consider. Floorplan layout A might be preferable for a family that wants to keep the 4.6 cubic foot RV absorption refrigerator at midship near the upgradeable toilet and wet bath area.

This also means you have a separate table area in the nose for laying out snacks or giving a child their own desk space.

Floorplan B has a slightly larger bathroom area in the nose. Though it does trade off the front table of Floorplan A, and move it to the midship for a small dinette. This configuration might be better for a family with a teenager.

3. The Airstream – Nest 16U

Airstream might be thought of more for their sleek lineup of aluminum travel trailers, but they also have taken a foray into the fiberglass camper niche with the Airstream – Nest 16U. 

It has their same aerodynamic shape that’s emblematic of Airstream’s travel trailers.

There’s also a high-strength aluminum frame, yet it still has the dual shell fiberglass hull that offers superior weather resistance. 

The interior of the Airstream – Nest 16U molded fiberglass trailer is tidy and compact with the same central passthrough hallway that you see in a lot of their other travel trailers. 

The front dinette area transforms into a single large bed, which is large enough to comfortably sleep a couple.

There’s even a combined wet bath with a toilet and shower in the rear of the Nest 16U, right next to the wardrobe storage.

4. The Oliver Legacy Elite II

Oliver is a relatively new fiberglass camper trailer manufacturer that has grown rapidly by offering high-quality models that are infused with luxury as well as a bevy of customizable options.

The Oliver Legacy Elite II represents the high range of their lineup. The hull is large by fiberglass travel trailer standards. 

From stem to stern the whole travel trailer measures at 23-feet and 6 inches long. The Oliver Legacy Elite II is available in two different floorplans. 

The standard floorplan has a convertible dinette that turns into a large bed for a couple, as well as a small side double bed for a child. This is a great option for a small family. 

The twin bed floorplan of the Oliver Legacy Elite II has the dinette area converting to a pair or separated twin beds. 

This is a more popular layout for friends who want to travel together or use it as a base camp. 

The Oliver Legacy Elite II was also designed to handle the elements commandingly. The underbelly is enclosed which helps protect the water storage tanks and pipes. 

It also helps keep the floor warm for times when you might want to use this fiberglass travel trailer as a base camp for a fall hunting trip or you want to camp in the mountains.

5. The Casita Independence Deluxe

Casita is one of the strongest names in the fiberglass travel trailer niche.

The Casita Independence Deluxe is one of their more popular entry-level models with features designed to cater to small families who love to travel with the comfort and confidence of a fiberglass travel trailer. 

To that point, the Casita Independence Deluxe has some customizable options to consider.

This includes upgrading the capacity of the fresh and wastewater storage tanks to a higher capacity. 

There are also 180 watt and 220-watt solar panel systems available, as well as a 16,000 BTU propane furnace.

These are great optional extras for a small family that likes to boondock off the grid for several days at a time. 

If there is a potential complaint against the Casita Independence Deluxe, it’s that this 17-foot travel trailer camper doesn’t have a rooftop air conditioner available. Not even as a special feature.

Though the windows are robust enough that you could remove a screen to install an aftermarket window AC unit.

6. The Casita Freedom Deluxe

The Casita Freedom Deluxe is one of Casita’s high-end luxury models that is meant to cater to a small family or a couple that loves to travel in an easy-to-tow fiberglass travel trailer. 

One of the things that really distinguishes it from a lot of other fiberglass travel trailers is the openness of the floor plan.

You see this in the two comfortable swivel chairs around the tastefully tidy dining table. 

You also see a lot of the same optional upgrade options in the Casita Freedom Deluxe that you see with a lot of their other popular 17-foot fiberglass travel trailers. 

This includes the 180 watt and 220-watt solar panel systems available, as well as a 16,000 BTU propane furnace.

These are great optional extras for a small family that likes to boondock away from the resources of a campground or RV park. 

Here again, there isn’t an air conditioner option. Though the windows are robust enough to accommodate one.

There are also large windows in the front with screens that create a great amount of airflow, while also giving you a panoramic view of your surrounding vista.

7. The Armadillo Trailer

The Armadillo is a compact fiberglass camper that is lightweight and compact as well as comfortable.

It only has a hitch weight of 180-pounds and a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 2,300-pounds, which makes it easily towable by most mid-size SUVs.

The tidy dinette in the front of the Armadillo is just big enough to suit a couple or a small family.

There’s sleeping space for two to three people or four if you have two small children. You’ll also appreciate the available interior storage space. 

One of the other nice things about the Armadillo is the optional extras that let you customize it to your travel style.

This includes create comforts like an air conditioner, furnace, and hot water heater, and even folding rooftop solar panels.

You can even have a wireless device charger, LED lights, stereo, or a flatscreen TV installed by the manufacturer.

It also comes with 12 Volt outlets as well as standard 110-volt GFCI protected electrical outlets.

8. The Bigfoot 2500 Fiberglass Travel Trailer 25B17.5 CB

Bigfoot campers has several floorplans available for their 2500 series.

The Bigfoot 25B17.5 CB is one of their larger fiberglass travel trailers that was designed to suit the needs of a small family. This includes enough sleeping space for two adults and one child. 

The Bigfoot 25B17.5 CB has large enough fresh and wastewater storage tanks to support the wet bath as well as the kitchen sink for multiple days of boondocking.

The tanks are also heated and enclosed which makes it a great option for times when you might want to camp in the mountains or use the Bigfoot 25B17.5 CB as a base camp during fall hunting season. 

Some of the popular optional extras include a 150-Watt solar panel system, grill hookups, and a generator with an automatic transfer switch.

You can also choose the optional 11,000 BTU air conditioner to take your boondocking experience to the next level.

FAQ

Can I Tow A Fiberglass Travel Trailer With A Mid-Size SUV?

The somewhat small hull of a fiberglass travel trailer and the lack of interior structural support beams help keep the overall weight down.

This makes a lot of models like the Armadillo, the Casita, and Scamp are easily towable with most Mid-Size SUVs.

Though this is assuming that the SUV has a towbar and towing package installed. 

Are Fiberglass Travel Trailers Difficult To Winterize?

Most fiberglass RV trailers need all the same winterizing that you would do with a traditional stick-built camper.

The tanks need to be purged, RV antifreeze needs to be poured into the gooseneck drains if you have a bathroom and other basic winterization techniques.

If possible, it helps to protect your fiberglass RV during the winter by storing it indoors.

This will reduce the impact of the seasonal freeze-thaw effect that can prematurely age the fiberglass material in the hull. 

Are Fiberglass RV Trailers Good For Camping In The Winter?

Fiberglass campers have inherently good insulative qualities that will support you comfortably in fall weather.

They are a great option for a hunting trip base camp. Especially models like the Oliver Legacy Elite II with an enclosed & insulated underbelly, and the Scamp models with R-15 insulation. 

Though when the weather starts to dip below 30-degrees Fahrenheit, it gets a little more difficult to maintain the fresh and wastewater storage tanks in a fiberglass camper.

Especially if you have a long drive back home with the tanks full. So, it’s best to hit the nearest RV dump station to empty your tanks before making a long drive with a fiberglass camper trailer in winter. 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of great fiberglass travel trailer campers on the market today.

Finding the one that’s best for you calls for factoring in your preferred style of travel, as well as the sleeping space you need. 

If you will frequently be traveling in cold weather conditions or you like to stay in the mountains then the Oliver Legacy Elite II and the 13-Foot Scamp Deluxe might be the best fiberglass travel trailers for handling cold temperatures.

The Scamp’s superior insulation helps hold the heat in nicely. The Oliver’s enclosed underbelly goes the extra mile in keeping pipes and water storage tanks from freezing. 

If you don’t have kids and you love to travel light with a significant other, then the 2019 Airstream – Nest 16U is going to be the best fiberglass RV to meet your needs.

It’s tidy and compact, yet the large central hallway gives you plenty of elbow room. 

On the other end of the spectrum if you like to boondock off the grid for a day or three at a time, then the Casita Freedom Deluxe might be the best fiberglass travel trailer camper to meet your needs.

Just make sure to select the optional upgrades in the solar panels, water system, and other customizable features to make it uniquely your own. 

Whatever your travel style and needs, chances are good that the best fiberglass camper camper to meet your needs can be found somewhere on your list.