A power-retractable slide-out section is a great way to maximize the interior living space of any size RV. to create more interior living space
A slide out, slide or pop out is a cut-out portion of your RV that extends and retracts its side wall to create more interior living space.
They are especially prized in smaller campers that are compact and streamlined on the road when you want them to be, yet give you enough elbow room to stretch out when you set up camp.
With all their popularity, it’s no wonder why so many people put a slide-out section as a top priority when shopping for a new travel trailer.
If this sounds like you, then you might be wondering what are some of the best small travel trailers with a slide-out section?
Two of the top contenders in this crowded class are the Forest River – Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S and the Coachmen – Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS.
Though there are some really nice models out there that can fit specific travel styles.
If you need more room for your family, but you don’t want to make a major investment in a giant travel trailer, we’ve got you covered.
We waded through the broad field of options to find some of the best smallest trailers with a slide-out on the market today.
Along the way, we also took into account things like how the weight might pair with a certain type of tow vehicle, as well as the size of the family it can accommodate, and what the slide-out section had to offer.
6 Great Small Travel Trailers With A Slide-Out
The following models have a lot to offer when it comes to being streamlined going down the road, but still offering plenty of elbow room and sleeping space when you expand the slide-out section.
We also tried to keep our eyes out for models that appealed to niche interests like boondocking off the grid, or a small travel trailer that’s designed to handle cooler weather like you might find when camping in the mountains.
Here are the 8 awesome small camper trailers with slide outs that give you extra living, storage and relaxing space in your RV.
1. K-Z Sportsmen Classic 181BH Ultra Lightweight Travel Trailer
For a small travel trailer with a slide-out section that measures in at just under 21-feet long the K-Z – Sportsmen Classic 181BH offers a lot of sleeping space.
The power slide-out section houses a relatively spacious dinette area. If you need some extra sleeping room for a third child, or you have an overnight guest, it also converts into a bed.
If you have multiple children and everyone needs to feel like they have their own space, then you need to move this new model up your list.
Especially when you consider that it’s light enough to be towed by a light-duty pickup truck or even a robust mid-size SUV with a towing package.
The floor space saved by the slide-out section allows for a pair of rear bunks. This lets each child have their own bed as well as a little storage space for their own things.
It’s a great concept for teenagers and school-age children. The master bed in the front also gives you a dedicated sleeping and storage space without having your kid’s things intermingle with your own.
2. Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S Travel Trailer
If you train your eye to look for them driving down the road, you will see that the Forest River – Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S is one of the most popular small camper trailers with a slide-out section.
It’s light enough to be towed by a full-size SUV or a light-duty pickup truck. The power slide-out section houses a large, comfortable sofa with a dinette table in front of it.
The floorplan and open living space also translates into impressive amount of storage space both inside and out.
The decked-out kitchen has a lot of thoughtful cupboards and a wardrobe panty area.
There’s also an impressive pass-through storage area in the front that’s accessible via a pair of hatches.
3. Coachmen Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS
The Coachmen – Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS is another great small travel trailer that is designed to accommodate a family with multiple children.
The power slide-out section houses a rather spacious dinette. It can also be converted into a functional sleeping space.
If you have a toddler who needs a confined sleeping area, it can easily be turned into an improvised crib or day bed.
If your kids love bunk beds and clamor to see who gets the top bunk, then they are going to love spacious rear bunks.
They are also conveniently positioned next to the bathroom that has a shower with a basin that is deep enough to bathe a small child.
You get all this in a small travel trailer that can be towed by a light-duty pickup truck or full-size SUV.
When fully loaded Coachmen – Viking Ultra-Lite 17BHS has a gross vehicle weight rating of just under 4,500-pounds.
This means there are even a few robust mid-size SUVs that can safely tow it when totally loaded.
4. Dutchmen Coleman Rubicon 1608RB Travel Trailer
With a power-retractable slide out section with a love-seat style couch, and a total length of just over 20-feet the Dutchmen – Coleman Rubicon 1608RB can sleep up to 4 people.
Though I think you will find in real life that it is meant to be a small travel trailer that meets the needs of a traveling couple or two parents and an only child.
The slide-out section’s couch is positioned in front of it is a long dining or coffee table.
It’s great for times when you and your significant other want to cuddle up and watch a movie, or you just like to eat while watching TV.
With a gross vehicle weight rating of nearly 5,000-pounds and a total length of just over 20-feet, the Dutchmen – Coleman Rubicon 1608RB pushes the limit of what all but the most robust of mid-size SUVs can handle.
Though if you already have a full-size SUV a light-duty pickup truck or larger, you will have no problem towing this lightweight and spacious camper anywhere you want to take it.
5. Jayco Jay Flight SLX 183RB Travel Trailer
The Jayco – Jay Flight SLX 183RB is a small travel trailer with a slide-out section that is geared more toward a traveling couple or a small family with a single child.
The slide-out section holds a relatively spacious dinette, which can be easily repurposed into a day bed or a crib space if needed.
One of the great things about the Jayco – Jay Flight SLX 183RB is the weight and towing statistics.
With a gross vehicle weight rating of under 4,200-pounds, it is within the range of robust mid-size SUVs with a towing package.
This makes it a great option for a family that needs a compact travel trailer, but doesn’t want to invest in a larger tow vehicle just to safely pull it.
6. Lance 1475 Travel Trailer
The Lance 1475 is a compact travel trailer with a small slide-out section that houses a small seating area.
This departs from many of the competitors who install a large, static dinette section.
This serves to give you more floor space to move around in what might otherwise be a tightly spaced travel trailer.
The slide-out section also opens up enough floor space to accommodate a true dry bath, where as a lot of similar small travel trailers this size only have a wet bath.
It’s supported by 26 gallon fresh water and a pair of 26 gallon wastewater tanks.
This gives you just enough water capacity to camp off the grid for a day or two, without driving the weight up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does A Slide-Out Section Add A Lot Of Weight To A Travel Trailer
The additional material and the power-retractable components of a slide-out section do technically increase the dry weight of a travel trailer.
Though this was more of an issue in the past, where a slide-out section usually made a travel trailer so heavy that you needed a full-size pickup truck to tow it confidently.
Recent improvements in RV materials and manufacturing technology have helped reduce the overall weight of a slide-out section to help keep many models within range of what a robust mid-size or full-size SUV can tow.
Are Slide-Out Sections Difficult To Maintain On A Travel Trailer?
By their nature, power-retractable slide-out sections on a small travel trailer do need more maintenance than a camper that doesn’t have them.
All the moving parts need periodic lubrication, and the seals or gaskets can start to develop leaks over the years if the travel trailer isn’t properly stored during the winter.
Conclusion
There are a lot of great small travel trailers with slide-out sections on the market today.
Modern materials and engineering have even helped keep some light enough to be towed by a robust mid-size SUV with a towing package installed.
The one that’s best for you might depend on the size of your family and how you like to camp.
If it’s just you and your significant other or you have an only child, then the Dutchmen – Coleman Rubicon 1608RB might be the best small travel trailer with a slide-out to meet your needs.
The dinette section can be used as a daybed for a toddler and will still be large enough to grow with your child over the years.
If you have a larger family and you need to sleep multiple children or teenagers at the same time then the Forest River – Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S might be the best small travel trailer with a slide-out for your family.
The kids will love the bunk beds, not to mention the fact that everyone gets to have their own sleeping and storage space.
