Lightweight Forest River RVs: A Comparison Guide

Cherokee Arctic Wolf Fifth WheelSometimes being called a lightweight is a good thing, especially if you’re an RV. Lightweight RVs – those weighing less than 8,000 lbs. – have earned incredible popularity in the camping world. Constructed of lighter-weight materials than traditional RVs, most lightweight RVs don’t require a heavy-duty towing vehicle to get to their destination. In addition, they allow you to use a more fuel efficient tow vehicle than their heavier, traditional RV counterparts.

Leading RV manufacturer Forest River offers a full spectrum of lightweight RVs. From the ultra-lightweight PaloMini travel trailer to their multi-functional Vengeance toy-haulers, each fills an RV niche with the all features campers want, and then offers a whole lot more. Let’s turn the spotlight on lightweight collection and give a quick overview of what makes these models so popular with seasoned RVers.

Travel Trailer

Ultra-Lightweight

Good things do come in small packages. That’s especially true for the PaloMini travel trailer! Compact and lightweight, the PaloMini embodies efficiency, but there’s a whole lot of style packed into this fun-sized RV.

The PaloMini’s interior features residential hardwood hand glazed cabinets, real wood accents, LED lighting, a two-burner cooktop, microwave, and a pillowtop memory foam mattress to name a few features. The RV’s exterior includes a diamond-plate front, laminated walkable roof, tinted safety glass windows, and a fiberglass skin. A few models even feature a slide-out to expand the living area.

If you want to bring a few toys or extra gear along on your travels, some PaloMini models have a sizable cargo deck, which includes a set of ramps to make loading simple.

GVWR Range:  3,815 lbs. – 5,996 lbs
Length Range: 16’10” – 21’8”
Price Range (New): $12,000-$20,000 

Hybrid

If you love the idea of a small, lightweight travel trailer but need  just a bit more sleeping room, think about the Palomino SolAire Expandable Hybrid!

This expandable hybrid sports 6-sided vacuum-bonded construction and a solid, full walk-on barreled roof with ducted air conditioning – all clad in a gel-coated fiberglass exterior. Inside, you’ll find cherry hardwood cabinetry, true queen beds, solid surface countertops, and much more!

GVWR Range:  3,815 lbs. – 5,996 lbs.
Length Range: 18’6” – 25’2”
Price Range (New): $14,000-$22,000

Standard Lightweight

Cherokee Wolf Pup – The Cherokee Wolf Pup may be the smallest of Forest River’s standard lightweight travel trailers, but’s certainly isn’t short on comfort, style, amenities, and value. The Wolf Pup features an aerodynamic radius front profile, high-impact front metal in place of corrugated metal, and a truly extensive list of standard equipment which includes a full-length awning, tongue-and-groove plywood floors, a 6-gallon water heater and a Hi-Flo pump, and an oversized dinette with a removable table.

GVWR Range:  3,877 lbs. – 5,000 lbs.
Length Range: 21’5” – 22’9”
Price Range (New): $10,000-15,000

Palomino SolAire Ultra Lite – When modern design and technology meet the RV lifestyle, beautiful things can happen. One of those beautiful things is Palomino SolAire Ultra Lite travel trailer! This ultra-roomy trailer keeps its lightweight designation courtesy of an aluminum cage laminated construction, fiberglass front cap, and Alpha Super Flex skin. Inside, barreled ceilings top an open floor plan, which houses plenty of high-end amenities including HDMI DVD/Bluetooth/Stereo, LED interior lighting, skylights in the kitchen and bathroom, and solid-surface countertops. Outside, there’s a power awning with LED lights, slam latch exterior baggage doors, and a white gel fiberglass coating. On the road, the SolAire Ultra Lite has a remarkable smooth ride, courtesy of Dexter TORFLEX independent suspension axles.

GVWR Range:  5,196 lbs. – 6,710 lbs.
Length Range: 23’4” – 27’10”
Price Range (New): $15,000-30,000

Cherokee Grey Wolf – If you want a lightweight travel trailer with a spacious, open floorplan, look no further than the Cherokee Grey Wolf. The Grey Wolf is a luxurious, yet affordable, lightweight trailer loaded with top-notch amenities. Outside, you’ll find an aerodynamic radius front profile, one-piece walkable roof decking, large-radius luggage doors, and stereo speakers. Inside, you’ll be treated to a substantial slide-out, wardrobe closets, digital TV antenna, and high-end kitchen appliances including a double-door refrigerator.

GVWR Range:  7,574 lbs. – 7,934 lbs.
Length Range: 23’11” – 33’4”
Price Range (New): $12,000-$20,000

 

Cherokee Travel Trailer –The Cherokee Travel Trailer is the largest “lightweight” in Forest River’s lineup. (In fact, some of the models weigh in at more than the 8,000lb. lightweight limit.) But there’s a lot of space – and a lot of features – inside these homes-on-wheels. Flush-floor slide-outs maximize the indoor space, allowing plenty of room for high-end features like a double-door refrigerator, numerous cabinets, and substantial dinette. Attractive option packages offer a host of other fantastic features. Outside, the Cherokee Travel trailer boasts a one-piece walk-on PVC roof, diamond plate stone shield, and a patio awning with a drip rail and downspouts. R7 fiberglass insulation keeps the interior at the perfect temperature in most conditions.

GVWR Range:  5,196 lbs. – 6,710 lbs.
Length Range: 23’4” – 27’10”
Price Range (New): $15,000-$25,000

Fifth Wheel

Cherokee Arctic Wolf Fifth Wheel – If you want to take the maximum amount of comfort on the road, but also want maximum maneuverability, take a close look at the Cherokee Arctic Wolf Fifth Wheel.The Cherokee Arctic Wolf Fifth Wheel is at the high end of the lightweight class, but it has all the features and spaciousness you could want.6’4” slide-outs with oversized panoramic windows maximize the already-roomy interior, which includes a double-door refrigerator, seamless countertops, comfort Power Master bed lift system, and custom deluxe furniture with a tri-fold sleeper sofa. The exterior features a gel-coated fiberglass front cap, LED lighting, and a Reese Revolution pin box that makes towing this lightweight easy with even a short-bed pickup.

GVWR Range:  7,999 lbs. – 8,410 lbs.
Length Range: 29’10” – 31’9”
Price Range (New): $25,000-$35,000

Toy Haulers

Many of Forest River RVs that we’ve looked at also have a toy-hauler variation, which offers the top features we previously noted with an additional hauling area for ORVs or more gear (or can be used as a separate room or workshop). But we wanted to single out the Vengeance series, toy hauler that brings a whole lot of luxury to the great outdoors.

Many models in the Vengeance series are a bit too weighty to be classified as lightweights. But the 19V, 23FB13, 25V, 28V, and 29 V come in under the 8,000lb limit. They feature LED lighting throughout, plenty of pantry and cabinet storage, residential-sized refrigerator, skylights, and ducted air conditioning. With charging stations and TV hookups in main living area, the bedroom, and even in the garage – it’s an RV that’s definitely built for entertainment!

Outside, the fiberglass cladding makes the Vengeance as durable as it is stylish. The 8’ ramp door and rear loading lights make easy work of loading and unloading, and all outside lights are 100% LED. Want to enjoy the outdoors without missing your shows or music? The Vengeance features an exterior cable outlet with TV bracket, Sony Marine-grade exterior speakers, and central docking station – all of which proves that you can take it with you!

Vengeance Travel Trailers

GVWR Range:  5,166 lbs. – 7,618 lbs.
Length Range: 25’0” – 34’6”
Price Range (New): $20,000-$30,000

Ready to lighten-up with a lightweight RV from Forest River?

We’ve got the RV you’ve been searching for. Browse our selection of Lightweight Forest River RVs for sale!

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