If you are in the market for a new travel trailer, fifth wheel or toy hauler this year, you will have a lot to choose from at moderate prices. Here are some of the new models that are attracting attention in 2012:

CrossRoads Sunset Trail

The most striking feature of the new Sunset Trail fifth wheel from CrossRoads RV is an innovative front cap slideout. Called the Bilateral Operating Slideout System (BOSS), it adds space to the bedroom.

Sunset Trail floor plans start at 25 feet in length and include additional slideouts beyond the front cap extension. These are comparatively light fifth wheels, with weights starting at 7,500 pounds.

Special features include barreled ceilings with eight feet, three inches of interior height, an aerodynamic front cap with LED strip lighting, a 90-degree turning radius and solid-surface countertops.

John Fisher, product manager for the Sunset Trail line, said dealers at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville were impressed by the new fifth wheels. “We were slammed all week, and their response has been awesome,” he said.

Sunset Trail models start at $36,900.

CrossRoads RV, a division of Thor Industries, is headquartered in Topeka, Indiana. For information, visit crossroadsrv.com.

EverGreen Element

EverGreen Recreational Vehicles has enhanced its line of retromodern Element travel trailers with two new twin-axle floor plans, one of which places the kitchen in the rear.

The twin-axle design raises the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to 7,000 pounds, increasing the cargo capacity. Both floor plans have a dry weight of about 4,900 pounds when fully equipped, including options.

The 26-foot travel trailers are built with composite construction, which is resistant to rot, mold and mildew. The seamless Composi-Tek floor is vacuum laminated, and the frame is aluminum.

The new ET 26 SRK floor plan puts the kitchen in the rear and the bedroom in the front. Two lounge seating areas face each other across the living space. The roadside slideout lounge has a dining table that converts to a full-sized bed. The curbside lounge converts to a single bed.

The ET 26 SRL floor plan also includes a front bedroom with a queen-sized bed, but places the kitchen along a slideout at midcoach. At the rear is a modified U-shaped lounge/dinette that converts to a full-sized bed. An adjacent chaise next to an entertainment center converts to a single bed. Both floor plans include a bathroom with a sink, commode, and shower with a seat. The new models retail in the $47,000 price range fully equipped.

EverGreen Recreational Vehicles is located in Middlebury, Indiana. For information, visit GoElementRV.com.

Lance 2385

Lance, which builds ultralight travel trailers, has expanded its lineup with its biggest trailer yet, a 28-foot model whose spaciousness is enhanced by a slideout that expands both the bedroom and the dining area.

The bedroom has a deluxe queen innerspring mattress with pillow top and abundant wardrobe space, and in the living area, there is a “Super Dinette” with reversible cushions.

The kitchen occupies a large area and includes almost eight feet of counter space. The kitchen is equipped with a three-burner range, double-door refrigerator, pantry and double sink.

“The full-wall slide and enormous kitchen really make this trailer stand out,” said Gary Conley, national sales manager for Lance Camper. “For RVers looking for the quality they’ve come to expect from Lance in a larger package—this is it.”

Although this is the largest Lance travel trailer, it is light enough at a dry weight of 4,615 pounds be towed by most V-8 powered SUVs and light-duty trucks. The Lance 2385 carries a suggested base retail price of $27,513.

Founded in 1965, Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation is based in Lancaster, California, and builds truck campers and travel trailers. For information, visit LanceCamper.com.

Livin’ Lite Camplite

Livin’ Lite, which builds all-aluminum truck campers and travel trailers, prides itself on being wood-free, but has added the look of wood to the cabinets in its CampLite travel trailers.

Scott Tuttle, the company’s president, said, “We have had some customers ask for a richer interior look that only wood can provide.” So CampLite is now offering an interior package that features Azdel composite materials that look like wood.

The cabinetry is still framed with welded, tubular aluminum and the cabinet doors are still made of aluminum, but the cabinet faces feature composites with a wood grain pattern.

“The Azdel product, with a realistic wood grain image, allowed us to offer the warm, wood-look interior while not having to sacrifice our all-aluminum/ no-wood philosophy,” Tuttle said. “In fact, our customers can still wash their CampLite out with a hose and not hurt it!”

The CampLite travel trailer also has a new curved front for a more streamlined appearance. The trailers are available in overall lengths from under 15 feet to 19 and a half feet. They are as light as 1,500 pounds and can be towed by many full-size sedans and minivans.

Suggested base retail prices on CampLite models range from $15,959 to $22,539. The Azdel wood grain interior package adds $559.

Livin’ Lite builds travel trailers and truck campers in Wakarusa, Indiana. For information, visit livinlite.com.

MVP Vortex

The Vortex toy hauler from MVP RV is available as either a travel trailer or fifth wheel in overall lengths from 26 feet to more than 35 feet.

The Vortex has an aluminum frame and a laminated exterior and includes such standard features as a built-in 4,000-watt Onan generator, fresh water capacity of 100 gallons, a 40-gallon fueling, chrome wheels, a seven-foot ramp door and a fully insulated decked floor.

The standard “Camp in Comfort” package includes air conditioning, a pressure washer, an awning, high-intensity lights with a door-side dimmer switch, outside speakers and upgraded cherry wood cabinetry.

Other features include a residential-sized queen bed, convection oven, three-burner cooktop, six-cubic-foot refrigerator, linoleum, mini-blinds, Jensen LCD TV and an AM/FM/CD/DVD player.

The base MSRP for the Vortex starts at $29,428.

MVP RV, based in Riverside, California, builds travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers and motorhomes. For information, visit mvprv.com.

Northwood Desert Fox

The Desert Fox toy haulers from Northwood Manufacturing have been redesigned from the ground up. The new 29SB features a bold icon graphics package and loads of features, including solar reflective windows, a power awning, stylized aluminum wheels and motion sensor patio and security lights.

The 29SB at more than 33 feet is the longest of four Desert Fox floor plans, with the shortest being 25 feet. The 29SB comes with a 100-gallon fresh water tank and 10-gallon water heater, and you can add a gas generator, air compressor, pressure washer and fuel station.

Large-capacity stainless steel appliances are standard, and so is a powerful 200-watt Kicker sound system with exterior marinegrade speakers. Sculpted soffit lighting is also standard along with dual recliner rockers and a Vizio 32-inch LCD TV. The bedroom holds a 60-inch by 80-inch queen bed and there is a spacious bathroom with a skylight.

At the rear of the toy hauler is an optional electric lift for a single bed, bunk beds or a U-shaped dinette. Buyers can also choose an optional ramp room patio kit.

Northwood Manufacturing builds toy haulers, travel trailers, fifth wheels and truck campers in La Grande, Oregon. For information, visit northwoodmfg.com.

Outdoors RV BlackStone

Outdoors RV Manufacturing has expanded its model lineup with the introduction of the BlackStone, a travel trailer designed especially for buyers who wants to downsize from a motorhome or big fifth wheel but still enjoy luxury features.

The BlackStone, which is available in floor plans from 28 to 34 feet, is built with the kind of construction found in high-end fifth wheels, including aluminum framing in eight different areas, and with rigid, lightweight steel trusses in the ceiling. Lots of interior and exterior storage has been included because that is something often requested by RVers who are downsizing.

Other features include an on-demand tankless hot water system, 70 gallons of fresh water capacity and 80 gallons of gray water capacity. There are vaulted radius interior ceilings and a bedroom with a residentialsized queen bed. You can have a freestanding dinette or an optional U-shaped family dinette. Also available are a living room fireplace and a wireless touch pad remote that operates the slideouts, electric awning, outside lights and power stab jacks.

Outdoors RV travel trailers are built for off-road use and fourseason camping in the Pacific Northwest, mountain states and Western Canada. Before launching the BlackStone, Outdoors RV consulted with dealers and used their feedback to make 65 product enhancements before going into full production.

The BlackStone is available in five floor plans with an average retail price of about $47,000.

Outdoors RV Manufacturing was founded by Ron and Sherry Nash, owners of Northwood Manufacturing, in 2009 to build travel trailers for outdoors enthusiasts. It is located in La Grande, Oregon. For information, visit outdoorsrv.com.

R-Vision Trail Sport

The Trail Sport is an ultralight travel trailer that claims to be 300 to 500 pounds lighter than similar competitive models because of construction methods. It has an aluminum frame, and the sidewalls, front and rear walls, and the roof and floor are all laminated.

There is virtually no OSB (oriented strand board) or particle board used in the construction. Plywood is used in the walls, floor, ceiling, cabinet end panels, tables and countertops to provide durability and keep weight low.

Despite the low weight, the trailer is strong enough that the roof is fully walkable for maintenance. The Trail Sport is available in lengths from 17 to 32 feet with dry unloaded weights ranging from 2,825 to 4,420 pounds.

Other features include radial tires, Equa-Flex suspension and tinted safety glass windows. The 2012 models have expanded exterior storage and new convenience lighting at the hitch, storage and utility hookup areas.

Suggested retail prices start at $19,261.

R-Vision is a part of Monaco RV, which also builds Monaco Coach and Holiday Rambler RVs. For information, visit monacorv.com. 

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