Casita Travel Trailer’s design and history make them unique. Perhaps you’ve heard how Casita Travel Trailers weigh in the ultra-lite weight category. If not, we’ll help you discover the benefits and why these campers may be the right camper for you.
One thing that sets Casita campers apart from other small travel trailers is their molded fiberglass frames. This unique construction means that Casita Travel Trailers weigh less than other similarly-sized travel trailers.
Casita campers may weigh less, but they offer more than many other travel trailers in their same class. Each one is unique, made to order, and sold factory-direct. Let’s examine what makes these “egg-on-wheels” campers so exceptional.
What Is a Casita Camper?
Each travel trailer’s custom-built, so how much a Casita Camper weighs depends greatly on the model and add-on features you select. But no matter what you choose, your Casita will be lightweight and aerodynamic.
That’s because the molded fiberglass acts as the frame, interior walls, and exterior shell are incredibly lightweight yet durable. Often called “eggs-on-wheels” or “eggshell” campers, these sleek little fiberglass travel trailers are something special.
It’s no wonder that Casita has a good reputation and a dedicated following. Fiberglass eggshell campers have been around for over five decades. In 1968, Ray Olecko introduced his Bolar Travel Trailer. Light enough to be towed behind a four-cylinder vehicle, the original Bolar comfortably slept a family of four. Hitting the market just before the Gas Crisis of 1973, the fuel-efficient Bolar took off in Canada.
It was a little more difficult for Bolar to expand into the U.S., so in 1981 Bolar partnered with Don Eveland (the same Don Eveland of Scamp) to expand into the American market. Eveland went to Rice, Texas, with a set of the original Bolar molds opening one of the Bolar satellite plants.
Just two years later, Bolar sold the plant to John Lang after an unsuccessful attempt. Today Casita is the best of Olecko, Eveland, and Lang’s visions.
Although many modern amenities have been added over the years, Casita campers are still being made the same way based on the original molds. Newer Casitas have flexible floorplan options, but in the spirit of the original fiberglass travel trailer, all Casita models remain lightweight, affordable, and family-friendly.
3 Things That Contribute to the Weight of a Casita Trailer
Now that you understand how Casita Campers are built and that individual customers can choose from a menu of additional features to add to their specific travel trailer, you understand why it can be tricky to know how much Casita Travel Trailers weigh. The weight of these campers can vary depending on a few factors.
1. Deluxe vs. Standard Floor Plan
First, there’s a weight difference between the standard and deluxe floor plans. The main reason for this is that deluxe floorplans include a wet bath and a 13-gallon black water holding tank. On the other hand, standard floorplans use this space for a bench that converts to bunk beds.
An air conditioner also comes standard with the deluxe floorplan, whereas it’s an optional add-on on the standard floor plans. Thus deluxe floor plans weigh more than standard floor plans.
2. Length
The weight of a Casita Camper also depends on its length. Casita offers five different floor plans, the Spirit, Independence, Heritage, Freedom, and Liberty.
For 2022, Casita Travel Trailer transitioned all 5 of its models to the 17-foot length. You can find the 16-foot in everything but the Independence from 2021 and earlier. As you might imagine, the additional foot of length added some overall weight to the RVs.
3. Additional Options
Casita offers several add-on features. Each of these options can impact the overall weight of your Casita Camper. For instance, a camper with an awning, air conditioner, and power lift jack will weigh more than a camper without these additional options.
How Much Does a Casita Travel Trailer Weigh?
So how much does a Casita Travel Trailer weigh? You already know that several factors determine overall weight. What’s reassuring is that even across models, Casita remains pretty consistent with the UVWs (unloaded vehicle weights).
This means that a 17-foot Spirit Deluxe weighs the same as a 17-foot Independence Deluxe. So instead of looking at the various different length and interior amenity combinations for each model, we only need to look at two overall combinations:
17-foot Standard: 2,210 lbs.
17-foot Deluxe: 2,480 lbs.
These weights can vary based on add-on options. But as a general rule, deluxe features weigh more than standard features. Likewise, 17-foot Casita campers weigh more than 16-foot versions of the same.
What Is the Lightest Casita Trailer?
The lightest Casita Camper is a 16-foot standard floor plan. The standard front Casita bunk beds weigh less than a wet bath. Not surprisingly, shorter 16-foot models also weigh less than the longer models.
Now that all models in 2022 are 17 feet long, the 5 Casita Travel Trailers weigh the same, with a dry weight of 2,210 pounds.
Of course, this weight assumes no add-on features. To keep the weight of your Casita Camper as low as possible, you’ll need to avoid add-ons, as each comes with additional weight. Remember that the deluxe includes the wet bath and makes some popular optional features standard, like the A/C.
What Is the Heaviest Casita Camper?
On the flip side, the heaviest Casita Camper is a 17-foot deluxe floor plan. The wet bath and black water holding tank weigh more than the bunk beds of a standard floor plan. You’ll find features specific to the deluxe and popular options that become standard issue in the deluxe versions.
Select any of the five Casita models in the 17-foot deluxe edition, and your base UVW will be 2,480 pounds.
The weight of a Casita can also increase based on the add-on options chosen. A camper with more add-ons is going to weigh more. An awning, power-lift jack, and weight-distribution hitch are the most significant contributors to overall Casita Camper weight.
What Is the Tongue Weight of a Casita Trailer?
You may wonder how those add-ons impact the Casita camper’s tongue weight. Remember, the 2,210-pound-2,480 pounds Casita camper weight range is just the camper UVW. Fully loaded, a Casita Camper’s weight will range somewhere between 3,000 to 3,500 pounds.
Generally, the tongue weight is about 10%-15% of the RV’s GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). So when considering the tongue weight of your Casita, assume it’s in the range of 300 – 525 pounds. Of course, you’ll want to reference the specifics of your Casita in the owner’s manual, as add-ons can impact tongue weight too.
Does Casita Make a 13ft Trailer?
You might be reading this in disbelief that the ultra-tiny Casita you saw at the local campground could really have been 16 feet long. If you’ve stumbled upon an exceptionally compact-looking Casita, it may have been the discontinued Casita Patriot.
The Patriot was Casita’s 13-foot model, but this model was discontinued in 2018. After 2010, the Patriot only came in the deluxe version, so the UVW of 1,880 pounds compared to many teardrops and small pop-up campers today.
Although rare, if the 13-foot version is more your style, you may find the Casita Patriot on the used market.
Which Is Better: Scamp or Casita?
You may wonder if Scamp campers are significantly lighter or better than their sister brand Casita. The simple answer is no.
We’ve already established that both Scamp and Casita were born of the same old Bolar molds. As a result, the exterior shell and overall design of these two brands are very similar.
The main differences are only in the small details. Both RV manufacturers started as satellite divisions of Bolar with the same mold copies. Once they left the Bolar “nest,” they evolved differently.
What Are the Best Vehicles to Tow a Casita Trailer?
Just about any vehicle with a towing capacity of at least 3,500 pounds is great for towing a Casita Camper. Whether you drive a car, a small SUV, or a large truck, a Casita camper is a great choice.
These small fiberglass campers are both aerodynamic and lightweight, making them easy to pull down the road. In many ways, Casita has remained true to that original Bolar vision. Like the Bolars before them, Casitas today are still family campers, easily towable behind most four-cylinder vehicles.
Can a Small Vehicle Like a Subaru Tow a Casita Trailer?
Yes, Casita Travel Trailers weigh so little that you can tow them with even a Subaru. Of course, the specific GVWR of your Casita and the model Subaru you drive are important to consider.
A Subaru Outback, for instance, has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. You won’t want to overly glamp your Casita camper with specs like that. You’ll want to ensure enough torque and horsepower for gear, passengers, and keeping up with traffic.
Comparatively, the new Subaru Ascent has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. No matter how much your Casita camper weighs, the Ascent won’t have a problem.
Subaru owners rejoice; a Casita Camper is a great option for you!
How Much Does a Casita Trailer Cost?
Just as there is a range in what Casita Travel Trailers weighs, there’s also a range of prices. How much a Casita Trailer costs depends on the model and the floorplan. Any add-on features will add to the price tag as well.
Fortunately for the budget-conscious RVer, all Casita Campers start under $30,000. Wind-resistant, lightweight, and towable behind a smaller vehicle, Casitas won’t cost a fortune in fuel, either.
Are Casita Trailers Easy to Find?
Casitas are all custom-made. This means you won’t find them new at an RV dealer or on display at an RV show. The only place you’re sure to see Casitas on the lot is at their factory in Rice, Texas. Even then, the campers you see there are all spoken for and simply waiting for their new owners to come to pick them up.
If you’re interested in Casita, but don’t live near their showroom, never fear. Casita has made shopping easy. Simply fill out a request on their website, and they’ll make arrangements for you to walk through a nearby owner’s camper near you. Once you’ve toured a Casita, simply contact their sales department for the next steps in the ordering process.
Finding one of these campers in real life can be tricky, unlike contacting Casita directly. That’s because Casitas are durable and, therefore, long-lived. Most Casita owners love them and hang on to them long-term. The turnover isn’t high with these campers, so finding one on a used RV lot is rare.
Are Casita Trailers Worth It?
By towable trailer standards, Casita Travel Trailers don’t weigh a lot. They are sleek and compact. Easily towed behind most vehicles and last for decades. Casitas are a special kind of camper.
Casita has kept up with the times regarding interior decor and amenities. A small travel trailer with a bathroom, modern-day Casitas have all the comforts of home.
About the Author:
Laura Tyrell is a part-time RVer and full-time mom of three. Long-time campers and RVers before children, Laura, and her husband have fallen even more in love with the RV lifestyle since becoming parents to a child with food allergies.
Having her own kitchen on wheels makes her RV trips amazing. Laura is passionate about finding ways to make traveling with young children fun, easy, and attainable.
