Traveling “Lite” With Highland Ridge RV

Two travel trailer models — the Range Lite and Range Lite Air — feature similar construction but different design details for RVers’ varied needs.

By Mark Quasius, F333630
July 2022

Highland Ridge RV, a subsidiary of Jayco Inc., is well known for its Open Range brand of travel trailers. For those who desire a lighter-weight model, the Range Lite and Range Lite Air meet that qualification.

The Range Lite series consists of numerous floor plans, with the smallest one measuring 23 feet 8 inches long and weighing 4,825 pounds. Most of them range from 29 to 34 feet, and have weights between 5,355 and 6,935 pounds. These are tandem-axle trailers with some very well-thought-out layouts that offer a good mix of storage and living space.

For those who don’t need all that much room, the Range Lite Air series takes the lightweight theme a bit further. These single-axle trailers have floor plans ranging from 20 to 23 feet 6 inches in length, weigh between 3,830 and 4,470 pounds, and can be towed behind a wide range of vehicles.

To shed more light on the similarities and differences between these models, I toured the Range Lite 252RB and the Range Lite Air 18RBS floor plans. Both are offered for the 2022 model year.

The Range Lite 252RB is a 30-foot-11-inch model with an unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) of 5,925 pounds. This family-friendly floor plan features a rear bath, a walk-in wardrobe, and a spacious living area. The Range Lite Air 18RBS is a single-axle 22-foot-long floor plan boasting a UVW of 4,015 pounds and is well suited for a couple.

Both models are constructed using the Tuffshell vacuum-laminated method of construction, with fiberglass sidewalls and welded aluminum frames. Molded front caps are standard. The roof is made of PVC to reduce chalking and is built on Highland Ridge’s Magnum roof structure. A rear ladder provides easy access to the fully walkable roof. A heated and enclosed underbelly is standard in the Range Lite.

Residential vinyl flooring over 5/8-inch tongue-and-groove oriented strand board (OSB) is used in the main area as well as in the flush-floor slideouts. There are no in-floor heat registers in either model. Instead, they are located in toe-kick areas or cabinets to prevent collection of debris in the heating ducts. Roller blackout shades and tinted safety glass are used throughout the RVs. Solid swing-down entry steps eliminate flex, and a power tongue jack eases connection to the towing vehicle. A power awning with LED lighting and an exterior propane connection for grills are available in the patio area.

 

Range Lite 252RB

The 252RB is capable of sleeping up to six people. The front bedroom holds a 60-inch-by-80-inch queen bed with under-bed storage. Half-length wardrobe closets flank the bed, while an array of overhead cabinets offer additional storage. At the foot of the bed is another wardrobe, along with a handy laundry chute that connects to a basement compartment where a laundry basket can be kept. A sliding wood privacy door closes off the bedroom from the rest of the RV. A second entrance door allows direct access to the bedroom and can be used as an emergency exit should the need arise.

At the opposite end of the RV is the rear bath. This area also incorporates a large walk-in closet with a clothes pole and a sizable chest of drawers. The bathroom contains a solid-surface vanity with a recessed sink, a mirrored medicine cabinet directly above it, a porcelain pedal-flush toilet, a power vent fan, and a circular shower enclosure.

The main living area is in the center of the unit. A street-side slideout holds the dinette and sofa. Our particular unit was equipped with the standard U-shaped dinette, though an optional free-standing table and chairs can be selected instead. The standard tri-fold sofa that comes with the RV makes into a bed; optional theater seating is available if desired. A 32-inch LED TV with sound bar, AM-FM radio, and Bluetooth is located in the entertainment center, which is set at an angle on the opposite side of the RV and can be viewed from the sofa and dinette.

The galley features a seamless pressed-membrane countertop, with a large, flush-mounted, single-basin stainless-steel farm sink. A window behind the sink brings in lots of ambient light. Cooking appliances include a 17-inch oven, a three-burner range with a glass cover and a hood, and a microwave oven tucked into the overhead cabinetry. To the left is an 8-cubic-foot propane/electric refrigerator and a pantry with plentiful storage.

The Range Lite 252RB’s two 3,500-pound axles are fitted with ST205/75R14 load range D tires with aluminum rims. The RV exterior is prepped for side cameras, and the patio area is covered by a 20-foot power awning with LED lighting. Marine-grade exterior speakers let you enjoy your favorite tunes while relaxing in the patio area, which also holds a small 12-volt refrigerator. A utility connection panel provides a central location for fresh-water and waste-water connections and controls. The 30-amp electrical system comes with a removable power cord. A 15,000-Btu rooftop air conditioner, a 30,000-Btu propane furnace, and a six-gallon water heater with direct-spark ignition round out the RV’s utilities.

 

Range Lite Air 18RBS

While the Range Lite series offers a nice array of floor plans with minimal towing weights, the Range Lite Air series expands upon that concept with even further weight reductions. The smaller, lighter RVs in the Air series can be towed by some vehicles that may have difficulty hauling larger trailers. Although much smaller than its cousins in the Range Lite model line, the 18RBS still provides a respectable amount of space and creature comforts. It is best suited for a couple of travelers, although the jackknife sofa makes into additional sleeping space to accommodate grandkids or young families with small children; so, it is capable of sleeping up to four people.

The front of the RV contains the sleeping area, which includes a 60-inch-by-80-inch queen-size bed with a small underbed storage area near the foot. Overhead cabinetry provides additional storage space.

At the opposite end of the RV is the rear bath, which contains a vanity with a seamless pressed-membrane countertop and a recessed sink. A mirrored medicine cabinet hangs overhead. A porcelain pedal-flush toilet, a power vent fan, and a fiberglass shower enclosure with a curtain completes the bath area.

The main living area offers a single slideout on the street side that holds a jackknife sleeper sofa.

This unit has no dedicated dinette, but a long folding table can be placed directly in front of the sofa to accommodate meals. An 8-cubic-foot propane/electric refrigerator is situated next to the galley work area, which contains a two-burner gas cooktop and a recessed sink. An overhead fan vents cooking odors and steam out of the RV, while a microwave oven is located in the overhead cabinetry.

The patio area is covered by a 14-foot power awning with LED lighting. Marine-grade exterior speakers let you bring your audio from the entertainment center out to the patio area. The single 5,000-pound-rated axle is fitted with ST235/75R15 load range D tires that are mounted on aluminum-alloy wheel rims. The utility connection panel serves as a central location for fresh-water and waste-water controls, as well as access to the black tank flushing attachment. The 30-amp electrical system incorporates a removable power cord. The 18RBS’s utilities also include a 15,000-Btu rooftop air conditioner, a 30,000 Btu propane furnace, and a 6-gallon DSI water heater.

 

Recap

The Range Lite Air 18RBS is a small, compact unit capable of being pulled by most any properly equipped towing vehicle. To make that happen, it gives up the extra space, length, and weight some may find desirable in larger units. Yet, it remains an attractive option for a couple at an affordable price.

The Range Lite 252RB is also considered a lightweight RV, but its additional length and amenities do add some pounds; this, in turn, eliminates some towing vehicles from the list. Although it costs more than the Range Lite Air, it’s still economically priced and should be a great choice for many RVing families.

 

SPECIFICATIONS | RANGE LITE 252RB

MANUFACTURER
Highland Ridge RV, 3195 N. State Road 5, Shipshewana, IN 46565; (800) 945-4787; www.highlandridgerv.com

EXTERIOR LENGTH
30 feet 11 inches

EXTERIOR WIDTH
97 inches

EXTERIOR HEIGHT
11 feet 2 inches

INTERIOR HEIGHT
6 feet 9 inches

UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW)
5,925 pounds

DRY HITCH WEIGHT
660 pounds

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
7,500 pounds

CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC)
1,575 pounds

AXLES
(2); 3,500-pound rating

TIRES
ST205/75R14, load range D

FRESH WATER CAPACITY
51 gallons; includes 6-gallon water heater

HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 58 gallons; black water — 29 gallons

PROPANE CAPACITY
60 pounds (2 cylinders)

SLEEPING CAPACITY
(6)

WARRANTY
1 year, limited; 3 years structural, limited

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$43,125

 

SPECIFICATIONS | RANGE LITE 18RBS

MANUFACTURER
Highland Ridge RV, 3195 N. State Road 5, Shipshewana, IN 46565; (800) 945-4787; www.highlandridgerv.com

EXTERIOR LENGTH
22 feet 7 inches

EXTERIOR WIDTH
100 inches

EXTERIOR HEIGHT
10 feet 5 inches

INTERIOR HEIGHT
6 feet 6 inches

UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW)
4,015 pounds

DRY HITCH WEIGHT
490 pounds

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
4,995 pounds

CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC)
 980 pounds

AXLES
(1); 5,000-pound rating

TIRES
ST235/75R15, load range D

FRESH WATER CAPACITY
61 gallons; includes 6-gallon water heater

HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 30 gallons; black water — 32 gallons

PROPANE CAPACITY
60 pounds (2 cylinders)

SLEEPING CAPACITY
(4)

WARRANTY
1 year, limited; 3 years structural, limited

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$34,568