A variety of 2025-model RVs deliver plenty of value in their respective categories and price points.
By Bruce W,. Smith
March/April 2025
For shoppers looking into a new or new-to-them RV, budget enters into the purchase decision. After all, buying a motorized or towable RV is a big investment. A motorhome may be the second-largest monetary outlay after a stationary home. And, quite often, the towing vehicle needed to pull a travel trailer costs as much as the trailer itself. So, in either case, getting the most “bang for the buck” carries a lot of weight when making the final decision — especially for those taking that first step into RV ownership.
Other factors come into play as well. How often will the RV be used during the year? How many people will it need to accommodate? What kind of warranty coverage comes with it? What are the manufacturer’s and dealer’s reputations? How long do you plan on keeping the RV?
“Resale value is always important, but I always believed what is most important is the value you get from your camping and family experiences,” said Karen Tangle, general manager at Sutton RV, a travel trailer dealer in Eugene, Oregon. “That’s why folks buy RVs. Yes, they are depreciating assets. But you buy an RV more as a gateway for family fun and memorable life experiences.”
According to some RV dealers I contacted, shoppers in search of the best buy should look closely at the previous year’s model and compare it to the current version. Quite often, little or no changes have been made, other than the asking price. Another good buy are RVs that represent the last production year of “Special Edition” or “Limited Edition” models. For example, Karen Tangle noted: “The Airstream REI and Pottery Barn are Special Edition models going out of production this year, so that means great resale value later on compared to a standard model.”
And a related tip: Specific floor plans on manufacturers’ websites occasionally are labeled “Dealer Stock Only.” This means the floor plan is no longer in production, although some dealers around the country may still have them on their lots.
Keeping all that in mind, the following RVs may be some of the best buys in the 2025 market.
Sunset Park’s Sun Lite 13BD LTD travel trailer accommodates one or two occupants.
SUNSET PARK Sun Lite 13BD LTD
(MSRP: $23,200)
Sunset Park’s Sun Lite LTD compact travel trailers are both lightweight and affordable, with best-in-class interior storage, open floor plans, and the basic amenities for one or two people to be comfortable camping. The 13BD model is the most popular. It’s the smallest of the six floor plans, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of just 3,700 pounds, which makes it a great buy for those who wish to tow with a smaller vehicle. Despite its compact size, this unit boasts a full-size bed up front, a private bathroom in the rear, a well-equipped kitchen with a 4.3-cubic-foot 12-volt fridge and a two-burner propane stove, plus a furnace and an air conditioner. In addition, this camper is built with durable materials and off-grid capabilities, including a solar kit, making it a good candidate for both beginners and seasoned adventurers.
The Wildcat 33CHEF fifth-wheel boasts nicely equipped galley and dining areas.
WILDCAT 33CHEF
(MSRP: $82,892)
Another good buy that’s new for 2025 is the Wildcat 33CHEF fifth-wheel, a 38-foot-3-inch, meticulously designed floor plan with a rear kitchen. This triple-slideout unit has a GVWR of 13,885 pounds and is crafted with serious chefs in mind. In addition to ample counter space, you’ll find a roomy 16-cubic-foot 12-volt refrigerator and a massive pantry alongside a 30-inch microwave that sits above the 21-inch, two-in-one oven/range. “The high-top table and chairs provide a delightful dining area, allowing you to enjoy meals while looking out through the massive CampView window,” said Forest River’s Corian Correll. A desk in the living area offers the same scenic view, making it an ideal workspace. Two sofas in the living area — one that converts into a bed and the other offering theater seating — are located near a fireplace and a 50-inch LED TV. The front bedroom features a king-size bed, washer and dryer prep, and a large closet for ample storage.
Airstream’s Pottery Barn 28RB Special Edition travel trailer features designer touches.
Airstream Pottery Barn Special Edition
AIRSTREAM POTTERY BARN 28RB SPECIAL EDITION
(MSRP: $170,700)
RVs that are produced in limited numbers for a special occasion, or in a marketing partnership with another company, elevate buyer appeal — and resale value. That’s what makes the 28-foot Airstream Pottery Barn 28RB Special Edition one of those great buys for 2025. It’s not inexpensive by any means. However, this is the last year it will be produced. This iconic camper comes fully accessorized, including Pottery Barn salt-and-pepper shakers; Mason dinnerware and flatware; and Pottery Barn seat cushions, queen bed sheets, shams, pillowcases, comforters, and throws. The outdoor wooden folding chairs and table are cool, as are the unit’s 300 watts of solar power, ducted heating and air conditioning, real hardwood cabinetry, residential-size fridge, three-burner stove, roomy bathroom with a bowl sink, and loads of other standard features. End to end, this Special Edition trailer is a great buy if you can find one on dealer lots.
The Wayfinder Go Play 26BHS bunkhouse-style travel trailer sleeps 10.
WAYFINDER GO PLAY 26BHS
(MSRP: $34,328)
Finding a 30-foot tandem-axle, bunkhouse-style, single-slideout travel trailer that sells for less than $30,000 can be difficult. However, the Wayfinder Go Play line, a private label of Bish’s RV that’s built by Jayco, meets that criterion. The most popular model is the 30-foot-8-inch 26BHS, which often sells for under $26,000. When it comes to the most bang for the buck, this unit would be near the top of the list. The 26BHS floor plan, which can sleep up to 10, features a jackknife sofa and a dinette in the street-side slideout opposite the big kitchen. Bunks in the rear are the larger double-over-double variety, and the walk-in bathroom shares the separator wall. Up front is the bedroom with a north/south queen bed flanked by wardrobes. Outside amenities include a nice pull-out grill adjacent to a small 12-volt fridge. A 16-foot power awning extends the entertainment space. A 30,000-Btu furnace and a 15,000-Btu A/C keep occupants comfortable in this entry-level, 7,500-pound-GVWR camper.
Prime Time Avenger’s 24BHSLE bunkhouse travel trailer has a bright, modern interior.
PRIME TIME RV AVENGER 24BHSLE
(MSRP: $33,212)
If you’re in the market for a bargain on a bunkhouse-style camper, the new Avenger 24BHSLE travel trailer from Prime Time RV would be worth a look. This 28-foot-2-inch, 7,660-pound-GVWR RV features a front queen bedroom with a walkaround bed and cabinet storage; an open living area with a dinette slideout; and a rear bunkroom on the curb side with double bunks next to a full bathroom in the opposite corner. It can sleep eight in a pinch and feed the herd with ease. The kitchen includes a stovetop and a conventional oven, a range hood, a microwave oven, an oversized stainless-steel farmhouse sink, a refrigerator, and glass-fronted cabinets. The interior reflects modern styling. This model also comes with an outdoor kitchen with a mini fridge, griddle, and multipurpose spray port; a 13-foot power awning shields RVers from the elements while expanding the living area.
A rear king bed graces the Georgetown 3 Series GT3 32A3 gas-powered Class A motorhome.
GEORGETOWN 3 SERIES GT3 32A3
(MSRP: $200,683)
Couples in search of a feature-filled gas-powered Class A motorhome won’t want to miss the twin-slideout 2025 Georgetown 3 Series GT3 32A3 floor plan, which offers open living space and a full kitchen. The exterior exhibits European styling, and that touch spills over to the interior. This 34-foot-7-inch floor plan contains a sofa bed, booth dinette, and full kitchen; the latter includes a double sink, a three-burner cooktop, a microwave oven, and a 12-cubic-foot propane/electric refrigerator. Midship is a split bath, with the toilet and lavatory on the street side and the shower on the other. In the rear, a curbside king bed slideout faces twin closets, a dresser, and a TV. The cockpit provides swivel captain seats, a removable table, and a power front overhead bunk. This 22,000-pound-GVWR coach rides on a Ford F-53 chassis with a MORryde 1.5-inch tubular steel truss upfit and is powered by a 350-horsepower Ford Triton V-8 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 4,000 pounds, and once you’re at your destination, the motorhome can be leveled via a four-point hydraulic system.
The 2025 Outdoors RV Back Country MTN TRX 21RWS travel trailer retains its off-grid features.
OUTDOORS RV BACK COUNTRY 21RWS
(MSRP: $73,794)
RVers in search of a unit for off-grid adventure camping will want to check out the new 21RWS floor plan in Outdoors RV’s Back Country MTN TRX series of travel trailers. This popular model has been around for a couple years with very few changes, because it was well equipped and smartly designed from the get-go. The 21RWS floor plan is as insulated as you’ll find in a 26-foot camper; rides on a heavy-duty 8-inch chassis with MORryde Off-Road X4 suspension; carries 100 gallons of fresh water; and is equipped with a Cummins Onan 3.6-kw generator. The sturdily built trailer (9,995-pound GVWR) has a nice bathroom, a galley with a flip-up counter, a dinette in the single slideout, and a queen bed up front. This is another case where shopping around for an earlier model may result in considerable savings compared to the 2025 version.
Winnebago’s M-Series 1923RB can be towed by smaller pickups and full-size SUVs.
WINNEBAGO M-SERIES 1923RB
(MSRP: $27,930)
Winnebago’s M-Series travel trailers offer good value for the dollar, including the 2025 1923RB. This new 23-foot-11-inch single-slideout floor plan has a spacious layout, ample storage in the galley and lavatory, as well as an exterior camp kitchen. Its 6,000-pound GVWR makes it ideal to tow behind smaller pickups and full-size SUVs. “We wanted to bring the success from our Micro Minnie line into the M-Series with a shorter open-concept layout,” explained Grant Smith, Winnebago product manager. “We listened closely to our Micro Minnie customers in designing the 1923RB.” This resulted in a slightly larger bathroom, an exterior kitchen, and a floor-to-ceiling pantry where the TV has traditionally been located. The TV was relocated to the galley, where it can be watched from the dinette or from the bed via a swing-arm bracket.