Why a Rear Dinette Travel Trailer?
RV MANUFACTURERS OFFER a wide range of floor plans to suit various travelers. However, the rear dinette travel trailer isn’t as common as others, but it offers some interesting benefits. Instead of a central dining area, it’s positioned at the back. This usually means large, panoramic windows for spectacular views, whether you’re camping at the Canyonlands of the Southwest or the beaches of Florida.
With the rear dinette travel trailer floor plan, you’re typically able to enjoy a more private front bedroom. There may not always be a door to close off the space, but it’s far enough away that it feels more private. Larger travel trailers offer a separate sleeping space with a door and wardrobes. For families or travelers who enjoy entertaining, this layout is ideal.
Key Takeaways
- Rear dinette travel trailers offer panoramic views, a more private front bedroom, and spacious U-shaped dining areas that often double as extra sleeping space or workstations.
- A wide range of layouts and sizes are available, from lightweight, SUV-towable models under 24 feet to larger trailers with slide-outs, flex spaces, and family-friendly amenities.
- Key benefits include expanded kitchen space, natural light, comfortable dining/sleeping options, and flexible layouts for couples, families, and remote workers.
Best Rear Dinette Travel Trailer RVs
Our picks for the best rear dinette travel trailers range from simple, lightweight trailers to larger, heavier campers with expandable living spaces.
Rockwood Ultra Lite 2618RD
Images by Forest River
Specs
- Length: 29’9”
- Dry Weight: 6,554 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,920 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 5
While most couples don’t need the space of a U-shaped dinette, this particular layout may suit remote workers well. The Rockwood Ultra Lite 2618RD features a spacious U-shaped dinette along the rear wall and lots of windows for natural light. If you work while camping, this area provides a desk while still allowing ample room for a second person to enjoy a cup of coffee or lunch.
Theater seats sit in a slide-out across from the L-shaped kitchen, making this living area feel spacious and comfortable. Another slide-out in the front bedroom expands the room, allowing for easy walking around the queen bed and providing additional storage for couples or solo travelers who stay for more than a weekend at a time.
Check out the sister floor plan in the Flagstaff Super Lite 26SRD.
Forest River Campsite Reserve 20LJ
Specs
- Length: 25’9”
- Dry Weight: 4,688 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,892 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4
The Campsite Reserve 20LJ is a double-axle rear dinette travel trailer with no slides. While this means less interior space, it also means less maintenance and fewer mechanisms to break. The booth dinette sits across from a jackknife sofa, both providing additional sleeping spaces if needed.
At less than 26 feet long, this camper still features a pantry, dry bathroom, full kitchen, and front camp king bed. You have all you need for a weekend camping trip in a smaller, easy-to-maintain travel trailer. In addition, the almost 2,900-pound cargo capacity means that if you can store it, you can haul it.
Forest River Salem 290ZEN
Specs
- Length: 34’10”
- Dry Weight: 8,001 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,809 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6
The Salem 290ZEN is one of the most unique rear dinette floor plans on this list. We’ve included it even though it doesn’t have a typical dinette because the rear flex space functions as your dining space in the absence of a more traditional dinette. The spacious U-shaped kitchen features 18 linear feet of countertops and a flip-up desk.
Not only is the rear kitchen area unique, but Forest River also included a flex space in the living room slide-out. This Versa-Slide offers additional storage, bunk beds, and a desk for a private work station. A family who homeschools or works remotely will appreciate this space!
Families will also love the huge sectional sofa across from the entertainment center and fireplace, as well as the washer and dryer prepped closet in the main bedroom. Or if a washer and dryer isn’t necessary, you can use this space for additional storage.
Winnebago Thrive 25RLS
Images by Camping World
Specs
- Length: 30’2”
- Dry Weight: 6,512 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,288 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6
Another rear dinette travel trailer floor plan is the Thrive 25RLS, which features a spacious U-shaped dinette along the rear wall. Similar to the Rockwood Ultra Lite, it has theater seating in a slide-out across from an L-shaped kitchen.
The walk-through bathroom leads to the front bedroom, which features an Olympic queen bed, overhead storage, and side wardrobes. Unlike the 2618RD, the Thrive 25RLS does not have a slide-out wardrobe in the bedroom. However, it does feature an oversized, automotive-grade front windshield, ideal for stargazing once you’re cozied up in bed.
Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 25RDSWE
Specs
- Length: 29’10”
- Dry Weight: 6,460 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,340 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6
Similar to the Thrive and Rockwood Ultra Lite, the Cougar 25RDSWE features a large slide-out in the living area, which increases interior space and provides ample room for children, pets, and guests.
This travel trailer also features a spacious U-shaped dinette along the rear wall, accompanied by ample overhead storage. The slide-out houses a tri-fold sleeper sofa, pantry space, and a 12-volt refrigerator. This fridge type is ideal for campers who prefer dry camping, as it uses less electricity and doesn’t require propane.
The bathroom is a walk-through, leading into the bedroom, which boasts a king bed, side wardrobes, and overhead storage. You’ll also enjoy a second entry door into the bedroom, a unique feature that adds privacy and convenience for family camping.
WE stands for Western Elevation. Explore regional availability of the standard Cougar 25RDS.
Honorable Mentions
Lightweight Rear Dinette Campers
These three rear dinette travel trailers weigh less than 4,200 pounds and are under 24 feet long. Some SUVs can tow these lightweight campers, making them excellent options if you’re looking for a rear dinette RV layout but don’t want to upgrade your tow vehicle.
Keystone Coleman 19R
Specs
- Length: 23’11”
- Dry Weight: 4,114 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,886 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4
The Coleman 19R is similar to the Campsite Reserve 20LJ, but with a smaller footprint. It features a booth dinette across from a jackknife sofa in the rear, a full bathroom across from a central galley kitchen, and a front queen bed with side wardrobes and overhead storage.
Even with its smaller size, it still features an 8-cubic-foot 12V fridge, a 2-burner gas range, an air fryer/convection microwave, and a surprising amount of kitchen counterspace. Along the exterior, a 16-foot awning extends almost the entire length. You’ll enjoy Saturday afternoons in the shade or grilling bacon on rainy Sunday mornings with ample protection.
Keystone Bullet Classic 1900RDWE
Specs
- Length: 21’11”
- Dry Weight: 3,600 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,200 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4
At just under 22 feet, the Bullet Classic 1900RDWE is an excellent option for RVers who own an SUV or light-duty truck and need a travel trailer under 4,000 pounds. However, with a lighter footprint comes the omission of certain amenities. In this case, there is no sofa, and the kitchen is relatively small.
However, this floor plan does have a large U-shaped dinette in the rear and a queen bed in the front. Unlike the other rear dinette campers on this list, the 1900RDWE’s queen bed faces east to west rather than north to south. That design choice means there’s also only one wardrobe, making it better suited for couples than families.
Rockwood Geo-Pro G15TB
Images by Camping World
Specs
- Length: 15’8”
- Dry Weight: 2,833 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,074 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 2
At under 16 feet, the Geo-Pro G15TB is the smallest rear dinette travel trailer on our list. This camper is best for solo travelers or couples who spend more time outdoors when camping. The rear dinette converts into a sleeping space at night, offering the option of two twin beds or a single king.
This trailer also has a wet bath, the only one on this list, and includes a 3-burner cooktop, a convection microwave, a stainless steel sink, and a fridge. If you’re looking for just the basics to get out to your favorite trailheads or watering holes, the Rockwood Geo-Pro G15TB may check all the boxes.
Honorable Mentions
What Are The Benefits of a Rear Dinette Travel Trailer?
To recap, here are the benefits of a rear dinette travel trailer:
- Spacious cooking space. You typically have more counterspace and cabinet storage than other types of travel trailer floor plans.
- Comfortable dining area. Most rear dinette travel trailers feature a huge U-shaped dinette along the entire rear wall.
- Panoramic windows. Not only do you get a beautiful vista outside your camper, but you also let in loads of natural light.
- Private bedroom. With a rear dinette travel trailer, the bedroom is located farther from the dining area, at the opposite end of the camper.
- Additional sleeping space. Many experienced RVers prefer the U-shaped dinette style—found in most rear dinette layouts—for its added sleeping comfort, which makes it ideal for families or travelers who often host friends.
While a rear dinette travel trailer may not be the best fit for everyone, it’s an excellent choice for RVers who want a more spacious interior while maintaining privacy.
How Can I Make My Travel Trailer Dinette More Comfortable?
Memory foam is a popular choice among many RVers. While travel trailer dinettes have some padding, an extra layer of memory foam will make your eating area more comfortable. If you plan on using the dinette as a second sleeping space, this is essential to ensure a pleasant night’s sleep for kids or guests.
What Size Is the Dinette Bed on a Travel Trailer?
The size of the bed varies depending on the type of dinette. For example, the U-shaped dinettes along the entire rear wall of several rear dinette campers typically measure approximately 80 inches long. A dinette located along one of the opposing walls in the kitchen will be smaller, typically measuring 64 to 74 inches.
These top-rated rear dinette travel trailers feature spacious kitchen areas, making them ideal for entertaining guests or accommodating families. Compare them to these additional RV roundups:
Which rear dinette travel trailer is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Why a Rear Dinette Travel Trailer? appeared first on Camping World Blog.
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