After traveling across the country in my Casita, I can’t recommend it enough to others seeking a life of adventure. It might be a small trailer, but it’s ready for cross-country travel, so what more can you ask for?
Casita currently has five models to choose from, not to mention you can select a deluxe edition and add-ons for any version. With so many options, which is the right Casita for you?
Here are some considerations when selecting your perfect Casita trailer:
- The size of your travel group
- Must-have features
- Amenities
- Budget
This guide will introduce you to all the Casita models on the market, including an overview of the available add-ons and what separates a standard and deluxe version. I’ve spent countless hours in Casita trailers, so I can help you pick the right one for you.
Let’s get going!
What Are Casita Trailer Options?
Casita trailer options run the gamut, but each is a 17-foot single-axle trailer. It’s just cozy enough for a small group of travelers (my husband and I occupy our Casita!) and lightweight for easy towing.
Here is more information on each of the five models Casita manufactures.
Liberty
For under $30k, the Liberty is an excellent little trailer. Well, I say little, but it’s six feet, two inches inside, with a dry weight of 2,480 pounds. That’s very light for trailers, so you should expect more versatility with your towing vehicle.
You needn’t have a heavy-duty pickup truck to pull one of these vehicles around. Some cars will do the trick, as will almost any SUV.
Awesome, right? That’s not even the best part. This cozy trailer has room for up to four passengers, proving that looks can be deceiving.
As a long-time Casita owner, I can attest to how durable its fiberglass body is. I’ve never tested it in hail, but Casita says the exterior is hail-resistant, and I believe it. After all, I’ve gotten mine wet enough to experience its awesome water resistance time and again.
I love the smart use of space, such as the dual double bed and dinette. There’s room for several more beds, including a king-sized bed (or seat) and double bunks near the under-storage area.
And oh, storage. Glorious storage. The Liberty has more than its fair share, proving you can do a lot with 17 feet!
Freedom
Priced roughly the same as the Liberty, the Freedom has a more spacious floor plan with room for up to four. You will have plenty of overhead cabinet space and a few under-storage solutions for keeping your stuff, but it’s less than the Liberty.
If you’re traveling alone or with another person, you shouldn’t find yourself lacking storage space. I love how innovative Casita is with its storage, and it’s always been enough for my husband and I.
This model has two sleeping areas. The one towards the back is an ultra-spacious 54-inch by 76-inch double bed. That’s so much room you’ll swear you’re dreaming at a hotel or back home rather than in a travel trailer.
Of course, you will share some of the bedroom space with the dinette, but this bed is huge! The double bunks are 24 inches by 75 inches a pop. They’re not as large but are ideal for sleeping the children if you’re a family of four.
I love a good kitchen nook, and the Freedom doesn’t disappoint. The fridge, sink, and range oven are surrounded by more storage cab space for stashing your small pots and pans, plates, cups, and bowls.
You’ll have an efficient kitchen system on the road that rivals your setup back home. This trailer for under $26k has room for four and weighs 2,480 pounds dry.
Heritage
How about a family-friendly trailer? Pack up the kids and set off for a world of adventure in the Heritage, a lower-cost Casita under $27k. It weighs 2,480 pounds.
I know what you’re thinking – aren’t any of the Casita models we’ve looked at appropriate for families? And yes, they are, but perhaps none more so than this one.
For one, the Heritage has an incredible passenger capacity, able to hold up to six guests. It also has sleeping quarters for bigger groups.
The standard double bed/dinette at the back of the trailer is present, as are two sets of double bunk beds. The first is a smaller 21 inches by 74 inches, while the second is only a smidge larger at 24 inches by 75 inches.
Oh storage, where are you? Everywhere you look, really! Overhead cabs surround the main bedroom, while under-storage options across the bunk bed area will help you keep your everyday items without being messy about it.
The full kitchen is also installed in the Heritage, because, of course, it is. If you’re traveling with a large group, you’re going to get a lot of rumbling tummies, so you need ample kitchen amenities to help you whip up home-cooked meals.
Independence
The Independence is one of my favorite Casita options, in part because its name embodies its premise so well. This travel trailer is designed for couples who like their privacy and space.
If you have a spouse or partner who snores, tosses and turns all night, or otherwise precludes you from getting a good night’s rest, the Independence is the Casita for you. Its dual twin beds are permanent installations positioned adjacent to one another.
These aren’t kids’ bunks, either. Each twin-sized bed/seat measures 30.5 inches by 82 inches, so you can stretch out, roll around, and sleep your way without bothering your partner. Just maybe use earplugs if they’re a snorer since the sound will still travel in close conditions.
One of you could always retreat to the double bunk beds up front for more sanity and sleep. However, these are more made for children, measuring 24 inches by 75 inches. If you have children or like to bring your nieces and nephews for camping adventures, you have the perfect place to sleep ‘em.
Casita finds a way to spoil you no matter which trailer you choose. Take, for instance, how the Independence has overhead cabinet storage and plenty of under-storage in the bunk area.
Since the sleeping quarters are arranged to take up more space than in your average Casita trailer layout, the kitchen is positioned a little differently than the other models. The sink and range are opposite the fridge.
There may be less symmetry in the design, but it’s better than not having a fridge or range at all, wouldn’t you say?
This trailer for up to four weighs 2,480 pounds dry.
Spirit
How do you experience Casita the classic way? In the Spirit, another affordable trailer under $27k. It’s spacious, with room for five, and weighs 2,480 pounds, continuing Casita’s legacy of lightweight trailers.
The Spirit has double the dining areas, but of course, this travel trailer is more than meets the eye. You can convert either dining space into beds. The double bunk is 24 inches by 75 inches, while the double bed measures a generously sized 54 inches by 76 inches for pleasant dreams.
There’s even a single bed for one child or adult, so you can bring the whole gang (the recommended capacity is five)!
You can put Mom and Dad in the main bed and the kids in the bunk for one happy family between all the generously provided under- and overhead storage, including a few under-seat storage options.
With so much bountiful storage at your fingertips, everyone can stow away their items and enjoy a neater, more harmonious co-living experience.
How about a kitchen? The Spirit wouldn’t leave you hanging, and its kitchen layout is akin to the other models in the collection outside the Independent.
Standard vs. Deluxe: Which Do You Need for Your Casita Trailer?
Each of the five Casita travel trailers I reviewed is available in two configurations, or floor plans, if you will. There is the standard and deluxe version.
Standard floor plans vary by model but include the basics for trailer living.
You might have noticed a glaring omission in the last section. Where in the world are the bathrooms?
You’ve got to shell out for the deluxe versions for those! Your bathroom will include a sink, toilet, and shower, so you’ve got all the trimmings.
Since the deluxe editions are not larger than the standard Casitas, the space used for the bathroom has to come from somewhere. In exchange for more creature comforts, you’re slashing passenger space by eliminating single beds and double bunks.
I’ve always personally stuck to the standard editions of the Casita trailers myself. Deluxe models are costlier and limit you on storage.
However, if you must have a bathroom when traveling, your decision is already made.
Here’s another difference: the inclusion of a blackwater tank.
All your bathroom waste has to go somewhere, so deluxe Casitas have an additional tank. This requires you to stop off at dump stations every so often and drain the contents of the tank.
Many dump stations aren’t free, so in addition to paying more for your camper, you’ll also have to keep paying at the pump…err, dump station.
Casita Trailer Add-Ons: Love ‘em or Leave ‘em?
What if even the deluxe version of a Casita trailer isn’t enough to satiate you? What if you want–no, demand–more?
Allow me to introduce you to Casita’s add-ons. These exterior and interior accouterments take your adventuring to the next level, facilitating longer-term camping in comfort.
Here’s a list, then I’ll detail whether you need the add-ons or should save your money.
Exterior Add-Ons
- Electric tongue jack
- Deep cycle maintenance-free battery
- Surge protector
- Water filter
- Leveling block set
- Outdoor shower
- High-lift axle
- Aluminum alloy wheels
- 230-watt panel
- 180-watt solar panel
- Aluminum patio awning
- Upgraded decals
- Sliding battery tray
Interior Add-ons
- Casita kit with a zip-up tool pouch, rivet kit, wrenches, drive extenders, ratches, and sockets
- Folding kitchen shelf
- Roller shades
- Colorful cushions
- Video entertainment package with remote control, headphone outputs, coaxial digital audio, composite inputs, and VGA and HDMI components
- Microwave
- Furnace
Skip or Buy?
Add-ons are Casita’s way of providing a more comfortable camping experience, but you might have noticed none directly augment the safety and functionality of the trailer.
Technically, you can skip them all and be no better off, especially if you select a deluxe versus standard edition of a Casita. You will have enough luxe features.
Keep in mind that add-ons ratchet up the price of your trailer, so even adding a few can mean paying well over the $26k to $29k starting price.
If you live in your camper full-time, I can see where many of these add-ons will make your experience more comfortable and enjoyable. I personally skipped most of the add-ons and still love my Casita camping experiences.
I will say this. If you decide to buy add-ons, watch your cost!
How to Choose the Right Casita Trailer for You
It’s decision-making time. Only you can select the right Casita for your needs, but these pointers will help you make a purchasing decision you’re proud of.
The Size of Your Travel Group
Casita trailers have room for at least two, especially if you upgrade to the deluxe versions. If you don’t mind a standard edition, you can fit three to six, depending on the model you select.
Families eager to experience more of life out in nature need a Casita with ample sleeping and storage space. Still, if you’re only traveling for two, you can squirrel away some extra cash for the deluxe version and live more comfortably.
Must-Have Features
On that note, which Casita features for you are must-haves versus nice-to-haves? For example, if you’re unyielding on a bathroom, you can’t buy a standard trailer. None have toilets or showers. That’s the same way you must choose a standard if you want more sleeping quarters and storage.
Amenities
This goes back to the standard vs. deluxe and add-ons discussions. Stacking your Casita sky-high with features has its merits, especially if you’ll live in yours full-time. Your comfort is paramount, and if it takes an entertainment package and aluminum patio awning to be comfortable, so be it.
Budget
The amenities you want tie in directly with your budget. The prices I listed for each Casita model are only starting costs, a point I’d like to reiterate again. You can easily spend twice as much if you insist on all the fixings.
I recommend planning your trailer budget before you begin shopping, not midway through. What you can afford to spend will guide you toward a Casita model within your price range and ensure you only buy the add-ons you really need (if you opt for any at all).
Bottom Line
Casita has long been my trailer of choice. These vehicles might look small at about 17 feet long, but they’re lightweight, affordable, and customizable, with standard and deluxe versions available and add-ons.
Whether you’re traveling as a family or like some privacy from your partner, there’s a Casita configured to your needs.
My biggest takeaway for you is this: don’t get so carried away with the add-ons that you blow your budget. Casita offers so many good ones that it’s easy to do!