Travel-Lite i18 Travel Trailer
Top 2018 mid-range RVs

2018 Travel-Lite Idea i18 travel trailer is a mid-range model with roomy interior, true bedroom with walk-around bed, well-equipped kitchen and full, walk-in bath...

      Travel Lite (New Paris, IN) - privately-owned company founded in 1998 by Larry Johns is known as manufacturer of high quality truck campers. Since few years however, the company also gained recognition for its new line of medium-size, ultra-lite travel trailers. With lengths ranging from 15 to 21 feet and dry weight under 3,500 lbs, Travel-Lite series of Falcon and Idea travel trailers can be towed by most SUVs and small trucks. And (you may like it or not) - thanks to their very stylish, aerodynamic shape, striking colors and graphics as well as clever floor-plans, they continuously turn heads on campgrounds.

Here we would like to present one of the newest Travel-Lite trailer from the series Idea – the i18. It was largely modified for the 2017 debut. The 2018 models underwent only “cosmetic” changes.

Travel-Lite Idea i18 travel trailer

   ... and its floor-plan

       The i18 gained our praise for its stylish exterior shape, finish and graphics, spacious interior, practical floorplan including all basic amenities and features you need for comfortable RV-in. On top of that it is all finished the way creating an elegant and warm living environment - an essential “ingredient” of any home-like atmosphere (especially when it is a “home-away-from-home).  

The bedroom is located at the front of the camper and it is here where you will find the first positive surprise. Despite the fact that the i18 is relatively narrow (interior width of just 82”) the queen-size bed (60” x 80”) is placed length-wise the camper in walk-around configuration. This solves one of the biggest shortcomings of small and medium-size RVs:  a bed across the width of the camper with usually limited access only from one side. This forces you to “climb” over your loved-one to claim your place at the back of the bed (especially annoying and disturbing when you have to do it during the night).

View from the back

Master Bedroom has all it needs including privacy (when crew counts only 2 persons)

       That’s why the i18 sleeping space truly deserves the name “Bedroom”. Two nightstands on both sides of the bed with deep (although narrow) drawers and solid molded-Granicote tops offer enough of storage space for small personal items, handy place for favorite book, magazine as well as for morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine. You will also find electrical outlets to feed your “electronics” (it seems that these days we cannot live without iPad or phone). The decorative headboard adds personal touch greatly contributing to the bedroom’s ambiance. 

Well, nothing comes for free, so there is a “little” price to pay for bed’s walk-around configuration. The front wall (bed’s headboard) matches the contour of the front-cap so it is slightly tipped forward. As the result, you may need to stack a set of pillows if you want to take the sitting position against the front-wall. Well, it may be just “remote” scenario if we accept the fact that a bed is just the bed.

Reading lights mounted under the overhead cabinets along the front wall as well as the TV screen across (all necessary TV hook-ups are part of standard features) make the bedroom a part of a comfortable, easily-accessible living area. Thanks to swiveling bracket the TV can be also watched from the galley.

Galley is in the central section (here the traditional dinette was replaced by an optional jackknife sofa w/free-standing table)

          The central galley offers most of what you may need even on longer trips. Two-burner stove with hood, single bowl sink (all stainless-steel), decorative backsplash, spacious (impressive 6 cu. feet) refrigerator w/separate freezer, microwave and ample storage space (drawers, shelves, cupboards, overhead cabinet) make the kitchen very functional. The only limitation is the work-space (or actually the lack of it). The counter space is mostly claimed by the stove and sink because for unknown reasons they are not flush-mounted with lids to offer (when needed and possible) an extra work-space.

The solution comes from the dinette with sitting place for 3 persons just across the galley. Its elegant, Granicote finished table offers much needed working area for preparation of food but also for other activities (playing games, computer …..).  The overhead cabinets above the dinette are especially handy in the central part of the camper. 

Standard dinette

     As an option you can replace traditional dinette with a jack-knife leatherette sofa and free-standing table. It will give you an extra sleeping space for two small kids (40” x 60” when open). But there is significant downside of this solution. First of all, the i18 standard dinette configuration gives you chance to “connect with the nature” thanks to the large window on the sidewall (benefit you should not underestimate). With sofa, you lose this chance (you will be staring at the kitchen turning your back at the largest i18's window). Another inconvenience -  the bath door will not fully open (coming from the outside, you will have to step into the galley to enter the bath). The truth is – i18 travel trailer is a mid-range model designed for comfortable RV-ing for two. Trying to change it will compromise the living comfort.

Once unfolded, the jackknife sofa offers a sleeping place for two (small) kids

       The walk-in, full bathroom is located at the rear of the camper. It includes the so-called “neo-angle” shower cabin with vinyl curtain, vanity with sink and molded Granicote countertop, medicine cabinet w/mirror door, plastic toiled w/foot flush and quite spacious storage cabinet for toiletry…. Large dome-shaped skylight above the shower not only makes the bath bright, but increases shower’s headroom.

Next to the bath (on left side when entering the camper) you will find full-height, deep wardrobe with two large cupboards and generous section for hanging cloths. 

Full, walk-in bath has all you will need...

   ... including vanity with sink

Windows:

       It is quite well visible from the outside, but becomes more obvious when entering interior: The i18 does not have enough of windows. There is nothing preventing the bedroom windows to be larger and an extra window below the kitchen overhead cabinets will make the camper brighter and by that fact looking roomier than it already is. Not mentioning that panoramic windows make the interior ambience warmer and at the same time allow for connections with the outside world (in this case the Mother Nature). It’s true, that the superbly designed interior lighting system somehow compensates the lack of natural light (and frankly adds a lot of charm). But it cannot change the fact that on your RV-ing trip you will be mostly separated from the Mother Nature by walls… 

Well, to make it fair – the i18’s “full-length” power awning opens the outdoors for living and more personal contact with the surrounding nature (provided, you are not on an overcrowded campground). 

Power awning extends all-along the side of the trailer

Storage space

       Inside of the camper you will find abundance of storage space. First and probably the largest one is the under-bed storage area. It is easily accessible thanks to gas-struts assistance and walk-around” design. It has also small access door from the outside (on the camper’s curbside), however this opening is so small that you cannot use it to load/unload larger items like for example camping chairs, table etc…).

 Kitchen cabinets (especially one under the fridge), large and deep wardrobe at the rear wall next to the entrance doors, several overhead cabinets (bedroom, dinette and kitchen), bath wall cabinet (plus medicine one), under-seats boxes (dinette) – all contribute to the generous storage space. 

Given mentioned above limited access to the main under-bed storage area from the outside, the only full-access exterior storage compartment is located at the front. However, it is mainly designed as a storage for LPG bottles, so of little use for general stuff. 

This seems to be big shortcoming of the i18Q travel trailer (and in general of Idea campers) because there is nothing better for carrying the camping gear than large exterior compartments. Being very appreciative when it comes to i18Q interior design, the lack of exterior-access storage compartments is a major problem (at least for some RV-ers). For sure, you can always load larger items into under-bed storage from the inside, but it is not the dream solution (just think about dragging all potentially dirty or wet items all along the interior to put them “where they belong”…)....

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Note:  Check with the manufacturer and / or authorized RV Dealer for the up-to-date list of features, options as well as latest specifications. These written above may not be accurate and certainly are subject to change by the factory. We are not responsible for any inaccuracy, the above text is provided only for the general information.

This review was written based on publicly available information for the benefits of the community of RV-ers. We do not receive any gratification or financial benefits from RV manufacturers, dealers, and any other promoters of RVs. 

We are NOT involved in sale and/or retail of RVs!

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