Dutchmen Colorado Travel Trailer 280BHC vs Highland Ridge Range Lite 270DBL
2026 Travel Trailer comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
These large bunkhouse Travel Trailers price within $2,269 of each other ($45,976 vs $48,245). The Dutchmen Colorado 280BHC is 33'0" at 5,668 lbs dry, sleeps 10 with bunkhouse, and runs a 7,600 lb GVWR for 1,932 lbs cargo. The Highland Ridge Range Lite 270DBL is 32'3" at 6,550 lbs dry, sleeps 10 with king bed and bunkhouse, ships with 200W solar with solar prep, 1,800W inverter, 50A service, theater seating, four-season insulation, and a 76 gal grey tank.
The Colorado 280BHC is 882 lbs lighter dry and undercuts the Range Lite by $2,269. The Range Lite 270DBL counters with 200W solar, 1,800W inverter, four-season insulation, king bed, theater seating, and significantly more grey tank capacity (76 vs 39 gal).
For large bunkhouse Travel Trailer buyers, the Dutchmen Colorado vs Range Lite 270DBL choice splits between low-weight (Colorado) and content-loaded (Range Lite).
Side-by-side specs
| Dutchmen Colorado Travel Trailer 280BHC | Highland Ridge Range Lite 270DBL | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $45,976 | $48,245 |
| Length | 33' | 32'3" |
| Dry weight | 5,668 lbs | 6,550 lbs |
| GVWR | 7,600 lbs | 8,200 lbs |
| Sleeps | 10 | 10 |
| Slides | — | — |
| Fresh tank | 44 gal | 55 gal |
| Grey tank | 39 gal | 76 gal |
| Black tank | 28 gal | 38 gal |
| LP | — | — |
| Solar | — | 200W |
| Inverter | — | 1800W |
| Generator | — | — |
| Bath | — | — |
| Bed | — | king |
| 4-season | No | Yes |
| Off-road | No | No |
| Outdoor kitchen | No | No |
| Washer/dryer | none | none |
| Residential fridge | No | No |
Where Dutchmen Colorado Travel Trailer 280BHC wins
- Lower MSRP by $2,269 ($45,976 vs $48,245)
- 882 lbs lighter dry weight (5,668 vs 6,550 lbs)
- Higher 755 lb hitch weight tolerance
- 9 inches longer for layout space
- Lower 7,600 lb GVWR than Range Lite's 8,200 lbs
Where Highland Ridge Range Lite 270DBL wins
- 1,800W inverter standard (Colorado has none)
- 200W solar plus solar prep flag
- King bed standard plus bunkhouse
- Four-season insulation certified
- 37 gal more grey tank (76 vs 39 gal)
Pick the Dutchmen Colorado Travel Trailer 280BHC if…
Pick the Dutchmen Colorado 280BHC if you sleep 10 and tow with a half-ton truck. The 5,668 lb dry weight is 882 lbs lighter than the Range Lite 270DBL, fitting comfortably inside half-ton ratings. The bunkhouse plus convertibles accommodate large families, and the 33'0" length gives layout flexibility. At $45,976 the Colorado 280BHC saves $2,269 over the Range Lite 270DBL while delivering the same 10-person sleeping capacity. Buyers who don't need factory solar or inverter should pick the Colorado.
Pick the Highland Ridge Range Lite 270DBL if…
Pick the Highland Ridge Range Lite 270DBL if you have a 3/4-ton truck and want content-loaded large-family camping. The 1,800W inverter, 200W solar, king bed plus bunkhouse, four-season insulation, 76 gal grey tank, and 50A service collectively represent $5,000+ in aftermarket value on the Colorado 280BHC. The four-season build enables shoulder-season trips the Colorado isn't rated for. At $48,245 you pay $2,269 more than the Colorado but gain real boondock and shoulder-season capability.
Frequently asked
Can the Colorado 280BHC's 1,932 lb cargo cap really handle 10 people?
Tight. Ten people plus food, water, and gear easily exceed 1,932 lbs. You'll need to travel light or stay at full-hookup sites that don't require carrying fresh water. The Range Lite 270DBL's similar 1,650 lbs cargo is even tighter.
How long can the Range Lite 270DBL run off-grid with all 10 people?
Brief. 55 gal fresh divided across 10 people equals roughly 2 days of conservative use. 200W solar can't keep up with 10-person electronic loads on a 1,800W inverter. Plan on full hookups for trips with maximum occupancy.
What's the four-season certification worth?
For shoulder-season campers (March-April, October-November), it's the difference between camping and winterizing. The Range Lite 270DBL handles 25-degree nights with the furnace running; the Colorado 280BHC's three-season build risks frozen lines below freezing.