Does the thought of sleeping within the trees, under a desert sky, or along the ocean shore peak your interest? Are you ready to hit the road and travel seeing the sites, visiting historical towns, and getting in touch with nature? That sounds like an adventure.
With adventure in mind, the question becomes, should I buy a trailer? To answer this question the following needs to be kept in mind:
- How much will you use the trailer? Weekly, monthly, only during the summer.
- What type of camping will you do? Campgrounds or dry camping
- Do you want to go to the same campground over and over, or do you want to travel and explore the country?
- If you are going to the same place over and over then you will want a trailer that is easy to tow, and maybe something that is pulled behind
- If you are going to be traveling then you may want something that you can use to live in for a week or two at a time.
- How much are you willing to spend? A couple of thousand to hundreds of thousands.
With those questions partially answered, it is now time to expand those answers and dig deeper into the what, when, where, and how you want to camp. Let’s take a deeper look.
How Much Will You Use Your Trailer or RV?
Knowing that any recreational vehicle comes at a cost, how often do you plan to use it? Every camper starts out very enthusiastic. Plans are made to go every other weekend to get away from the hustle of the real world. Maybe it is a once-a-month, weekend getaway. Possible only used on long holiday weekends. Or a week during the summer.
Whatever your plans are make sure you remember that life gets in the way. So does the weather. As an example. I had made reservations six months in advance for a week in the spring of one year. The week before we were to go, rain-soaked the area filling the river next to the campground. It overflowed and washed away part of the campground. Needless to say, I received a refund and had to make other plans.
I have had friends who as their kids grew up never went camping again and ended up selling their trailer. It took up room in their garage for almost 5 years. As for me, I was unable to use mine for over a year due to a pandemic and campgrounds being closed.
If you believe this is what you want to do then it is time to move on to the next question.
What Type of Camping Will I Do? Boondocking, Dry, or Hookup
Boondocking is a type of camping that is becoming more and more popular. Instead of paying for a campsite, boondocking means setting up camp for free at an out-of-the-way location, like an empty field, desert, a hidden spot in a campground, or in places where it is prohibited by law. While dry camping and boondocking are both very similar, there are a few key differences: dry camping means camping in a place without hookups, while boondocking means you move to a new location each night. The distinction is dry camping can take place at a developed campground.
Hookup campsites are ones located at an established campground. These offer amenities such as electricity, water, and sewer. The trailer or RV you use will have cables and hoses which will allow you to “hook up” to properly dispose of wastewater (often known as “grey water”) and waste from the toilet (known as “black water”)
What Kind of RV or Trailer Should I Get?
So, you’ve now decided to take the plunge and buy a travel trailer or RV. Now comes the part where you have to figure out what type of travel trailer or RV is best for you.
- Do you want one that you can drive with your own personal vehicle or something that can be towed by a truck or SUV?
- Do you want one that you can take to a campsite, off-road, or your backyard?
Once you’ve determined what kind of camping or travel you plan to do you can then figure out which type of RV to buy. Here’s what’s available:
Motorhomes
Class A
This the RV that most people think of when they think of motorhomes.
A Class A Motor Home is the luxury of the RV world. With separate rooms, couches, and beds, these often massive units have more in common with a house than a camper. The units are generally big and heavy, as well, weighing more than 12,000 pounds. This combination makes Class A Motor Homes most suited for long-distance traveling and towing a car behind them. But if the goal is luxury and comfort, Class A’s can’t be beaten.
Upon first entering, it’s not unusual to find these massive rigs outfitted with leather captain’s chairs in the main cockpit. Next comes a living room with a large sofa, dining table, and an HDTV. The kitchens usually have granite countertops, a full-size refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave, and dishwasher. Then there’s a complete bathroom with a real shower and flushing toilet. There is even an option for a washer and dryer. Finally, in the back is the master bedroom with queen size bed and plenty of closet space.
Class A’s may also come equipped with as many as five slide-outs which can greatly add to the inside square footage. Combine that with extremely large cavernous storage compartments below deck that provide enough room for anything you might need for a long vacation.
It is easy to see that Class A motorhomes are the most expensive, with prices generally starting at about $60,000 for the most basic model to one custom-made that can easily cost well over $1 million.
- Cost: $50,000 – $200,000
- Specs:
- Weight: 16,000 – 30,000 lbs
- Length: 29 – 45 Feet
- Gas Mileage: 8 – 13 MPG
Class B
The first motorhomes were built from old school buses, but over time these have evolved into the Class B motorhomes we know today. Class B motorhomes are the best choice if you’re looking for a compact and lightweight vehicle with lower operating costs. More commonly known as Camper Vans, Class B motorhomes offer many of the features and craftsmanship of Class A’s, just in a smaller, more maneuverable scale and package.
A Class B motorhome can provide you with many of the comforts of home such as a compact bathroom, small kitchen, and a TV. This type of motorhome is Ideal for 2 to 3 people and suitable for multi-week trips. Driving a Class B is similar to driving a large SUV.
- Cost: $40,000 – $80,000
- Specs:
- Weight: 6,000 – 11,000 lbs
- Length: 17 – 20 Feet
- Gas Mileage: 10 – 15 MPG
Class C
By far the most popular motorhome, especially to rent during the summer, it is a cross between Class A and Class B. You often can see these rolling down the highway.
These are generally easy to drive and have enough room to sleep the whole family. Class C’s tend to feel like a smaller Class A with similar amenities, just without the price tag. They offer plenty of features, including some with slide-outs. Class C’s make a good choice for a long weekend or a couple of weeks away from home.
- Cost: $30,000 – $100,000
- Specs:
- Weight: 10,000 – 12,000 lbs
- Length: 20 – 28 Feet
- Gas Mileage: 17 – 22 MPG
Trailers
Travel Trailers
One huge advantage of travel trailers is their lightweight sturdy construction that makes them towable by standard pickup trucks, SUVs, and even some minivans. The newest models offer much in the way of amenities. This includes designer-grade interiors, slide-outs, bunk beds for the kids, built-in generators, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, and even satellite TV.
Most in this class can sleep up to six, although the smaller “tear-drop” can sleep 2. By far the biggest plus for the travel trailer, unlike a motorhome, is that you can leave it at the campsite and take your tow vehicle out to explore.
However, the most important consideration is whether or not your tow vehicle can safely pull the trailer. There’s nothing worse than not having the power to pull your trailer over a hill. Check out “How Much Does a Travel Trailer Weigh” for more information.
- Cost: $11,000 – $40,000
- Specs:
- Weight:
- 4,500 – 9,000 lbs (unloaded)
- 6,300 – 10,500 lbs (loaded)
- Length: 20 – 40 Feet
- Weight:
Fifth-Wheel Trailer
The fifth-wheel trailer gets its name from the large hitch that attaches the trailer to the bed of a heavy-duty pickup truck by way of a special mounting bracket. This makes the trailer more stable to pull due to a good portion of the fifth wheeler is above the truck’s rear axle as opposed to hanging off a trailer hitch behind the truck. They are also easier to back up into a campsite than a conventional travel trailer.
These types of trailers offer similar amenities as a Class A motorhome. They can have several slide-outs, as well as a full bathroom and gourmet kitchen.
- Cost: $30,000 – $100,000
- Specs:
- Weight:
- 5,000 – 16,000 lbs (unloaded)
- 17,000 – 20,000 lbs (loaded)
- Length: 20 – 40 Feet
- Weight:
Pop-Up Trailer
Although they may be small in size, the pop-up trailer or tent trailer is the lightest of all the trailers. It is also the most economical to own. The smallest of these trailers, like the teardrop, can be towed safely with a minivan and are by far the easiest to maneuver and park.
A pop-up trailer works by basically raising the roof. Telescoping metal posts allow the roof to pop up as it is cranked. The beds are on trays that slide out which have the canvas sides attached and slide out from the front and back. Amenities can include a small kitchen, shower, and toilet.
A pop-up trailer is a perfect way to get your feet wet in the RVing camping world without needing to putting out a lot of money. These are great for weekend trips and occasional longer trips. You definitely want to use a campground with hookups.
- Cost: $5,000 – $25,000
- Specs:
- Weight: 1,100 – 3,700 lbs
- Length:
- 8 – 17 Feet closed
- 16 – 24 feet opened
Toy Hauler Trailer
If you’re looking for a camping trailer that’s a little more rugged than the average RV, a toy hauler might be the camper for you. These trailers are designed to haul all the gear that comes along with recreational vehicles, such as ATVs, dirt bikes, and jet skis.
Toy haulers are much like fifth-wheel trailers but feature a hitch to tow a vehicle, as well as a platform over the rear wheels to accommodate the toy or toys. Toy haulers are ideal for people who have hobbies like dirt bike riding, ATVs, boating, water skiing, or fishing since they’re designed to hold a lot of gear. Keep in mind that the weight of your toys adds to the total towing capacity.
Once your “toys” have been unloaded at your site using the built-in ramp, the garage can then be used for storage or as additional sleeping space.
- Cost: $30,00 – $100,000
- Specs:
- Weight:
- 5,000 – 16,000 lbs (unloaded)
- 14,000 – 23,000 lbs (loaded)
- Length: 20 – 28 Feet
- Weight:
Campers
Truck Camper
Truck campers are the ultimate in mobility for travel. They can go where motorhomes and trailers can’t. Truck campers are a popular choice for seasoned and novice campers alike. It is especially popular amongst those who do not feel comfortable traveling far from home, or those who want to be able to camp in areas that have no amenities. A truck camper is not just a tent on the back of your truck, it is a fully built-in RV.
A truck camper slides into the bed of a standard pickup bed, yet offers many of the comforts of home. This gives you a lot of space inside your camper. Often enough to fit two queen-sized beds and still have room for a kitchenette, a small living room, and a rear bathroom.
Most vehicles that can be considered truck campers are trucks that have been modified for camping, including pickup trucks, SUVs, and van conversions. These vehicles offer more space than a tent and allow the camper to take more of their belongings with them.
Probably the most favorite of outdoorsmen due to the ability to be hauled over rough terrain and steep grades. Once at the campsite it can then be offloaded and left behind.
- Cost: $3,000 – $15,000
- Specs:
- Weight: 1,000 – 5,000 lbs
- Length: 8 – 10 Feet (length of the truck bed)
Where Should I Look When Buying an RV?
RV dealers can be found in almost every city and usually have a good variety of examples on hand. An RV lot will remind you of a car lot. Be on your guard.
RV shows are another excellent venue for your search. These shows usually happen during the spring, summer, and fall throughout the country. The shows offer the manufacturer and dealers to show off all the different styles. They are also on hand to answer your questions.
If you know the name of a particular trailer, the manufacturers have their own websites, with plenty of information that you can download or order free of charge.
Should I Rent Before I Buy?
It’s the old adage, “Try before you buy”. IF you are someone who has never driven a motorhome of any size or pulled a trailer, you definitely need to go this route. Find a dealer who rents out the type of trailer or RV you’re interested in and take it for a weekend adventure.
What About Financing?
As you can tell, trailers and RVs can be on the pricey side. If you’re like most RVers, you’ll probably be financing at least part of your purchase. Check to see what type of loan you are eligible for with your bank or credit union before you go shopping. Then there’s no pressure for you to use the dealer’s bank.
TAX TIP: Because every motorhome and many trailers feature the same amenities as a house such as beds, kitchens, sinks, and bathrooms, the IRS considers them to be homes. And that means that the interest on your RV loan may be tax-deductible as a home mortgage. Consult with a tax professional for more information.
Wrapping It Up
Will Camping in a Trailer or RV Still Feel Like Camping?
As of last year, there were over 600,000 tent trailers and RV owners in the United States. It’s not surprising. The fact is that many people who enjoy the great outdoors would rather not sleep on the hard ground.
While there are many differences between the two, the most noticeable is that when you’re camping in a tent trailer or RV, you have a lot more storage space and the ability to stay out longer.
A tent trailer or RV will also let you take your favorite pet on your trip and many of them have built-in showers, so your camping trip will be more comfortable.
So when you’re ready to take your next camping or travel trip, you’ll have a lot more options to choose from.
