Is a Travel Trailer Right For You?

If you’re considering buying a rig and making RV travel a bigger part of your life, there are a lot of vehicle types to choose from including Class A and C motor homes, fifth wheels and travel trailers. In our last blog post, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of owning a fifth wheel. Fifth wheels and travel trailers (also called camping trailers) have the most in common and are both considered towables, or non-motorized RVs. They can come with many of the comforts of home, including bathrooms, sleeping areas, kitchens and slideouts. However, unlike the fifth wheel, the travel trailer is a one-level vehicle and uses a standard frame or bumper hitch to attach to the tow vehicle. Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of travel trailers.

Advantages of Travel Trailers

• Can be towed using different types of vehicles – A travel trailer, unlike a fifth wheel, can usually be towed with either a truck, SUV or car. This offers more flexibility for sightseeing and running errands when you unhitch the tow vehicle (TV), though you should always research the tow rating of your vehicle and make sure it is capable of safely towing the full weight of your trailer.

• Cost – Travel trailers tend to cost far less than fifth wheels and most motor homes, though many factors can affect the price including size, amenities and whether you decided to buy a used or new travel trailer. And because there are many types of travel trailers to choose from – hybrid, toy hauler, tear drop, conventional – there are models to meet nearly every budget.

• One level – The multi-level layout of a fifth wheel is not suited for everyone. Anyone that doesn’t want to take stairs to the upper sleeping area or has limited mobility may enjoy the one-level plan of a travel trailer for accessibility.

• Maintenance – One big reason that people who plan on taking long road trips often prefer a towable is that, should the rig require maintenance, they still have the use of the TV for exploring and running errands. Unlike Class A or C motor homes, the trailer can be repaired separately without depriving you of transportation.

Disadvantages of Travel Trailers

• Smaller size – Travel trailers come in a range of sizes, but overall tend to be smaller than both fifth wheels and Class A motor homes, ranging anywhere from 12 to 35 feet. If you plan on taking long trips or spending more than 50 percent of your time on the road, you may not have the space you need to be comfortable with a travel trailer.

• More difficult to maneuver – This type of towable with a ball hitch tends to be the most difficult to maneuver when turning, parking and backing up. A fifth wheel hitches directly to the box of a truck, making it easier to park and reverse.

• Swaying – A certain amount of swaying from passing traffic, crosswinds and higher speeds is normal with any non-motorized RV that you are towing behind a vehicle. However, travel trailers tend to have far worse sway because they are separated from the rear of the TV by about four or five feet. Overall, fifth wheels tend to offer a more stable drive with no fishtailing.

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