Are Travel Trailers Right for You?

In addition to foldup and truck campers, there are also travel trailers. They all fall into the same category of RV campers. Here is some information to help you decide if a travel trailer are what you need for your camping vacations.

These types of trailers are popular because they give you the freedom to have a vehicle when you are camping and they are also cheaper than motorized RV campers. There are a variety of floor plants available, so there is sure to be one that will suit your needs.

The length of a travel trailer will range from 12 to 35 feet. A new trailer will have a cost range from $10,000 to $66,000. The average cost of this type of RV camper is about $16,000. Travel trailers are just like other RV campers in that they are self contained with sleeping space, kitchens, and eating areas. The larger trailers have spaces with furniture for relaxing. Most come with a television antenna. Depending on the campsite, this may or may not come in handy.

It is most likely that your towing vehicle will need a special load-distributing hitch and sway-control devices before you can start pulling your travel trailer. The only time this is not necessary is if you have a the smallest travel trailer. The bigger trailers are very prone to sway and become unstable. This is especially true with high winds and on roes with steep grades. Do not let salesmen tell you that you will not need these devices. They are for your safety and the safety of others on the road with you. Do not wait until after you have lost control going down a large hill before you realize how much you need the stabilizers.

One advantage of a travel trailer is that it is much less expensive than a motorhome. And, it is likely to have a longer lifespan because there is no motor to maintain. Maintenance costs will be less, again because of the lack of a motor. Once you have set up your trailer, you have a vehicle to use for sightseeing or other excursions. You have a bit of a choice in the vehicle you choose to tow your RV camper.

Travel trailers also have a few disadvantages. The most obvious being that they can be difficult to manage in even slight weather conditions. The longer and heavier the trailer is, the more difficult it will be when pulling it in wind or on steep grads. The appropriate hitch for your trailer may cost as much as $600. And, the vehicle you choose to pull the trailer may need some modifications before it will tow the weight. This type of RV camper will not have an internal generator. So, if you are not camping where there are electrical hookups, you will need to purchase a stand alone generator to run the appliances that need electrical power.

Most of the disadvantages of traveling in this type of RV camper are well outweighed by the advantages. And, you will have a larger living area for a lot less money than a motor home. Hopefully, this information will help you decide if a travel trailer is the right type of RV camper for your vacation camping needs.

SOURCE

Eure, Marian. "The Everything Family Guide to RV Travel & Campgrounds". 2005. Adams Media. Avon, MA. USA.