Consumer preferences have changed drastically since the start of the pandemic with travel being no exception. Thousands of Americans and Canadians have opted out of airline tickets and hotel reservations in favor of RVs, a safer method of travel that allows for self-contained excursions with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen all on-board.
If you’re here, you’re probably wondering if the RV lifestyle is for you. Good news—it most likely is! Because RVs offer so much variety in form, function, and value, there’s bound to be an RV that suits your lifestyle and travel needs. Just like families, RVs come in all shapes and sizes. From large class A motorhomes and fifth wheel trailers to compact pop-ups and camper vans, there is an RV that will fit your lifestyle. From weekend getaways to touring the great outdoors to working from the road, there’s an RV for every family and every budget.
When deciding between different types of RVs, it is important to understand the features and amenities associated with each and the pros and cons. The categories are not super difficult to grasp. Motorhomes come in Classes A, B, and C and trailers break down into fifth wheels and travel trailers. I’ll dive right into each category including its pros and cons, model details, features and amenities, and approximate cost. In today’s post we’ll focus on the various types of towable RVs.
Trailer Types
A trailer is different from a motorhome in that it must be towed behind another vehicle. To match the towing vehicle with the trailer requires knowledge of the weight of the trailer and the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. The most common types of trailers are fifth wheels and travel trailers, each of which has different requirements.
Fifth Wheels Trailers
A large picture window at the rear of the RV for panoramic views is one thing that sets fifth wheels apart from other RVs. Fifth wheels often come with the same amenities as a Class A motorhome. It is common to have three or more slideouts in a fifth-wheel. These trailers are constructed with a raised forward section that provides a more spacious bi-level floor plan. They are designed to be towed by a pickup truck equipped with a device known as a fifth-wheel hitch.
The term “fifth wheel” comes from the configuration of the trailer itself. The front of the trailer is elevated off the ground and extends over the bed of a truck where a hitching mechanism fixes it to the truck bed. This setup makes the fifth wheel trailer easier to navigate than trailers towed behind a car’s bumper as the fifth wheel tracks more closely to the truck.
Model Details
Length: 21-40 feet
Cost: $43,000-$120,000+
Sleeps: 2-8
Typical Features & Amenities
Large living area
Large residential kitchen
Large bathroom with walk-in shower and toilet
Pros:
Spacious and potentially luxurious
Lots of storage space
Better maneuverability than a travel trailer
Cons:
Require tow vehicle equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch
Use of a truck means less room for passengers
Travel Trailers
Travel Trailers are the most popular type of RV because they come in all shapes and sizes and can accommodate solo travelers all the way up to large families. As long as the vehicle is equipped with a standard trailer hitch, smaller travel trailer models can be towed by mid-size vehicles including an SUV or minivan while larger models can be towed with a pickup truck.
Travel trailers are lighter and less expensive than fifth wheels and can range in size from cozy to roomy.
Model Details
Length: 20-35 feet
Cost: $25,000-$80,000+
Sleeps: 2-8
Typical Features & Amenities
Residential kitchen
Full-size bathroom
Living area
Pros:
Less expensive
Easy to move
Many vehicles can tow them
Cons:
Less spacious
Fewer conveniences
More difficult to maneuver that fifth wheel trailers
Pop-up campers
Pop-up campers, also known as folding camping trailers, appeal to budget-conscious consumers looking for a lighter weight RV that allows for towing behind many typical family vehicles, including some small cars. Pop-ups are folded down to a more compact size for easy storage and travel. This style of RV also allows the user to feel closer to nature and connected to the outdoors by mimicking the feeling of sleeping outside.
Model Details
Length: 15-23 feet
Cost: $5,000-$25,000+
Sleeps: 2-8
Pros:
Budget-friendly
Low-profile and easy to tow
Can be towed by most vehicles
Cons:
Less spacious
Less insulated from weather
Few amenities
Expandable Trailers
A cross between a travel trailer and a pop-up camper, the expandable trailer ends pop out to offer more sleeping space. Expandable units are lighter than conventional travel trailers and more affordable.
Model Details
Length: 8-16 feet
Cost: $10,000-$20,000+
Sleeps: 2-8
Typical Features & Amenities
Expandable roof and/or sides
Light-weight
Towable by family car or SUV
Pros:
Budget-friendly
Low-profile and easy to tow
Can be towed by most vehicles
Cons:
Less spacious
Less insulated from weather
Few amenities
Sport Utility RVs
Sport utility RVs, also known as toy haulers, are built for those who want to take motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, or other motorized toys on the road with them while RVing. The back of the RV drops down forming a ramp for access into a garage area where sporting equipment and motorized toys can be stored safely and accessed quickly. This type of RV can be made as a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or a Class A motorhome. The garage area and living quarters are usually separated by a wall.
Model Details
Length: 19-40 feet
Cost: $30,000-$250,000+
Sleeps: 2-8
Typical Features & Amenities
Garage for toys and sports equipment
Lots of storage
Full kitchen
Pros:
Defined space for sports equipment
Lots of storage space
Choice of motorized or towable
Cons:
Reduced livable space
Extra length required for garage
Truck Campers
Truck Campers are portable units designed to be loaded onto the bed of a pickup truck. Because truck campers are easily loaded and unloaded from the truck they can be used as a pickup when not used as a camper. They are easy to drive and the truck’s bumper hitch can be used to tow boats, ATVs, and small trailers.
Model Details
Length: 8-20 feet
Cost: $20,000-$40,000+
Sleeps: 2-6
Typical Features & Amenities
Nimble and easy to drive
Easy to park
Good on rough terrain
Pros:
Fits in a garage
Truck can serve double purpose
Can go most anywhere
Cons:
Tight living quarters
Reduced livable space
Limited storage space
Worth Pondering…
The attraction of recreational vehicle travel is to see the country, visit new places, meet interesting people, and experience the freedom of the open road.