Travel trailers are one of the vehicle options for nomadic living. In some regions they are known as caravans. In general, travel trailers share these pros and cons:
PRO
- can detach tow vehicle from the travel trailer after parking. This simplifies running errands or having either the vehicle or trailer serviced.
- generally the least expensive platform of any retail RV by square footage
- can get around tighter turns because the combination articulates in the middle
CON
- need a tow vehicle of sufficient specification
- need towing skills
- trailer battery can't be meaningfully charged from tow vehicle alternator without heroic measures.
Parking trailers
Your parking difficulty increases significantly when you are towing a trailer. Overall vehicle length means you'll fit in fewer places, and you may have difficulty backing a trailer when necessary.
Note that in many places you can't leave a trailer parked on the street if it's not attached to a vehicle. Your trailer may be considered abandoned much sooner than a vehicle.
Moving trailers
If you park your trailer long term in RV parks (monthly rates) and move infrequently, you may be able to save money by renting a truck each time you need to move instead of owning a truck. Then you can use a more economical vehicle for your daily driver. You may need to rent from the rental agency's commercial division. If you have a 5th wheel you may need to get a gooseneck adapter. [1] Otherwise, you may be able to hire a commercial RV moving service to get your trailer moved.
Bumper-pull camper trailers
Bumper-pull camper trailers are the least expensive trailer by the square foot, and the most common.
- PRO
- best "bang for the buck" on space and amenities
- many different floorplans and styles available
- some have slides
- CON
- built to a competitive price point; build quality is uneven at best
Pop-up camper trailers
Pop-up camper trailers (or pop-up campers, sometimes abbreviated as "pups", or tent trailers) are so named because the top pops up off the bottom structure. The walls are made of canvas or other material with screens sewn in for ventilation. When closed up they are only a few feet tall.
PRO
- least expensive retail RV
- lightweight, can be towed by a wide range of vehicles
- very low profile while towing in the "down" configuration, minimal effect on MPG
- abundant on the used market as people upgrade to larger RVs
CON
- canvas and net sides do not stand up to heavy weather well
- will mold if closed up wet
- minimal amenities
- soft-sided camper may be more prone to damage, and may not be allowed in regions with high bear populations.
A-frame camper trailers
A-frame camper trailers (or A-frame campers) are so named because it looks like the letter A when set up. From the base down it is similar to a pop-up camper. The upper part is interlocked hard-sided (fiberglass) panels.
- PRO
- able to withstand heavier weather than a pop-up
- can be erected quickly by one person (less than a minute with practice)
- fiberglass panels will last longer than pop-up canvas sides
- generally more amenities
- surprisingly generous headroom
- CON
- rarer on the used market
- heavier than pop-ups
- more expensive than pop-ups
Teardrop camper trailers
Teardrop camper trailers (or teardrop campers) are a traditional American trailer style intended to be towed behind a passenger car. In recent years the trend has been toward mini- and micro-teardrops. Traditionally any cooking area is kept in a pop-out hatch at the back.
- PRO
- tradition and looks
- low height for towing
- CON
- usually very small interiors
- can be expensive
5th wheel camper trailers
5th wheel camper trailers (or fivers, 5ers, or simply fifth wheels) are not towed from a hitch like bumper-pull trailers, but the trailer instead rests on the "fifth wheel" mounted in the bed of the tow vehicle. They tend to be larger and heavier than bumper-pulls.
PRO
- 5th wheel pulling distributes the load onto the tow vehicle more effectively than does bumper pull. This may mean the ability to pull more trailer or use less truck.
- since the articulation point is in the bed instead of on the bumper the "fiver" can negotiate even tighter turns
- luxury and amenities competitive with Class A motorhomes.
CON
- requires special receiving plate in the bed of the truck
- the presence of the 5th wheel receiver in the bed restricts the use of the bed for cargo
- "dropping" a 5th wheel trailer off the hitch can be result in expensive damage
- the front (sleeping area) of fivers can be very tall, limiting access to some locations
Channel featuring Travel trailers
This channel may have more information about Travel trailers:
Travel trailers gallery
See more in the Travel trailers category. For image credits, open image and click More Details.
Cargo trailers
Enclosed cargo trailers can be converted into main or auxiliary living spaces. One common setup is a converted cargo van pulling a converted cargo trailer.
Resources
| Resource | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Trailer Group | Subforum of GoodSam Community | |
| Wikipedia | Wikipedia article on this topic. | |
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "travel trailers" | |
| Search related sites | Search van life sites for "travel trailers" | |
| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "travel trailers" |
Some or all of the content on this page was originally sourced from this page on RVWiki