3 Reasons Why Travel Trailers are the Ideal RV Choice

Choosing and purchasing the right RV to travel and live in is an important decision to make. The right choice depends on the specific factors and variables involved in each situation, including the preferences of the buyer and the intended use. In an effort to help, let's discuss 3 reasons why travel trailers are the ideal RV choice.

1. Lighter and Easier to Manage:

Out of the 10 million households with RVs in America , travel trailers are the most common RV choice. There are many reasons for this, including the fact they weigh less than 5th wheels. Motorhomes don't need to be towed, so their weight isn't as much of an issue. The choice then is really between towing a 5th wheel with a gooseneck hitch vs. a travel trailer with a ball hitch.

An article found on Camper Report called: "Average Camper Weight (with 13 examples)", explains more:

"In short, an average camper trailer weighs around 5,200 pounds...dry weight, which means the weight of the trailer when its tanks are not filled and it has no gear in it."

Travel trailers weigh from around 2,000 to 8,000 lbs, while 5th wheels weigh from around 6,000 to 12,000 lbs. In general, 5th wheels weigh around 1,000 lbs more than travel trailers of the same length. Travel trailers also include small camper setups like the tent trailer, teardrop trailer, and other new innovative compact models.

Essentially, travel trailers with the ball hitch setup are easier to manage for most people; 5th wheels require a gooseneck hitch to be installed in the towing truck's bed and are harder to hook up than the ball hitch for most people.

The downside is that travel trailers are 5 to 6 feet longer when towed than a 5th wheel of the same length; this and the more stable gooseneck setup are why 5th wheels are generally more stable going down the road. Yet, travel trailers allow empty truck beds to be used whether towing or unhooked.

2. Most Affordable Option:

Overall, travel trailers are lighter on the wallet or purse as well. This is an important reason why they're so popular, especially since half of the 430,000 RVs sold in 2016 were to buyers under the age of 45 (stat from 2017 CNN Money article).

With financing options available, owning an RV is easier than ever, yet historically the market targeted older consumers, either retiring or more financially able to vacation often, rather than younger generations just starting out in the workforce.

The main variables determining the price are:

age (used or new)
length
amount of slides
brand
amenities (built-in washer and dryer, surround sound, outside kitchen, etc.)

New or slightly used travel trailers range from $10k to $30k. Used, they can be found for as low as $1,000 for a pop-up tent trailer. Like the weight, 5th wheels have an inflated price compared to travel trailers (around $15K to $50k), and motorhomes are 3-5 times more expensive.

3. More Compact Options to Choose From:

Another reason travel trailers might be an ideal choice for consumers is because they offer more compact options. Some models are light enough to be towed by a car, yet can sleep a family of four, like the Cricket camper featured in an article on Curbed called: "The 7 best campers and trailers of 2017", written on Dec. 21, 2017 by Megan Barber.

The Meerkat Trailer is another innovative compact travel trailer model the article features, as it explains the benefits:

"At only 900 pounds – and $17,820 – this lightweight unit can be towed by almost any 4-cylinder car and it can even fit in a standard garage."

Small compact motorhomes and travel trailers are great options for those wanting to be more mobile and less bulky on the road. Travel trailers though are much cheaper than compact motorhomes, and 5th wheels don't come nearly as short and compact.

Conclusion

For most people, travel trailers are the ideal RV choice, as they are lighter, more affordable, and have more compact options. This isn't to say 5th wheels and motorhomes aren't great options as well; ultimately, the right choice for each situation depends on the specific variables and preferences involved.

Choosing and purchasing the right RV is an exciting experience that dealers are happy to help customers make. Their experience and expertise are available to help customers determine the right RV choice for them. Contact a nearby dealership today to learn more, or go and visit their location to find the right motorhome, travel trailer, or 5th wheel.

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