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Travel trailers or “TT” for short will be the biggest section of trailers with the most options available for you to choose from. Travel trailers can range from twelve feet in length and have very basic amenities to well over forty feet and and have every option imaginable.
When first deciding or starting to explore into what type of RV you may or may not want, I’m sure a travel trailer has at least crossed your sights.
Travel trailers are the most popular choice for both begging and experienced RVers for several reasons.
- Hundreds of designs and layouts to choose from.
- Can be towed to a site and left there freeing up your tow vehicle.
- Much less long term maintenance compared to a motorhome.
- Do not require special drivers licenses to purchase or tow (in most cases).
(Pictures are an example of the floor plans but have many different options available to you)
Bunkhouse - The family option
Rear living - Great for couples
Sleeps 4-6
This layout is arguably the most popular style you will see on the road, with their normally large living space and rear bedroom. This is similar to a small apartment in size and can comfortably sustain 2 people for long trips.
Although there is normally only one bed, most travel trailers or any type of RVs for that matter, have multiple bed conversions sites. Usually the couch can be converted to sleep 2, and the dinette can often be converted to sleep more as well.
Large awnings are something of a plus for this type of camper, usually the slides are located on the opposite side of the awning making more room for outdoor entertainment, and can have options like an outdoor kitchen and outside TVs
Rear Entertainment - Large living rooms
Sleeps 4+
Similar to a rear living floor plan this one make the most of the living room, offering the most space and seating for people that want to converse around a fireplace or watch the game.
Rear entertainment trailers are most commonly used as a tow away cabin for hunters, great for tailgaters and general entertaining. With multiple slides you can however run the risk of loosing outside shade due to a slide interfering with the awning size. If you plan on spending more time outside than you may want to look into a different option to maximize outdoor capabilities, options include but aren’t limited to outdoor TVs and speakers.
Rear kitchen - For those who love to cook
Sleeps 4+
On a “Normal” trailer the kitchen can be a bit tight, with limited counter space and small appliances, in comes the giant rear kitchen layout. As you have seen in the last few designs the focal point has pretty much been the living room, but in this layout the kitchen takes center stage.
Tons of counter space, large pantry and typically plenty of storage for pots, pans and just about anything you would use in your home kitchen. This floor plan is well suited for small to medium sized families that need to cook most, if not all their meals while on the road. Like other floor plans typically there is only one bed but has a few conversion sites to make more sleeping room.
Some designs also have large outdoor kitchens that can be utilized for outdoor cooking.
Pros and cons of a travel trailer
Like anything else in life there are pros and cons to choosing a travel trailer, or any RV in general. But you never know, a con to me may be a pro for you. When choosing an RV it’s best to decide exactly how you are going to use it beforehand, to be able to make a good informed decision on your purchase.
Pros
- Can be towed and left at a location for long or short periods of time.
- Usually very light weight.
- Has plenty of storage to haul your gear.
- Can be customized to suit your needs.
- Less maintenance than a motorhome
- Cost.
Cons
- Requires a large truck or SUV to properly tow.
- Can only be used when parked and not in motion.
- With so many options and floor plans it can be difficult to nail down the one you want.
Lets start with the pros:
With a travel trailer you have the ability to transport it to a location and then disconnect from your tow vehicle, allowing you to roam without having to bring a second car (like in a motorhome). Most travel trailers are very light weight meaning you don’t normally need a special license to legally tow and transport your new trailer. With an average weight of 5,200 lbs just about any truck or larger SUV can handle a travel trailer.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH YOUR OWNERS MANUAL TO MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE CAN TOW YOUR TRAILER BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD.
Since you aren’t using your trailer while in motion or when its being towed, you have a large amount of space that you can use to haul many different types of gear to your destination. If you want to place your kayaks inside the trailer while moving you absolutely can.
Options are pretty much endless when it comes to RVs especially Travel Trailers, if you want a big screen tv, you got it, if you want built in surround sound, no problem, how about a gas fireplace? yep they make those too. Only thing that stops you is your imagination when it comes to options for your next travel trailer.
In general trailers have far less maintenance that motorhomes. When it comes to the mechanical needs of a trailer there really isn’t much to it, other than basic yearly maintenance, such as, greasing the axles, inspecting the leaf springs and making sure the lights operate. Like any form of RVing you want to check your seals on the seams of your trailer, the corners, the roof and around the windows before you head out on your trip, nothing worse that hitting the road and finding a water leak in the middle of nowhere.
The cost of ownership is a huge factor as to why travel trailers are arguably the most popular type of RV. With an average purchase price of a motorhome being $82,000 compared to that of a travel trailer at $23,000, owning a trailer is much more affordable for the average family. Also the long term manitenance cost of a trailer is relatively small with really the only major cost being tires, and only needed once in a great while. Motorhomes on the other hand, have much more maintenance with routine oil changes, transmission flushes, coolant exchanges and general vehicle maintenance.
Cons:
Although travel trailers are fairly lightweight, they do require a quarter ton truck or a large SUV to properly pull it down the road. If you do not currently have a tow vehicle than you would need to add that purchase to your decision making process. When towing, your vehicle will have added stress on the power train causing the maintenance needs arise more often.
Since a travel trailer is only meant to be used while stopped and leveled at a camp site you cant use it while in motion like in a motorhome. In some states you can have passengers in the trailer while moving but remember the suspension is not designed for a smooth ride, it is designed to offer a small amount of support to the frame of the trailer so that it does not crack while traveling down the road. If you are traveling short distances with kids this may not be much of a hassle but if you plan very long road trips you will still have the kids packed into the backseat of the truck for several hours, as a parent of three I know this is a huge area that needs to be thought of of you have small children traveling with you.
There really is an overwhelming amount of options to choose from not only in regards to layouts, but to sleeping arrangements, kitchen styles and living-room space. This may sound silly but when you first start looking with so much to choose from it can get exhausting, just remember to keep the goal in mind and know how you want to best use your new trailer.
Summary
Traveling our country is the best thing I have done, not only for my marriage but for my family. Making memories is a way to keep the family close and stay excited for the next adventure. No matter what type of trailer or motorhome you choose, just remember what you are doing it for, you may be an avid hunter or fisherman looking for a great cabin you can park near a lake, you may be a young family wanting to see the national parks, or you could be retired and ready to get out of your old home. No matter what your reason the best advise i can give to you is “just do it” I tell people that rent our RV all the time “be careful, your gonna get addicted!” and its true, everyone we talk to says they want to do it more, they want to start living that lifestyle. If you read this far I’m pretty sure your ready as well.
No go out, find your adventure!
Till next time
-Ben
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