Ready to buy a used RV? The second half of Team Padgett and the chief navigator in our travels. I blog about our latest adventures, how I run our business from the road, and the ridiculous things Heath does on a daily basis. Fortunately, my husband thinks I'm funny. I have been doing a lot of research while trying to decide what to buy. I have read all kinds of things good and bad. One thing that i keep coming back to is this. Someone said for a woman traveling alone, a travel trailer is a bad idea because you have to get out of it in order to hook up and that it is essentially safer to have a motor home.
But I want a small travel trailer so I can use my Honda Pilot to tow it. I think I would rather rely on my Honda engine, not sure I want to worry about a motorhome engine. I think making decisions based on fear of what might possibly happen one day is a good way to live a boring life.
If you want a Casita, go for it! I know other solo female travelers who have been in casitas. Do whatever feels right for you. I have worried about bears tearing off the door and eating me alive though.
That seems way more likely to me than being attacked by men. At least that has always been my motto. Thanks for the advice. I was doubting myself there for a while! Thanks so much! You guys rock! And you can get a used one of those for a really good price. You can see their set up at sqft. I know a college age girl who worked as a raft guide one summer, and lived in a pop up trailer quite comfortably. They were minimalist in their footprint, kept their trailer impeccably clean and it seemed huge.
One thing to consider with a pop up is that some campgrounds in bear country will not allow pop ups for obvious reasons bears can tear them up looking for food. I found a very good example of that here and have benefited from it. That could really save me a ton of money and time. I would have no need to look for my own chairs. It really helped when you talked about different types of RVs and their features. My uncle has been thinking about buying a fifth wheel because he would really like a nice way to travel.
He would really like to pick the right RV with the help of a professional to make sure that it fits better. I appreciated it when you shared that truck camper are usually smaller and more lightweight than trailers. Besides, you need to own a truck or a large SUV to utilize it. I would like to think if someone needs to go on a camping trip for a short period of time, he should consider getting a truck camper from a reliable supplier. Thanks for explaining the different classes of motorhomes.
My cousin wants to get one, so it would help for her to know her options. Maybe she should also look into motor home maintenance and even inspections to ensure she can keep the one she gets in good condition.
Username or Email Address. Remember Me. I had NO idea what it meant. An RV with five wheels? Kinda like being the third wheel on a date? Here is the ultimate guide to each different kind of RV. Click To Tweet Now within these three types, there are quite a few different options. This is the key distinction and just so you know for later if you want to tow a car , this is the type of rig for you.
They are completely different. Campers are typically smaller than trailers and more lightweight. About Author Latest Posts. The Good: Fully enclosed living space with hard-sided walls offers better insulation from sound and outside temperatures. More secure than tents or pop-up trailers. Minimal setup time compared to pop-up RV trailers. Available in a wide variety of sizes and designs. Many models offer private bathrooms with showers.
The Bad: Require proper vehicle to tow. Larger models can significantly impact fuel economy. Safe towing requires a learning curve for new RV owners. Most luxurious models can cost more than a single-family home. The Good: More spacious floor plans to accommodate a whole family — some offer a dedicated bedroom. Much more closet and storage space than traditional RV trailers. Usually more luxurious with residential fixtures, finishes, and amenities.
Fifth-wheel hitches make for more stable towing. The Bad: Requires special equipment, including a heavy-duty pickup truck with a proper towing setup. Taller form factor can be tricky to tow under bridges and other tight spaces. Limits the use of the truck bed with the trailer attached. Toy Haulers Toy haulers, sometimes called sport-utility trailers, are among the most versatile RVs on the road. The Good: More versatile, usable storage space than any other type of trailer.
The Bad: Living space is limited when toting outdoor toys. Heavier toys can severely affect balance and handling when towing. Allows for more extreme offroading or Overlanding opportunities. Using a full-size van as its foundation, a Class B motorhome can provide you with many of the comforts of home such as a compact bathroom, small kitchen and a TV. Ideal for 2 to 3 travelers and suitable for multi-week trips, the Class B is akin to driving a large SUV.
A cross between Class A's and Class B's, you see a lot of Class C rigs rolling around the country during the summer as it's a popular unit to rent. Generally easy to drive, yet with enough sleeping room for the family, the C class can range from a petite 20 feet to an ambitious 40 feet, putting the latter in the same league as the Class A but with a smaller price tag. Plenty of features, including some with slide-outs, make it a good choice for a long weekend or weeks away from home.
A big advantage of travel trailers is their lightweight but sturdy construction that makes them towable by standard pickup trucks, SUVs and even some minivans. Travel trailers range in size from mini "teardrop" units of about 12 feet, to foot triple axle giants. The newest generation models offer much, including designer-grade interiors, slide-outs, bunk beds for the troops, built-in generators…even satellite TV.
A big plus for the travel trailer: you can leave it at the campsite and take the tow vehicle out to explore. One important consideration is to make sure your tow vehicle can safely pull the unit you decide on including all your gear , because there's nothing sadder than not being able to pull your new rig over the next hill. The fifth-wheel trailer gets its name from the large hitch pin that attaches the trailer to a special mount in the bed of a heavy-duty pickup truck.
This arrangement makes the fifth-wheel trailer more stable to pull than a comparably sized travel trailer, since a good portion of the fifth wheeler is above the truck's rear axle as opposed to hanging off a trailer hitch behind the truck.
The fifth-wheel trailer is also easier to back up into a campsite than a conventional travel trailer. Excellent for long distance travel or a run to the local mountains, fifth-wheel trailers can range in size from 18 to 40 feet long. And because of their generous size, it's critical that your truck be able to pull the load safely.
At the opposite end of the spectrum from Class A motorhomes is the elfin-sized pop-up or folding trailer. A pop-up trailer doesn't actually pop up. Rather, the hard roof rises on telescoping metal legs and then the bed trays, with canvas sides attached, slide out from the front and back.
Amenities can include a small kitchen, shower and toilet. Pop-ups are a terrific way to get your feet wet in RVing without putting out a lot of money. They're also great for weekend trips and occasional longer trips by determined families. The newest member of the trailer family, the Sport Utility RV is often referred to as a "Toy Hauler" because of the garage area built into the rear.
This space can be used for hauling motorcycles, quad runners, and personal watercraft, and is separated from the rest of the trailer by a solid wall and an access door. Once your "toys" have been unloaded at your site using the built-in ramp, the garage can then be used for storage or as additional sleeping space.
Keep in mind the weight of your toys and the towing capacity of your vehicle when considering an SURV for purchase. A truck camper slides into the bed of a standard pickup bed, yet offers many of the comforts of home—at the fraction of a motorhome's price tag. A favorite of outdoorsmen because it can be hauled over rough terrain and steep grades, then offloaded at a campsite and left behind, a high quality truck camper offers many great features.
Among them you'll find a bedroom over the truck cab, plus small kitchen, toilet and even a shower. RV Shows are an excellent venue for your search.
Usually staged during spring, summer and fall throughout the country, the shows offer the opportunity to see the different styles all in one place to help you determine the best fit for your needs.
Also, manufacturer and dealer representatives are on hand to answer your questions.
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