Types of Towable RVs
Types of Towable RVs
A while back we talked about the benefits of
the different motorized RVs that are available, but there are also options for towable
RVs that could also be the best fit for your particular travel needs. Trailers
have lower upfront purchase prices and ongoing costs since there is no
drivetrain to maintain. A trailer will also have more interior space as a
similar-sized motorhome due to not having a driving cab. You might also prefer
the driving experience of your family vehicle over piloting an RV.
These are the most common type of towable RV
and have the largest variety of sizes and shapes. They are towed using a
typical ball hitch mounted around the rear bumper, which can be done on almost
any decently-sized vehicle. Due to the flexibility of all sizes that are
available, it’s often possible to find one that can be towed by a family SUV so
that you don’t need to purchase a large pickup.
The
Upsides:
●
Wide variety of sizes and
amenities available to fit your needs and budget
●
Only needs trailer hitch for
towing
●
Cheaper to maintain than motorhome
Example:
The Jefferson family wants to spend as much
quality time together as they can before their three children grow up and
eventually move away. Their trailer allows them to get away for short weekend
trips on a regular basis and do the occasional summer road trip while the kids
are home from school. They already had a large SUV as the family car, so it was
easy to find a trailer that they could tow and that was much more affordable on
their budget than a large motorhome. The freedom of being able to unhitch at the
campground and already have their family car available for getting around while
traveling is also a great benefit.
Fifth wheel trailers differ from conventional
ones by having a different connection to their tow vehicle. These models have a
“gooseneck” that sticks out in front and connects to a special type of hitch
that sits in the bed of a pickup truck. This overhang creates extra interior
space and allows for better weight distribution within the trailer. A fifth
wheel hitch also provides a better driving experience because the weight on the
vehicle is not at the very end of the frame like on a traditional ball hitch.
It does require a pickup truck as a tow vehicle since the hitch is mounted in
the bed, so passenger space can be limited compared to a large SUV.
The
Upsides:
●
Less limited by weight compared to
regular travel trailer
●
Tow vehicle will have better
handling characteristics due to weight distribution
●
Different pivot point makes
reversing while towing easier
Example:
Wayne and Sue are enjoying their retirement
years, but haven’t let age slow them down. They always knew they wanted to
travel more once their working years were done, but didn’t want to suffer for
any lack of luxury either. The options and amenities they added to their
trailer really brought up the weight of it, but the fifth wheel is nothing that
Wayne’s truck can’t handle. They get to see all the sights they talked about
for years and still have all the comforts of home wherever they stop.
These trailers have a “garage” area in the
back that’s designed to carry powersports vehicles. Toy haulers are perfect if
you like to bring along items like motorcycles or ATVs. Some of these are open
between the living and garage sections, but it’s also possible to get ones
where there are dividers between them in case you want to work on your toys
without having gas fumes or mud get into the living space.
The
Upsides:
●
Space for extra toy vehicles to
bring along for your outdoor adventures
●
Easier to create “dirty” and
“clean” space so you don’t bring too much of the outdoors inside
Example:
Sam and Lisa love living in the Southwest and
exploring the forgotten roads and trails of the desert. Their toy hauler
trailer allows them to set up a boondock campsite and bring along their
dual-sport motorcycles to take day trips down old dirt roads to see what they
can find. The separate garage space means all the dust from the trails stays
away from the rest of their living space, and there’s even room for bike
maintenance to keep their gear in perfect working order without having to worry
about changing the oil out in the rain.
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