Benefits of Different Types of RVs

A common benefit of having almost any RV is having a sturdy and convenient shelter when camping.   A tent can provide a surprising level of comfort and protection from the elements, but an RV is sturdier and most require little setup time.  Some tent trailers take a little while, but most travel trailers, campers, and motorhomes, only need to be leveled and stabilized once you arrive in camp. With most RVs you have more than basic shelter.  You also have cooking, sleeping, and sanitation facilities.  Fully decked out you'll have a furnace, hot water heater, air conditioning, shower, toilet, and a cozy and comfortable bed.  An awning will give you your own private patio area next to your RV.   The addition of optional TVs, VCRs, DVD players and satellite systems give residential quality entertainment systems.

Ready to go is one of the benefits of just about any RV.  You can usually keep your RV stocked and ready to hit the road.  You can store clothing, basic supplies and provisions, tools, and cooking utensils so you're ready to go anytime.  You might arrange your tent camping equipment so it is easy to load and go, but usually you can get away faster with a well-equipped and properly maintained RV. And you're less likely to leave something you need at home.  About all you need to add at the last minute will be perishable foods and maybe fresh snacks.  You might also need fresh fuel for your motorized toys.

Tent trailers are often a person's first RV.  They are light weight, easy to tow, and relatively inexpensive, yet get you up off the ground and provide many of the conveniences of home.  They are easy to store and can often be stored in your garage.   Entry level models may have only an ice box instead of a refrigerator and very limited fresh water capacity.   Upscale models often have all the features of a self contained RV, including hot water, shower, toilet, and holding tanks.   Most tent trailers include a furnace or heater of some kind.  They usually do not include air conditioning so they might not be as comfortable if you plan to do a lot of desert or other hot weather camping.  Some of the primary benefits of a tent trailer are low initial cost and light weight for easy, economical towing with a regular car.  You can often store them in a normal garage so you don't have to purchase RV storage.  So, what are the disadvantages of tent trailers?  Like a tent, they can be noisy in the wind and will loose heat quickly in cold weather.  Setup time is usually longer than solid sided RVs.  The tent fabric is subject to wear and fading and may have to be replaced from time to time.

Travel trailers offer more protection against wind and rain than tent trailers.   Small, entry level models may have limited facilities, but many are fully self contained and provide all the comforts of home.   Always check the loaded weight of your trailer to be sure you don't exceed the Combined Vehicle Weight Rating for your tow vehicle.  Travel trailers may require a larger car, an SUV, or pick up truck for towing because of the added weight.  Trailers are usually less expensive than motorhomes but can provide virtually the same level of comfort and convenience in camp.   If you already have a suitable tow vehicle, a trailer may be a good choice for you.  If, on the other hand, you'll be buying an additional vehicle to tow your trailer you'll want to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the extra vehicle and trailer versus having a motorhome.  Having a trailer also means you can disconnect the trailer and take the tow vehicle out solo for shopping, sight-seeing, and other trips.  Travel trailers are pretty stable so long as you have an adequately sized vehicle to tow them.  If the vehicle is too small, the "tail will wag the dog" and the trailer may make the vehicle difficult or impossible to control.

Specialty trailers, like teardrops and toy haulers, cater to niche markets.  The teardrop trailer appeals to nostalgic campers or those who need a light weight, easy-to-tow trailer.  Toy haulers are ideal for OHV enthusiasts as they provide both comfortable living space and room to haul motorized toys and associated parts and equipment.

We have found motorhomes a good option for our family.  We like having all the facilities available on the road.   All but the driver can use the on board bathroom without the need to find a rest stop or service station -- a real boon when you're traveling with children.   Entertainment systems can stem the incessant chorus of "are we there yet?" that seems to be a significant part of the job description for young people when traveling.  Your co-pilot can grab you a cold or hot drink or a snack when you need it.  When you arrive in camp all you need to do is find a level parking spot, close the curtains, and hit the sack.  Because motorhomes combine both living space and a motor vehicle, they tend to be more expensive than trailers.   Because of their size and weight you won't get as good fuel economy as you might with a trailer, although towing a trailer significantly affects fuel economy no matter how efficient the tow vehicle is solo.  For added convenience and fuel economy on local trips, some motorhome owners tow a "dingy" vehicle.  Towing an additional vehicle will affect highway fuel economy but will make local trips easier and less costly.  Ironically,  Class C motorhomes often have more sleeping space than many larger Class A units.  Class C units are often good for families.  Large luxury Class A coaches have a tendency to cater to affluent retired couples. Like most generalities, these should not be taken as absolute rules.  Class B van conversions are good for single campers, couples, and small families and often have the advantage of doubling as a second car.  Just make sure whatever you choose fits you and your families' needs.  Motorhomes are about the most stable of any RVs in wind.  The heavy automotive style truck/bus chassis and low-mounted holding tanks give them a relatively low and stable center of gravity.  Truck campers, on the other hand, have a fairly high center of gravity because everything sits in or above the pickup bed.

Truck campers are a good option for anyone who already owns a pickup truck with enough capacity to handle the camper.   Campers can be unloaded between trips so the truck can be used for other purposes.  Of course that means you need extra time to load and unload the camper for each trip, but it might be worth it.   Make sure your truck has sufficient load carrying capacity and power to handle the extra weight of the camper.  Truck campers tend to be somewhat top heavy and easily affected by wind.

When cost is a significant factor ( and isn't always?), look for good used units.   RVs don't get used as often as most of us would like, so you can often get really good bargains on pre-owned units.  I have found other benefits to pre-owned RVs:  1) they have passed the stage of "infant mortality" where early problems with new units have already been fixed by the original owners under warranty and , 2) previous owners have often added accessories that make them more convenient or add functionality.   Such additions rarely add much to the book value (or price) but a lot to useability.

RV today!