Towable RVs

There are two general classes of towable RVs: bumper pull or tow behind and fifth wheel. A bumper pull or tow behind trailer is the traditional style travel trailer that can be pulled behind any car, truck, or SUV with a hitch of adequate towing capacity and sufficient power. A fifth wheel can only be towed by a pickup or specialized tow vehicle equipped with a fifth wheel hitch, similar to those used by commercial semis. A gooseneck trailer is a variation of a fifth wheel that uses a ball hitch mounted in the bed of a pickup instead of a fifth wheel hitch. Gooseneck trailers typically have about the same functionality and handling characteristics as a fifth wheel. I will address tent trailers and tear-drop trailers, special sub-groups of small bumper pull trailers in more detail in subsequent posts.

Towables versus motor homes. Towables keep the camping unit separate from the towing vehicle. This usually means a lower cost for the camping unit and often it can be towed by an existing vehicle, further reducing the cost of acquisition. It also means you have a vehicle available for use once you've unhitched the trailer and set up camp. This can be advantageous when you are going shopping or sightseeing. Some motor home owners tow a "dingy" -- a small car or truck -- behind their motor homes in order to have local transportation once camp is set up. I saw one extremist solution where a huge, bus conversion was towing a limo as its dingy!  One advantage of a motor home over a trailer is that your passengers have access to all the facilities of the motor home while on the road. With a trailer, you have to pull over somewhere and get out of your tow vehicle to make use of the facilities. Riding in a towed trailer is restricted or illegal in many states.  Towable RVs range from small, light weight tent trailers to humongous units with multiple axles and near residential living space.

Tent trailers are often a good entry point into the RV lifestyle. They are typically relatively inexpensive to purchase and to operate, yet provide many if not most of the conveniences of other types of recreational vehicles. If you expect to be camping in extreme weather conditions, a tent trailer does have many of the disadvantages of a tent such as susceptibility to high winds and minimal insulation against heat or cold. Because of their light weight they are often subject to movement that is disconcerting to some people. The movement may be due to external forces, such as wind, or internal forces, such as the routine movement of people within the unit. Stabilizing jacks can minimize movement. Tent trailers can be awkward for one person to set up by themselves, so, if you plan to use one alone, be sure you can set it up and take it down without help -- or have sufficient help available.  More about tent trailers in a subsequent post.

A step up from tent trailers are pop-up trailers. These are collapsible, hard-sided trailers. They are usually lighter in weight and lower in height (while being towed) than conventional travel trailers but avoid some of the pitfalls of tent trailers. For example, the hard sides are more resistant to wind, weather, and wear, and to punctures and tears that sometimes beset tent trailers. Collapsible trailers usually use crank-up techniques or even electric motors that can be easily handled by one person.  If you need a low profile trailer but don't like the flapping walls of tent trailers, a pop-up trailer might be the answer.  Tent trailers usually use pop-outs for the beds so they may have more usable floor space than pop-up trailers.

Traditional bumper-pull travel trailers offer near ready-to use convenience when you arrive at a campsite. All that is required is to block the wheels and level and stabilize the trailer -- and, connect to water and electricity if you are in a camp site with hookups. The convenience of simply entering the trailer, turning down the bed, and getting a good night's sleep without the hassle of extended set up procedures makes a traditional travel trailer an attractive choice for many campers. The amenities and conveniences will depend on the size and price of the unit. Most simple travel trailers will include sleeping, heating and cooking facilities. Self-contained units will include a fresh water tank, bathroom facilities, and holding tanks. Units with 120 volt generators may include air conditioning. Entertainment options may range from a simple am/fm radio and perhaps a cassette or CD player in smaller units to full-blown home theater systems in larger, more expensive trailers.

Fifth-wheel trailers. The major difference between bumper-pull and fifth wheel trailers is how the trailer is attached to the vehicle. Fifth wheel advocates claim enhanced stability when towing, but backing and parking a fifth wheel may require some extra training and practice. Fifth wheel advocates praise the maneuverability of their units once they get used to them. The layouts may be different also, since fifth wheels have sections with reduced headroom over the hitch (often used as a bedroom) while bumper pulls typically have full head room their full length. Amenities and conveniences of tow-behinds and fifth wheels are comparable among units of similar size and price. To make use of the raised space over the hitch, fifth wheel trailers usually have some inside stairs, which is something to consider if anyone who will be using it has physical limitations that would make climbing stairs uncomfortable.  Sometimes there is a second bedroom on the main level or sofas and/or dinettes that make into beds so using the upper level could be avoided.

Gooseneck trailers look and handle a lot like fifth wheel trailers, but they use a ball hitch mounted in the bed of the pickup instead of a fifth wheel hitch.

 Since not all trailers come equipped with on board generators, portable generators are a popular solution these days.   Modern portable generators are small, quiet, and fuel efficient, making them attractive to many campers  in small RVs and even tents these days.

There is no ideal RV for everyone. Everyone has different tastes and different needs and different budgets -- and they will vary at different times of our lives. So consider the choices and pick the RV that suits YOU NOW.

Take your pick!