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A Guide To
Towable RV’s
When it comes to towable RV’s, there are numerous choices available to fit
nearly any budget. Because they are towed and don’t have their own engine like
motorized RV’s do, the prices of some types of towable RV’s are quite
reasonable. On the other hand, if you’re looking for luxury in a towable, you
can find that too.
The main categories of towable RV’s include:
5th wheels,
travel trailers, pop-up
campers (also commonly called tent campers and
folding campers),
truck campers,
toy haulers,
bike campers, and
park models.
5th Wheels
Fifth wheel campers tend to be the most expensive category of towable campers.
They also tend to be the heaviest so a heavy duty truck is needed to tow them.
Their distinguishing feature is their gooseneck hitch that hooks up in the bed
of the towing truck. They are roomy and are available with many sought after
amenities such as full size kitchen areas, living rooms with flat screen TV’s
and entertainments centers, and lots of storage area.
Read our full guide to 5th Wheels
Travel Trailers
Travel trailers are similar to 5th wheels in size and spaciousness although they
tend to be a little smaller and lighter. The major difference is how they are
towed. Travel trailers are towed using a rear hitch so it’s not always necessary
to have a heavy duty truck to tow one. Some vans and SUV’s have enough towing
capacity to tow some of the lighter travel trailers on the market today,
especially the ultralight category of travel trailers, which are designed to be
as lightweight as possible so as to negate the need for a heavy duty towing
vehicle.
Read our full guide to travel
trailers
Pop-up Campers
Pop-up campers are also often called folding campers and tent campers. That’s
because the upper sides of the campers are typically soft-sided, made of a
combination of canvas and some sort of screening and vinyl for windows; although
a few manufacturers do make pop-up campers where all the surfaces are made of
hard/solid materials.
Pop-up campers are very popular for several reasons:
- They are the least expensive type of towable camper which makes them the first
type of camper that many people purchase.
- They are the lightest type of towable camper so most people don’t need to
purchase a different vehicle to tow the pop-up camper they buy
- They have a low towing profile which makes towing them easy. There’s no need
for special mirrors because the pop-up camper doesn’t obstruct your view while
you’re driving.
- They are easy to store because they don’t take up much space.
Read our full guide to popup
campers
Read our used popup camper buying guide
Truck Campers
Truck campers, or truck camper shells, are small units that fit on to the back
of a pickup truck. Although they are very compact campers, a lot of
functionality is packed into their small spaces.
One feature of a truck camper shell that makes it popular is that it can be
removed from the truck when not in use so the truck itself can be used for day
to day tasks until it’s time to go camping again.
Read our full guide to truck
campers
Toy Haulers
Toy Haulers are a specialized type of travel trailer that have become very
popular over the last few years. The front part of the travel trailer is the
living/sleeping/kitchen/bathroom area; and the back part of the travel trailer
is where the grown-up toys (i.e. ATV’s, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, wave runners,
etc.) are stored).
Many people like to take their sport bikes, etc. with them on their camping
trips. With a toy hauler a separate trailer isn’t needed to tow the bikes, etc.
The enclosed area is also a secure storage facility.
And, if there’s a trip where the bikes, etc. won’t be needed or where extra
sleeping room is needed, many of the toy haulers have fold down beds in the back
storage area, making the back area multi-functional.
Read our full guide to toy
haulers
Bike Campers
There are now pull along campers available for both motorcycles and bicycles. A
few companies manufacturer specially designed, lightweight, compact, pop-up
camping units that can be towed by motorcycles; and there are companies that
design units that bicyclist can pull along too.
Now when a cycling enthusiast of either kind is on a road trip, it’s no longer
necessary to sleep on the hard ground in a sleeping bag at night.
Read our full guide to
motorcycle campers
Park Models
Although park model campers are technically towable, they are not meant to be
towed with frequency. They are designed to be transported and hooked up to the
utilities at the site and left there. People typically place park model campers
on long term campsite rental sites Park model campers can be quite large and
spacious with loft areas and large vaulted living rooms that are spacious.
When deciding which towable RV or camper is right for you, keep in mind how much
towing capacity your current vehicle has. Unless you are going to purchase
another vehicle to tow the new RV or camper you are buying, your current vehicle
needs to be able to tow the RV or camper you are purchasing. This needs to be
your number one consideration. You may want a 5th wheel camper, but unless you
have a truck to pull one or have can invest in both the 5th wheel and a new
truck, you’ll need to consider another type of towable RV.
If you are new to camping and are not sure if you are going to like it, try out
camping before you invest in a RV or camper. There are many dealers who rent
RV’s and campers. Rent one for a week or even for a weekend to see how you like
it because you invest in a camper. I think you’ll find that camping is fun and
relaxing, but you want to be sure that it’s something you like to do.
Read our full guide to park
models
Related Topics:
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RV Life On Wheels
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Top Campgrounds In America
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Motion Lights For Your RV
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