RV TIPS AND HINTS

WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF RV FOR ME?

The basic categories of RVs are:

Motorhomes (including Bus Conversions)

Travel Trailers (or towables)

Truck Campers

Motorhomes are your vehicle and living quarters combined.
Travel trailers must be towed by a separate vehicle.
A truck camper is living quarters that sits in the back of a pick-up truck.

Motorhomes

Let’s start with motorhomes. Motorhomes are further divided into classes.


Class A Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes are the largest. They are the RVs most people think of when you use the term RV. Although different than Class A motorhomes, Bus Conversions are also large (and can be luxurious) and they are the rigs most often associated with stars and athletes that travel over the road from city to city.


Class B Motorhomes
Class B motorhomes are the smallest and are built on a van chassis. Although there are full-timers in Class Bs, they are generally too small to live in for long periods of time.


Class C Motorhomes
Class C motorhomes are also built on a van chassis and are often referred to as mini-motorhomes although they can be as long as many of the Class As. They are distinguished by an extended section over the cab which usually contains an extra bed.

Travel Trailers (Towables)

Towables include true travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, and all others that are towed. Though there are full-timers in all shapes and sizes of towable RVs, only travel trailers and fifth wheels are practical for long-term living for the majority of people.


Travel Trailers
Travel trailers are large trailers towed completely behind the tow vehicle. They are hitched to the back of the tow vehicle which can be anything that has enough power and torque to pull the trailer.


Fifth Wheels
Fifth wheels are trailers that have a gooseneck front section that extends over the bed of the pick-up truck (usually) tow vehicle. The hitch is located in the center of the truck bed, so fifth wheels can only be towed by pick-up or flat bed trucks.
NOTE: Many full-timers choose to pull their trailers with, large, semi-looking Medium Duty Trucks (MDTs) or Heavy Duty Trucks (HDTs). For very heavy trailers, MDTs & HDTs provide more saftey in going down long, steep inclines and in stopping emergencies, but the trade-off is having to use them for store runs and exploring.

Travel Trailers vs. Fifth Wheels
Between travel trailers and fifth wheels, travel trailers are generally less expensive. Fifth wheels tend to have more living space and are easier to tow.
With fifth wheels having much of their weight positioned over the tow vehicle, they are less susceptible to jack-knifing or fish-tailing. At least one source I have read stated that fifth wheels are the most popular among full-timers, but it seems to us to be about 50/50 between fifth wheels and motorhomes.

Motorhomes vs. Towables

Again, the type of RV you choose is largely personal preference. However, there are some basic differences that may help you decide.

Motorhome Pros

Non-drivers can pursue other activities while on the road (although it is highly recommended that they stay seated with belts on).

You do not have to stop for bathroom breaks (but again, it is not recommended that you walk in the rig while in motion).

You do not have to go out in bad weather to get to the living quarters when you stop.

Many motorhomes have self-leveling jacks so there is no need to place boards or blocks under wheels to level.

Motorhomes are a little easier to move and set up.

Motorhomes allow you to tow just about any vehicle for exploring local areas.

Motorhome Cons

If something needs to be repaired, your entire home has to go into the shop and you may have to find other accommodations until all parts are in and the problem is fixed.

Motorhomes tend to be more expensive than towables, even when factoring in a tow vehicle for the towable.

Motorhomes generally have less living space than travel trailers and fifth wheels.

Because Motorhomes have a lot of value tied up in the motor, they depreciate faster.

When towing a second vehicle, you cannot back up, you have the cost and maintenance of the second vehicle, and you are back to having towing and hitching hassles.

Towable Pros (large travel trailers and fifth wheels)

They are less expensive and hold value longer.

They have more living space.

Because they require a tow vehicle, you can leave the RV and take the tow vehicle on short runs.

It is usually the motorized vehicle that needs repair, so if the tow vehicle is in the shop, you still can live in the RV.

Towable Cons

Towing and hitching/unhitching large trailers can be a hassle (although our experience has been that fifth wheel hitching/unhitching is about as easy as it gets).

Due to overall length, parking and finding campsites can be a problem.

Non-drivers cannot legally be in the trailer while moving.

Depending on the size of the towable, the tow vehicle could be more expensive than the RV, and could make the overall cost rival a motorhome.

Because of the size of the tow vehicle necessary to pull a full-timing trailer, exploring the area may be a less comfortable ride than in a vehicle towed behind a motorhome.

If financing, the tow vehicle loan cannot be spread over a long term like RV loans; therefore, monthly payments could be higher on a trailer/tow vehicle combination than on a motorhome.

Decisions, Decisions

So how do you decide? Research, read, go to dealer lots, go to RV shows, and ask questions of full-timers that are on the road and on internet forums. You will develop preferences.