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Choosing Between a Travel Trailer and a Motorhome

One of the first decisions most buyers face is whether a towable travel trailer or a self-propelled motorhome suits the way they actually travel. Neither is automatically better; the right answer depends on your tow vehicle, your budget, how often you move camp and how many people come along.

Travel trailers

A travel trailer hitches to a truck or capable SUV, which means you can unhitch at a campground and use your vehicle for day trips into town or up a forest road. Trailers generally cost less to buy and insure than motorhomes of similar floor space, and there is no separate engine or drivetrain to maintain. The trade-off is towing: you need to know your vehicle's tow rating, payload and hitch requirements, and backing into a site takes practice. Many owners add a weight-distribution hitch and sway control for steadier handling on windy stretches of interstate.

Motorhomes

Motorhomes range from compact Class B camper vans to Class C models with a cab-over bunk and large Class A coaches. Everything travels together, so setup is quick and passengers can move about the living area, which is useful on long drives. On the other hand, you are maintaining both a house and a vehicle, and many owners tow a small car behind for local errands.

Questions worth asking before you buy

• How many nights a year will you realistically camp, and where? Developed campgrounds and remote dispersed sites call for different setups.
• Will you travel in shoulder seasons? Idaho nights can be cold well into late spring, so insulation, furnace capacity and tank heating matter.
• Where will the RV be stored between trips, and does it fit local rules?
• What ongoing costs, such as fuel, tires, winterising and routine inspections, fit comfortably in your budget?

Walking through several floor plans in person is the best way to feel the difference. You can browse our new RVs and used RVs, and if monthly payments are part of the picture, the financing page explains how we can help you compare options before you commit.