Choosing the Right Trailer
Picking the right trailer for you and your family can be a difficult decision. Determining which type is best for you will ultimately come down to your current situation. Travel trailers are great for those with an SUV, fifth wheels are best for truck owners, and toy haulers are perfect for those wanting to bring an ATV or motorcycle along for the ride. Outside of those requirements, comfort and budget are also a huge factor in deciding which trailer is right for you. Luckily, Camp Site RV in Cresco near Cedar Falls, Iowa, is here to help you get all the information you need!
Travel Trailers
Travel Trailers are the most accessible type of trailer, and arguably the most accessible type of RV, on the market. Travel trailers utilize a standard ‘bumper pull’ 2” hitch setup to connect to your tow vehicle. If you combine the right vehicle and trailer, you can often travel in a vehicle as small as a crossover SUV with all the benefits of RV comfort.
Because the hitch setup is so universal, more travelers are able to take advantage of travel trailers on the road, which leads to a greater diversity in travel trailer setups. Whether you’re looking for an ultra compact teardrop trailer, a superlight travel trailer to haul with your SUV, or a luxury travel trailer to tow behind your ¾ ton truck, you’ll be able to find an RV that matches your budget, comfort level, and towing requirements. This allows manufacturers to offer plenty of different variations that are great for traveling families.
The major drawback to the travel trailer setup is the instability of the ball hitch connection. This towing arrangement puts all of the weight of the travel trailer on the travel trailer’s suspension, so an improperly loaded or imbalanced travel trailer can sway dangerously on the road, which can be a huge drawback for those who aren’t used to driving with a load in tow.
Fifth Wheels
Fifth wheels are easy to spot thanks to the distinctive lifted front end. This allows the RV to hook up to a hitch located in the bed of the towing vehicle (a fifth wheel hitch). This towing arrangement is inherently more stable than the more accessible 2” hitch setup, however it comes with its share of drawbacks.
As mentioned above, one big plus to fifth wheels is the increased stability on the road. This is because the fifth wheel hitch distributes some of the RVs weight onto the suspension of the towing vehicle, making for a smoother and easier to control driving experience. This extra suspension also allows manufacturers to load up fifth wheels with heavier features and more luxurious amenities than comparable travel trailer models, making many fifth wheels ideal for full time or extended stay living.
The largest drawback that comes with a fifth wheel is the requirements of the hitch itself. Fifth wheels must be towed by a truck equipped with this style of hitch, and often these trailers are made so large and heavy that nothing less than a full sized truck can tow them safely (though there are exceptions to this). Unless you already own an appropriate truck, you may be looking at a significant additional investment if you have your heart set on a fifth wheel.
Toy Haulers
Although toy haulers are technically just a subcategory of the ‘Travel Trailer’ and ‘Fifth Wheel’ vehicle types, these RVs have some distinct pros and cons, and they appeal to a specific type of adventurer, so we figured we’d include them here so no one feels left out.
From the outside toy haulers are often indistinguishable from any other trailer on the road, however once you step inside the differences become immediately apparent. A toy hauler has a dedicated area of the RV set aside specifically for storing small vehicles such as motorcycles or side by sides, so you can head out camping and get plenty of high octane powersports in at the same time. To complement these garage spaces many manufacturers also include features like tie downs, fuel stations, and easy to clean flooring.
The major downside to a toy hauler is that these garage spaces force manufacturers to downsize, and in some cases remove amenities. Toy haulers will typically feature more modest kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom arrangements vs. comparable fifth wheel or travel trailer models. The silver lining here is that most manufacturers have begun to include a host of standard and optional furnishings that move out of the way for storage, and can be easily deployed to turn your garage into a modest living and sleeping space.
Each trailer type has many similarities, but differ in very key areas. Travel trailers are spacious and the most towing compatible trailer, but can be a little difficult to set up for beginners not familiar with hitch towing. The fifth wheel is the most sturdy and easiest to tow, but lack the versatility of the travel trailer when it comes to towing compatibility. Lastly, toy haulers are great for thrill seekers looking to bring along their ATVs, but the limited living space may be a drawback for some. Whichever trailer type works for you, Camp Site RV has the trailer for you. Visit our dealership today in Cresco near Cedar Falls and Rochester, Iowa, and La Crosse WIsconsin.