Small trailer vs. Truck camper
Hello experienced Mexico RV travelers, I am debating going with either a small travel trailer or a truck camper for trips to Mexico and beyond. I am not new to driving down there, I have done three t...
Forum Discussion
DieselBurps - there is no answer to your question, really.
For living - trailer. Preferably, longer than 20ft, this is for one person. For 2 people I wouldn't want to be in anything shorter than 26ft. Consider that your planned 17ft trailer will be actually 13.5 ft inside. Length in specs is with the hitch.
For traveling the Americas - camper. There was a good blog, I only remember the article name: "Life is too short". Maybe the campers crowd will know, ask at the TC forum. Impressive photos - there is sometimes NO room to park anything but truck. Or narrow streets. Or low gates in stone wall, leading to secure patio somewhere in Chile.
A few must-to-have tips I recall:
Cassette toilet. There are NO dump stations in the third world.
180-200W solar panel on the roof.
Very small fridge, like 2 or 3 cu.ft. - because there CAN be a problem refilling 20-lb or 30-lb propane tanks in South America. Or they used a 12V compressor fridge in that blog article, don't remember. 200W solar can perfectly handle a 2cf 12V compressor fridge like those in big trucks. Not a 120V "dorm fridge", but exactly a 12V fridge.
You won't be able to live in a camper while working - not for long. It's a very small space. Kitchen is normally outdoors - a folding table with a small stove, 'cause you don't want all those fatty deposits on your walls and bedding. Washroom... You won't have a good washroom in a camper. Yes, I've seen people traveling South America in a very small "camper" - a Land Rover with rooftop tent. 2 people in there. I guess it depends on how much suffering you're willing to take. It's easier when you're young.
Price-wise, a trailer is cheaper than camper. You can get a new 18-20ft trailer under 10K.
I don't see how having a trailer will help you carrying your Honda bike - unless you keep it in a truck, and then you need to unhook the trailer every time to get the bike in and out. Besides, it's not a good idea to keep anything in an open truck in Mexico or South America. Keeping a bike in a trailer is not realistic. Maybe you should consider a toy hauler. Or you can unhook the trailer and go "exploring" in your truck.
For living - trailer. Preferably, longer than 20ft, this is for one person. For 2 people I wouldn't want to be in anything shorter than 26ft. Consider that your planned 17ft trailer will be actually 13.5 ft inside. Length in specs is with the hitch.
For traveling the Americas - camper. There was a good blog, I only remember the article name: "Life is too short". Maybe the campers crowd will know, ask at the TC forum. Impressive photos - there is sometimes NO room to park anything but truck. Or narrow streets. Or low gates in stone wall, leading to secure patio somewhere in Chile.
A few must-to-have tips I recall:
Cassette toilet. There are NO dump stations in the third world.
180-200W solar panel on the roof.
Very small fridge, like 2 or 3 cu.ft. - because there CAN be a problem refilling 20-lb or 30-lb propane tanks in South America. Or they used a 12V compressor fridge in that blog article, don't remember. 200W solar can perfectly handle a 2cf 12V compressor fridge like those in big trucks. Not a 120V "dorm fridge", but exactly a 12V fridge.
You won't be able to live in a camper while working - not for long. It's a very small space. Kitchen is normally outdoors - a folding table with a small stove, 'cause you don't want all those fatty deposits on your walls and bedding. Washroom... You won't have a good washroom in a camper. Yes, I've seen people traveling South America in a very small "camper" - a Land Rover with rooftop tent. 2 people in there. I guess it depends on how much suffering you're willing to take. It's easier when you're young.
Price-wise, a trailer is cheaper than camper. You can get a new 18-20ft trailer under 10K.
I don't see how having a trailer will help you carrying your Honda bike - unless you keep it in a truck, and then you need to unhook the trailer every time to get the bike in and out. Besides, it's not a good idea to keep anything in an open truck in Mexico or South America. Keeping a bike in a trailer is not realistic. Maybe you should consider a toy hauler. Or you can unhook the trailer and go "exploring" in your truck.
