Hello everybody, we are new to this site and exploring rving. We are pretty sure we want to get a travel trailer and have some questions. We are not rushing into this decision as we are planning on renting a travel trailer this spring or summer and taking it out for a week. We will then be renting a fifth wheel and also taking it out sometime. We have actually been looking into this for 3 years and will not purchase for at least 18 months. So, we plan on getting a lot of practice in before we purchase.We are also a family that has extensive camping experience as we are the proud parents of two Eagle Scouts and got to do plenty of camping while they were growing up (tents, bare ground, cabins). 1. How do you secure the travel trailer when you want to take your truck and drive somewhere else and would you say it is pretty safe to leave your travel trailer once secured? 2. Can you park travel trailers in Walmart, Target, etc. or non-rv camping sites? I am asking this because I assume that Walmart parking lots, Target parking lots, etc., don't have a hookup to hook your travel trailer up to and I assume it wouldn't be real secure sitting in a non rv park. Is this correct?3. What do you think are advantages/disadvantages to having a travel trailer versus a fifth wheel or other RV? Thanks!!

No way would I leave an RV unattended at Wallyworld. It would disappear in a hurry. Each RV type has its plussez and minuses. You need to figure out how your going to use an RV. Trailers are best parked for a few days or more at a time in one place. Motor homes are better moving every couple of days. Trailers have a lower overall total cost of ownership. Fivers tow much better but require more substantial tow vehicle.

Thanks Donn for your reply. It is very much appreciated. To start off, we want to travel frequently as we want to eventually see each state in the U.S. but want to take the trips in segments. We are planning on renting a travel trailer and truck this summer just to really see what it is like.

Wind. When it's blowing hard, and you're on the road, you'll want the stability of a 5th wheel. I've been in strong crosswinds and didn't know it until I saw stuff blowing.

azdryheat, thanks so much for that information. It is definitely very good to know. I saw somewhere else where it stated, if you are towing a travel trailer, you always have to keep both hands on the steering wheel due to the instability.

We sometimes lock the trailer hitch when we go away, but not often. We never camp at Walmart, but some folks do with no problem.And we are sold on trailering -- we use it as a base camp and then drive each day to different trailheads. Check out my blog links below. But I doubt that a 5th wheel is much different than a trailer -- maybe more stable? You lose the back of the truck as a storage area due to the hitch, unlike a trailer.I think fifth wheels may have more storage than trailers, but I am not sure.We rarely see fifth wheels in the back country off pavement, but I think they could go there.People complain about the stairs in a 5th wheel -- not sure if that is such a big deal or not.

What are advantages and disadvantages of travel trailers

85 Replies

profdant139
Explorer II
Jan 28, 2018
We sometimes lock the trailer hitch when we go away, but not often. We never camp at Walmart, but some folks do with no problem.

And we are sold on trailering -- we use it as a base camp and then drive each day to different trailheads. Check out my blog links below.

But I doubt that a 5th wheel is much different than a trailer -- maybe more stable? You lose the back of the truck as a storage area due to the hitch, unlike a trailer.

I think fifth wheels may have more storage than trailers, but I am not sure.

We rarely see fifth wheels in the back country off pavement, but I think they could go there.

People complain about the stairs in a 5th wheel -- not sure if that is such a big deal or not.
newatrvinginohi
Explorer
Jan 28, 2018
azdryheat, thanks so much for that information. It is definitely very good to know. I saw somewhere else where it stated, if you are towing a travel trailer, you always have to keep both hands on the steering wheel due to the instability.
azdryheat
Explorer
Jan 28, 2018
Wind. When it's blowing hard, and you're on the road, you'll want the stability of a 5th wheel. I've been in strong crosswinds and didn't know it until I saw stuff blowing.
newatrvinginohi
Explorer
Jan 28, 2018
Thanks Donn for your reply. It is very much appreciated. To start off, we want to travel frequently as we want to eventually see each state in the U.S. but want to take the trips in segments. We are planning on renting a travel trailer and truck this summer just to really see what it is like.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 28, 2018
No way would I leave an RV unattended at Wallyworld. It would disappear in a hurry. Each RV type has its plussez and minuses. You need to figure out how your going to use an RV. Trailers are best parked for a few days or more at a time in one place. Motor homes are better moving every couple of days. Trailers have a lower overall total cost of ownership. Fivers tow much better but require more substantial tow vehicle.

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What are advantages and disadvantages of travel trailers

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