Before I posted this thread I did a forum search for "cost motorhome vs. travel trailer" and it returned no results, so maybe this is a good question to post here. I see many threads where the pros and cons of motorhome vs. travel trailer are discussed. One of the points mentioned is cost. I was looking at another website discussing the question and it basically said that comparing equal living space and amenities and age, etc. etc., a travel trailer + tow vehicle costs about 1/2 to 2/3 the price of an equal motorhome. I don't know if that's with or without toad. I've looked at a lot of floorplans for both online and tried to research their prices online and my guess would be that for equal living area, amenities, quality, and age a travel trailer + tow vehicle costs about 80% of a motorhome. That means if I was looking at a trailer and tow vehicle that costs me $80,000 I would have to spend about $100,000 for an equal motorhome. If you add a toad then it's maybe 60% of a motorhome. Plus I've read about the tow vehicle mpg vs a toad and the maintenance cost of diesel engines vs. gas.What would you say is the approximate cost comparison of the two without a toad? I can figure a toad on top of that if I get serious about a motorhome. For now I'm leaning towards a travel trailer.Thanks mucho, Steve

We researched this topic extensively 16 years ago when we decided to full time for a while. The TT TV won by a landslide. We love the rear living afforded by TT's because the best view is always out the back of the RV.I can upgrade the TT or the TV as necessary without both.The cost of a TT and TV is about 50% of a MH and tow for the same living area.

A motorhome will usually have more storage space than a TT. If you plan on fulltiming a motorhome has more cargo carrying capacity than a TT. It all depends on what you intend to do with either unit.The TT would be cheaper by a long shot than a motorhome. We tow our car behind the MH and use it when we are in a campground. We aren't that fond of pickup trucks at our age.

Many variables. For people like me that keep a truck no matter what. the TT is the best option. We don't count the TV cost in the deal because we already have one. However. IF you are going to need to buy a TV AND a TT, or 5er. Then the cost gets much closer. After all a new truck that will tow well, can / will cost North of $60,000. Then a TT can also cost North of $30,000. Most don't but many can. So you can be looking at right at $100,000 just to get started camping with a TV, and TT, or 5er. You can get a pretty nice MH for less than $100,000, Maybe not a diesel pusher, but still a nice MH

A TT and MH are two different animals. Apples and Oranges. There are several types of MH: Class A,B and C. There are gas and diesel driven ones. Trailers are either the type that hook onto a hitch or a 5th wheel. MH and TT come in all different lengths and with different options. The thing you should be looking at is what type of camping you will be doing. Occasional, Full-time, what climate zones. Also, what is your budget. With a MH you would probably want to tow a vehicle behind, with a trailer you must have the proper truck or car that will tow properly. I am a Full-timer and started with a pop-up then gas class A, then 5th wheel and now my final 5er.

If your looking new and need a TV and TT then it will be a wash! A new TT will come in around $25k a new TV will be around $50k. A nice has MH will come in around $70-90k! Yes you will need to tow a car behind you, but you can probably tow your current vehicle either 4 down or on a dolly. I would go MH over a TT. Looking back I wish I would have!

Cost comparison - motorhome vs. travel trailer | Good Sam Community

53 Replies

Rovin__Bones
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
I'm cheap, I admit it. I'm not materialistic, I'm a former Marine who has slept in the mud under a mere shelter half with 1/2" ground pad a wool blanket, and an M-16 to snuggle up to.

A used old MH that runs and drives great, keeps the rain out, and has standard amenities like bath, toilet, stove, fridge, and generator is all I need. It doesn't have to look pretty. It just has to do the job it was intended to do adequately. I'd rather have the MH anyway since my other vehicle is a Harley under 600 pounds weight on it's own. A small covered trailer for the bike on the hitch is still under 800 pounds towed weight. I also then have a little extra storage space in the enclosed trailer, too. I'm handy with tools and working on stuff. I can repair most anything myself if the resources are available.

Your mileage may vary. ;)
mrmomb
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
"On a related note, I just got an email from Good Sam for their extended warranties. It said 1 in 5 travel trailers will have a claim in the first year. For motorhomes the number is 1 in 3. That means the claim rates are about 20 and 33 percent for travel trailers and motorhomes respectively. That is some interesting information."

TT's tend to sit at home and are used weekend style. MH's tend to be in use much more often. I would no try to read to much into their statistic.

I just went through the cost analysis myself. I needed to replace my TV and TT. TV was $50,000 plus another $10,000 in upgrades. TT was $25,000. Total, $85,000. I purchased a 25' class C for $60,000 saving $25,000. As an added bonus automotive insurance on the RV is less than half than it was on the truck.

I find myself camping more often because I can just jump in and go as the fridge is kept fully stocked and water tanks full. Setup consists of putting the transmission in park.

As I grow older my RV choice has been smaller and smaller. The best sites tend to fit tents and small RV's. I will not camp close to others.

Good luck in your search.
DallasSteve
Nomad II
Aug 23, 2016
Reviewing my earlier answer I did not take toads into account. I would revise my earlier answer like this:

I think a travel trailer plus tow vehicle costs about 80 to 90 percent of a comparable motorhome. If you include a toad I think a travel trailer plus tow vehicle costs about 60 to 70 percent of a comparable motorhome plus toad even after including the differences in gas mileage and other operating costs.

As a semi-concrete example I've been looking at floorplans of about 35-40 feet and gas motors. The prices move up together about the same amount if you want a diesel motor. I can get a nice new F-350 SRW plus a new trailer for about $90K (maybe a little less). A comparable size new class A is around $100K (at least). Add a $30K toad and the trailer/tow vehicle is about 70 percent the cost of the motorhome and toad. I don't see any class C quite that large and a Super C costs about the same as a class A at that size.

On a related note, I just got an email from Good Sam for their extended warranties. It said 1 in 5 travel trailers will have a claim in the first year. For motorhomes the number is 1 in 3. That means the claim rates are about 20 and 33 percent for travel trailers and motorhomes respectively. That is some interesting information.
DallasSteve
Nomad II
Aug 23, 2016
Jbrowland wrote:

If a confrontation with a bear while weekend camping requires one to drive away in their RV quickly, then they have likely broken most of the rules and in some cases possibly the laws regarding bear interactions. I just hiked closely past a total of 7 bears in King's Canyon a few weeks ago and never once had to fight for my life.

I'll feel much better knowing that if a bear is ever trying to get into my RV.
DallasSteve
Nomad II
Aug 23, 2016
Jbrowland wrote:

My apologies if this comes off aggressive. Not my intention at all.

Judging from this answer and others on this thread, it sounds like you already strongly made up your mind long before you asked the question on the first page.

There is no "comparable" RV and trailer. Apples and oranges no matter the price. Again, that's why you keep getting answers you disagree with.

Where did I say that I was trying to make up my mind? I just asked how they compare in cost. That's all I asked about and if I get answers telling me why one is better than the other, that's not what I asked. I am not disagreeing with them, I'm just pointing out that they aren't answering the question. The title of the thread is "Cost comparison - motorhome vs. travel trailer". That's all. It's intended to be focused on that one issue. I didn't title the thread "Comparison - motorhome vs. travel trailer". There are already lots of those threads on here. Have I made up my mind? Probably, but that's irrelevant to the question. You're right, it's apples and oranges. Why can't I ask "Which costs more, apples or oranges?" I think there are comparable motorhomes and travel trailers (in terms of floorplans and quality), but if you don't then you can't answer the question.
Jbrowland
Explorer
Aug 23, 2016
DallasSteve wrote:
Jbrowland wrote:
pedally wrote:
For me, and I own neither yet, It is security...do I want to drive away from a dangerous confrontation? Do I want to set up in a thunderstorm? I'm leaning in towards an A class or C class.

A dangerous confrontation? Iowa must be a rough place? ;)

I think a bear counts as a dangerous confrontation.

If a confrontation with a bear while weekend camping requires one to drive away in their RV quickly, then they have likely broken most of the rules and in some cases possibly the laws regarding bear interactions. I just hiked closely past a total of 7 bears in King's Canyon a few weeks ago and never once had to fight for my life.
Jbrowland
Explorer
Aug 23, 2016
DallasSteve wrote:
malexander wrote:
I have less in my 2007 DP Bounder 38N ($78K) than I had in my 2007 2500 HD GMC (gas) and my 2008 Keystone Challenger 5th wheel ($84K). I bought the pu & 5er new. the Bounder had 13,500 miles on it.

That is interesting. Still it's a little bit unequal since the motorhome was not new. (At first I thought $84K was for only the 5er, but now I read it is for both the trailer and TV). I also wonder if the 5er was a little larger inside than the motorhome. What do you say? I still think based on what I've seen here and browsing RV Trader and Camping World that comparable trailer and TV costs about 70% of comparable motorhome. That's basically what I was trying to get at with this thread.

My apologies if this comes off aggressive. Not my intention at all.

Judging from this answer and others on this thread, it sounds like you already strongly made up your mind long before you asked the question on the first page.

There is no "comparable" RV and trailer. Apples and oranges no matter the price. Again, that's why you keep getting answers you disagree with.
DallasSteve
Nomad II
Aug 23, 2016
malexander wrote:
I have less in my 2007 DP Bounder 38N ($78K) than I had in my 2007 2500 HD GMC (gas) and my 2008 Keystone Challenger 5th wheel ($84K). I bought the pu & 5er new. the Bounder had 13,500 miles on it.

That is interesting. Still it's a little bit unequal since the motorhome was not new. (At first I thought $84K was for only the 5er, but now I read it is for both the trailer and TV). I also wonder if the 5er was a little larger inside than the motorhome. What do you say? I still think based on what I've seen here and browsing RV Trader and Camping World that comparable trailer and TV costs about 70% of comparable motorhome. That's basically what I was trying to get at with this thread.
malexander
Explorer
Aug 22, 2016
I have less in my 2007 DP Bounder 38N ($78K) than I had in my 2007 2500 HD GMC (gas) and my 2008 Keystone Challenger 5th wheel ($84K). I bought the pu & 5er new. the Bounder had 13,500 miles on it.
DallasSteve
Nomad II
Aug 22, 2016
Bobbo wrote:
You mean like:

This Scamp 13' trailer lists for about $17,000

but

this Prevost can start at more than $500,000?

I could repeat what I wrote in the initial post, but what's the point?

Forum Discussion

Cost comparison - motorhome vs. travel trailer

53 Replies

About RV Newbies

Related Content

Travel Trailer

Motorhome / fiver comparison

My Travel Trailer Fell Down

Walmart Battery Comparison

Motorhome Comparison Guide