Making the jump from tent camping to RVing

[AmongTheTrees]

I'm a lifelong tent camper, but my partner and I are interested in switching to an RV for added convenience and comfort during our trips. I'd be happy to get some feedback on traveling in a small travel trailer.

A fifth wheel or Class C might be in our future a few years down the line, but I think we'd like to experiment with a smaller travel trailer in the meantime. It's just the two of us for now (hopefully with a canine friend in the near future!), so we don't need a whole lot of space. We like to visit National Parks and camp off-grid.

Right now, I'm thinking that a small travel trailer with a kitchen area and bed would be great for us. I've seen various teardrop designs and other small campers that fit this description.

But what's it like to stay in these? Do you feel cramped and crowded? Do you bring along a tent/shelter to give you more space to spread out on bad weather days? Happy to hear your thoughts on the matter!

[zcookiemonstar]

Merrykalia wrote:

zcookiemonstar wrote:
Rent Rent Rent Trying out a few different size units will give you the best idea of what you want. How big of a trailer also depends on your tow vehicle. You need to find out what your towing capacity is if you even have a vehicle that you can tow with. You can rent motor homes too but they are a lot more money.

That's great advice if you live in a large city, but there is nowhere within a 150 mile radius of us that will rent an RV.

I know there is a campground In Charlotte NC. that rents travel trailers in their campground all you have to do is drive up.(at ZMAX Dragway) Not saying you should go there but if they do it I am sure other places do too.

[SoundGuy]

Boomerweps wrote:
Edit: I added my TT to my signature, see earlier post. Wow, it did not add it to this one even though it's marked to do so!

And it won't - wish it wasn't so but due to forum software your SIG is restricted to one post per page. That's why I preset my "option to make my sig appear below my post" to OFF and only turn it on when it's relevant to what I'm posting or the subject being discussed, as was the case when you originally posted.

[Boomerweps]

SoundGuy wrote:

Boomerweps wrote:
SWMBO & I just made the leap ourselves.

Our key concerns were keeping it small for our tow vehicle, no constructing/deconstructing our bed, and a dry bath. We also decided on bunks for the grandkids.

Would be helpful if you listed your new camper (2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS) in your SIG, otherwise posts like yours above are meaningless to others like the OP seeking information on trailers like this. 😉

Don't see where it would make it meaningless but can see its usefulness. Done. Actually we decided on the above concerns after looking at other make campers. The outside storage door at the lower bunk, rear platform standard, open top bunk, and the USB ports sold us on the 16BHS.

Edit: I added my TT to my signature, see earlier post. Wow, it did not add it to this one even though it's marked to do so!

[SoundGuy]

Boomerweps wrote:
SWMBO & I just made the leap ourselves.

Our key concerns were keeping it small for our tow vehicle, no constructing/deconstructing our bed, and a dry bath. We also decided on bunks for the grandkids.

Would be helpful if you listed your new camper (2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS) in your SIG, otherwise posts like yours above are meaningless to others like the OP seeking information on trailers like this. 😉

[Boomerweps]

SWMBO & I just made the leap ourselves. Previously we mostly primitive camped on lakes off our small sport boat. She said no more sleeping on the ground. We made a few long haul trips, staying in hotels and decided it would be cheaper to use a TT. Our key concerns were keeping it small for our tow vehicle, no constructing/deconstructing our bed, and a dry bath. We also decided on bunks for the grandkids.

[2gypsies1]

OP: Just wondering if any of these answers helped with your decision. Haven't heard from you!

[nosebreaker]

I 2nd the option of driving to rent one. You checked rvshare to see if anyone had one closer? I just drove 1000mi to buy my RV!

[DrewE]

Merrykalia wrote:

zcookiemonstar wrote:
Rent Rent Rent Trying out a few different size units will give you the best idea of what you want. How big of a trailer also depends on your tow vehicle. You need to find out what your towing capacity is if you even have a vehicle that you can tow with. You can rent motor homes too but they are a lot more money.

That's great advice if you live in a large city, but there is nowhere within a 150 mile radius of us that will rent an RV.

Frankly, it may be worthwhile to go 150+ miles to rent one. It presumably would also be worth driving that far if needed to buy the right one when that time comes. I bought my motorhome from a gentleman who lived about that far away (and in a different state), and there's a decent RV dealer maybe fifteen miles from my house.

[Merrykalia]

zcookiemonstar wrote:
Rent Rent Rent Trying out a few different size units will give you the best idea of what you want. How big of a trailer also depends on your tow vehicle. You need to find out what your towing capacity is if you even have a vehicle that you can tow with. You can rent motor homes too but they are a lot more money.

That's great advice if you live in a large city, but there is nowhere within a 150 mile radius of us that will rent an RV.

[Merrykalia]

zcookiemonstar wrote:
Rent Rent Rent Trying out a few different size units will give you the best idea of what you want. How big of a trailer also depends on your tow vehicle. You need to find out what your towing capacity is if you even have a vehicle that you can tow with. You can rent motor homes too but they are a lot more money.

That's great advice if you live in a large city, but there is nowhere within a 150 mile radius of us that will rent an RV.

[zcookiemonstar]

Rent Rent Rent Trying out a few different size units will give you the best idea of what you want. How big of a trailer also depends on your tow vehicle. You need to find out what your towing capacity is if you even have a vehicle that you can tow with. You can rent motor homes too but they are a lot more money.

[ppine]

I have tent camped for about 58 years and will never give it up.
Bought a truck camper, too small.
Bought a pop-up.
bought a Nash TT which was heavy.
bought a hybrid trailer which is hot in summer and cold in winter.
Compared to a tent, any trailer is luxurious. If you have small tanks then you learn to be conservative. Compared to carrying water in a pack, even 10 gallons is a lot of water.

[welove2drive]

Buy used. Maybe rent. Make a wish list.

We had a short wish list when looking for our first trailer. We tent camped for 25 years. We had a pop up years ago and knew we didn't want one. Walk around bed, awning, bathroom (not wet bath), hard sided. Bought a 6 year old 17' TT. Really like having all of our stuff ready to roll. Just add food and go.

We started a new list the first trip out. Sold it in 6 months. Bought the TT in our signature. On our 3rd truck.

You just have to figure out what is the best fit for your needs. Everybody is different. There is a lot to choose from out there!
Happy Camping! Marcia

[seagrace]

Sorry, apparently I'm not allowed to post relevant content.