Pros and Cons of Travel Trailers...

The only one that comes close to the versatility is the Truck Camper. You still get the separate tow vehicle while being able to separate the two rigs, but the Truck Camper can still pull a trailer, such as a boat.

Having both, I now use my TC on a trailer more than my 34' Avion. LOL

livelylittlecampers wrote:
Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts on the pros and cons of Travel Trailers! We did the podcast last night and it is up on our blog and on iTunes. All of your comments were so helpful!

http://livelylittlecampers.com/2014/12/rv-family-travel-atlas-pros-and-cons-of-a-travel-trailer/

Technoboobery has struck again - I was able to find it but it won't play, or rather, there's no sound, despite everything being turned on. Sigh.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts on the pros and cons of Travel Trailers! We did the podcast last night and it is up on our blog and on iTunes. All of your comments were so helpful!

http://livelylittlecampers.com/2014/12/rv-family-travel-atlas-pros-and-cons-of-a-travel-trailer/

In agreement with most of the above. Didn't notice any mention of a Hybrid Travel Trailer. That was our first and we loved it. Nothing beats towing small and then setting up to around 30'. Open feeling, breezes coming through, great views. Cost is somewhat less than a hardside TT. Usually less towing capacity needed. Downside to the HTT for us was the extra steps involved in set up and break down. We just got too blasted old and all that goes with that to mess with those extra things. Enter the TT. We do love it, but miss many of the features of our HTT. We have no plans - nor does our budget - to upgrade from our F-150 and this still works very well. Have not had the PUP, TC or MH experience and don't see that in our future. Even this morning, DH commented "we need a camping trip in the worst way!". That is our get-away, our calming time, down time. We're thankful that we're able to have Rocky and all the benefits that go with it.

Thanks so much for all of the great input. Helpful and appreciated. I'll post right here on this thread when the podcast comes out. There is such an abundance here--we will only scratch the surface!

Hiking Hunter wrote:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that a travel trailer does not handle as well on the road as a fifth wheel. It is less susceptible to cross winds and turbulence from other vehicles.

maybe that's because some of us have learned to purchase the right tow vehicle and the right hitching system making for a safe and comfortable trouble free tow.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that a travel trailer does not handle as well on the road as a fifth wheel. A fifth wheel is less susceptible to cross winds and turbulence from other vehicles.

DutchmenSport wrote:
One thing that grabbed my attention some time ago. My current travel trailer and truck combination is 55 and 1/2 feet long from bumper to bumper. Some of the most longest motor homes are only 40 feet long, maybe they are some bigger, but I've never seen one 55 feet long. That leaves a lot of living space inside the camper, and provides lots of space inside the truck and truck bed (especially with a crew cab, long bed truck). Now granted, some 5th wheels are equally as long, and actually provide a shorter bumper to bumper length because the hitch sits in the middle of the truck bed. Still.... 5er or TT, you can get more space inside for living.

Here's my quick comparision...Travel trailer as opposed to a:

Tent - No sleeping on the ground, solid roof over your head, all the comforts of a house, including heat, on-board plumbing, and air-conditioning.

Pop-up - (we use to own one)... no canvas to deal with setting up or taking down with heavy dew or rain. No setting up again at home to dry everything out.

5er - 100% use of tow vehicle, including all the space in the truck bed, or the ability to hitch to a van or a lawn mower if you want!

Toy Hauler - 5er or TT: We don't have toys to hall around .. simply don't need this type of camper.

Motor Home...any "CLASS" - The ability to park the camper and leave it sit and use the tow vehicle for other purposes. Also, compared to a MH, much less costly for the same type of "fun and adventure".

There's my comparisons.

Good luck with your research.

Hmm, don't you mean TT there?

One thing that grabbed my attention some time ago. My current travel trailer and truck combination is 55 and 1/2 feet long from bumper to bumper. Some of the most longest motor homes are only 40 feet long, maybe they are some bigger, but I've never seen one 55 feet long. That leaves a lot of living space inside the camper, and provides lots of space inside the truck and truck bed (especially with a crew cab, long bed truck). Now granted, some 5th wheels are equally as long, and actually provide a shorter bumper to bumper length because the hitch sits in the middle of the truck bed. Still.... 5er or TT, you can get more space inside for living.

Here's my quick comparision...Travel trailer as opposed to a:

Tent - No sleeping on the ground, solid roof over your head, all the comforts of a house, including heat, on-board plumbing, and air-conditioning.

Pop-up - (we use to own one)... no canvas to deal with setting up or taking down with heavy dew or rain. No setting up again at home to dry everything out.

5er - 100% use of tow vehicle, including all the space in the truck bed, or the ability to hitch to a van or a lawn mower if you want!

Toy Hauler - 5er or TT: We don't have toys to hall around .. simply don't need this type of camper.

Motor Home...any "CLASS" - The ability to park the camper and leave it sit and use the tow vehicle for other purposes. Also, compared to a MH, much less costly for the same type of "fun and adventure".

There's my comparisons.

Good luck with your research.

I had a Class A and just sold it and switched to a TT. My main reason is RVs tend to sit unused for long periods of time. We used ours all summer and a few days every couple of months during the rest of the year. Mechanical issues always seem to pop up after a long sit. Electrical connections corrode, fuel pumps get sticky, etc. Usually these things show up about two days out. A real pain when you aren't near people you trust to work on it. Also towing a car reduced mileage by 25%.

The advantages of the TT is you can get a very nice unit for a faction of a nice MH. You don't have an engine and transmission to contend with and you use the tow vehicle for running around. I thought hitching up and unhitching would be a big deal but it isn't. It is like anything. You get a routine that works and stick with it. I bought a Hensley Arrow hitch. It is very expensive compared to others but well worth it. The trailer tows like SUV and TT are one unit. No swaying and tighter turning radius too.

The only big disadvantage is the ability to access the bathroom and refrigerator while moving. But that should be avoided anyhow as it can be very dangerous. I always had to holler out to my wife if she was up while moving and I had to slow quickly. We had a friend seriously injured from a quick stop while she was up. She few the length of the MH.