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The Travel Trailer is Affordable Luxury

Family in their travel trailer working on putting together a puzzle

The Travel Trailer is affordable luxury is extremely popular among RVers 

It is smaller and lighter than a Fifth Wheel Trailer, which means it can be towed by a mid-sized car, van, or pickup truck (this could mean using a lot less fuel to get where you are going) this is why the Travel Trailer is affordable luxury with many options available.

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Depending on the model you buy or rent, you will have all the comforts of a home including a Kitchen.  Unlike the  Fiver (Fifth Wheel Trailer) these trailers have a single level floor plan.  If you are looking for a reasonable amount of living space at a reasonable cost, then this is the RV for you.

Most Travel Trailers are fully self-contained for camping out in the boonies.  They can also be equipped with room slide outs that increases the size of available living space when camped (more room for dogs, cats, kidlets, grandchildren or you). The length of these varies between 8 to 35 ft.

The Travel Trailer Has Three Sub-Types

The Toy Hauler

If your motto is "have toys will travel" then this trailer is for you.  A Toy Hauler is a Trailer or Fifth Wheel that has been designed to carry your toys such as quads, dirt bikes, dune buggies, your favorite Harley or even a small car. 

They have a big back door that doubles as a ramp.  Your toys are stored in a mini garage behind the main living area of the trailer. 

Once you are at your campsite and you have removed all your toys, these mini garages can be converted to useable living space such as a bedroom, etc. (This depends on the model you have). 

These special trailers can have up to 3 axles dependent on the weight they are designed to carry.

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Teardrop Trailer

The name of this trailer pretty much describes its appearance, it looks like a small teardrop. These little trailer's roots go back to the 1930s when they were extremely popular. 

A Teardrop TrailerTeardrop Trailer
Teardrop Trailer Photo Credit: MaryTClark cc

Early in the 1960s their popularity started to decline, due to the availability of larger trailers and Motorized RVs.  However, in the last few years there has been a renaissance (I have always wanted to use this word in a sentence) in the Teardrop Trailer category. 

Quite a few hobbyists have bought some of these old trailers and restored them back to their original condition. 

There are even kits that are available so that you can build your own tiny Teardrop Trailer (if you are handy with tools and have a lot of time on your hands you can give this a try). 

One important fact to remember is that these trailers are SMALL.  They range from 8 to 10 feet in length and 4 to 5 feet in height (ideal for a small couple). Needless to say, this is not ideal for a family of four. 

There are even Teardrop Trailer Rallies, where all the Teardroppers (I just made that name up maybe it will stick) get together at Teardrop rallies to show off their tiny trailers.

Expandable Travel Trailer

Watch the video below to see how easy it is to set up the TrailManor hybrid Travel Trailer.

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These are also known as Hybrid Trailers.  These unique trailers are a cross between a normal Trailer and a Tent Trailer

In order to create more sleeping space these trailers have pop-out ends or sides like a Tent Trailer. 

Don't confuse this with a room slide out.  Room slide outs have solid walls and ceilings, the pop-out has canvas walls and ceilings like a Tent Trailer.

These pop-outs allow these RVs to comfortably sleep up to 8 people in a modest sized trailer.  Some of these pop-outs are configured with bunk beds, creating even more sleeping space. 

Now you will have no excuse for not inviting all your relatives to go camping with you. 

The Expandable trailer is less expensive than a similar sized trailer with room slideouts.

Travel Trailer PROS and CONS

A Mother and father sitting outside of their RV while camping at a river while their son is floating on an innertube in the river.

PROS

  • A Travel Trailer is less expensive than a 5th Wheeler
  • Lots of livable space good for Fulltimers
  • Sufficient storage space
  • A Travel Trailer can be towed by a mid-sized car, van or pickup truck
  • Not as tall as a 5th Wheel, can store lighter items in optional roof storage pods (these pods should not be used for storing your in-laws or kids)
  • Tow vehicle can be used for running errands and local sightseeing
  • Toy Hauler option available (gotta take that golf cart)

CONS

  • The larger the trailer the larger the vehicle needed to tow it
  • Is harder to backup than a Fifth Wheel Trailer
  • Cannot use trailer facilities while moving
  • Can be hard to maneuver in tight spaces
  • Dependent on the length of your trailer, you will find that some campgrounds and RV Parks will not accept an RV over 35 feet in length (as time goes on this limitation is fading away)
  • Depending on model may require a large storage area when not camping

Conclusion

Hopefully, the above information has helped you learn why the Travel Trailer is affordable luxury with many options available and will be helpful in steering you in the right direction. 

If you have decided that a Trailer is the right type of RV for you, you should now head over to the Buying a RV section of this web site to get some more helpful hints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of vehicles can tow a Travel Trailer?

A Travel Trailer can be towed by a mid-sized car, van, or pickup truck.

What are the three sub-types of Travel Trailers?

The three sub-types of Travel Trailers are the Toy Hauler, Teardrop Trailer, and Expandable Travel Trailer.

What is the main feature of a Toy Hauler Travel Trailer?

A Toy Hauler Travel Trailer is designed to carry recreational toys like quads, dirt bikes, dune buggies, or even a small car, with a big back door that doubles as a ramp and a mini garage behind the main living area.

What is the size range of Teardrop Trailers?

Teardrop Trailers are small, ranging from 8 to 10 feet in length and 4 to 5 feet in height.

How do Expandable Travel Trailers provide more sleeping space?

Expandable Travel Trailers have pop-out ends or sides, with canvas walls and ceilings like a Tent Trailer, allowing them to comfortably sleep up to 8 people in a modest-sized trailer.

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