Ever since the first motorhomes and travel trailers appeared early in the twentieth century, there's been an ongoing debate over which is better. And the correct answer is: it depends.
Just like car enthusiasts who differ strongly about which motor vehicle rules the road, the same debate exists between RVers who feel that towing their home is better than driving it, and vice-versa.
So let's take a look at the pros and cons of each class when choosing between a motorhome or a trailer.
How often will you use your RV, and how many people will be with you?
This is an important point to ponder, especially if you're thinking about a motorhome.
A nice Class A rig with all the gadgets and "must-haves" can easily top $150,000 and usually more. The smaller Class B and Class C motorhomes can come in for less but still, that's a whole lot of cabbage to have sitting idle on the side of your house or in a storage lot if you go out only a few times a year and don't travel far.
Of course, if you do go out regularly and/or for long distances, then a motorhome with all its accessories can make the journey all the more pleasurable, especially if you have a mid- to large-sized family. There's plenty of room in Class A's and Class C's to spread out, and storage space is generous. Class B units, also known as "camper vans" are more suited for couples...and perhaps their pet terrier.
A nicely equipped travel trailer can help make an outing more comfortable and more fun--whether for a three-day weekend or a three-week sojourn. Travel trailers can be had for less than $20,000, making them a more attractive alternative for low usage situations. And like their motorhome brethren, larger trailers, especially those with slide-outs, can likewise accommodate large groups and their gear.
Pop-up trailers, while able to sleep up to six individuals, usually lack space and storage for larger families. These shortcomings and their very low price, starting at around $4,000, make them better suited for short jaunts of a few days.
Do you currently have a vehicle that could tow a travel trailer?
This is important, because while today's travel trailers are noted for their lightweight yet sturdy construction, some midsize to large models, especially fifth-wheel units, require a lot of horsepower to get their bulk safely over hill and dale.
Pop-up trailers require the least amount of "oomph" to get the wheels rolling; many models can be towed with the average minivan and are the easiest to park.
A typical travel trailer can usually be handled by the average full-size V8 pickup truck or large SUV, and with today's advanced technology, some V6 trucks are able to out-pull them.
A fifth-wheel trailer generally requires not only more horsepower, but also more load carrying ability since 15 to 25 percent of the trailer actually rests in the truck's bed. This means that a heavy duty or "super duty" tow vehicle is a must.
A heavy lift/tow vehicle may also be in order for the newest member of the trailer family, the sport utility RV. Popularly known as "toy haulers" because of the garage area in the rear used for hauling motorcycles, quad runners and personal watercraft, toy haulers can require extra pulling strength to get to where you want to go.
On the flip side of the coin, the motorhome is self-propelled. That is, the manufacturer equips it with either a diesel or gasoline powerplant of sufficient size to move it down the road with little effort and still have enough extra "giddy-up" to tow a trailer or smaller vehicle for side trips.
Ask Yourself: do you currently have a tow vehicle strong enough to pull the trailer or RV, or is a new, more powerful ride needed? If you do need to upsize, how do the cost of both the truck or SUV and the trailer compare against that of a comparably equipped motorhome?