| Motor homes can come as a single integrated vehicle, | | | | access to the rear, main compartment of the RV |
| or as a hitched trailer pulled with an independent tow | | | | from the passenger and driver area. Many RVs are |
| vehicle. There are compelling arguments for both | | | | not designed to be used while in motion; however, |
| options that cover cost, convenience, and safety. | | | | this is not the case for some vehicles which feature |
| Motor homes and RVs come in two main | | | | this open-plan style design, which younger travelers in |
| configurations, namely, those that are integrated | | | | particular might find appealing for road trips and |
| self-powered vehicles, and those that are towed by | | | | camping. Always consult your RV dealer on exactly |
| a detachable vehicle. There are classes of every size | | | | what is safe to do in any particular motor home you |
| in each of these two modes, ranging from small | | | | wish to buy. Good dealerships will be able to advise |
| camper vans to hundred thousand dollar conversion | | | | you on the individual safety notes of each model |
| trailers on one side, and small caravan-style travel | | | | they sell. |
| trailers to the largest fifth wheel coupling trailers and | | | | The advantages of bi-fold trailers, travel trailers, park |
| park models on the other. There are advantages and | | | | models, and 5th wheel coupling trailers are also quite |
| disadvantages to both, and which is suitable for you | | | | compelling, for different reasons. First and foremost |
| really depends on your requirements, budget, and | | | | of these is the simple fact that once the RV is |
| circumstances. | | | | deployed, the tow vehicle can be detached and |
| The single most compelling argument for your | | | | driven away independently. This allows you greater |
| purchasing any of the integrated models such as | | | | flexibility once your RV is parked, in that you can |
| Class A, B, C, conversion vans, or camper vans is | | | | drive faster and with greater ease than with the load |
| quite simply that the vehicle is included with the RV | | | | on the back. As well as general ease, lightening the |
| itself. Towing is not a trivial process, and | | | | load will allow your vehicle to drive places the |
| inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow an | | | | assembled RV cannot, which is likely to be |
| RV (or anything else) without proper instruction or | | | | advantageous if you're staying in national parks or |
| supervision of someone who does have the | | | | away from major highways. Perhaps best of all, |
| necessary experience. It should go without saying | | | | however, is the fact that without the extra few |
| that practicing your towing skills on your brand new | | | | tons of load, the vehicle is much more fuel efficient |
| mobile home could prove to have rather costly | | | | when driving. |
| consequences! | | | | Other advantages to a hitched trailer are that once |
| With the classes mentioned, the RV component of | | | | the RV itself is deployed, should you need to drive |
| the mobile home is built around the vehicle chassis | | | | into town or go out for supplies, you needn't ready |
| itself. This means that you can trust (with reasonable | | | | the RV for movement again, and anyone who |
| certainty) that the frame and engine of the vehicle | | | | wishes to stay with the trailer can do so. In the case |
| are ideally suited to the load you will be carrying. | | | | of park models, 5th wheels, and some larger trailers, |
| While it's still necessary to approach the vehicle with | | | | it is not normal for the RV to have a dedicated tow |
| many of the same cautions as you would when | | | | vehicle. Instead, a single truck can deliver and pick up |
| towing a load, such as paying close attention to how | | | | the RV at a designated time, which is more cost |
| much cargo you load up, the road conditions, and | | | | effective for all concerned. You need only own the |
| your speed, once you've properly stowed everything | | | | trailer itself, which allows more of your money to go |
| and you're ready to move off, you can quite simply | | | | into buying features, as opposed to the underlying |
| do just that: Drive away. | | | | vehicle, while the tow vehicle can be hired as needed |
| Some of these vehicles (conversion vans in particular) | | | | from any trucking company. |
| have the added benefit of providing immediate | | | | |