| This is a question RV owners have been asking for | | | | comforts of home carried with you on the road. |
| generations. The answer depends on your needs and | | | | There are 5th wheels that give you all the safety |
| what you want to do. A travel trailer, or tongue pull | | | | and control while towing that are designed for |
| trailer, is towed by an SUV or a pickup truck | | | | families with children. These have bunk beds, are built |
| attached by a receiver hitch at the rear of your | | | | for camping and are usually less expensive. |
| vehicle. The weight of the trailer rests on that hitch | | | | This brings us to the last comparison, affordability. I |
| so it is important to have the right size hitch and a | | | | will be discussing new trailers only because used |
| weight distribution system for the RV you are | | | | trailers can be all over the place as far as pricing is |
| towing. A 5th wheel is attached by a hitch bolted to | | | | concerned. New travel trailers will range around |
| the bed of a pickup truck. The weight of this trailer is | | | | $16,000 for an 18ft super-lite up to more than |
| carried by the truck itself and is designed to be | | | | $45,000 for a luxury 34ft coach. Smaller trailers can |
| mated to the truck. With a tongue pull | | | | be pulled by a min-van or a small SUV. However, |
| maneuverability can be an issue in tight spaces as the | | | | when you get above the 27ft range you really need |
| turning radius is limited and there is less control under | | | | to three quarter ton SUV or pickup to tow your |
| difficult road conditions. 5th Wheels have much better | | | | trailer safely and maintain maximum control under all |
| control under all road conditions and the | | | | road conditions. 5th Wheels will start around $25,000 |
| maneuverability is much easier because of a shorter | | | | up to $80,000 to even $100,000 for luxury coaches |
| turning radius. | | | | with all the amenities of the fanciest homes including |
| Another factor that comes into play is the comfort | | | | fireplaces and 60in flat screen TVs. You will need at |
| factor. Travel trailers, for the most part are made | | | | least a three quarter ton truck to pull one safely with |
| for camping. They are sturdy and durable but most | | | | the larger ones requiring a 1 ton truck. |
| are not designed to be used more than a few days | | | | Whatever you want to do outdoors away from |
| at a time. There are luxury travel trailers available and | | | | home, an RV is what you need to do it with. They |
| they are extremely nice but living in one for any | | | | even have Toy Haulers where you can take your |
| length of time is difficult. Most 5th Wheel trailers on | | | | motorcycle or ATV with you in the attached garage |
| the other hand are designed to be lived in with all | | | | area. Think about getting an RV and go camping with |
| season insulation and features that are more like a | | | | your family. You will build togetherness and memories |
| house than a trailer. The furnishings are usually better | | | | that will last a lifetime and beyond. "GO RVing," you |
| and more luxurious. 5th wheels are made to be set | | | | will not be disappointed. |
| up like a home away from home with all the | | | | |