Should i buy a motorhome or a trailer

Even if it will fit in your driveway, your Homeowners Association HOA might prohibit this in the long term. Just to be safe, take all the measurements beforehand. Motorhomes and large trailers are a different story. Even if you can leave them sitting outside of your home, this might not be the best solution.

You have to protect your investment against the elements , or potential vandalism. Do you want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars repairing damage? There are three different ways storage facilities can keep your RV or trailer: outdoors, covered, or indoors.

The size of your RV and the type of storage option you choose will factor into the price. Covered storage means that the RV or trailer will still be outdoors but sheltered. This type of facility may not wholly protect against severe weather, such as hail.

Indoor storage, while offering the best protection for your RV, is going to cost you more than storing it outside. Specific RVs and trailers have different needs. For example, pop-up trailers that have canvas must be kept dry in storage. If you leave these trailers out in the rain, they can end up covered in mold and mildew. Setting up camp can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the RV or trailer.

Motorhomes have to be parked and connected to electricity. Sewer hoses and water pipes must be set up. Trailers must be unhitched and stabilized. If you have a pop-up camper or tent trailer, prepare to put in some effort. The folding sides or external panels need to be extended. This might involve using a hand crank or manually placing poles and canvas—or both.

Remember that everything you do to set up camp has to be reversed when you leave. Everything has to be re-hitched, unplugged, and folded away. Pop-up tent trailers cannot be folded away dirty or wet. You have to factor in wiping down your entire trailer before packing it up. Learning to tow a trailer takes patience and practice. You will have to relearn how to brake, accelerate and turn. The same goes for reversing and parking. It might be best to invest in extra mirrors for your vehicle, especially when towing large trailers.

Not only are they safer, but they can help you get used to your trailer dimensions. Unless you have driven buses or trucks before, driving a motorhome for the first time can be intimidating.

Unlike towing a trailer, you have to get used to a whole new vehicle. If you are transitioning from a car, there is a lot to adjust to. With practice, most drivers will grow comfortable handling their motorhomes.

You can rent one and see how it suits you. Once you have a few models in mind, investigate each one. If you are buying a new trailer or RV, choose a reputable manufacturer or dealership. Lots of positive reviews from satisfied customers on different sites and platforms are a good indication.

You need to know the specific model like the back of your hand before you view it. Discover what types of damage the model is prone to, e. Will you always be on the go, or will you park in one place and stay there for awhile before moving on? Will you be driving long distances at a time, or will you mainly drive short distances? Who will be living in the RV?

Is it just you and a partner, or are there also children and pets involved? What is your budget? Do you already have a truck, or will you need to buy one, in addition to an RV? Your purpose and needs will make a big difference when making your decision, so be sure to consider all of these important points. So, after all of this, which type of rig is best?

Well, this will depend on the opinion and needs of each individual. Your choice should depend on many factors, including who will be living in the RV, how often it will be used, how often you plan to stay in each location, how many separate rooms are needed, the amount of time you plan to spend driving, your budget, and much, much more. Plan to do lots and lots of research when choosing your rig. You can also consider renting a few different types of RVs for short-term trips before ultimately deciding to buy.

And, as with all RVs, whatever you end up choosing is sure to bring tons of joy and memories for years to come.

What kind of RV do you have? How did you make this choice? Is there anything else you considered in addition to these points? Your email address will not be published. Great article and I think it really hits all the points.

I like to daydream about getting an RV or trailer but probably never will. We like car camping but I end up freezing overnight August in the Adirondacks, NY but our camping family buddies prefer as authentic an experience as possible with our combined 5 littles. I have fallen in love with the Lance trailer models though and thought maybe Disney trips might be cheaper if we had a trailer. We already have a Pilot and it SHOULD be within the towing capacity model is under dry weight, our Pilot can tow but I worry about combined weight with car seats and people and all.

Too many variables. Thanks for the article again! There are so many factors to consider! Highly recommend renting an RV or several! Best of luck to you! For me a tt was the only way to go. Not many can say that. I followed your article with interest to see what your conclusion would be. We have owned every one of your RV items over the last 20 years. The only one missing for us is a Class C which I always thought would be interesting.

The motorhome was so comfortable and much loved. However, when it needed repair we stood in line with the 18 wheelers and there were no hookups. We might have service at 3 am and hung out with the truckers in the coffee waiting room.

When our truck needed service with the fifth wheel or bumper pull, we dropped it off at the Chevrolet or Ford dealer and stayed in the RV park. When the unit needed service we called the RV mobile repair people to come to us.

So, I am of the opinion that motorhomes are way more difficult to deal with. Yep, nothing like pulling a camper in a driving rain, then having to go. No thank you. When I was growing up we had an outdoor toilet, until I was in the 7th grade. Travel days are a breeze. We like the 5 wheel as a large stable towed platform. Liked the TT for ease of boondocking. We now have a 42 Beaver which is traveling in a 5 star hotel.

The most vulnerable time when parking in rest stops or boondocking is the time you leave the tow vehicle and walk back to the RV. So we are selling the Class A and moving to a Class C as better to boondocking.

So all is relative to your needs. But just do it. RV people are great people. One stretch was 3. Would never trade one of those great years. Best of times. Thanks so much for your insight, Bobby! A Class C sounds great for your needs. Happy trails to you! Our Mercedes Sprinter based Winnebago View gets about 14 mpg towing a small car.

Dolan, the veteran RVer, can't dispel that fear. At the same time, don't let mechanical concerns and the seeming complexities of an RV be a deterrent from the lifestyle if it is something you'd really like to take on, says Puglisi, the RV author and podcaster.

A lot of RV owners are handy people. As for the expense, though the initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance certainly add up, it's also important to calculate the potential savings on travel and vacations that can come with an RV over time. You can eat out when you want, but you can also prepare your own foods. The study weighed the costs of traditional travel such as airline tickets, hotel rooms and meals out, versus the unique costs of RV travel, such as fuel.

Pop-up camper trailers offered the most savings, while large Class A and Class C motor homes offered the least. You are leaving AARP. Please return to AARP. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering.

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