WHICH TOWABLE RV CLASS IS RIGHT FOR ME?

The tear drop trailer has a practical, stylish and aerodynamic design that has been around since the 1930s, but thanks to modern space-efficiency techniques, the average tear drop offers more conveniences than ever. On most—including the popular Little Guy brand—the sloping roof of the tail hinges up to reveal a cooking area, complete with propane stove, sink, water tank and icebox. Also like most, the Little Guy holds a mattress for two and storage areas for other belongings inside. Often crafted by hand to the owner’s desires, the tear drop trailer is hard to find in abundance on RV lots.

A truck camper sits in the back of a pickup truck, and because it doesn’t make use of the hitch, the truck can still tow additional equipment or trailers. Although not often utilized, jacks or hydraulic lifts can raise the camper off the truck for further exploring. Long gone are the cramped campers for trucks; today’s campers provide cooking capabilities, dining areas and comfortable sleeping quarters. Many find the truck with camper option makes roughing it significantly less rough.

Small, compact and lightweight, the pop-up camper usually features canvas sides that expand up to reveal comfortable sleeping, cooking and lounging areas, and some even include showers and toilets. When closed, its low height—normally measuring just four feet—provides a clear line of sight out the rear of the tow vehicle, and its length is conducive to garages and other areas you would normally park a car. The pop-up camper’s low weight allows it to be towed by most trucks, SUVs and even cars, and it easily detaches to make the tow vehicle free for exploring.

Predecessor to the motorhome, the travel trailer offers an array of floor plans, sizes and amenities, and is considered by some to be the first step to a class-level RV. In fact, the travel trailer camper—with optional slideouts—can accommodate as many people and offer the same luxuries as a motorhome. In addition, since it doesn’t encompass a wearing drivetrain, a travel trailer can actually retain more of its value.

What is a 5th wheel? Like travel trailers, fifth wheels are towed behind, but because a fifth wheel locks into the bed of a pickup and puts more weight over the rear axle, it is considerably more stable. The 5th wheel camper’s extension over the truck bed usually houses a bedroom accessed via a small set of stairs inside. Available in a variety of sizes and with as many as four slideouts, a fifth wheel can offer all the accommodations of a motorhome with a separate, detachable tow vehicle for exploring.

What is a toy hauler? Available in motorized or towable forms, toy haulers, sometimes called sport utility trailers, provide many of the amenities of a travel trailer with a garage area to carry your favorite toys: motorcycles, golf carts, ATVs, etc. This storage area is usually separated from the living area via a wall and accessed by a hinged outer wall that acts as a ramp. Toy haulers are ideal for outdoor adventurers, sports enthusiasts, craftsmen, hobbyists, entrepreneurs and more. The average newer toy hauler includes optional slideouts for a more spacious living area.

The destination trailer, sometimes referred to as a park model trailer or destination camper, is designed for the owner to travel to it, not in it. Normally longer and wider than a travel trailer, a destination camper can be large enough to necessitate a special permit and equipment to move, compelling many to use a professional service for transportation. Once established on a lot, a destination trailer offers all the comforts, conveniences and utilities of home, including large appliances and air-conditioning systems.