Information About Towable RV’s
There are two main categories of used recreational vehicles for sale (RV’s); motorized and towable. Towable RV’s include fifth wheels, travel trailers, folding/tent/pop-up campers, toy haulers, and park models. part I, fifth wheel campers and travel trailers will be covered. Part II will discuss folding/tent/pop-up campers,park model ,toy haulers for sale.
Fifth wheel campers are the most expensive of the towable campers (with the exception of some park models). They have a gooseneck hitch that is hooked up in the bed of the truck (a special package needs to be installed in the truck bed to accommodate the hitch).
In addition to the spaciousness and many amenities of fifth wheels, they are a popular towable camper because they are easier to tow than a travel trailer. That is because the weight of the fifth wheel is more centered and better distributed than with a travel trailer that is hooked up to the rear of the towing vehicle. That makes a fifth wheel camper more stable and much easier to control in windy conditions or when dealing with the back drafts from semi trucks on the freeway.
Fifth wheel campers usually have awesome kitchen areas. Some common amenities in the kitchen area include full-size pantries; full-size refrigerators, stoves, ovens and microwaves; ample cabinets and countertop space; and even snack bar areas for casual dining.Fifth wheel campers are popular with families and people who do a lot of camping because they’re very comfortable and roomy.
Almost all new fifth wheels made today have slide-out areas to give even more room. When we walk through a fifth wheel camper with slide-outs we will notice how spacious it feels because of the extra interior width they give you. Keep in mind though that every slide-out adds extra weight to the camper, adds to the cost, and adds to the setup time at the campsite.
Travel trailers are the most popular towable camping trailer in the United States. They come in many different weights and lengths. Some are light enough to be pulled by a van or SUV. A heavy duty truck isn’t always needed. Because they are hitched to and pulled by using a rear hitch, a travel trailer doesn’t use up truck bed space like a fifth wheel trailer does.
They are lighter than fifth wheels and aren’t quite as long as fifth wheel trailers. And, depending on the size the trailer, they can be very spacious with lots of great amenities including: nice-size kitchens, a bathroom, living and dining areas, and multiple sleeping areas.
Travel trailers are less expensive than fifth wheel trailers but can have the same amenities as a fifth wheel trailer which is probably the main reason they are the most popular towable used travel trailer for sale. They are also the oldest type of RV. Airstream has been making travel trailers for over 70 years.
When looking at travel trailers keep in mind that, in many cases, a 30 foot trailer is a trailer that is 30 feet when both the trailer itself and the front hitch are measured together. A 30 foot trailer may only have 27 feet of usable living space. Ask questions and look at the printed specifications when doing shopping so we know that. To be absolutely sure of the dimensions, take along a measuring tape and measure the length, width, and height of the travel trailer yourself - especially if the space in your driveway or storage area is limited.
Because of the popularity of SUV’s, many manufacturers now offer lightweight and ultra-light travel trailers. They are attractive to many RV purchasers because the majority of the trailers in these categories can be pulled by SUV’s, minivans, or medium-sized trucks. Keep in mind though that “lightweight” is a relative term. In the travel trailer world, “lightweight” typically means a trailer that weighs less than 4,000 pounds.
