Unlock Your Biggest Adventures with a Travel Trailer RV
If you’re looking for a fantastic way to bond with your family, enjoy affordable vacations, and go on unforgettable adventures, RV travel might be just the key for your travel lock. As the driver, you can plan your trip according to your preferences, choosing where to go, when to leave, and how long to stay. The feeling of cruising down the open road with a travel trailer RV in tow is unbeatable.
But with so many options out there, finding the right one can be tough. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you choose the trailer that suits your needs and lifestyle. We’ll also share tips on towing safely and making the most of your storage space. And if you’re looking for some travel inspiration, we’ve even got some ideas to stoke your wanderlust.
For even more tips and inspo, visit Go RVing and start dreaming about the RV trip of a lifetime!
When it comes to travel trailers, there are quite a few fun options. From compact models that a small SUV can pull to larger units that require a tow vehicle with more power, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re not keen on towing, there are even truck campers that fit right onto the bed of a pickup. To find the right model for you, it’s important to first learn about the different types available.
Classic Travel Trailers. A classic travel trailer is a towable camper with solid walls. Specifics vary from model to model; these trailers come in various sizes and offer different amenities. A classic travel trailer generally has a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen/dining area. It’ll also probably weigh enough that not just any vehicle can tow it.
Teardrop Trailers. Teardrop trailers are small, lighter versions of a classic travel trailer and are a popular choice thanks to their stylish design, typically featuring a curved back section that tapers into a point. They usually come equipped with a basic kitchen and sleeping area; some models also include a bathroom. The best part is these travel trailers can often be pulled by a family car or small SUV with a hitch.
Pop-Up Campers. If you’re on a tight budget and want a lighter RV that can be towed by many family vehicles, including some sedans, then a pop-up camper might be the best option for you. They’re easy to fold down to a compact size for storage and travel, and their non-rigid walls offer a unique experience that lets you feel closer to nature.
Truck Campers. Truck campers are designed to be loaded onto or attached to a pickup truck’s bed or chassis, making them portable and convenient. Plus, using a truck camper means the bumper stays free so you can tow other things like boats and ATVs while the camper is installed. It’s a great way to have everything you need for your next adventure all in one place.
Classic Travel Trailer: Coachmen Clipper. If you’re in the market for a lightweight travel trailer, the Coachmen Clipper has got you covered with plenty of options. There are 11 floorplan choices, and five of them weigh under 3,000 pounds UVW (“unloaded vehicle weight,” so not counting fresh water or cargo). The Clipper is ideal for first-time buyers, and each model series comes with its own unique features, like bed configurations, bathroom amenities, and dinette layouts. For instance, the 4K Series has six single-axle floorplans weighing under 4,000 UVW with upgraded amenities, open-space floorplan concepts, and a front-end dinette and “wall-bed” configuration. This “wall-bed”/dinette feature creates more space than traditional murphy beds, so you can have a family room, dining room, and bedroom all in one space.
Teardrop Trailer: TAG by nüCamp. Looking for a lightweight and easy-to-tow camper to enhance your camping experience? Check out the TAG Teardrop Camper by nüCamp. Great for couples, solo travelers, and first-time RVers, this is nüCamp’s smallest teardrop camper, weighing under 1,500 pounds even with all the amenities. Its compact size makes it easy to maneuver and position by hand. You’ll have all the comforts of home while surrounded by nature, including a well-equipped rear galley and a cozy interior with a large stargazing window. For extra space, consider the TAG XL with a 12-inch expanded interior. They also offer a Boondock package, which features off-road tires, a pitched axle, and more ground clearance, making it suitable for rugged terrain. With a solar roof package, you can even camp off the grid.
Pop-Up Camper: GO by SylvanSport. The GO Camper is a lightweight and comfortable camper that serves as both a gear hauler and a utility trailer. The camper’s award-winning design stores the pop-up tent structure compactly on the top of the trailer, creating versatile cargo areas both beneath and above that are perfect for storing all your equipment and toys. The sleeping area can accommodate up to four adults, has standing room for individuals up to 6’5″, a fold-down dining table, and various interior configurations that are customizable to suit your needs. Additionally, it features a low-profile, aerodynamic design, a rack system for hauling bikes and kayaks, and a cargo area for bins, coolers, and other items.
Truck Camper: Lance 850 Truck Camper. The Lance 850 Truck Camper is a great option for your long- or short-bed F-250/2500 or larger truck. It comes with a one-piece fiberglass wet bath and ample storage in the cab-over area. Plus, it has ducted heat, a durable and aerodynamic front nose cap, and a heavy-duty ladder and roof rack. One of the best things about the Lance truck camper is that it drives like your truck and tows like your truck, which means you can bring along your boat, horse trailer, or enclosed trailer for your adventure. Keep in mind that not every camper is compatible with every truck. It all depends on your truck’s specific configuration, capacities for carrying and/or towing, optional equipment added to the camper, what you tow, and the weight of passengers and other items you carry in your truck and camper.
Hitch the right way. Make sure your hitch is the correct size — the hitch ball should be the same size as the trailer’s coupler. You should also use trailer safety chains. These allow you to secure the hitch so that if it for some reason comes undone while you’re driving, you can make it to the side of the road without losing your trailer. Finally, check to ensure that your hitch is secure by lowering the trailer jack; if the hitch ball moves, your hitch is not secure.
Follow towing safety precautions. Before you hit the road with your trailer, make sure to give your tires a quick check and have at least one spare on hand, just in case. It’s also important to double check all of your trailer lights to ensure they’re working properly. Keep in mind you should never exceed your tow vehicle’s limits, and be sure to give yourself plenty of space on the road, especially when making turns.
Invest in the proper gear. Investing in some extra (necessary) gear can mean the difference between a safe trip and a not-so-safe one. For example, you’ll want to get tow mirrors to help see the trailer’s blind spots while driving and backing up. Wheel chocks (wedges of sturdy material) also come in handy — place these in front of and behind your trailer’s tires so that it doesn’t roll away when you unhitch.
Practice driving. Definitely go on a test drive with your trailer before taking off on your first road trip. Practice accelerating, backing up, making wide turns at curves and corners, braking, and parking. Like any new skills, these take some getting used to, but they’re also not difficult to master.
Pack smart. Stocking your trailer with the essentials (and only the essentials) is crucial. Make a checklist — consider what you’ll be doing every day to ensure you pack everything you need. Also, be sure to arrange your items as evenly as possible throughout the trailer to avoid overloading and decrease the risk of trailer sway.
Maximize your storage. When you’re working with a small space, it’s all about maximizing every inch of your storage. Some good ways to do this include hanging a bedside caddy (in place of a normal nightstand), using a multi-piece set of nesting pots and pans in the kitchen, and getting a trash can that hooks inside your cabinet doors.
Plan out your meals. Take the time to put together a meal plan so you’re only buying and storing the food you need. Keep it simple with easy-to-make meals that don’t require a lot of counter space. And, if you can prep ingredients before your trip (chop veggies, make sauces and marinades, peel and slice onions and garlic) — you’ll thank yourself later.
Make reservations (and check your route) before you go. Do some research before you head out, especially if you’ll be on the road during peak travel periods. It’s crucial to reserve campgrounds in advance, and your trip will be less stressful if you make a general plan for where to stop along the way vs. just winging it.
A classic cross-country road trip. What could be more exciting than heading out on the Great American Road Trip, enhanced with the perfect travel trailer RV? RV camping allows you to cover a lot of distance while coming face-to-face with the country’s iconic attractions and natural treasures. Plan a route that checks off as many states as possible, go old school with a trip on Route 66, or traverse the northern states from Maine to Washington via US Highway 2 — there are as many stellar options for a cross-country road trip as there are people who plan them.
An off-grid adventure. Boondocking (the practice of RV camping off-grid) lets you park almost anywhere without giving up the comforts of home. It’s also usually free, you don’t have to make reservations, and you’ll likely enjoy far more peace and quiet than you would at an RV park or campground. Take your trailer far away from civilization to the wide-open spaces of South Dakota, California, Montana, or Utah — to name a few popular boondocking destinations — and camp under the stars. Just make sure to plan ahead and familiarize yourself with the local dispersed camping regulations.
A cycling trip. Combine the joy and ease of riding a bike with the joy and ease of trailer camping. With a travel trailer, you can take your bike (and any other sports gear) with you anywhere. Some of the best bike trails in the US include Highway 1 along California’s magnificent coastline, the Rio Grande Trail in Colorado, and the Shark Valley Tram Road in Everglades National Park. Or try some urban cycling — seeing a new city by bicycle is an enlightening way to get to know a place.
A tour of the national parks. Navigating the national parks system by travel trailer is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not only will you get a front-row view of the country’s wonderfully diverse landscapes, but you’ll have more freedom in terms of where you go and what you do each day. Tack on extra time in parks you love, and explore all kinds of unexpected places you may not see otherwise. That’s just one of the many joys of RV travel. 