What It’s Really Like Owning A Travel Trailer
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So, you're considering entering the world of travel trailers? Congratulations! There's a whole new world of freedom, adventure, and unforgettable experiences waiting for you. Despite being the most prevalent type of recreational vehicle (RV) on the road, travel trailers can seem quite daunting for first-timers. This post aims to provide you with essential information, from understanding towing capacities to maintenance and safety considerations, making your journey into travel trailer ownership as smooth as possible.
Travel Trailers: An Overview
Travel trailers are the ideal RV. They offer an affordable ticket to explore the country, with a model to satisfy even the pickiest traveler. Whether you're a solo adventurer or a family eager for a memorable summer vacation, there's a travel trailer out there that will suit your needs.
As first-time buyers, my husband Henry and I were initially overwhelmed by the sheer variety and complexity of choices. Yet, like many before us, we were drawn by the travel trailer's promise of mobility and flexibility, which could turn any journey into an exciting adventure. We're here to help alleviate your anxieties and prepare you for the road ahead, one mile at a time.
Towing and Payload Capacities: Know Your Limits
The initial excitement of travel trailer shopping can quickly turn into confusion when the topic of towing and payload capacities come up. Ignoring this can lead to costly mistakes. We were inches away from purchasing a trailer far too heavy and large for our F-150. The dealer assured us that we had "plenty of truck", but my gut told me otherwise. It turns out, my sleepless night of research saved us from a major blunder.
To avoid such mishaps, familiarize yourself with your vehicle's towing capacity. Your vehicle's owner manual and the door jamb sticker are excellent resources for this. Don't just focus on towing capacity; payload capacity (the maximum weight your vehicle can carry) is equally important. Overloading can strain your vehicle and compromise your safety.
Periodically, visit a CAT scale to weigh your tow vehicle and trailer. Ensuring you're within your vehicle's safe limits is essential. Remember, the weight of passengers, cargo, and even your camping gear all count towards the payload.
Hitching: Safety First
Connecting your vehicle to your travel trailer involves more than simply hooking them together. You need to understand hitch classes and weight distribution systems. If your trailer's weight exceeds half of your vehicle's weight, a weight distribution hitch becomes necessary. This will provide a stable, sway-free ride. Your hitch will come with a sticker indicating the max gross trailer weight and max tongue weight.
We recommend a professional to install and adjust your hitch components for maximum safety. We have used the E2 distribution system and the E4. The latter has been a great choice for us as it is easier to maneuver and it doesn’t make a ton of noise. If you have a trailer already that is super loud, check out this hack to quiet down your sway distribution bars.
Choosing Your Travel Trailer: Space and Purpose
Consider your traveling party and purpose when deciding on your travel trailer's size and features. For us, accommodating our teenagers and small dog meant we needed a trailer with enough room to move around as well as bunk beds. Yet, we needed to stay under 30 feet and between 6000-7000 lbs to comply with our truck specifications. You must consider where you will be camping. For example, do you plan to visit state parks? If so, several parks may have size restrictions so you’ll want to do a bit more investigative work to determine how big your trailer should be.
Another thing to consider when determining which travel trailer is right for you, is your dry camping or “boondocking” capabilities. Harvest Hosts is a program that provides unique camping experiences by connecting RVers with small businesses throughout the US and abroad.
Most of the Harvest Hosts locations do not have full hookups. Full hookups means that you have direct access to water, electricity and sewer. We love dry camping through Harvest Host because we get to experience remote camping on farms, breweries, wineries and more. However, sometimes we are restricted as to where we can visit due to the size of our travel trailer. This hasn’t been a deal breaker but we do miss out on some experiences based on our unit. I guess size actually matters.
Having a glass of wine at Hampton Roads Winery in Surry County, Va.
We recommend renting a travel trailer prior to purchasing a unit. Get out and experience what it's like to camp in a travel trailer. If you have the ability to try more than one design or layout, you will know exactly what to expect when it’s time to purchase your trailer. If you are interested in saving on a Harvest Hosts membership click here or if you’d like to save $50 on your first RV rental through Outdoorsy, click here.
Accessorizing Your Trailer: The Fun Part
Accessorizing your trailer is an exciting phase! Travel trailers need a variety of accessories for a smooth and enjoyable journey. From comfortable furnishings to practical kitchen equipment, and even leisure items like board games or an outdoor grill, personalizing your travel trailer can greatly enhance your camping experience. One piece of advice is to start out with the essentials. Don’t go overboard buying a bunch of gadgets that you may never use. Once you have taken a few trips, you will quickly figure out what works for you. Check out this post if you are ready to stock your new RV with all of the essentials. You can also visit our Amazon RV store to get started!
Safety: An Essential Ingredient
There is a series of checks that we perform before every single camping trip. This includes checking the tire pressure, locking and securing storage bays/cabinets, and testing our brake lights just to name a few. Towing a travel trailer demands concentration and patience. Despite my own nervousness about towing, Henry handles our 35-foot Coachmen travel trailer with ease. Awareness of the behavior of other road users, particularly those prone to cutting you off, is crucial.
Beyond towing, other safety aspects include fire safety and maintaining a functioning carbon monoxide detector. I remember on our 2nd camping trip, the four of us were in our 24 foot Lance 2185. Someone let one rip, but I won’t name any names lol. In an effort to mask the malodorous scent, one of the kids sprayed lysol which triggered the carbon monoxide alarm to go off. We initially had no clue what was even happening.Although this turned out to be a false alarm, it highlighted the importance of knowing where and how to use the alarms in your travel trailer.
Fire safety is critical - a fire can engulf a travel trailer in under 90 seconds, so ensure all family members know where to find the emergency exits and where fire extinguishers are located. We love these small fire extinguishers that you can strategically place throughout your travel trailer. We also recommend keeping a first aid kit accessible in your trailer.
Travel Trailer Maintenance
Maintaining your travel trailer is key to prolonging its life and ensuring safe travels. Routine checks should be done before and after each trip. Regular maintenance tasks include checking tires, batteries, brakes, tanks, seals, and roofs. If you encounter harsh winters you will have to learn to winterize your trailer to prevent your pipes from freezing. It may seem overwhelming, but with a checklist or guide, it becomes second nature. Check the owners manual for your travel trailer to stay up to speed on monthly and or annual maintenance requirements.
Is a Travel Trailer Right For You?
The freedom, the community, the immersion in nature – there's nothing quite like life on the road with a travel trailer. As with any new experience, there will be a learning curve, but don't let that deter you. The world of travel trailers is inviting and rich with potential adventures. Embrace the unknown, arm yourself with knowledge, and prepare for an unforgettable journey. After all, there are over 10 million RVers on the road - will you be the next?
We hope this article has been helpful. Leave us a comment or question below!
