Recreational vehicles (RVs) come in many unique forms. Travel trailers are one of the most common RV types, offering a wide variety of floor plans and layouts. For those newer to the RV world, you might wonder, “What is a travel trailer?” Let’s answer that and several commonly asked questions about this popular towable RV.
Key Takeaways
- What is a Travel Trailer? A travel trailer is a towable RV that connects to a vehicle via a hitch, offering a variety of floor plans and affordability, making it an attractive option for first-time RV buyers.
- Key Specifications & Towing Considerations Travel trailers range from roughly 2,000 to 8,000+ lbs in weight, are typically 10-11 feet tall, and require careful towing capacity calculations to ensure safe travel.
- Pros & Cons of Ownership Travel trailers provide great amenities, affordability, and flexibility but require proper towing knowledge, storage space, and regular maintenance.
What Is a Travel Trailer?
A travel trailer is a camper towed by your vehicle to campsites for recreational trailer camping. Travel trailers connect to a tow vehicle by securing the trailer’s tongue on a hitch ball mounted to a hitch receiver that’s bolted or welded to the vehicle’s frame. This connection also usually requires the use of a weight distribution hitch with sway control for safe towing.
Among RV types, travel trailers are one of the most affordable options. This makes them an appealing choice for first-time RV campers, as they don’t require as much upfront investment for those interested in exploring RV life.
Travel trailer brands are known for diverse floor plan selections. Bunkhouse layouts are one of the most common for camping families, but you’ll also find travel trailers with rear kitchens, front kitchens, rear bathrooms, mid-living spaces, and lofts for extra sleeping space and storage.
Discover popular travel trailer layouts:
How Is a Travel Trailer Measured?
Travel trailer lengths are typically measured from the rear wall to the front of the frame. Because this towable RV type uses an A-frame at the forwardmost part of the construction, the actual length is longer than the interior living space. This is why you’ll usually see travel trailer model codes with numbers that are 3-4 feet lower than the overall length. For example, the Campsite Ultra 26BW measures 30”3” long.
In terms of width, most travel trailers are a maximum of eight feet across. The interior width will be slightly less, depending on the thickness of the sidewall construction. You will find narrower models, but these are generally the smallest travel trailers, with some fitting into the micro camper or teardrop trailer categories.
How Much Does a Travel Trailer Weigh?
Travel trailer weights vary greatly. You’ll find ultralight RVs that you can tow with a minivan or mid-size SUV. Some, like the Coleman 13B, are barely over 2,000 pounds dry. However, the average dry weight—that’s the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW)—is roughly 4,000 to 8,000 pounds. That said, you’ll also find large, luxurious travel trailers that require a heavy-duty truck for safe towing.
Examples of these higher-end trailers include the largest models with brand names like Keystone Cougar, East to West Alta, and Forest River Vibe.
How Tall is a Travel Trailer?
Travel trailer heights don’t vary as much as their weights, with most models being 10 to 11 feet tall. There are examples of shorter and taller travel trailers, and exterior height should always be measured from level ground to the top of the tallest roof-mounted RV accessory.
Interior ceiling heights on travel trailers vary, too. Many measure about 6’6”, though some with vaulted ceilings can reach 7’ or higher. Higher ceilings create a more open feel and add headroom for taller RVers—especially in the shower. They also enhance storage space and allow for larger overhead cabinets.
What Size Travel Trailer Can I Tow?
The range of trailers you can safely tow will depend on your vehicle’s towing capacity. All travel trailer manufacturers provide two important RV weights you should be familiar with: unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) and cargo carrying capacity (CCC). Those weights can be combined to determine a given trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
When loaded, a trailer’s gross trailer weight (GTW), which is its UVW plus the weight of all liquids and cargo, should never exceed its rated GVWR.
And that GTW should also be well below your tow vehicle’s maximum towing capacity, as specified by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
Many experienced campers use a 75 to 80% threshold to minimize stress on their tow vehicle, meaning they aim to keep their trailer’s GTW under 75 to 80% of their tow vehicle’s maximum towing capacity.
Explore these additional towing resources:
- RV Weight Ratings Explained
- Which States Require a Trailer Braking System?
- Do You Really Need a Weight Distribution Hitch?
Can You Ride in a Travel Trailer?
Legal requirements vary from state to state, but towable campers are not manufactured with the same safety standards as passenger vehicles. For example, most do not include seat belts, airbags, or safety glass that will protect passengers in the event of a crash. Learn more about the dangers of riding in a towable RV.
Should I Buy This Type of RV?
Like any camping equipment, owning this type of RV has pros and cons. Before you buy a popular travel trailer, consider the following:
Benefits
- Versatile space: Certain floor plans can offer nice living space, making them an excellent choice for families or friend groups who want to travel together.
- Great amenities: The best RV trailers typically have features like full-size beds, air conditioners, propane furnaces, kitchens with sinks, stovetops, microwaves, refrigerators, and slide-outs that can expand the living area.
- Flexibility for traveling: Unlike motorhomes, you can unhitch once you reach your destination. This lets you explore the surrounding area without taking the whole camp along for the ride.
- Affordability: Compared to motorhomes, trailers tend to be more affordable in purchase price and maintenance costs.
Disadvantages
- Towing challenges: You’ll need the right tow vehicle with enough power to pull the weight. Inexperienced drivers may find maneuvering on the road or backing up into tight spaces challenging.
- Storage space: Larger models require a lot of space. In most cases, HOA or municipal regulations prohibit storing them on your property. That means finding and paying for a permanent storage location.
- Maintenance costs: These costs can add up quickly, like any vehicle or home on wheels.
When Is The Best Time to Buy?
Autumn and winter can be great seasons to purchase a new or used RV trailer. During these seasons, many dealerships are making room for the coming year’s innovative new models, so it’s a good time to shop what didn’t sell from the previous model year. However, purchasing an RV during the cooler months requires more preparation.
Depending on your region, you may need to immediately winterize your RV upon purchasing it. You may also require additional accessories like an RV cover and dehumidifiers for smart RV storage—accessories you wouldn’t necessarily need right away if purchasing an RV just before prime camping season.
These towable RVs can open a world of new camping possibilities. Here are a few more resources to help you learn more about these campers:
- Best Travel Trailers Under $20000
- Light Camper Trailers for Minivan Towing
- What Is the Smallest Travel Trailer with a Bathroom?
Do you have any other questions about towable RV trailers? Let us know in the comments below.
