Choosing the Right RV

Blog Posts

What Type of Camping or Travel Am I Doing?

Know what you want to do before you do it. Do you want to class up your favorite campground or lake with all the comforts of home? Are you preparing to be a full-time RV’er and start crisscrossing the nation, stopping between friends and family along the way? Who are you going to be travelling with and what sort of ”essentials” will you need? It’s best to have these questions answered before you arrive on the lot.

What Type of RV Should I Get?

Once you know how you’re going to be travelling, then you can choose the best RV for your needs:

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are lightweight and sturdy, easily towed by standard sized pickup trucks, even some SUVs and minivans can handle the load too. You’ve got a wide range of sizes from teardrop units all the way up to a triple axle, 33-foot monster. Most newer models also have designer-grade interiors, slide outs for expandable living spaces, bunk models, built-in generators, even satellite TV hookups! The nice thing about most travel trailers is they sleep about six people, and you can leave your trailer parked at your campsite and take your tow vehicle out to explore your surrouendings!

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

Fifth wheel trailers take their name for the large hitch that attaches the front of the trailer to a special mount in the bed of your pick-up truck. This setup actually makes the fifth wheel more stable to tow than a lighter weight travel trailer, since a most of the fifth wheel is above the truck’s rear axle instead of hanging from a tail hitch. Fifth wheels typically range from 18 to 40 feet, but because they’re a little larger you need to make sure you’ve got a tow vehicle capable of the extra weight. You won’t make it up the mountain with a lightweight pickup if you’re towing a fifth wheel. These are excellent for long distances and are fairly easy to back into most campsites, easier even than a conventional travel trailer.

Pop-Up Trailer

The pop-up camper, or folding trailer, is smaller in size (though some of the roomier ones can sleep up to six people) and the lightest weight of any RV on this list. It’s also the most economical to own. The smallest models can be easily towed by a lightweight SUV or even a minivan, and remain extremely easy to park. To be clear, the pop-up trailer doesn’t actually ”pop,” a hard top rises on telescoping legs and then bed trays and canvas sides fold out from there. Some of the larger models include a few kitchen amenities, some even come with a small toilet and shower. These are a terrific introduction to RVing without having to invest a lot of money, and are perfect for quick trips and weekend getaways.

Toy Haulers

A toy hauler can have either a travel trailer or fifth wheel configuration, that really depends on what you’ll be using for a tow vehicle. What sets them apart is the back end ramp that lowers to the ground, allowing you to haul your motorcycles, atvs, utvs, and more, wherever you need in order to get your gear to the trails and back. This garage space, once emptied of your ”toys” can then be used as extra sleeping space! Now, something to keep in mind. While the toy hauler might be a little more lightweight, especially if you go with a travel trailer configuration, once the toys are loaded on, this will dramatically increase the weight. Make sure your tow vehicle can handle the added strain.

Truck Campers

Our last option is the ultimate in RV mobility. If your truck can go there, your truck camper can definitely get there too. This camper actually slides into the bed of a standard pickup truck and offers many of the comforts of home, sleeping area, kitchenette, even a shower and a toilet, and all for a fraction of the price of a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or other camper. You can even offload these campers once you’ve reached your destination and go off-roading with your truck.

What Else to Consider

Well, a few other things. Generally, the larger the RV the more that can go wrong, meaning the more that will need to be serviced or repaired. Lone Star RV has a fantastic service department and will keep your RV running smoothly for years to come. As mentioned above, make sure your tow vehicle can handle the weight of your travel trailer, fifth wheel, toy hauler, or camper. You’ll also need a tail hitch, and remember your gas mileage will drop some when you’re towing. And then there’s parking, many homeowners associations don’t allow RVs to be parked unless specific provisions have been made to store them, so you may be paying for off-site parking. Then you’ll want to consider meals. Are you going to be cooking with your RV amenities or over a campfire? If you’ll be using your RV then you’ll need utensils, pots, pans, etc.

Remember, travel trailers are lightweight and easy to tow, fifth wheels are a little sturdier and given their extra size will have more space, toy haulers let you take more gear into the woods, and pop-up trailers and truck campers are extremely mobile and cost-effective. However you choose to spend your money, Lone Star RV is sure to have the perfect travel trailer, fifth wheel, pop-up camper, toy hauler, or truck camper for every person and every trip. Visit our dealership today in Houston, Texas, serving Conroe, Beaumont, League City, Galveston, and Katy, and browse through our available selection of RVs!