
Leisure autos (RVs) are available in many distinctive kinds. Journey trailers are one of the widespread RV sorts, providing all kinds of flooring plans and layouts. For these newer to the RV world, you may surprise, “What’s a journey trailer?” Let’s reply that and a number of other generally requested questions on this common towable RV.
Key Takeaways
- What’s a Journey Trailer? A journey trailer is a towable RV that connects to a automobile through a hitch, providing quite a lot of flooring plans and affordability, making it a horny choice for first-time RV patrons.
- Key Specs & Towing Concerns Journey trailers vary from roughly 2,000 to eight,000+ lbs in weight, are usually 10-11 toes tall, and require cautious towing capability calculations to make sure protected journey.
- Professionals & Cons of Possession Journey trailers present nice facilities, affordability, and adaptability however require correct towing information, space for storing, and common upkeep.
What Is a Journey Trailer?

A journey trailer is a camper towed by your automobile to camphttps://rvcampwarehouse.com/s for leisure trailer tenting. Journey trailers connect with a tow automobile by securing the trailer’s tongue on a hitch ball mounted to a hitch receiver that’s bolted or welded to the automobile’s body. This connection additionally normally requires using a weight distribution hitch with sway management for protected towing.
Amongst RV sorts, journey trailers are one of the reasonably priced choices. This makes them an interesting alternative for first-time RV campers, as they don’t require as a lot upfront funding for these enthusiastic about exploring RV life.
Journey trailer manufacturers are recognized for numerous flooring plan choices. Bunkhouse layouts are one of the widespread for tenting households, however you’ll additionally discover journey trailers with rear kitchens, entrance kitchens, rear bogs, mid-living areas, and lofts for additional sleeping area and storage.
Uncover common journey trailer layouts:
How Is a Journey Trailer Measured?
Journey trailer lengths are usually measured from the rear wall to the entrance of the body. As a result of this towable RV sort makes use of an A-frame on the forwardmost a part of the development, the precise size is longer than the inside dwelling area. This is the reason you’ll normally see journey trailer mannequin codes with numbers which might be 3-4 toes decrease than the general size. For instance, the Camphttps://rvcampwarehouse.com/ Extremely 26BW measures 30”3” lengthy.
By way of width, most journey trailers are a most of eight toes throughout. The inside width will likely be barely much less, relying on the thickness of the sidewall building. You will see that narrower fashions, however these are usually the smallest journey trailers, with some becoming into the micro camper or teardrop trailer classes.
How A lot Does a Journey Trailer Weigh?

Journey trailer weights fluctuate tremendously. You’ll discover ultralight RVs you could tow with a minivan or mid-size SUV. Some, just like the Coleman 13B, are barely over 2,000 kilos dry. Nevertheless, the common dry weight—that’s the unloaded automobile weight (UVW)—is roughly 4,000 to eight,000 kilos. That mentioned, you’ll additionally discover massive, luxurious journey trailers that require a heavy-duty truck for protected towing.
Examples of those higher-end trailers embrace the biggest fashions with model names like Keystone Cougar, East to West Alta, and Forest River Vibe.
How Tall is a Journey Trailer?
Journey trailer heights don’t fluctuate as a lot as their weights, with most fashions being 10 to 11 toes tall. There are examples of shorter and taller journey trailers, and exterior top ought to at all times be measured from stage floor to the highest of the tallest roof-mounted RV accent.
Inside ceiling heights on journey trailers fluctuate, too. Many measure about 6’6”, although some with vaulted ceilings can attain 7’ or greater. Greater ceilings create a extra open really feel and add headroom for taller RVers—particularly within the bathe. Additionally they improve space for storing and permit for bigger overhead cupboards.
What Measurement Journey Trailer Can I Tow?

The vary of trailers you possibly can safely tow will rely in your automobile’s towing capability. All journey trailer producers present two necessary RV weights you ought to be aware of: unloaded automobile weight (UVW) and cargo carrying capability (CCC). These weights could be mixed to find out a given trailer’s gross automobile weight ranking (GVWR).
When loaded, a trailer’s gross trailer weight (GTW), which is its UVW plus the load of all liquids and cargo, ought to by no means exceed its rated GVWR.
And that GTW also needs to be effectively beneath your tow automobile’s most towing capability, as specified by the automobile’s producer.
Many skilled campers use a 75 to 80% threshold to reduce stress on their tow automobile, which means they purpose to maintain their trailer’s GTW beneath 75 to 80% of their tow automobile’s most towing capability.
Discover these further towing sources:
Can You Experience in a Journey Trailer?
Authorized necessities fluctuate from state to state, however towable campers will not be manufactured with the identical security requirements as passenger autos. For instance, most don’t embrace seat belts, airbags, or security glass that may defend passengers within the occasion of a crash. Study extra concerning the risks of driving in a towable RV.
Ought to I Purchase This Sort of RV?

Like every tenting tools, proudly owning this kind of RV has professionals and cons. Before you purchase a common journey trailer, take into account the next:
Advantages
- Versatile area: Sure flooring plans can provide good dwelling area, making them a wonderful alternative for households or buddy teams who wish to journey collectively.
- Nice facilities: One of the best RV trailers usually have options like full-size beds, air conditioners, propane furnaces, kitchens with sinks, stovetops, microwaves, fridges, and slide-outs that may increase the dwelling space.
- Flexibility for touring: In contrast to motorhomes, you possibly can unhitch when you attain your vacation spot. This allows you to discover the encircling space with out taking the entire camp alongside for the experience.
- Affordability: In comparison with motorhomes, trailers are typically extra reasonably priced in buy value and upkeep prices.
Disadvantages
- Towing challenges: You’ll want the best tow automobile with sufficient energy to drag the load. Inexperienced drivers could discover maneuvering on the street or backing up into tight areas difficult.
- Cupboard space: Bigger fashions require a number of area. Generally, HOA or municipal laws prohibit storing them in your property. Which means discovering and paying for a everlasting storage location.
- Upkeep prices: These prices can add up rapidly, like all automobile or house on wheels.
When Is The Finest Time to Purchase?
Autumn and winter could be nice seasons to buy a brand new or used RV trailer. Throughout these seasons, many dealerships are making room for the approaching yr’s revolutionary new fashions, so it’s an excellent time to buy what didn’t promote from the earlier mannequin yr. Nevertheless, buying an RV through the cooler months requires extra preparation.
Relying in your area, you might want to instantly winterize your RV upon buying it. You might also require further equipment like an RV cowl and dehumidifiers for sensible RV storage—equipment you wouldn’t essentially want straight away if buying an RV simply earlier than prime tenting season.
These towable RVs can open a world of recent tenting potentialities. Listed below are just a few extra sources that will help you be taught extra about these campers:
Do you’ve some other questions on towable RV trailers? Tell us within the feedback beneath.