Best RV: Motorhome or Travel Trailer?

What Type of Recreational Vehicle (RV) is Best?

Recreational Vehicles (RVs) are mobile living spaces that include beds, a bathroom, a kitchen, and other amenities of home. These vehicles can be used for camping or even for long-term residences. They can also be used as handy guest accommodations when you need extra bedrooms at your house. If you're traveling to visit friends or family, you can bring your own bedroom if you want.

The two main types of recreational vehicles are motorhomes and travel trailers. Motorhomes include a built-in vehicle with an engine, while travel trailers are towed by a pick-up truck. The pros and cons of both types of recreational vehicles are presented.

Motorhomes

The most common motorhome types are Class C and Class A. Class C motorhomes are based on a van style body, while Class A motorhomes are based on a bus style body. Class A motorhomes look like a tour bus from the outside. One nice feature of Class C motorhomes is the over cab bed- the space above the driving compartment converts to a large bed with a nice view.

Class C Motorhome- 1986 Winnebago Minnie Winnie
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Driver and passenger seat, with bed over the top

Cab of a Class C Motorhome with bed over cab
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Both types of motorhomes may have slideouts to increase living space. A slideout is a part of the motorhome that expands- or slides out- when the motorhome is parked to provide more living space. Slideouts make a big difference in increasing the amount of room available which is especially useful if you are traveling with a large group.

Pros of Motorhomes vs Travel Trailers

You do not need to own a pickup truck which can cost $20K or more
You do not need to hitch/unhitch your recreational vehicle
Motorhomes are easier to drive and park than towing a travel trailer

Cons of Motorhomes vs Travel Trailers

After you reach your camping destination, you still need to drive the large vehicle (can't unhitch the house part)
Maintenance- you'll need to maintain both a vehicle and a house
Motorhomes generally cost more to purchase than a travel trailer of similar age and size

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are recreational vehicles that are designed to be towed with a pickup truck. The two main types are conventional and fifth-wheel. Conventional trailers hitch to a pickup truck below the bumper of the truck, while fifth-wheel trailers hitch to the truck bed using an adapter. Fifth-wheel trailers have a smaller turning radius than conventional trailers. However you need to install a fifth-wheel adapter in your truck bed, and you'll need to remove the hitch adapter if you want to use your truck bed for other jobs. Conventional trailers often use "sway bars" to help stabilize the trailer and keep it in line behind the tow vehicle.

Like motorhomes, travel trailers have slideouts available to increase floor space when the trailer is parked.

Travel Trailer Hitch on 26 foot Zeppelin by Keystone
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Slideout on travel trailer- Zeppelin by Keystone
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Ball hitch for conventional travel on pickup truck
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Conventional trailer has tongue that hitches to ball hitch on a pickup truck
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

5th wheel hitch on 5th wheel travel trailer hitches to mechanism installed in bed of pickup truck
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

the bed of a pickup with a 5th wheel hitch receiver and trailer hitched up

5th wheel trailer hitch receiver installs into the bed of a pickup truck
Image Source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Pros of Travel Trailers vs Motorhomes

You can unhitch your travel trailer when you arrive at your camping destination and drive your truck
Low maintenance- just torque the wheel nuts, grease, and winterize
Travel Trailer purchase price is usually less than a motorhome for similar age and size

Cons of Travel Trailers vs Motorhomes

You need to own a pickup truck to tow the trailer which can cost $20K or more
You will need to hitch/unhitch your recreational vehicle
Backing up a travel trailer is more difficult than backing up a motorhome

Truck Campers

Another option to consider is a truck camper. This is a camper that slides into the bed of a pickup truck. The amount of space inside a truck camper is limited since the camper is only about 14 feet long. However this may be a convenient option for 1 or 2 people to use when traveling. Truck campers can have bathrooms, showers, and kitchen facilities similar to travel trailers and motorhomes, but packed into a much smaller space.

With a truck camper, you get the advantages of a travel trailer over a motorhome. You have a pickup truck to drive rather than driving a motorhome when you reach your destination. Also, you do not need to deal with towing at all- the truck camper does not change the handling of the truck, and backing up with a truck camper is easy- backing up with a travel trailer takes some practice. Some truck campers, like the shown below, have a bed over the cab of the pickup truck similar to a Class C motorhome.

Pickup truck with truck camper, side view
Image source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Pickup truck with truck camper, view from back
Image source: Dr. Penny Pincher

Small RVs

Class B motorhomes are van campers that are typically the size of a full-size van in length and may have a higher roof. Class B's are similar in size to a truck camper. The smaller size of a van camper means that it is easier to drive and park at your destination.

Pop-up campers are towed behind a vehicle in a compact form, and then are assembled into full size at the campsite. Assembly involves folding out tent sections from the main part of the camper. Pop-up campers are lightweight and may be towed by a car or truck.

How to Decide?

If you already have a pickup truck, a travel trailer may be a better option than a motorhome
If you don't already have a pickup truck, a motorhome would require only a single purchase vs. purchasing both a travel trailer and a pickup truck
Get a book on motorhome and travel trailer repair and maintenance- this will let you know what to expect for each of these options so you can make the best choice
Consider smaller RV options such as truck campers, Class B motorhomes, and pop-up campers. If you don't need a lot of space, these may be less expensive and easier to drive.
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