The RV market has a lot to offer, but a travel trailer could be the best choice for a variety of reasons. A travel trailer is defined as a towable recreational vehicle that uses a bumper pull hitch to attach to the tow vehicle. Our team at Freedom RV Fresno has compiled a list of our favorite benefits for you. Whether you’re in the Visalia, Merced, or Modesto, CA, areas, we would love to have you visit our Fresno location!
Available Features
Travel trailers are designed to be a mid-size option for campers and travelers, meaning a range of common vehicles would have adequate towing capacity and they don’t require a special hitch like fifth wheels. Another benefit of travel trailers is that many models offer slide-outs, which extend living spaces like the kitchen or bedroom, giving a larger feel to a small space. If you don’t plan to travel with many people, there are also models without slideouts that can lower maintenance costs down the road, something we will discuss later on in this article.
Other beneficial features include interior and exterior storage, like an outer compartment near the hitch that is accessible on both sides of the trailer, and plenty of built-in cabinetry in most models. Some travel trailer layouts even offer a pantry, island, dinette and underbed storage. Modern travel trailers cater to long-term travelers, short-term camping trips, and even stationary residents to provide space for family, everyday essentials, and necessary supplies to keep your RV in tip-top shape.
Floor Plans
Another feature that could be the deciding factor for choosing a travel trailer is its ability to be customized to your needs. Travel trailers come in different floor plan options that truly cater to each individual owner’s preferences. First off, let’s clarify the front vs. the rear of a travel trailer; the front area is the space nearest to the trailer hitch and the rear is the space nearest to the trailer bumper!
Rear living layouts provide the most room in the kitchen and living room areas, front living or rear bedroom layouts offer more bedroom space, and bunkhouse trailers have an area specifically for bunks to provide more sleeping space. These three floorplans are the most common, but some models also have rear kitchen and rear entertainment layouts. Picture an Airstream® RV; they are a great example of a rear entertainment floor plan!
Price and Maintenance
Probably one of the biggest concerns you have when choosing to purchase an RV is the price point of each type and what will fall within your budget. Well, that’s another benefit of travel trailers! Not only do they have a variety of features to fit your needs, but they are often the most budget-friendly for what you’re buying.
As we’ve discussed, travel trailers offer a mid-size towing option without sacrificing too much storage or living space. This means you will have a lower fuel bill hauling a travel trailer than you would a fifth wheel, enough room to be comfortable, and potentially less maintenance costs than you would have for a motorhome. For example, you won’t have to service an engine!
Speaking of maintenance costs, remember how there are models with and without slide-outs? This feature is one that many may not think of as a potential maintenance cost when choosing a travel trailer, but it can be one of the most important depending on what area you live in and how often you will be pulling in your slide outs to hit the road.
You run a higher risk of leaks with slide outs, so if you plan to buy used, make sure those areas have been properly sealed, and if you plan to buy new, take a look at the warranty options for leaks and breaks in the sealant. It may sound alarming, but proper care easily prevents this issue! The benefits outweigh the risks on this one, especially since travel trailers overall need fewer major routine care than other RV options.
Have these handful of travel trailer benefits been enough to convince you to purchase your own? Freedom RV Fresno offers a great selection of new and used travel trailers with financing options available. We proudly serve Visalia, Merced, and Modesto, CA, at our Fresno location!
