Trailer VS Motorhome: Things to Consider Before Your Purchase

Categories: Tips & Tricks

Posted: November 01, 2019

If you are new to the world of Trailers and Motorhomes, then the market for getting one can be difficult to navigate. Most people consider those names interchangeable but that is not the case.

To start off, there are two distinctive types of campers “Trailers” and “Motorhomes”. An evaluation guide will help you choose between them easily. Here is a comparison between the two which will assist you farther.

trailer-and-motorhome-things-to-consider-before-your-purchase — If you are new to the world of Trailers and Motorhomes, then the market for getting one can be difficult to navigate

The Pros of Owning a Trailer

1. Price

Trailers are typically intended for small sized families, couples and solo travelers. In comparison to a fully loaded RV; a trailer is drastically less expensive. If you are looking for a fifth wheel or a hybrid trailer, then the cost can be low as $15,000 and as high as $150,000. The cost can vary depending on the amenities each trailer has to offer along with the appliances and materials you desire.

Motorhomes start from $150,000 and go all the way up to $30,000. The costs of a trailer combined with a towing vehicle can be equal to a motorized home. If you are on a budget then purchasing a trailer will be right for you.

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-price — Trailers are typically intended for small sized families, couples and solo travelers

2. Maintenance

A Travel Trailer requires less maintenance when compared to a Motorhome. Less can be broken when transporting a trailer but with a motorhome the damage can be costly as they have engines, transmissions and pumps.

Imagine if your Motorhome needs a repair, the entire RV will have to go inside a shop and will leave you stranded with no place to rest. A trailer could be easily detached for maintenance and you could sit in your vehicle and take a rest.

You could see 10 steps to change a spare tire and important notes to know

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-maintenance — A Travel Trailer requires less maintenance when compared to a Motorhome

3. Convenience

Travel trailers can be easily detached and parked so you are able to roam around with your automobile. The need to carry a massive weight behind your vehicle is removed and you can drive anywhere with ease. A motorhome does not offer the convenience of a ‘drive and drop’ system thus you would need to drive around a massive rig wherever you go.

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-convenience — Travel trailers can be easily detached and parked so you are able to roam around with your automobile

4. Fuel Efficiency

As trailers are comparatively lighter and require a small vehicle to be moved around, they are quite fuel efficient. Travel trailers do not come with a separate engine or a massive transmission and therefore provide less fuel consumption. Motorhomes are not fuel efficient and they run on diesel which can be very costly. Trailers; with their separate engine, transmission and electronics are difficult to budget.

See also Gas Consumption by Motorhome

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-fuel-efficiency — As trailers are comparatively lighter and require a small vehicle to be moved around, they are quite fuel efficient

5. Insurance Cost

Technically, a trailer doesn’t have to be insured. There is no need for it unless you are deciding on financing it. The finance company will insure it for full amount of loan. It’s better to get it financed, as it will protect you if it gets destroyed.

Motorhomes home on the other hand, must always be insured as they are vehicles and according to government regulations, all vehicles must be insured.

A trailer requires an insured vehicle to be towed and a Motorhome requires complete insurance. Thus, it’s very important to take into account these considerations.

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-insurance-cost — Technically, a trailer doesn’t have to be insured

6. Depreciation

Motorhomes often depreciate before travel trailers, this is mainly because they possess odometers that go down with each mile that passes. Technology plays a major role in the depreciation of an RV. Driving just a five-year-old motorhome can be very different than a new one as manufacturers are working on adding more advanced features every year.

A Trailer does not have a motor and will not require regular maintenance in that regard.

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-depreciation — Motorhomes often depreciate before travel trailers, this is mainly because they possess odometers that goes down with each mile that passes.

7. Campground Fees

Another crucial factor which many RV owners do not realize are the fees that come with camping. With the increasing number motorhomes and RVs, some federal, county and state agencies offer free camping sites. Privately run camp grounds charge you a hefty fees and they do this because of the various amenities they have to offer.

Campgrounds offering services such as hot tubs, swimming pools, restrooms and laundry areas will charge a payment starting at 50$. The greater the size the larger the space the RV will occupy and this will add to your costs accordingly. As trailers take up less space, they will be a more economic choice.

You could see Are RV Parks Expensive?

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-camground-fees — Another crucial factor which many RV owners do not realize are the fees that come with camping

8. Travel Frequency

Depending on where you are planning on travelling or for how long, you can choose your RV accordingly. Trailers are great for short road trips, they also don’t require a lot of preparations and you can just hook it up to your truck and head out on the road the next day.

the-pros-of-owning-a-trailer-camground-travel-frequency — Depending on where you are planning on travelling or for how long, you can choose your RV accordingly

The Pros of Owning a Motorhome:

1. Towing

Continuous patterns of attaching and detaching a trailer can be troublesome, with a motorhome you get the feeling of driving a bus. Motorhomes not only free you from all that towing difficulty but it is also very easy to maneuver and drive.

the-pros-of-owning-a-motorhome-towing — Continuous patterns of attaching and detaching a trailer can be troublesome, with a motorhome you get the feeling of driving a bus

2. Luxury

Trailers are very compact in size and do not offer much space, they don’t have that luxurious feel to them as they offer more of a standard outlook. Motorhomes; being very massive, offer two to three levels with separate bedrooms.

With a motorhome you can easily grab yourself a bite to eat, or have access to the fridge all the time to relax yourself while stretching in a long bed. Bunkhouse models also exist and can be tucked away on the side of the hallways. If you don’t have a specific budget and have a large family to transport then motorhomes are the perfect option.

Maybe you're interested in The Costs of RV Living

the-pros-of-owning-a-motorhome-luxury — Trailers are very compact in size and do not offer much space, they don’t have that luxurious feel to them as they offer more of a standard outlook

3. Set Up and Tear Down

Motorhomes do not require rigorous setting up practices. Upon arriving at your destination you’ll just need to power up the RV for utilities and then you can simply enjoy a long sleep. With a trailer the entire process gets complicated and you need to school yourself on what to do.

Wrapping it All Up

It’s very important that make an informed decision regarding suitable options of RV’s or trailers for you. Things such as convenience, tow ability, fuel efficiency, space and storage can make a difference, along with the price.

This article will help you gain some general knowledge on trailers and motorhomes and you can now decide on which one to get based on your need, budget and convenience.

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