So, you’ve decided to dive into the world of RVing, but you’re not sold on the idea of a motorized home on wheels. Maybe you already have a perfectly good truck or SUV sitting in your driveway, itching for an adventure. Enter towable RVs—the versatile, often more affordable alternative to motorhomes.
Types of Towable RVs
Towable RVs come in two main flavors: rear hitch trailers and fifth wheels.
Rear hitch trailers, also called travel trailers, are the most common. They attach to a standard hitch on the back of your vehicle, making them easy to hook up and go. They come in every shape and size, from tiny teardrops barely big enough to hold a sleeping bag to 40-foot luxury suites with multiple slide-outs. The beauty of a travel trailer is its variety and accessibility. If you have a decent tow vehicle, there’s probably a trailer out there that’ll work for you.
Fifth wheels, on the other hand, are the big boys of the towable world. Instead of hitching to the bumper, they attach to a specialized hitch in the bed of a pickup truck. This setup provides better stability on the road, especially for larger rigs, and allows for spacious, multi-level floor plans. If you like the idea of a separate bedroom, more storage, and smoother towing, a fifth wheel might be the way to go—assuming you have a truck beefy enough to handle it.
Why Choose a Towable RV?
So why choose a towable RV over a motorhome? For one, the cost. Towables tend to be more budget-friendly, both upfront and in the long run. There’s no engine, transmission, or other expensive mechanical bits to maintain—just your tow vehicle, which you likely already own. And speaking of tow vehicles, that’s another perk. Once you reach your destination, you can unhitch and use your vehicle for local exploring, rather than hauling your entire home to the grocery store.
Challenges of Towable RVs
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and campfires. Backing up a travel trailer is an art form that takes patience, nerves of steel, and maybe a little swearing. Fifth wheels handle better in that regard, but they require a dedicated truck bed, which means you lose some cargo space. And while motorhomes let you hop in and drive, towables require setup time—hitching, leveling, and making sure everything is secure before you hit the road.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing between a travel trailer and a fifth wheel comes down to your needs and towing capacity. If you want something lightweight and easy to store, a travel trailer is your best bet. If you’re looking for more space, better road stability, and don’t mind losing some space in the bed of your pickup, the fifth wheel option might be your dream rig.
No matter which way you go, a towable RV gives you freedom, flexibility, and the ability to unhook and roam.
What’s Next?
Now that we’ve covered the “what,” it’s time to talk about the “how.” In the next article, we’ll dive into the buying process—how to find the right RV, what to look for, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Because let’s face it, picking the perfect RV is like choosing any other vehicle: you want to take your time, ask the right questions, and make sure you’re not filled with any regrets.
