Towable RVs

Towable RVs offer a flexible and accessible way to travel, providing the comforts of home while allowing for easy detachment from the towing vehicle for day trips and exploration. This guide provides an overview of the most common types of towable recreational vehicles.

The variety of towable RVs means there is a model suited for almost every budget and lifestyle. Understanding the pros and cons of each type is essential for making an informed purchase.

Travel trailers are the most common type of towable RV. They connect to the tow vehicle using a bumper or frame-mounted hitch.

• Size and Features: Available in a vast range of sizes, from small, single-axle units to large, multi-slide-out models. They can include full kitchens, bathrooms, and separate sleeping areas.
• Towing: Requires an appropriately rated truck or SUV. Larger models may necessitate a heavy-duty pickup.
• Advantages: Widest variety of floor plans, easiest to hook up and detach, and typically lower cost than fifth-wheels.

Fifth-wheel trailers are distinct in that they connect to a specialized hitch installed in the bed of a pickup truck. This connection system provides superior stability and maneuverability, especially for large units.

• Design: The raised forward section (gooseneck) typically houses a bedroom, creating a split-level design that offers increased headroom and storage.
• Towing: Requires a pickup truck with a fifth-wheel hitch. The specific truck size depends on the trailer's weight.
• Advantages: Excellent towing stability, more luxurious amenities, and often more interior space than a comparably sized travel trailer.

Pop-up campers are lightweight and compact, featuring hard sides and a canvas or soft-sided roof that collapses for transport.

• Portability: Their low profile makes them easy to tow, often by smaller vehicles.
• Setup: Require manual setup upon arrival, which involves cranking up the roof and pulling out the slide-out beds.
• Advantages: Very affordable, light weight, and a close-to-nature camping experience due to the soft walls.

Teardrop trailers are small, aerodynamic, and named for their distinctive shape. They are designed for simple, minimalist travel.

• Features: Typically include a compact sleeping cabin and often an outdoor kitchen accessible from the rear hatch.
• Towing: Extremely lightweight and can often be towed by a sedan or a small SUV.
• Advantages: Easy to store, excellent fuel economy during transit, and ideal for short trips or solo travelers.

Selecting the right towable RV involves understanding the relationship between the trailer's weight and the tow vehicle's capacity.