Get Financing10 Tips For Buying A New Or Used Travel Trailer
Ready to buy a new or used travel trailer? They’re extremely popular RVs, but selecting the one that’s best for you, your family, and your budget takes careful planning. To help you choose the best travel trailer for your needs, we’ve compiled a “top 10” list of things to consider when shopping for a travel trailer.
1. Budget & RV Financing
Setting a budget is the first step to buying a travel trailer. Prices can range from $2,500 to $300,000 or more, depending on the size, model year, and condition. Small travel trailers will typically be cheaper and include a bed, a designated cooking area, a table that may convert into a bed, and a storage area. Larger and more expensive models include spacious interiors and a long list of amenities, but all those extras contribute to a higher price.
Picking a price range that falls within your budget—and sticking to it, no matter what—will make the travel trailer buying process smoother. Easy RV financing will also help. RVUniverse.com offers a CurrencyFinance “Apply For Financing” button on every travel trailer listing. Visit Currency’s Recreational Vehicle & Travel Trailer Financing guide to learn more.
2. Sleeping Capacity
Next to price, the number of people sleeping in your RV is the most critical factor in determining what size travel trailer is best for you. Some trailers offer bunk beds, convertible dinettes, or sofa beds to accommodate more people.
Bunkhouse travel trailers are ideal for families with kids, separating their sleeping space from the primary bedroom. On the other hand, solo campers can stick to smaller, single-axle models and still be very comfortable.
3. Towing Capacity
Travel trailers are towed via a hitch at the front of the RV that connects to the bumper hitch of the tow vehicle. They are incredibly flexible because they can be towed by many vehicles, ranging from a family car to a 3/4-ton or larger truck.
Before you buy a travel trailer, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find the maximum weight the vehicle can safely tow. The RV shouldn’t put you anywhere near your maximum towing capacity, as it will weigh considerably more when loaded.
4. Size & Maneuverability
Travel trailers range from 8 to 40 feet (2.4 to 12.2 meters) or longer in length. Generally, longer travel trailers are ideal for families of four or more because of the additional space and amenities. However, the longer your RV is, the more difficult it will be to find campsites—and to maneuver into them. Think about the destinations you’d like to visit, what kinds of roads you will be traveling on, and whether there are any applicable size restrictions.
5. Storage Space
Because travel trailers vary in size, the amount of storage space available will also vary. Understanding what activities you’ll participate in is crucial to the amount of space available to you. Kayaks, fishing gear, dirt bikes, and other popular outdoor gear will occupy a large amount of space that will generally only be available in larger trailers.
6. Kitchen Amenities
Fueling yourself is essential to the camping experience, and having basic kitchen conveniences like a stovetop, microwave, and fridge will allow you to enjoy home-cooked meals on the road. High-end models may have residential-style appliances, farmhouse sinks, convection microwaves, and even wine cabinets. Don’t forget that your groceries, snacks, and other food supplies add to the total weight of the travel trailer.
7. Bathroom Features
Most modern travel trailers, regardless of size, include a bathroom in their floor plan. Some may only have a toilet and a sink, while others may also have a shower, vanity, and medicine cabinet. Check the descriptions and photos to ensure the model you’re considering has the needed features.
8. Entertainment & Living Area
If you’re traveling with more than two people, the living area must be comfortable for everyone to enjoy the space. Many modern travel trailers include slide-outs to expand the available living space when parked. Large families may consider this option, but as with other extras, these options will add to your RV’s overall price and weight. Entertainment options may include built-in flat-screen TVs, DVD or Blu-ray players, satellite TV, streaming service devices, and electric fireplaces.
9. Outdoor Features
Many campers aim to spend as much time as possible outdoors. If you want to hang around your travel trailer at night, look for features like external televisions, awnings, outdoor speaker systems, “porch” lights, and even outdoor kitchens and showers that will help you maximize your time out of doors. If you plan on boondocking, consider using solar panels to extend your time off the grid. Many travel trailer manufacturers make solar panels a standard feature or offer them as options.
10. Other Potential Costs
There’s a slew of additional features that can impact the cost of a travel trailer, such as Wi-Fi routers, mobile hotspot equipment, solar panels, and battery banks. In addition to the cost of the RV itself, you must consider expenses like gas for your tow vehicle, campground fees, insurance costs, and general maintenance fees. Most states don’t require you to have travel trailer insurance, but it’s often recommended for owners of new trailers to protect their investments.
Find Travel Trailers For Sale
Ready to explore new and used travel trailers for sale? You’ll find plenty on RVUniverse.com from Airstream, Coachmen, Dutchmen, Forest River, Grand Design, Jayco, Keystone RV Co., Winnebago, and many other top manufacturers.