| There are many factors to consider when buying a | | | | parked, showers, miniature kitchens, bathrooms, septic |
| recreational vehicle. To begin with, there are two major | | | | tanks, and their own electrical system. |
| types, which are further broken down into a variety of | | | | If the load distribution and sway control are still a |
| vehicles each with its pros and cons. | | | | problem to this option, purchasing a 5th wheel can be |
| The first type of RVs is the motor home and the | | | | the solution. The down side is that 5th wheel trailers |
| second type is the trailers. When considering which | | | | need a special truck hitch, but towing is much easier. |
| type to buy, it is important to keep in mind your budget, | | | | The other types of RVs are the motorized homes. |
| lifestyle, amenities and the amount of time you plan to | | | | These units combine the living space and the vehicle |
| stay in the trailer. The benefit of any recreational | | | | for convenience and luxury. |
| vehicle is the freedom to take to the roads while | | | | There are three classes of motor homes: A, B, and C. |
| bringing a little bit of home with you. | | | | At the top end is the 30 to 45 foot behemoth Class A |
| Beginning with the simplest type of vehicle are the | | | | RVs. These vehicles begin at $100,000 and can cost |
| smaller towable trailers (including campers). The most | | | | up into the millions complete with granite counter tops, |
| affordable type are the folding camping trailers and the | | | | queen-size beds, and flat screen plasma televisions (or, |
| truck campers. Prices for these begin around $5,000 | | | | essentially, the Ritz Cartlon on Wheels). |
| new but used ones begin as low as $2,000 for older | | | | The next two classes (B & C) are a combination |
| models. | | | | of miniature Class A's or converted vans. They can |
| These units offer basic amenities such as cold storage | | | | begin in the $30,000 and top $150,000. The price varies |
| refrigeration, cooking range, fresh water tanks, | | | | based on the type of amenities that you want. The |
| propane tanks, dining area, and sleeping | | | | basic units have the necessities including refrigeration, |
| accommodations. These trailers are great for the | | | | cooking ranges, water closets, and sleeping |
| weekend warriors looking to get out of suburbia and | | | | accommodations. |
| into the great outdoors. Truck campers, obviously need | | | | There are definite benefits to these RVs compared to |
| a truck, but some pop up trailers can be pulled by even | | | | their trailer cousins. Passengers can move within the |
| compact cars. | | | | trailer (and even use the bathrooms) without having to |
| Moving up the chain is the traditional travel trailers. | | | | stop. They are easy to move and you do not have to |
| These units tend to be bigger, although some trailers | | | | worry about to vehicles. |
| are as short as 10 feet, and they come with a pricier | | | | The down side is your home is attached to your |
| tag beginning about $10,000. These RVs must be | | | | transportation so getting around town can be tricky |
| towed by vehicles that can handle the load and often | | | | unless you are towing a car. Motor homes also tend to |
| need load distribution and sway control devices to | | | | be a little more expensive and when they break, the |
| stable it during transport. | | | | whole vehicle is out of service. So, whether you are a |
| However, the amenities that these trailers offer are | | | | weekend warrior or a long road hauler there are |
| much nicer than their smaller pop up cousins. The nicer | | | | plenty of options for a recreational vehicle. These units |
| units can top $125,000, but come with expendable | | | | are so customizable that you never have to leave |
| walls that increase the living area when the trailer is | | | | home again, while seeing places you've never been. |