Travel Trailer Comparison Guide

Seems like a simple enough question, doesn’t it? But there are a number of variables that will determine which model, manufacturer or brand is best for you. For example, will you use your travel trailer or fifth wheel for extended trips (2 weeks+), or are you a Weekender? Will you be traveling only during the pleasant summer months (this applies to the majority of RVers), or do you see yourself hitting the road in all seasons and temperatures? Will you be traveling solo or with your spouse -or maybe the whole family and the dog? What about your tow vehicle? Are you planning on using the family car or do you have a full-sized truck that can handle a 34′ fifth-wheel -and all the stuffed packed inside?

Ahhh, at last we get to the elephant in the room: How much is this going to cost you? Is a 15% discount a good deal or a bad deal? Is the sale price at an RV show better than an every-day sale price? Is your dealer playing fair or is he taking advantage of you? (He seems like such a nice guy!) And last but not least, what is your budget?

That last one is critical. For now, forget everything else (model years, features, sales prices, floorplans, fiberglass roof vs. rubber roof) and establish a budget. Know what you can afford to spend. Don’t get bogged down getting too specific at this point, but you will need a ballpark number. Exceeding that will always -every single time- lead to buyer’s remorse. A relaxing vacation won’t be very relaxing if you’re spending it in an RV that cost more than you can comfortably afford. Establishing your comfort zone now -and sticking to it- BEFORE you start shopping, will be a big step in the right direction. 

With a dollar price in mind, then the fun can begin. Your budget will put you in to a specific segment (Entry Level, Above Average, Premium -this is all discussed in the book), and from there you’ll find many, many options to choose from. Working within your budget segment will enable you to easily compare apples-to-apples -and we’ll help you avoid the bad apples.

And don’t lose heart if your budget restricts you to the Entry Level category.

There are LOADS of great entry-level travel trailers, fifth-wheels and toy-haulers on the market. In fact, entry-level, 3-season trailers make up the bulk of the towable market. Why? Because they meet the needs (and budget) of the majority of buyers. Curiously enough, a walk-through a Premium fifth-wheel built and designed for Full-Timers and Snow-Birds may not appear that different from an Entry-Level option. Both versions will be nicely decorated and furnished, and creature comforts will abound. Size is largely irrelevant, with many Entry-Level floor-plans surpassing Premium trailers in both length and width. The differences are more subtle. A trailer designed for extended travel will have beefed up plumbing and electrical systems, and, often, residential grade full-sized appliances. Insulation will be thicker, and sinks, faucets, cabinets, cupboards, furniture, windows and doors will all be made for daily use.

A perfect way to highlight the difference between an economy RV and a top-of-the-line RV involves door hinges. An entry-level door may be tested to withstand 1,000 cycles (throw open the door and slam it shut behind you -that’s one cycle), while a premium door may have three hinges in lieu of two, or even a full-length piano hinge, and be tested to withstand 10,000 cycles. For an owner buying an RV for a couple weeks of vacation and a weekend trip or two during a calendar year, 1,000 cycles should provide a dozen years of reliable service -or more.

Some of our favorite towables are in the Entry-Level category, and the charts and easy-to-read articles in the newly updated Travel Trailer & Fifth Wheel Comparison Guide will make that abundantly clear. And while your RV dealer has every reason to steer you toward the premium priced models (higher commission for them), we at RVReviews.net have no incentive beyond helping our readers find the best RV for them -at the best price. If we like an entry-level camper, we’ll say it, and if a premium priced fifth-wheel is known for problems and is not recommended, we’ll say that as well. 

The more you know, the more you save

The search for an RV typically starts with a trip to the local RV dealer or an RV Show. For the uninformed, many purchases are based on superficial items (“I love these colors/ this bedroom/ this kitchen/ the storage space…”) and/or an eye-popping discount –“The dealer said we could get a 20% discount if we bought today!” This is the main reason the majority of RV owners feel -after the fact- they purchased the wrong RV for their needs, and paid too much. In our experience, “buyer remorse” is more widespread in the RV industry than in any other vehicle segment. (Boats would be a close second.)

Why is that? Lots of reasons: A lack of critical information about the manufacturer, a focus on the wrong features (layouts and decor instead of quality of build), and the extremely biased input of a salesperson whose interest is at direct odds with your own.

We frequently hear from readers that after reading our Comparison and Buying Guides that they were better informed and knew more about a specific RV than their salesperson. And nothing puts an aggressive salesperson back on their heels like a customer that clearly knows more than they do. More importantly, a buyer at the bargaining table that knows the typical selling price of the RV in question -and which options and add-ons* are not worth the expense- will be at a distinct advantage over the dealer. 

*Don’t be surprised if you find that your negotiated bargain price is quickly left behind once the dealer starts adding in “surcharges” and options you didn’t ask for. Some are legitimate (Extended RV Warranty) but many are nonsense (aftermarket paint sealant process), and all are discussed in detail in both the new Travel Trailer & Fifth Wheel Comparison Guide and the The Extended RV Warranty Guide. 

What to Look for in a Well-Built RV

Every buyer wants to know if the RV they’re looking at is well-built, but very few know what to look for. Many buyers, in an attempt to portray a savvy consumer, make a show of studying various features, fiddling with faucet handles and opening and closing storage compartments with a thoughtful expression.

Maybe they even go the extra mile and slide underneath the trailer to inspect what lies beneath. But what exactly are they looking at? And, more worryingly, what are they supposed to be looking for? They don’t know the first thing about a well-built chassis -or how to identify one. These days there’s a good chance they’ll encounter an enclosed underbelly, a plastic covering that hides everything in the name of aerodynamics and protection. Not much to see there.

What will a clamber up the rear ladder reveal about the roof construction? Barring a gaping hole, they’ll find a white expanse of fiberglass, rubber or vinyl. Which is preferred -and why? Do they act impressed or disappointed? They’re not sure. And all the while their friendly salesperson is watching from ground level, smiling encouragingly, as if to say, “See? No gaping holes in this baby!”

Is it any wonder that so many RV owners suffer from buyer’s remorse?

Now let’s imagine they’d spent the weekend reading the Travel Trailer & Fifth Wheel Comparison Guide. How quickly would the tables be turned if they asked, “Is this a one-piece EPDM roof -or is it seamed? I don’t see any cambering from here, is this flat? I don’t mind a flat roof if it’s fiberglass or even TPO vinyl, but flat EPDM can be a problem. Is the roof warranty separate from the RV warranty?” Who would you think has the upper hand in this scenario: the well-informed customer or the salesperson struggling to come up with an educated response to a question he’s never been asked?

Understanding that no one (including us!) wants to read a boring, exhaustive textbook about RV construction, the Comparison Guide covers everything you want to know in an easy-to-read style that can be quickly referenced as needed. Want to come up to speed on roof construction? See Chapter 2. What’s the difference between hydraulic slide-outs and electric slide-outs -and which is better? See Chapter 3. You’ll known which one is better -and why-  in a few minutes. You’ll also know which features or upgrades aren’t worth the expense for your needs. 

A few of the key topics discussed:

• Chassis and Frame: What to look for
• Underbelly construction: Do you need enclosed or open? Heated or not?
• Exterior wall construction: Welded aluminum framing vs. Traditional wood framing
• Types of Insulation: Solid block, fluffy residential, foamed in place. What is an R-Rating and why is it so important? 
• Plumbing: From fixtures to holding tanks. What are PEX lines -and do you need them?
• Electrical: Incandescent lighting vs. LED: Does it matter? What you need: USB ports and reliable Wi-Fi. And what you don’t: DVD players.
• Kitchen cabinets and countertops: Do I need hardwood cabinets? Are solid surface countertops better than laminated countertops? (You might be surprised.)
• Windows: Double pane is always better than single pane -but often not worth the additional expense. 
• Roofing materials: A lot of choices and they all claim to be the best. Pros and cons and a list of worst to best. 
• Flooring: Ceramic tile is better than linoleum, right? Wrong. Carpet: where you want it and where you don’t. 
• Towing: Is your tow vehicle up to the task? What you need to know.
• Finishes: Fiberglass, aluminum, clear coat, after market protectants, fading and delamination. The questions you need to ask -and a word of caution.