Should I Buy an RV or a Trailer?
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RV vs. Travel Trailer: Which Is Right for You?
You’ve saved up for it. You’ve watched the YouTube tours. Now you’re ready to buy your first recreational vehicle—but you can’t quite decide: should you go with a motorized RV or a towable trailer?
It’s one of the most common questions first-time buyers face, and the answer depends on how you like to travel, what you can tow, and how much you want to spend. This guide walks through every major type of RV and trailer, compares the key trade-offs, and helps you decide which best fits your lifestyle.
And once the adventure is over, Acorn Mini Storage® has affordable RV storage across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota so your rig is ready and waiting whenever the road calls again.
What Kinds of RVs Are There?
The first difference to consider in RVs is whether they’re towable or motorized. Also called trailers, towable RVs are exactly what they sound like: vehicle attachments towed behind another vehicle. This generally means less maintenance, plus the ability to detach the trailer and keep using the primary vehicle if needed, say once you arrive at your campsite.
Kinds of Towable RVs
There are several types of towable RVs to consider when you’re making your decision:
- Fifth wheels. These are pulled by large trucks and usually have a distinct front overhang, sometimes called the gooseneck of the RV. This overhang provides space for a bed, so the body of the RV can be dedicated to other appliances and facilities.
- Travel trailers. Also called pull-behinds, they are smaller, self-contained units that often feature a kitchen, living space, bathroom, and bedroom. Travel trailers can be extremely versatile in shape and accommodations.
- Toy haulers. These differ from fifth wheels and travel trailers by including a small garage area for loading cargo and small vehicles like ATVs, kayaks, snowmobiles, and more.
- Pop-up trailers. These utility-focused, fold-out campers have a heavy canvas top. They are essentially glorified tents you pull behind your vehicle, easy to set up and take down as needed.
- Truck campers. They are designed to fit in truck beds for maximum space efficiency on the road. These often come with slide-out sections and additional attachments, giving owners a wide range of customization options.
Kinds of Motorized RVs
Motorized RVs are categorized entirely differently from their non-motorized counterparts:
- Class A. These are the standard motor home type most people think of, with a bus-like shape. Due to their size and diesel engines, they’re often the most expensive of their kind on the market, but they are also well equipped for sustained living and usually have long life spans.
- Class B. Also known as the camper van, they are built upon a van chassis. The most agile and fuel-efficient of the motorized types, they are the smallest, but also usually the most versatile in interior design, making the most out of their relatively limited space.
- Class C. They are built on a truck chassis and share many forms and functions with truck campers, except that class Cs are a single vehicle rather than an added space on top of the truck. These are a nice middle ground between classes A and B in terms of size and maneuverability.
How To Choose: Motorized RV vs. Travel Trailer for Your Lifestyle and Budget
Choose a towable if you already own a truck or SUV with the right towing capacity, you want to save money up front, or you like to set up camp and then explore in your regular vehicle. Towables also tend to cost less to maintain because there is no second engine to service.
Choose a motorized RV if you plan to move often, want to stop and stay without unhitching, or prefer to travel with everything in one vehicle. You will pay more up front, but setup is faster, and the whole rig is one unit.
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If you want… |
Consider |
Why |
|
The lowest entry cost |
Pop-up trailer |
Lightweight and easy to tow, with a tent-style setup |
|
A family-friendly first rig |
Travel trailer |
Versatile floor plans, and you can leave it at camp while you drive around |
|
Maximum living space |
Fifth wheel or class A |
Best for long stays, though it needs a heavy-duty truck or a large driving footprint |
|
Gear or toys along for the trip |
Toy hauler |
Built-in garage for ATVs, kayaks, or snowmobiles |
|
Easy driving and fuel economy |
Class B |
Smallest motorized option and the most maneuverable |
|
A middle ground |
Class C |
Balances size, space, and drivability |
|
To keep your truck useful |
Truck camper |
Fits in the bed, so no trailer to tow |
RV Storage in the Twin Cities: Indoor and Outdoor Options
Ultimately, the decision of which RV or trailer to buy comes down to you, as only you know what you want and need. However, once the adventure is over and you’ve made new memories in the great outdoors, you’ll need a place to store your RV. If you don’t have the space for your RV or trailer, a rentable storage space can solve the problem.
Acorn Mini Storage® has been providing RV storage and self storage with convenience and affordable pricing for over 30 years. We offer indoor and outdoor RV storage options, available year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Need room for camping gear, bikes, or seasonal items too? Our size guide shows what fits in each unit size.
