Camper Trailer

A camper trailer, also known as a travel trailer, is a tow-behind used for camping expeditions and RVing.

Self-explanatory, right?  But nothing is quite as it seems in the world of RV travel.  A few decades ago, a camper usually referred to a truck camper, those mobile living spaces which fit onto the bed of a pickup truck.  And, if that wasn’t confusing enough, an RV is, by definition, a recreational vehicle, and yet most, if not all, RV dealerships sell travel trailers, which are not vehicles at all.

All of that is to say that to newcomers to the RV life, the terminology can be, at times, confusing, so this article will, hopefully, shed some light on all of that confusion and make RVing a little clearer to the beginners.

Different types of RVs

Using RV to stand for anything used for camping/recreational travel, we can categorize RVs in this way:

• Class A motorhomes
• Class B motorhomes
• Class C motorhomes
• Travel trailer
• 5^th wheelers
• Skoolies
• Toy haulers

Skoolies, for those not familiar with the term, are converted school buses, and they have become quite popular among the RV community.  Toy haulers were once trailers used solely for hauling things like 4-wheelers or dirt bikes, but several new manufacturers are including sleeping quarters in toy haulers, so we had to include them in this listing.

Different types of camper trailers

To further muddy the waters, there are different classifications of camper trailer, and depending upon who you talk to, or which article you read, those classifications can be called different labels.  Just remember that when you read the following classifications:

• Classic stand-up trailers
• Teardrop trailers
• Tent trailers
• Pop-up trailers

Again, I am fully aware that other articles use different classifications but hey, this is my article, so this is what we are going with.

Stand-up travel trailer

The title means exactly what it says. Think a classic looking travel trailer which you can stand up in, and that’s what we are talking about. They come in a variety of styles, lengths, and weights, they can be made from fiberglass or aluminum, and they may or may not be self-contained.  Lengths range from about twelve feet to thirty, weights range from around 1,000 pounds to six-thousand or more, and they can be bare-bones with hardly any amenities, or they can be the lap of comfort with all the bells and whistles you could ever hope for.

Teardrop travel trailer

This name refers to its shape, with good height at one end, usually six feet or a little more, tapering to the other end with virtually no standing space at all. They excel in being aerodynamic, and they are as cute as a bug’s ear.  The lengths will range between about ten feet and eighteen feet, the weight anywhere from 750 pounds to about four-thousand, and the amenities vary depending upon how much you want to spend.

Tent travel trailer

Mos tent trailers, if not all, are pop-ups, but the pop-up features are made of mesh, so I gave them a different classification of their own. They range from about ten feet to twenty-five or more, and they are usually much lighter than the classic hard-sided trailers . . . and less-expensive to boot.

Pop-up travel trailer

Most pop-up trailers are tent trailers, but not all.   There are a few, like the Aliners, which can have hard sides.  There are also pop-out trailers, which have sides which will extend outwards when stationary, allowing for more living space.

Hybrids are popping up all over

And, as technology advances, the hybrid market is exploding.  It would take much too long to explain this market niche; just go on YouTube and do a search for high tech travel trailers, or hybrid trailers, and you’ll see what I’m referring to.  They are, admittedly, pretty cool, but you pay for the cool.

The good news: there is something for everyone and practically every budget

Honestly, I’m not just blowing smoke when I say this: you can find a travel trailer to match your budget, provided your budget it a thousand dollars or more.  You may have to buy used, but the RV life is within your grasp if you can scrape together a grand and you have a towing vehicle.  You can always advance your RV lifestyle, and improve your RV quality of life, by buying larger and better at a later date.