I did a lot of research before making my choice. But it came down to three main reasons why I decided a travel trailer best for my personal needs.
Seasoned RVers or other people shopping usually have a follow up question. Why a travel trailer and not a motorhome, fifth wheel or camper van. As an RV Newbie, I am learning a lot. In fact, it was just recently that I learned their are officially seven different classes of recreational vehicles.
Before I continue, let me explain quickly some of the more familiar styles.
I would say that a motorhome is most like a bus. It is self-propelled vehicle with its own self contained living accommodation and its own engine.
Campervans are just a van converted to have a bed and possibly cooking appliances inside.
A travel trailer checks off all my boxes.
A travel trailer is a flat bed trailer with a light weight house built on top. It needs to be towed by a truck or SUV with a hitch on the front.
Last but not least is the fifth wheel. This is basically a travel trailer that is raised at one end. The raised portion is supported by a hitch that attaches in the centre of the bed of a pick up truck instead of the back of the vehicle like in a travel trailer.
The decision was not one that I came to lightly. Since I had never spent a night in any style of RV I used every tool I had access to in order to help. I made two separate lists of pros and cons. One list was compiled based on other people’s thoughts and options. The other was based on what I thought was important to me. It was not easy.
However, I am very happy with the choice I made.
In the summer I purchased a brand new 29ft Grand Design Imagine Travel Trailer. Style 2600RB. I am pretty confident that the RB designates rear bathroom.
Here are the three main reasons that I decided to purchase a travel trailer.
1 – I need the place that I am driving in and the space that I am living in to be different.
I don’t want to spend eight hours sitting behind the wheel just to park, turn my captain chair around and be in the living room. A motor home is usually equipped with fancy curtain that you can close to hide the steering wheel and anything that looks like the vehicle. But for my comfort these had to be separate spaces.
Many experienced RVers have expressed a huge advantage with having this space available this way. The reason why many of them chose a motorhome. Someone can get up and walk around in the rig while the other person is driving. Go to the bathroom, watch tv or cook lunch. This is actually against the law in Canada. And pretty sure any Country where seat-belts are mandatory. The Canadian Highway Code requires all passengers in an RV (or car) to fasten their seat belts while the vehicle is driving. I will fight with people on this until I am blue in the face. With all the idiots on the road today; accidents can happen at any time. I would NEVER take the risk of hurting or killing one of my passengers. Convenience will never trump safety in my books.
2 – If something goes wrong on your trailer and you have to take it in for repairs you still have your truck. And vice versa.
Your house might be in the shop but you can drive to a hotel, friends house or maybe pitch a tent. If your vehicle needs to spend any lengthy amount of time in for repairs, at least you have a place to sleep and eat. You could rent a car if needed. There are also several companies available that will move your RV for you for a small cost.
3 – The perfect size for me and Jasper.
Based on the two previous reasons a fifth wheel was also high on my list. Most fifth wheel owners swear that they are easier to maneuver. After extensive research it does appear that due to sway, they are safer as well. With that being said, most fifth wheels are long and/or tall. This is the first time I have towed an RV. I needed to find something that would give me the space and amenities but still be manageable. When doing my research on locations, I also found that some RV parks and even some roads in national parks will not allow RVs over a certain length. 30feet and under seems to be the length needed to get to all of the places that I want to go.
Everyone will have his or her reasons for choosing the rig that is best for them. Not one style can be declared a clear winner for everyone. I have been in my trailer for a total of eight nights and have only driven her about 600km. Hooking and unhooking three times. As my comfort level, knowledge and experience grows, I might end up in something completely different in a few years.
My 2019 2600RB Grand Design travel trailer checked off just about every box on both my want and my need list. As my journey continues and figure more things out I will update wth more specifics about this particular RV. http://www.granddesignrv.com
I am confident that for the time being, this travel trailer is the best choice for me and Jasper.
Hi Lacey,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, and I’ve enjoyed your work on Driving Television for years now. After reading through your blog, I’m happy to see that it looks like things are starting to look up for you. I too bought myself a new trailer, a 33 foot Jayco, and a new tow vehicle this past spring, as a present for beating cancer. I know that cancer and what you went through are completely different, but I can appreciate the anxiety over appointments, the stress over the breadth and depth of a disease in our healthy bodies, and then the feeling of a successful recovery. I’m a teacher up north in Alberta, and I had to take almost a year off as well. I too love spending time in campgrounds, they are my home for about 60 nights each year. Anyway, enough of my rambling, I just want to wish you well, and suggest that you keep it up!
Thank you for this. I think the worry and anxiety would be similar. Anything like this gives you a new way to look at life. I was so grateful to hear the surgeon confirm that the tumour was not cancer. I think a trailer sounds like a great gift to yourself. Life has been so overwhelming… I can’t wait to be able to just go away when I want. What tow vehicle did you choose for your trailer? I love the fact with my job I am able to test out several…
Hi Lacey, I bought a 2017 Ram 3500 diesel. I have always preferred towing with heavy-duty diesel trucks, and this is my second one. I hear you about things being overwhelming, when a person is going through scary diagnoses like we have, it builds on top of our everyday anxieties and concerns. On the other hand, it also puts things in perspective. When I was dealing with a serious health problem, it made me worry a little less about all of life’s other, now small issues. I was also lucky, I was able to spend the time with family, as I’m single as well, and needed extra help. Anyway, I’m rambling, take care of yourself!
It sounds like you understand me and my situation more than most. I am learning very quickly how different a heavy duty truck is for towing. Overwhelming – yes. But also very interesting. Life looks and feels very different now. I do worry a whole hell of a lot less, that is for damn sure. Thanks for the support. It feels good to know that I am not alone.