Travel Trailers--A Retirement Option?

A mobile home, in the traditional sense, usually remains stationary after its initial placement. A travel trailer, on the other hand, can be carted around the company with abandon and built to stand up to the stress of travel.

Travel trailers come in a variety of sizes. A travel trailer can range from a small bedroom on wheels to the equivalent of an apartment with all of the amenities and even slide out rooms. The range of trailer construction and amenities runs from simple to opulent. Large trailers do as well as a vacation home on wheels as they do set up in a permanent camp. A travel trailer of eighteen feet or under could accommodate one couple comfortably. The larger trailers could handle two couples or more, depending on how the sleeping quarters are designed.

Travel trailers are built close to the ground and range in length from ten feet to thirty-five feet. Travel trailers must be towed by a truck, a heavy-duty car, or by some other appropriate vehicle. The vehicle must have a special load distributing hitch and special devices designed to control the sway of the trailer. Trucks and utility sports vehicles are the most common. 

Travel Trailer Price Range:

You can probably find an older, well worn but functional trailer for several thousand dollars. New trailers are priced from the low five figures and up. Airstream, Teton and Fleetwood’s Avion are among the most luxurious and expensive.

Low Cost Trailers (Less than $15,000)

The least expensive travel trailers are small rigs with simple interiors, low quality fabrics and basic appliances (for example: it comes with a propane stove but no microwave). A basic bathroom and a convertible couch/bed are pretty standard, so while cramped you will have the basic comforts. These rigs are perfect for a weekend of fishing but I doubt if you would want to live in them for any length of time.


Mid-Priced Trailers:

In the mid-priced trailers, the tradeoff is among construction, living area and the amenities that you want. The smaller rigs include more amenities and better construction. The larger models run more to basics but are large enough for families to live in. Full-timers will find these rigs comfortable enough for a day-to-day existence.

High-Priced Travel Trailers ($30,000)

The most expensive trailers tend to include the most amenities and quality appliances. These models are constructed of stainless metals and fiberglass. The upgrades of all interior elements are extensive. For example: instead of a foam mattress you get real box springs. These trailers are suitable for full timing and will have a longer life span than a less expensive model. The upgraded construction increases the weight and a move powerful tow vehicle is need for handling the longer versions.

Why a Travel Trailer (Advantages):

Trailers are less expensive than Rv’s and they have a longer lifespan. Once you reach your destination, and are parked, you can leave your trailers and head out to see the sights. The floor plans are flexible, in that they are not dictated by the driver’s cab as in a motor home or by the ‘upstairs bedroom’ common to the fifth wheel rigs. Trailers hold their value better than the motor homes do.

Disadvantages:

As the trailer length and height increase they become increasingly difficult to manage on windy roads and grades. Large trailers are difficult to tow as drafts and winds can affect the stability of the trailer. Remember that towing a vehicle takes practice.

Source: The Rver’s Bible by Kim Baker and Sunny Baker

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