 | Pop-Up Tent Trailer: $3,000-$20,000 |
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 | Travel Trailer: $8,000-$65,000 |
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 | Fifth-Wheel Trailer: $13,000-$100,000 |
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| Towable (non-motorized) recreational vehicles vary from simple tent-like pop-ups to luxurious hard-sided trailers, all designed to be towed behind a vehicle, typically a pickup truck or van. | | |
| Typical costs: | - A popup tent trailer costs $3,000 -$7,000 for a basic model (beds, dinette, icebox or mini-refrigerator, cooking appliance) and increases to $8,000 -$20,000 for models with higher-end appliances, a toilet, heater, air conditioner, etc. Tent trailers are box-like (8'-18' long and 4'-6' tall) when folded for travel. Unfolded, they create a tent on a raised platform that can be up to 30' long, with a cooking/dining area and beds for 6-8 people.
- Conventional travel trailers can cost $8,000 -$65,000, but average $15,000 -$30,000. These are the standard, non-motorized, hard-sided RVs, 10'-40' long or longer, and may have one open area inside or several separate rooms. At a minimum they include a sleeping area and what can range from a simple food prep/dining area (stove top, sink, and icebox) to a complete kitchen with full-sized appliances.
- Fifth-wheel trailers can cost $13,000 -$100,000, depending on size (21'-40' long) and features like slide-outs to expand the living space, a separate master bedroom and bath, full-sized appliances, an electric fireplace and more. Also called a Fiver, a fifth-wheel is designed to be towed by a pickup with a king pin hitch in the truck bed, so the front of the trailer extends above the truck bed.
- Toy hauler trailers can cost $12,000 -$80,000 or more, depending on size (14'-40' or longer) and amenities, varying from the basics for sleeping and eating to all the comforts of home. Sometimes called a sports utility recreational vehicle, a toy hauler is either a conventional travel trailer or a fifth wheel with living quarters in the front and a cargo/garage area and ramp in the rear for hauling motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs or other equipment. RV trailers start depreciating as soon as they're driven off the dealer's lot, so a well-maintained unit that's a few years old could be 20%-30% less than its original purchase price.
What should be included: | - At a minimum, an RV trailer typically contains beds, a table and a food preparation area. The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association illustrates different types of towable RVs.
- Riders are not allowed in an RV trailer while it's being towed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists safety tips for driving with a trailer.
Additional costs: | - A medium- to heavy-duty pickup truck or similar tow vehicle can cost $20,000 -$50,000 or more. Towing a loaded trailer reduces the tow vehicle's fuel efficiency by at least a couple miles per gallon and could cut it by as much as half (or more). Many owners of heavy RV trailers report getting 8-10 mpg while towing.
- Adding a standard ball trailer hitch on the tow vehicle can cost $50 -$700; installing a fifth-wheel hitch can cost $500 -$2,500. If the trailer is wider than the tow vehicle, extended side view mirrors start at $4 -$80 for models that clamp onto the existing side mirrors, or $150 -$450 for permanently installed towing mirrors.
- Overnight campground or RV park fees can cost $10 -$40 a night. Using a dump station to empty the trailer's sewage system is typically included in the overnight fee; dumping without spending the night can cost $5 -$25.
- RV insurance premiums vary significantly depending on value, frequency of usage, location, company and driving record.
- State registration fees for RV trailers start around $25 -$50 a year, but for larger and more expensive trailers in some states it can be $100 -$300 or more.
- Renting an RV storage space can cost $20 -$100 a month outdoors and $45 -$450 a month indoors. An RV cover can cost $50 -$1,200 or more.
Discounts: | |
Shopping for an rv trailer: | |
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Article updated January 2011 |
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