If you’ve been looking at RVs for sale, you’ll have noticed one major difference ─ some come with their own drivetrains, while others have to be towed. Both camper trailers and motorhomes have their pros and cons and we’re going to get into them below.
At Airstream of Montana, we connect our customers with their dream recreational vehicles. To do that, we make sure our customers stay informed and updated about their choices. Read on to learn more or come to our dealership in Missoula and have a chat with our trained staff. We proudly serve the good people of Missoula and Bozeman.
Cost
In this category, towable trailers are definitely the winners. Out of all the towable RV options on the market, fifth wheels are the most expensive ones, but they’re still cheaper than motorhomes. This is because camper trailers don’t have engines and other components that are part of the drivetrain. This makes their construction relatively simple and results in a lower overall cost. If you don’t want to spend too much, get a camper trailer.
Maintenance
Once again, having a drivetrain means your motorhome will need more maintenance and service than a towable trailer. With no engine involved, towable RVs have less complex maintenance processes and no need for expensive repairs or parts replacements. This brings down the ownership costs significantly for camper trailer owners. If you’re skilled enough, you can fix most of the problems your RV will have.
Ease Of Use
Most recreational vehicles are bulky and not easy to drive. With a motorhome, there’s no option of leaving the trailer behind while you do a store run. With a camper trailer, you’ll have an easy vehicle to move around in if you need to travel on narrower roads, head to congested parts of a city or run everyday errands. All you have to do is ensure that you’ve parked your trailer in a safe place, unhitch it and be on your way.
Depreciation
Like all vehicles, even RVs depreciate in value over time. It doesn’t matter how little you use your RV or how well you maintain it, if you trade it in or sell it, you won’t be able to get back all the money you spent on it. However, your camper trailer will hold on to more of its value than a motorhome. This again is in part due to the fact that it doesn’t have the complex parts of the drivetrain that need to most care and maintenance.
Options
Since camper trailers are less complex in their internal structure, they’re easier to experiment with in terms of floor plans and features. While most motorhomes have a lot of amenities and great floor plans, with towable trailers, you’ll get more options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an RV for two people or a family of ten, there’ll be models that will accommodate everyone and their belongings without burning a hole in your pocket.
Fuel Efficiency
This is a tougher one to decide in the overall scheme of things. A camper trailer doesn’t require fuel at all so it’s more fuel-efficient than a motorhome. But to know the true fuel efficiency for you, you have to take into account the type of fuel your tow vehicle uses and how well it handles your trailer (the more stress it takes, the more fuel it consumes). There’s no clear winner in this category, but you can use your trailer in a fuel-efficient way to make the most of it.
We hope this guide helps you figure out which type of RV is better for you. In case you’d like to see RVs for sale in person, head to Airstream of Montana in Missoula and take a tour of our inventory. Talk to our expert staff who’ll help you choose a model that’s right for your experience level and your family. If you’re looking for trailers for sale near Missoula and Bozeman, we invite you to call or come over today!
