Camping is a fun and unifying outdoor activity. But first, you need to find the trailer or RV that suits your needs. All essential information is in this beginner’s guide to buying an RV.
The different types of trailers and RVs
There are several options for motorized trailers and RVs. It is important to choose a model that suits your needs for years to come. Here is a list to enlighten you:
Towable
Fifth wheel (need a truck)
Advantages of a fifth wheel
- Living space: Fifth wheel trailers generally offer more living space than traditional trailers due to their split-level design, with a raised portion above the tow vehicle’s cargo area.
- Comfort: They often offer high-quality interior designs, with features such as spacious kitchens, full bathrooms, master bedrooms, and sometimes even separate living areas, providing comfort comparable to that of a home. House.
- Driving Stability: The fifth-wheel design, with the hitch attachment located above the rear axle of the tow vehicle, provides better driving stability compared to travel trailers, which can improve safety on the road. road.
- Ease of Driving: Due to their design, fifth wheel trailers tend to offer better maneuverability and stability when driving compared to rear towed trailers.
- Cargo capacity: They generally offer a larger cargo capacity than travel trailers, allowing more equipment and supplies to be carried for extended camping trips.
Disadvantages of a fifth wheel
- Initial Cost: Fifth wheel trailers tend to be more expensive to purchase than travel trailers due to their size and additional features, as well as the costs associated with purchasing a fifth wheel truck for tow.
- Operating Costs: Due to their weight and size, fifth wheel trailers can incur higher operating costs, particularly in terms of fuel consumption and maintenance of the towing vehicle.
- Need for a Fifth Wheel Truck: To tow a fifth wheel trailer, a heavy-duty fifth wheel truck is needed, which is an additional investment on top of the cost of the trailer itself.
- Parking Restrictions: Due to their size and configuration, it can be more difficult to find suitable parking spots for fifth wheels, especially in campgrounds or tighter urban areas.
- Maneuvering complexity: Although driving stability is improved, fifth wheel trailers can be more difficult to maneuver at low speeds, especially when reversing or making sharp turns.
Travel trailer
Advantages of a travel trailer
- Variety of Sizes and Models: Travel trailers come in a wide variety of sizes, configurations, and styles, allowing campers to choose the one that best fits their needs and budget.
- Ease of towing: Compared to fifth wheels, travel trailers can be towed by a wider range of vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks, making them more accessible to more campers .
- Initial Cost: In general, travel trailers tend to be less expensive to purchase than fifth wheels, making them a more affordable option for those on a tighter budget.
- Towing Versatility: Since they are rear towed, travel trailers offer greater towing versatility, meaning they can be used with different types of vehicles.
- Easier Parking: Due to their more compact layout and size compared to fifth wheels, travel trailers are generally easier to park at campgrounds, on campgrounds, and in urban areas.
Disadvantages of a travel trailer
- Driving Stability: Travel trailers may be more prone to pitching and swaying when driving at high speeds or in high wind conditions compared to fifth wheels, due to their rear-pull design.
- Limited space: Due to their size and configuration, travel trailers generally offer less living space than fifth wheels of a similar size, which can be a disadvantage for families or groups of campers.
- Less parking stability: Although easier to park than fifth wheels, travel trailers can be less stable once installed, which can be a disadvantage in high wind conditions or on uneven terrain .
- Limited Maneuverability: Due to their length and weight, travel trailers can be more difficult to maneuver at low speeds, especially in tight spaces or when making sharp turns.
- Fuel consumption: Towing a travel trailer can result in higher fuel consumption, especially for smaller or less powerful vehicles, which can increase travel costs.
Truck camper (need a truck)
Advantages of a truck camper
- Versatility: It can be installed on different types of vehicles, allowing use with a wide variety of vehicles.
- Mobility: Allows you to travel with integrated accommodation without the need for an additional trailer.
- Autonomy: Some camper boxes are equipped with self-contained power systems (such as solar panels) and water tanks, providing some energy and water independence.
- Ease of parking: Compared to a larger trailer, a camper box is often easier to park in tight spaces.
- Cost: Often less expensive than a standard size trailer, both upfront and in terms of maintenance costs.
Disadvantages of a truck camper
- Limited space: Camper boxes generally offer more restricted living space than standard-sized trailers.
- Reduced comfort: Due to limited space, comfort may be less, especially for long stays.
- Weight Restrictions: The load capacity and dimensions of the camper box may limit the number of passengers and equipment it can carry.
- Limited Accommodations: Accommodation options may be limited compared to a more spacious campervan, which may restrict the amenities available.
- Installation Required: It may be necessary to install and uninstall the camper box on the vehicle, which can be tedious and require additional equipment.
Teardrop Camper
Advantages of a teardrop camper
- Compact and Lightweight: Tear drop campers are small and lightweight, making them easy to tow with a variety of vehicles, including smaller cars.
- Ease of Maneuverability: Their compact size makes them easy to maneuver, park, and navigate on narrow or rugged roads.
- Economical: They tend to be cheaper to purchase than larger RVs, and they also offer better fuel economy due to their reduced weight.
- Versatile: Despite their small size, a tear drop camper can offer basic features such as a comfortable bed, storage space, and sometimes even a small kitchen.
- Retro Aesthetic: Many people are drawn to their retro design and vintage charm.
Disadvantages of a teardrop camper
- Limited Space: Due to their compact size, interior space is limited, which can make longer stays less comfortable, especially for families or groups.
- Lack of Amenities: Tear drop campers often offer basic features, meaning they may lack some amenities found in larger RVs, such as a bathroom or full kitchen.
- Not Suitable for Large Families: Due to their small size, tear drop campers generally aren’t suitable for large families or those needing a lot of sleeping space.
- Weather Dependence: As they are often equipped for summer use, tear drop campers may not provide adequate comfort in cold or rainy weather unless equipped with heating systems or other additional equipment.
- Limited Storage: While they may offer some storage space, tear drop campers often have limited space for transporting additional gear like bikes, kayaks, or other bulky items.
Pop-Up camper
Advantages of a pop-up camper
- Versatility: Pop-up campers can be towed by a variety of vehicles, including smaller cars, offering greater flexibility for vehicle owners.
- Lightweight: Compared to other types of trailers, pop-up campers are often lighter, which can make them easier to transport and maneuver.
- Living Space: Once deployed, pop-up campers offer considerable living space, with sleeping areas, living spaces, and sometimes even sanitary and kitchen facilities.
- Cost: They tend to be cheaper to purchase than traditional trailers, making them a more affordable option for those who want to travel in a camper.
- Storage Ease: When folded down, pop-up campers take up less space than traditional trailers, making them easier to store in a garage or on a property.
Disadvantages of a pop-up camper
- Setup Time: It typically takes more time to set up and take down a pop-up camper compared to a traditional trailer, which can be a drawback for travelers who want to spend less time setting up and more time enjoying their trip.
- Weather Dependence: Since pop-up campers are primarily made of soft materials, they may be less insulated than rigid trailers, which can make the camping experience less comfortable in cold or rainy weather.
- Maintenance: Pop-up campers require regular maintenance to ensure their durability, including thorough drying after each use to prevent mold and premature wear of materials.
- Limited Storage Space: While they offer generous living space once deployed, pop-up campers may have limited storage space when folded down, which can be challenging for those with a lot of gear to transport.
- Wind Sensitivity: Due to their lightweight construction, pop-up campers may be more sensitive to strong winds, which may require extra precautions when camping in exposed weather conditions.
Hybrid travel trailer
Advantages of a hybrid travel trailer
- Versatility: It can be installed on different types of vehicles, allowing for use with a wide variety of vehicles.
- Mobility: Allows for traveling with integrated accommodation without the need for an additional trailer.
- Autonomy: Some camper shells are equipped with self-contained power systems (such as solar panels) and water tanks, offering some energy and water independence.
- Ease of Parking: Compared to a larger RV, a camper shell is often easier to park in tight spaces.
- Cost: Often cheaper than a standard-sized RV, both in terms of purchase and maintenance costs.
Disadvantages of a hybrid travel trailer
- Limited Space: Camper shells generally offer a more restricted living space than standard-sized RVs.
- Reduced Comfort: Due to limited space, comfort may be lower, especially for longer stays.
- Weight Restrictions: The payload capacity and dimensions of the camper shell may limit the number of passengers and equipment it can carry.
- Limited Amenities: Layout options may be limited compared to a more spacious RV, restricting available amenities.
- Installation Required: It may be necessary to install and uninstall the camper shell on the vehicle, which can be tedious and require additional equipment.
Toy Hauler
Advantages of a toy hauler
- Versatility of Use: It offers the ability to transport vehicles while serving as comfortable accommodation for camping, making it a versatile option for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Storage Space: Toy Haulers typically feature spacious cargo areas at the rear, allowing for transportation of motorcycles, ATVs, kayaks, or other recreational equipment.
- Comfort: They are equipped with amenities similar to those of a traditional RV, including beds, a kitchen, a bathroom, etc., providing camping comfort even when traveling with recreational gear.
- Adaptability: Some models are designed with modular features, such as fold-down beds or seats, to free up additional cargo space, allowing for flexible use according to needs.
- Equipment Protection: They offer weather and theft protection for transported equipment and vehicles, which can be a significant advantage during outdoor trips.
Disadvantages of a toy hauler
- Weight and Dimensions: Due to their robust design and generous cargo space, Toy Haulers can be heavier and wider than traditional RVs, which may limit their maneuverability on the road.
- Initial Cost: They may be more expensive to purchase than traditional RVs due to their specific design and additional features.
- Maintenance: Like any RV, Toy Haulers require regular maintenance to ensure proper functioning and durability, which can entail additional costs and efforts.
- Fuel Consumption: Due to their weight and increased drag, Toy Haulers may have higher fuel consumption than traditional RVs, leading to additional costs during travels.
- Living Space Limitation: Living space may be compromised to accommodate the cargo area at the rear, which can reduce interior comfort compared to a similarly sized traditional RV.
Motorized :
Class A motorhome
Advantages of class A
- Spaciousness: Class A motorhomes generally offer plenty of interior space, often with slide-outs that increase living space when the vehicle is parked.
- Comfort: They are equipped with many home-like amenities, including full bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, living spaces, and sometimes even entertainment equipment.
- Transportation Capacity: They can comfortably transport a large number of passengers and typically offer plenty of storage space for equipment and travel supplies.
- Ease of Driving: Despite their imposing size, Class A motorhomes often offer relatively easy and comfortable driving, especially on highways and wide roads.
- Panoramic View: The elevated driving position provides an excellent panoramic view of the road, improving visibility and safety while driving.
Disadvantages of class A
- High Initial Cost: Class A motorhomes tend to be more expensive to purchase than other types of RVs due to their size, equipment, and luxurious features.
- Maintenance Costs: They can be costly to maintain due to their size, complexity, and the need to keep onboard systems and equipment in good working order.
- Fuel Consumption: Due to their weight and powerful engines, Class A motorhomes tend to have high fuel consumption, which can increase travel costs.
- Limited Maneuverability: Due to their imposing size, they can be more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces such as narrow campgrounds or winding roads.
- Difficult Parking: Finding suitable parking can be challenging due to their size and height restrictions, limiting where they can be used.
Class B motorhome
Advantages of class B
- Compactness: Class B motorhomes are small in size, making them easy to drive, maneuver, and park in tight spaces such as parking lots and narrow streets.
- Versatility: They can be used as a daily vehicle in addition to being camping vehicles, making them a versatile option for those who want to travel and camp while maintaining everyday mobility.
- Better Fuel Economy: Due to their reduced size and lighter weight compared to other classes of motorhomes, Class B motorhomes tend to have better fuel economy, which can reduce travel costs.
- Easy Parking: Their small size allows for easy parking in campgrounds, urban areas, and other restricted spaces where larger motorhomes cannot access.
- Autonomy: Despite their small size, many Class B motorhomes are equipped with essential amenities such as beds, kitchens, bathrooms, and water tanks, providing some autonomy for outdoor camping.
Disadvantages of class B
- Limited Space: Due to their compact size, Class B motorhomes offer limited living space, which can make long stays less comfortable, especially for families or groups.
- Reduced Comfort: The limited interior space may mean compromises on comfort, with smaller beds, more restricted kitchens, and narrower bathrooms compared to larger motorhomes.
- Less Storage: Due to their reduced size, Class B motorhomes generally offer less storage space for equipment and travel supplies compared to Class C or Class A motorhomes.
- Passenger Limitation: They generally better suit couples or small families due to their more limited sleeping capacity compared to Class C or Class A motorhomes.
- Cost: Despite their reduced size, Class B motorhomes can be relatively expensive to purchase due to their compact design and high-end features.
Class C motorhome
Advantages of class C
- Living Space: Class C motorhomes generally offer more living space than Class B motorhomes, with an over-cab area providing additional space above the driver’s cabin.
- Comfort: They come equipped with many domestic amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, and entertainment facilities, providing a level of comfort comparable to that of a house.
- Sleeping Capacity: They often offer a larger sleeping capacity than Class B motorhomes, making them suitable for families or groups of campers.
- Ease of Driving: While larger than Class B motorhomes, Class C motorhomes are often easier to drive and maneuver than Class A motorhomes, especially for less experienced drivers.
- Better Visibility: The over-cab area provides better visibility on the road compared to Class A motorhomes, which can enhance safety while driving.
Disadvantages of class C
- Initial Cost: Class C motorhomes tend to be more expensive to purchase than Class B motorhomes due to their larger size and additional features.
- Fuel Consumption: Due to their weight and size, Class C motorhomes tend to have higher fuel consumption than Class B motorhomes, which can increase travel costs.
- Limited Maneuverability: Due to their size and weight, Class C motorhomes can be more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, such as narrow campgrounds or winding roads.
- Difficult Parking: Finding suitable parking can be challenging due to their size and height restrictions, which can limit where they can be used.
- Maintenance: They can be expensive to maintain due to their size, complexity, and the need to keep onboard systems and equipment in good working order.
Converted vans (vanlife)
Advantages of vanlife
- Freedom of Movement: Converted vans offer great freedom of movement, allowing you to easily explore new places and change scenery as you please.
- Economical: Compared to buying a house or an apartment, investing in a van and its conversion can be more affordable, thus reducing housing costs.
- Simplicity of Life: Living in a van often encourages a simpler lifestyle, with fewer material possessions and distractions, which can promote a sense of freedom and well-being.
- Connection with Nature: Converted vans allow for proximity to nature, offering the opportunity to camp in remote locations and enjoy beautiful landscapes.
- Adaptability: Vans can be converted in various ways to meet your specific needs, whether for camping, remote work, or other activities.
Disadvantages of vanlife
- Limited Space: Vans offer limited living space, which can make long stays less comfortable, especially for couples or families.
- Limited Comfort: Due to their reduced size, converted vans may lack some amenities found in a traditional house, such as a spacious bathroom or a full kitchen.
- Storage Issues: Lack of storage space can be a challenge in a van, especially if you have a lot of equipment or supplies to carry.
- Insulation and Weather Conditions: Vans may be less insulated than traditional homes, which can make the interior hot in summer and cold in winter. Additionally, they may be more susceptible to extreme weather conditions.
- Need for Services: You will need access to services such as water, electricity, and toilets, which can sometimes be challenging when living in a van, especially if camping in remote areas.
Your vehicule‘s towing capacity
Before choosing a type and length of trailer, it is important to ensure the towing capacity of your vehicle. You can look at our towing capacity guide or simply call your car dealership to confirm the weight limit. You must also ensure that the vehicle is equipped with a brake controller as well as a 7-wire connection to accommodate the trailer. All this information can be confirmed by your dealer.
Stationary campers who have the trailer delivered to the campsite do not need to do this research.
The ideal campsite
Once you find the ideal trailer for your needs, it is essential to choose a campsite that meets your needs.
Seasonal: A seasonal camper does not change locations and pays for their land in full for the year. The campsite should be chosen based on what you like to do outdoors. Some campsites are quieter, while others organize activities.
Travelers: A traveling camper should consider several factors before reserving a site.
What to check to choose the ideal campsite:
- Length and width of the site
- Campsite location
- Services offered (water, electricity and wastewater drainage)
- Swimming pool, lake or river accessible and nearby
- Amusement park for children
- Organized activities
- Permission to bring pets
- Proximity to shops (pharmacies, restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores)
- Price per night or per year
Budget
Before embarking on the process of purchasing a trailer, it may be a good idea to make a budget. Here are the expenses to think about before launching into the world of RVing:
- Price of the trailer (total price or payment per week)
- Campsite pricing
- Gas (if you want to travel with the trailer)
- Outdoor accessories
- Essential accessories for the trailer
- Keep a budget for maintenance or repairs to be carried out on the trailer. (depending on the age and size of the RV purchased, adjust your budget based on these factors)
Learn the rules at the campground you are staying at
Every campground has rules to follow. It is important to read this before choosing the campsite. For example, a campground could give a curfew at 10 p.m. to stop making noise. It is important to know this rule before staying there to avoid frustration or expulsion from the property.
Camping equipment and organization
It’s hard to know what you’re going to need to be comfortable at the campground before you even try. Here is a list of what a beginner to RV camping typically purchases in the first year:
- Complete kitchen equipment (plates, glasses, utensils, pots and more)
- Sheets, pillows and blankets
- An outdoor rug
- Camping chairs
- Basic cleaning products for the interior and exterior of the trailer.
- Flashlights
- Board games for rainy days
Draining waste water correctly
During a camping trip, an essential step is emptying waste water. Whether you are stationary or on the road, you will certainly have to empty your wastewater. At the campground, it is important to use existing septic systems. While if you are traveling, you can go to a facility that allows you to do so.
Safety first
The last important element to consider before heading out on the road with the trailer is road safety. Make sure you choose a trailer that has a suitable weight for your vehicle. Once the trailer has been chosen, it is important to ensure that the vehicle is equipped with a brake controller. When traveling, make sure you follow the road signs carefully. It is advisable to travel with water tanks emptied as much as possible. Make sure you have the required safety devices with you. These are 3 triangles or 3 signal flares. These will serve as a warning sign if you break down on a shoulder. Please refer to this guide provided by the SAAQ for more information on the specific rules for a trailer or RV.
You are now ready to embark on the world of VR camping! We Hope this beginner’s guide to RV camping
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