There are many factors to consider when buying a recreational vehicle. To begin with, there are two major types, which are further broken down into a variety of vehicles each with its pros and cons.

The first type of RVs is the motor home and the second type is the trailers. When considering which type to buy, it is important to keep in mind your budget, lifestyle, amenities and the amount of time you plan to stay in the trailer. The benefit of any recreational vehicle is the freedom to take to the roads while bringing a little bit of home with you.

Beginning with the simplest type of vehicle are the smaller towable trailers (including campers). The most affordable type are the folding camping trailers and the truck campers. Prices for these begin around $ 5,000 new but used ones begin as low as $ 2,000 for older models.

These units offer basic amenities such as cold storage/refrigeration, cooking range, fresh water tanks, propane tanks, dining area, and sleeping accommodations. These trailers are great for the weekend warriors looking to get out of suburbia and into the great outdoors. Truck campers, obviously need a truck, but some pop up trailers can be pulled by even compact cars.

Moving up the chain is the traditional travel trailers. These units tend to be bigger, although some trailers are as short as 10 feet, and they come with a pricier tag beginning about $ 10,000. These RVs must be towed by vehicles that can handle the load and often need load distribution and sway control devices to stable it during transport.

However, the amenities that these trailers offer are much nicer than their smaller pop up cousins. The nicer units can top $ 125,000, but come with expendable walls that increase the living area when the trailer is parked, showers, miniature kitchens, bathrooms, septic tanks, and their own electrical system.

If the load distribution and sway control are still a problem to this option, purchasing a 5th wheel can be the solution. The down side is that 5th wheel trailers need a special truck hitch, but towing is much easier. The other types of RVs are the motorized homes. These units combine the living space and the vehicle for convenience and luxury.

There are three classes of motor homes: A, B, and C. At the top end is the 30 to 45 foot behemoth Class A RVs. These vehicles begin at $ 100,000 and can cost up into the millions complete with granite counter tops, queen-size beds, and flat screen plasma televisions (or, essentially, the Ritz Cartlon on Wheels).

The next two classes (B & C) are a combination of miniature Class A’s or converted vans. They can begin in the $ 30,000 and top $ 150,000. The price varies based on the type of amenities that you want. The basic units have the necessities including refrigeration, cooking ranges, water closets, and sleeping accommodations.

There are definite benefits to these RVs compared to their trailer cousins. Passengers can move within the trailer (and even use the bathrooms) without having to stop. They are easy to move and you do not have to worry about to vehicles.

The down side is your home is attached to your transportation so getting around town can be tricky unless you are towing a car. Motor homes also tend to be a little more expensive and when they break, the whole vehicle is out of service. So, whether you are a weekend warrior or a long road hauler there are plenty of options for a recreational vehicle. These units are so customizable that you never have to leave home again, while seeing places you’ve never been.