RV Travel Trailers – Vehicles with Modern Amenities

Article By Michelle O’Connor, RV Trailers

An RV travel trailer, or caravan, is a small trailer in which people can live and travel simultaneously. RV travel trailers as well as other types of camping accommodations have had a long and varied history. In the USA, this history can be traced back to the early days in the 1920s when people of the time called these travelers “Tin Can Tourists”. As time progressed, trailers became more livable and earned a new name in the 1930s and 1940s – “House Trailer”. In the 1950s and 1960s, the industry seemed to split, creating the two distinctly different entities that we see today, that of the recreational vehicle (RV) industry and Mobile home industry. Today, travel trailers are classified as a type of RV along with motor homes, teardrop trailers, and truck campers.

Various Sizes for Your Various Needs

Smaller RV travel trailers and pop-ups are still made with touring in mind. These generally are less than 18' long and contain simple amenities. They are lightweight and quick to set up or prepare for travel. Most weigh less than 3000 lbs or about 1300 Kg and can be towed with a large car or small truck. Mid-range travel trailers are 18'- 25', can weigh 5000 lbs or more, and are generally towed with compact V-8 powered pick up trucks and SUVs. They have most of the amenities of the larger travel trailers but have sleeping accommodation for fewer people.

Larger RV travel trailers are made keeping in mind the seasonal or full-time users. These generally range from 25’-40' long and contain all the luxurious comforts. They require a large tow vehicle, either large trucks or SUVs; these can weigh up to 12000 pounds or more. Multiple TVs and Air Conditioners are common features found on these RV travel trailers. Slide-out rooms and screen porches add value to larger RV travel trailers.   Fleetwood RV manufactures a high end line of full size RVs and trailers.

Innovative RV Travel Trailers

With time, RV Travel Trailers have witnessed many innovations. One such innovation in RV Travel Trailer is the "Toy Box." Half living area and half garage, you can roll down all the toys to the countryside. A folding rear ramp gives access for Motorcycles, ATVs, Personal Watercraft, even racecars, to the back half. A built-in generator provides power for A/C, TV, and microwave. Another innovation is the hybrid travel trailer that combines the features of a pop-up trailer and a hard-sided trailer.

Amenities Galore in RV Travel Trailers

A typical mid-range, modern RV Travel Trailer will contain the features such as, Gas/Electric powered refrigerator, Gas/Electric powered stove, oven and grill and Gas/Electric powered water heater. It contains one or more beds, some of which double-up for daytime seating. Electricity is usually supplied by battery or external hookups. Some even come equipped with RV Solar Systems.  Toilet comes with removable disposal tank and flush-water tank. Shower is for your bathing needs. Radio, CD players, TV aerial/satellite dish etc for entertainment.  Air conditioning, clothes washer and dryer, Microwave etc, are additional attraction on a RV Travel Trailer.

Article By Michelle O’Connor California RV Parks