CHOOSING BETWEEN A FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILER

Notre expertise en fifth wheels et caravanes has taught us that people love towable campers because they don’t require engine maintenance, unlike motorized units. Eliminating the upfront cost of the engine can free up some budget for additional options on a towable unit. Plus, the sheer variety of sizes, prices, and floorplans is appealing. Plus, the ability to detach the tow vehicle for day trips or errands is also really convenient.

When it comes to choosing between caravanes contre 5th wheels, the differences aren’t as stark. Don’t think of it as fifth wheels being ‘better’ or travel trailers being ‘better’; it’s more about fit, which kind of trailer best suits how you want to travel. That brings us to a couple rules you should always follow when shopping for an RV.

RESPECTEZ VOS PRIORITÉS

Decisions on things like interior décor and options may come down to weighing “wants” vs. “needs.” Vinyl seating, stain-resistant flooring, outdoor amenities, or residential-level décor may all make you say, “I want that,” but stay focused initially on the things that make you say, “We’ll definitely need that.”

Réfléchissez à l'utilisation que vous comptez faire de votre VR et à vos habitudes de camping. Vous aimez passer la plupart de votre temps à l'extérieur ? Vous pourriez peut-être renoncer aux équipements superflus à l'intérieur de votre VR et privilégier les options plus modernes. cuisines extérieures or centres de divertissement. Mais si vous avez des enfants impatients qui aiment avoir plein d'options pour occuper tout le monde les jours de pluie, extras à l'intérieur pourrait être le bon choix.

HOW YOU’LL TOW

Quant au choix entre une caravane à sellette et une caravane de voyage, la conversation commence par le remorquage. Contrairement à attelage à boule traditionnel utilisés par les caravanes, les caravanes à sellette se connectent à un attelage à l'intérieur du lit d'une camionnette. This gooseneck area up front gives fifth wheels a different shape than other trailers. Fifth wheels have a larger turning radius and some added stability when towing since the connection is centered over the truck’s rear axle and the center of gravity is closer to the tow vehicle.

If you already have a tow vehicle with one hitch or the other, your decision may be clear. Otherwise, you can learn more about what it’s like to tow a cinquième roue contre caravane de voyage et lisez des explications détaillées sur les poids, les connexions et tout ce qu'il faut rechercher lorsque vous décidez comment remorquer.

Now, let’s dig into some of the other practical differences between fifth wheels and travel trailers.

LONGS COURSES OU ESCAPADES RAPIDES

La caravane à sellette est idéale pour les séjours prolongés. Elle offre des capacités d'eau, de batterie et de vidange parmi les plus importantes, grâce à son col de cygne positionné au-dessus de l'attelage. Cela réduit les besoins d'entretien et de maintenance sur la route, tout en offrant un espace de vie supplémentaire. À quelques exceptions près, les caravanes à sellette sont plus rapides à monter et à démonter, disposent généralement de systèmes et de capacités de chargement plus importants et sont plus adaptées aux arrêts fréquents ou aux courts trajets.

VARIÉTÉ DE PLAN D'ÉTAGE

Les caravanes de voyage plus petites peuvent accueillir deux personnes, tandis que les modèles de dortoirs plus grands peuvent accueillir jusqu'à dix personnes comfortably. If there’s a particular layout or RV feature you’re looking for, inside or out, you can likely find it on one travel trailer or another. There are tons of weight options, varying from a few hundred pounds up to several thousand. Fifth wheels will always have their signature shape, giving them a smaller range of possible sizes and space. 

CONFIDENTIALITÉ ET VOYAGES MULTIGÉNÉRATIONNELS

Le construction à deux niveaux d'une cinquième roue allows for up to three distinct living spaces. You, the grandparents and kids can each have your own space. If you’re traveling with very young kids, there’s the bonus of allowing the kids to nap in one room or play video games without disturbing them as you go about your day. More and more travel trailers are available with bunkhouses that offer a similar feel.

OPTIONS DE CONSTRUCTION

In the case of many travel trailers, you’ll have a choice between aluminum and fiberglass sidewalls, an option you don’t always have when it comes to fifth wheels. Both aluminum and fiberglass RVs have their pros and cons. Aluminum models are usually cheaper, making them a good choice for new RVers, and easier to fix if they get damaged. Fiberglass RVs have flat walls that are easy to clean, and they are lighter and more aerodynamic, which can make them easier to drive.

ESPACE DE RANGEMENT

Fifth wheels’ shape allows for more storage, inside and out. Their height and sometimes wider bodies allow you to find a great balance of living and storage space. You’ll often find more and deeper cabinetry and closets as well as large pass-through exterior storage that’s accessible from both sides of the coach. You can fit large outdoor gear for the campsite or activities in these exterior spaces. Since a travel trailer doesn’t hitch up to the bed of your truck, you always have the bed of your truck or SUV truck available for additional gear.

ESPACE VITAL

If you’re tall or looking for a lot of living space, the fifth wheel’s shape naturally allows for more height inside the coach and multiple levels with stairs. Fifth wheels are also available with plusieurs pièces coulissantes (as many as five), which make for an even more open, residential experience. There’s often just a different feel when you walk inside travel trailers and fifth wheels for the first time.