Full time RVing can be a pain in the posterior if you’re in the wrong vehicle. Your finances and your personality should dictate which RV is the right one for you.  

Motor Homes  Monaco Vesta

If you have enough money to purchase one, you may want to buy motor home and tow a small vehicle behind it. But remember, with this set-up, you’ll have two motors to service and maintain.

Owning a motor home and another vehicle is usually a pretty expensive option for RVing.  But the big advantage is all you have to do is pull into a campsite, hook up the water & electric, and you’re done. Plus, you have a smaller vehicle to explore towns and cities with.
 
Due to the implementation of rear view cameras, motor homes are really easy to park these days.  Just make sure you disconnect your “run around” car first. 

 5th Wheel Trailers     Greystone

When it comes to space and livability, the new generations of 5^th wheel trailers with multiple slide-outs are tough to beat.  Basically it’s like having a condo on wheels.  The new model 5^th wheel trailers are not cheap, but they certainly are less expensive than motor homes.

Most of the time however, you will need to purchase an extended bed truck with dual real wheels and a 5^th wheel hitch in the bed attached to the truck’s rear axel.  5^th wheels with several slide-outs are pretty heavy, so you’ll need to do your homework on towing packages for your truck.  Be sure to estimate how much your 5^th wheel will weigh when it’s fully loaded as you decide which truck to buy.  The best rule of thumb is to purchase a truck that is overpowered.  You’ll never regret it.

Once you get to your camp site, you’ll find that parking your 5^th wheel trailer is pretty easy, but unhooking it and setting it up will take a couple of extra steps.

The disadvantages of a 5^th wheel trailer are their weight.  Most of their extra weight is due to the mechanical systems that are needed to operate the slide-outs.  With the new aerodynamic designs wind resistance is becoming less of an issue. 

Travel Trailers    Layton

Travel trailers are pretty simple to operate and they cost much less than 5^th wheels and motor homes.  These days, many of the travel trailers on the market have slide-outs for extra living room, and they come in many different sizes.  Some are so small that they may even be towed by four cylinder vehicles.

Travel trailers are without a doubt one of the least expensive of your choices for RVing.  They can be a little more difficult to park, but with some practice, you’ll get the hang of it.

When you camp in a travel trailer you’ll want to make sure that you really need everything you take with you.  Fuel economy is usually better with a travel trailer than a 5^th wheel trailer due to the smaller engine size required in your truck needed to tow it. 

Travel trailers have smaller size holding tanks so you’ll need to empty them more often if you have a big crew on your camp-outs.  Portable tanks with wheels make this easier to shuttle the black & grey water to the dump station.

Most travel trailers do not have generators, so that is an additional expense to consider when purchasing one.  Most dealers will include a generator in your financing package.
Pop-Up Tent Trailers  Palomino Pony

Truck Campers    Lance 

If you already own a truck you're half way to owning a very practical fulltime RV. One of the most popular truck campers is the Lance, which comes in several models including ones with slide-outs.  Many Lance truck campers have the same equipment you would find in a moderately priced motorhome. The only major difference is living space.

Lance truck campers are efficient, well designed, highly maneuverable and extremely comfortable for one or two people.

Only a few states will permit towing behind another trailer.  So if you have a boat, personal watercraft, horse trailer, or snowmobiles, a truck and camper is the best option to tow with. Plus with four-wheel drive capabilities of a truck and you can go places you would never dream of reaching with a motorhome 5^th wheel or travel trailer. With truck campers you can set up camp in just a couple of minutes, and be free to take your truck and head out for some sightseeing or to launch your boat.

No matter what type of RV you decide to purchase, learning from someone else will eliminate several common mistakes, so talk to people who are already RVers.  They love to talk about RVing, so just pull into the visitor’s parking lot at an RV park and start chatting. 

Even with today’s higher fuel costs, RVing is still a less expensive way to vacation.  Home cooked meals, clean beds & bathrooms, and setting your own schedule are big advantages.

Here at Rocky Mountain RV and Marine, we have a large selection of all types of RVs for you to take a look at.  Come in today and let one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales consultants show you around.  They can help you determine which type of RV would best fit the RV lifestyle you're wanting.

So come see us and then get out there and enjoy the family good times in an RV!