Top 5 Regrets of Buying a Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are great — for the right traveler. Not everyone gets to enjoy the benefits of these compact vehicles. For some, there are more travel trailer regrets than perks. Let’s look at some of the top five regrets from buying a travel trailer.

What Is a Travel Trailer?

A travel trailer gets towed behind a vehicle. When they first came on the scene in the early 1900s, some people also called them “bumper pulls.”

Now travel trailers attach to the tow vehicle via a hitch. Travel trailers range in size and length. They come with various layouts and sleeping capacities. You can find one from approximately 12 to 40 feet.

The Top 5 Regrets of Buying a Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are a great investment for many RVers. But we do have five travel trailer regrets that are unfortunately common.

#1. Having to Upgrade Your Tow Vehicle

The weight of a travel trailer is a major consideration when buying one. Your vehicle will need to be able to tow the trailer at full capacity.

Be sure to check towing guides and read your vehicle’s manual to learn the towing capacity and hitch’s tongue weight capacity.

You’ll have to upgrade your vehicle if it doesn’t meet the requirements to tow your travel trailer. This can mean added costs. If you need to search for a new vehicle, it could also mean waiting longer to get on the road. 

#2. Cheap Construction

Travel trailers tend to get a bad rap for having cheaper construction than higher-end RVs like fifth wheels and motorhomes.

While this can be true for some travel trailers, there are manufacturers committed to building top-quality trailers.

We recommend doing your research when you’re ready to buy. This will alleviate travel trailer regrets due to construction.  

#3. The Storage Struggle

The storage struggle is real when it comes to travel trailers, especially small models.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get creative with the storage capacity you do have. Pinterest is a great place to look for storage organization ideas.

You can also maximize your space by storing supplies in your tow vehicle and help minimize your regret. 

#4. They Don’t Retain Their Value

Travel trailers can lose about 20% of their value in the first year. If there’s damage to the travel trailer, that percentage is likely to increase.

You may want to weigh whether or not to purchase a used travel trailer to help offset its depreciation.

#5. Lots of Maintenance Required

Maintenance is a regular part of RV life. Travel trailers are no exception. It’s wise to have tools on board and regularly check your systems. Keeping on top of cleaning your RV and tanks can also help prevent issues.

If you’re purchasing a used travel trailer, we recommend having it inspected before making a deal you regret. New trailers typically come with warranties, which help alleviate maintenance costs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-HdBlmTE9o

So, What Are the Perks of Travel Trailers?

They’re typically much more affordable than a fifth wheel or motorhome. This helps those with lower budgets get into a unit and start traveling. 

The varying sizes are also a perk. There are options for individuals and families from tiny to large travel trailers. And if you’re concerned about needing to upgrade your tow vehicle, there may be a trailer that matches your current tow capacity. There are some excellent lightweight models out there.    

We may have some travel trailer regrets, but we still think there are plenty of benefits with this class of RV. They can be great for full-time RV living, weekend trips, and seasonal camping. What are some of your travel trailer regrets?