Purchasing an RV can be a major financial investment, and the decision to buy brings up a lot of questions – the first of which is “motorhome or travel trailer?” If you’re stumped and can’t seem to make up your mind, you’ve come to the right article! I’ve compiled a list of ownership pros and cons for both the motorhome and travel trailer. Keep in mind that both are great options and that it all depends on your needs and wants. Let’s go!
The Upfront Cost
There is a huge price difference between the motorhome and the travel trailer. We’re going to assume we’re comparing a new motorhome with a new travel trailer or a used motorhome with a used travel trailer. With this comparison, a class C motorhome will most likely cost two times the average cost of a travel trailer. Generally speaking, travel trailers are significantly lower in cost than motorhomes. However, though travel trailers are more affordable than motorhomes, travel trailers are dependent upon a vehicle. The ideal vehicle would most likely be a truck.
Ongoing Maintenance
As you’d expect, the ongoing maintenance of a class C motorhome tend to be higher than a travel trailer. The simple reason for the price difference is because the motorhome has both the RV components and the vehicle components such as the engine and etc. Depending on how often you use the motorhome the cost of maintenance can cost anywhere between $50-$200 dollars per month. Whereas the travel trailer can cost anywhere between $1-$50 dollars a month, give or take.
Cost of Gasoline
When it comes to the cost of gasoline, it largely depends on the size of the motorhome as well as the cost of fuel. When comparing a class C motorhome with a truck towed travel trailer the motorhome would be more fuel efficient.
Depreciation and Vehicle Resale Value
Vehicles, in general, are not good investments because once it leaves the sales lot, the vehicle beings to depreciate. However, when we look at travel trailers, you may experience a slower depreciation because it doesn’t have an engine or various vehicle parts.
Travel Frequency
How often do you plan on hitting the road? Are you planning on traveling full-time or part-time? These are important questions to maximize your investment as well as your decision. If you plan on traveling part-time during the weekends or during annual vacations, it may be a big investment for a motorhome if it’s only going to be used a few weeks out of the year.
Driving Experience
When it comes to the all-in-one class C motorhome, driving is a lot more comfortable and less stressful. The motorhome is relatively easier to drive than pulling the travel trailer with a truck. One key difference between the motorhome and the travel trailer is the driving speed. When making corner turns or driving downhill, it’s a bit stressful for travel trailers since you’ll have to consider both the truck as well as the trailer.
Living Space and Storage
The class C motorhome will have a smaller and more confined living quarters than the travel trailer. One major decider between the two is the average number of passengers you’ll be housing during your trips. If space is a concern, I’d recommend visiting a local RV dealership to get a better size idea.
If you’re looking for a storage facility to securely store your motorhome or travel trailer, Agua Dulce Storage has got your covered! Here at Agua Dulce Storage, we offer a wide selection of parking units to accommodate your every need. To learn more about our storage facility, please check out our website at https://aguadulcestorage.com/.