Owning a camper trailer can be a great choice for those who love to spend a holiday out in nature but who also need a bit more comfort than offered by a tent. When you are ready to choose a camper trailer, you may be a bit overwhelmed with all the various choices as to size and features, so note a few tips to help you decide on the right trailer for you and your family.
Terrain
Obviously, you want a camper trailer that you can easily tow with your own vehicle, but consider the terrain you drive over to get to your favourite camping spot. If there are a lot of rough, rocky roads, a small and lightweight trailer might bounce too much and cause damage to the axles, tyres and other pieces. A lightweight trailer may even be more prone to getting stuck in mud, as larger and heavier tyres provide more traction and the weight of a heavier trailer can push it through muddy soil. Don't opt for anything too lightweight if you like to camp in very rough areas, but choose something heavy and rugged enough to withstand the terrain.
More features means more maintenance
A camper trailer with a full toilet and shower area is great for when you stay at campsites without a bathroom, but this also means having to maintain plumbing and water lines as well as dump and eventually clean wastewater tanks. Slide outs can provide more space, but the cranks and motors can eventually fail and need repair or replacement.
The more electrical gadgets you have onboard, including a built-in television, stereo, satellite dish and kitchen appliances, the more maintenance you'll need for the trailer's electrical systems and the more often the battery and wiring will need replacing. Keep this in mind when choosing interior features so you're prepared for the eventual maintenance and replacement costs.
Added costs of a larger trailer
Your trailer will need insurance, and this rate will probably be higher for a very large trailer with lots of gadgets and upgraded features; you may also want to store the trailer offsite rather than at home so it's always protected from potential theft and the weather. Remember that the larger the trailer, the larger and more expensive the storage unit you'll need. Bigger tyres may also be more costly to replace. Be sure you've considered these added costs of a larger trailer when choosing the trailer size.
Share29 March 2017
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