Travel Trailer or Motorhome? Which is Best for My Family?

There is a distinct choice between camper types, with travel trailers being more fitting for some and motorhomes fitting other tastes more closely. There is not a cut-and-dried answer to which is best because how you use the RV determines what works best for your family. Travel trailers are more robust, but deciding which is your best choice comes down to how you answer these questions.

Where Will You Camp?

Travel trailers tend to be a little more robust than a motorhome and make a great fixed camp at your travel stops. On the other hand, a motorhome is an all-in-one residence, restaurant, and gear storage. If you enjoy mingling with other people and visiting major attractions, motorhomes are the way to go.

Easy Access or Off-Road?

If you dream of getting off-grid and in touch with nature, motorhomes may be difficult to maneuver into tight places or along winding mountain roads. You can buy a travel trailer with heavy-duty suspension and large tires that go almost anywhere, but you cannot reduce the weight or change the suspension of a motorhome. 

What Will You Do?

Motorhome living areas are accessible while the vehicle is in motion, which means passengers can remain a little more active. Travel trailers are off-limits when they are in motion, but trailers make an excellent base camp when the family wants to explore an area in the tow vehicle. Having a parked campsite is also beneficial to families with pets. It allows the people to visit locations where their pets may not be allowed without leaving the pet in an uncomfortable environment.

Cost Considerations

Considered alone, a travel trailer is much more affordable than a motorhome. It contains a living area and perhaps a storage unit on the back, compared to a motorhome that has living and driving built into a single unit. However, if you have to purchase a towing vehicle for your trailer, such as buying a fifth-wheel trailer that requires special equipment, the cost of that vehicle has to be considered as part of the RV investment. Because you are then buying 2 vehicles of different types the cost could very easily surpass that of a motorhome.

Fuel Cost

Motorhomes are not known for getting great gas mileage. Travel trailers require a tow vehicle that begins with a much higher range per gallon, diminishing as the load of the trailer increases. This can save you hundreds of dollars on a long excursion, or on a trip where the trailer is often parked and the vehicle used as transportation without the cost of pulling a residence along.

The choice between a motorhome and travel trailers leans toward the camper trailer being a more robust option. Motorhomes excel in luxury and convenience if that is your primary goal, but a towable camper is the most applicable for most other applications. The final decision will depend on your own preferences for RV travel, and what you need your RV to do.

5 Ways That Choosing the Right RV Dealers Shapes Your RV Lifestyle Experience

If you have been thinking about taking up the RV lifestyle, authorized RV dealers can be a huge asset. They know what kind of equipment you need for the kind of traveling you want to enjoy, they can offer tips on selecting the best RV or travel trailer, and the best RV centers have a knowledgeable staff that can answer all of your questions about RV ownership, Seeing the country in a motorhome, and much more. The best way to show you how important your RV dealer can be, it's best to look at some of the ways the dealership you choose is going to affect how much you enjoy your new lifestyle.

1. Better Selection

Leading RV centers are typically authorized to sell multiple brands of motorhomes. Even more importantly, they can help you find the model you want, and work with the factory to get your RV built and delivered ASAP even if it isn't already on the lot.

2. Experienced Staff

Having a staff of knowledgeable people available who know the RV business inside and out can help you start your RV lifestyle on the right track. They can give you information that only comes from years in the business, and provide you with tips and hacks that simplify RV life. These tips are themselves garnered from years of dealing with customers who have already been there, and learning from others will save you a lot of guesswork and mistakes along the way.

3. RV Service Bays

An ordinary auto shop is not usually the best place to have RV repairs made. Their bays are designed for much smaller, lighter vehicles than RVs, and a motorhome requires a different range of skills than just automotive repairs. RV centers have large bays that accommodate larger vehicles, technicians who are familiar with the motor, chassis, and construction of the whole motorhome. RV centers repair everything from balding tires to water tanks, and that includes working with both AC and DC electrical current.

4. Onsite Warranty and Maintenance FulfIllment

Auto mechanics are not the same as authorized RV repair centers. If your motorhome is still under warranty, you need an RV dealer to honor the warranty, perform warranted maintenance, and generally make sure that everything that gets done to your RV is in conjunction with your warranties rather than voiding them away.

5. Building RV Relationships

A working relationship with a good RV dealer can be like joining a network of RV-minded people. The best RV dealers have been in business for many years, have developed a network of partners, and discovered the best places to get even the most difficult-to-find parts. A dealer that does not have RV bays, can't locate rare parts, or doesn't know how to replace the faucet in your kitchen sink, is not offering you a full range of services and that will make your adventures less enjoyable.

The RV lifestyle is a lot of fun, but you will enjoy it more by starting out with an RV dealer that already knows where to go, how to avoid breakdowns, and what to do when something goes wrong will ultimately lead to a more exciting, less stressful mobile lifestyle.

4 Tips for Selecting the Right RV Dealers for Your Consignment Sale

It is important to choose the right RV dealers for your RV consignment if you want to sell quickly and get a great price. We have chosen these 4 tips for selecting the right RV dealers to illustrate how your choice can positively impact the way the RV sale will go.

1. Established RV Dealers

Established RV dealers know the local market, Through years of experience they have developed a network revolving around the RV business, including contacts interested in purchasing consignment RVs. Perhaps equally important is the fact that they have access to hard-to-find RV parts, and making necessary repairs can greatly increase the value of your RV.

2. Paperwork Management

Established RV dealers can finance your RV consignment inhouse, and that means your RV will be available to a wider range of potential buyers who may not have the cash flow for a direct purchase. And once your RV is sold, RV consignment dealers can handle the ownership transfer. That means you only have to pick up your check after the sale without working through the hassle of the paperwork the sale involves.

3. Popular Location

Having a popular location means more traffic, and that equates to putting your RV in front of more people who are actively in the market for a recreational vehicle. Some of the best RV centers have been in the same location for a generation, and are well-known in the business. Location alone can make your RV sell faster, especially when compared to selling it yourself at home. Instead of viewers responding directly to your RV you will have the opportunity to sell to someone who was looking at something else and decided they liked yours better.

4. Experienced Staff

Underneath it all, established RV dealers also have experienced staff that understands RV sales. They can show your RV on demand, field questions from prospective buyers, and perform any repairs necessary to facilitate a quick and profitable consignment sale. If you sell your RV yourself, you will have to set aside time and arrange appointments for people to view your RV, and most of those views will be people who are simply curious but not really in the market.

RV consignment sales are a faster, safer, and more profitable way to sell a used RV, but only if you choose an RV dealer with a proven track record in making the sale. Keep in mind that once the RV is up for sale it will have to remain on the lot for a contracted amount of time, so do your homework and select a consignment dealer that can get great results.

5 RV Repair Services That Should Be Done By Authorized Repair Center

Recreational vehicles are carefully engineered machines and any major RV repair services should be performed by an authorized service center. The technicians are trained in working on RVs and have all of the necessary resources and tools. Even if your RV needs older parts, an authorized RV dealer will have contacts and sources that may be able to help.

1. Plumbing

Unless you have extensive experience with RV repair services, plumbing problems are better left to qualified technicians. Leaks, drips, and odors are all problems that need to be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent additional problems. RV service centers have extensive working knowledge of the plumbing systems and all of the necessary tools for any repairs you need.

2. Siding

Repairing damage to the exterior of the RV should always be done by experienced RV service centers. Your RV endures a lot of wind resistance as you drive down the road, and a few missing screws can easily lead to much more serious damage. Authorized technicians know how to make exterior repairs that restore the integrity and strength of your RV’s protective shell.

3. Roofing

Just as loose exterior siding can lead to major problems, a roof leak will quickly escalate to a damaged ceiling, damaged walls, and other problems. However, repairing any roof requires a certain amount of skill, and the roof of an RV is even more complicated. Unless you know how the roof is built, even walking on it for an inspection is risking additional damage.

4. Upgrades

Installing aftermarket options to your RV will add value, but only if the work is professionally done. Botched enhancement jobs can cause serious damage, and include dangers such as electrocution, cutting a plumbing line, or damaging the structural integrity of the RV. Make your investment count and have an authorized repair center do the job the right way.

5. Mechanical Operation

It is important to keep your engine in top operating condition. It is also a good idea to consistently use the same dealership for engine repairs so that the mechanic will be more familiar with your RV’s specific operation. From brake systems to water pumps, authorized repair centers have specially trained staff to handle every problem.

There are repairs that you can do yourself, but the best approach is to have all major RV repair services done by authorized repair centers. You will know you are getting the job done the way it is supposed to be, without having to stress yourself or even risk uncertain results from a less qualified mechanic.

5 Important Considerations When Shopping RV Trailers For Sale

There are many kinds of RV trailers for sale right here in Tracy, California. Before you buy one, make time to explore your options, compare the amenities, and think about your group size and towing experience. Choosing the right fit for your travel plans will have a big impact on how often you use your travel trailer and how enjoyable each trip will be.

1. New or Used?

New RV trailers for sale will include factory warranties and other purchase perks. On the other hand, a used travel trailer may have valuable aftermarket additions, appliances, or other favorable changes. Used travel trailers are also less expensive than new ones, but you should take care that a low price isn’t covering up some important flaws. If you buy used, ask your Tracy, CA RV dealer about consignment sales, and the benefits of buying consignment RVs.

2. What Type of Camping?

Smaller travel trailers are better for getting into difficult places, but larger ones are more comfortable when you establish a base camp to explore from. For couples or very small groups, Taxa Outdoors manufactures ultralight travel trailers that are designed for going off the beaten path without sacrificing the most important aspects of owning a travel trailer.

3. What is Your Tow Vehicle?

Some travel trailers can be towed behind a family sedan, including models like the Taxa Cricket. Others require a large vehicle or even a fifth wheel. You will either need to purchase a camper trailer that matches your tow vehicle or calculate the cost of a new tow vehicle into the cost of ownership.

4. Do You Have Towing Experience?

A small travel trailer is much easier to pull than a longer one. California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway, for example, can be treacherous for experienced drivers towing large travel trailers. If you aren’t sure about your towing abilities, it’s a good idea to practice towing, backing, and turning in a parking lot before you leave home, or shop for a smaller camper that doesn’t require the same skillset. You might need to learn new driving skills. For your first travel trailer, it is more practical to go with what you know and upgrade to bigger and better things after you’ve gained more experience.

5. How Many People?

Large travel trailers are capable of seating and sleeping up to 8 people or even more. A Taxa Mantis is maxed out at 4, and two of those should be children. Because there are so many different sizes and types of travel trailers for sale, your space requirements are an important part of the buying decision.

You can find a travel trailer to meet your needs in Tracy, CA at your hometown RV dealer, but it is important that you match your personal preferences with your purchase. Do not be afraid to ask questions and take your time when touring the different models. This is a big purchase and deserves the most-informed decision.