Living in a towable trailer feels more like living in a home than living in a motor home does. The actual living space in a towable trailer is 100 percent of the total interior area; the motor home, on the other hand, requires space dedicated to the driving area --- e.g., the steering wheel, dashboard, driver and passenger seats, and windshield. People may feel that sleeping in a towable trailer feels more like sleeping in a bedroom than sleeping in a motor home, which may feel like sleeping in a bus or van.
Once at the chosen destination, the towing vehicle can be separated from the trailer and used as transportation around the area. This is especially advantageous when the recreational vehicle stays at one campsite for an extended amount of time or when the campsite is particularly far from entertainment, grocery stores or gas stations.
Because the towable trailer doesn't have a motor, it has no extra motor upkeep while it's parked at home. Motor homes, on the other hand, have engines that require maintenance even when they're not being used. Motor home owners also may tow a small car, which not only adds to the the motor home's fuel consumption but again requires two motorized vehicles to maintain.
If the towing vehicle breaks down and requires extended time for repairs, campers can still live in the towable trailer at the campsite until the repairs are completed. Staying in a motel or hotel can get expensive, especially for large families.
If the towing vehicle is already owned, a towable trailer remains the cheapest way to get out on the road --- the home is the only thing the buyer is purchasing, not a motor and other car parts. As of 2011, travel trailers cost from $15,000 to $50,000, while fifth wheels run from $20,000 to $100,000. Smaller Class C motor homes, however, start at $40,000 and go up to $200,000. The larger Class B RVs, which are called conversion vans, range from $35,000 to $90,000, and Class A RVs, large buslike units, sell for anywhere from $50,000 to $750,000. Towable trailers also don't usually require extra permits to use public highways.
A towable trailer has a wide range of towing vehicles that can pull it, including a six-cylinder sedan, SUV, minivan or 1/2-ton pickup truck, so the vehicle can be chosen that best fits the trip. If a family is planning its vacation at a resort, for example, a sedan may be the better vehicle choice; a pickup truck may be a better choice for backwoods camping.
Recreational vehicle owners find it easier to trade just the tow vehicle or the trailer rather than trading an all-in-one motor home. Finding a local motor-home resale establishment can be an issue. Because of the amount of investment, selling one by yourself can be daunting.
If the towable trailer is hooked up to a smaller truck camper, a truck with a camper top or a van conversion, then two RVs are available while camping --- one can serve as base camp and the other can be used for off-road excursions, or one can be used for parents and the other for the kids.
