Camping trailers range from smaller, pop-up trailers and pickup campers to travel trailers and full-sized motor homes. Choosing the size and model that best suits your needs depends on how much camping you plan to do, how many people you need to sleep and how much storage space you require. If you plan on doing wilderness camping, as opposed to a trailer park with utilities, you will want a large capacity water tank, and you also may want to consider a generator or solar panel.
Towing safely means practice and safety checks. First and foremost, you must ensure that your vehicle has the capacity to tow the trailer. Practice backing up into a driveway and around corners. Get the feel for acceleration and braking, and keep in mind you may be performing these tasks on mountain roads. Safety checks include tire pressure on both the towing vehicle and the trailer, correct mount of the hitch, proper placement of pin-securing ball mount, secure and crossed safety chains and proper functioning of brake lights. Before leaving a campsite, check to make sure all utilities are unplugged and that antennas and awnings are properly stowed. Keep in mind that gas mileage will be decreased when towing a trailer, so map out your fuel stops prior to a trip. If you hear static on your radio while towing a trailer, stop and check the car-trailer hookup to be sure a ground wire has not come loose.
Consider off-season camping when RV parks and campgrounds generally have lower rates. Research places that will allow you to park overnight for free such as store parking lots and casinos. Many campgrounds offer reduced rates for longer-term stays. Explore the town where your campground is located to find the local bargains like thrift bakeries, flea markets, church suppers and local farm stands. Limit your eating-out meals to lunches and prepare dinners in the trailer. Locate campgrounds that are close to towns and other amenities to limit driving needs once parked.
