Motorhomes VS Trailers

There has been an age old debate raging among recreational vehicle (RV) users. Which is superior, and why: the motorhome, or trailer. Both have their own die-hard fans. Both have their own pros and cons. And, perhaps somewhat ironically, they both serve nearly the exact same purpose. But it only makes sense that two such similar items, both made for the same use, would attract such vocal followings. Let's break down the argument then, and see if there are any conclusions worth drawing.

Trailers

Haul behind trailers have numerous uses, with a large smattering of different types. For the purpose of motorhomes versus trailers however, let's only consider fifth wheels, since they're typically more comparable to motorhomes in size and stability. So, let's dig right into the pros and cons of both.

Fifth wheel trailers typically do better in the fuel economy realm than do motorhomes. Usually this is somewhere between 20-40%, which can make quite a difference after enough miles. This is a definite plus for haul behind trailers. Secondly, you use your own truck for fifth wheel trailers. That means that when you park the trailer, you have a vehicle readily at hand to run any further errands you might need without having to pull up stakes and completely uproot your living quarters. This is a huge plus when faced with the need to run to a nearby grocery store for a quart of milk. To have to undo and redo all that work for something as simple as milk usually means you go without. But if you're driving a fifth wheel around, that isn't a problem in the slightest.

A huge plus for pull behind trailers that rarely gets considered is the resale value on the trailer. As long as maintenance is kept up to date, and there are no serious problems, a fifth wheel will keep a reasonable amount of resale value over a decent amount of time, even after a decent amount of use. Motorhomes don't have that luxury. Every mile gets recorded onto motorhomes, and that means for the typical motorhome user that they burn through miles pretty quickly. Using a motorhome at even a reasonable rate plummets its resale value, which is no trivial thing considering how expensive motorhomes can (and often do) cost. Yet those same miles are going onto the truck hauling the trailer, so there is a similar depreciation of value caused by travel. The difference can be even more dramatic, however, if deciding to haul a car around with the motorhome.

Motorhomes

Motorhomes are often called kings of the road and travel. They're the easiest to park and camp with, and they pack a full and wide range of amenities. They sit higher while traveling, giving a fuller sense of the scenery. They allow any passengers to move about, or even sleep, and return to their natural seating while in motion (practicing safety, of course). They're generally more comfortable, and roomier. In the end, it depends upon what the RVer is looking for. Both are great for travel and camping . There is no wrong decision, so long as you've reasonably assessed your needs and desires.