Travel Trailer Frequently Asked Questions
Before buying a travel trailer, you need to ask a lot of questions about the different aspects of owning, maintaining, and towing one. You'll also want to learn about the laws for travel trailers in your area to ensure you have what you need to operate your RV safely and legally. To help, we created this list of frequently asked questions about travel trailers with answers that can help you make the RV right choice.
What Is a Travel Trailer?
A travel trailer is a tow-behind RV that attaches to the back of a tow vehicle with a hitch. You can get travel trailers in a variety of lengths, floor plans, and weights to accommodate your travel needs. These units provide a living space, typically with a bathroom and kitchen in addition to one or more beds. They can sleep between two and 14 people, as some models have sleeper sofas and tables that convert to beds.
Who Is a Travel Trailer Best Suited For?
As one of the most popular RV types, travel trailers are ideal for a wide range of people. Families appreciate bunkhouse travel trailer models that provide a space just for kids, while couples often lean toward models with larger bathrooms or master suites. Full-time RVers choose travel trailers because of their versatility and ease of use. You can get budget-friendly travel trailers or high-end models with lots of luxury features and extra amenities. These are just some of the appealing aspects of owning a travel trailer.
What Kind of Vehicle Do You Need to Tow a Travel Trailer?
To tow a travel trailer, you need to have the right vehicle. However, it's not so much the vehicle; it's the tow rating of that vehicle. You can tow a travel trailer with an SUV or a pickup truck as long as the vehicle has the tow rating to pull the load. Travel trailers have a dry weight and a gross vehicle weight. Knowing the difference between these measurements will help you choose the best vehicle for your travel trailer towing needs. Or, if you already have a vehicle, you can find a travel trailer that fits within its towing specs.
What Trailer Hitch Is Best for Towing a Travel Trailer?
For a smooth and safe towing experience, you'll want to choose a good hitch that fits your vehicle. Travel trailers can weigh as little as 2,000 pounds or as much as 9,000 pounds, so you'll need at least a Class 3 hitch. If you're towing with a large SUV or a truck, you might consider a Class 4 or Class 5 hitch. These hitches can tow a little more than a Class 3 hitch, but remember, you need to check the tongue weight capacity of the hitch to ensure it can support the trailer. Keep everything within specs for safety.
Can You Ride in a Travel Trailer While It's Being Towed?
Riding in a travel trailer while it's being towed is dangerous. The tow vehicle's driver can't see or hear what's happening in the trailer when it's being towed, so a passenger can't communicate with the driver if there's an emergency. In many states, it's illegal to ride in an RV while it's being towed. However, some states don't restrict anyone from riding in an RV while it's in motion. If you decide to ride in your travel trailer while it's being towed, make sure you're in a state where it's legal and you take the proper safety precautions.
Do You Need Insurance for a Travel Trailer?
Your travel trailer is a non-motorized vehicle, and most states don't require you to carry insurance coverage for it. If your state requires insurance for travel trailers, it's usually a liability policy similar to what you need to drive your car. A loan provider will require you to carry insurance if you have to finance your RV purchase. Talk to your insurance provider to determine whether carrying an insurance policy for your travel trailer is necessary. Also, you may want more than just liability coverage if you keep valuables in your travel trailer.
Do Grand Design Travel Trailers Have Built-in Generators?
The majority of common travel trailer features don't include built-in generators, including Grand Design models. If you want an RV with a built-in generator, consider a Grand Design toy hauler or a fifth wheel. If you're comfortable driving a motorhome, you can also find built-in generators in many large motorized RVs. Many travel trailer owners buy portable generators to help power their RVs. These generators run on gas, propane, or both, and you typically plug the travel trailer's power cord directly into the generator.
What Is the Dry Weight on a Travel Trailer?
A travel trailer's dry weight is how much it weighs with nothing in it. This varies by trailer depending on the unit's length, width, number of slides, features, and many other factors. When you're shopping for a travel trailer, you can find its dry weight and other specs on a sticker at the front of the trailer on the driver's side. Compare the specs on travel trailers and stick with looking at models your vehicle can tow.
Can You Install Solar Panels on a Travel Trailer?
You can install solar panels on your travel trailer roof to help harness the energy from the sun. Grand Design has several models that offer solar packages to make getting your RV ready for any adventure a breeze. All you have to do is add batteries and you're ready to go off-grid in your Grand Design travel trailer for a truly rugged camping experience.
Speak With Our Grand Design Travel Trailer Experts Today
The team at Bretz RV & Marine is here to answer additional questions you may have about travel trailers, so contact us any time. When you're ready to make your dream of RV ownership a reality, come by so we can show you your favorite floor plans and models. Let us help you find a travel trailer that meets all your travel needs and gets you out there making memories.