Even though the camping season may seem far away, it’ll come up faster than you think it will, and you don’t want to get caught off guard. So use these months to explore, shop, and locate your first or next best RV. But how will you know what to look for when you’re sifting through the makes and models? It’ll be up to you to make the final decisions, but RV Four Seasons wants to help you get started by giving some basic pointers: the kinds of things you want to be keeping in mind and the differences between the RV types. Take a look for yourself and when you’re ready to look at some specific models, stop by one of our locations in Wheat Ridge and Loveland, Colorado. We also proudly serve Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as all of Southern Wyoming.
Your Camping Style
Start by considering your camping needs. How many people will you need to accommodate? What kinds of amenities do you want? How much storage space do you need to fit all your things? How long do you intend to be on the road at any given time? These factors will affect the kind of RV you get. For example, the more space you need, the better the features need to be, and the longer you spend on the road generally indicate you’ll need a bigger model and maybe a newer model. Keep track of your needs as well as your preferences so the dealership can help you narrow the field.
Budget
Another important consideration is your budget. Looking at the premier models can persuade you to overspend based solely on the luxuriousness. To make sure you don’t get swept up in the excitement, make sure you have a specific budget going into your search so you don’t overpay. Try to aim low so you have a little bit of wiggle room should you find the perfect RV that is a little over budget.
Different RV Types
RVs are split up into groups that are generally based on how you move them around and what functions they serve. Your needs and preferences will dictate which type of RV you choose.
Travel Trailers
The first few options are towable RVs, meaning they must be hooked up to another vehicle to move them from one place to another. Travel trailers are among the most widely varying RV types, ranging from small, teardrop designs to much bigger models that rival the biggest fifth wheels and motorhomes. They can sleep anywhere from 2 to 12 campers and come with vastly different amenity options. It’s just up to your personal requirements to narrow down the field.
Another great advantage to travel trailers is they’re relatively easy to tow, making them ideal for first time owners. The hitching process is fairly straightforward and odds are it won’t take you long to get used to towing them around (although we still recommend practicing towing extensively)
Fifth Wheels
Fifth wheels are different from travel trailers in that you must tow them with a vehicle with an open- or flatbed, so probably a pickup truck. While fifth wheels also come in a variety of comfort and sizes, they’re generally bigger and more luxurious than travel trailers. This can make them difficult for some people to tow, but the overlap between the overhanging section of the fifth wheel and the bed of the truck can also provide a lot more control and stability for the driver.
Toy Haulers
The last of the towable RVs are the toy haulers. While again ranging widely in size and comfort level, toy haulers serve a very specific purpose. Behind the living area, they contain a small garage designed to hold powersports vehicles like motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. It’s built for a fairly specific type of camper, but it’s a must have for those who want to explore their camping area with their powersports equipment.
Motorhomes
If you don’t want to mess with a towable RV that needs to get hitched every time you want to take it out, motorhomes are the RV style that’s completely contained, built with a front cab and engine so you can simply drive off the lot without a fuss.
Motorhomes are broken down further still by size. Class A motorhomes are the largest, averaging at 10’ tall and about 30’ long (like a large bus). Class B motorhomes are on the other end of the size spectrum as the smallest motorhomes. Looking at them, you might mistake them for large vans. Generally, the in between size is known as Class C. They’re more readily recognizable by their overcab sleeping area, which might help if you’re looking at some particularly large Class C motorhomes. Knowing this, you can use the same criteria we developed earlier to choose the right motorhome for you.
While this is a lot of information to take in, hopefully it helped you get started on the decision making process. If you need additional help, or if you want to see specific models in person, then stop by RV Four Seasons in Wheat Ridge and Loveland, Colorado. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as Southern Wyoming.
