RV or Camper Trailer? We Help You Choose Based on Your Needs (2025)

Answer these six questions to decide which type of rig is right for you.

Deciding between an RV and a camper trailer is essentially choosing between a house on wheels and a tiny home that you tow. Both offer adventure, freedom, and the ability to take your home wherever the road leads—but each has distinct pros and cons. If you're stuck in the great RV vs. camper trailer debate, answering a few simple questions can get you unstuck. Below, we’ll break down the key differences, including cost, ease of travel, maintenance, and lifestyle considerations.

RV vs. Trailer: The Big Difference You Need to Know

To have or not to have an engine? That is the question. Photo bySergio Martínez onUnsplash.

At the core of the debate is a simple question: Do you want an engine or not?

A motorhome (RV) has its own engine, meaning it’s a fully self-contained vehicle. You can hop in, start the engine, and hit the road. However, this also means you’ll be maintaining and servicing that engine, just like a regular car or truck—but with potentially higher costs. When an RV needs repairs, you may have to put your entire home in the shop. And if you’re towing a separate vehicle, that’s two engines to maintain.

A camper trailer, on the other hand, has no engine; it must be towed by a separate vehicle. This setup offers more flexibility because when you park at a campsite, your tow vehicle is free for day trips and errands. Plus, maintenance costs are lower since you’re only maintaining the tow vehicle’s engine, not two separate engines. However, towing comes with its own challenges, like maneuvering, swaying in high winds and at high speeds, and ensuring your tow vehicle is properly rated for the trailer’s weight.

How to Choose Between an RV or Camper Trailer: Answer These 6 Questions

Towables and motorhomes have their own sets of pros and cons. Photo byJoel Holland onUnsplash.

How’s Your Driving? 

Be honest. And think about this: Would you rather drive a bus or tow something with potentially a lot of sway? There’s a lot to unpack here, but knowing your honest answer to that question could be the only thing you need to know in order to make a decision. 

Of course, not all motorhomes are like buses—just the class As, really—and not all travel trailers are enormous and heavy. In general, though, knowing whether you’re more comfortable towing or driving a large vehicle is a big part of making this decision. 

Envision yourself navigating tight campgrounds, backing into small parking spaces, getting in and out of a storage unit, and other scenarios to understand your comfort level with a given type of rig. If you simply can’t imagine yourself maneuvering a towable through a small parking lot, perhaps a motorhome is better for you.

Do You Already Own a Tow Vehicle? 

Neither an RV nor a camper trailer is a small investment. However, you can offset the investment of a travel trailer if you already own a tow-capable vehicle such as a truck or powerful SUV. Buying a 40-foot motorhome is a lot more expensive than buying a 40-foot toy hauler, with the former easily soaring above $200,000 depending on features and amenities. 

On the other hand, if money is no factor and you already have a towable vehicle (like a Jeep or a smaller SUV), a motorhome plus a towable vehicle can maximize space, amenities, and comfort.

Do You Want to Go Offroad? 

Most motorhomes struggle to—or can’t—handle off-road adventures. Exceptions include 4x4 class B motorhomes (campervans), some off-road capable class C motorhomes, and self-built rigs. Don’t count on getting a standard class A or C motorhome out into the backcountry. With a 4x4 vehicle and an off-road capable trailer, however, that is a possibility. More and more 4x4 camper trailers keep cropping up on the market, and they’re a great way to optimize a blend of adventure and amenities. 

Do You Want a Basecamp? 

A truck-and-trailer combo is excellent for those who prefer to have a basecamp and use their tow vehicle for daily adventures. You can park up, set up your camp, and come and go as you please without having to pack up all of your stuff. This makes it easier to more thoroughly explore a given destination, since you don’t have to haul all of your belongings with you everywhere. 

In an RV, unless you are also towing a separate vehicle, everything comes with you…everywhere. That means packing up camp every time you want to see a new destination, and it often means losing your precious campsites. This problem is eliminated, of course, if you have a separate vehicle, but not all RV-ers have the budget for that. (Towing a vehicle also adds to fuel costs and to your total vehicle weight.)

How Do You Want to Handle Service and Breakdowns? 

It’s not a question of if, but when, a motorhome needs work, whether that’s regular maintenance or emergency service. With a camper trailer, scheduled maintenance is less frequent and not totally disruptive to your life, whereas in a motorhome, scheduled maintenance means dropping your RV off at a service center for a few hours or a full day. 

And when that happens, what will you do? If you’re not towing a separate vehicle, this can be frustrating at the least. Even if you are towing a separate vehicle, you’re kicked out of your home for the day. As someone who owns and lives in a campervan (class B motorhome), trust me when I say this is not ideal. When my van needs work, I usually have to get a hotel room or short-term rental because I have pets and need somewhere stable and safe for them to stay.

If you have a camper trailer, you eliminate the possibility of an engine or drivetrain needing work. When your trailer does need service, you still have your vehicle. And in all likelihood, a trailer will be in the shop less frequently than a motorhome. Another thing to think about: If your tow vehicle needs work, you can rent a vehicle and still camp in your trailer, so you won’t face the same level of disruption. 

Do You Want to Maintain Two Engines?

Think really hard about whether or not you’re up for maintaining two engines. With a tow vehicle and a camper trailer, you get quite a lot of flexibility and space while only having to maintain one engine (the tow vehicle). If you want the same level of travel flexibility with a motorhome, you’d have to tow a separate vehicle, in which case you’d need to ensure you have the bandwidth and funds to maintain two engines. That’s a lot more costly than maintaining one and a trailer. 

FAQs

It’s important to have a good idea of your travel style before making the big purchase. Photo byVladimir Kudinov onUnsplash.

Travel trailer vs. RV: Which is better? 

Choosing between a travel trailer and an RV depends on your travel style, budget, and preferences. A travel trailer is towed by a separate vehicle, giving you flexibility—you can park the trailer and use your truck or SUV for day trips. It’s often more affordable upfront but requires a capable tow vehicle. On the other hand, a motorized RV (motorhome) is an all-in-one unit, offering convenience and quicker setup but typically comes with higher maintenance and fuel costs. If you value flexibility and affordability, a travel trailer may be best. If you prefer convenience and fewer towing hassles, an RV might be the better choice.

Is it cheaper to pull a camper or drive an RV?

Generally, towing a camper (travel trailer) is cheaper than driving a motorhome. A travel trailer has a lower purchase price, fewer maintenance costs, and no engine upkeep. Plus, tow vehicles often get better gas mileage when not towing. However, fuel costs can add up depending on the weight of the trailer and your tow vehicle’s efficiency. Motorhomes, especially Class A and Class C models, consume more fuel and require engine maintenance, making them more expensive over time. If budget is your priority, pulling a camper is usually the more economical option.

What are the negatives of owning a travel trailer?

While travel trailers offer affordability and flexibility, they also come with some drawbacks:

• Towing challenges: Requires a capable tow vehicle and experience with hitching, backing up, and maneuvering.
• Setup and breakdown time: Travel trailers require manual leveling, hitching/unhitching, and stabilizing at each stop.
• Limited amenities: Smaller trailers may lack full bathrooms, kitchens, or climate control compared to motorhomes. (But most larger trailers do have these things.)
• Less mobility while traveling: Passengers cannot move around the living space while on the road as they can in a motorhome.

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Once you’ve got your dream rig, don’t forget to hook it up with a good WiFi setup. Learn about TravlFi’s high-speed data plans and mobile hotspots for travelers.