The most popular Recreational Vehicles are travel trailers, in a variety of sizes and weights. Travel trailers are hard-sided, and ready to inhabit as soon as you arrive at your destination. Many can be towed by ordinary cars, SUVs, minivans or pickup trucks – the kind that you may already have in the driveway. So called “lightweight” travel trailers weigh between 2,000 and 4,000 lbs., have a length as small as 12 feet, or up to 24 feet, with prices starting around $8,000. Of course, accommodations will be tight in a compact trailer, although perfectly suitable for short trips.

For more room, look to a medium or large travel trailer rv, with lengths up to 40 feet and overall weight up to about 9,000 lbs. A V8-powered SUV or pickup truck with higher towing rating will be needed to pull these larger trailers. Amenities inside vary from plain and utilitarian to downright luxurious. Some manufacturers are extremely creative in designing compact features, convertible beds and ingenious floorplans for maximum living space. Slideouts are a popular option for adding even more room without adding length to the trailer. Most trailers are equipped with a bathroom, galley and storage cabinets.

Another relatively new type of motorhome is the SURV, or Sport Utility Recreational Vehicle, also known as a “toy hauler rv.” This is essentially a motorhome with a garage. That’s right, part of the floorplan is devoted to a room for carrying motorized fun machines such as ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, jet skis, dune buggies or other toys. A large door on the side or rear, with integral ramp, provides easy access. The garage space will usually have an easy-to-clean vinyl or metal floor, tie-down hooks and perhaps some utility cabinets and storage. Some even have an optional fuel tank for dispensing gas to your toys. The rest of the motorhome then has the expected amenities, such as a bathroom, galley and sleeping quarters.

When the vehicles are off-loaded, many SURVs have beds in the “garage” area. Some are cleverly mounted on tracks that move the mattresses to the ceiling, out of the way. Just push a button, and a single bed or bunk beds move down and provide as many as four additional sleeping spots while the toys are parked outside.