There's nothing like getting out on the open road with your very own travel trailer. Travel trailers give you and your loved ones ultimate freedom and grant you the opportunity to explore this vast country of ours in pursuit of fun and adventure.
Few can honestly say that they've never dreamed of having one of their own when they watch one pass by on the highway.
You might feel ready to make that dream a reality. You've likely been thinking about travel trailer life for a long time, and you're just about ready to make the next move - but the cost is the only thing holding you back.
You might be surprised to find out that the average cost of a travel trailer is much less than you might imagine. Of course, the price you will pay depends on a number of factors, including size, construction, style, brand, and age, but this is a realm in which it's very easy to find a good deal.
If you're thinking about buying a travel trailer, read on to learn all about travel trailer cost.
Size and Style
One of the first things you need to think about when shopping for a travel trailer is determining what size and style you want and need.
There are so many different styles of camper on the market today. In all cases, these trailers are towed behind a car or truck using a ball tow hitch.
In almost all cases, they are furnished with a place to sleep, a place to sit, and room for storage.
Many have kitchens, and some have bathrooms. The kitchens and bathrooms can vary immensely. Some kitchens only include a cooler, a sink, and a small stove; others have a full-sized refrigerator, four-burner range, and an oven. Some bathrooms have a shower, but others only have a toilet or sink.
Some travel trailers have slide-out capability to increase the square footage when parked. Toy haulers include a compartment for other vehicles like ATVs, dirt bikes, or jetskis.
Tiny teardrop trailers can often be towed by a regular car. They're too small to stand up inside of, but there's plenty of room to sleep and there's an outdoor kitchen in the back.
Pop-up trailers fold down small but offer a great deal of space inside when the beds and ceiling are "popped-up" at the campground. These, too, can be pulled with a small vehicle.
Classic travel trailers can range in size from very small to very large. There are small, lightweight, towable travel trailers that are only ten feet long, and there are gigantic, luxury travel trailers that are thirty-five feet long or longer.
There are so many different styles and sizes of travel trailers from which to choose. You could buy one new trailer per year for the rest of your life and still not fully experience them all. As you might imagine, the average cost of a travel trailer varies depending on what type of trailer you want.
Brands
There are also a vast number of different brands out there manufacturing travel trailers and the average cost of a travel trailer also takes this factor into account.
Many of the brands you see on the road are subsidiaries of larger camper manufacturers, so if you are familiar with one of their brands and know that it is good, then the others are probably quite good as well. For example, Thor Industries is the parent company of a wide variety of well-known travel trailer brands including Airstream, Jayco, Starcraft, and more as mentioned by Hutpost. Forest River is the parent company that makes Flagstaff and Rockwood travel trailers, among others.
Winnebago is another reputable and familiar brand that makes great travel trailers as well.
Some people fall in love with one brand of travel trailer and some cost more than others. This can also play a part in determining the average cost of a travel trailer.
New vs. Used
Another factor that can affect the average cost of a camper is whether you wish to buy new or used. Some people love buying things brand new and being the first owners. This way, you can get the latest features and technology and you know for sure that everything will be in perfect working condition.
However, if you decide to buy a used travel trailer instead, you can save a bundle. Because travel trailer enthusiasts are always upgrading their trailers to the next best thing, you can get a fantastic deal on a used trailer - even one that is relatively new and in excellent condition. Smart shoppers can even save several thousand dollars this way.
The Average Cost of a Travel Trailer
As you can see, there are dozens of different factors that pay into the average cost of a travel trailer, so determining the true average is impossible. However, it is possible to develop a general idea of the average on each type of trailer.
Classic Travel Trailers
Classic travel trailers come in all shapes and sizes. A brand new, small travel trailer will cost at least $11,000 for the smallest, most bare-bones model out there. On the other end of the spectrum, a large travel trailer with all the bells and whistles can cost close to $40,000. With these numbers in mind, you can expect to pay somewhere in the middle.
When buying used, you could perhaps cut those costs in half, depending on how old it is, what condition it is in, and so on.
Pop-Up Trailers and Teardrop Trailers
Pop-up travel trailers and teardrop trailers are simpler and are therefore more inexpensive. However, they also come in a wide range of prices.
A large, brand new pop-up camper with slide-outs may be priced at around $20,000, but a smaller, less-fancy one may be listed at about $10,000.
A new, simple teardrop trailer may only cost $5,000, but a fancier one can cost as much as $16,000.
In both cases, used trailers might only cost half as much as the new ones do.
Happy Shopping
There are so many different types of travel trailers to check out, explore, and consider, so it's best to shop around. An RV show is a great way to see many different kinds all at once. There, you'll be able to gather more information about the average cost of a travel trailer that has everything you want in yours.
No matter what kind of travel trailer you choose, you don't have to pay for it all upfront. Travel trailer financing is available in most states nationwide even if you have bad credit.
Check out the rest of our site for more information or to apply for a loan. We can't wait to help you get out there on the road.
Also Read: The Best Travel Trailer for 2022
