Travel Trailers Vs. Toy Haulers
Two of the most commonplace styles of towable RVs are travel trailers and toy haulers. But Each style has its benefits and drawbacks, and both will be comfortable campers for most families. But how do you decide which one is the better option for you?
Schwab’s RV World is your Alberta RV dealer, located in Leduc. Here’s a comparison between toy haulers and travel trailers so you can decide which option is best for your camping needs.
Purpose
How you’ll use your trailer will influence the type of trailer you ultimately purchase.
Travel trailers are made to offer you a comfortable, home-like experience at your destination. Big refrigerators, flat-screen TVs and even more luxurious amenities can be found within them. Travel trailers are more likely to have these amenities as well as additional features to make your stay more comfortable. Slide-outs can help to maximize interior space at your destination, too.
Toy haulers are designed with the primary purpose of hauling heavy cargo like powersports vehicles to and from competitions, campgrounds and other off-roading destinations. They also offer accommodations within, but they’ll have less interior living space due to the expansive cargo bay at the rear of the vehicle. You’ll still get a comfortable trailer with everything you need (bed, bathroom, kitchen, living room), but it probably won’t be quite as luxurious or spacious as a travel trailer.
Weight
Toy haulers are the heavier option, built on a hefty frame to accommodate the hundreds of pounds of extra weight of your cargo. A towing vehicle with a very large weight capacity is required to haul them around.
Travel trailers are the lighter option in every instance, and there are models that are ultra-lightweight which can be towed by an average passenger car instead of a huge truck. You’ll use less fuel to get where you’re going, which is an added bonus to a lower total weight.
Length
Toy haulers and travel trailers are generally the same length, but a toy hauler is going to feel smaller since some of its length is taken up by the aforementioned cargo bay. If you’re after a very short camper, then a travel trailer will end up being the better option because there’s more variety in size.
Cost
Travel trailers are the less expensive option by far, although if you go for an extremely luxurious travel trailer, you may end up spending more than $60,000. Their cost typically range between $15,000 to $30,000, though.
Toy haulers are pricier, costing somewhere between $20,000 and $80,000. Costs can vary here, too, depending on how much luxury you want.
Storage Space
If you’re after closet space and interior storage, a travel trailer has this in spades. But if you’re talking overall storage space, then toy haulers win out, thanks to their large cargo bays which can hold a great deal of items inside.
Which Option To Choose?
Ultimately, your choice depends on your own personal preference, but here are some of the key highlights of each type of towable RV.
Travel trailers are best suited to:
- Tighter budgets
- Larger traveling groups who need more space
- Frequent travelers who can make use of the amenities
- Lower-capacity towing vehicles
Toy haulers are ideal for:
- Powersports enthusiasts who need a safe way to transport their “toys”
- Purchasers of furniture and large antiques who tour the province often, attending antique shows
- Remote workers who need a mobile office on the road
Visit our website to check out our wide stock of new and used RVs for sale, including travel trailers and toy haulers, at our Leduc location. You can also talk to our staff about finance options. Schwab’s RV World proudly serves greater Edmonton and all of Alberta.