Enjoying Your Time Away From Work

New to Trailer Camping? 3 Tips for Buying Your First Trailer

9 February 2016

Konsta Laitinen

If you already enjoy tent camping, there are a lot of reasons to give trailer camping a try. You get more amenities when you bring a trailer along—you're not at the mercy of the elements, you don't have to sleep on the ground, and you can bring more things along with you. But with the wrong trailer, you may find your camping trips less enjoyable than you thought. Take a look at a few tips that can help ensure that you have positive experiences as you add trailer camping to your list of activities.

Try before You Buy

If you're new to trailer camping, it's not a bad idea to try it out before you spend the money on purchasing a trailer of your own. Consider renting one for a weekend trip to see if you like it. You may even want to try renting a few different types of trailers to find out what you prefer.

Some people find that they simply enjoy tent camping more than trailer camping—if this turns out to be true for you, you won't have lost anything more than a weekend and some rental fees. And if you do enjoy camping with the trailer, you'll know exactly what you're looking for when you shop for your own trailer.

Know Your Trailer Laws

The first thing that you need to do when purchasing or renting your trailer is make sure that it's compliant with all applicable laws. This is especially important if you plan to travel out of your own state with your trailer, as the laws can vary widely from state to state.

For example, in New Jersey, every trailer or semitrailer is required to have a breakaway braking system, whereas Missouri only requires independent breaking systems in trailers that are coupled by a 5th wheel and kingpin. It doesn't matter where the trailer is from—if you're in a state with more restrictive laws than your own, your trailer needs to be compliant with the laws in your state. If you're planning on traveling the country, or even if you think that you might do that at some later point, it's worth investing in a trailer that meets the requirements of even the most restrictive states. Choosing the right trailer now can save you money and hassle later.

Set a Budget

It's important to set a budget before you go shopping. You don't want to overspend, but you don't want to pay too little and end up with a trailer that you don't enjoy spending time in, either. New travel trailers can range from less than $10,000 for a basic model up to $65,000 for one with all of the bells and whistles. Figure out what features you want ahead of time. Do you need a queen-sized bed, or are you fine with a sofa sleeper? Do you want a full bathroom, or are you fine with just a toilet and shower stall?

Keep in mind that the larger the trailer, the more it will cost, so if you want lots of space, include it in your budget. Furthermore, you need a medium- to heavy-duty truck to pull the larger trailers, so if you don't have one, you may need to either compromise on space or include the cost of an appropriate vehicle in your budget as well. Don't forget to take a look at used trailer dealers in your area—buying used can be a good way to get what you want while staying within a realistic budget.

A trailer can mean years of fun experiences for you and your family. Take your time and choose the perfect trailer so that you can make the most out of your camping trips. For more advice, contact a representative from a company like Camping World of Ocala​.

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