Decisions, Decisions: What Camper to Choose?

After much deliberation we purchased a trailer! There are so many options, features, and styles to choose from it was quite the process to narrow it down to the type of camper that would fit our needs! As we were passing through Florida, on our way to Alabama, we found a 2015 Hiker Trailer at an RV store! This blog post is about why we choose this trailer compared to the other options that are out there!

Since November, when we first decided we were going to travel full time, we have been researching different options for our living arrangements while on the road. For us, we really wanted to stay below $15,000 for our purchase which would include a used vehicle, if we needed to. In addition, we wanted:

• ​Low maintenance

• Easy to set up
• Could park anywhere
• Low profile
  • We didn't want to draw attention to the setup we used
• Higher clearance
  • We didn't want to worry about bottoming out when we are on back-roads 
• Minimal moving parts
  • Thus less issues with stuff breaking and a lower cost to maintain
• In very good condition
• Under 2,000lbs 
  • We ideally didn't want to get a different vehicle since ours is in good condition. A 2005 Ford Escape can pull about 3,500 lbs maximum but you don't want to actually pull that amount because it is really hard on your vehicle and we would get horrible gas mileage.
• Accepting the fact that we could end up only getting 10 mpg
  • Whether driving an RV or pulling something
• Under 20' in length
• 2000 or newer in age
• Didn't necessarily want to build something

We pulled our research together and compared the pros and cons of each option as well as looking at the prices, to not just purchase but to also maintain. Below is what we found for each type that is out there! Please note prices listed are used, not new (2000 or newer)!

Type	Pros	Cons	Price
Tent	Easy setup Low profile Cost effective ​Extremely low maintenance	Sucks in the rain No insulation ​No bear protection ​No built in amenities	$50 - $600
Enclosed Utility Trailer	Minimal setup  Low profile ​Cost effective ​Low maintenance Bear protection Offers some insulation ​Minimal to insure ​A/C and heat If needs repair can get around with vehicle	Minimal amenities ​Shower/bathroom not inside If just purchased plain trailer, would have to do build-out Not dual axle (in case of tire blow out)	$3k - $10k
Van Conversion	Minimal setup  Low profile ​Cost effective ​Low maintenance Bear protection ​Normal insurance costs ​A/C and heat ​Decent mpg ​Bear protection	Minimal amenities Shower/bathroom super ​teeny, if at all Costly to customize Technical build-out If needs repair you don't have a place to live	$8k - $50k
Bus Conversion	Customize to what you want (DIY) More spacious than a van Easy maintenance on actual bus if has good engine Can use normal size fixtures for build-out Conversation starter Low mpg Bear protection	Difficult to get insurance If needs repair you don't have a place to live Costly to customize Higher maintenance costs (due to use type - converted bus vs camper) Tires costly to replace	$2k - $15k
Horse Trailer	Customize to what you want (DIY) More spacious than a van Easy maintenance  Built heavy duty Could be toy hauler/living space Typically have dual axles Bear protection  If needs repair can get around with vehicle	The vehicle to pull it is costly Small living space Shower/bathroom super ​teeny, if at all	$3k - $15k
Truck Camper	Compact Can park anywhere Everything is right there, just on a small scale Bear protection  Durable	Need truck Very small No bathroom/shower Limited room for dogs	$5k - $25k
Pop-up	Smaller profile than travel trailer ​More room with slide side pop-ups Can tow with smaller SUV/larger car If needs repair can get around with vehicle	No bear protection Costly to maintain (leaking issues)  No bathroom/shower Not dual axle (in case of tire blow out)	$1k - $8k
5th Wheel	Dual axle Ample room Drives well (more stable) Has bathroom/shower Most bang for your buck If needs repair can get around with vehicle   Bear protection	Need special trailer hitch for truck (expensive)	$5k - $20k
Travel Trailer	Can be dual axle Ample room Has bathroom/shower If needs repair can get around with vehicle  Bear protection	Needs stability bar on truck Fancier it is, more costly to maintain	$3k - $15k
RV - Class C	Everything you need is right there Luxurious amenities More spacious than Class B Has bathroom/shower Bear protection​	If needs repair you don't have a place to live Higher maintenance costs  Expensive to buy Very low mpg Navigation is difficult (due to size)	$10k - $45k
RV - Class B	Everything you need is right there Nice amenities Less spacious than Class C Has bathroom/shower Bear protection ​If want RV, best bang for your buck	If needs repair you don't have a place to live Higher maintenance costs  Very low mpg	$5k - $25k
RV - Class A	Everything you need is right there Very luxurious amenities More spacious than Class C Has bathroom/shower Bear protection	If needs repair you don't have a place to live Higher maintenance costs  Very expensive to buy Extremely low mpg Navigation is difficult (due to size)	$8k - $100k

As we were traveling from Tennessee through South Carolina and onto Alabama we would stop at RV lots along the way to see what they had available. On our way through Jacksonville, Florida, Campers Inn RV, we found our ideal trailer! They had 3 trailers that fit our price range of around $10,000. We were planning on buying a used Ford Expedition 2003 - 2006 since they have similar pulling capacity as a mid size truck. That would solve the issues we were having with the the lower pulling capacity of our Ford Escape. The first two trailers we looked at were brand new, but were on the maximum side of what we wanted to spend, though they did meet all of our other criteria.  The last trailer they showed us was a 2015 Mid-Range Deluxe Hiker Trailer! It was priced high but had so many features we were looking for and it was in great shape! We were able to negotiate the price to below $8,000. This is a great solution for us because we could pull it with the vehicle we currently own and we would be well below our budget even with titling,  registration and a few upgrades we wanted to do. 

​The biggest issue we had when trying to look at the different types of campers that were listed online was that we couldn't get a hold of anyone, limited response to emails, or just an outright scammer. That is why we decided to stop at RV lots!

If you are in the market for a trailer or RV we will offer a few words or advice:

• Think through the list of "must-haves" and "like to haves" so you can make a decision you are happy with.
• When buying used, you don't 100% know the history so do your due diligence before buying (RESEARCH) and it will save you in the long run.

• Buying on a whim will more often than not result in buyers remorse.
• Pay in CASH - we saved about $2k on our trailer because we had cash in hand.
• Realize that this type of purchase is NOT an investment and will depreciate in value.

Blog post written by Amy and Jacob Karras
​Unnamed Adventures