Pros and Cons of Traveling in a Trailer

The idea of living in a trailer while traveling has been romanticized by dozens of online traveling influencers. This has led many people to believe that they want the same wild adventure for themselves. While trailer living has its own benefits, traveling cross-country in an RV is not for everyone. 

There are a number of considerations that you need to take into account. 

Things like “are you ready to adopt a more minimalistic lifestyle to fit your new space?”  or “are you ready to face the various unexpected threats of living on the road?”

You also have to think about whether you’ll be buying a trailer or renting one. 

Buying or even renting the right type of trailer can gain you plenty of perks. On the flip side, buying or renting the wrong trailer can cost you money and even your health. 

Take, for example, the Gulf Stream travel trailer.

A recall of the Gulf Stream Enlighten 25BH and 248BH travel trailers was announced in September of 2020. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these trailer models were missing the lower front trim strip from the refrigerator of the vehicle.

Without this feature, carbon monoxide or flammable unburned liquid petroleum gases may migrate into the living quarters of the travel trailer, increasing the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning causing occupant injury and even fatality.

So, is trailer-living right for you? 

Below we discuss the pros and cons of traveling in a trailer to help you properly evaluate the situation yourself. 

Pros of Living in a Trailer

It’s more affordable than other living arrangements

This is possibly the biggest factor that attracts so many people to trailer-living is its affordability. 

When you live in a trailer, you won’t have to think about paying rent, electricity or water bills, or any of the other costs that come with renting or even owning a home or apartment. 

Of course, the type of trailer you’re using will significantly affect this factor. There are trailers that could cost you more in terms of operation, as some trailers may need more power and energy to function. To look at some options, visit here. 

There’s also the case of weekly, nightly, and boondocking fees in RV parks, but we’ll talk more about that in the latter part of this article.  

You can enjoy easier mobility

You can’t bring a hotel room with you. 

A trailer, on the other hand — you can bring it anywhere you want during your travels. Trailers can easily fit into any parking lot and camping ground. They’re also very easy to fit into store grounds while you’re restocking. 

You have more access to the outdoors

If you’re someone who enjoys spending time in nature, living in a trailer could be the best option for you. 

There are hundreds of national parks and sites across the nation that you can visit and stay overnight at. This puts you in a great position to enjoy outdoor recreational activities like hiking, birdwatching, hunting, rock climbing, and plenty more. 

Cons of Living in a Trailer

Hefty parking and overnight fees

Trailer parking fees can cost you hundreds (even thousands) of dollars, depending on where you’re staying. If you’re traveling long-term, the fees could accumulate to a lot more than the cost of owning an actual property and home. 

And because parking and overnight fees vary from state to state, it can be difficult to come up with an exact budget to keep your finances in check. This puts you at risk of overspending. 

You always have to be on the lookout for theft

Depending on the model you have, trailers can be incredibly easy to break into. This is why trailer travelers are subject to more theft than any other type of traveler. 

This could mean you’ll have to take your valuables everywhere you go, which can be pretty inconvenient, especially if you’re going trekking or mountain climbing. 

There are also some instances when thieves hook an entire trailer to their vehicle and drive away, leaving the owner with nothing. 

No proper heating and cooling

High-end and expensive trailers might have more advanced technologies that can help occupants feel cozy and comfortable during their travels. But if you’re stuck with a plain, old trailer, heating and cooling can be a problem. 

There are also cases when the heating and cooling system of an RV can malfunction, putting both the health and safety of its occupants at risk. If you ever experience this type of problem, getting a reliable product liability firm like Schmidt & Clark to build you a case can help you get the compensation you deserve. 

Trash and waste disposal can be a problem

Waste disposal can be a huge issue for trailer travelers. You can’t just drop your garbage and sewage waste on the side of the road. You have to find the right facilities to dispose of your trash properly — but that isn’t always available when you’re on the road. 

So, Should You Travel in a Trailer?

That’s entirely up to you. 

While it’s true that trailer-living can have both its upsides and downsides, the experience will be different for everybody. Just be sure to do your due diligence before taking off into the sunset. 

Safe travels.