How RV Travel Makes It Easy to Say ‘Yes’ to Detours

Let’s cut to the chase: you don’t buy an RV to travel faster. You get an RV to take in the journey and immerse yourself in the destination. 

When you travel down the blacktop of America’s highways and turn down the less-traveled scenic byways, your slower pace is rewarded with often-missed views: the sunrise over red rock desert in Utah, or snow geese migrating through Pennsylvania in the spring. 

Once you get to where you’re going, you get to explore the area exactly how you want — no hotel restrictions or vacation rental chores. With an RV, you can choose your own adventure, and the right rig to match.

Whether you need something nimble to turn down whatever dirt road you choose and escape the crowds, or maybe you need a toy hauler to bring the fun wherever you wander. Below are the best RV types for the exact detour you want to take, so you can pick the exact right RV for your adventure.

Chart Your Own Course

If your adventure plan includes Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping and getting sufficiently lost in order to find your sanity, then a compact truck camper or a camper van is right for you.

There are 245 million acres of BLM lands in the United States, which means plenty of backcountry camping along unmaintained dirt roads. If you want to escape the crowds and skip the amenities found in campgrounds and RV parks (like pit toilets, electric hookups, showers, etc.), then an RV setup that contains everything in a trim package is the best option.

A truck camper slides into the truckbed, making it easy to drive and leaves the bumper free so you can tow whatever toy you want to bring along. A class B motorhome on the other hand, is a classic camper van, and has all the amenities of a motorhome, but is compact enough to take places a large RV can’t go. 

Pros of a Truck Camper or Camper Van

• Compact living space means the backcountry or unmaintained dirt roads are more easily accessible depending on your van or truck.
• Easy parking makes travel and navigation a breeze.
• Truck campers offer the ability to remove the camper when the season is over, reducing gas consumption and wear on your truck.
• Camper vans allow you to quickly access the living quarters and the driver’s seat without leaving the vehicle or camper.

No Toys Left Behind

Are you the type that has more outdoor toys than garage space? If you’re packing the kayaks, the dirt bikes, the MTBs (the list goes on), then you’ll need a toy hauler.

You’re the type that brings the fun and you need an RV to match. With a toy hauler, you’ll have a dedicated garage-on-wheels that’s typically separate from the living space. This kind of RV comes in a few different styles, like a travel trailer, a 5th wheel or a class A motorhome.

No matter which style you choose, the intent is the same: haul your gear to your camp and have a great time. But, if you want more nitty-gritty pros of each style, check out the list below:

Pros of a Travel Trailer

• A travel trailer disconnects from your vehicle, which means you can park your trailer and use your vehicle to get to hard-to-reach places.
• Travel trailers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from compact and minimal to all the bells and whistles, you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
• Lightweight options allow you to easily tow with smaller vehicles.

Pros of a 5th Wheel

• The raised forward section makes for a more spacious bi-level floor plan and is what sets 5th wheels apart from other travel trailers.
• This style of trailer disconnects from your truck, making it easy to park and then use your truck to get to your adventures.
• The larger living area makes this a great option for families.

Pros of a Class A Motorhome

• A motorhome is an all-in-one style camper that doesn’t require a separate vehicle to tow it. 
• Home-like amenities abound, making it a true long-haul option for extended trips.
• For those looking for luxury, class A motorhomes offer some of the most high-end options.

Keep It Minimal

If you’re looking for a trailer that’s ideal for a weekend, a small group, or just you and your partner (or your pup), there are plenty of minimal options. If you live in a city and lack storage space, these options will keep you comfortable even in a smaller space.

Teardrop trailers are the modern answer to the old-school travel trailer, with the recognizable curve and pointed end that give them their name. These small trailers can be pulled by a small SUV and have a basic kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. 

If you want to take a small family or a friend group out for a camping adventure, a pop-up camper offers everything you need in a size that fits into a garage. This style of RV also allows the user to feel closer to nature and connected to the outdoors by mimicking the feeling of sleeping outside.

Pros of a Teardrop Trailer or Pop-Up Trailer

• Both options are smaller in size, making them ideal options for people that live in cities and don’t have a large storage area.
• Both allow for more flexibility in the type of vehicle you own since they can both be hauled with a small SUV.
• Smaller sizes mean more options for parking and camping areas.

Ready to Detour?

RV adventures offer a slower pace and more immersive travel experience, while giving you a home-away-from-home feeling you can’t get in a hotel. If adventure travel and excursions are on your agenda, it might be time to check out your RV options.