Expandable Travel Trailers: A Beginner's Guide
Have you ever thought about buying a pop-up camper for your outdoor adventures? If the limited living space is holding you back, an expandable travel trailer might be a great alternative. These hybrid rigs offer a creative solution for living and sleeping, all without compromising towing convenience. For more information, visit us at Horn Rapids RV in Richland, Washington, serving Richland and Kennewick.
What Is an Expandable Travel Trailer?
An expandable travel trailer is a hybrid RV that combines key features of a travel trailer and a pop-up camper. On the road, the rig resembles a traditional hard-sided travel trailer. When you get to camp, pull out the soft-sided sleeping sections on the front and/or back ends. It's also possible to find trailers with rooftop bedrooms. This creative solution maximizes sleeping and living space, offering the comfort of a much larger RV. Some expandable trailers also come with hard-sided slide-outs to expand the space even further.
Benefits of an Expandable Travel Trailer
An expandable travel trailer is
- Lightweight: Many expandable models feature soft-sided extensions, so they offer extra space without much extra weight. Lighter trailers offer better fuel economy and more flexibility in selecting a tow vehicle.
- Easier towing: When the extensions are collapsed, the trailer is smaller and easier to tow than a larger rig. The compact size also improves on-road handling.
- Comfortable kitchen and lounge: Since the bedrooms extend from the ends, there's more space for the kitchen and lounge area. That means that you can customize the trailer with an entertainment system, bigger kitchen appliances, or spacious seating.
- Open-air sleeping: The bedroom walls often feature soft sides with screened windows. Open the window covers to enjoy the breeze and the back-to-nature experience of tent camping.
Drawbacks of Expandable Travel Trailers
The unique design of an expandable travel trailer also creates a few limitations and drawbacks. The soft-sided bedrooms offer less protection from the elements, so they're most comfortable in moderate temperatures and dry weather. As with tents, the vinyl sides are vulnerable to holes, leaks, and moisture buildup.
Every RV requires maintenance. Since expandable travel trailers feature more moving parts than a traditional travel trailer, they tend to require more repairs and additional upkeep.
When Is an Expandable Travel Trailer the Right Choice?
If you're interested in the convenient towing of a pop-up camper, but you want the comfortable living space of a travel trailer, an expandable model might be the right choice. These rigs are a good choice if you take shorter trips in mid or moderate weather; they're not suited for extreme temperatures or sustained inclement weather. While it's possible to live full-time in an expandable rig, the compact sleeping spaces may be an issue over the long term.
An expandable travel trailer delivers a remarkable amount of living space in a compact, easy-to-tow package. If you'd like to tour the latest models, drop by to see us at Horn Rapids RV in Richland, Washington. Our team is proud to serve customers from the Richland and Kennewick areas.