What Is the Difference between a Travel Trailer & a Park Trailer?

What Is the Difference between a Travel Trailer & a Park Trailer?

Explore America's Campgrounds

There is a difference between a travel trailer and a park trailer. Although both are towed behind a vehicle, they are in different classes of RVs and serve very different functions.

Definition of Travel Trailer

camping,trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

A travel trailer is a recreational vehicle (RV) that is towed behind a car or truck. It is used for temporary vacationing and frequent travel.

Types of Travel Trailers

coach, trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

Travel trailers range in length from 10 feet to 45 feet. They can be as simple as a pop-up camper or elaborate as a high-end fifth-wheel camper with a washer and dryer.

Definition of a Park Trailer

A park trailer is more like a mobile home than a travel trailer. It is towed behind a large vehicle like a truck or SUV. They are not made to travel often.

Park Trailer Uses

A park trailer is designed to stay in one area for an extended period of time. Many senior citizens use park trailers to go to a warm destination in winter, then pack up and go to a cooler area in the summer.

Considerations

People who travel often will prefer a travel trailer. Those who like to stay in one area for months at a time will prefer a park trailer. Park trailers usually cost more than travel trailers.

Gone Outdoors