You’re standing on a dealership lot in Murray, staring at everything from a compact camper van to a 40 foot fifth wheel, and you have no idea what type of RV you should buy. That’s the exact spot most first time buyers find themselves in.
Think of this as your RV buying guide for figuring out which category actually fits your camping style. It comes down to a few honest questions about how you camp, what you already drive, and how many people are coming along.
Towable or Motorized RVs: Where Do You Start?
Every recreational vehicle on a dealer lot falls into one of two categories. Towable RVs get pulled behind a tow vehicle, while motorized RVs have an engine and chassis built right into the unit.
If you already own a truck or SUV with solid towing capacity, towable RVs give you more floor plan for the money. If backing a trailer through a campground sounds like a headache you’d rather skip, a motorized RV lets you drive one vehicle and park it when you arrive.
Your tow vehicle, or your willingness to buy one, is often the single biggest factor in this decision. It’s worth sorting out early, before you fall in love with a floor plan your truck can’t handle.
What’s the Difference Between a Travel Trailer and a Fifth Wheel?
Travel trailers hook up to a standard bumper hitch, so almost any properly equipped truck or SUV can pull one. They come in a huge range of sizes, from lightweight units to larger models with full kitchens and multiple slide-outs.
Fifth wheel trailers use a different setup. The hitch mounts inside the bed of a pickup truck, which distributes weight more evenly and makes towing feel noticeably more stable at highway speeds, including through mountain passes on I-15 and I-80. 5th wheels also tend to offer more livable square footage, with bunk beds for the kids and higher sleeping capacity than a comparable travel trailer.
The tradeoff is that a fifth wheel hitch takes up bed space in your truck, and you’ll need a truck with the towing capacity to match. Check out Parris RV’s travel trailer and fifth wheel inventory to compare floor plans side by side.
Should a Toy Hauler Be on Your List?
Toy haulers are travel trailers or fifth wheels built with a garage in the back, usually with a fold-down ramp door. If you’re hauling ATVs, dirt bikes, or side by sides out to the desert trails near St. George, the extra cargo space solves a real problem.
Most toy haulers also include an outdoor kitchen, so you’re not tracking dirt and gas fumes through your living space after a day on the trails. Browse toy hauler models to see how much garage space different floor plans offer.
What Are Your Smaller and Lighter RV Options?
Not every buyer needs a rig the size of a house. A few smaller categories are worth knowing about.
- Pop-up campers: These fold down for towing and pop up into a canvas sided camper at your site. They’re light enough for most SUVs to pull and easy to store in a garage over the winter.
- Teardrop trailers: Small, simple, and often under 2,000 pounds, teardrops are built for people who want basic shelter and a place to sleep without towing a full sized trailer.
- Truck campers: These sit directly in the bed of a pickup, so there’s no separate trailer to tow or store at all.
- Destination trailers: Built for comfort at a seasonal site rather than road trips, these skip some of the durability features a travel trailer needs for constant towing.
If boondocking, camping off the grid with no hookups, is your goal, teardrops and truck campers are popular choices because they’re simple, self contained, and easy to maneuver into remote spots around Utah’s high desert.
What’s the Difference Between Class A, Class B, and Class C Motorhomes?
Motorized RVs split into three main classes, and the differences come down to size, chassis, and how you’ll actually use the rig.
- Class A motorhomes: The largest motorized RVs, built on a heavy duty commercial chassis and often available with diesel engines for long hauls. These resemble a bus and suit buyers who travel for weeks or months at a time.
- Class B motorhomes: Known as a camper van or conversion van, these are built directly onto a van chassis. They’re the easiest to drive and park, which matters if you’re navigating downtown Salt Lake City or a tight campground loop, but they sacrifice interior space.
- Class C motorhomes: A class C RV splits the difference, built on a truck chassis with a distinctive cab over bunk. This layout adds sleeping capacity for families without the size and price jump of a class A.
If you’ve never driven anything bigger than a pickup, a class B or class C motorhome is usually a gentler introduction than jumping straight into a class A.
Should You Buy a New or Used RV?
Used RVs can get you into a bigger floor plan for less money, especially if you’re comfortable handling some maintenance yourself. A well maintained recreational vehicle can last for decades, so age alone shouldn’t scare you off a used unit.
What matters more is how the RV was stored and serviced. RV dealerships vary in how thoroughly they inspect a used unit before it goes on the lot, checking the roof seal, the tanks, the appliances, and the chassis for damage. That inspection process is worth asking about before you sign anything, whether you’re buying new or used.
Find Your Perfect RV at a Parris RV Location in Utah or Idaho
Every RV type has a real use case, and the right one for you probably comes down to your tow vehicle, your group size, and how you actually like to camp. Stop by any Parris RV location in Murray, Payson, or Pocatello to walk through travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes side by side. Love the Journey starts with picking the RV that actually fits your life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing an RV
What type of RV is best for a first time buyer?
A travel trailer or a class C motorhome tends to be the easiest starting point. Travel trailers are simple to tow if you already own a capable vehicle, and class C motorhomes give first time drivers a gentler introduction to driving something larger than a truck.
How do I know if my vehicle can tow a travel trailer or fifth wheel?
Check your vehicle’s towing capacity in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s towing guide, then compare it to the RV’s loaded weight, not just its dry weight. A dealership can also help match a trailer to your specific tow vehicle.
What’s the difference in sleeping capacity between a travel trailer and a toy hauler?
Toy haulers often list a lower sleeping capacity than a similarly sized travel trailer because part of the interior is dedicated to garage space. If sleeping more people matters more than hauling gear, a travel trailer with the same footprint may sleep more.
Is a diesel or gas engine better for a Class A motorhome?
Diesel engines generally offer better towing power and fuel economy over long distances, which matters if you’re planning extended trips through mountain terrain. Gas engines tend to cost less upfront, which makes them a common choice for buyers who camp closer to home.
Can I go boondocking in any type of RV?
Most RVs can handle a night or two of boondocking if they have a generator or solar setup and enough tank capacity. Smaller units like teardrops and truck campers tend to make it easier simply because they’re lighter and easier to get into remote spots.
