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RV glossary · RV types

Travel trailer

Also called: Bumper pull, TT

A towable RV that attaches to a hitch on the tow vehicle’s rear bumper or receiver. Travel trailers range from small single-axle models to 40-foot-plus family trailers.

Travel trailers are the most common RV type because they can be towed by many SUVs and pickups and leave the tow vehicle free for day trips. Sizes range from teardrops under 2,000 lb to large bunkhouses over 10,000 lb.

When choosing one, compare its GVWR with your tow rating and its loaded tongue weight with your payload. Length matters too: many national park roads and campgrounds limit combined length.

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Related terms

Fifth wheel
A towable RV with a raised front section that extends over the bed of a pickup and connects to a fifth-wheel hitch. The hitch position gives very stable towing, and the raised front usually holds the bedroom.
Toy hauler
An RV with a rear garage and ramp door for carrying motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides or bikes. The garage often doubles as living space with fold-down beds or sofas, and the ramp can become a patio.
Hitch weight
The downward force a bumper-pull trailer puts on the tow vehicle’s hitch, typically 10–15% of the trailer’s loaded weight. Too little tongue weight can cause sway; too much can overload the truck’s rear axle and payload.
Weight-distribution hitch
A hitch with spring bars that shift some of a trailer’s tongue weight forward to the tow vehicle’s front axle and back to the trailer axles. It levels the rig and restores steering and braking. Many vehicles require one above a certain trailer weight.

More rv types terms

Destination trailer · Park model RV · Pop-up camper · Hybrid camper · A-frame camper · Teardrop trailer · Truck camper · Class A motorhome

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