RVing is becoming increasingly popular, with more RVs being sold every year. RVing is appealing to all kinds of travelers, not just retirees. With this added popularity in RV travel, RV’s are in high demand.
The majority of RVs being sold, and the most popular RV class overall, are Travel Trailers. With several hundred models to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect floorplan and feature set to meet your needs. But, where to begin?
Here are some features to look for in your next travel trailer.
A Backup Camera (or Backup Camera Prep)
Maneuvering your Travel Trailer can be one of the more challenging skills to learn as you start to RV. One of the trickiest situations you’ll run into is backing your camper into your campsite.
A backup camera is invaluable when it comes to perfectly positioning your rig. You’ll be able to see any obstacles in your way and make sure your Travel Trailer is in the ideal position. (That said, whenever possible, use a spotter to help as you’re backing up. The spotter will be able to see not only behind the trailer, but can also check each side.)
Backup camera prep usually means there’s a plate to mount the camera and electrical lines run for power and video, making camera installation a much easier process. Simply purchase the camera and have a Camping World technician install it for you.
Some systems will let you run the camera even while traveling forward. This lets you keep an eye on traffic and can make changing lanes easier as you travel.
A Power Tongue Jack
A tongue jack is a key feature when hitching and unhitching your trailer from your truck. It’s also one of the most important pieces when you’re leveling your trailer front to back at your campsite.
For decades, this was done with a hand crank. You might think cranking a jack isn’t a big deal now, but you’ll be surprised at how exhausting this simple task can get. It’s not exactly what you want to be doing after hours on the road.
A power tongue jack turns this into a push button process, making campsite setup happen much more quickly. But why stop at a power tongue jack, when you can also get…
Power Stabilizing Jacks
Stabilizing jacks keep a Travel Trailer from rocking back and forth when at the campsite. This travel trailer feature is standard in campsite setup process and many times it is still done with a hand crank, or at times a power drill.
Instead of relying on the wheels and suspension, along with the tongue jack, to keep the trailer from rocking, stabilizing jacks give another four points of contact with the ground. These jacks will make your RV feel more like a stationary home because the RV won’t be jiggling back and forth with each step.
Power stabilizing jacks deploy at the push of a button, again, making your campsite setup easier. Exactly what you need after a few hours on the road. Get to relaxing faster. There are not prizes for who spends the most effort setting up their campsite.
Smartphone/Tablet Control
Tired of walking over to various panels to control the various systems in your RV? A central control system via Smartphone or Tablet is increasingly common in newer travel trailers. These let you adjust everything from the HVAC systems to the power stabilizing jacks above to your slideouts. Imagine extending your slides while actually watching them move, instead of relying on a spotter to make sure you don’t hit the picnic table at your campsite. When you’ve got a portable tablet in your hands, you can keep an eye on everything. RV’s just got a lot smarter.
WiFi Range Extender
If you camp often enough, you’re going to eventually end up experiencing some inclement weather. When the whole family is cooped up in a Travel Trailer at the campground for an extended period of time—pool closed, no jumping pillow, trails too muddy to hike—nothing calms the family down like a little old-fashioned WiFi.
Unfortunately, most campgrounds don’t have great WiFi coverage. Though Starlink internet is promising for roving RVers in search of constant WiFi connection, it’s not quite fully functional yet. A WiFi range extender can help you reach those access points when you’re a little farther away than you might hope.
RVs are getting better and better, with added tech features. Look for some of these options in your next travel trailer and your camping experience will be even more relaxing. Elicit the help of a free Camping World Personal Shopper to help you find the perfect RV for your needs.
