Destination vs Travel Trailers: Which to Choose

It might seem like a travel trailer is a travel trailer, but there are actually several types available. Jayco offers models in two popular categories: destination trailers and travel trailers. While the two share some common features and characteristics, there are some primary differences you should be aware of before shopping.

Destination Trailers

Destination trailers offer more robust features and space, making them more suitable as homes away from home. Many people spend extended periods of time on the road in their destination trailers, as there are few creature comforts they can’t or don’t offer. Most feature tall ceilings, slide-outs for more interior space, and kitchens with full-size appliances. They also come with larger water tanks and heavier-duty electrical systems to support their larger size and help them remain on-the-go for longer.

Travel Trailers

As their name suggests, travel trailers are most focused on making the travel part of the RV equation as easy as possible. They are generally lighter and smaller, making them easier to tow and much more maneuverable in tight spaces. Travel trailers place a lighter load on the tow vehicle’s drivetrain, conserving fuel. However, their smaller size and lighter weight give them more limited accommodations. They often have smaller water tanks, compact appliances, and sleeping quarters for far fewer people.

Main Differences

Space and Equipment

There’s no contest between these two trailer types, but that’s because they target different audiences. Destination trailers are larger, offering far more interior space. They also generally have larger kitchens with full-size appliances, and most offer more robust water tanks and electrical systems to keep passengers on the road longer.

Towing and Maneuverability

Travel trailers are much more accommodating on the road. Thanks to their smaller footprint, they make it much easier to maneuver in tighter spaces, especially when it’s time to park and set up camp. Travel trailers are generally far lighter than destination models, so they require less fuel to tow and don’t tax the tow vehicle’s powertrain as heavily.

Which One Is Best?

The best type of trailer comes down to your needs, budget, and timeline. Because they’re smaller and have fewer features, travel trailers are usually less expensive, but saving money won’t feel so sweet if your crew is too large for one of the available models. Spending more on a destination trailer could be worth it for those people, or if you’re interested in spending time on the road living the nomadic lifestyle.

If you want to learn more about travel or destination trailers, or if you have any questions about Jayco’s latest product line, come see us at Valley RV Supercenter. We’d be happy to walk through the differences between trailer types, and we can help you configure or order the Jayco RV of your dreams.