Typically people will start camping in a tent. Then they will move from the tent to either a pop up or even more into a travel trailer. The travel trailer, sometimes called a tow-able, is the most popular type of camper being used across the country. They are very adaptable, and range in size and weights to suit many needs. You can find a travel trailer to fit almost any needs, size, and budget. Almost all campgrounds will be able to accommodate a travel trailer easily. Trailers range in size from a small 10 foot unit, popularly called a teardrop camper, to long 43 foot units. The larger the size unit, the more space and potential features and amenities that are able to be offered. 

Travel trailers are measured by feet. This is actually more confusing than you might initially think. The model code of the camper is used as the camper length. If you have a camper that has a model code of 26BH, that would signify a 26 foot camper. There can be other numbers such as 267BHS to signify this also. You simply take the first two numbers and disregard the third, or fourth. Now for the confusing part. That 26 feet is based on the living space inside of the camper. When you account for the rear bumper, spare tire, and front A-frame for the hitch, you will typically add another 4-6 feet of length on top of the 26 foot model code. In actuality, a traditional 26 foot camper is actually somewhere just above the 30 foot range. To make things even more confusing, the manufacturer knows this and some will put a smaller model code on the camper and it is in reality a longer coach. This places the trailer into a shorter competition window than they would normally be. An uninformed customer will think they are getting more in a smaller package, when they are just purchasing a larger camper. Think Honda Civic size car VS a Honda Accord. They are similar vehicles, but one is more spacious and roomy, the other is smaller. If you were comparing the smaller Civic size to another car in the Accord size range, the Civic will always feel like it is smaller and lacking. It is the same for campers. If you are parking your camper in a very specific space that you only have so much room, remember to account for overall length, not model code.

When shopping for your first camper, the most popular size is a 26 foot unit. By far the best selling unit is a 26 foot double bunk bed unit with one slide. It will have a queen bed up front, kitchen and living area in the center, and a bathroom and two double bunk beds in the rear. Double bunk beds are exactly what it sounds like. They are double sized beds, or the size of two single beds in one. Typically there is a booth dinette and couch in the slide out. This camper seems to be the sweet spot from a size, pricing, and tow-ability standpoint. Due to the popularity of the camper, it should be easy to find a new or used unit almost anywhere.

The majority of campers will be camping in a campground, be it a private campground, state park, or national park. Depending on where you choose to camp, various different services will be available. Each trailer will have a fresh water tank, for showers and potentially drinking water. Some campers choose not to drink this water for cleanliness reasons, but you can drink it if you wish, just make sure it is a clean system. You will also have a gray water tank that will hold water from the sink and shower drains. The last tank you will have is a black water tank. This holds the water from the toilet. If you have a site with full hookups, this means that you will have power to plug into, freshwater to connect to the camper, and a sewage dump. Sewage dump is not typical of most campsites and you will only have power and water. If you start getting into more primitive sites, you may not have any hookups and you will need to bring all power and water with you.

Your travel trailer will have a 12 volt system that will run most of the camper. If you do not have plug in power, or AC power, you will be relying on the 12V system to power your camper. This power comes from the battery. Without AC power, you will not be able to run items plugged into a standard wall outlet. Think things like microwaves, air conditioners, TV’s and coffee pots. If running on 12V power, most all other appliances will still work. Slide control will work, lights, water heater, furnace, stove, water pump, radio, awning tank monitors, exhaust fans, stabilizers (if powered), powered tongue jack, most main refrigerators and usb chargers. Running each of these items from the battery will consume varying amounts of power. If you will be off grid (in a site without power) for a few days or more, it will be best to add either a generator or solar panels. How much will be dependent upon how much energy you consume. A good starting point is a 200w panel. That will typically get you enough power to do most camping.