What Is the Difference between a Travel Trailer & a Park Trailer? | Gone Outdoors
NEWExplore America's campgrounds on our interactive map

What Is the Difference between a Travel Trailer & a Park Trailer?

What Is the Difference between a Travel Trailer & a Park Trailer?
Written By
Lynda Altman
Lynda Altman
Mar 10, 2010
1 minute read

There is a difference between a travel trailer and a park trailer. Although both are towed behind a vehicle, they are in different classes of RVs and serve very different functions.

Definition of Travel Trailer

camping,trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

A travel trailer is a recreational vehicle (RV) that is towed behind a car or truck. It is used for temporary vacationing and frequent travel.

Types of Travel Trailers

coach, trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

Travel trailers range in length from 10 feet to 45 feet. They can be as simple as a pop-up camper or elaborate as a high-end fifth-wheel camper with a washer and dryer.

Definition of a Park Trailer

A park trailer is more like a mobile home than a travel trailer. It is towed behind a large vehicle like a truck or SUV. They are not made to travel often.

Park Trailer Uses

A park trailer is designed to stay in one area for an extended period of time. Many senior citizens use park trailers to go to a warm destination in winter, then pack up and go to a cooler area in the summer.

Advertisement

Considerations

People who travel often will prefer a travel trailer. Those who like to stay in one area for months at a time will prefer a park trailer. Park trailers usually cost more than travel trailers.

Lynda Altman

Lynda Altman started writing professionally in 2001, specializing in genealogy, home-schooling, gardening, animals and crafts. Her work has appeared in "Family Chronicle Magazine" and "Chihuahua Magazine." Altman holds a B.A. in marketing…

Sponsored
Gone Outdoors Logo

Explore the outdoors with the best source for fishing, boating, camping, hunting, firearms, electronics, trailers and towing, maintenance and much more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.