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WHAT CAN I TOW? HOW TO SPOT A WELL-BUILT RV BLOG

Park Trailers: Everything You Need to Know

What Is a Park Trailer?

If you love the idea of an RV designed for longer stays, you might be curious about park trailers and how they differ from other models. While the term “park trailer” is often used interchangeably with “destination trailer,” they are technically different.

Unlike travel trailers, which are built for frequent towing, park trailers are meant to be placed in a fixed location—whether at a campground, RV resort or private lot. These RVs are designed to provide a comfortable, spacious and semi-permanent retreat, often featuring residential-style amenities and home-like layouts.

How Park Trailers Stand Out

Designed for Extended Stays

Park trailers offer a true home-like experience, making them popular among seasonal campers, snowbirds and long-term travelers. With features like full kitchens, private bedrooms and high ceilings, they provide a living environment that feels more like a house than an RV.

Spacious Interiors & Residential Features

Unlike standard travel trailers, park trailers are built for comfort rather than mobility. Common features include:

  • Full kitchens with large refrigerators, stoves and even dishwashers.
  • Bathrooms with full-size showers and flushing toilets.
  • Spacious living areas with large windows, ceiling fans and stylish furnishings.
  • Sliding glass doors or bay windows to create an open, airy feel.
  • Multiple levels or bunk rooms for added sleeping arrangements.

Park Trailer vs. Destination Trailer vs. Park Model RV

It’s essential to understand the differences between these RV types before making a purchase:

  • Park Trailers: Built to RV standards and designed for long-term stays with utility hookups.
  • Destination Trailers: Similar in size to park trailers but towable by a heavy-duty truck and intended for extended stays at a campsite or private lot.
  • Park Model RVs: Manufactured to different housing standards, usually require special transport, and are often used for seasonal living or permanent placement.

Important Note: At Jayco, we offer the Jayco Bungalow as a destination trailer, which provides a residential feel with spacious interiors and high-end amenities. However, it's not technically considered a park trailer.

Why Consider a Destination Trailer Like the Jayco Bungalow?

1. A Comfortable Home Base

Many owners place their trailer in a favorite location and return year after year. With the ability to customize your setup with decks, landscaping and more, these trailers can truly feel like a home away from home.

2. More Space, Less Hassle

Compared to purchasing a full-size vacation home, destination trailers like the Jayco Bungalow offer a more affordable way to enjoy a vacation property without the hassle of extensive maintenance.

3. Customization & High-End Features

The Jayco Bungalow provides luxurious options like fireplaces, kitchen islands and spacious floorplans—making it perfect for those who want the comfort of home while enjoying the great outdoors.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Destination Trailer

Choosing the Right Location

Before purchasing, consider where you’ll place your destination trailer. Important factors include:

  • RV Parks & Campgrounds: Many offer long-term stays with full hookups.
  • Private Property: Always check local zoning laws to ensure placement is allowed.
  • Utility Hookups: Destination trailers are designed to connect directly to permanent utilities, unlike most travel trailers.

Size & Transport

While some large travel trailers can be towed with a heavy-duty truck, most destination trailers require professional delivery and setup. Once placed, they’re not designed for frequent moves.

Buying New vs. Used

Should you buy new or used?

  • New Models: Offer the latest designs, energy-efficient appliances and modern features.
  • Used Models: Can be more affordable if well-maintained, but may require updates to meet your preferences.

Is a Destination Trailer Right for You?

If you’re looking for a spacious, comfortable getaway that feels like a second home, a destination trailer like the Jayco Bungalow might be the perfect fit. With features that go beyond what most travel trailers offer, they provide a true residential experience in a semi-permanent setup.

Still exploring your options? Compare different models and find the best RV for your lifestyle with our RV Selector Tool.

FAQs

Where can I place a destination trailer?

These units are best suited for long-term RV parks, private lots (where zoning allows) and seasonal campgrounds with full utility hookups.

Do destination trailers have holding tanks like travel trailers?

Most rely on direct water and sewer connections rather than large holding tanks.

Can a destination trailer be moved?

Yes, but they are designed for stationary use. Professional transport is usually required for relocation.

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WHAT CAN I TOW?

  1. Check the towing capacity of your tow vehicle by consulting with your automobile dealership.
  2. Then, check the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (or GVWR) of the unit you are looking to tow to make sure your tow vehicle can handle it.
  3. If you want to use a weight distribution hitch, look at the tongue weight and then work with a local dealer or hitch installation company to do the installation.
  4. Finally, always consult with your authorized automobile manufacturer or vehicle owner’s manual before making your final purchase.

HOW TO SPOT A WELL-BUILT RV

1. PEEK UNDERNEATH

A quality trailer will be built on an integrated A-frame. You can spot one of these frames easily. Simply look under the front of any trailer, pinpointing where the hitch meets the frame. The frame of a less superior trailer will be tack welded, while a quality RV will have a frame that intersects the hitch through the trailer to prevent buckling.

2. CHECK THE WHEEL WELL

Feel under the wheel well. A quality RV will use galvanized steel construction or high impact composite material in its wheel wells, helping prevent floor damage in the incident of a tire blowout.

3. SPOT THE SEAM

On some fifth wheels, you might notice a seam running vertically along the wall that overhangs the truck bed. This area is usually where the bedroom sits. When a unit is built on a less superior frame, manufacturers add the seam to compensate for future cracks that might appear.

4. TAKE IT FOR A SPIN

If you’re contemplating a motorhome purchase, make sure you go for a test drive. Some quality RV manufacturers have begun to introduce packages that improve the ride and handling of these coaches. You’ll even find these packages on some of today’s most affordable Class C models, so make sure you expect the most out of your ride.

5. POUND ON THE WALLS

We encourage you to pound on the walls of any laminated RV. If it sounds good and solid, you’ll know the lamination technique used was a high-quality process, known as vacuum bonding. Vacuum-bonded lamination is superior to the typical pinch roll process. In the vacuum-bonding process, nearly 145 tons of pressure are applied when materials are adhered together. In the pinch roll process, less pressure is exerted for a short period of time.

6. CHECK ON THE TOYS

If you’re considering a toy hauler purchase, peek under the cargo area. In a quality toy hauler, steel plates are welded to the frame; the D-rings used to secure your toys are fastened to these plates. Less superior RVs won’t have this feature, meaning your toy hauler can no longer safely secure the advertised capacity. When these plates are absent, it’s also a good indication that the garage floor isn’t state of the art construction.

7. FEEL INSIDE THE CABINETS

A quality RV will boast lumbercore cabinet stiles. These stiles create the skeleton for your cabinetry. Lumbercore stiles are made of real wood, not particle board. Pocket screws can usually be found in lumbercore construction. Peek inside the cabinet and see if you see these screws. If you spot staples, this is a sign of poor construction.

8. INSPECT THE TENT

Considering a pop-up or an expandable trailer? Some manufacturers skimp on the tent. Single-seam construction creates a less durable tent. Look for the double-stitched tents. And while you’re shopping for camping trailers also peek underneath the unit. If the lifter system is enclosed, this system will hold up to road debris better than one with exposed components. A quality lifter system should have a lifetime warranty, and on a good pop-up you should look for lifetime component warranties on other components, such as the roof, floor, walls and bed frames.

9. ASK ABOUT THE ROOF

It can be difficult to see with the naked eye, but the strength of an RV's roof is crucial. Not only is it directly exposed to the elements, like snowfall for example, but it's quality is a strong indicator of the unit's overall construction.