There are a number of ways to “do” camping. For example, you can choose to “rough it” by pitching a tent and making good use of that old sleeping bag. Of course, other individuals have a much different idea of what it means to enjoy the great outdoors. For these men, women, and children, a trip to the wilderness does not necessarily mean a full departure from comfort, and a recreational vehicle such as a travel trailer, motor home, or 5th wheel makes for an ideal weekend out with Mother Nature.

In this article, we will cover the pros and cons of both styles of camping. Some may seem obvious to you, while others may not. The bottom line is that everyone who makes a decision to go camping must also decide if they would like to go the traditional tent-and-sleeping bag route, or enjoy all the comforts of home in a nice, comfortable RV. So let’s take a closer look at this now.

Obviously, there are many reasons why people choose to camp in a tent. A few of these reasons include very practical considerations such as low cost, availability, and variety. There are many styles, colors, and sizes of tent. And for what you get, you can actually get a ridiculously good deal on your tent, with prices dipping down into the 20’s and 30’s!

A less practical, but highly desirable aspect of camping in a tent is the actual experience you get to enjoy. It has a tendency to make campers feel more “one with nature,” and really making the camping adventure seem real. For those who prefer camping in tents, any alternative would be considered “cheating” and not really camping at all. This type of camper would most likely assert that if you’re going to have a kitchen, bathroom, television, and warm bed, then you may as well just stay at home.

Of course, tent camping is by no means “rainbows and butterflies,” as there are some very real downsides to this type of camping. For one, not all tents are as waterproof as you might need them to be. Some cannot handle strong winds. And most seriously, a tent cannot protect against dangerous situations such as wild animal encounters. While they provide a bit of valuable shelter, there is only so much shelter you will actually be able to enjoy in a tent.

Conversely, camping in a recreational vehicle can be quite expensive. Of course, this is assuming that you don’t already own one and will need to make a purchase. You can choose from many varieties, sizes, brands, and amenities, which will all obviously affect the cost of the unit significantly. You can find used campers for a few hundred bucks, luxury motor homes in the millions, or any number of things in between.

What’s great for those of us who would like to enjoy a comfortable camping excursion in an RV, but who don’t want to clear out our life savings in the process, is that rentals are often available at many reputable RV dealerships. By renting a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motor home, you can treat your family to the best vacation ever without any of the hassles that go along with buying a new vehicle.

Other than the costs associated with buying a trailer or motor home, there are very few downsides to making this your camping method of choice. You can even find units with slide-out rooms that expand your unit into a spacious apartment on wheels! You get to enjoy supreme protection from the elements and any predators which may be lurking about, and you’re able to give the whole family what they want with as few complaints as possible.