Drive through any campground and you’ll quickly see that camping equipment runs the gamut from $20 pup tents to $400,000 motor homes, complete with satellite TVs and Astroturf.  But how do you determine whether RV or tent camping is right for you?  Read on for more of the advantages and disadvantages of each:

RV Camping

Some of the benefits of RV camping jump out immediately – if you encounter any bad weather or overwhelming insect populations on your camping trip, you’ll be able to take shelter in your home away from home.  The beds you sleep in will be more comfortable and the electricity hookups on your campsite can be used to power a television or computer in the event of bad weather.  In addition, if you suffer from any kind of back or knee pain, you may find that kneeling down and sleeping on the ground in a tent will aggravate your injuries.

Of course, the major downside associated with RV travel is the expense.  RV travelers have two options – to purchase their own RV or to rent one for the duration of their camping trip.  Renting is obviously less expensive, but there are a few hidden expenses you should take into account.  The first is the cost of the gas needed to run the RV.  Although gas prices have recently dipped, it will still cost much more to drive an RV than a small car packed up with a tent.  You may also find that RV camping spaces cost more than regular tent sites, due to the extra expenses associated with paving RV sites and providing electricity hookups and waste dumping sites.

Purchasing your own RV should only be considered by the serious camper.  Even simple pop-up campers can cost several thousand dollars, so you need to be certain that you’ll actually get enough use out of it to justify the cost.  Are you an avid camper who’s out every weekend in the summer?  Or do you think of camping as something that sounds fun to do when you actually get the time?  If you aren’t 100% committed, rent first until you’re ready to buy. 

Tent Camping

Ask just about any tent camper and they’ll immediately jump to the defense of tent camping as the “only pure way to camp.”  In fact, tent camping has a number of significant advantages over RV camping.  First is the cost – even a top of the line tent will cost much, much less than an RV.  Tent camping sites are generally cheaper and you’ll find that you have more flexibility in terms of location when you camp in a tent, since most back-country or wilderness camp sites don’t allow RVs.  In addition, tents are much easier to set up and store – you won’t have to give up a parking spot to store a tent or deal with the sometimes excruciating process of backing an RV onto a campsite.

However, if you’re considering camping in a tent, you should be aware of their negatives as well.  Pop-up tents – despite their advertisements – can be difficult to set up, especially if you’ve lost the instructions.  In bad weather, tents can leak or even blow over if the winds are strong enough.  You’ll also have less protection if some unexpected cold weather appears during a spring or fall camping trip.  You may also find that, since you’re lower to the ground, more creepy-crawlies find their way into your sleeping area.
If you still aren’t sure which method is right for you, ask around to see if any of your friends have camping equipment they’d be willing to lend you for a weekend.  Try out both a tent and an RV – at the end of a weekend or two, the answer should be clear!