Complete Guide to Travel Trailers in Ontario
Travel trailers give Ontario families a simple and affordable way to camp across the province. These towable recreational vehicles let you bring home comforts to any campground. Sturgeon Woods RV has helped Southwestern Ontario families choose the right travel trailer for over two decades. This guide explains how to buy, register, and enjoy travel trailers in Ontario.
Types of Recreational Vehicles in Ontario
Travel trailers come in many sizes and styles. Standard models range from 16 feet to 35 feet long. Some include slide-outs that expand your living space at the campsite. These units attach to your tow vehicle with a trailer hitch. Most trucks and mid-size SUVs can pull smaller travel trailers without trouble.
Tent trailers work well for families on a budget. These units fold flat for easy towing and storage. At the campground, they pop up to create sleeping areas, a dining table, and a small kitchen. Many new RV owners start with these compact campers and upgrade later as their needs grow.
Expandable trailers blend hard walls with fold-out canvas sections. You get more sleeping space than a standard trailer of the same length. The canvas parts fold down during travel to cut wind drag and save fuel.
How Travel Trailers Compare to Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes are the largest recreational vehicles you can buy. These bus-like vehicles have full-size kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. Class A motorhomes suit full-time RVers who want maximum comfort on the road.
Class C motorhomes sit on a truck or van chassis. The overhead bunk area above the driver's cab adds extra beds for kids or guests. These mid-size RVs handle better than larger models but still offer good living space.
Van-based RVs are the smallest motorized option. They park in normal spaces and drive like large vans. Still, travel trailers offer more room for less money. Most Ontario camping families find better value in a towable recreation vehicle.
Why Ontario Families Choose Travel Trailers
Travel trailers remain the top RV choice in Ontario for good reasons. Here are the main benefits:
- Lower cost than motorhomes and fifth wheels
- Freedom to unhitch at camp and drive your vehicle into town
- Simple upkeep with no engine parts to maintain
- Better gas mileage than self-propelled recreational vehicles
- Long life when you care for them properly
- Many sizes to fit your family and tow vehicle
Tent trailers and travel trailers also hold their value well. Buyers who maintain tent trailers can sell them later at a fair price.
How to Choose the Right Travel Trailer
Match Your Trailer to Your Tow Vehicle
Your vehicle sets the limit on what you can tow. Check the owner's manual for your maximum towing capacity. The trailer's weight must stay below this number.
Your trailer hitch matters too. Hitches have weight ratings by class. Class III hitches work for most mid-size travel trailers. Class IV and V hitches handle heavier loads. Make sure your trailer hitch can support the trailer you want.
Weight distribution systems help with larger trailers. They spread the load between your vehicle and the trailer axles. Sway bars connect to your trailer hitch and stop side-to-side motion in wind or traffic.
Pick Features That Fit Your Camping Style
Modern travel trailers have many home-like features. Most include a kitchen with a stove, microwave, and fridge. Bathrooms with showers and toilets mean fewer trips to campground washrooms.
Heating and cooling systems keep you comfortable in Ontario's changing weather. Air conditioners handle humid summer days. Propane furnaces warm the trailer on cool spring and fall nights.
Decide Between New and Used Models
New travel trailers include warranties and current features. You know the unit has no past damage. Banks often offer better loan rates for new purchases.
Used models save you money upfront. A three-year-old trailer in good shape can cost 30% to 40% less than new. Check pre-owned units for water damage, roof problems, and working appliances. Good dealers inspect all used models before putting them up for sale.
Sturgeon Woods RV stocks new and used models from top brands like Keystone, CrossRoads, Dutchmen, Gulf Stream, and Forest River. Our travel trailers and tent trailers fit every budget. We check each pre-owned unit before it goes on our lot.
Licensing Rules for Ontario Trailers
The Highway Traffic Act sets the rules for towing in Ontario. Every travel trailer needs registration through the Ministry of Transportation. You must get a vehicle permit and plate before you tow on public roads. Bring your bill of sale and insurance to any Service Ontario office to apply for your vehicle permit.
A standard G driver's licence lets most people tow travel trailers. This works when your vehicle and trailer together weigh less than 11,000 kilograms. Most travel trailers fall well under this limit.
Starting July 2025, Ontario adds a new RV endorsement. This applies to combinations between 11,000 and 14,000 kilograms. You must pass the RVLM course through SkillsPass to add this to your driver's licence. Heavier setups need a modified Class D licence.
Trailers over 4,500 kilograms need yearly safety checks at approved stations. Keep these records with your other trailer papers.
Towing Safety Tips
Safe towing starts with proper setup. Follow these steps before every trip:
- Cross your safety chains under the trailer hitch in an X shape
- Check that all chain hooks have working latches
- Test your trailer brake connection
- Check tire pressure on your vehicle and trailer
- Make sure all lights work
- Look for wear on the hitch ball and coupler
How you load your trailer affects how it handles. Put about 60% of your cargo weight ahead of the axles. Put the other 40% behind. This balance keeps your trailer hitch at the right weight and stops sway.
Get proper insurance for your trailer. Most Ontario insurers sell RV policies that cover damage, theft, and roadside help.
Great Camping Spots for Travel Trailers
Ontario has hundreds of campgrounds ready for travel trailers. Provincial parks offer both powered and basic sites. Private campgrounds often add extras like pools and playgrounds.
Point Pelee National Park sits at Canada's southernmost mainland tip. The park has rare Carolinian forest and amazing bird watching. Sturgeon Woods RV is just one kilometer from the park gate. This makes us the perfect stop before your Point Pelee adventure.
Start Your Adventure at Sturgeon Woods RV
Sturgeon Woods RV serves camping families across Southwestern Ontario from our Leamington location. We welcome visitors from Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, London, Sarnia, and beyond. Customers from Michigan and the United States also find us easy to reach.
Our team knows that choosing a recreation vehicle takes careful thought. We learn about your camping plans, family size, and tow vehicle first. Whether you want tent trailers for quick trips or larger travel trailers for long vacations, we match you with the right unit.
Stop by Sturgeon Woods RV to see our full selection of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and park models. Our service team keeps your trailer ready for every Ontario adventure. Contact us today to book your visit and plan your next camping trip.