We’re RV dreaming in the Lilac City

Could we make the leap from motorhome to trailer?

This was the burning question we asked ourselves as we pulled into the R’nR RV Center in North Spokane recently to check out the newest, coolest trailer that we’ve seen — the sleek inTech Terra Willow .

It might seem like a simple question, but as with anything in the RV world, the issue is a lot more complicated once you delve into the details. Here’s how the debate goes.

Motorhome plusses

As we embark on our sixth year of RV travel, we now know what we love about our 23-foot Gemini motorhome.

• It’s simple. You get behind the wheel and you hit the road, no towing required.
• Our Ford Transit diesel engine is solid and gets good mileage.
• It’s easy to park and back up.
• At 23 feet, it’s nimble and able to handle curvy mountain roads into beautiful locations.

Trailer plusses

While we enjoy the flexibility of our motorhome, we are wondering if we need to upgrade — and expand our footprint —  to a pull-behind trailer.

• A trailer has no motor (obviously!) meaning you don’t have to change the oil and service the engine.
• More space. The 26-foot Terra Willow offers a bigger kitchen, living area and a beautiful, private bedroom in back with its own door.
• Park it, then explore. You can unhitch your tow vehicle — either a truck or large SUV — and travel around your destination.

Shopping in Spokane

InTech, a manufacturer of industrial trailers along with its RV operation, has been on our radar for nearly a year. The company is known for using all-aluminum frame construction to create lightweight, strong trailers.

We also love the design aesthetics of the inTech product line. Like Airstream, inTech has a sleek look, but with more modern touches in its design.

During a recent swing through Eastern Washington, we realized we’d be driving right past R’nR RV Center, an authorized InTech dealer. Why not stop and take a look?

Sales consultant Richard Bertsch took us on a tour through the vehicle, which is featured in the showroom at R’nR. The Terra Willow has a spacious front dinette/lounging area, situated under a panoramic window. The kitchen features a large refrigerator and a comfortable prep/cooking area, something that’s particularly important to Leslie.

That back bedroom feels particularly inviting when you compare it to our motorhome’s compact slideout/murphy bed situation.

Sticker shock

Here’s where reality sets in. The base price of the Terra Willow is about $68,950. With add-ons — outdoor kitchen, solar power, rugged, jacked up tires — you’re looking somewhere around $75,000 for a trailer.

That’s less than an Airstream, Bertsch said, but more than most other trailers of comparable size. Yes, we could get a hefty trade-in for our Gemini, Bertsch said, which would help pay the trailer bill.

Then there’s the matter of a tow vehicle. We don’t currently own a truck or an SUV, which would cost who knows what — somewhere north of $50,000, most likely.

So the question, it seems, is more about how committed we are to continuing this lifestyle. A new Terra trailer and tow vehicle would buy us many more years of adventure on the road. It would also give us a way to park for long periods and have a vehicle to drive. As long as we can figure out how to maneuver that beautiful beast. Or, maybe we should revisit the van life scenario?

For now, the debate continues.