Some RVs are built to stay in one place. Destination trailers and park models trade easy travel for comfort during extended stays, and they raise questions about land, permits and insurance that a normal RV does not.
Destination trailers
Destination trailers emphasize comfort during extended stays at one location. They may have large windows, patio doors and residential-style furnishings. They can be moved, but their size and layout often make frequent touring inconvenient.
Park models
Park models are mainly intended for placement at a site rather than regular road travel. Classification, transport requirements and permitted use depend on the specific unit and jurisdiction. Go RVing Canada describes park models and park model trailers as units that are not self-contained and need water and sewer hookups; it lists size limits of up to 540 sq ft for park models and up to 400 sq ft and 8.5 ft wide for park model trailers (Go RVing Canada quick guide). Its affordability page gives published ranges of about $100,000 to $350,000 for park models and $80,000 to $130,000 for park model trailers (affordability page, updated July 2025).
Before you buy one, establish
- Whether the site permits that unit
- Whether year-round occupancy is allowed
- How delivery and future removal work, and what they cost
- Who owns the land
- What the site agreement includes, including fees and how long it lasts
- Whether the unit qualifies for the insurance and financing you intend to use
Seasonal sites and large trailers
A seasonal campsite is a different use from touring. If the RV will mostly stay put, a destination trailer or larger trailer can give you more comfort, and the cost questions shift to the annual site fee, removal and storage. Compare these with RV rentals by province and with the nightly cost of touring. See the ownership cost calculator, and enter either the annual site fee or the nightly charges for the same stay, not both.
Compare with touring RVs
If you plan to move often, look at Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels or a Class C Motorhomes instead.
Common questions
What is a park model?
A unit mainly intended to sit on a site rather than travel regularly. Classification, transport rules and permitted use depend on the unit and the jurisdiction.
Can I live in a park model all year?
Not automatically. Ownership does not give a right to live on the property year-round, so check the site rules and agreement first.
What is a destination trailer?
A trailer built for comfort on extended stays, with large windows and residential-style furnishings. It can be moved but is not suited to frequent touring.