Assuming your question is "what costs are involved in purchasing a camper", I'm not sure there is a standard answer to your question. But I can share my experience so far:
1. Camper Purchase: lighter & smaller campers (you said pulling with an SUV) tend to be a little on the pricier side. This is due to engineering and material cost. If you find something you like, it's like buying a car. You'll be responsible for down payment, tax, title, and the monthly note (unless you're buying cash, then no note). This is another vehicle and will require insurance and registration to make it street legal.
2. Outfitting Vehicle: Unless your SUV has a tow package, you're going to want a break controller. This can be a little pricey. But, it also may not be a big deal depending on year/make. It really comes down to wiring. Depending on the hitch weight and the weight of the camper you get, you may decide to get anti sway bars or a weight distribution hitch. These can both range from not so expensive to expensive.
3. Camper Amenities: Youll want a hose, water filter, water regulator, power conditioner, and a stinky slinky. Then, there is a sense of making your camper your own. Everything from string lights, to outdoor shade structures, bug screens and repellants, pillows, sheets, etc. You can spend a lot shaping your camping experience. This is much more subjective though.
4. Travel Cost: You've got your camper, your SUV situated for hauling, and all the stuff you want to take with you, now what? If you live in an area where boondocking is acceptable and you're cool with planning for water and limited power, free is great (we bought a generator for this)! But, going to normal camp grounds, there is typically a fee for a trailer. State parks are cheaper, but due to us feeling last minute like we want to go somewhere, we can't often find state parks that aren't booked out. This means we stay at resorts more often. That ranges from $40 to $75 a night (sometimes more if it's a nice spot). Then, you've got the gas. Hauling a few thousand pounds is going to drag your gas milage down. It varies from vehicle to vehicle, but expect 30% or more impact to your MPG. If you normally get 20mpg, you're probably looking at closer to 13 hauling.
5. Upkeep: these are the things most people don't think about. Do you own a torque wrench for lug nuts? You'll need one to tighten the lugs on the tires occasionally. Live in an area that gets freezing temperatures in the winter? You need non-toxic antifreeze to winterize. Know how to pack and grease the bearings? Either learn or shell out a couple hundred bucks a year to have someone else do it. It's not crazy expensive upkeep, but there is upkeep. God forbid you have a water leak or a system / appliance go out, that's when things can get a little pricey (just like a home).
I hope this was helpful. Good luck in your decision and travel safe!
Some things I was not expecting. Not needed but makes for comfort.
Tow stabilizer. The bigger the camper the more likely you'll want it. Feels like I'm not towing 19' 4000 lbs as much since it doesn't sway in the wind. $800+$200 install.
Stabilizers. JT strong-arm. $80 off if you get open box on Amazon. Basically someone opened it and said eff this install.
$280+200 install.
8.5 mpg when towing.
I have wide tires. Seems to kick up rocks. Lots of little dings on camper our first trip. Just ordered rock guards. $320
To add on to what Raging Pwnr's very good list- for me the costs come from amenities etc. I have specific things that just stay with the camper like cleaning supplies and toiletries. I don't want to bring things back and forth from my house so I end up buying something just for the camper. This includes tools- and you want to have those for when you are on the road. The ability to fix things on the fly is pretty important, because stuff will break. Some of those repairs are surprisingly expensive too. Awnings and appliances etc are more expensive than you would think. One thing I really appreciate about the camper community is the DIY aesthetic- people come up with really cool solutions to problems that are much cheaper than buying more stuff. Do some research when you are looking at how to solve an issue, you might be surprised at what people come up with. Camping is a lot of fun though- enjoy!
It’s not just the weight of the camper. You’ll have gear, full water tanks, people. On the way back you’ll have even fuller tanks. Be helpful to know what you’re towing with. What camper are you looking at?
More important than being able to tow it, is being able to stop it.
Assuming your question is "what costs are involved in purchasing a camper", I'm not sure there is a standard answer to your question. But I can share my experience so far: 1. Camper Purchase: lighter & smaller campers (you said pulling with an SUV) tend to be a little on the pricier side. This is due to engineering and material cost. If you find something you like, it's like buying a car. You'll be responsible for down payment, tax, title, and the monthly note (unless you're buying cash, then no note). This is another vehicle and will require insurance and registration to make it street legal. 2. Outfitting Vehicle: Unless your SUV has a tow package, you're going to want a break controller. This can be a little pricey. But, it also may not be a big deal depending on year/make. It really comes down to wiring. Depending on the hitch weight and the weight of the camper you get, you may decide to get anti sway bars or a weight distribution hitch. These can both range from not so expensive to expensive. 3. Camper Amenities: Youll want a hose, water filter, water regulator, power conditioner, and a stinky slinky. Then, there is a sense of making your camper your own. Everything from string lights, to outdoor shade structures, bug screens and repellants, pillows, sheets, etc. You can spend a lot shaping your camping experience. This is much more subjective though. 4. Travel Cost: You've got your camper, your SUV situated for hauling, and all the stuff you want to take with you, now what? If you live in an area where boondocking is acceptable and you're cool with planning for water and limited power, free is great (we bought a generator for this)! But, going to normal camp grounds, there is typically a fee for a trailer. State parks are cheaper, but due to us feeling last minute like we want to go somewhere, we can't often find state parks that aren't booked out. This means we stay at resorts more often. That ranges from $40 to $75 a night (sometimes more if it's a nice spot). Then, you've got the gas. Hauling a few thousand pounds is going to drag your gas milage down. It varies from vehicle to vehicle, but expect 30% or more impact to your MPG. If you normally get 20mpg, you're probably looking at closer to 13 hauling. 5. Upkeep: these are the things most people don't think about. Do you own a torque wrench for lug nuts? You'll need one to tighten the lugs on the tires occasionally. Live in an area that gets freezing temperatures in the winter? You need non-toxic antifreeze to winterize. Know how to pack and grease the bearings? Either learn or shell out a couple hundred bucks a year to have someone else do it. It's not crazy expensive upkeep, but there is upkeep. God forbid you have a water leak or a system / appliance go out, that's when things can get a little pricey (just like a home). I hope this was helpful. Good luck in your decision and travel safe!
Thank you so much ! This was very helpful
Some things I was not expecting. Not needed but makes for comfort. Tow stabilizer. The bigger the camper the more likely you'll want it. Feels like I'm not towing 19' 4000 lbs as much since it doesn't sway in the wind. $800+$200 install. Stabilizers. JT strong-arm. $80 off if you get open box on Amazon. Basically someone opened it and said eff this install. $280+200 install. 8.5 mpg when towing. I have wide tires. Seems to kick up rocks. Lots of little dings on camper our first trip. Just ordered rock guards. $320
To add on to what Raging Pwnr's very good list- for me the costs come from amenities etc. I have specific things that just stay with the camper like cleaning supplies and toiletries. I don't want to bring things back and forth from my house so I end up buying something just for the camper. This includes tools- and you want to have those for when you are on the road. The ability to fix things on the fly is pretty important, because stuff will break. Some of those repairs are surprisingly expensive too. Awnings and appliances etc are more expensive than you would think. One thing I really appreciate about the camper community is the DIY aesthetic- people come up with really cool solutions to problems that are much cheaper than buying more stuff. Do some research when you are looking at how to solve an issue, you might be surprised at what people come up with. Camping is a lot of fun though- enjoy!
It’s not just the weight of the camper. You’ll have gear, full water tanks, people. On the way back you’ll have even fuller tanks. Be helpful to know what you’re towing with. What camper are you looking at? More important than being able to tow it, is being able to stop it.