【中英对照】哪一种房车更好 - 自行式还是拖挂式

1、【中英对照】哪一种房车更好：自行式还是拖挂式？（Whats Better: A Motorhome or Trailer?）作者：Jeff AdamsEver since the first motorhomes and travel trailers appeared early in the twentieth century, theres been an ongoing debate over which is better. And the correct answer is: it depends.二十世纪初，随着首款自行式房车和拖挂式房车陆续面世，哪一种房车更好的争论就一直没有平

2、息过。正确的答案是：要看具体情况。Just like car enthusiasts who differ strongly about which motor vehicle rules the road, the same debate exists between RVers who feel that towing their home is better than driving it, and vice-versa.就像汽车爱好者对于哪一款车型可以称雄天下分歧巨大一样，类似的争论也见诸于房车爱好者之间，有人觉得拖挂房子比驾驶房子要好，反之亦然。So lets take a look

3、 at the pros and cons of each class when choosing between a motorhome or a trailer.还是让我们来看看选择自行式房车和拖挂式房车各自的优缺点吧。How often will you use your RV, and how many people will be with you?你使用房车的频率如何？有多少人要和你一起露营？This is an important point to ponder, especially if youre thinking about a motorhome. 这是很关键的一点，尤

4、其是当你考虑买一辆自行式房车的时候。A nice Class A rig with all the gadgets and must-haves can easily top $150,000 and usually more. The smaller Class B and Class C motorhomes can come in for less but still, thats a whole lot of cabbage to have sitting idle on the side of your house or in a storage lot if you go out

5、only a few times a year and dont travel far.一辆不错的A型房车如果装备齐全的话，价格很容易就飙上15万美元甚至更多。小一号的C型和B型房车要便宜一些，但是那还是一笔巨额投资，如果你每年仅仅出游几次，也走不远，大部分时间房车都趴窝在家里或RV停车场里面，就很亏得慌了。Of course, if you do go out regularly and/or for long distances, then a motorhome with all its accessories can make the journey all the more plea

6、surable, especially if you have a mid- to large-sized family. Theres plenty of room in Class As and Class Cs to spread out, and storage space is generous. Class B units, also known as camper vans are more suited for couplesand perhaps their pet terrier.当然，如果你经常出游而且/或者一次跑很远，那么自行式房车和它上面的设备会让你的旅途更为愉快，特

7、别是你有一个大家庭的时候。在A型房车和C型房车里面有很多张睡床，存储空间也足够多。而B型房车（俗称露营面包车）仅仅适合两夫妻出游，也许再加上他们的宠物。A nicely equipped travel trailer can help make an outing more comfortable and more funwhether for a three-day weekend or a three-week sojourn. Travel trailers can be had for less than $20,000, making them a more attractive a

8、lternative for low usage situations. And like their motorhome brethren, larger trailers, especially those with slide-outs, can likewise accommodate large groups and their gear.一辆设施完备的旅行拖挂房车可以让出游更舒适更有乐趣，不管是一个长周末还是三周的假期。不到两万美元你就可以拥有一辆拖挂房车，这对使用率不高的用户来说更有吸引力。就像它们的自行式伙伴，大型拖挂房车，尤其是那些有多个电动伸缩扩展舱的款式，同样可以容纳大群

9、住客和他们的行李。Pop-up trailers, while able to sleep up to six individuals, usually lack space and storage for larger families. These shortcomings and their very low price, starting at around $4,000, make them better suited for short jaunts of a few days.弹出式房车虽然也可以容纳多达六位游客，但是对于大家庭来说它的空间和存储箱太小了。这些缺点和它们低廉的售价

10、（4千美元起）让它们更适合为期几天的短途出行。Do you currently have a vehicle that could tow a travel trailer? 你现在已经有车辆可以拖运旅行拖挂房车吗？This is important, because while todays travel trailers are noted for their lightweight yet sturdy construction, some midsize to large models, especially fifth-wheel units, require a lot of ho

11、rsepower to get their bulk safely over hill and dale.这一点很重要，当今的拖挂房车虽然在保证结构坚固的前提下越来越轻量化，但是中大型房车，尤其是半挂型房车还是需要足够强劲的马力才能拖着它们翻山越岭。Pop-up trailers require the least amount of oomph to get the wheels rolling; many models can be towed with the average minivan and are the easiest to park.弹出式房车对拖车的马力要求最低，很多型号

12、用家用面包车来拖曳就绰绰有余力了，而且也很容易找到停车场停放。A typical travel trailer can usually be handled by the average full-size V8 pickup truck or large SUV, and with todays advanced technology, some V6 trucks are able to out-pull them.一个标准的旅行拖挂房车通常可以用V8引擎的皮卡或大型SUV来做拖车，在今天先进的技术条件下，有些V6引擎的皮卡也可以拖挂它们。A fifth-wheel trailer gen

13、erally requires not only more horsepower, but also more load carrying ability since 15 to 25 percent of the trailer actually rests in the trucks bed. This means that a heavy duty or super duty tow vehicle is a must.半挂型房车不仅仅要求更大的马力，而且还要求有更高的负重承载力，因为15%到25%的半挂型房车的重量实际上是直接压在了皮卡的车厢上。这就意味着重型（heavy duty）或

14、超重型（super duty）卡车是必须的了。A heavy lift/tow vehicle may also be in order for the newest member of the trailer family, the sport utility RV. Popularly known as toy haulers because of the garage area in the rear used for hauling motorcycles, quad runners and personal watercraft, toy haulers can require ex

15、tra pulling strength to get to where you want to go.一辆重型的拖车对于拖挂房车家族的最新成员运动型房车也是必须的，它俗称玩具拖挂房车因为在尾部有一个车库用来装载摩托车、四轮全地形车和水上运动设备，额外的重量对拖车马力的要求也相应地会提高。On the flip side of the coin, the motorhome is self-propelled. That is, the manufacturer equips it with either a diesel or gasoline powerplant of sufficien

16、t size to move it down the road with little effort and still have enough extra giddy-up to tow a trailer or smaller vehicle for side trips.与之相反的是自行式房车可以自己驱动。也就是说房车制造商已经为它配备了一个马力足够的柴油或汽油发动机，不仅可以轻松驱动房车本身在路上飞驰，而且还有余力可以在后面再拖挂一辆小车来做游览使用。Ask Yourself: do you currently have a tow vehicle strong enough to p

17、ull the trailer or RV, or is a new, more powerful ride needed? If you do need to upsize, how do the cost of both the truck or SUV and the trailer compare against that of a comparably equipped motorhome?问问自己：你现在已经有了一辆马力强劲的拖车可以拖挂一辆房车吗？还是需要买一辆马力更大的新拖车？如果你需要升级拖车，那么拖车加拖挂房车的费用和直接买一辆自行式房车相比，哪一个更合算？How much

18、 are you willing to spend?你的预算是多少？There are a lot of costs you need to keep in mind when trying to decide motorhome or trailer.当你考虑是买自行式房车还是拖挂房车的时候，还有很多开支都需要考虑进去。At the front of the line is the purchase price. As mentioned earlier, a nice Class A motorhome can cost as much as some real homes. Even s

19、o, there might not be a huge difference between the price tag of the motorhome and a new pickup truck and a travel trailer.首当其冲就是房车的售价。前面说到过，一辆不错的A型房车的价格已经快赶上一栋真正的房屋了。尽管如此，自行式房车的售价和新皮卡加拖挂式房车的售价之间也许没有太大的差别了。Other cost areas include:其他的费用还包括：Maintenance维修费Rule of thumb: trailers have fewer things that

20、 break. And the bigger the RV, the more that can go wrongbecause motorhomes have engines, and transmissions, and pumps and sophisticated electronics. So unless youre handy with a screwdriver and a wrench, repairs are generally more expensive.经验告诉我们：拖挂式房车不容易出故障。房车越大越复杂，就越容易出毛病 因为自行式房车有引擎、变速箱、油泵和复杂的电子

21、设备，如果你不怎么懂修车的话，维护自行式房车的代价通常是很昂贵的。And dont forget: if your motorhome has to go into the shop, your living accommodations go with it. On the other hand, with a trailer, should your truck or SUV need repair youll still have a place to live while waiting for the mechanic to work his magic.不要忘记：当你的自行式房车进

22、入维修店修理的时候，你的生活家当也跟着进去了。相反，如果是拖挂式房车的话，当你需要修理皮卡或SUV等拖车的时候，你至少还可以有一个容身之所，等待修理工慢慢修复你的车辆。Miles Per Gallon油耗Except perhaps for the pop-up, pulling a trailer is like pulling a small building. And buildings are not usually noted for being fuel efficient. This means that, depending on your tow vehicle and tr

23、ailer, you might see a sobering 8 to 12 mpg on a good day.也许除了弹出式房车，拖着一辆拖挂式房车就像拉着一个小型建筑。这么重的家伙当然不会是低油耗的，这就意味着在正常情况下，你也许看到的油耗是让人不容忽视的每加仑8到12英里（百公里油耗20升到30升），取决于你的拖车和房车的配置。For motorhomes, again, depending on the size of the rig and its equipment, 6 to 8 miles per gallon is about the norm.对于自行式房车来说，取决于

24、重量和马力，每加仑6到8英里的油耗（百公里油耗30升到40升）是很正常的。Campground Fees房车露营地停车费Fees for campgrounds are all over the map. Some federal, state and county agencies offer free camping in primitive sites or a very reasonable $10 to $20 per night. (Keep in mind that luxuries like water, sewer and electricity, if available,

25、 will add to the cost.房车露营地的停车费在地图上就可以找到。有些联邦、州或县级机构提供免费露营地或者很合理的每晚10到20美元的收费（注意：如果需要接入水电和下水道系统，费用需要另计）。At the other end of the spectrum, privately run campgrounds that offer heated swimming pools and hot tubs, laundries, rec rooms, restaurants, landscaping, cable TV and hefty 50-amp electric servic

26、e charge equally hefty feessome exceeding $50 a night.另外一方面，私人露营地可以提供更舒适的设施如恒温游泳池、热水按摩浴缸、餐厅、洗衣房、有线电视、50安培充电桩等等，但是费用不菲，有些超过50美元一晚。And because most government-run campgrounds were built w-a-a-y back in the early days, the size of many sites can be on the tiny side (think two-door car and a tent). With

27、 todays increasingly larger trailers and motorhomes, fitting into many campsites can be a challenge if not downright impossible. So when youre deciding on a motorhome or a trailer, keep this in mind, as bigger is not always better.因为多数政府运营的露营地都是很早以前修建的，营地提供给每辆房车停泊的面积很小，一般是一辆私家车加一个帐篷的大小。现在体积不断增大的大型房车

28、想要挤进这样的露营地是非常有挑战性的事情，如果说不是不可能的话。所以当你考虑自行式或拖挂式房车的时候，要记得并不是越大越好。Insurance保险Same as with maintenance: the bigger the rig the larger your insurance bill. You should check several insurance companies for the best rate and service before you buy, and figure that a motorhome is always going to cost more th

29、an a trailer.和维修费一样：越大的房车保险费越贵。在购买保险之前，你应该多咨询几家保险公司来比较价格，一般自行式房车的保费会比拖挂式要高很多。Financing贷款Due to the cost, most RVers finance a large part of their purchase (for 10 to 15 years on average). This makes it worth your time to check bank and credit union rates and see what type of loan you can obtain befo

30、re you go shopping. Then theres no pressure for you to use the dealers bank.由于价格太高，多数购买房车的客户都会采取贷款大部分购置费然后分期付款的方式（通常贷款10到15年）。这样你多花些时间去了解各个银行的贷款利率，在购车前找好贷款是很值得的。这样你就不会不得已而使用房车销售商提供的银行贷款。TAX TIP: Because virtually every motorhome and many trailers feature beds, kitchens, sinks, and bathrooms, the IRS

31、 considers them to be homes. And that means that the interest on your loan may be tax deductible as a home mortgage.省税小窍门：因为每辆自行式和拖挂式房车都有床、厨房、洗脸池和浴室，美国国税局会把它们当作房屋对待。这就意味着你的贷款利息是可以像房屋贷款一样免税。And keep in mind that if you decide on the trailer route and you also plan to purchase a new tow vehicle, car o

32、r truck financing is seldom longer than seven years.记住如果你决定选择拖挂式房车，并且计划购买一辆新车作为拖车的话，小车和皮卡的贷款期限通常都不会超过七年。Depreciation折旧率Its a sad fact that just about any major purchase you make depreciates the moment you hand over your money. And while trailers arent immune to such declines in value, they still hav

33、e the advantage over motorhomes. Because motorhomes have odometers, and the more miles on the clock the lower the resale value.很不幸的事情是，就像任何大额购置物品，当你一旦付款了它就开始贬值。拖挂式房车当然也不可避免地会折旧，但是它的折旧率要比自行式房车要低。因为自行式房车有里程表，里程数越高房车的价值就越低。How comfortable are you driving a motorhome versus a trailer? 你感觉驾驶自行式房车的舒适度和拖挂式

34、房车相比如何？Theres much to be said for both camps. On one hand, many RVers feel that driving a motorhome is not much different than piloting a large truck or SUV, and in fact, is easier to park in a campsite than a 23-foot truck pulling a 30-foot trailer.这里就有很多说道了。一方面很多房车爱好者觉得驾驶自行式房车和开一辆大型皮卡或SUV差不多，实际上，自

35、行式房车的确是要比23英尺长的皮卡加30英尺的拖挂式房车更容易在露营地停车。For trailer enthusiasts, the fact that the truck/trailer combo pivots in the middle makes it easier to get around sharper bends in the road (keeping in mind those older campgrounds, especially in the mountains, which are built around massive trees and towering b

36、oulders). 对于拖挂式房车的狂热分子来说，卡车加拖挂房车中间的挂钩让它更容易拐过急转弯（不要忘记很多陈旧的露营地，尤其是那种在山区里面的，周边往往有很多大树和耸立的岩石）。But no matter whether youre driving or pulling, always beware of wind. Always. 不过不管你是开房车还是拖房车，永远要当心阵风，永远。How important is easy access while en route?在路上容易进出房车有多重要？Theres no contest when it comes to activities w

37、hile on the road. The motorhome is the clear winner. Because in a motorhome, you dont have to pull over for a bathroom break (except for the driver, of course!) the potty is right down the hall. With a trailer, youll need to pull into a rest stop or gas station, or stop at the side of the road and r

38、un back to the porta john youve been pulling with you.说到房车上路后满足乘客的生理需求，自行式毫无疑问是最佳的选择。因为坐在自行式房车里面，你不需要为了上卫生间而停车（当然，驾驶员除外），卫生间就在车里面。如果是拖挂式房车，你就必须停进休息区或者加油站，或者靠边停在路肩，然后下车跑到拖挂房车里面去解决。In a motorhome, its easier to make snacks or take a nap. Everything you need is right with you (although take care moving about while youre underway). In a trailer, everything you need is close behind you. But you still have to stop and get out to get to it. Not fun in a thunderstorm.在自行式房车里面，做点心或躺下睡一小觉都是很容易的事情，所有你需要的东西都在你的身边（不过在行驶的房车里面走动还是要多加小心）。在拖挂式房车里面，你需要的东西虽然就在你的后面，你还是需要停车下来才能拿到