Are you wondering what size RV you should buy? Well, it depends. Let me say that bigger isn’t always better, especially if you are a “full-timer.” This might seem counterintuitive but let me explain.
When Bryce and I shopped for an RV, we had no idea what we were looking for. We had never even been in an RV and even though we did online research, it would never be enough to know how we would feel when living in one.
At dealerships, we always got the same advice…”Trust me, go bigger.”
Sales people said that you think you want a smaller RV, but then people tend to upgrade after about a year.
We’d spend ten minutes in an RV, think we liked it, and then inevitably the salesperson would say something like, “yeah but it’s really hard to maneuver around x, y, z. The three-four extra feet will make a huge difference.” And it made sense too.
Yes, they want to make a sale, but I think most sales people believe that they are doing us a favor with the “go bigger” warning. But they may not fully grasp the desires of full-time RVers. The freedom that many of us seek is less attainable in a larger RV. We left behind a giant, unmovable house, so why would we want a giant, lumbering, land-whale in exchange?
Almost a year after purchasing our 34’ foot, class A Motorhome, I’m jonesing for a more nimble option; something that allows more flexibility in our travels. Spontaneity is one of the reasons we chose this lifestyle, but it’s not so easy to do with our 50 plus feet of RV plus tow vehicle.
Now, I’m starting to see what may be a trend in others going smaller too. I interviewed three of my RV compadres who recently downsized or are in the process, and asked them why they think bigger isn’t always better when it comes to RVs.
If you are in the market for a new RV, perhaps their stories will help inform you about your decisions.
From a Winnie to a super-cool Class B. Shea and Eric Laughlin – livingmilebymile.com
I got to interview Shae and Erin in person when they were passing through our area. We had a wonderful evening filled with BBQ chicken, local beer, and lots of laughs. Here’s the chat we had about their decision to downsize:
1.You were in a nineteen foot “Minnie-Winnie” travel trailer. That seems pretty small, what made you choose that model originally? What did you like and not like about it?
We wanted to get in and out of places easily and not worry about being too big. We love the quality of Winnebago, and when we learned they made a travel trailer, suddenly we found the perfect one–on clearance even! It was bright red–yuck–but the cost outweighed the color. It was easy to back up, had a dry bath (sink and toilet separate from shower), and didn’t have slides, so one less thing to fix.
But it was a bit dark inside, and the “mature-fabrics” plus veneer floor were unappealing. We literally had to get on the bed to make it. We did a few renovations, including building a custom dinette-desk station, which improved the layout. Insert photo.
2.Why did you decide to downsize?
To be even more nimble. While the Winnie was small, we still had to pull it with a fairly large truck. That made dry camping, or staying with friends and family kind of tough. That bright red color we didn’t mind in the beginning really put us right in the spotlight. The downsides started to outweigh the clearance price, so we started thinking about other options.
The class B is one vehicle that does everything we need. We don’t have to do much advanced planning for day-trips, and we can take it anywhere.
3.What Class B model did you get and why?
We got the Hymer-Aktiv 1.0 at 19.7’ feet. There are so many reasons we chose this model. We’re going to save more money on things like gas mileage, toll booth costs, ferry costs etc. Also, features like front-wheel drive, solar panels, and lithium batteries make this really cost effective. It helps that modern conveniences like USB ports are included.
Erin can drive more now, which enables me to work while in transit.
4.Are there any tradeoffs by downsizing?
They are more like adjustments. Now we have a wet-bath (where the the toilet, sink and shower are one), and a gravity toilet, which is a removable “cassette-style” waste tank. It’s not like we wanted these things, but we’ll adjust as we go. We also got rid of toys like paddleboards and bikes, but we weren’t using them anyway. We’re really not sad to part with with our Kettlebells. I mean what were we thinking bringing Kettlebells anyway?!
Overall we’re really happy with our purchase. We feel like it’s the perfect option to create the freedom and level of exploration we truly desire.
From a too Big 5th Wheel to maybe a smaller class A – Paul and Heather Ryan – The Roamin Ryans
I built a friendship with Heather online, and then we met at the RV Entrepreneur Summit. When she told me she they were downsizing I wanted to know more. I sent her and Paul questions online and here are their responses.
1.You have a beautiful 5th wheel but have decided to downsize. Why?
We love our 5th wheel, but we have empty cabinets. It’s a 42′ toyhauler and the garage is mostly for storage, which means we only live in about 30′-32′ of it. Plus, we can’t fit into every park whether it’s a state, national, county, or RV. There are limitations with such a big rig. It makes driving days extra stressful; we’re avoiding bridges & trees, managing tight turns, and pit stops are sometimes hard to find. It’s a real adventure when Google sends us down dirt roads that aren’t meant for rigs this big.
2.What originally led you to buy the 5th wheel? What do like about it and not like about it.
We wanted to carry Heather’s art and do art shows across the country. With the passage of almost a year, we realize the extra space for a few times a year, isn’t worth it. Also, following the art show circuit means we go back to the same places every year. Plus, art shows are typically centered around cities and larger population areas which is harder to reserve and more expensive. We want to see new things and explore this beautiful country.
The only downside to the 5th wheel is it’s size. It has stood up to a year of full-time use with little breakage or warranty work. It has great storage and is well appointed. What else do we need? Just something smaller is all.
3.What kind of rig are you looking to get and why? What are your must haves in the new rig?
We are looking at either a smaller 5th wheel or a smaller Class A. A 5th wheel would be easy since we already have a truck, but we’re keeping our options open. A Class A might be nicer on move days; we wouldn’t have to move the dogs, water, and snacks to the truck. The big window is appealing because we’d have more scenic views on drive days. We don’t like having a truck as our touring vehicle either. It is not the most efficient for gas mileage and parking can sometimes be a hassle. We’re taking everything into consideration.
As far as must haves, adequate space for Paul to put his pole stand-up desk. A convection micro/oven because I love to bake (this could be added later though). We need to consider storage options as well as tank sizes since we boondocking sometimes. Paul is looking at the electric side of things to move our solar over to a new rig, and we’re discussing gas vs. diesel. Otherwise, we’re really flexible.
4. What advice do you have for people buying an RV for the first time? What about those looking to downsize from one they already have?
Advice? We’re looking at each other with a shrug of the shoulders. It’s the same as buying any large purchase. We research, research, research. Get in RVs. Go to dealers. Look up ads on Craigslist that are nearby. Ask yourself why you like that brand, model, etc. Eliminate what you don’t like and revisit the ones you do like. With full-time RV living your needs might change once you are in one. That’s perfectly ok.
From a family sized 5th wheel to a Timeless van Michael and Crissa Boyink – Ditching Suburbia
I met Mike and Crissa at the RV Entreprenuer Summit. I got to see the inside of their RV and talked with them about their desire to downsize. A few months later they pulled the trigger and I emailed them the following questions.
1.Recently you downsized from a 5th wheel to a van. Overall, what led you to that decision?
Boredom. OK let me explain more. After six and a half years in 5th wheels, we felt like we were in a travel rut just kinda doing the same things. Plus our kids moved out so we didn’t need 34’ feet of space anymore. Finally, we’d been planning to downsize when an expensive truck repair lit the fire under our butts to get after it.
2.What made you purchase the 5th wheel to begin with?
It was the right rig at the time. We had two fifth-wheels during our family travel phase – a 30’ foot then a 34′ foot. Each was a great rig and exactly what we needed space-wise. Then we could all fit in the truck for exploration.
3.What were some of the good things about it? And not so good things?
We loved how easy to hitch and tow the fifth wheel was. And it was very livable. We had room to carry plenty of gear–bikes, inflatable kayaks, snorkeling, etc.
But it was long and tall. While hitched, a travel day was more or less about getting from point A to point B. We had to ignore any cool stops on the way.
4.Why did you choose to go with a travel van instead of something else?
I wanted to:
– Be able to park in a standard parking spot.
– Try being in one thing.
– Be in a rig without fiberglass walls and a rubber roof.
– Be in something that could withstand some less developed roads and campgrounds.
And besides, I just think the older ones are cool.
5. Did you have to make any compromises, if so what were they?
Our move was nothing but compromises. From the clothes we carry to the outdoor gear to the kitchen gear we could fit…it all had to be downsized. But that’s a central theme to RV life anyway so you get used to that.
6.What does the van enable you to do that you couldn’t in your 5th wheel?
Stop anywhere. Go through drive-throughs. Fit in car washes. Camp in rustic campgrounds. Daytrip into cities. Fit in AirBnB driveways.
7.Are you happy with your purchase?
Moreso all the time. We bought an older rig that needed some sweat equity. We’ve been working on it for a couple of months–buffing, painting, new floor, finding ways to organize the space, etc. It’s getting dialed in.
8.What advice would you give others if they decided to downsize?
You have to be very deliberate about figuring out why you are traveling. Do you want to hike? Bike? Kayak? With a smaller rig you have little room for those options, but so much more flexibility in other ways.
There you have it. Bigger isn’t always better.
The bottomline: Think about what you want and need, along with your lifestyle to help make an informed decision about your RV purchase. Also though, avoid analysis paralysis because sometimes you have to live in an RV for a while to figure out what you want and need.
By the way, in case you are thinking “but all these stories are about two people, I could never do that with my huge family,” check out Super and Sunshine, a family of six who live in a groovy shuttle bus.
Do you have an RV? Or are you searching for your perfect RV? Leave a comment about your ideal RV.
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Great article! I love the personal interviews. It gives us readers a better idea of what a particular RV is really like. BTW, we have a “land whale” (ha!) and wish we had gone smaller.
Hey Julie – that land whale line seems to stick with people. Only one person so far has said he loves his “land-whale,” but everyone else says what you say…they want to go smaller. Keep me posted on what you do and thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Camille – Good post. I would be curious to read a follow up in year and see what the downsizers think of their rigs. We are pretty happy with our 36 foot Class A for the most part a little over a year in. I love that we can boondock comfortably in remote areas and than use our Jeep to explore even further.
Hi Scott-thanks for reading! Yeah I will be curious too, to see what they say in a year. I think 36 feet is a reasonable size RV as well. It’s not so big that you can get it in many places. I hope we cross-paths on the road!
It’s been fun to see folks shift their ideal RV over their years on the road as they find their style, or shake it up. We went the opposite way… that T@B at the top? That’s what we started with, then a 17′ fiberglass egg… and then we went super big with a 35′ no-slides motorhome.
Have loved each and every one of them for their unique traits. And can totally see ourselves going small again in the future.
Hi Cherie -First of all thanks for reading! I remember reading on your site about how you guys started in a small trailer. I was pretty blown away by how you just went for it, so early in your relationship. That inspired me 🙂
I’m finding that the size of the RV is fine, but the more space I have, the more I tend to fill it with stuff. So I keep thinking that if I go smaller, It will force me to be more minimal. We’ll see though…perhaps I just need to travel with a backpack.
It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people on this topic, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Ah that’s awesome thanks!
I like what you said that it is good to choose a smaller used RV because of the mobility that it provides. My wife and I are also interested with getting off the grid for a while, but we want a place that is somewhat decent for sleeping and putting our things, which is why we need an RV. We will surely shop according to your recommendation and choose a smaller model.
Hey James thanks for checking out our site. I think it depends on what you want/need. The smaller size isn’t for everyone, but it does seem to be a trend these days.
We sold our 29 ft Winnebago and went back to a smaller trailer. A Jayco 17rk. We love it! More counter space, full pantry, lots of storage, a slide and power everything!!! What a joy to not haul a tow vehicle or need a huge truck to pull it. Plus we don’t have to store it. The belly part is fully enclosed so a winter RV cover is all we need. We are going to buy the solar panels as it is ready for them too! We have no regrets on downsizing!!!
Hi Debbie, it’s great to hear your downsizing success story. We’re happy to hear you’re enjoying the convenience of your smaller setup.
Enjoying all the comments and your articles!
Hey Heather thanks for reading. I’m glad you are enjoying the posts!
Hi Camille. Thank you so much for this great post. I found you through ASHLEY of RV inspiration. I am planning to move from my Dutchman classic travel trailer to a class A. Do you have any advice on learning how to drive? Thanks again:-)
Hi Melody thanks for coming over from Ashley’s site 🙂 You can take classes on learning how to drive an RV. I recommend it because a good teacher will make you feel at ease and help you build confidence. You can look in your local area for schools. Also, a dealer will help you too. My sales guy took us out and showed me how to drive which was super helpful. Good luck on your purchase!
The bigger the RV the more expensive. Maybe not in the short term, but in the long run it will cost you. A class C to me is the most affordable to buy and maintain. The problem with a Class A is the expensive maintenance like the tires. Plus, it cost more to move and operate overall than any other unit. I have a Class B but would rather live full time in an A or C.
Hey Brandi – those are very good points. I guess you could buy an older, used RV and reduce the costs, but yeah the more RV you have the more it will cost. Thanks for checking out the article!
My husband and I are considering getting an RV, and we definitely want to get a new one so it lasts us as long as possible. I didn’t know that most people trade-in for a larger after just a year, and I’ll definitely bring that up with my husband when we’re debating sizes. Still, we might end up following your lead and opting for something more maneuverable to get us around.
Hi Rhianna – thanks for writing! I wouldn’t rule out buying a used RV. You’d be surprised how much “breaking-in” there is with a new RV. Buying new doesn’t necessarily mean that it will last longer. Especially if you are considering a diesel coach. Those can last a long time. It boils down to doing your research, but a used RV can save you a lot of money in the long run and can hold up really well. Good luck and keep me posted.
My husband and I lived in a 5th wheel for 8 years. We recently bought a house. My brother’s RV park manager now has our Carriage Cameo and he loves it. Living in on helps me sell RVs at Holiday World. I’ve been selling them for 3yrs now and having the full time experience definitely helps. We sell Hymers and I’ve become some what of an expert with the product line. Interesting article…
Hi Rachel that is so interesting that you sell RVs. Do you enjoy that? I often think that I’d like doing that. Hymers are cool RVs. I think I’d like to try one out for a while.
Thank you so much for the great article. We are retiring soon and have been looking at rvs for a year now
to make sure we are choosing the right one. We will be living in it when we come back home to my daughters property.
Your information will help alot in our decision
Thank you
Hi Barbara I’m so glad that this article is helpful to you. There are so many RV options out there. I hope you find just the right one!
My husband and I purchased a 26ft Coleman TT. We shopped for a year and weighed all our options. We have gone from tents to pop up and a 22ft TT. Friends have a 5th wheel that have had 2 years but like many they are selling because it’s too big. We took many things into consideration and the bunkhouse style with a super slide fit our needs. Not too long not too heavy and just the right size.
Hi Ginger – that’s great, it sounds like you got just the right RV. It’s rare that people start out with the right one and often trade it in. We actually like ours too. The size and features fit our lifestyle well. Thanks for reading and sharing! Camille
Hi
My wife and I just down sized from a 32 foot 5th wheel to a 25 foot StarCraft 5th wheel and it is the perfect size for us it doesn’t have a couch which only the dog used and has 2 slides instead of 3
It’s much easier to pull and better fuel mileage also and that is a big plus
Hey William that’s great! It’s always a plus when you’re happy with the new rig. It sounds like a great size and space too.
we have own several size rv. Our first was a 16 foot after 2 years I refuse to get into a bed that you could not walk around or change linens with being on the bed. after 15 years we have our ideal size. A 30 ft with walk around bed, full bathroom and a stove with oven. for us no more smaller rv.
Hi Ann I hear ya. 16 feet is definitely small, and I can see how that would be challenging. I’m glad you found just the right size for you!
I am one of the many who had to adjust–from a 30′ 5th wheel (too big) to a 15′ Aliner (too small). Finally found the PERFECT RV for my partner and myself: an 18′ pull-behind with full-sized bunks. We love it! So much easier to hook up, tow, and park. Writing a list of pros and cons helped a great deal.
Hey Kellie – it’s great that you found your just-right camper! It does take a few tries for many people to find the perfect model. Luckily we like ours, although recently we talked about getting a small van to pull behind as our more nimble option. We’ll see though. Overall we have nothing to complain about. And yes a pros and cons list really does help to find the right option. Thanks for reading!
We are first time RV buyers, and are living in it full time. We bought a 2019 T@B 400. It is 18′ and so far we are really loving it. It has a queen bed we don’t have to fold up and down, a bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet. A two burner stove, and a sink, we opted for a larger fridge, and gave up the closet. It also has a dinette, and we bought the Walker Tent to go with the trailer. We have only had this for two months, but we are extremely happy with it. And it is quality made by the Amish.
Hi Cindy – I love the T@B campers. They are so cute and well designed. It’s good to hear your review of that model. I haven’t met anyone yet who lives in one so didn’t know how they held up. Sounds like you’re having a great time in yours!
It doesn’t look like any of the folks who shared their downsize story have kids. We have 9 and 11 year olds and 2 dogs. It almost feels like there is no perfect size for that combo! Haha
Thanks for reading and commenting, Carey. We have met many families living and traveling full-time in their RVs. Some are in larger rigs and some are in smaller ones—often to our amazement. It seems to come down to a personal choice by families as to what works best for them. We do not have children, so we don’t have direct experience with this. But we’ve observed that it may be easier for a family to live in a smaller RV when the children are younger. And as they get older, they may need more space—especially with having dogs. Thanks again.
Our first RV was a 29ft Gulfstream Bunkhouse which was totaled in an accident only after 4 months of getting it. Still, that was enough time for us to realize we needed a little more space. Upgraded to a 33ft Cruise MPG 2750BH and I can tell you that extra 3 ft & better layout made all the difference on a 4 week trip to Colorado and New Mexico. That is as big as I will go with an F150 and we had no issues towing 2400+ miles from Texas and back including a few mountain passes in Colorado.
I do recommend people rent an RV a few times before committing to buying so they can get a feel for what layout they like and what may be too big or too small. We rented a 33ft Travel Trailer before buying for a week and knew that layout and size would work for us. We have one 10 year old and 2 mid-sized dogs.
Hey Rick – renting an RV is really great advice. I wish we had done more of that too. We like our RV but after 2.5 years of full-timing, I’m realizing that it’s not very comfortable to live and work in. But not sure we are going to swap it out any time soon. Good to know about the F150 and the max 33 feet. We were looking at 5th wheels and travel trailers the other day and were wondering about that. Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting!
Stumbled across your site and am finding it very informative. We have been doing our homework over the last year and are prepared to make our first purchase… because we are newbies we are having a tough time deciding between a 21 foot van conversion with pop up and a 26 foot class c. It’s frankly painful! We are wondering about anyone’s thoughts on a 26 foot vehicle’s maneuverability in terms of both exploring rural and urban environments. We don’t necessarily plan to drive into downtown San Francisco or anything but we may want the option to go into smaller cities to explore. Any advice? We have made so many pro and con lists and watched so many YouTube videos it’s ridiculous! Cheers.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I can see how difficult a decision this is! You’re probably finding the Class C more livable, but the van conversion more nimble. In my opinion, the 26-foot Class C is going to be much more limiting when it comes to urban exploration. It’s probably nimble enough for the rural roads. I think it will be harder to find parking in the cities. The van conversion will handle city driving more like a regular automobile and street parking would even be possible. You might need to add a weighting system to your pros and cons list to ultimately decide which is best for you. Best wishes with your big decision!
Great read. We got rid of our 42′ 5th wheel and are looking at getting no bigger than a 34′ Class A for similar reasons.
Thanks Mark. We hope you’re enjoying your smaller rig.
Nice article. I’m going to sell my 16 foot 1988 Nomad and buy a smaller camper, probably a 12 foot one as it just me and my little dog. Any particular kind you recommend?
Thanks Eric. We hope you found a smaller camper that you like. We’ve been surprised how little space we need. It’s best to research and spend time in the campers you’re considering and envision your life in it before making your decision.
Hi,
I am a solo traveller considering the RV life full time. I appreciate the stories that have been shared. I am wanting to have flexibility in being able to park in regular parking areas. Also, being able to hook up in the national parks, KOA, and other parks is important. Safety features, driveability, etc. are important too.
I am starting the research and greatly appreciate any thoughts. A used vehicle would be ok depending upon age, features, driveability, among other things.
My parents and I camped in a pop up trailer for many years, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But having everything as one unit is a definite plus.
Thanks so much. Safe travels to you and everyone.
Hi, thank you for the article, it is very informative!
I have a question for you: let’s say you are boondocking and you need to drive several miles to go to a town to get groceries… How do you save your camping spot? People with trailers can leave the trailer in place and drive their truck to town but what if you have a class C? You need to move it and then? 🙂
Thank you, Adriana. You have a very good question that we haven’t had to deal with as we have a tow car. I would consider leaving something of low value–such as a camp chair or safety cone–with a sign on it indicating the site is occupied and you’ll be returning shortly. If you have “neighbors” and have met them, you might ask if they could let anybody know the site is taken.