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How to choose the best RV for a family?
What type of RV is best for my family?
What should I look for in a camper?
Buying a RV or camper, especially for the first time, can be overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from and narrowing down the list can be challenging. Even if it’s not your first camper, the rate at which designs and options change can be maddening.
Each February we go to the RV show in Salt Lake City. Easily my favorite trade show of the year. And yes, we spent 2 days here going through all the RV’s dreaming about what our next RV could be.
We bought our first camper a couple years ago and have taken it all over the western USA states. In hindsight, we would have chosen a camper with different options and in fairness the sales agent did mention some of these things before we bought.
Don’t get me wrong our camper is still awesome, but would be even more comfortable if we had considered all these things for our family:
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What tow vehicle will you use?
Deciding how you’ll move your new RV around is a must before looking at what to chose as the best RV for your family.
a. None
Maybe you have a car or other vehicle that can’t tow a trailer. If this is the case you may want to consider a motorhome or camper van as you choose the best RV for your family.
Pros: You don’t need to buy another vehicle. Depending on the model you may be able to tow your car behind the motorhome for use at your destination.
Cons: They are a bigger initial investment and require the same services and maintenance as your other vehicles which can get expensive.
b. SUV, Mini vans, etc
Nowadays there are many vehicles that can tow between 2000-5000lbs. Our old Forester was on the 2000lb end and the Ascent on the 5000lb end. Coupled with the light weight technology employed in a lot of campers you can tow several bumper hitch models.
Pros: You can tow tent trailers and some small model light weight trailers without needing to upgrade your vehicle (depending on its weight rating).
Cons: If you have a large family these options can feel like you’re sleeping and living on top of each other.
c. Truck
The ultimate choice for towing and a must have for larger travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and of course in-bed campers. Depending on the size of truck you have or are planning on buying you can tow campers from 8000 lbs to 25000+ lbs.
Pros: Allows you more choice in what will work best for your family and needs. Plus if you buy a trailer you can leave it at the campground and use your vehicle to get around without needing to worry about driving around a motorhome.
Cons: A big truck with a big trailer means low gas mileage, usually about ½ to ¾ of what the sticker says. Budget double on gas than you normally would even on the highway.
2. Where will you store your RV?
As with deciding how you’ll move your RV around; deciding where to store your RV before buying is a must as you chose the best RV for your family.
a. Home
Double check any bylaws before committing to store your RV at your house. Some communities require RV pads and others just don’t allow storage. If your community does allow you to keep an RV on site make sure you check dimensions (length and height) before committing to buy.
Pros: No additional cost for storage.
Cons: They can take up a lot of space and become unsightly if not used and maintained.
b. RV Storage
If you live in an apartment, condo, have a HOA or for another reason you can’t store your RV on property this may be a reasonable option if you are looking to buy one.
Pros: You can still get an RV even if you don’t have a place to store it at your house.
Cons: It adds additional cost to upkeep and maintenance.
3. Who will be using the RV?
Kids, pets, grandparents, friends. Who you’ll take along on all your adventures will help dictate the floor plan and layout as you chose the best RV for your family.
a. Kids
There are so many features that make RV travel fun and comfortable for families. The options can definitely be overwhelming. If your family is small; fold out tables and couches might be enough for everyone to be comfortable. Plus, you can buy a smaller trailer if this option works for you and save money on gas while towing!
Pros: Smaller RV’s are easier to move around and cheaper on gas.
Cons: If you’re stuck inside for any reason, you’ll be on top of each other. Morning people like me feel a bit trapped in the bedroom as the dining table is now a bed.
When we purchased our trailer we wanted everyone to have dedicated beds. Our RV has a bunkhouse that allows our boys to share the bunk bed. Since our daughter was born the space suddenly got tight! Now we’re on the hunt for a new trailer with a quarter bunk. This will give the kids their own beds and own space, plus we can watch TV in the evenings without hiding out in the master bedroom.
Pros: Everyone gets their own space even if it’s still shared. No one has to wait for the card game to finish before going to bed.
Cons: RV’s with bunkhouses and quarter bunks are typically longer and heavier costing more to move around.
b. Pets
We were so excited to see new features for families travelling with pets at the RV show this year. Several trailer models had open spaces under the master bed for a dog bed. Allowing space outside the main living area, which can be tight, is such a great option especially if you have a larger dog.
Pros: Pup has his own space to sleep and there’s space for a proper dog bed.
Cons: You lose the storage space under the bed.
c. Other family and friends
If like us, a few times a year you travel with friends or extended family, it can be really nice to have a private master bedroom. After all, this is your time away as well. Unless you travel with people outside your immediate family all the time, you probably haven’t bought a RV that sleeps 8+ people. Not to worry though, there are ways to sleep extras on an adhoc basis. Just be creative!
Pros: You get your own space which is also great if you have kids. Some separate bedrooms have space for TV so you can watch in bed.
Cons: Private bedrooms take up more space and thus your RV will be larger.
4. When will you use it?
Year-round living, summer week-ends, and everything in between. As you chose the best RV for your family take a stab at understanding when you’ll use it. There are features available to make towing and living better for everyone depending on how you’ll most use your new RV.
a. Year round or summer only
Planning to use your RV year round and wondering how to choose the best RV for year round camping? Look for RV’s with winter packages. They will have extra insulation in the undercarriage that keep your water pipes from freezing.
Pros: You can camp year round without worrying as much about freezing and breaking pipes.
Cons: Extra features add extra cost. These features are a must when choosing the best RV if you are winter camping though.
b. Length of Time
When looking to choose the best RV for your family, consider how long you’ll use it. Are you a week-end warrior and will only use it on 2-3 day weekends? Will it take the place of a cabin? Is this going to be your family’s new home? Use the answer to these questions to determine the size of RV you need. Only buy what you need and no more. The number one reason we hear people are unhappy with what they bought is that the RV is too big.
Pros: You’ll buy what you need and it will be purpose built for your family and features make towing easier if you plan on trucking it around the country.
Cons: When you’re shopping there’s always a temptation to get something just a little bigger. If you go too big towing is annoying on a week-end by week-end basis. Too small and living full time will become frustrating with lack of storage and personal space
5. Where will you use it?
When considering how to choose the best RV for your family also think about how and where you’ll generally be travelling to. Will you be using state parks only? How about established backcountry camping?
a. Campgrounds
Think about state and national parks, KOAs, Good Sams and everything in between. These types of locations often provide some form of hook-ups. Water, electricity, and sometimes sewer. Basically, you just hook up and away you go. For these types of sites almost anything goes.
Pros: Other than a dedicated water hose with a filter and a sewer line, you probably have everything you need when you purchase your RV.
Cons: Not all established campgrounds have hook-ups and you’ll need to buy different converter kits no matter what RV you choose.
b. Dry and developed back country camping
Off the grid camping if you will. In Utah we have BLM land and campgrounds that you can head out to. These campgrounds don’t have any amenities, just a place to park your ride. If this will be the area you primarily visit you’ll want to look for trailers with built in generators and more gray water tank space. Not fussy on a toy hauler? You can also purchase solar panels or add on generators.
Pros: Built in generators are quiet and you don’t need to purchase any extras.
Cons: Toy haulers are limited in terms of comfortable sleeping space.
c. Rugged Back country camping
Okay, if you are super into backpacking. Maybe just stick with a tent. Kidding…. Well partially serious. This year at the RV show a couple dealers were there with off road campers. They are built for rugged terrain and either fold out into a tent or are small trailers.
Pros: While you’ll still be camping off the road, you can get into some pretty gnarly places. It’s also better after a day of hiking or off-roading then sleeping on the ground.
Cons: They are not cheap and you’ll still need a truck designed for off-road adventures to pull these things.
No matter which RV you choose, just remember to Always Pack a Sweater for your RV adventures.
