How to Choose the Best RV for Full Time Living

How to Choose the Best RV for Full Time Living

When it comes to choosing a trailer or motorhome to live in full time (or for extended periods of time), everyone is going to have a different answer as far as the “Best” RV brands, models, etc. because everyone’s needs and preferences are different.

With so many options and everyone telling you something different, how are you supposed to choose, or even know how to choose?

In this guide I’ll go over some the questions you should ask yourself to determine what to look for when purchasing an RV, as well as some features that full-time RVers might especially want to consider.

The Floor Plan

Lots of people will tell you not to choose an RV based on the floor plan alone, and while this may be good advice, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for an RV with a floor plan you love.  The layout of your RV has a lot to do with how comfortable you’ll be on a day-to-day basis.  It’s a lot easier to put up with minor annoyances when you only use your RV a few times per year than when you have to deal with them every single day.

So, here are some things to think about when it comes to your RV’s floor plan:

Laundry Needs

  • Does the RV have a washer and dryer?  If not, can one be added?
  • If you choose an RV that doesn’t have a washer and dryer, will the places you’ll be staying have laundry facilities?
  • Will places you’re staying allow you to hang clothes to dry?  (Many RV parks prohibit clotheslines.)
  • If you can’t wash and dry your clothes in your RV, how much time (and money) will you spend at a laundromat?
Laundry area in the bedroom of a fifth wheel RV

Cooking and Eating

  • Do you cook most of your meals at home?  If so, you might want to think about counter space for chopping vegetables, storing kitchen appliances, doing dishes, etc.
  • Will you be cooking over campfires?  If you plan to do most of your cooking outdoors, you might be fine with a smaller kitchen, but don’t forget about when it rains!
  • Will your electricity be limited?  If you plan to homestead off grid or boondock to save money on campsite fees, you won’t be able to rely on microwaving your food and might want to steer clear of an RV that doesn’t have an oven.
  • Are you more likely to eat at a dining table, on the couch, or outside?  If you don’t need a dining table for eating or working, perhaps the space could be used for some other purpose.

Work / School / Office Space

  • What kind of space is needed for work and/or study?  What options are available in the camper?
  • Can this space be used for other activities?  Can the dining table be used for work as well?  Could you create a master bedroom that is also an office?
RV slide converted to a workspace

Storage Needs

  • Do you plan on bringing everything you own, or will you put some of your belongings in storage?  If you intend to rent a storage facility or leave some of your belongings in a family member’s garage or attic, you may be able to get by with less storage, but if you will be traveling with a large family or bringing all of your earthly possessions, you’ll definitely want an RV with as much storage as possible.
  • What kinds of clothing will you need?  If you plan to stay in warm climates or have a place to store your extra stuff, you won’t need to take up too much space storing clothing for all four seasons.
  • What kind of storage is included in your floor plan?  Is there a pantry?  A coat closet?  A cabinet in the bathroom?  If storage is lacking, can it be added?
  • What kinds of equipment will you need for outdoor sports and activities?  If the whole reason you’re living in an RV is to have more time for biking, hiking, kayaking, golfing, etc., you’ll want to make sure the camper you purchase has enough space to store the items you need.
  • Do you have any work or lifestyle needs that require extra equipment?  Make sure to take these things into consideration.

The Bathroom

  • Shower height – Tall people don’t fit in some RV showers.  Be sure to measure before you buy!
  • Bathtub needs – Most RV’s don’t have a bathtub, but if you have small kids you may want to place a collapsible tub in the shower.  This will be easier in some showers than others, so think about that when looking at the bathroom.
  • Hot water tank capacity – The smaller the tank, the shorter the shower.  A shower head with a slower flow rate can help a little, but RVers with small campers and/or large families may want to consider a tankless water heater.

Traveling Companions

Couples

  • How important is “alone time”?  You may want to look at RV’s with more separation in the floor plan if you’ll be needing regular time apart from each other or away from your kids.

Kids

  • Will your kids be able to spend a lot of time outdoors?  If not, you may want to look at an RV that has more play space inside.
  • Will you be able to give your kids their own space?  Kids enjoy having a space that’s all their own, no matter how small.

Pets

  • Will you need a dog kennel?  Can a kennel be added to your RV?
  • Where will your pets’ supplies be stored?
  • If you have a cat or cats, where will you store the litter box?
  • Are there places for your pets to see out of the windows?
  • Will your pets be safe if they are alone in your RV during a power outage?
Kitty looking out of an RV window

Your Other Vehicle

For Towable RV Owners:

  • How much weight can your vehicle safely tow? Will the RV you’re considering be pushing this weight limit when fully loaded?
  • How much will your vehicle cost to purchase?
  • How much will gas, insurance, and vehicle maintenance cost?

For Motorhome Owners:

  • Will you be bringing a separate car?  If not, do you plan to drive your motorhome when you need to go to the grocery store or want to go sightseeing?
  • Do you plan to tow your second car, or will someone drive it separately?
  • How much will you spend on fuel?
  • Where will you stay if your motorhome breaks down and needs to be left at a repair shop?

Where You’ll Be Living or Traveling

Mechanical Systems

  • How many Amps is your RV’s electrical system?  Will a 30 Amp RV be adequate for your needs?
  • Will you have electrical hookups?  If not, will you supplement with solar power or a generator?  Will you have enough power to run all the appliances you need?
  • Will you be RVing in hot climates?  If so, does your RV have two air conditioners, and enough power to run them?  (Mainly a consideration for larger RV’s)
  • Will you have fresh water hookups or a way to frequently refill your tank?  If not, do you have space for hauling/storing water on board?
  • Will you have sewer hookups?  If not, where will you dump your tanks, and how often?
Enclosed water line connection in a four-season fifth wheel

Living in an RV in Cold Weather

  • How will you heat your RV?  What will it cost?  Do you have an emergency backup heating source?
  • Is your RV’s plumbing system enclosed and/or heated to protect it from freezing?
  • Does your RV have double-pane windows?
  • Does your RV have adequate insulation?

For more considerations when choosing an RV that can withstand cold weather, check out this article: Features to Look For in a Four-Season RV

Does the perfect RV exist?

My intention in writing this article isn’t to discourage you, but to help you think through some of the features that may make one camper more ideal for your needs than another.

Hopefully, this will help you find the perfect RV in your perfect price range!  But if not, maybe you’ll at least have a better idea of which features are your “must haves” and which are just “nice to haves”.  I highly recommend, too, that you visit a few RV dealerships in your area and walk through as many different types of RV’s as you can, because looking at an RV in a picture is a lot different than actually standing inside it.

Once you’re actually in an RV, you may find yourself saying, “This feels a lot bigger than it looked in the picture”…or on the other hand, you might realize you hit your head on the bedroom ceiling, or that you don’t like the stove being right next to the sofa.

You might also consider renting an RV for a trip before buying one to get a better feel for what it will be like.

In the end, even if you find and buy the “perfect” RV, you’ll probably still run into issues that have you Googling and searching YouTube…that’s just part of RV ownership!  But with enough research beforehand, hopefully the benefits will far outweigh the drawbacks!

What features are most important to you in an RV?  Let us know in the comments!

What to look for when choosing an RV to live in full time #FullTimeRV #RV #RVLiving #RVingWithKids

Comments
4

Tracy Paulson
October 11, 2020

Any loop holes for the states that do not allow full time RV? I’m in Northern Ca . And want to live in a 5th wheel full time on my Best friends property but was told we can stay there no longer than 90 days?

ashleyshell
October 12, 2020

Unfortunately the legality of living in an RV varies not only from state to state but also from county to county within each state. I know some people who have lived full time in an RV in California in the same RV park for several years now, and every 90 days they have to move their camper to a different spot within the campground. In the county where I live in Missouri, living in an RV on one’s own land is not allowed, but living in an RV indefinitely within an RV park or mobile home park is allowed. So it all depends on where you’re located! Maybe you could just plan to take a trip in your RV at least once every 90 days?

Carolyn Reedy
January 10, 2021

My plan is to spend Summer’s in around Denver with family then Winters around Phoenix with family. What are the limitations there on private property and lengths of time

Ashley Mann
January 11, 2021

That is a good question, and unfortunately it varies depending on the laws and ordinances at the city, county, and state level. For example, it may be legal in one city or county, but not in an adjacent one. I would suggest getting in touch with other RVers in the area to ask what they’ve learned, and I would also look at local government websites to try to find out what’s allowed. If you can find the information online or by asking RVers in the area, I would also try calling the government offices that govern zoning laws.

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