Finding the Perfect RV

Have you ever typed “RV’s for sale” into your search bar and instantly feel overwhelmed by the unlimited amount of choices?

Whew, me too, (I’m so glad its not just me!)

Whether you’re converting into RV life, planning summer vacations, dreaming of RV life or any and every thing in between, I am so happy to have you here!

When my husband Kory and I committed to going tiny full-time, finding the right RV was a bit daunting. We were RV noobies and had no idea what we were looking at. There’s loads of floor plans, brands, sizes and models, so where do you even start?

Well, I’m here to shed some light on what I’ve learned and hopefully help you through this process to get you on that open road as fast as possible.

I’ve also included a free printable to make this process even easier! As you are shopping, simply right down the model number, pro’s and con’s of your top choices. Download Printable

Keep in mind that this is solely based on fifth wheels and travel trailers. There are smaller options available like truck campers, vans, airstreams and more! So if your interest is a travel trailer or fifth wheel, then keep on reading ↓

Let’s go ahead and jump right in!

First and foremost, what exactly do you need this RV for?

• Are you going to be full-time in your RV?
• A weekend warrior?
• Summer vacations?

Once you’ve established how much you intend on using your RV, its time to move onto my next question.

What type of vehicle do you already have?

• Do you have a truck? A dully?
• An SUV/vehicle that can tow?
• Do you know what your payload/tow rating is? (How much weight your vehicle can handle/tow)

This will matter while you are shopping around and help determine what type of RV (travel trailer or fifth wheel) you need/want. Whether you’re online or at an RV retailer, they will have the dry weight of the RV. Remember, you will be filling it with your belongings so it will get heavier. Hence the “dry” weight. Your vehicles towing capacity will be in your owners manual or the manufacturer’s website.

Now onto the fun part! Or slightly stressful part… But trust me, when you find the layout of your dreams, it’ll feel so sweet!

• Do you have kids? Need more bedrooms? I suggest looking into a mid-bunk style or a bunk house RV.
• Will you be bringing toys? A four-wheeler, golf cart, a motorcycle? If the answer is yes, I suggest looking into a toy-hauler or a travel trailer. A toy-hauler will have a garage in the back and a travel trailer (if you’re use a truck) won’t take up the bed storage like a fifth-wheel will.
• Slide outs or no slide outs? Obviously the more slide outs you have the more room you have. Figure out realistically how much space you and your family may need. Bring your whole family to the RV retailer and see how it feels with everyone inside!

• Length, how long is too long? – A lot of people will say anything past 40 feet won’t fit in most parks and although there are some restrictions, you will find that the majority of parks will fit. The only downside to big rigs is boon-docking/dry camping will be a bit trickier but definitely possible! Do your research, pay attention to the details and plan accordingly.
• Tall ceilings – Now, if you’re a shorty like me, tall ceilings may not matter to you, unless you’re looking for that more open feeling. But if you have taller family member(s), I suggest looking into a fifth-wheel. Fifth-wheels will have taller ceilings, a small staircase and sometimes a loft that can be used for many things.

• Whats the difference between towing a fifth-wheel and a travel trailer? Great question! I’m so glad you asked 😉 A fifth-wheel will always be easier to tow because the bulk of the weight is distributed over the bed of the truck above the axles. You can make sharper turns and it will not sway while going down the road like a travel trailer will. Don’t get me wrong, travel trailers definitely have their pros too! If you don’t have a truck, don’t want a truck or have a family that won’t all fit in the truck, then a travel trailer will be more suitable for you. There are quite a bit of vehicles that can tow a travel trailer, which makes it way more practical to use what you already have. Like I said above, do your research, see what your vehicle can handle and find an RV that will work with your vehicle.
• Do you want a front living room, mid living room or a back living room? 9 times out of 10 you’ll be backing your RV into your spot. For example: if you’re boon-docking (dry camping) on the beach you’ll either pull through horizontal or back your RV in towards the water. Envision yourself on one of these trips and think about the view you want to see and from where. This is something I did not think about but quickly learned was important to me!

Speaking of dry camping;

• Will you want to go off grid from time to time or predominately stay in RV parks?
• Is solar power important to you?
• Do you want a generator for back-up?

These are questions I didn’t think to ask myself or think was important. Being in this lifestyle, I’ve realized how important these things are to me now. It may not be for you and that is perfectly okay! But if going off grid is something that interests you, then I highly suggest you consider it. They have packages you can add to your RV (if it is set up for this) or you can install it yourself.

Okay now, let’s get particular!

These next few things are going to be a bit choosy. But if you are going full-time RV living then it is something to consider!

• Automatic leveler vs manual leveler – older modeled RV’s have what they call a manual leveler. This means that every time you park your RV you have to manually level it. This can get slightly annoying on rocky surfaces or if it’s raining. An automatic leveler allows you to press a button and BAM the RV levels itself. No one likes feeling a shaky RV with every step, so make sure this is something to take into consideration!
• This brings me to my next point, having a good leveling system – Fifth-wheels have a 6 point leveling system. 6 jacks total; 2 in the front, 2 in the middle and 2 in the back. This makes your RV a lot more stable. If a travel trailer is what you want, they also make a 6 point leveling system for certain travel trailers. It is a bit rare so make sure you speak to your RV retailer about this option.

• Residential RV fridge vs propane RV fridge – If you are dry camping, an RV fridge comes in handy since it runs off of the propane. However, there are a few downsides to consider. An RV fridge will have a shorter depth and a smaller freezer. The freezer will also build up with ice on the back and sides of the wall that you will have to remove periodically. An RV fridge will also cost extra to replace/fix as they are considered “specialty items”. Now a residential RV fridge has its downsides too. A residential RV fridge does not run off of propane. However, if you have a generator, you may use this while you are dry camping. You’ll have the same space you’re used to, an ice maker (usually) and they regulate themselves. A residential fridge also connects to an inverter while you’re traveling.
• Residential shower vs RV shower – Now this is completely your preference. I, myself enjoy having my space while I shower and so does Kory. We decided a residential shower was for us. But truly, the only difference here is the size. It either takes up the bathroom wall or it will take up the bathroom corner.

• Washer and dryer hook-up’s – Most RV parks will have a laundromat, and if not, there’s most likely one in the town you’re in. But if you loathe laundromats like I do, then having washer/dryer hook-ups is definitely something to consider.
• Is storage important – Of course this will depend on the amount of belongings you have but RV’s already lack in storage as it is. Make sure you check the under belly storage, as there are a lot of different sizes out there. There’s also ones with TV hook-ups! We really enjoyed ours during the summer months.
• Speaking of summer; One AC unit vs two AC units – I can’t begin to explain how much of a difference this made for us in the heat of summer. I also live with a polar bear of a man, but thats a different story. 😆 In all seriousness, it truly does make a big difference. In our RV, we have an AC unit over the bedroom and one over the living room. If the bedroom was cooler then the living room, we would close off the vents and it would push that air into the living room. This helped us stay sane and cool when temps are 100 + outside. They also have a new system called Whisper Air, in older RV’s the air conditioning units tend to be very noisy. This new system will reduce that by a 10 fold.

• 4 Seasoned RV’s and why they are important – First, if you are going full-time and want to travel to many different locations or if you’re full-time and stationary in a state that experiences all 4 seasons, then this is very important. A four-seasoned RV means it is built to withstand all 4 seasons. It is built with more insolation for higher and lower temperatures. This is especially important for the winter months.
• Outdoor kitchen – Do you always grill outside, eat outside or take a lot of friend getaway’s? Then an outdoor kitchen is something to think about. Outdoor kitchens come in all shapes and sizes. Some have mini fridges, a sink or a stove.

And just one more important tip – ALWAYS know your height and weight of your RV. This will insure you don’t go under a bridge that is too short or overextend the weight of your rig and truck.

If you are still unsure on what to buy, I highly suggested renting an RV through Weelerz for the week/weekend with your family! This will give you loads of insight and you can try out many different rigs to find the perfect match for you. You can click this link here ► Weelerz

Well that about wraps it up, folks! I truly hope this was insightful and helps you narrow down what exactly you want out of your tiny home on wheels. Just remember that what ever you decide, the most important part is seeing new places, being with your loved ones and having an adventure of a life time!

Now get out there and really live that life you’ve always wanted!

You’ve got this!