How big should our new RV be!?

[pfedso]

My wife and I are in the market for an RV but arguing over size.

I've always had camper-sized vans or trucks like the Land Cruiser, so not really used to big vehicles. My wife thinks bigger the better seeing as how much we'll be "living" in it.

What's the best compromise? Should we go BIG!?

 

[rhodies1]

Are you looking at a towable/ 5 th wheel. If so. It all depends on your tow vehicle. If you do not currently own a tow vehicle… do not buy under size vehicle … safety is your priority

 

[Dahillbilly]

we have a 40' 5th wheel with separate garage and love it, gives us enough room to do what we want. looked at other models without the garage & decided not for us for long term trips(over winter).

 

[taskswap]

LOL compromise.

I wanted a medium size travel trailer. My wife wanted a fifth wheel. So we compromised on a fifth wheel.

 

[arisce]

If you are planning on traveling and staying at the same campground for a longer period of time then go big, 40 feet plus.
If you plan on traveling from place to place but not staying at the same campground for long then go medium size, 35 to 39 feet.
Do not go small!

 

[pfedso]

LOL compromise.

I wanted a medium size travel trailer. My wife wanted a fifth wheel. So we compromised on a fifth wheel.

Sounds about right!

Any regrets? (With the fifth wheel I mean)

 

[pfedso]

If you are planning on traveling and staying at the same campground for a longer period of time then go big, 40 feet plus.
If you plan on traveling from place to place but not staying at the same campground for long then go medium size, 35 to 39 feet.
Do not go small!

We like to keep on rolling, so good tip.

I travelled around Australia several years ago and whenever I encountered another traveler - usually a "grey nomad", so retired folk who travel at leisure - I would go and say hi. I remember pulling into what was literally a layby in rural South Australia next to an RV, and when I asked how long they'd been in the area they said "In this spot, about a month".... a month in a layby!!

 

[pfedso]

Sorry, not sure why I'm in the girls room!

 

[cookie]

I've moved you out of the girls room.
And to clarify for those of us that don't know, a layby is what we in the states call a rest stop. Thank you Google.
I say go big if that's what your wife wants. You know the old saying, happy wife, happy life.

Peace
Dave

 

[NYSUPstater]

We started off in a 35' 5er bunkhouse w/ 2 adults and 2 kids. After they grew up and left, wife/I went to a 41' 5er. Most folks would say it should've been the other way around. We love the extra room tho it does present challenges if we want to visit any state or national parks. Plus take into consideration your current tow vehicle or larger one down the road if you ever wish to go larger RV yet.

 

[CoveredWagon]

We have a 35 ft 5th wheel, it's easy to handle, that we use as our "get out of Florida summer home". It's just the two us. We travel for 4 to 6 months, then it's back to sticks and bricks. Works for us

 

[cgia]

My wife and I are in the market for an RV but arguing over size.

I've always had camper-sized vans or trucks like the Land Cruiser, so not really used to big vehicles. My wife thinks bigger the better seeing as how much we'll be "living" in it.

What's the best compromise? Should we go BIG!?

Hi, I am on my 3rd camper. I prefer a towable cuz then I only pay drivers insurance on my tow vehicle and my insurance on my camper is half the cost.

To long a trailer does not fit in many parks. I do travel solo (with small dog). My new rig is a Sundance 21HB (hatchback). Add the tongue length 28ft maybe. No slide. My tow vehicle is a Ford 250 Transit Medium Roof(stand able up to 6ft tall) tows 6400 lbs cuz it's AWD Eco boost. It's an extension of my home, my garage, my den, guest room, hobby room & great fir day trips.

I installed 350 watts of solar to run the 12volt fridge and have a 300 AH battery (dealer gives you 2-12 V batteries not enough to run the refrigerator even with full hook up). like Goldilock says, "this one's too big, this one's too small, this one's just right.". Good luck!

 

[CoveredWagon]

 

[david-steph2018]

My wife and I are in the market for an RV but arguing over size.

I've always had camper-sized vans or trucks like the Land Cruiser, so not really used to big vehicles. My wife thinks bigger the better seeing as how much we'll be "living" in it.

What's the best compromise? Should we go BIG!?

Our rig is a 45-ft. toy hauler, that we tow with a Ram 3500 dually. I would get what is comfortable to drive & to live in.

 

[DaveBecky]

We just got rid of our second 5er and bought a 30’ travel trailer. We’ve camped our entire lives in everything - tents, pop-ups and on and on. As we are older now, we wanted something shorter and not as tall to pull. We’re going to miss the nice closets and storage. It’s just the two of us and our cat. But - if we were just starting out, I’d definitely go bigger.

 

[CoMaddMax]

We have a 43' 5er and haul our motorcycles but it's a great office or extra bedroom for guests plus you can use the rear ramp for a patio which we love. I would go less than 42 feet as the tail swing has damaged our tail end 3 times and if it had been a foot shorter, we would have missed all the obstacles. We also have a larger shower which we really like too. Good luck with your search!

 

[Number409]

Figure out what you plan on doing with your RV. My wife and I settled on a Mallard M260 31’ for our first RV. We love it and have no interest in getting a bigger one. We head out on long weekends (Thurs - Sun) at least once a month And head out a week or 10-days at a time every summer. If you already have a tow vehicle, look for an RV that your truck can easily tow. If you need to buy a truck, figure out what RV you and your wife want then purchase a truck that will easily pull it.

 

[pfedso]

I've moved you out of the girls room.
And to clarify for those of us that don't know, a layby is what we in the states call a rest stop. Thank you Google.
I say go big if that's what your wife wants. You know the old saying, happy wife, happy life.

Peace
Dave

Ah, that's because I was born in the UK. I've lived in Australia nearly 15 years and still call it a layby when real Aussies call it a rest stop!

 

[Hockster]

I went from a 38 foot Big Country to a 41 foot Bighorn and don’t regret going bigger.
We spend at least 5 months a year living in ours in Gulf Shores, Alabama and they can get small in a hurry.
Everyone is different, but I believe big is better.

 

[OAD]

what are your intentions for use? a week camping, a month camping or multiple months? how far are you looking to haul/go?
are you wanting to go to national parks? what's your traveling habits like gotta have everything with me or make do with minimal? what tow vehicle do you plan on using. There is not a right or wrong answer but your vision of what your seeking should point you in the direction to look and consider.