What’s The Best RV For Full-Time Living?
Almost all of us have heard the saying “different strokes for different folks,” and that statement couldn’t be more true when it comes to deciding on the best RV for full-time living. Every single person has different wants and needs when it comes to finding the ‘perfect’ RV.
There are many different types, styles, and sizes of RVs. And there are many different types of RV travelers and RV-hopefuls. Some of us are solo, some are coupled, and some want to hit the road with all the little ones (and pets) in tow.
This article will help you get closer to understanding the type of RV that will work best for full-time RV living for you. We’ll do this by covering the different types of RVs and the different styles of full-time RV living.
First, let’s take a quick look at some factors to consider before choosing an RV for the full-time RV life.
Table of Contents
- Factors to Consider for Full-Time RV Living
- What’s The Best Kind of RV For Full-Time Living? Understanding RV Types
- Understanding Full-Time RV Camping Styles
- How to Choose The Best RV For Full-Time Living For Your Specific Needs
- Wrapping Up The Best RV For Full-Time Living
Factors to Consider for Full-Time RV Living
Aside from budget, which will be one of the main factors affecting your choice, there are a few key points to consider when choosing the best RV for your situation.
While some solo or coupled travelers will love a small and nimble rig like a truck camper, larger families will need more living and storage space to live happily and successfully in an RV.
The RV you choose can either make or break your RVing experience. This isn’t a decision to take lightly!
Floor Plan
There are many different floor plans in the various RV types. Fifth wheel RVs have the most varied floor plans. With fifth wheels, you can find floor plans that include multiple bedrooms and bunk beds, a floor plan with a dedicated office, rear-living with a front bedroom, front-living with a rear bedroom, and more.
Travel trailers also offer a good deal of variety in floor plan types. Motorhomes and smaller campers will all have the same general floor plan due to the structure of the rig and the size. There will still be slight variations like dinette vs recliners or a stand-alone table, slide-outs or no slide-outs, etc.
The best way to get a feel for how different floor plans will work for you is to head to your local RV dealership or RV show and tour multiple RV types and floor plans.
Storage Space
Most RVs are not made with full-time living in mind. Instead, the majority of RVs are made to be traveled and camped in for the short-term.
This means that many of them are lacking in the ample storage space you might be used to if you’re coming from a house or apartment.
There are a lot of things you need to consider storage for, including but not limited to:
- Clothes
- Kitchen items like dishes, appliances, and cookware
- Extra linens and blankets
- Books
- Toiletries
- Personal belongings
- Shoes
- Outdoor gear
This list could go on and on. Planning for RV life and downsizing will give you a better idea of how much stuff you will be bringing with you.
When looking at RVs, don’t forget to look at the amount of storage space. This will ensure you can bring everything you need and not have to worry about clutter.
Drivability / Towability / Weight
If you plan to live full-time in an RV while stationary at an RV park or campground, this consideration won’t matter as much. (Though the risks of being overweight won’t be as severe as they are if you’re driving, you do still have to consider the strain on your tires and other components for when it’s eventually time to move your RV.)
But if you plan on embarking on the full-time RV travel lifestyle, this is a huge consideration to factor in.
If looking at a motorhome, consider the drivability. Driving a large motorhome is always going to feel different than driving a car, and it will be something you will have to get used to. Just make sure that it’s not so large that you won’t ever feel comfortable driving it.
If you’re looking at a travel trailer or fifth wheel, there are a few more factors to consider. Aside from the overall length of the rig (which will impact driving comfort), the weight of the RV matters a lot.
If you already have the truck or vehicle you plan to tow with, you need to make sure the RV you choose has a GVWR that is below your maximum towing capacity to avoid damage to your vehicle.
For more on this subject, check out our article: Truck Buyers Beware: Know Your Ratings for Safer Towing.
Camping Style
Last but certainly not least, your camping style will definitely affect the type of rig that will be best for you.
If you plan to live stationary in an RV park, then you should have no problem going for the biggest rig that suits your needs.
However, if you want to do a lot of camping in National Parks, you should be aware that many National Parks have RV length restrictions. Many parks limit the total RV length to 25 feet long due to the small campsites and narrow, winding roads.
While bigger may be more comfortable, it’s not always better. In addition to National Parks, some campgrounds and RV parks have length restrictions, too. Even parks that have longer sites tend to have fewer of them, which can impact your travels plans.
And if you plan to boondock most of the time, you should be aware that you will also be limited on the amount of boondocking sites you can venture to with a large rig.
This isn’t to say that it’s difficult to find campsites if you have a large RV – it’s still very possible and you can still find beautiful boondocking sites! However, you will be more limited than if you had a smaller rig.
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Roadmap to Full-Time RVing covers everything you need to know to become a full-time RVer, from downsizing and buying the perfect RV to how to find campgrounds and navigate your first challenges on the road!
What’s The Best Kind of RV For Full-Time Living? Understanding RV Types
From large motorhomes to tiny travel trailers, each RV type has its own pros and cons when it comes to full-time RV living.
In this section, we’ll briefly touch on all the different types of RVs and list their pros and cons for the full-time RV lifestyle.
For a full deep-dive into this topic, check out our guide to the types of RVs here.
Drivable RVs / Motorhomes
Motorhomes are sorted into the Classes A, B, and C. Most motorhome classes have similar floor plans and layouts due to the fact that they have a cab for driving. There is some variation among motorhome floor plans, but generally, they are the most limited.
With a motorhome, you will need to tow a vehicle behind you if you want a separate vehicle for daily errands and local adventuring.
Class A
Class A motorhomes are the large, bus-like RVs with a flat front and can be powered by either diesel or gas engines.
Pros:
- Decent amount of storage
- Has more creature comforts than other drivable RV classes
- Large windshield makes a great driving experience and campground view
- Driving and living areas are connected
Cons:
- Expensive
- Low MPG
- Tall height can require careful trip planning
- Lack of floor plan variety
- Higher insurance costs
Class B
Class B motorhomes are RVs built onto van chassis like Mercedes, Dodge Promaster, and Ford Transit.
Pros:
- Small and nimble
- Better MPG
- Efficient use of space
- Easiest to drive
Cons:
- Very little storage
- Not ideal for families
- Expensive
Class C
Class C RVs are built on a truck chassis and are easily distinguishable by the cab-over section.
Pros:
- Moderate storage
- Drives like a truck
- More affordable than Class A/B
- Some models are compact
- Extra bed or storage above cab
Cons:
- More expensive than towables
- Lower MPG
- Prone to leaks in cab-over
Towable RVs
Towable RVs are just what they sound like: RVs you can tow. Fifth wheels, travel trailers, truck campers, and more.
Travel Trailers
Pros:
- Most affordable
- Good floor plan variety
- Moderate storage
Cons:
- Limited exterior storage
- Less comfortable towing
- Often less insulated
Fifth Wheels
Pros:
- Wide variety of floor plans
- Range of sizes and prices
- Most stable towing
Cons:
- More expensive
- Requires larger truck
- Tall height can limit campsites
Destination Trailers
Designed to be parked long-term.
Pros:
- Residential features (full bathrooms, lofts)
- Great for stationary RVing
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Not ideal for frequent travel
Understanding Full-Time RV Camping Styles
Full-Time Stationary RVing vs Full-Time Traveling
Stationary full-time RVing involves living in a parked RV, typically at a park or private land.
Traveling full-time RVers move around, sometimes every few days, weeks, or months, without being tied to a permanent location.
Campgrounds, Resorts, and RV Parks
Some RVers stay at resorts, others prefer state parks, and many land somewhere in between.
Factors like budget, rig size, and rig age affect where you can stay. Many parks have:
- Length restrictions
- “10 Year Rule” for RV age
Boondocking
Boondocking is camping for free or low cost, usually on public lands (e.g., BLM land), without hookups.
For successful boondocking, consider:
- Large fresh/gray/black tanks
- Roof space for solar
- Weight capacity for batteries
How to Choose The Best RV For Full-Time Living For Your Specific Needs
Here are some quick tips:
- Make a list of wants, needs, and nice-to-haves
- Make sure there’s room for everyone
- Visit RV shows or dealerships
- Rent and test-drive your preferred RV type
- Decide on your ideal camping style
Roadmap to Full-Time RVing covers everything you need to know to become a full-time RVer, from downsizing and buying the perfect RV to how to find campgrounds and navigate your first challenges on the road!
Wrapping Up The Best RV For Full-Time Living
Solving the “best RV for full-time living” question is no easy task. It’s highly individual because every RVer and RVing family has different needs and wants.
RVing is truly for everyone – there are so many ways to do it, and so many types of RVs. It can fit every preference and every budget… But that also means that there are no one-size-fits-all answers to some of the hardest questions.
This part of the journey is yours alone, but after going through this post and making your lists and touring RVs, you should have a much better idea of what RV will work best for you.
