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PeggyandTony's avatar
PeggyandTony
Explorer
May 16, 2016

Full time in smaller RV

My husband and I hope to start full timing in the next few years. We are not new to RVing. We have been camping since we were children. Once married we have tented, upgraded to a pop up , then a 24 foot TT and finally a 35ft 5er. We enjoy staying in state and national parks rather than private campgrounds. We have found that with this type of camping that size matters. We are considering downsizing to a shorter TT or 5er. In the 25-30 foot range. We were wondering if anyone is currently or has previously full timed in this size RV. We would appreciate any advise and things we should consider.

Peggy and Tony
  • We have full timed since 04 in a 28' Alpenlite TT. This has included two coast to coast trips as well into Canada. The right trailer makes all the difference. We have two full pass thrus front and back as well as a great deal of storage inside. Just keep looking until you find the one with the combination you need, they are out there, we found one.
  • We know many who full-time in a small RV. Only you know how much space you need and how cozy you want. Enjoy and have fun planning for your new lifestyle!
  • We fulltime in a 25' class C. It's a perfect size for us but like monkey44 we're out somewhere everyday and we do not stay long in one spot. If you have hobbies that take a lot of space or spend weeks in one campground a small RV might feel cramped after awhile.
  • We're run into singles in Scamps and Truck Campers a little to tight for me much less for two but our fifthwheel interior is 33 1/2 ft from the front of the closet to the rear window 35 ft overall, we do have 3 slides, and we've been fine fulltiming in it for 6 years.
    We try to stay in state of federal campgrounds when possible and have always found a site, we seldom use reservations, though I do check availability on reserve america like the night before. I figure if there are sites many unreserved we'll get one if we stop early which we normally do by 3:00 pm.
  • I full-timed in a truck camper (one person) for a couple of years, all over USA and Canada. Had no 'size' problems. This was a while ago (eight years)... Did one year in a van, with a tent, earlier, college years. :) Fun.

    Now, Genie and I spend at least six months out of the year on the road, and many shorter trips. Still in a truck camper - we have no issues with space. But we rise early,spend our days driving or walking or 4x4 trails, and go to sleep early. No TV, no e-games, but we read a bit. And we spend time on the laptops - we write and photograph our travels. Our days are pretty full.

    We'd feel a 24' TT or 5'er would be like a castle - except when we moved it. But we also stay short trips in each CG too ... a few days, at most a week. It depend on your lifestyle and what you expect on the road and from the places you stay. We love NP, SP, COE, and never stay on private CG. We also camp at military CG's when they fit our route.

    Remember, the entire outdoors is your back yard. Enjoy it - we do :) :)
  • If you think you can do it...then go for it.
    But I would think bigger is better for full-time.