How big is big enough?

Reading you post ... what is comfortable ... we have full-timed, traveled in a 28 ft. Alpenlite Travel Trailer for 12 years ... it has a separated rear bedroom and dinette/couch/kitchen in the other half. The only thing which we wished we had considered was needing a larger bathroom for two people. But we have customized the travel trailer for us these past 6 years and shall probably stay living/traveling/volunteering in it for as long as we are able to stay in an rv park/resort/campground ...

We chose this one at the time due to our other vehicle, now have upgraded to a 2500 Suburban and are happy with our set up. Will say that should we get another dog, as our now without a dog, would be a tight fit, but without a pet this size is fine for us. No recliner, but for now that is ok.

MTHome wrote:
My DH and I full-time in this exact model. NorthTrail 26LRSS. It's fine most of the time. 2 things to check. Make sure the slide motor is mounted correctly and that the heat exhaust cover isn't installed upside down. Both are coming out of the factory wrong.

Could you outline how the slide motor should be mounted?....

Heat exhaust cover?......more details please.

My DH and I full-time in this exact model. NorthTrail 26LRSS. It's fine most of the time. 2 things to check. Make sure the slide motor is mounted correctly and that the heat exhaust cover isn't installed upside down. Both are coming out of the factory wrong.

For me, 16-18 feet might be enough, it would give me a bathroom, modest storage, a permanent sleeping area, and a work area and kitchen. I don't need a lounge area. But storage for the stuff you want with you is the big issue with full timing, and I would be covered by using a full-size van as the tow vehicle for a small TT.

But tight now, for seasonal/snowbirding, I'm hanging on to the 29-foot motorhome I've already paid for, as it has space to rattle around in (we've done trips with six people) and can carry about 2000 pounds of stuff. A 24-26 foot TT might have equivalent space, but it is not so easy to find that carrying capacity, some of what you think your life needs might have to go on the tow vehicle.

I've met folks who full time solo in van conversions, pop-up trailers on 10 or 12 foot boxes, 24-foot travel trailers (with 2-4 children). I've met couples and even singles who need 40-45 feet of motorcoach, or 38-40 feet of fifth wheel trailer. Much of this depends on how much stuff you need to carry with you, as a single human being needs very little space for survival or modest comfort.

2gypsies I am with clarkster in thinking it would be great if you could share that list. It would be lots of help for everyone.

It truly comes down to how do you want to structure your daily life in your rv?

Are you fine with smaller, if so get it :)
Do you need some elbow room just for yourself to feel good in your space? Make sure you buy some extra space for yourself then.

We were tent campers originally in the way younger years :)

So we did fine with small spaces. We were ok with minimal amenities we brought.
Then the size upgrades---Truck camper to 28 ft TT, 34 ft TT with slides, a few 5th wheels at different sizes and then the biggie, a 40 ft toyhauler 5th. AND we realized as we got larger it never made us happier truly. it was just a monster and a pain :) (for us)-----so back down we went. To the 'smallest' the 3 of us are comfortable in....a total lenth 34 ft toyhauler trailer. box is 30ft. and that is the smallest we will go for the 3 of us. We also do not do private cgs, we are COE, state parks and national parks. We fit fine. The floorplan of this new toyhauler suits us great. We are happy as clams with this smaller set up...losing 6 ft seems dramatic, but in the end we don't notice it truly.

So find a floorplan that suits you, be sure if you want to stick with a size for easy convenience etc do not keep going up in size if not needed.

We can overthink for sure :) Hubby said 30 ft total max length! NO way I could make that work comfortable for us 3 and how we function in an RV and our camping lifestyle. We ended up with 34 ft total length. But our eyes kept going to bigger models, 36 ft total, 38 foot total and since we wanted WAY smaller than our 40 ft monster, it was imperative we stuck to our guns and kept it as small as a floorplan that suited us.

Look around and see what will suit you and stick to your guns and get what you need and want :) You can't go wrong just buying what feels best to you.

I’ve been following this thread, which asks a common but unfortunately subjective question. There are folks happily full-timing in Class B’s while others in 40’ Class A’s lament not having enough space. When I began full timing just over three years ago I purchased a 33’ Class A, basing my needed space decision on a two year period in college when I lived in a beat-up 1950’s vintage 8’X25’ travel trailer. It turned out that for my needs my 33’ Class A is too big. Half ways through my first road trip, a 6,000 mile loop from Texas to LA and then up the west coast to Port Angeles WA and back to Texas via Denver, I began referring to my RV as “The Behemoth” and the name was not meant as a compliment! I’ve since made modifications to the suspension, replaced the engine, installed exhaust headers (more power) and I’m liking my palatial manor much better, though I still wish it were shorter, not over 30’. However that’s just me, your size needs, both actual and psychological, may vary. As it is I’ve developed a work-around that suits my full-timing needs. I typically stay at places for a month at a time and use my Class A as a home base. I use my toad, a Dodge Caravan and a 250cc dirt bike, to further explore the area I’m visiting.

Of all the advice you've gotten in my opinion 2gypsies advice stands out as the most useful, though I’d never go with a 40’ RV like they did. But as I said, it’s all subjective.

Steve

2gypsies wrote:
I think I need to publish my campground list of places we've stayed with our 40' motorhome - public campgrounds, not RV parks. I have 300+ word processing pages full of parks. :)

Putting your list up would be GREAT!!
I would even accept it by direct email if that works for you.

I see you're "enjoying" the West........this is where I am and plan on staying here.
I have zero desire to go east of the Rockies.

I myself full-time. I have a 30 MH that is used for long stays And it's just about all I really need. Plenty of storage inside and out. now when I do more short term traveling I use my little 17 foot Casita trailer behind my Ford Ranger. Now, if my wife was still around we'd probably need a 50 footer with 4 slides.

I think I need to publish my campground list of places we've stayed with our 40' motorhome - public campgrounds, not RV parks. I have 300+ word processing pages full of parks. :)

If 35'/36' is what you feel you'd be comfortable in then get it. You'll find very nice places to stay, including national forest campgrounds, our favorite. Since you enjoy public parks many times you won't have hookups so you'll want large holding tanks, for sure.

Since we enjoy national forest campgrounds they typically are in a forest. We purposely chose and ordered our RVs with only two slides and both on the driver's side. It's hard to maneuver a RV, especially if you're single, inbetween trees so that you can open the slides. Having only two and on the same side made it super easy for us. We had the bedroom slide and a long living room/kitchen table area slide.

A table rather than a booth is great. You can use the chairs elsewhere if you have guests and they are much more comfortable on your back than a booth bench.

We don't watch T.V. so that wasn't an issue for us and we didn't want a washer/dryer. When you're using public campgrounds without hookups the washer/dryer makes no sense. Besides, we went into town for errands and 1-1/2 hour of the laundry and then we didn't have to think about laundry for a couple weeks. (Buy lots of underwear) :) You don't have to change outer clothes daily.

Recliners were a must for us and the Queen bed was just fine.

Everyone is different. You'll just have to put your 'wants' on paper and see what kind of RV you can come up with. Good luck!