Ideal length for Class A

First, setting aside the length, can you afford it?
Second, setting aside the length, does your wife like the floorplan?
Third...reverse first and second and you will be just fine.

Too many factors for a forum to help you. There are people full timing with three dogs in a 25' Class C. There are two adults, no pets, full timing in a 45' and towing a 20' workshop/car hauler and they're still isn't enough room.

Your budget will dictate what size and year coach you get.

We had a 36' DP for almost ten years and it served us well. When we went new, there were things I wanted, like a side radiator, tag axle and engine brake. The smallest coach we could find with these attributes was our Newmar. If I were to go full time, I would buy a 45' DP that had plenty of outside storage and enough interior space to give us some separation when needed.

I'm having a hard time understanding the question. I would think that everyone intuitively knows what size would be better for them. With me, affordability was the main reason I didn't buy the biggest and best.

The idea that a shorter MH will give better mileage is baloney. The frontal area going through the wind is the difference. RVs have the aerodynamics of a brick. Weight can make a difference but not length. Every MH I have had was longer than the previous one and each newer one got better mileage than the previous one. That has no bearing now. I had to sell my Mountain Aire because the 6 steps up kept me out of it and now have a Roadtrek and am getting a GMC in shape because of 1 step to enter.

There's an adage in the cruising world to "buy the smallest boat you can be comfortable in for the longest time you expect to be gone." I expect the reason there are so many posts that say that the best size motorhome is the size I have is just that: people travel for different lengths of time and have different views on what it takes to be comfortable.

One of the posters quipped that, in theory, it's possible to full-time in a tent. My wife and I did just that many years ago: two months cross-country, staying in state and national parks, in a rubber-coated canvas pup tent that we bought with S&H Green Stamps (remember those?), with everything crammed in a VW Squareback! We did just fine. Years later, we made a six-week cross-country trip with three kids, all in a Starcraft pop-up. Again, we did just fine. On the other hand, there are some who aren't comfortable unless they have multiple large-screen TVs, a fireplace, and a built-in washer/dryer.

Since you're going to be essentially full-time, take stock of what you need to be comfortable (be realistic--I doubt you're in my class of pup tenters). And remember ... you won't be "camping." You'll be "living" and what it takes to be comfortable is based on that.

Skip

DunellenGuy wrote:

What are the benefits of staying below 34'?

None.

DunellenGuy wrote:

Or, in your experience, is bigger just as good when it comes to RV living?

Bigger is not "as good" -- it's better.

Seriously, you could full time in a tent, but . . .

we have a 2000 G winnebago adventurer 37ft - gas engine, wide body with one slide.
It's a basement model (which means the furnace/air cond is in the back bay. (No air conditioners on the roof.)

We have fulltimed since 2005 and have had this coach since 2007. I wouldn't go any smaller. I don't see gaining anything by going larger.

Length does not make up for a poor floor plan.

I have a stackable washer and dryer (2 individual units).
I have a closet across the back wall of the coach.
I have a garden tub/shower.
I have a better sized kitchen than most 40 ft units.
I have a dinette table that expands to seat 7 (four in the bench seats and 3 on stools around the end of the table).
I have a convection microwave/oven and a propane 3 burner stove with an oven.

The slides need hydraulic arms .. and the more slides you have... the less storage you'll have in the basement.

When the slides are out check to see if you can easily get to the bay doors. If you have to duck under a slide to get at the storage, that might be a pain to deal with depending on your back.

I prefer a mid-entry door...because you can enter directly to the kitchen and not disturb those that are in the front area every time someone goes in and out. Plus I use the area around the passenger seat for my computer and printer when we are stopped... so at the very least, the entry door should be BEHIND the front passenger seat.

Look at the cabinets from the front of the coach to the kitchen/dinette. I've noticed that some coaches do not have cabinets above the table area and the ones above the kitchen side are not deep at all. So be sure you open every cabinet door and see what you can really store there.

This is too long... but I do want to say that a poor layout in a 40 foot coach will give you less "living area" than a shorter coach with a well thought out interior.

Everyone has different comfort levels. I could never do anything under 40'. All our trailers worked up to a larger one as the space was a desired benefit to us. We now have a 42' foot class A and the next will be a bigger with a tag axle. Probably 45 - 48'

We don't fulltime and aren't retired. But I know if we were the space is what we would prefer.

Our 2000 38' gas coach with tags & 2 slide-outs provides us with comfortable livable floor plan. Wardrobe space is more than adequate for our requirements.

Though not full timers our journeys take us to locations where we usually spend 2 to 3 months at a time.

Personally I would select a coach with a comfortable livable floor plan that best suits your needs as it will be your home on wheels.

Best of luck with your choice and safe travels....

I don't full time but, the ideal length for us is 37', which happens to be the length of our Southwind.
Our next RV may be 34' or 40'. Then that will be the ideal length.
It's up to the individual.
I think it's easier to drive a longer unit. I've had no problems parking or backing a 37'.