Questions before buying first C class!
We have 5 kids (4-10yrs) and want a used RV. We like the c classes. We found a nice used one, 31' with a slide out, 2003 with 38,000 miles. I am wondering: does that length restrict us at all as f...
Forum Discussion
28-32 feet will likely be the smallest comfortable living space for a family your size, in a C. The living space is usually equivalent to a travel trailer about four feet shorter.
Yes there will be campground spaces too small for you to use, but in most places you will likely want to go with a family, 28-32 feet with a single vehicle is pretty small, and finding spaces should not be a problem in RV parks and developed public campgrounds. There may be some RV campsites too small in older forested parks, and there will be campsites you can use only if camping, not RVing.
The most important problem for a family of that size in a motorhome is safe and legal seating for the children. Having seven or more seatbelt positions is rare. Having positions suitable for child safety seating, which might still be mandatory in many states for a four year old, is rarer. My motorhome is configured such that I can strap two such seats into my dinette if it is broken down and the cushions removed, that means taking up four of the six usable seat positions to accommodate two toddlers. I worked around the problem by adding seat belts for three additional persons, not that I will ever carry nine people, but it allows for flexibility in seating a smaller number.
This is not an impossible problem, but one you must consider when making your choice: "can I safely seat my whole family during travel?" "What modifications are needed to make this possible?"
My recommendation for a family this size would be a travel trailer with equivalent accommodations (will be 24 to 28 feet minimum) and a full-size passenger van or large SUV to pull it. That way you get automotive safety seating for 7,8, 12 or 15 people, and something to get around in while the RV is parked in a campsite (else you might be towing something behind a motorhome, and something to tow (behind a C) that carries seven people is not easy to find).
Yes there will be campground spaces too small for you to use, but in most places you will likely want to go with a family, 28-32 feet with a single vehicle is pretty small, and finding spaces should not be a problem in RV parks and developed public campgrounds. There may be some RV campsites too small in older forested parks, and there will be campsites you can use only if camping, not RVing.
The most important problem for a family of that size in a motorhome is safe and legal seating for the children. Having seven or more seatbelt positions is rare. Having positions suitable for child safety seating, which might still be mandatory in many states for a four year old, is rarer. My motorhome is configured such that I can strap two such seats into my dinette if it is broken down and the cushions removed, that means taking up four of the six usable seat positions to accommodate two toddlers. I worked around the problem by adding seat belts for three additional persons, not that I will ever carry nine people, but it allows for flexibility in seating a smaller number.
This is not an impossible problem, but one you must consider when making your choice: "can I safely seat my whole family during travel?" "What modifications are needed to make this possible?"
My recommendation for a family this size would be a travel trailer with equivalent accommodations (will be 24 to 28 feet minimum) and a full-size passenger van or large SUV to pull it. That way you get automotive safety seating for 7,8, 12 or 15 people, and something to get around in while the RV is parked in a campsite (else you might be towing something behind a motorhome, and something to tow (behind a C) that carries seven people is not easy to find).
