Doe Size Matter in an RV?

Back to the OP:

They have a mid-size SUV and are looking for something it can pull.

Talking to many RVers over the years it's agreed that you should purchase the RV first and THEN match the truck to it. Know your weight numbers on both and think about if you want to drive a huge truck or pay for a new big truck just so you can have that big fancy, multiple slide RV. You have to give and take. Many serious safety mistakes happen when folks have a small truck and think they can pull a large heavy RV.

Yes, size matters. It can be too big for your vehicle to tow, and still be too small to live in. There are compromises to be worked out.

My wife and I went through this in 2004-5. Mid/full size SUV that could tow 6000 pounds, looking for a RV for short campouts and road trips. 18 months of working out what we could tow vs. how much living space she wanted, we gave up on the trailer solution (needed a new larger tow vehicle) and bought a 30 foot motorhome, living space equivalent to a 24 foot travel trailer plus extra king or queen bed.

You have to figure this out for yourself, as the big question is "how much space do I need to live in" rather than "what can my truck, minivan or SUV tow." Go to RV shows. Get into RVs of all different types and sizes, act out living in them, what will everybody be doing at what time of day.

I'm in a RV club that's been active for at least 20 years. People who work out this living space issue will buy a RV that last them 10-20 years, until needs change from aging or family size changes. People who don't work it out have bought as many as three different RVs withing five years. Getting the right RV to live in is a whole lot more important than getting the RV your current vehicle can tow. If you find a towable RV that fits your needs, you may be looking at a different vehicle to tow it; or, it may be self propelled.

I also disagree that the larger the RV, the less you travel. We travel MORE because we have a larger RV. It is large enough that we can live in it for weeks and be very happy with the space. We can carry what we need and do not feel the need to get home quickly.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is "people capacity".
Most RVs, it seems, are rated according to the number of people that have a place to sleep. Most often, it is "SLEEPS 6!".
Right.
Two of them better be children, small ones at that.
They never mention how many can sit down and eat at one time.
They never mention rainy days, when everybody is trapped inside!
My old 11.5 foot truck camper proudly declared "SLEEPS 6!" I didn't even bother to try to get 6 people in there!
Our present 32 foot motorhome also sleeps 6. It, too, is in reality too small for 6 people. True, it is a LOT better than the camper!
IMO, the floor plan is much more important than actual size for two people.
We had a 27 foot Pace Arrow motorhome many years ago. It was a great little coach, on a Dodge M400 chassis, with that great 440 engine, easy to drive, and just enough room for the two of us. BUT, the floor plan was horrible! The bathroom was in the rear, and if the bed was made the only way to get there was crawl across the bed!
We put up with it for a couple years, then traded it in on a 32 foot Suncrest with rear bedroom. It was wonderful!
Yes, "size matters" in many ways. But, there are other things to think about that are just as important. Don't rush the decision. Take your time, and consider all the aspects of living in the rig you are looking at.
Good luck.

There is one huge advantage we RVers have over boaters. If the RV gets too small for us & we need some space at least we can get out & go for a walk.

It has been a few years since it is said that somebody walked on water.

Lynnmor wrote:
The more trailer......... the less travel.

Keep this in mind because a huge trailer will limit you in so many ways. Campsites, scenic overlooks, fuel stations, shopping, and all that extra load to manage. I know folks that have large RV's but keep them at a seasonal site, and then use a small one for travel.

Sorry, but I must disagree with this post.

Raycool wrote:
We are soon to retire and plan to travel with an RV trailer. For a trip consisting of several weeks at a time, what's our best bet? Storage and bathroom are important. Not much else. Will be pulling with midsize suv. Some rv's are tailored for the weekenders and some for weeks at a time. No rustic camping planned. LOL. Please advise. Raycool.

As has been mentioned, if you plan to stick with your midsize SUV, you are going to be limited in what you can tow. We owned a first generation Nissan Xterra (smaller engine, less HP & Torque than current generation) which has a 5,000 lb tow rating. With Equalizer hitch, it towed our almost 5,000 HTT (in signature below) very well on flat land. We've towed as far west as Houston, TX and as far North as Central PA.

On flat land, there was enough of power to move at the speed limit or even above, but get on any type of hill and forget about it. It was a struggle to maintain 50 mph just going over the Sydney Lanier Bridge and that's not much of a grade. There were plenty of hills and small mountains in PA that 45 mph was about all I was going to do.

Without an auxiliary Tranny cooler, the transmission would have taken a real beating. The Xterra came with a small tranny cooler and I added a B&M cooler. We couldn't run the A/C unless we were on flat roads, even going up an overpass with the A/C on would cause the engine temp to increase.

I'm not saying it can't be done, because we did it. However, our HTT was as big as we could have gone with the Xterra. As a soon to be retired couple, I would think you'd like a little more room than what a a midsize SUV can tow and not have to worry about your setup every time you get behind the wheel. We currently own a 32' Class C motorhome with 2 slides and I think we are ready to go bigger.

-Michael

HOW well do you get along with Better Half..???

it matters.. more the SUV/Trailer..

wife and I could not live in a 21 foot trailer (4 days).. without slide..

but a 30 foot with 1 slide... been in it now for 8 weeks. and still happy.

you can always replace SUV/Truck...

I replaced trailer and same day replaced truck to fit size of trailer.. both "USED". but in good shape.
We retired 12/1/15... :)

Married 41 Years..:)

It's a personal preference choice. Some like huge RVs, some like mid-size, and some like small ones. If you can get inside some and sit a while, just the two of you, it will help you get a feel for what you like or don't like about the one you're in.

I know a retired couple who bought a small 16' trailer for a 2-3 month trip. They absolutely loved it. The small space felt cozy like a cocoon and the couple, once busy with separate lives, rediscovered their love for one other. They sold their home and now travel 8 months per year in a 16' Scamp, towed by a Honda Odyssey, and spend 4 months in an Escapee park in FL. They talk about snuggling happily in their 48" wide bed and being in better physical condition (from all the walks they take together) than they had been for years previous. Yep, a small trailer encourages time spent outdoors.

Yes it matters in many ways.