Downsized and Regretted it?

[ncrowley]

I am considering downsizing from a 39 foot pusher with three slides to a 24 foot diesel class C (Navion/View). Have any of your downsized and regretted it? If I go this route, I cannot afford to go back so it is a BIG decision.

The reasons are the usual ones: better mileage, easier driving, can fit into lots more RV sites, new systems, lower maintenance costs.

[John_Joey]

Make sure you are happy with the working part of the living area. A couple did the exact same thing as you are planning. The wife complained about the living area not being usable (but very pretty.) Her big complaints were the dining room table, no shocks on the overhead cabinets, lack of storage, small bathroom makeup area, and more but I can't remember them now.

On the other side, the husband was loving it when it came to being on the road. It really was a beautiful rig.

[ncrowley]

It is 2 of us and one dog. We have spent a lot of time in the smaller space and have done what you have stated - listed the pros and cons. There is always a compromise, no matter which way you go. We know that we can sit in one all day long but until you travel with it for a few years, you will not know what it is really like.

[rgatijnet1]

Unless I missed it, you did not mention the number of people that will be traveling and if you have pets. A single person requires less space than a couple and several pets.
In any case, you have experience with your current coach and all you have to do is go to a large RV show, or a large RV sales lot and go inside a smaller coach and try it on for size. Then you just make a list of the pros and cons using your experience with your current coach. Be honest about your observation and your planned trips and see if smaller fits.

[bsinmich]

I went from a 38' Mountain Aire to a 20 year old Roadtrek 19' after my wife died. 19 is half of 38 but that has no relationship to what they hold. I have containers stacked in my closet with the extras. I like the 17.5 mpg of the Roadtrek but miss the luxuries. That was why I bought the GMC.

[Squealers]

When we were buying our Class A 30 footer last year a gentlemen having his 42 footer serviced walked over and said that he wished he had our rig, as he regretted buying up to the one he had. He said the 30 foot class had all the advantages that he missed.

So it is what ever works for you. We are happy with our 30 footer. We did have a 34 footer, and this one is as comfortable without any sacrifice (we gave up the barrel chair in the living room area).

Good luck!

[ncrowley]

Thanks for all your input. I try and do as much research and get as much feedback as I can before making any decision. I still have not decided which way to go but all of your feedback is truly helpful.

[Pangaea_Ron]

midasman wrote:
Hey, Ron...I can see this isn't your FIRST RODEO! LOL

The boys and their families each have their OWN RV's now, and we all have a great time together. They would have killed each other trying to share one. One family is very well organized (OCD organized) and the other is not (really, really not).

[midasman]

Hey, Ron...I can see this isn't your FIRST RODEO! LOL

[creeper]

Small Rv's got old fast. Depends on home much time you're going to spend in it. I would never go to a 45 footer. Just too much extra space. After a month we enjoy the extra space and we're only 40 ft.

We have a least one more RV in us and that will be 42 ft.

We have toyed with the idea a small trailer for weekends, but then say Nah when we get to the campground, put the slides out and HD TV.

[Pangaea_Ron]

You can be like a friend that recently purchased a Class A DP, and when I asked what he bought, he said: It's a Newell, you know! He loves it, but often it is too large for reasonable travel in NP and FS campgrounds.

So. . . he ALSO bought a Triple E, Leisure Travel Van for shorter trips, which he also loves.

Apparently there is no need to compromise to meet your needs?

When we traded in our Class C to purchase our Class A, our kids said: Why don't you keep it in the "FAMILY" so that you can have some flexibility, and you can use it when you want a smaller RV. Oh, and we can also use it. OK?

We traded it in.

[427435]

MH's and boats have some things in common. There is a sweet size in both. Too big and they are expensive and have reduced flexibility. Too small also limits where they can be used and how comfortable to use.


I've found that for boats, the happy range is 17-21 ft. In a MH, I believe it falls between 32-36 ft.

[tjfogelberg]

The typical RV dedicates 1/3 of it's length to a walk around bed that is used only to sleep in. We found a floorplan that gives us very comfortable living without a walkaround - all fit into a 27' MH. We have a full size Queen bed (with 12 inches of headroom) and a Twin Extra Long bed and a Full length couch. Love it and we can fit into state forest and national forest campgrounds - we tow a Honda CRV.
We love the easier size for driving, parking, and setup. Very easy.
(We don't move any furniture or cushions. Makeup takes less than 3 minutes each morning)
Todd
Lazy Daze Rear Bath Model
We can boondock for 3 nights with no problem.

[Mr_Mark1]

I certainly enjoy our 45 ft. and will for many years. I've been toying with the idea of getting a class B. I like the Mercedes Sprinter diesel chassis by Roadtrek as they manufacturer an all electric (house) 'Eco' version Etrek that looks interesting.

I'm thinking I could tow it behind the Liberty and take out-trips from a central location. We have a 20K lb. towing capacity.

I can see downsizing in the 'older' years.

MM.

[mhbell]

Went from a 38 ft to a 31 ft. stopped carrying all of the stuff we never used. Now we can get into a lot of state parks and camp sites that we could not do with the 38 ft. We don't stay in our motor home more than a month or two and only when visiting Daughter in Texas. Most of the time short trips and maybe 1 or 2 week stays. No regrets for down sizing.
Mel

[holstein13]

At times, I'd love to have a smaller coach. Most of the cooler sites nestled in the woods are hard to access with a 45 foot coach like mine. I really miss that part of camping. I could see downsizing one day when the kids are grown.

But in the meantime, I plan to use my big coach to the fullest extent possible and enjoy the benefits of a large RV. That way, when I give it up and downsize, I will have already experienced it and will have no further regrets.