How do I pick the right RV for my family?

[HendricksFamily]

Good Morning-
My husband and I are in the beginning stages of research and shopping for an RV that will suit our family. Our family is us, 2 kids (13 & 9, boy and girl) and our easiest kids our 2 Spaniels. My overall goal is to build better family relationships and spend our free time away from the technology that seems to continuously invade our lives. I want to escape, see our amazing country and spend quality time with the people that matter most.
We are currenlty working the pro's and con's of purchasing a Class A or a 5th wheel and appropriate hauling pick-up truck. As is true with any relationship, husband is leaning towards one and I the other. What I would really like to gain from this forum is the opportunity to talk with RV'ers who own each and talk about how you are using it and what you like and dislike about your choice. It would be most helpful to talk to similar style families but of course any advice would be amazing. I am reading a ton of blogs but I am finding that most of them are full-time RV'ers and that is not what I am going for. We want to be casual weekenders initially exploring the areas within a 2-4 hour radius of our home in Southeast GA where my husband is stationed. I thank you all in advance for your wisdom!
Sincerely,
Amy (The Mom)

[davosfam]

When our boys were younger, we had a travel trailer and they never slept in it. They always brought friends so we had a very large tent that fit four teenagers comfortably. They loved their cell phones but most places we camped had limited reception. 😉 And you know what? They didn't mind one bit. Lots of adventures to be had and friends to be made.

A travel trailer would be cheaper than a 5th wheel or Class A. Maybe look at bunkhouses for when it's just your two kids. When they bring friends, you can use the bunks for storage of all their stuff and they can sleep in a tent.

[Mrs_Gryphon]

You might also check out toy haulers with separate garages. They often come with a sleeping loft, as well as bed(s) in the garage area. This can give the kids more space for friends, and privacy from each other, which will be important as they get older. Some have nifty porches. The trade-off is that the kitchen/living room may not be as comfortable as in a bunkhouse floorpan.

[packpe89]

Agree with a previous poster, Kids that age will soon want to take friends, so bunkhouse is a great idea! Class C bunks are hard to find, I would look at TT or fiver. We've travel across the country in our tt bunkhouse and loved it.

[Goostoff]

If your kids dont like to play outside now, taking away electronics and forcing them to do so will not net you good results. We tried it with a tent, then to a popup, and further into a travel trailer and now into a 5th wheel with satellite TV , Xbox 360, and USB chargers plugged into nearly every outlet. The kids seem happier to go camping now.

[Grit_dog]

And put the dogs in the camper if you have to take them with!

[Grit_dog]

If you got the truck, $15k will buy a real nice used 5ver or TT.
Personally I wouldn't want another "vehicle" to maintain as a full time dad and very part time camper. Think my cylinder count is around 100 now as it is, lol.

[filthy_beast]

Though we do not have children, it is the same dilemma when choosing. We thought for sure we would want a Class A. We rented one and took a vacation and fell in love with the whole RVing idea. When we started looking at shows we ended up buying a fifth wheel.

I don't think the set up and tear down is that much different. You need to clean up and put things away, dump tanks, disconnect electric and water, and connect the toad if you go that way. I personally negate the "having everything on hand" in a Class A as it really isn't safe to be moving around in the RV while in motion. Having to stop quickly will propel anyone not strapped in to move forward at an accelerated rate. Granted once stopped everything is right there and you don't have to go back to the trailer to get things or use the "facilities". When towing a trailer or fifth wheel you will have to stop regularly to fuel up and that gives everyone a chance to stretch and move around.

You will have less room for the pets and that may be a big factor, having k4 full sized people and pets in a truck.

Go to shows as a family, maybe rent a Class A or Class C for a vacation or two and that will give you a frame of reference to make a more informed decision. It will also give you a chance to talk to others at campgrounds about some of their experiences.

Hope to see more of you on the forum and good luck with the search.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Hit several points in one post:

1. Kids and tech: We turned off TV one summer and played board games, swam, etc. and it was a great summer. Events have overtaken us on the last couple summers but its doable. And my teens love camping and we mostly travel by sit and sit by the fire at night. Wifi and cell signals are so bad in campgrounds we got used to not having it for more than a cursery check.

2. I agree you don't have to jump to 5er or RV. We started with a cheap, used pop-up which we still have. Probably relates to #1 - we stay outside until we sleep because it's cramped but the campfire is part of the process. Stinks in the rain though - which brings me to #3.

3. Fellow military here (Navy). We've enjoyed the heck out of two cross country PCS's in our popup. Rain is a pain and you can't plan around it like you can on a weekend trip but otherwise it's been amazing family memories. I'm considering bumping up to a Class C because we like traveling and the motorhome is much more user friendly on the road (although a PUP tows well.) The big risk is getting stationed overseas. I will buy used regardless but I definitely have to keep resell in mind in case I get overseas orders. I've checked the Japan box so it's not likely but they are called orders for a reason so you have to take that into account.

4. My vote on motorhome vs 5er is you have or would use a 3/4 or 1 ton truck outside camping. I have no use for a 3/4 ton truck until I retire from the military and get a boat. I will probably downsize from my F-150 and go the Class C route.

5. Go to an RV show and enjoy the day. We spent nearly a full Saturday at one a few weeks ago and just walked floor plans from travel trailers that I can pull with F-150 to Class C's for current research as well as Class A's and 5th wheels dreaming for the retirement option. Kids had a blast. Keep in mind they will like the most expensive option. Good time to discuss budgets. We're hopefully going to the Pensylvania show this fall if my schedule works.

Have fun!

[ependydad]

The longest story shortest- you have to pick a floorplan that suits your family. I'd involve the kids on what they do and don't want.

Then talk about how things suite you during travel. 6 bodies in a truck can be awfully cozy and people here get all uppity about pets in the camper while traveling. But, I've yet to find a class A that really gives kids their own space.

[fla-gypsy]

You don't NEED a Class A or FW to enjoy RV'ing. Don't limit your choices to only expensive options. Everything else is really personal preference and your skill level/family dynamics/amenity needs. I applaud your goals but realistically the 13 year old may only participate a very few short years and both may want to bring friends which complicates things. Children can become bored very quickly but only you really know what will keep their interests. As a NE Floridian I can tell you we have many excellet camping opportunities available in our area. Thank your husband for his service for us all and continue with your research and questions.

[toedtoes]

You mention just going out on weekends, etc. within a 2-4 hour radius. You also mention wanting to encourage family time, etc. I wouldn't limit your search to just Class As and 5ers. For years, families have done weekend trips in smaller RVs and managed just fine. A smaller RV would give you more versatility.

A simple TT with an appropriate tow vehicle might be a better combination. As another poster mentioned, tents are an option - you can use them instead of an RV, or use one or two as "extra rooms" for when the kids bring their friends, etc. This combination could be a lot cheaper, would give you the option of establishing a seasonal site if desired, is more likely going to be able to be stored at home, etc. And if you want to go out sightseeing, you can leave the TT behind and just drive the tow vehicle around.

[Mr__Camper]

I'd suggest taking out the "I" in picking out the right RV and make it a "We."
Discuss your budget. Look at as many floorplans online with the types of RV you can afford, consider the options available and what your interests are. Get your list as long as it needs to be to satisfy everyone and find the dealers that carry them and make a series of weekend trips to actually try them on. Sit in chairs, including the bathroom throne, does the shower fit, are the beds comfortable, eating meals (dinette or free standing), viewing the TV, storage, what toys will you be taking. Just keep in mind that RV's tend to get smaller the longer you stay in them. Will you be doing weekend trips only, summer long trips, spring break trips, Christmas break trips or are you looking at seasonal visits only? Where will you be storing it? Add that cost in as well.

[RVcircus]

I think the choice of RV has a lot of personal factors that you'll need to consider. Budget, floorplan, storage, tow vehicle, vehicle when setup at camp, etc. Personally, we have 4 kids and we decided on a 25' travel trailer for many different reasons. If we had 3 kids I think we would have gone with a 5th wheel, but 6 people in a crew cab is too tight for us for long trips.

I'd sit down and make a list of wants & needs and gpo from there. Once you find out what you need start doing research on models, visit dealers and if you can make it to an RV show they're the best place to see a ton of options in a single place.

[John_Wayne]

Rent a few and get an idea what you have to have and what you can live with out or can live with. You can also get bunk models in a travel trailer and pull it with a pick up or full size van leaving room for the dogs in a covered pick up bed or the back of a van,with room for bikes etc. and buy used.

[Matt_Colie]

You have lots of answers, but there is one answer I haven't seen.
Rent something and see how it works.

We had a nice crew cab, but two kids and a dog limited us to about two hours of continues travel.

If you are going someplace that you expect to need a small vehicle to do local touring, rent that and then you don't have to tow anything.

There is another issue.
You wrote "stationed". If your husband is Armed Service (Thank You), then he can be transferred to another place pretty fast and with little warning. I'm not sure how that would effect my thinking, but I would include it.

Matt