Downsizing

[tolter]

We have been camping for over forty years and went from a tent to a trailer to a motorhome and finally a fifth wheeler. Now that we are in our seventies, we would like to find something easy to travel with I was thinking of a van that would have a bath/shower in it and sleep two or even four. I know it'd be quite an adjustment after having this big fiver but I think we would get more use out of a smaller one and tend to use it more often. Any ideas out there? Thanks in advance.

[Free_Range_Huma]

Also, be sure to investigate the new so-called RUVs. Just a shrunk-down class A, IMO, but at 25-26 ft or so, you can still get a wet bath.

[TXcampingfamily]

There is a retired couple on my street that travel in a Casita. They love the fact that it's very easy to pull and they can go anywhere. They have taken it all over! They often travel with a Casita group and from looking at their Facebook page it looks like they have a blast! Now a Casita would REALLY be downsizing, but if you're not fulltiming it might work.

[rondeb]

We had the 30' Winnebago Vista and we now have the 33' Winnebago Sightseer. Both are small enough for easy towing and parking, but big enough for the comfort and ease of towing and set up. We watch people with 5th wheels set up and know that as we got older, the ease of the smaller motorhome was definitely what we wanted.

[Jim_Shoe]

Many on this forum are retired or getting ready to retire. I've always been single and planned for my retirement. So it came down to a MH pulling a toad or a truck towing a 5er. Its a lot easier to drive the little one up to the big one to hook up (in my case) or back the truck up to a 5er where you can see the connection point while backing up.
I know this is hard to consider, but think about the possibility of traveling as a single. If its a possibility, plan ahead. Also a good idea to be sure that everyone knows how everything in the RV works, even if you don't normally do that task.

[Dtaylor]

Had a couple camped next to us recently that were camping in a Casita. Said he had a 5th wheel at home that was too much trouble especially on short trips. I kind of see his point. The wife and have a 30ft and have often thought our next would be slightly, though not a lot smaller. We do not full time and it is just the two of us.

[Roy_Lynne]

Hubby and I have been considering the same thing and I've been looking at B+ RVs and everyone that I have seen have something I love and something I hate. One that comes with a Murphy Bed looked good, BUT it had an outdoor entertainment center. I rarely use the inside entertainment center so outside would be a waste. We want one with a slide, that is a given, that gets decent gas mileage and that's about all.
Since I asked about the same question earlier, I got a lot of naysayers saying they were to small to do any extensive travel as a couple, and then I got some who loved their B and the ability to go anywhere anytime and park anyplace (which is our main reason)plus good gas mileage.
Planning to go to a local RV show next month and 'window shop'.
So if you find the perfect RV please let me know.

[FunnyCamper]

we are in this cycle now also.
we recently got a 39 ft toyhauler.
monster. at this point those we got a few years til a big change comes. retirement!

my mind is thinking smaller MH for retirement travel with small toad.

only because our trucks won't be needed like they are now. we farm a bit. so they are necessary. but in retirement all that is over. I want easier, with a bit of room and freedom.

now to put that all into perspective when the time comes on what do we want and how easy is it to maintain/costs/entertainment etc.

I want smaller with ease, but am worried about going 'too small'. after all when older, a bit of room helps one manuever easier.

I would love to know what you guys decide to do cause it might help us on the board trying to figure out the same thing 🙂

[rockhillmanor]

IMHO, You won't be happy with one of those Van Class B's the bathrooms are a killer and all in all they ARE inside just the size of a van!

Check out the Sprinters. I looked at Thor's Four Winds version and wow is it nice. Roomy, tall, great floor plans that you can actually walk around in, easy in and out and drives like a car.

I'm thinking of down sizing from my 31 foot to one of these. Almost all of my sporting event Rv';ers have switched to them. Both DH and DW's love em. and the gas mileage is outstanding. I looked at them all and found that IMHO Four Winds was the nicest.


http://fourwinds-classc.com/

[water_witch]

Oops sorry, I misspelled Winnebago View. I sometimes get confused since I have a Saturn Vue and a Winnebago View. It's all about the View (or Vue), I guess.

[water_witch]

My husband and I had a 36 foot fifth wheel for 8 years and loved the room. We were in our 50's and the work aspect of the fifth wheel was ok. He became ill so we traded in the fifth wheel for an easier-to-use 35 foot class A motorhome with power everything, washer/dryer, dishwasher and that MH took us on a wonderful trip out west last summer.

DH passed away last winter and I want to continue RVing and the Giant Motorhome was not working for me so I traded for a 24 ft. Winnebago Vue J that has a slide. LOVE it! Full bathroom with shower is very usable, nice sized bed, could sleep six if needed, diesel engine so it has some chops. Miss my washer/dryer but can get over it for the ease of RVing the Vue gives me. Can easily be used as a daily driver if you don't want to tow.

Highly recommend checking out the Vue if downsizing.

[Cloud_Dancer]

I'm older than any of you, and I don't plan to downsize. When the time comes, I'll just sell the MH and the boat, and go to the rocking chair on the porch (or worst).
The thing is, at our age, we need all the comforts which we have enjoyed for many years (when traveling). Our motorhome is perfect for us. The large size doesn't make it harder to drive than a smaller one...IMO. And, hitching up our GMC SUV is no problem.

[Lauren]

I am 74 and DW is a child - let me just saw we were born in the same small town hospital in the same room (only one delivery / surgery room) one year apart - her 13 months after me. But I did NOT tell you her age!

We have had the same discussion a few times. What would we do if we did not have the 5er. But we are both in fairly good health and active and the driving does not bother me - but we do not push a lot of miles a day.

We will keep the 5er as long as possible and be faced with the same decision.

Know sooooo many people that have given up rv'ing and soooooo much regret it.

We have had very small travel trailers up to 38' 5er and back down to this.

Cannot imagine anything but a trailer though for flexibility of having the tow vehicle.

[Jim2007]

Hi just went by 70 in age. We have a 5th wheel and one thing we like is that we can unhitch the 5th wheel at the campground and us the truck to see the sites. Also I like to have a truck around home when we are not traveling to haul stuff in. We are due to replace our 5th wheel this spring and will probably get one about the same size as we now have (size is 30 feet). Jim2007

[pompomgirl]

We are in our 70s and just upsized from a C to a medium-sized A, but then DH is very knowledgeable and handy, and still fairly spry. If we ever downsize, it will probably be to a Sprinter-based B.