If the notion of full-time RV living has been flirting with your imagination, you aren’t alone. More and more people are hitching their wagon to the idea of a mobile, versatile lifestyle. Sometimes you’re in the mountains, other times beside a lake – it feels like living in a traveling postcard. Choosing to be on the road requires the best RV for full-time living to ensure comfort and safety.
Unfortunately, all that glitters ain’t gold. There are, as anyone can reckon, a few caveats to full-time RVing – especially with rugrats running about. Essentially, you’ll have to consider the size and type of the RV. Here is a guide to help you pick the best RV for full-time living with your kids.
Key Takeaways
Size, cost, and amenities are significant factors when contemplating full-time RV living.
Knowing the low-down on variations; Class A, B or C of RVs, travel trailers and more isn’t just for show-off. It can save your bacon when making a choice.
RV living isn’t just about freedom and adventure. It’s also about budgeting and making a home on wheels.
Factors to Contemplate When Deciding the Best RV for Full-Time Family Living
Not all RVs are cut out for the best RV for full-time living – especially when you have kids. Lumbersome truck-to-tow or compact camper, toy-haulers or towable RVs; you’re looking at an array of options. Storage, or more specifically, ample storage space and plenty of it, is a godsend.
A good-sized RV needs a heavy-duty truck to boot. So, dig into the nitty-gritty of your pick’s towing capacity. Figure out the RV length and make sure you factor in a solar panel or two for those no-hookup RV park days.
Key Elements to Consider
It’s like preparing for a high-stakes poker game, but instead of cards, you have living spaces, facilities, storage, and comfort at stake. You might be juggling demands for privacy with keeping a keen eye on your kids. Remember, it’s a tricky hand to play but one worth figuring out for the ideal full-time RV living.
Operational Budget
Getting an RV isn’t just about fronting the cash, you have to factor in the cost of fuel, maintenance, campsite costs and recreation expenses.
Desired Size of the RV
Bigger is not always better, especially when space is prime real estate. Luckily, RV sizes have a wide range. Drill down to the right size that can toe the line between comfortable and practical for your family.
Interior Features and Convenience Amenities
Plenty of storage space, 2 bathrooms, bed or storage alternatives are some convenience amenities that can be as essential as they make family-sized full-time RVing smooth.
Enhance Your RV Knowledge: Detailed Breakdown of Different RV Types
The cheeky beauty about RVs, apart from fitting a family comfortably on road trips, is the variety on offer. Mix and match as per your family’s taste, and stage impromptu theater seating at various camping locations. Let’s check out the options for the best RV for full-time living below:
Class a RVs: The Mobile Homes on Wheels
Class A RVs are pretty much condos on wheels, minus the annoying noise from upstairs. There’s ample space for the whole clan, storage to fit gear, and living areas that’d make an apartment weep with jealousy. Ultimately, the icing on this moving cake is the magnificent windshield view.
Class B RVs: Camper Vans for Minimalist Travelers
Class B RVs or camper vans are compact but pack a punch. They’re perfect for people who believe in less-is-more. Many come with enough space to stow away the kids’ toys, have a diesel engine that purrs like a kitten, and handle parking lots. They may not be the best class C RV variant, but they carry the flag for minimalism high and proud.
Class C RVs: The Balanced Middle Ground
If you’re in the market for an RV but you’ve been hesitant because of the potential costs, you might want to check out a Class C RV. They’re not too pricey to maintain, not too big to find a parking spot, and not too small to comfortably live in, especially if you have kids.
Class Cs hit that kind of sweet spot. They’ve got living areas that fit right in with the driving space. Gives you a great feeling of togetherness when you roll, without the irritation of feeling squeezed.
Additional Types: Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, and More
If you want to take the road less traveled, then there are more options for you. Travel trailers, fifth wheels, and assorted others each offer something unique. For the parking lot champion who is not scared to hitch and unhitch, the travel trailers work a treat.
Guiding Your Search: Top Picks for the Best RV for Full-Time Living With Kids
Shopping for the best RVs for full-time living with your family doesn’t have to be a pull-out-your-hair, toddler tantrum kind of task. This isn’t just some arbitrary recommendation but actual rigs that got the green light from full-time RV living families.
Renting an RV before taking the plunge is a smart way to start your RV shopping adventure. After all, you wouldn’t buy a house without having a look around first. Here are a few our experts picks for the best RV for full-time living with kids.
1. Keystone Cougar 320RDS – Best for 5th Wheel RV Lovers
There’s something irresistible about 5th wheels. They have a grand solitude design feeling to them. Keystone Cougar 320RDS isn’t just a pretty face. This RV serves itself up as a best fit for full-time family wanderlust.
It’s designed to provide comfortable living spaces and practical sleeping capacity. This family-friendly RV also boasts enough space for the kids to do cartwheels. Besides, its cargo carrying capacity is like a magician’s hat.
2. Jayco Jay Feather Micro – Unrivaled in the Budget Category
If RV shopping has got you treading the budget tightrope, then Jayco Jay Feather Micro should be in your top picks. Known for its spacious interiors with ample counter space and a U-shaped dinette for those family feasts, this isn’t your typical budget choice.
Moreover, with a tri-fold sofa providing comfortable seating and plenty of room, it feels like your second living room. Remember, picking the best RV isn’t always about going for the priciest. It’s about finding a home on wheels that suits your budget, and lifestyle.
3. Tiffin Open Road Allegro – A Remarkable Overall Choice
Quality and reasonable price sometimes strike a harmonious chord, and the Tiffin Open Road Allegro hits the high notes. If you plan to live in an RV full-time, it pays to invest in something worthwhile. Leather furniture you don’t mind sleeping on, and a variety of floor plans for you to pick and mix till you get that sweet rhythm of life on the road.
Important Considerations When Choosing the Best RV for Full-Time Living with Kids
When shopping for the best RV for full-time living with kids, it’s not just about what looks right. Dig deep and know what you’re getting into.
Deciding on the Ideal Floor Plan
If you get the floor peg wrong, it throws the whole thing off. RV manufacturers got sleeping spaces that made the weekend trips feel like a family travel adventure. Just take a look, and you’ll find something for everyone.
Ample and Comfortable Sleeping Spaces
The good thing about RVs, particularly fifth wheels, is the surplus of space allowing you to stretch out and have a proper kip. They’ve got plenty of seating that doubles as a lumpy, but convenient sleeping spot.
Privacy Provisions for Relaxing Family Time
When it comes to full-time RV living with the family, nothing beats privacy for those cherished moments of solitude. Privacy provisions and ample living space make fifth wheels the best RVs for full-time living with the family.
Entertainment Amenities for the Kids
Figuring out what features are essentials for your family is important. For instance, if your daughter loves to serenade, get an RV with surround sound; if your son dreams to become van Gogh, make sure there’s generous room for his easel.
My name is Eddie, and I am an RV enthusiast! I have enjoyed traveling all my life, and want to give my family the same opportunities to see as much of the world as possible.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered how great RVs can be for vacations with a young family. Here at RV Lifestyle Experts, I want to share my experiences, the tips I’ve picked up along the way. I hope that our guides can encourage you to try the RV lifestyle. I promise you that you won’t regret it!
My name is Eddie, and I am an RV enthusiast! I have enjoyed traveling all my life, and want to give my family the same opportunities to see as much of the world as possible.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered how great RVs can be for vacations with a young family. Here at RV Lifestyle Experts, I want to share my experiences, the tips I’ve picked up along the way. I hope that our guides can encourage you to try the RV lifestyle. I promise you that you won’t regret it!