| No one RV size or floorplan is the perfect size for | | | | kitchen configurations found in RVs are the bench |
| everyone. After deciding on the type of RV to | | | | style or traditional table and chairs. Many times |
| purchase (travel trailer, 5th wheel or motorhome), | | | | the bench style seating will have storage |
| the search will narrow down to certain | | | | underneath and can be converted to an extra |
| manufacturers, floor plans and size of RVs. | | | | bed. Do you need those features or will your |
| Consider these eight tips when shopping for an | | | | family more comfortable with the table and chairs |
| RV to help you find that perfect size RV. | | | | configuration even though it means losing storage |
| 1. What size RV are you and other family drivers | | | | and/or a bed. Look at RV floor plans with both |
| comfortable with pulling or driving? Whether your | | | | configurations to help you decide. |
| new RV is a towable that you will pull with your | | | | 5. How comfortable are the bed(s) both in size |
| tow vehicle or a motorhome pulling your | | | | and comfort? If you are used to sleeping on a |
| automobile, truck or SUV, you have to be | | | | king size mattress at home because you are |
| comfortable driving the total length of your RV | | | | over 6' tall, a full size bed may not be a |
| and vehicle. I have heard of people who purchase | | | | comfortable size for you in an RV. If the |
| a large RV for the room inside only to be scared | | | | mattress is too soft or too hard, it can be |
| to death of the size and not use it and, in a short | | | | changed to a mattress you prefer. If the bed for |
| time, trade it in for a smaller RV. When you are | | | | children is a pull out couch in the RV, pull it out and |
| considering an RV purchase, ask the sales person | | | | make sure the kids will be comfortable. |
| at the dealership or the individual you are | | | | 6. How does the size and layout of the bathroom |
| purchasing it from to let you test drive it. Ask for | | | | suit your family? Is the shower stall large enough |
| an experienced RV driver at the dealership to go | | | | for the size of all family members, even those |
| with you as they can give you some driving tips | | | | who are tall or on the larger size? One |
| which could make you feel more comfortable. | | | | configuration that many RVers like in the |
| 2. How many people and pets will be traveling in | | | | bathroom is the toilet and sink in a separate |
| the RV? When shopping for an RV or at the very | | | | room. Make sure every member of the family |
| least when you have narrowed your search down | | | | tries out this configuration as the small room can |
| to a few, take the kids or other traveling | | | | seem claustrophobic to some and the area for |
| passengers with you. Everyone should be in the | | | | the sink may not have a comfortable amount of |
| RV at the same time to determine | | | | elbow room for some to perform their daily |
| maneuverability with everyone on board. Do you | | | | routines such as brushing teeth, shaving, etc. |
| feel like you are tripping over each other? If you | | | | 7. Do you want slide-outs in your RV to extend |
| have pets that will travel with you in a crate, bring | | | | your inside room? Slide-outs are a great way to |
| a measuring tape with you and measure out the | | | | increase your indoor living space. Tour some RV |
| area required for the size crate or tape together | | | | floor plans with slide-outs if you are looking for |
| sheets of paper in the size of the footprint of the | | | | more room. |
| crate or find a cardboard box the approximate | | | | 8. Where do you and your family like to go and |
| size of the crate that you can break down and | | | | stay? The larger the RV, the less choices for RV |
| set up in the RV you are considering. This will give | | | | parks and campgrounds. Many state parks, |
| you a good visual of how much floor space the | | | | national parks and older RV parks have smaller |
| crate will take. | | | | RV sites that may not accommodate the larger |
| 3. Does the RV have enough storage? Obviously, | | | | RVs usual ly over the 32-36 foot length range. |
| there is a big difference in the amount of clothing, | | | | Purchase a campground directory that will not |
| food, shoes, toiletries, food and supplies required | | | | only give you many choices of RV parks at your |
| for two people using an RV for weekend | | | | destinations but it will tell you the average size of |
| getaways and a family of four with two dogs | | | | the RV sites. |
| who want to travel across country for an | | | | Traveling in an RV is, in our opinion, the best way |
| extended vacation. Make sure the RV has enough | | | | to travel. You take the conveniences of your |
| storage but never exceed the weight limitations | | | | home with you. But to get the maximum |
| established by the manufacturer. | | | | enjoyment out of your travel adventures, you |
| 4. Will the kitchen table adequately and | | | | need to choose an RV that is just the right size |
| comfortably seat all family members? Though the | | | | for you, your family and other guests. There are |
| goal may be to have all meals outside on a picnic | | | | a number of considerations to finding the perfect |
| table, weather and other factors can force meal | | | | size RV for you. But you will find it! |
| times inside the RV. The two common type of | | | | |