"What's the best RV?" really means "What's the best RV for a given family at a given time?". There are a number of interacting factors to consider, and since it's not possible to "have it all and have it now", there are always trade-offs.
Motor Home, Fifth Wheel, Travel Trailer – What is the Best Type of RV?
RVs fall into two broad categories.
- Towables – Anything that requires a vehicle to tow or carry it, including travel trailers, teardrops, tent trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, foldables, pop-top trailers, hybrid (expandable) trailers, truck campers.
- Motorized – Anything that travels under its own power, including Class A Motor Homes, Class B travel vans, Class C Motor Homes.
There are pros and cons to each category and to each type within the category. Some of these are discussed below along with other factors that need to be considered..
What Does the RV Cost? The Question of Affordability
"How much can we afford?" is an important question. Many campers need to balance a condo-on-wheels taste against a used-tent-trailer budget. The RV industry offers an incredible range of products with a wide variety of options and luxury levels, and used units extend the choice considerably.
Along with price and affordability, consider
- New or Used?
- Finance or Purchase?
- Age of the RV?
- Level of luxury/simplicity?
Price is often the first criterion people look at. However, since the same amount of money can purchase a wide variety of RV choices, cost is not really the most important consideration.
Type of Travel – Intended Use of the RV
This may be the best place to start. Type of travel and length of stay have a considerable impact on comfort and will strongly determine "What is the best RV".
- Frequency – Frequent trips suggest a smaller RV that can be quickly set up and taken down
- Duration – Long-term stays argue for a larger unit that can offer greater comfort and convenience.
- Part Time vs Full Time – Full-time RVers generally seem to end up with a larger unit
- Destinations – Travel to out-of-the-way parks and undeveloped recreation areas usually requires a smaller more mobile unit; in resorts and popular tourist destinations, there is no limit and larger units can be readily accommodated.
- Roads Traveled – Backroads vs Freeways. Motorized units with good ground clearance and towables hauled by SUVs and pickups do okay on the trails. The bigger units might want to stick to numbered highways.
Size of the Unit
Size is another important criterion for livability. A larger unit may cost more initially, and cost more to tow or drive, but that's one of the trade-offs for comfort.
- Does the unit have enough beds to sleep everyone? Enough space for all to eat if the weather is bad? Enough space for entertaining, playing games?
- Smaller units allow greater access to wilderness areas, easier off-season storage.
- Larger units provide more living space, are good for a larger family, are comfortable in bad weather.
Comfort and Convenience: Livability and the Floor Plan
"A common mistake with most new RV buyers," claims Randall Eaton, president of J R Consumer Resources in his e-book Learn How to Spot a Well-Built RV, "is that the floor plan is the most important aspect in their RV purchase. It is estimated that over 90% of new RV buyers focus more on floor plans than anything else." Still, the floor plan is important.
- Is there enough storage?
- Are the windows in the right place? Is the door conveniently located?
- Are the beds easy to make up and put away?
- Is the bathroom easy to access without passing through a bedroom?
- Is the kitchen workable?
Normally, the shortcomings of a unit can be overcome easily if everyone is outside. Consider how the unit will be in a week of rain with everyone stuck inside.
Availability of a Tow(ed) Vehicle
If the family has an existing vehicle, it's easy to get an RV that can be towed or carried. Even subcompacts can tow one of the modern ultralight fiberglass trailers, teardrops, or folding trailers.
One argument in favor of towables is that once the unit is parked, the tow vehicle is available for day trips, shopping, and other travel while the unit stays parked at the campsite. On the other hand, a motorized Class A or C can easily tow a vehicle for the same purpose, and the toy haulers can tote motorcycles or even a Smart Car for day trips.
Mechanical Considerations: Motor, Chassis, Frame
Randall Eaton suggests that RV buyers would be better off selecting an RV on the basis of chassis or frame, engine, drive train, suspension and exterior construction, because it is these features that will ultimately determine the level of satisfaction with the purchase.
- Motor Size – a larger motor means more power for pulling and climbing, but probably lower fuel economy.
- Diesel vs Gasoline – Gasoline is more readily available but diesel is often cheaper.
- Pusher vs Puller – Pushers are said to be more quiet while driving.
- Truck chassis – Custom chassis? A custom chassis will add cost.
- Size and number of wheels and axles – More weight needs more wheels (and more fuel).
Such mechanical considerations may help determine "What is the best RV?" but generally, any unit that passes a mechanical inspection and performs well is going to suit the average RVer just fine.
According to GoRVing, the marketing branch of the RV industry, any RV vacation is affordable family fun. There's always the option of an RV rental. Pick a type/size/price range and try it out before making a final purchase choice.
 |
