Traveling in our 33-foot New Horizon 5th wheel this summer is much more comfortable than last, but sometimes long for the small size of the Lance camper we used last summer. What is the perfect size? How do you decide what length RV to purchase.
Roy and Kathy went straight from a “stick house” to full-time RVing, so comfortable space was important. “We chose a 35-foot fifth wheel with three slides. A sliding door between the bedroom and the rest of RV helps divide the space so that two TVs can accommodate different shows and/or reading/TV for two people.”
Bill and Barb Fageol wanted a washer/dryer, so they bought a 36-footer. “We would prefer a shorter RV and, if we had it to do over, we now know we could put the washer/drier in the kitchen in place of the gas oven we don’t use. But in actuality we also want two computer work stations, so maybe we really aren’t interested in downsizing!”
Padraic and Willie Ley are not typical full-timers. Their rig is 65 feet in overall length, plus they have a minivan. They like the outskirts of big cities. They are too young to retire so work on the Internet during the week and play on the weekends. “We drove only 15,000 miles with the truck and trailer the last three years.”
RVers recognize that size can be limiting. Says Laura Bornkamp, “Twelve years ago we bought a 38-foot motorhome (no slide). Then we bought a 35-foot motorhome with two slides, then a 40-foot pusher. We love our motorhome now, but the 35-foot one was the best, because it was smaller, easier to maneuver, and you can get into older parks and campgrounds.”
Joe & Margie Heugly spent three years making decisions leading up to their RV purchase. Length was carefully considered and researched. They are very happy with their Cameo fifth wheel. However, in posting feedback about a campground, they stated, “We had to pass by many sites when selecting our spot, as they were too small or too narrow for our 36-foot fifth wheel with slides on both sides. If we had wanted to park further from the lake we would have had more sites that fit our trailer.”
Glenda and Gerald Farris went from a 36-foot motorhome to a 40-foot one to get more basement room and a larger kitchen. Since we have a wide-body, we use the Motor Carrier’s Road Atlas to double-check that our route is a designated 18-wheeler route when traveling rural roads.”
If you don’t do outdoorsy things and nearly always stay in RV parks, large can work. Margaret Serafin and her husband chose a 40-foot, triple-slide fifth wheel as their full-time rig, towing it with a medium duty truck (MDT). “Our size does limit the roads we take and the places we stay, but the truck can go most anywhere but four-wheeling.”
