Finding the best family RV and purchasing it can be one of the most exciting experiences in life. Trust us — we know! An RV allows you to go on the types of expeditions that bring you closer together as a family and immerse you in nature.
We know you can’t help but imagine the starry skies, flickering campfires, rustling pines, hooting owls, and mountain vistas you’ll find during the next family vacation in your new RV. But before you get too carried away, you’ll first need to choose an RV that is perfect for your family. So, what do you consider when picking a family RV? Here are the top tips for selecting a family-friendly camper.
Think About the Type of RV You Want
Are you interested in a large RV or a small RV? Do you want to drive your RV? Are you interested in a Class A Motorhome? How about a Class C? Or is a towable RV, such as a fifth-wheel or travel trailer more your style? Would your family enjoy hauling and ATV, UTV or golf cart on trips? If so, a toy hauler might be a great option.
It all comes down to personal preference regarding whether you want to drive or tow your RV and how much interior space and storage space — like plenty of overhead cabinets — you might need. After all, when picking the best family RV, you want to make sure your family will like it and be comfortable, right?
Think About the Type of RVing You Want to Do
Every RVing family has different aspirations. Some dream of long cross-country road trips, while others would prefer exploring attractions closer to home. You’ll want to track down an RV best suited for your style. If you’ll be covering long distances, you’ll need something with a cozy interior, great gas mileage, and excellent maneuverability.
Want to explore national parks or state parks? Stick with something under 35 feet long so you can navigate the narrow park roads. Dream of boondocking or going off the grid? Search for a camper that has some off-road capabilities, large holding tanks, and features like solar panels on the roof. For those who want to get on board with full-time living, you’ll need a large rig with a spacious interior. Of course, 4-season RVers will require a rig with a climate package.
Consider the Sleeping Arrangements
Sleeping space can quickly break or make a family RV vacation, especially when you’re traveling the whole family. You’ll want to make sure the RV you choose has enough bed space for everyone. A comfortable sleeping arrangement will help everyone to rest properly after long days on the road or hiking trails.
Sometimes, an RV may be marketed as having beds that can accommodate a large number of people. Some RVs have private bedrooms, but often you’ll find sleeping arrangements like a sofa bed or a tri-fold couch or even a convertible dinette in addition to one queen-sized bed. Sometimes, beds of that size are only suitable for kids. So, you’ll need to personally inspect the beds to find out whether they can comfortably fit your teens or adult members of your family.
Look into the Seating Situation
If you’re looking for an RV you can drive, also known as a motorhome, make sure it has enough seats and seat belts for your entire crew. The law requires that each person be seated using a seatbelt when the RV is moving. Proper seats and safety belts will not only help you avoid fines, but also improve your safety.
Note that towable campers like fifth wheels and travel trailers don’t come with seat belts because they shouldn’t have people riding in them while on the road. In this situation, your towing vehicle will need to have enough seats for everyone and belts to buckle in.
Weigh the Cargo Capacity and Storage
A large family means a larger amount of stuff. For a delightful experience on the road, everyone needs to have sufficient storage room for all their belongings. Unfortunately, many RVs, including the giant ones, don’t always prioritize storage space, making the space feel smaller and cramped. Inspect whether there is enough indoor and exterior space to store clothes, food, fresh water, house batteries/generator, and gear for your favorite hobbies.
Apart from space, look into the cargo capacity of the RV you’re considering. This is the amount of weight that you can add to the rig. It’s super important to know the weight ratings, especially if you plan to take your rig on frequent long trips. Exceeding the capacity can cause tire blowouts, wear out mechanical parts, and hurt fuel economy.
Consider the Different Floor Plans
RV floorplans are arguably the most important things to consider when selecting a family RV because you’ll want to make sure you have enough space. While most layouts in travel trailers — or even a fifth wheel — will work well for small families, the same can’t be said for larger-than-average families. And if you have pets or work on the road, there are more space considerations to make. For bigger crews, you’ll need additional sleeping space, so prioritize floorplans with a bunkhouse and a private room for parents with at least a queen-size bed.
Next, you’ll want a well-laid-out dining and living room as this is where you’ll spend most of your time, whether relaxing, talking, or watching TV. If your family enjoys cooking, they’ll be delighted by a spacious and functional kitchen. For larger families a u-shaped dinette might work well.
Families that prefer relaxing outdoors should opt for a layout with an outdoor kitchen. Further, consider the interior roof height, slide-outs for expanding the space, and an entry door close to your kitchen for easy access from the outside.
Moreover, look for floorplans with space optimization features, such as a dinette or sofa that converts into a bed. Additionally, search for clever details like pop-up countertops and beds that drop down and get out of the way when not in use.
Don’t Forget The Bathrooms
Bathroom space and privacy are important when camping with a family. The bigger your family is, the better off you are picking an RV that has multiple baths. If you have a tow vehicle that can safely pull a larger RV with two full bathrooms, that would be ideal. However, kids can have a half bathroom in or near their bunk beds or bunkhouse, while the adults will appreciate a full bath near their master bedroom.
For small or medium size families, one bath may work effectively. Just as important, you’ll need large-size fresh, gray, and black water tanks to support the shower and toilet. Remember, if you choose an RV without a bathroom, you’ll have to make stops at public facilities when someone has to go, which can be inconvenient and frustrating.
Keep Everyone Happy With an Entertainment System
When you’re on the road or in the campground, there will obviously be some downtime moments. How will you entertain your teens and kids when there’s no reliable Wi-Fi connection to keep them glued to their phones? With this in mind, your RV’s entertainment center needs to be up to the task.
Scout for a camper that has one or multiple TVs, cable hookups, standard TV antennae, satellite TV systems and DVD players for backup when there’s a weak signal. Other fun features to consider are a gaming console set up, exterior speakers, sound bars, a fireplace, and picture/star gazing windows. Outside, your family will appreciate a large power awning, an outdoor TV or mounting bracket, Bluetooth speakers, and an outdoor kitchen and grill.
Prioritize RVs With Safety Features
Every parent’s priority is to keep the family safe during the sojourns. Thankfully, many RV manufacturers are working overtime to catch up with the safety features available in the latest everyday vehicles. When shopping for a family RV, consider those with safety technologies.
Some of the safety features to look for when choosing an RV include carbon monoxide and propane detectors, smoke alarms, and a rearview camera.
Best Family RVs Made Easy
There are many things to keep in mind when choosing the best RV for your family. Most importantly, it should match the type of camping life you want to explore, have a spacious and functional floor plan for the entire crew, and be equipped with safety and entertainment features.
Of course, don’t just spend hours scouring the internet to find the perfect RV for your family. Visit multiple dealerships and showrooms and probe different RVs to get an idea of what camper will work best for you and your family members. And if you’re still unsure, consider renting a few options and going for a trip to a great place to figure out what particular model is right for your entire family.
More From RV Top Tips
Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
