Family vacations are meant to bring your family closer together – spend quality time while having fun. Family vacations can also be educational while being fun. I’m a firm believer in taking the kids all throughout the country to learn about history and cultures. What better way to do this than in an RV!
When my kids were young they went on a cross-country RV trip with their aunt for an entire summer. National Parks and different areas of the country not only got them out and exploring but taught them lots about different states too! Add in all the fun they had and it’s a trip they still talk about.
How to Choose the RV that’s right for you and your family
RVs come in many sizes and styles so choosing the one that fits your family may take a little time and research.
In 2019, 88% of all new RVs sold were travel trailers. Smaller models can be towed by mid-size vehicles, including the family car, minivan, SUV or pickup truck equipped with a hitch.
Larger travel trailers, like 5th wheels may require a heavy-duty pickup outfitted with a special hitch located in the bed of the truck. It is important to match the loaded weight of the RV to the towing capacity of the tow vehicle.
Consult your dealer or owner’s manual for details and have the tow hitch professionally installed.
Motorhomes made up about 11% of new sales in 2019. This group includes the smaller Type B camper vans all the way up to the mack daddy Type A motorhomes with many sizes in between.
Type C’s are very popular offering plenty of floor plan options and comfortable sleeping options.
One final type of RV is a Park Model. It makes up a very small percentage of sales (<1% in 2019). It looks like a cabin and is built on an RV chassis. Once completed, its towed to its final destination (mainly at campgrounds) hooked up to water and electric and parked permanently (think tiny home!).
These can be sold to individuals who use them as seasonal homes in a campground or to campgrounds that rent them out to guests. They are a great way to try out the RV lifestyle without purchasing all of the equipment.
Once you decided which type of RV is right for you there are more options to consider. Travel trailers range in price starting at $7,000 for a pop-up travel trailer all the way up to $500,000+ for a luxurious motorhome.
A great way to see & compare many types of RVs is to visit an RV Show or a local RV dealer. You can find these at GoRVing.com
A few things to consider when choosing an RV:
- Does it have enough room for your family to sleep? Many RV’s now have bunk beds and over cab sleeping areas, pull out couches and tables that turn into sleeping spaces.
- Does it have room for all of your favorite foods in the fridge, freezer & cabinets? Bringing & preparing your own food can help to save money and eat healthier
- Do you want slide outs? These provide extra space once parked. Activate the slide out(s) and create more space in the living area or bedroom.
- Storage – Inside & underneath that can hold all of your favorite games & toys, sports equipment, outdoor table & chairs, grill, cooler, etc.
- Does it have an awning to provide relief from the sun and protection from the rain?
- Do you plan to go off the grid or tailgate? Choose an RV with a built in generator that can power all of your electronics if you’re not connected to a power source. Great for camping in some primitive campgrounds and it will run the AC if it gets too hot outside!
The best part about choosing an RV is that you can rent each type before making your decision. This gives you and your family the opportunity to test drive each model.
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