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Types of RVs: What’s The Best Fit for You?
More than 11 million households have discovered the benefits of owning an RV, and more than 90% of those take at least three short trips per year. Though the data isn’t yet finalized, projections indicate that 2021 was a record-breaking year in RV sales. An estimated 576,000 units were sold, easily surpassing the previous record of 504,600 set in 2017.
Recreational vehicles offer convenience, flexibility and comfort. Planning trips is easier when the place you rest your head each night has wheels. It isn’t hard to see why they’re so appealing, but with so many styles, how do you know which one is right for you? There are several types of RVs, and each one has characteristics and features that set it apart from the others. Once you understand how they differ, it is easier to narrow down your options.
The Tow-Behind Types of RVs
The first type of camper many people invest in is the kind you tow behind their vehicles. You can find ones in any size and with many features and conveniences.
Pop-Up Campers
The pop-up camper is a lightweight and compact trailer. When not in use, it folds up into a shell. Many of these have a hard-sided bottom, but the upper half consists of a combination of fiberglass and canvas. They look like a cross between a trailer and a tent. They come equipped with kitchens and places to sit and sleep. Some even have small bathrooms.
Travel Trailers
Of all the types of RVs, travel trailers are the most popular. In 2018, people bought 3.5 times as many travel trailers as the next biggest seller, fifth-wheels. These campers quickly attach to a hitch on a vehicle or truck. You can even find ones that are light and small enough to tow behind a bicycle!
Micro travel trailers often contain the bare minimum, with a bed and sometimes a kitchenette accessed from the outside, while the largest ones have everything you need for a family getaway. Many have sides that slide out when you’re parked, providing more room for living. While they’re easy to hook up to the hitch, they’re less stable than a fifth-wheel but also less expensive.
Fifth-Wheels
Fifth-wheels are one of the types of RVs that offer travelers the kind of space you find in large motorhomes but in a tow-behind vehicle. Despite the name, the trailer does not have five wheels. The term refers to the shape of the hitch that it attaches to in the bed of a truck. These trailers are more stable than travel trailers and have higher ceilings and two levels. Fifth-wheels tend to have less storage than travel trailers.
Toy Haulers
Toy haulers are huge tow-behind campers, but the back section is set up to allow you to carry your “toys.” People who like to take their motorcycles or off-road vehicles on vacation can benefit from a toy hauler. The back opens up as a ramp, making it easy to load and unload. Once the cargo is unloaded, the back area can be converted to a seating or dining space.
The Drivable Types of RVs
Motorhomes are recreational vehicles with engines. These all-in-one units make it easier to pick up and go since you don’t have to attach a trailer to your car. However, if you decide to tow a vehicle, you still have to take the time to hitch it up.
Class A
Class As are motorhomes built on a bus or commercial truck chassis. They’re heavy-duty vehicles that offer a smooth ride and plenty of space for families. They come in lengths ranging from 25-45 feet. Longer lengths require owners to find RV parks that can accommodate big rigs. These RVs often have slide-outs, which create even more room. They have full kitchens, plenty of sleeping areas and overhead cabinets. There is storage underneath, and sometimes an additional outdoor kitchen and television.
While these types of RVs are loaded with amenities, they are the most expensive recreational vehicles on the road. They also take some getting used to when driving in towns, especially the larger ones. With more vehicle behind you, you need to adjust your turns to accommodate or risk clipping a post or running over a curb. In some states, if you own a Class A that weighs more than 26,000 pounds, you need a commercial driver’s license. Class A vehicles often run on diesel gas.
Class C
Another popular drivable recreational vehicle is the Cass C RV. These are built on van chassis and have an over-the-cab compartment. Many families like these types of RVs for the additional sleeping area they provide. The space over the cab is often a dedicated bed, though in some models you can opt for extra storage instead.
You can find Class Cs as short as 20 feet to as much as 35 or 40 feet long. They tend to be easier to handle than Class A RVs but may not ride quite as smoothly. Slide-outs are standard on newer models, providing extra living space, but they tend to have less room overall than Class As. They are also less expensive.
Camper Van
Camper vans are types of RVs that are also known as Class B recreation vehicles. These are often smaller than Class Cs, with less living space, headroom and storage. They have compact quarters, but you can get them in sizes up to 20 feet long.
They frequently come equipped with kitchens, though some may be more like kitchenettes. They may also have a toilet or wet bath (a bathroom where the shower, toilet and sink occupy a single stall). They are maneuverable and easy to park, as they usually fit in standard parking spots.
The Place To Vacation for All Types of RVs
Now that you know more about the different types of RVs, you can choose a style that fits your needs. No matter which kind you choose, Texas offers plenty of options for camping on your next vacation getaway. The Boston Group manages RV parks in some of Texas’s most desirable locations, offering a wide range of amenities, full hookups and a warm, Lone-Star welcome. Get in touch with us to learn more about our Texas RV parks and plan your next trip.
Young adults are the fastest-growing group of RVers in the country. They are ditching the sticks and bricks and opting for a nomadic life, traveling the country in a house on wheels. With remote work becoming increasingly common, young adults are finding fewer reasons not to join more than 1 million people living full time in an RV in the U.S. For those considering making the move, it’s important to know some of the pros and cons before taking the leap.
Living Full Time in an RV Has Its Perks
RVing is no longer just for snowbirds or vacationing families. There are several perks for young adults who choose this lifestyle.
Save Money
Approximately 66% of high school graduates attend college right after finishing their secondary education, racking up an average of $37,000 in student loan debt. One of the appeals of moving into an RV is the ability to save some cash.
Though it can get expensive to rent a campground spot on a nightly basis 365 days per year, many people find parks that offer monthly long-term rates. These rates make living full time in an RV much cheaper than paying a mortgage or rent. Additionally, RV parks often offer additional amenities, including:
Free Wi-Fi
On-site laundry
Shower and restroom facilities
Community use facilities
Walking trails and dog parks
Exercise facilities
With these kinds of perks, you get the benefits of living in a residential community at a more reasonable rate. You can take the money you save and stash it away or use it to pay off debt or have more fun.
Spend More Time in Nature
One of the biggest draws to nomadic life is spending more time in nature. Often, living full time in an RV allows you to explore the country’s most scenic environments. Whether you prefer mountains, deserts or beaches, you can find a place to park your rig. There is no better way for an adventure-loving young adult to see and experience it all than by living in a home on wheels.
Follow the Good Weather
In Texas, the phrase, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes,” is appropriate. In most areas, you don’t want to wait around for weather you like. Winters in the Northeast can be harsh, while summers in the Southwest are brutal. When you’re living full time in an RV, you don’t have to wait. You can chase your idea of perfect weather around the country.
Find Freedom
Many young adults who choose the RV life wax poetic about the freedom life on the road affords them. When you opt for minimalism, you aren’t tied to the trappings of consumerism. You don’t have to earn as much money to maintain the traditional, modern lifestyle, which means you can work less and have more free time to do what you love. What’s more, it takes a lot less time to clean a rig than it does a house!
Work With a View
For most young adults, living full time in an RV doesn’t mean you don’t have to have a job. It just means you have more freedom to choose where you work. With today’s technology, remote work is getting easier to find. Your rig becomes the ultimate office with a view, and when you get bored with one view, you can change it without looking for a new job.
Full Time RV Life Has Some Drawbacks
If you look at social media to learn about RV living, you may get the idea that there are no downsides to this lifestyle. Before you decide whether living full time in an RV is the right choice for you, you should have a clear picture of what the cons are.
Connecting Isn’t Always Easy
While it’s great to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s still important to make connections with other people. When you move your home from location to location regularly, it’s harder to build a network of friends and people you can trust. Many young adults rely on social media or organized RV groups to connect with fellow nomads.
Breaking Down Is a Risk
When your home has an engine and other mechanical parts, it’s going to break down. Living full time in an RV requires the patience and flexibility to cope with the inevitable flat tires, worn-out parts and mechanical failures. Some repairs you can learn to take care of yourself, but others may require you to find someplace else to stay while your rig is in the shop.
Sticking to a Schedule May Be Hard
When you work from home, and you can take your home to the most beautiful spots in the country, it can be challenging to make a schedule and stick to it. With the outdoors calling, you may be tempted to take to the trails rather than attend to your job. Living full time in an RV requires some degree of self-motivation and -discipline.
Working Remote Presents Challenges
Remote work doesn’t work without a good Wi-Fi connection and cell signal. Remote locations often have neither. However, most modern, full-service RV campgrounds have Wi-Fi in the park, making it easier to log in to your job. You’ll also appreciate the Wi-Fi on those rainy days that keep you inside your rig.
Finding a Place To Stay Can Be Challenging
Living full time in an RV usually means changing your home base regularly. With so many people taking to the roads these days, it can be hard to find your next campground. During the summer months, America’s top destinations book up early. In the winter, snowbirds and full-timers alike flock to the southern and southwestern regions of the country, where winters are mild. Be prepared to plan ahead.
Living Full Time in an RV Is Possible With Texas Campgrounds
Many young adults living full time in an RV choose to spend time in Texas. This state offers a wide range of environments to suit every taste. The Boston Group manages campgrounds in some of the most desirable locations in the Lone Star state, and we offer monthly rates and numerous amenities that appeal to full-timers. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our campgrounds.
