What is the smallest rv that can accommodate a family of 4? renting trucks for local and interstate moving?
Question:
What is the smallest rv that can accommodate a family of 4?
The intended use is frequent weekend and occasional 1-3 week trips, not
staying in any one place more than a night or two. We are usually out
and about during the day, unless weather forces us to stay in camp. We
currently tent camp, but see three downsides:
1. Campground toilets/showers are not enjoyed by all, even when clean.
2. Cold mornings are not enjoyed by all, limiting the season.
3. Time spent on logistics (trip preparation/cleanup, camp
setup/break).
We like the more private sites that tents often offer and wouldn't mind
skipping hookups and filling/dumping every day or two to get them. I've
rented trucks (25' bed) for local and interstate moving and don't enjoy
driving/maneuvering them, so the more car-like the rig, the better.
seems trailers wouldn't fit our footloose usage.
I've read Sportsmobile's literature and roughed out a plan that sleeps
2 on the penthouse bed and 2 on a gaucho and still has room for a
toilet/shower. We saw a used Falcon and RoadTrek (both slept 4) which
were small, but less claustrophobic than I expected. But floorplans
and looking are not the same as living.
So is an extended-body class b realistic for a family of 4? Is a small
class c any better? How small? I realize this is all a tradeoff and a
personal decision, but experience and wisdom cheerfully accepted...
Answer:
_we did some tent camping with our 3
kids.......then we migrated to a popup........then we went withk a
Class A that sleeps up to 8.......totally self-contained.........never
have to stop for potty breaks or for a drink of soda, water or
whatever..........it's been 9 years with the MH........kids have been
and seen all of the lower 48........the best years for use were when
the kids were in elementary and middle schools........the once a month
weekend trip, punctuated by the 1 to 3 weeker in the summer or during
the mid year holiday break.
Like you, we initially thought that we would like a class
B......actually something more like the old "Trans-Van's".......in
retrospect, we are grateful that just by "happenstance" we opted for
"bigger is better"........in fact, if the kids weren't in college and
HS with better things to do than travel with the
parents......methinks, we'd trade for a larger coach........but that
is going to have to wait a few years until we're done shoveling bucks
into educational institutions.
Buying our MH, was one of the more fulfilling things that we have done
with our family.........never again tent camping or the pain of a
popup.......the MH is always packed and ready to go on a moment's
notice.........and, IMO, if you are going to have one, ya got to be
able to have it in real close proximity to your home......preferably
on property.......a storage yard, IMO, is a severe limitation to the
spontaneaity of RV'ing.
_You might want to consider a Toyota-based Class C. I had one a long time
ago (1978 EZ Ryder) and it would somewhat fit your specifications. Be sure
that the rear wheels are true duals, not the mickey-mouse 2 tires on a
single wheel setup they used around 1978-80. I think the Winnebago and
Dolphins were a little newer, bigger and longer, but even that old one
would sleep 4 and had a toilet and sort-of shower. Newer ones have
generators/space for them.
For 1 to 3 week trips, It'd be too small for me. To each his own, which is
why we now have a 1993 25' Class A. Still maneuverable but not
claustrophobic. You may want to try the short Class As. Several companies
made them around 18 to 25 feet long during the 80's and early 90's. Decent
mileage and usually the same power train used to pull the 36 foot versions
(I have a 454 which is never taxed to pull 25 feet around). They seem to
have lost popularity for some reason. Smallest Class A's made now seem to
be at least 29 feet. Just a couple of thoughts. Also depends on how big
the other two are, assuming the first two are adults...
_I also have a family of four. Two boys aged 8 and 11. We bought a
25ft. bunkhouse model trailer (master bed up front and bunkbeds in the
back. It has worked out beautifully. It takes me about 25 minutes to
hook-up and check when we depart and about the same to set up on
arrival. We then can park it and go out and about with my vehicle, to
many areas that RVs wouldn't be allowed to park (we go to the beach a
lot, the towns won't generally allow RV parking nor do they have RV
spaces). I considered a class C, but was glad I got the trailer...
_I also have a family of four. Two boys aged 8 and 11. We bought a
25ft. bunkhouse model trailer (master bed up front and bunkbeds in the
back. It has worked out beautifully. It takes me about 25 minutes to
hook-up and check when we depart and about the same to set up on
arrival. We then can park it and go out and about with my vehicle, to
many areas that RVs wouldn't be allowed to park (we go to the beach a
lot, the towns won't generally allow RV parking nor do they have RV
spaces). I considered a class C, but was glad I got the trailer...
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