Choosing the Right RV – For You

Perry Mack

Often ‘a good life’ involves having plenty of choices. But sometimes too much choice results in ‘paralysis through analysis’. Choosing the right RV for you should be fun – after all, RV’ing is about reducing stress – not adding to it.

RV prices are the lowest they have been for decades (high Canadian dollar, lower manufacturing costs) – which means your money now buys you more choices than ever before. Your RV dealers will help you choose the best RV by asking you some important questions. Caleb Pritchard of Sunwest RV asks:

Where will you go camping, (off-road, full hookups, dry camp...)?

How many people will be going?

What type of tow vehicle do you have?

All season camping or only spring/summer?

How much time will you spend in it?

Your answers to these questions will help him and other RV experts, point you in the right direction. In order to guide you along the path to a multitude of perfect vacations, we’ve assembled a guide describing the pros & cons of the most popular RV styles.

Truck Campers

Designed to fit one or two people comfortably, truck campers, for the most part, are the mainstay of outdoorsmen. The biggest feature is that you can drop it onto your 4x4 pickup truck and have an RV that can go virtually anywhere a 4x4 can go. Awesome for hunting and fishing trips to remote locations, able to travel down logging roads, ford shallow streams and rivers and navigate tight wooded trails not passable by any other vehicle without the ground clearance, traction and shorter overall length.

Hook up a trailer with your ATV, UTV, dirt bikes or boat and you are unstoppable in your quest for isolation in the woods or waterways.

Tent Trailers

Tent trailers are the most compact and lightest RV’s. The tent trailers that I grew up with were one step up from tenting. They got you off the ground and provided my parents with a convenient place to haul everything a family of four needs to keep two boys entertained throughout the long daylight hours of summer. They’re easily towable by a car or a ¼ ton truck like a mini-van or Jeep. They’ll easily sleep four to six and will take you anywhere your tow vehicle can go. Now with hard tops, toilets and small kitchens they are more than just a step up from roughing it in a tent.

Compared to traditional RV’s, there is a bit more set-up time, reduced living space – much like a tent, the tent trailer provides sleeping accommodations – not someplace to live in for any extended period. It is best suited for couples or young families up to six, going out to ‘rough’ it for a couple of weeks or less at a time.

Here’s an example of a typical tent camper scenario, according to Larry Polnick of Big Boys Toys, “We meet a young couple with 3 kids, and they drive a mini van. They have been camping in a tent on Vancouver Island... most weekends during the summer. With a little investigation we confirm their van has a 2500lb tow capacity. We would show, demonstrate and recommend a Jayco 8’ Folding Camping Trailer.  The mini van needs a hitch and wiring package that we provide and install.”

Tent trailers are also one of the best choices for the off-road adventurer. You’ll find some available with extra ground clearance and special articulating hitches that will allow you to camp in the most remote places.

Trailers

A car can tow the smallest and lightest versions, which provide the basic comforts – soft bed, kitchen, and bathroom. The smallest are often built in a teardrop shape to minimize wind resistance and the largest can sleep up to eight comfortably and have amenities and luxuries you wish you had at home!

Trailers are a good place to start talking about size, and size matters. Your first concern is your tow vehicle. Typically people already own the tow vehicle then buy the RV. In a perfect world, you would choose the RV you want and then buy a tow vehicle to haul it around.

Web sites like www.campinglife.com/tow-ratings-database/ will help you discover what your weight vehicle is rated to tow. Your RV salesperson will also have a good idea of what you’re able to tow but it’s best to do a web search first because towing capacity is dependent on the vehicle make, trim, engine size and wheel size (and some others).

You will also need to know the maximum tongue or hitch weight. Gord Bragg at Hub City RV explains it well when he says, “No matter whether you are towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel, keep in mind to remain safe you must not exceed the capabilities of your tow vehicle by towing a trailer that is too big to be safe. All vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that is the maximum they are allowed to weigh. When you are looking at getting a trailer, remember that the tongue or hitch weight must be added on to the actual weight of the tow vehicle when you are looking at what size trailer you can tow.

A quick estimate for hitch weights on towables is approx:

  • 10% of the travel trailer overall weight for hitch weight
  • 15% of the 5th wheel overall weight for hitch weight”

Now that you know your maximum, every trailer will have a dry weight and wet weight – what it weighs when all the tanks including propane, are full. Then add your food, clothing and gear – and you get your total. If you live, or plan to RV in a mountainous region I recommend that this number be less than 75% of your vehicles tow rating. Otherwise you’ll create a traffic hazard crawling up hills and your gas consumption will go through the roof as you’ve got the gas pedal floored to get moving. You’ll also stress out virtually every component in your vehicle, including your significant other.

The advantage of a trailer is it’s warm, dry and is essentially accommodations on wheels – a true RV. Like the tent trailer you get set it up at your tent site and drive away in your vehicle to explore. You don’t necessarily need a special vehicle to tow it, so your daily driver can also be your get-out-of-town escape vehicle.

How big is big enough? Let’s assume that your tow vehicle is not the limiting factor. First you need beds for everyone. I recommend this doesn’t include a pull out couch or folding table. When you’re the first one to get up in the morning, you can start the day with out waking people up to make and enjoy a cup of coffee. You can also go to bed later without knocking people around. And you are on vacation so do you really want to make the bed everyday? These ‘extra’ beds are great for shorter trips that include ‘extra’ people – like your kids’ friends.

Bigger isn’t always better. Smaller trailers go more places – are you planning to use your RV to go fishing to more remote locations? Are you comfortable driving a longer rig? Is your better half? Gord Bragg from Hub City RV also has an important recommendation.

“When considering the length of a travel trailer keep in mind that there is usually 3 and 1/2 to 4 feet worth of A-frame at the front of the trailer that most manufactures don't take into account when they label the RV. The A-frame is the part that sticks out of the front of the trailer, which comes to a point where the coupler is located (the part that goes on the ball of the hitch). If you have a spot to park the trailer that is only 28 feet long make sure the trailer you are looking at will fit by overall length, not just the model number (i.e. a 28 RK travel trailer is probably 31 feet overall.)”

Those considerations aside, my suggestion is to go with the biggest trailer your vehicle can tow comfortably and your budget will allow. Why? Most RV’ers experience ‘foot fever’. This is a condition that results from making do with a smaller trailer resulting in an itch to get a trailer that’s ‘a foot or two larger’. RV’ers typically own their RV for 5 years or more so you really should look ahead. It’s cheaper to get the more comfortable RV now than to sell or trade-in your RV in two years. Over the last decade more RV parks are expanding their RV sites to accommodate larger RV’s. So the size limitations of decades past are diminishing. This is happening because of two main reasons. The first is that as the population ages, more older RV’ers have gotten out onto the roads and they love (and can afford) the larger RV’s. The second is that technological advances have allowed larger RV’s to be lighter giving more people the ability to easily tow a larger RV.

Should you get slides or not? Can you tow it? Yes. Should you get the larger unit? Can you tow it? Yes. Should you get the model with the outdoor kitchen, outside TV – can you tow it (and is it close to the budget)? Yes. In the words of Oprah Winfrey (sort of), your RV should rise up to greet you. When you walk up to it, there should be a contented smile on your face and in your heart – this is your getaway.

5th Wheels

They are called fifth wheels because of the ‘wheel’ hitch that resides in your pick-up truck bed. The advantage is that you can enjoy a larger RV without increasing the overall length of your complete rig – savings of 4 to 6 feet as a section of the RV resides over your truck – usually a bedroom. 5th wheels are typically easier to drive because they are more stable (a more secure connection to your truck) and shorter. Many of these units have higher ceilings than a trailer and as a result feel a lot roomier. The fifth wheel was developed to handle a heavier RV so there aren’t going to be any mini’s in this category. If you’ve stepped into a few RV’s and decided you want something in the 30’ plus range that is towable, you’re here.

You’ll need a pick-up as the fifth wheel resides in the bed. This type of hitch is more expensive and used to make the bed of your pick-up useless for virtually anything else. Times have changed for the better. Many manufacturers offer fifth wheel hitches that slide out of the bed fairly easily. This means your heavy-duty work truck can become your get-out-of-town truck in a matter of minutes, not hours. And it means you can get to an RV park, set up a beautiful, large, comfortable home away from home and still have a vehicle to explore in.

Is a fifth wheel for you? Do you already own a ¾ ton or preferably a 1 ton pick-up? Can you forego the lost cargo space the hitch uses in the truck bed? Then it’s an emphatic - Yes.

We’ll take a small detour here as there is a special type of trailer/5th wheel available called the toy hauler. Essentially this type of unit (which comes in virtually every size) is designed specifically to easily carry ATV’s, UTV’s or motorcycles inside the trailer. A ramp drops down, you drive your toys in. Typically there’s a bed that resides close to the roof while you’re in transit, then when you reach your destination, remove your toys and lower the bed to a more normal height. If you RV in order to rip up the backcountry trails with your toys these are the units for you. Use the information previously discussed to decide on size, and whether you need a trailer or 5th wheel. If not, then don’t look at these units, you’ll add expense and lose comforts for a feature you won’t use often enough.

Class A, B, C

We now leave the realm of towables and reach the self-powered RV’s. Categorized as Class A, B and C. These are the more expensive categories of units for a number of reasons. They are vehicles, so not only are you buying a residence but also you’re buying a truck at the same time. You’ll have to insure it as such and maintain it as well (tune-ups, oil changes etc.)

So why are they so popular? They are more comfortable for your passengers, who can get up and move around, lie down, use the washroom, fix a snack or get a cold or hot beverage (also good for the driver).

The other big advantage is you can tow something else. Provinces such as BC don’t allow double towing. In other words you can’t hook your trailer on the back of your pickup and then hook up your boat to the back of that. Larger units can tow a car so you can get to where you’re going and have cheap versatile transportation to explore. For those of you who enjoyed motorized recreation as part of your RV experience this is the class for you. Like a truck camper you can tow your ATV, UTV, dirt bikes, boat, Jeep or SUV.

Starting with Class B’s – essentially modified vans - these are meant for one or two people maximum. If there are more of you – move on to the next category. These are the smallest of any RV, which is the source of their popularity. Sylvia Thistle-Miller of Triangle RV explains that, “Class B’s can get you more places more inexpensively than virtually any other RV – when you add in all the factors. They can be your second household vehicle – no extra insurance or maintenance costs. They’re cheaper to take on ferries, they typically get better mileage than other RV solutions, are available in diesel and easy to drive around to explore your vacation destination. It’s a great solution for couples who have purchased a recreation property in the southern U.S.A and want to camp on the way down and back.”

They come in 4x4 versions. Want to get to that beach in the Baja? No problem.

Class C is the most popular rental unit. It’s an RV built on a truck frame. The drivers seat layout is familiar and your passengers have all the mobility of a class B plus a lot more room. Often they have room to comfortably sleep 6 (or 8) people, are relatively easy to drive and back-up.

Class A’s (also called motorcoaches) reach the pinnacles in size, price, luxury and exclusivity.  ‘Motorcoach only’ RV parks can come complete with private golf courses and waterways. Often described as ‘entertains 6, dines 4 and sleeps 2, Class A’s are best for the couple away for months at a time. The trend now is towards smaller Class A’s, “26 to 30 foot models with gas engines are becoming more popular,” reveals Sylvia, “these smaller gas models are more affordable than diesel pushers and don’t require a special license to drive. It’s easier for the couple to share driving responsibilities if it becomes necessary.”

These are guidelines to help you make a good decision. You’ve already made the best decision – to go RVing. There are certainly exceptions to every example I’ve provided but attending an RV show like this is an ‘exceptional’ opportunity to view many models side-by-side and get free advice from RV industry experts.

Now you’re ready to choose the perfect RV for you and your family – however large or small it is. Throughout my life I’ve owned tents, tent trailers and Class A’s, each one was perfect for that time in my life. RVing provides some of the most exciting, relaxing and entertaining experiences for myself and my family. I have no doubt that it will for yours as well.

Perry Mack is an avid outdoor enthusiast with over 45 years experience camping in the remote regions of Canada to the sun-drenched RV parks of the Baja Peninsula. Currently editor-in-chief of some of Canada’s top outdoor recreation publications including Snowbirds & RV Travelers, The Sport Fishing Guide, SunCruiser Boating Guides and 4WDrive.