When people first look at RV’s they are usually taken by how nice many of them look, and how much they feel like a brick and mortar home. Yet it is true that many modern RV’s are truly comfortable and roomy. But if you base your purchase on just that, you may be in for a bit of a surprise.
When you talk to Full Time RV’ers about their choice of rig, you will find that the majority are quite happy with their decision except for one thing. And that one thing is storage. There never seems to be enough of it. As I mention in my book “Full Time in an RV” budget for at least 50% more space than you think you will need.
If you have hobbies or other interests that you now do in your fixed home, chances are that you are still going to enjoy them on the road. Look at how much storage space you will need for your art supplies, tools, or other hobby related stuff. You can get a good idea by looking at how much space these things take up now.
Moving into an RV Full Time is moving into a new home. An RV is nothing more than a home on wheels. Your interests and hobbies are not going to change. You may have to do them a little differently, but you will still want your supplies with you.
A word of caution here. All RV’s have a GVWR. This is a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. If your RV is pulled into the scale by the highway patrol, and they find you are overweight, not only will you have to pay a stiff fine, you will also not be allowed to continue until after you remove the excess weight. So with this in mind get a good handle on how much the things you want to take with you weigh, and then look for an RV that is rated to carry that much and more. You also have to put the weight of the water, waste water, propane, and fuel you will be carrying into this equation. In my book I give some information on how to calculate these weights.
If you are going to require a lot of storage space, then usually a motor home is the way to go. Most newer motor home have lots of basement storage space, and some of it usually goes right across and allows you to carry some very large items.
Second on the list is usually 5th wheel trailers. These usually only have one large storage compartment in them. Usually at the front underneath part of the overhang.
Regular holiday type trailers usually have the least amount of storage space, and these are really usually only designed for 2 week vacations.
There are also C class motor homes, while usually not being known for large amounts of storage, there are a few out there that are quite surprising in that respect.
If you look at the spec sheets of most modern RV’s you will usually find statistics for the amount of cubic inside and outside storage capability. This is a good place to start. But take a close look at the unit, and make sure it will work for you. If none of the storage bins are large enough to take your golf clubs or skis or what have you, then all that cubic capacity is not going to be any good to you.
Room For All Your Stuff
Our own RV is an older 36 foot motor home. In the picture you can see it parked on the beach in Chacala Mexico. As you can see in the photo there is a zodiac boat, plastic lawn chairs, a table, ladder, and various other items. We have room for all this and much more besides. We were also carrying a 7 and 1/2 horse boat motor and gas tank. It is the ability to carry the things with you that allow you to do the things you want to do, that makes this such a great lifestyle. Now you can have all your interests and hobbies, and travel besides. How much better does it get.