How To Pick the Best RV for Full-Time Living
ShareIf you've decided that full-time RV living is for you, congratulations! You're on the path to experiencing an adventure every day, taking on whatever challenges and opportunities living on the open road can bring.
First, though, there's one question you have to answer: Do you know what kind of RV you're going to live in full time? Chances are, you haven't yet bought your vehicle, but that's no reason to worry: This guide to choosing the best RV for full-time living will teach you all you need to know to make the best possible decision about the RV that will become your new home.
Choosing the Best RV for Full-Time Living
Living in an RV full time is quite different from traveling in an RV on a road trip. After all, your RV will not just be a home away from home for you; it will be your actual home, with all that that implies. So, you need to put a lot of thought into the kind of rig you will buy, paying special attention to its size, floor plan, electrical system, and more.
Size
One of the most important things to consider when choosing an RV for full-time living is how big a rig you need. If it's just you and your partner, you might think that all you need is a two to three sleeper. However, it's very possible that since you two are going to be living in an RV full time, you'll need room for storing food, clothes, and more.
Remember that this RV will be your home for the foreseeable future, and that space will always be at a premium with this sort of lifestyle. So, the best RV for full-time living will be one that you can grow into over time.
Floor Plan
Along with the size of your rig, when making your choice, you should consider different floor plan configurations. Two RVs of the exact same size can actually have vastly different floor plans that increase (or decrease) how big, comfortable, and useful the interior feels to you.
Now, if you were just picking an RV for a short road trip, you might not mind a less convenient floor plan. But, since this will be your full-time home, choosing the right floor plan with your RV is just as important as it would be if you were buying a house.
Amenities
While living the RV life full time in some sense is born out of a desire to break out of normal routines, there's still no doubt that you're going to want to have some "sticks and bricks"-style comforts along for the ride. You'll need to cook, shower, and safely store food, and you may want to occasionally watch TV or a movie.
Your RV will be your full-time home from now on, so choose an RV that is packed with as many modern amenities as it can be without it seeming too cluttered (which you can avoid, also, by being smart about your RV size and floor plan).
Electricity
Your RV is going to be packed with modern amenities, and you need to ensure that you can use them all at whichever RV parks you're staying at. There are big differences between smaller RVs, usually equipped with 30 amp systems, and bigger RVs with 30 and 50 amps. For the most versatility, you want an RV that has a variety of electrical hookup options.
Keep in mind, though, that even if you have a 50 amp system but you are staying at campgrounds that only have 30 amp hookups, you won't be able to operate all of your amenities at once.
Waste System
If you were living at a fixed address, you probably wouldn't worry too much about your plumbing system, unless your house was really old. With an RV, it's a bit more complicated. You need to make sure that your rig has a fully-functioning waste system.
Before buying, you should also check how easy it is to dispose of waste at dump stations. If an RV isn't equipped with a digital system that allows you to check your black and greywater levels, be sure that you know how to check those levels the old-fashioned way.
Get the Best RV for Full-Time Living from Cruise America!
Committing to RV living full time is a big deal, and will surely change your life forever. You need to be behind the wheel of the very best vehicle to maximize the potential of your new lifestyle. And, it's no surprise that you can find the best RV for full-time living with Cruise America!
When shopping for an RV, Cruise America's selection of pre-loved vehicles, with all the variety in sizes, floor plans, and amenities, deserves your consideration. To see how Cruise America’s used RVs can help get you on the road to full-time RV living, get in touch today!