Determining How Much Space You Really Need In an RV

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Wade Thiel

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Wade divides his time among various outdoor activities in both urban and rural environments. An adventurer by nature, he is always up for a challenging hike, fun hunt, or day out on the water with friends and family. When he isn’t enjoying the outdoors, he’s writing, reading, or tinkering with motorcycles and cars.

One question I see a lot of people asking is how large or small of an RV they should buy. This is a question with a different answer for each and every family out there. Nobody has the same exact needs when it comes to RVs, which is why there are so many different RV lines, floorplans, and features.

When you begin thinking about what you want in an RV you need to think about the different areas of the RV’s interior and how you plan to use those areas. Have an honest conversation with yourself and with others in your family.

Start With The Sleeping Area

Trend interior twin beds

The sleeping area of your RV is one of the most important. You need to make sure you have enough beds and ensure that everyone has enough space to sleep comfortably. I’d place this at the top of your list. Other areas of the RV are important, but if you and your family can’t sleep well, none of you will enjoy the trips you take in your RV.

Ask yourself these questions when searching for the right RV. Are there enough beds for everyone? Are the beds large enough for everyone to sleep comfortably? Will you need sleeping space for guests? If so, are there beds for those guests? If the RV will satisfy your sleeping space needs, then there’s a good chance it might be the right one.

Think About Storage

Closets

The next thing I’d look at is the amount of storage in the RV. You should make a list of all of your travel essentials so you have an idea of how much space you’ll really need. Once you do that, you can start determining if the RV you’re considering actually has the right amount of storage for you and your family.

Look at all of the storage in the RV when trying to determine if everything will fit. The kitchen needs to have enough space for essential pots, pans, dishes, and flatware. The living and bedroom storage areas need to have enough space for personal items and clothes, and the bathroom needs to provide enough storage space for your toiletries and personal hygiene items.

In general, most RVs are designed to offer ample space for everything, but the amount of storage varies from floorplan to floorplan. Keep in mind that you need to be frugal with what you plan to bring on your trip. You don’t want to bring a whole bunch of extra, unneeded items along. That’s why it’s important to really focus on putting together a list of essentials and know how much space that list of items will take up.

Consider The Bathroom and Kitchen

RV kitchen with ocean view

It’s important to understand that the bathroom and kitchen in an RV are going to be tight spaces most of the time. You need enough room to do what you need to, but having a lot of extra space here doesn’t always serve you well.

The bathroom specifically is a room in an RV that you likely won’t spend a ton of time in. You need it for obvious reasons, but you should get by with a small bathroom that has enough storage for your personal hygiene items.

The kitchen is a little different. It really depends on how you plan to use it. If you plan to prepare and cook every meal you and your family eats, then a little more space makes sense. However, If you don’t plan on cooking that much in the RV or plan to cook meals that don’t require much effort, then a small kitchen might be perfect for you.

Look at the Seating

RV seating

The last thing I would suggest is focusing on the seating in the RV. Make sure everyone has a place they can sit in the RV. While you’ll likely spend most of your time outside enjoying all that the great outdoors has to offer, there will come a time when everyone will be in the RV. You want to make sure you have enough space for everyone to sit comfortably.

This doesn’t mean everyone has to have their own Lazy Boy recliner. It just means that everyone needs to have a spot to sit down while they relax, eat a meal, or have conversations. Think about how many people you have in your family, how many people you’ll be traveling with regularly, and where guests will sit if you plan to have any along for the trip or over while you’re out.


Have any tips for those trying to determine how much space to get in a new RV? Leave a comment below.

Determining how much space you really need in your RV
  • Comment (1)
  • Daryll Adsit says:

    When deciding how much space you need, consider rainy days. If there is not a nearby town to seek indoor activities, it is important to not be “on top” of each other if you get two or more consecutive rainy days.

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