How to Select the Right RV for Your Camping and Lifestyle Needs

Owning an RV offers unparalleled freedom to explore the scenic sites of Oregon like never before. Whether spending the night camping out under the stars or at a Salem, Oregon RV resort, once you experience the joys of owning an RV you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.

Of course, before you can begin to live the RV life, you need to determine which RV makes the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Do you want a camper van to take out on weekends or a big rig you can comfortably make your full-time home? Do you need the space of a Class A or bus conversion RV, or can your truck support a travel trailer to haul your RV?

Don’t know the difference between a Class A or C RV? Does hearing the term big rig make you think of large trucks on the highway, not campers? Well don’t worry, we have you covered.

Let’s take a look at a few of the biggest questions you need to ask when deciding which RV to buy.

What Type of Camping are You Comfortable With?

Do you prefer to experience the great outdoors in a way that would make Davie Crocket feel right at home? If collecting rain water from leaves and scrounging for nuts and berries is your idea of the perfect camping trip you need far less when compared to someone only interested in glamping.

Understanding how you want to camp should be your primary focus when deciding on the type of RV to purchase. If you fall into the rugged camping camp, then a pop tent or travel trailer may be right for you. If you only want to camp when surrounded by the comforts of home, a vintage, Class A, or airstream RV may best suit your needs.

Where Do You Plan on Camping?

Knowing the type of places you want to camp is second to only knowing how you like to camp when determining which RV is right for you. If you have passion for enjoying unspoiled nature, there are an abundance of stunning state and national parks that will meet your desire to commune with Mother Nature. Unfortunately, many of these types of campsites aren’t designed to accommodate big rigs or larger RVs. If you plan on mostly camping at sites in the public parks system, consider purchasing an RV at 35 feet or less in length. In fact, many experienced campers actually suggest going a little smaller, something under 32 feet, just to make sure you can fit in spots that tend to vary a little in size.

However, if you plan on staying mostly at a Salem, Oregon RV resort or other larger campground that features full hookups and park amenities, a larger Class A RV or big rig would best meet your needs. Of course, the bigger the RV, the more you need to consider when selecting a campsite. Will the park have 50-amp power? (Most newer, larger RVs require 50 amps, while most state park campsites only offer 30 amps of power.) Are the campsites pull-through or back in, and do they have room to store a car tow trailer?

By identifying how and where you want to camp, you’ll develop a far better sense of the type of RV that’s right for you.

What’s the Difference Between a Class A and C RV?

While driving, efficiency, and amenities all play a role, the biggest difference between a Class A and C RV is the size. Class A RVs range in size from 21 feet to 45 feet in length. This expanded amount of room offers space for plenty of the creature comforts of home, as well having space for more passengers. The largest of the Class A RVs can comfortably accommodate up to 10 people. However, the size of a typical Class A RV can feel a little intimidating to first time buyers, especially when it comes to driving and parking their vehicle.

Conversely, Class C RVs are built on truck or large van chassis with an attached cab section. This makes Class C RV’s significantly smaller compared to the Class A. These type of RVs usually range between 21 feet to 35 feet. Despite their smaller size, however, Class C RVs can still accommodate multiple families, with plenty of room for up to 8 people.

 

You have a lot to consider when selecting the right RV. Join us next month as we continue to explore which questions you should ask when deciding how to pick out an RV that perfectly matches your needs.