Sweetspot for length of Class A

[Kirk]

If it were just me I'd be fine in a pretty small rig.

It is important to remember that the size of RV which is considered to be small will depend on the people who are looking at it. RVs here in the USA tend to be much larger than those found in other parts of the world and even here there is significant difference of opinion on the subject. We always thought of our 36' motorhome with no slides as large but we had many friends who referred to it as small.

there's another more mechanical aspect to consider I think.... things like tank size.

Tank size can be an issue depending upon how the RV will be used but it is important to understand that a larger RV does not always mean larger tanks. We had a 80 gallon potable water tank and the waste tanks were each 40 gallons. The gray water tank was most limiting but we seldom dry camped for more than 3 or 4 consecutive nights and our longest was 1 week. Water use management is as important when dry camping as is tank size.

We have a good marriage (38 years) but we need our space.

We started to tent with about 5 years married, got our first RV in year 13, went fulltime at 39 years. After downsizing when we left fulltime we once spend 5 consecutive months in our 20' travel trailer but we got married to be together.

 

[zulutron]

I'm not really looking for guidance for me.... it was a question of what YOU consider to be the sweet spot and why.... your experiences, your opinions regarding these variables....

Our first RV was a 2-slideout, 50A, 34' Class A gasser which was mostly used for camping in state parks. More than enough room and storage space, inside and basement. It was a 2004 National RV SeaBreeze on a Workhorse chassis. Full queen bed. 75 gal water tank and 50 gal gray and black tanks. Handled like a pig.

Our 2nd RV was a 2-slideout, 50A, 41' Newmar DP on a Spartan chassis we bought for full timing. Handled and rode great, but expensive to maintain. It had a separate washer and dryer which we LOVED. Full queen bed. Again, plenty of inside and basement storage space. 100 gal water tank, 45 gal black tank, and 65 gal gray tank.

Our 3rd and current RV is a 31-foot, 2-slideout, 50A, 2001 National RV SeaView. Plenty of inside and basement storage. 75 gal water tank, 40 gal gray and black tanks. Rides like a dream. We still can't believe a gasser can ride this smoothly.

Anyway, after we sold our big Newmar we were looking for something much smaller. So we checked used Class Cs. We found them to be lacking in space, bedding (on smaller Class Cs there can be a lot of climbing involved), and amperage. 50A Class Cs were a rarity -- and we wanted two ACs. Also, Class Cs were no bargain when compared with small Class As. Finally, with a smaller RV there are many more camping options available + we are set up for limited boon docking.

 

[Laura & Charles]

We started with a 38’ gasser and are now in a 45’ DP. I don’t think the size of the current rig limits us any more than the size of the first rig. Once we decided we would need a toad, size didn’t really matter to us any longer.

You listed parking lots under ‘cons’ of a bigger rig. If you pull a toad, that isn’t an issue. And finding sites has not been an issue; we’ve always found a site near where we want to be and use the toad to do the exploring and grocery runs.

You already listed your reasons for wanting a bigger rig. If you want a washer/dryer, there’s probably a minimum length that has that option. Reading up on (lots of) specs of different brands and models should give you an idea of what that length is. (I personally recommend a stackable, separate washer/dryer. Our first coach had a combo and it made laundry woefully slow.)

Surprisingly, our first coach had more basement storage and waste tank capacities than our current rig. But not enough to be a deal-breaker. But you might want to pay attention to those while reading those specs.

Given the option, I would recommend a DP over a gasser. And I don’t think the size matters all that much once you get over 36’ or so. If you’re like us, you’ll fill whatever space you have. I would have a hard time downsizing at this point. You already know what you like in way of a floor plan; let that be one of your bigger deciding factors.

Have fun with this process. Thinking about it so far in advance is smart. This daydreaming part and making a wishlist was quite fun for me and started about two years before we traded up. I made three columns:
‘must have’ items (like king bed with room to walk around while making it)
‘Nice to have’ (like separate washer/dryer)
‘Wish list’ (like power hose and shore cord reels and a bath and a half)
Some of those items don’t impact length, some do. (1.5 baths and walk around king definitely do).

All in all, what we want in a rig as full timers is likely very different than most others.

 

[SargeW]

We have had 4 Class A motorhomes, 32, 36, 38, and 40'. They were all just the right size. We just adapt to whatever rig we had, and just like now with a 28' TT, it's all about trade off's. We have enjoyed them all and you never know what the future holds.

If we wind up with a different one, or if this is the last one, we will adapt to it and make it ours too. Every feature you have, and every foot you go up or down is both positive and negative. Trade offs, whatever you choose, just remember to sit back and enjoy the rig and the journey. RV's are about making memories.

 

[blw2]

We started with a 38’ gasser and are now in a 45’ DP. I don’t think the size of the current rig limits us any more than the size of the first rig. Once we decided we would need a toad, size didn’t really matter to us any longer.

You listed parking lots under ‘cons’ of a bigger rig. If you pull a toad, that isn’t an issue. And finding sites has not been an issue; we’ve always found a site near where we want to be and use the toad to do the exploring and grocery runs.

You already listed your reasons for wanting a bigger rig. If you want a washer/dryer, there’s probably a minimum length that has that option. Reading up on (lots of) specs of different brands and models should give you an idea of what that length is. (I personally recommend a stackable, separate washer/dryer. Our first coach had a combo and it made laundry woefully slow.)

Surprisingly, our first coach had more basement storage and waste tank capacities than our current rig. But not enough to be a deal-breaker. But you might want to pay attention to those while reading those specs.

Given the option, I would recommend a DP over a gasser. And I don’t think the size matters all that much once you get over 36’ or so. If you’re like us, you’ll fill whatever space you have. I would have a hard time downsizing at this point. You already know what you like in way of a floor plan; let that be one of your bigger deciding factors.

Have fun with this process. Thinking about it so far in advance is smart. This daydreaming part and making a wishlist was quite fun for me and started about two years before we traded up. I made three columns:
‘must have’ items (like king bed with room to walk around while making it)
‘Nice to have’ (like separate washer/dryer)
‘Wish list’ (like power hose and shore cord reels and a bath and a half)
Some of those items don’t impact length, some do. (1.5 baths and walk around king definitely do).

All in all, what we want in a rig as full timers is likely very different than most others.

re. TOAD making the size of the rig not matter.... I think for the comment you're probably referencing was meant while en route... not so much after you've arrived at the next RV site. But yes, that is a paradigm shift I suppose. We so far have not set up or used a toad. I had intended to set up my wife's car when we first bought the rig. Her car then was flat towable...but we realized that for the types of travel we've done and are doing now we mostly don't need a toad. We've shifted to not setting up much outside, and when we want to go into town or whatever, I'll just unplug the power an water and just drive the MH. No big deal.... except once in a while parking can be a bugger.

 

[jymbee]

What do you consider the sweet spot (or range) regarding size for a class A motorhome?

I think it has become abundantly clear given all of the informed comments received here from highly experienced, helpful posters that this elusive "sweet spot" for a Class A motorhome is precisely between 25 and 45 feet.

 

[Ro and Joe]

How about taking your wife to a big RV Show and let her choose the size. We went to the Hershey RV Show numerous times.
We full time and also had no problems going where we wanted with our 43'9' rig.

 

[Racklefratz]

Meh, it's not all that complicated.

When we first decided to dabble into RV'ing by renting a Class C Tioga, probably 27' or so, we found we liked the self-contained features of the RV, but hated the cramped quarters. When I sat on the bed, I was in the way of the wife trying to cook supper.

Long story short: It was waaaaay to small, just for the two of us. Solution: We bought bigger, and our current rig is a 43' Tiffin diesel pusher.

Moral of Story: No one but you can make the decision as to what RV fits your criteria. And the issue of where we can stay with our RV WRT its size is not important to us. Reason is that places we aren't allowed into tend to be places we wouldn't want to stay anyway. Win/win.

 

[RV_Lee1]

I have a 30 footer now and its perfect but if I went bigger it would be 35-38 max

 

[Sandia Man]

Sweetspot is simply an eye of the beholder thing, all 4 RVs we have owned over 3+ decades of RVing were the perfect size at the time of ownership. We primarily go to state parks and military famcamps and have zero issues finding sites for our current 40' motorcoach, we still own a 35' toyhauler RV if we feel the need to do some serious off road camping. Everyone needs to figure out on their own what suits their needs best, maybe going to an RV show will help those that can't figure out what they need for themselves.

Querying online forums about which type, class, size, or brand of RV will only net skewed and biased responses, erroneous blanket statements, hearsay, and old wives tales repeated on every RV forum across the internet. We have owned travel trailers, fifth wheels, toyhaulers, and now our current 40' triple slide motorhome, all have provided countless lifelong memories that had zero to do with brand, class, or type of RV we happen to be in at the time. All that really matters is you're out enjoying your life while you can.

 

[jymbee]

Querying online forums about [INSERET TOPIC] will only net skewed and biased responses, erroneous blanket statements, hearsay, and old wives tales ...

GASP!!