How to Choose the Right RV for You: 7 Questions to Ask

You’ve seen the types. You’ve explored the options. (Or if you haven’t, we broke them all down in this beginner-friendly guide to RV types). Now comes the real question: how do you actually choose the right RV?

With so many sizes, layouts, price ranges, and features, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or feel like you’ll never find the perfect fit. Trust us, we’ve been there… 5 times.

After owning everything from a pop-up camper to a 44′ fifth wheel toyhauler, we’ve learned that the “perfect” RV doesn’t exist. But the right one for your lifestyle absolutely does.

And finding it starts with asking the right questions.

Whether you’re planning to camp on weekends, hit the road full-time, or explore everything in between, these seven questions will help you narrow your options and confidently choose the RV that fits your version of adventure.

1. How often do you plan to travel — weekends, long vacations, or full-time?

The kind of RV you need for weekend trips is very different from what you’d want for full-time life on the road.

• Weekend warriors might prioritize easy towing, quick setup, and a small footprint for squeezing into tight campsites.
• Full-timers usually need something that feels more like home, with real storage space, comfortable seating, and room to breathe.

This was one of the biggest lessons we learned early on.

Our Class C was perfect for short trips. It had just enough space to sleep, eat, and adventure for a few days. But after a week-long trip, we realized it wouldn’t work for full-time life. There just wasn’t enough room to live and work without constantly stepping over each other.

And that’s okay. The key is matching your RV to how you’ll actually use it… not how someone else uses theirs.

2. Who is coming with you — partner, kids, pets?

RV living gets tight quickly, and the more bodies (or paws) you are sharing the space with, the more your layout matters.

Have kids? You might want bunks, a second bedroom, or at least some separation so everyone has their own space.

Bringing a dog? A toyhauler garage or a side/rear patio gives them room to stretch, relax, and keep an eye on the squirrels. Trust me, Coco loves her doggie door onto our side patio.

Even if it’s just two of you, think through your daily routines. Are you working from the road? Do you need separate workspaces or just a comfy couch for movie nights? How important is a second toilet or a large shower?

Your crew, human or otherwise, plays a huge role in the kind of layout and space that will actually work for your day-to-day life.

3. Where do you want to go in your RV?

Your dream destinations should absolutely influence your RV choice.

Are you planning to visit a lot of national parks? You’ll want to pay close attention to RV length. Many NP campgrounds were built decades ago and weren’t designed for today’s extra-long rigs.

Here is a helpful guide to RV size limits in national parks. Staying under 30 feet opens up far more options inside the parks. But don’t worry! If you want a larger RV, just outside the gates of most of the National Parks have privately owned campgrounds that accommodate larger rigs. In fact, we stayed in one all summer in Wyoming (Grand Teton National Park)!

Looking to camp off-grid in the desert or forest? You may need solar panels, larger holding tanks, lithium batteries, and a rig that can handle bumpy roads and tight turns.

If you’re more of an RV resort type (shoutout to Hilton Head National RV Resort) with full hookups, Wi-Fi, and a pool, you’ll have way more flexibility in terms of size and setup… though the price may reflect that.

So ask yourself: where do you actually want to go, and what kind of camping will help you enjoy it most?

4. Do you want to tow an RV or drive one?

Towables separate your living space from your vehicle, giving you more flexibility once you’re set up. But they require a capable tow vehicle and can take more time to hook up, unhitch, and secure during travel days.

👉 Need help deciding between the two? Our guide to Towable vs Drivable RVs compares comfort, setup, and real-world usability to help you choose the right style for your travel life.

5. What are your non-negotiables?

This is where you get real with yourself. What do you need in your RV to be comfortable, functional, and happy in your RV?

Don’t just think about size. Think about your lifestyle.

Do you need a second toilet? A dedicated office space? A large sofa for family movie nights? A patio for your dog? Washer and dryer hookups? A built in dishwasher or space for a countertop dishwasher? Enough pantry space to survive a Costco run?

When we started RV shopping for full-time life, a second bathroom was non-negotiable. Coming from a house with three bathrooms, we knew one toilet wasn’t going to cut it.

We also wanted washer and dryer hookups and space for our side-by-side. That’s why we ended up in a fifth wheel toyhauler with 1.5 baths and a garage. The side patio with a doggy door for Coco was an added perk.

Your non-negotiables will help you quickly rule out rigs that are wrong for your lifestyle, even if they’re flashy, trendy, or have great reviews. So make your list and stick to it.

6. What is your realistic budget?

Let’s be honest. RVs aren’t cheap, and neither is the RV lifestyle.

Whether you’re going new or used, driving or towing, there’s a huge range in pricing. But the purchase price is just the beginning.

You’ll also want to factor in insurance, registration, fuel, maintenance, campground fees, and repairs. If you’re buying a travel trailer or fifth wheel and don’t already have a tow vehicle, that adds a major cost, too.

And then there’s the gear. Things like leveling blocks, hoses, surge protectors, sewer kits, chairs, bedding, tools, and all the little things you need to actually use the RV. It adds up fast.

The best advice we can give is to set a budget for both your rig and your lifestyle. Give yourself some wiggle room for the unexpected, because trust us… something will break eventually.

👉 This beginner-friendly post covers 10 tips to know before buying an RV if you want help thinking through the bigger picture.

7. Do you want to buy new or used?

This is one of the first decisions you’ll make, and there are pros and cons either way.

Buying new usually comes with a factory warranty, which sounds great. But here’s the reality… almost every new RV will need some kind of warranty work in the first year.

And when that work is being done, you won’t have your RV. If you’re a weekend camper, that might just mean skipping a trip or two. But if you’re living in it full-time, not having access to your home on wheels is a much bigger deal.

Buying used can save you money since someone else has already taken the depreciation hit. You might be able to get more space or nicer features for the same price. The downside is you don’t always know how well it was maintained, and if something breaks, you’ll be footing the bill.

There’s no one right answer; we’ve done both! Ultimately, it depends on your budget, your comfort level with repairs, and how you plan to use your RV. Just make sure you go into it with eyes wide open.

Turning Your Answers Into the Right Rig

By now, you should have a much clearer picture of what actually matters in your RV lifestyle. These aren’t just preferences. They’re a roadmap to finding the RV that fits you.

Let’s say you’re planning to go full-time, bringing your dog, working remotely, and spending a lot of time in national parks. That might mean looking for something with a separate office space, a side or rear patio, reliable climate control, and a manageable length that fits into park campgrounds.

Or maybe you’re planning quick weekend getaways and want to keep it simple. A small Class C or lightweight travel trailer could be perfect if it works with the vehicle you already have.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. And that is the whole point. Your perfect RV might look nothing like someone else’s, and that is exactly how it should be.

So go back through your notes. Look at your must-haves, your plans, your travel crew, and your comfort level. That is what should guide your decision.

Test Drive Your Choices (Literally and Figuratively)

You would not buy a house without walking through it first. So why would you commit to an RV without stepping inside, opening every cabinet, and sitting on the toilet?

One of the best things you can do is attend an RV show. You can tour dozens of RVs in one place, compare floorplans side by side, and get a real feel for what works for your lifestyle.

Pay attention to things like headroom in the shower, space around the bed, where the TV is mounted, and whether the kitchen actually feels usable. We also think it’s important to see what you can access when all the slides are in… think fridge, bathroom, bedroom, etc.

If you want to take it a step further, consider renting before you buy. Even just a weekend in a Class C or small trailer can give you valuable insight into what you love — and what you don’t. Sites like Outdoorsy or RVshare make it easy to try before you commit.

This stage is all about gut checks.

Poke around, sit down, stretch out, and imagine your routines in that space. Once you’re on the road, you’ll be glad you chose a rig that works with your life, not against it.

Real Talk: What We Learned After 5 RVs

We’ve owned 5 RVs together, and every single one taught us something new. Our needs, our travel style, and our non-negotiables have changed over the years. And that’s completely normal.

When we first started out, we just wanted something better than a tent. Our pop-up camper was perfect for quick off-roading trips. It was easy to tow, simple to set up, and got us out of the rain.

But one night, in the middle of a downpour, nature called. We had no bathroom in the pop-up, and let’s just say that moment was the turning point. I asked if we could please upgrade to something with a toilet. That led us to a bigger rig. And then another. And then another.

Each new rig came from a new season of life or a new need we couldn’t ignore.

We wanted more space. Then we needed better storage. Then we wanted to bring our side-by-side. Eventually, we landed in a fifth wheel toyhauler that checked all our boxes for that stage of life.

We’ve met weekenders in vans, families in bunkhouse trailers, retirees in huge Class As, and couples in teardrops. There’s no single “right” RV. There’s only the one that works for you and your adventures in this moment.

And if that changes later, that’s okay. Ours sure did.

The Perfect RV Doesn’t Exist — But the Right One for You Does

Here’s the truth. You probably won’t find the “perfect” RV. At least not one that checks every single box, fits every budget, and magically adapts to every season of life.

But you can find the right RV for you right now.

It starts with asking the right questions. Knowing your travel style. Honoring your must-haves. And doing the work to figure out what makes you feel at home, whether that’s for a weekend or a year on the road.

So go walk through the floorplans. Tour the shows. Make your list. And trust that the more you learn, the closer you’ll get to a setup that feels just right.

And remember… if it turns out you need something different later, you are not alone. We’ve been there 5 times.

New to RV Life? Here’s What to Read Next

If you’re just starting your RV journey, we’ve got more resources to help you hit the road with confidence:

• 👉 RV Essentials for Beginners – Gear you actually need (and what you can skip)
• 👉 How to Plan Your First RV Trip – A step-by-step trip planning guide
• 👉 Helpful RV Apps – Navigation, campgrounds, weather, and more
• 👉 Unwritten Rules of RV Etiquette – Don’t be that neighbor
• 👉 RV Travel Is the Best Way to Explore the US – In case you need a reminder of how awesome this life is

Whether you’re setting up for the first time or the fiftieth, we’re glad you’re here—and we’re always just a blog post away.