Which RV Types are Ideal for Kid-Friendly Adventures?
RVing is one of the best ways to travel with kids. Traveling in an RV allows you to carry all of the things the kids might need, and it makes bathroom and food stops quick and easy. Best of all, an RV gives you all the comforts of home no matter where you roam, meaning everyone will sleep better and you’ll get to eat the foods your family likes most, meaning a happier, less stressful vacation for all involved.
If you’re planning an RV trip with kids, you may be wondering… which are the best RVs for families? Honestly, there is no right answer to this question, but we’ll provide all the info you need to answer the question for your crew in the article below.
Family-Friendly RVs For Rent Near You
Types of RVs for Kid-Friendly Trips
Let’s start by talking about the best RVs for families in terms of types. Once you determine which RV type will best suit your family, figuring out the rest is a cinch. Here is a list of RV types and their pros and cons.
Pop-Up Campers
The best RVs for families on a budget, pop-up campers are probably the least expensive option on the market. We love that these campers pack a ton of sleeping space into a teeny tiny package, meaning everyone will have a spot to rest. We also appreciate that these trailers are lightweight, so they can easily be towed by the family minivan, meaning you won’t need to squeeze everyone into a pickup truck or drive two vehicles just to get to the campsite safely.
Campervans
Generally speaking, campervans are built for just one or two people. That said, there are a handful of campervans on the market that include seatbelts and sleeping space for up to four people. These vans are great for families looking to camp off-grid, or those who are more comfortable driving a van over a big rig. We love that campervans pack everything you need to be comfortable in a small space, so RV travel doesn’t have to feel like an ordeal.
Class C RVs
The most popular motorhome option for families, we love that class C RVs typically include the cab-over bunk, meaning the kids have a dedicated sleeping space all to themselves. On top of that, there are some class Cs that actually include a small bunk area, meaning you can easily sleep two adults and four kids without ever turning the couch or table into a bed. These motorhomes tend to have seatbelts for up to eight people and can usually tow a small car.
Class A RVs
The biggest and fanciest of the motorhomes out there, the class A is a good option if you’re looking to travel full time with the kids. While the aforementioned cab-over bunk is not a standard feature of class As, some models do offer it as an option. Additionally, there are bunkhouse class As out there. One thing we really love about class A motorhomes is that they tend to have a very high cargo-carrying capacity, meaning carrying all of the stuff that your family needs is no problem at all.
Travel Trailers
A very popular choice for families, travel trailers come in a wide variety sizes, meaning you can easily choose one that your vehicle is able to tow, or go bigger for dedicated sleeping spaces for everyone. There are a number of great bunkhouse travel trailers on the market, including several with private bunk rooms that sleep three or four kids. Travel trailers tend to be more affordable than most other types of RVs (besides pop-ups), making this a good choice for families on a budget.
Fifth Wheels
Last on our list are fifth wheels. These trailers hitch to the bed of a truck rather than the bumper, and they tend to be larger than travel trailers, with higher ceilings that make them feel more open. Because of their size, fifth wheels are among the best RVs for families who plan to hit the road full time or spend several months out of the year traveling. That said, they are more expensive than travel trailers, and most require that you tow using a one-ton truck, so those are factors to keep in mind.
Things to Consider when Choosing an RV for Family Adventures
Once you’ve determined which type of RV is best for your family, the next step is to think about what floor plan and amenities you might want or need. Below are a handful that you will definitely want to think about.
Sleeping Accommodations
Sleeping accommodations are perhaps the most important thing to think about when picking out the best RVs for families. Obviously, the exact sleeping arrangements that are needed will vary from one family to the next, but it is important that every member of your family has a comfortable place to sleep.
If you plan to spend a lot of time in your RV, you may consider finding something with dedicated beds for each member of your family, as turning the couch and dinette into beds nightly can get tiresome after a few weeks.
Bathroom Options
The bathroom is another thing to think about. If you have small children, you may want to look for an RV with a bathtub rather than just a shower. If you have several kids, it might be good to have a bath and a half or even two full bathrooms. Other bathroom features to look for include decent counter space around the sink, cabinets for storage, and a vent fan in the ceiling.
Seating Availability
Take a look at the living area of each RV that you consider. Is there enough seating for everyone? Will you be able to have a meal together? Will movie nights be a possibility? While you might spend a lot of your time outdoors while out in your RV, there will almost certainly be times that you need to be inside, and having the space to sit and relax comfortably as a family is a must.
Storage Space
RVing requires a lot of extra odds and ends. On top of that, kids come with a lot of stuff. Put all these things together, and you have quite a lot of items that need to be stored when you go out RVing. For this reason, storage space is something you will want to think about when looking for the best RVs for families.
Other Options
Other options to think about include a laundry machine, a dishwasher, solar panels, the type of flooring inside (typically, avoiding carpet is best), and entertainment options. While all of these things can be added or changed after-market, it is nice if you don’t have to think about them.
Some of the Best RVs for Families
Still not sure what exactly you’re looking for? In this section, we have listed some of the best RVs for families. We’ve included the make and model of each, as well a description of the rig, with info on why we think it is one of the best RVs for families.
Forest River Rockwood High Wall Series HW277
If a pop-up camper seems like the right type of RV for your family, we recommend looking into the Rockwood High Wall series. We especially love the HW277 model, which includes a large fold-out bed on either end, as well as a U-shaped dinette that can seat the whole family and convert to yet another sleeping space. Surprisingly, this pop-up includes a full indoor kitchen as well as wet bath, an outdoor kitchen, and exterior storage!
Forest River Salem 273QBXL
A pretty long travel trailer, the Forest River Salem 273QBXL comes in at just over 33 feet long. That said, the extra length is put to good use, providing families with some amazing features. One of our favorite features is the Versa-Lounge, which allows the user to switch up the living area however they like. We also appreciate the large bunkhouse, which can sleep four or five little campers.
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Lance 2185
If you want a travel trailer but don’t necessarily want something as big as the Salem trailer mentioned above, the Lance 2185 might be for you. This one is just 26 feet long, but still offers plenty of space for the whole family. The master bed is a Murphy bed that folds into the wall to reveal a couch that can be used for seating during the day. Meanwhile, the other end of the trailer features triple bunks that can be folded away for extra storage while traveling.
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Keystone Arcadia 3570LT
Those looking for a towable that is even bigger than the Forest River travel trailer mentioned should consider the Keystone Arcadia 3570LT. This is a fifth wheel camper and it is an absolutely enormous 39.5 feet long, meaning you can really spread out. On one end is a bunkhouse with a full-size bed and a second full-size bed in a loft up above. The trailer also features a bath and half, something that is helpful for bigger families.
Winnebago Solis 59PX
Honestly, either of the two Winnebago Solis floor plans would work for a family. However, we like the 59PX because it offers just a little bit more room. This van includes seatbelts and sleeping space for as many as four people, as well as an indoor table, a wet bath, and a kitchenette with everything you need to prepare a full meal. We can’t imagine a better van for families!
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Winnebago Minnie Winnie 31H
Perhaps you want a driveable, but a van isn’t going to cut it. We get it. A class C might be more your style, and in this case, we recommend the Winnebago Minnie Winnie 31H. This motorhome features the typical cab-over bunk as well as a set of bunk beds in the hallway slide out. On top of that, the RV has a U-shaped dinette that offers plenty of seating for mealtimes as well as another large sleeping space. Clearly, you’ll be able to fit the whole crew in this one without a problem!
Tiffin Allegro Red 38 KA
Class A RVs are another drivable option, and they tend to offer even more space than class C rigs. The Tiffin Allegro Red 38 KA is a good example of this.This RV is 39.5 feet long. It features three large slides, one of which hosts a set of bunk beds for the kiddos. There is also a drop-down bunk over the cab, providing even more dedicated sleeping space. Of course, we must also mention the fact that this rig has a bath and a half, making it even more ideal for families.
Thor A.C.E 32B
Last but not least, we must mention the Thor A.C.E. 32B. This is a more budget-friendly class A. It’s also a bit smaller and a good pick for those who find the enormous class As intimidating. This one has a drop-down bunk over the cab, as well as the bunk beds in the slide that the motorhome above offers. It does not have the extra half bath, but is still a wonderful option for families looking for plenty of dedicated sleeping spaces.
There you have it—everything you need to know to find the best RVs for families and choose the one that will work best for your travel crew. Use this information to find the perfect RV now so you can start planning the ultimate RV getaway as soon as possible!
