Size and Floorplans
There’s a wide, wide, variety.
The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) has established maximum sizes for trailers based on fire and motor vehicle standards. The maximum floor space for a travel trailer is 400 sq. ft. and a 5th wheel has been 430 sq. ft., but in April 2020 the RVIA eliminated the restriction on 5th wheels. Expect to see longer and wider slides on 5th wheel rigs. Motorhome maximum size is 45 ft. in length and 8.5 ft. wide.
Height. All RV’s will be 8.5 ft. wide or less, and 13 ft. 6 in. high or less for traveling. That is the same height as almost all standard semi trailers, and the interstate system is designed to accommodate that height. Low clearance warnings tend to be very prominent, and it is wise to pay attention to the signs. Measure the width, height, and length of your rig and keep a note for handy reference while traveling.
We use the AllStays app that shows the low clearance bridge or overpasses on our route, and we always check the app for clearance before we proceed to unfamiliar territory. If we are in a city, we take the marked Truck Routes. We just consider ourselves to be the equivalent of a semi, and follow all the warning signs for trucks. 98% of the time it’s not a factor; it’s that other 2% that will get you.
Floor plans. The various layout of available floor plans is as creative as you can imagine and should be the primary reason you select your rig for fulltiming. There are many, many similarities, but RV manufacturers continue to put their own unique, creative spin on the design with each new model year. Over the last few years we’ve noticed the trend of increased storage and larger bathrooms, but everything has a trade-off.
An RV trade show is a great place to walk through various rigs and see the similarities and differences. You’ll want to take notes along the way because they all begin to look alike. A dealer would be your second choice, and maybe your only option, but make sure you have the chance to see a wide variety of floor plans before making a decision.
When you look at floor plans, see if you can picture yourself living in the space and how it feels to use the various areas. Simple things like placement of the furniture in relation to the TV, placement of the commode, access to the shower or closets can turn into a major irritations. Consider how the interior looks with the slides pulled in. Will you have access to the bedroom, bathroom and refrigerator when you’re out on the road?
Here is a great blog that gives you the basic things to look for when evaluating a floor plan.
Model numbers. Knowing what the numbers mean will help as you begin looking..
The number of the model used to have a meaning - sometimes it was length; sometimes it was square footage. As time progressed, the numbers lost their meaning and they began to generally reflect the length, for example a “31” might be anywhere from 30 to 34 feet; a “36” could be from 34 to 38 feet, and a 38/39 is usually 38 feet up to 45 feet. Truth is that most model numbers stay under 40 so that campgrounds don’t automatically turn you away because of the “appearance” of excessive length. Our “38” is actually 41 1/2 feet long.
The RVIA recently adopted a standard where all new towable trailers, including 5th wheels, must have a sticker or decal that documents the actual length of the trailer.
The letters usually reflect the feature of the floor plan.
BH - Bunk House
ES/MD - Mid Den or Executive Suite
FB - Front Bath
FL - Front Living
GK - Giant Kitchen
MB - Mid Bath
RE - Rear Entertainment
RK - Rear Kitchen
RL - Rear Living
TH/HH - Toy Hauler or Hobby Hauler
WB - Wine Bar
Figuring out the letter designations has become sort of a game for us. While the model numbers/letters can point you in the right direction, it’s best to just look at the floor plan and see if it works for you.
Next: Slides and Landing Gear
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