What’s The Best RV To Live In Year Round?

Are you daydreaming about a nomadic lifestyle? Maybe you are tired of paying an outrageous mortgage every month. Or, maybe you are nearing retirement and want to spend your golden years traveling. Whatever your motivation, living full-time in an RV can be the way to go.  We researched the best RV's to live in year-round, so you can be 100% confident in the vehicle you choose for a new lifestyle. 

There are many RV types, but seasoned RV occupants prefer to live year-round in either a Class A or a 5th wheel. Two of the best Class A's are the Thor Motor Coach Palazzo and the Newmar Ventana. Two of the best 5th wheels are the Coachmen Chaparral and the Forest River Wildcat. 

If you want to know more about living full-time in Class A and 5th wheel motor homes, keep reading! We'll discuss what makes these the best RV's to live in year-round, and suggest other types of RV's too. So, you can choose the best type of RV for your comfort and travel style. 

Fifth wheel camper at campsite, What's The Best RV To Live In Year Round?

Is it possible to live full time in an RV?

You can live full-time in an RV. In fact, all the RV's we'll discuss provide the basic amenities you need to live a comfortable life.

Typically, full-time RV'ers transition to a nomadic lifestyle. They don't just buy a plot of land and park their RV on it. If that is your plan, you must read your city's zoning laws carefully because many cities don't recognize RV's as permanent dwellings. This is why permanent RV'ers tend to slowly move from campsite to campsite. Traveling is the easiest way to live in a home on wheels without having to deal with city ordinances and paperwork. 

The Best RV Options

RVs come in all shapes and sizes. Different styles are highlighted below, along with specific models of each kind. 

Class A

Class A motor homes are the largest RV's you will find. They are built upon a durable frame with the driving cabin open to the rest of the vehicle. From the outside, they resemble a bus in body shape. Typically, they include one to two slide-outs and a spacious interior. 

Pros Cons 
  • Large interior space
  • Low gas mileage 
  • Large freshwater & wastewater tanks 
  • Expensive 
  • Could house an entire family 
  • Limited mobility 
       

The Thor Motor Coach Palazzo is a great Class A motor home. This coach has a stunning interior filled with wood-grain cabinetry, nickel finished appliances, a spacious kitchen, and a high-end bathroom.  You won't miss your previous home once you see this luxurious RV. Pick your favorite floor plan from four options. To view Palazzo, click here. 

Another great choice is the Newmar Ventana. The newest Ventana has thirteen floor-plans, so you have even more options. Newmar features a patented Comfort Drive system, with stabilization and noise cancellation technology. You are guaranteed to have a smooth, comfortable ride in this new home. For more details, view Ventana here. 

Class B

Class B motor homes are built off a van frame, and commonly referred to as camper vans.  The interior is just tall enough for you to stand up, yet provides all the amenities for permanent living. Class B's are a great choice if you plan to downsize. But, if you think a Class A is not big enough, the Class B is not for you. 

Pros Cons
  • More affordable 
  • Small living space
  • Easier to park and drive 
  • Compact bathroom 
  • Better gas mileage 
  • More suitable people used to minimal living 

The Winnebago Travato is one of the best Class B RV's around. It is extremely energy efficient and gets great gas mileage for a camper van. There is ample extended power, so no need to plug-in while parked. Plenty of under-bed storage means every inch of space is utilized. Travato is so comfortable, you hardly realize you live full-time inside a compact living space. Click here to see more Travato features. 

Class C

Class C RV's are a mid-sized motor home option. The overhead sleeping area is the distinguishing feature. This loft above the driving cab creates a separate area for your bed, without adding extra length to the RV. Many people find Class C RV's a great compromise between Class A and Class B. You get comfortable living space without compromising your access to many roads and parking spaces. Some even come with bunk beds, so you could fit your entire family. Read this post to see Class C layouts with bunk beds. 

Pros  Cons
  • Widely available 
  • Driver cab is loud and bumpy  
  • Safer than many RV options 
  • Low gas mileage 
  • Easier to drive and park 
  • Limited exterior storage space 

A great Class C to look at is the Jayco Melbourne. This is one of the most affordable Class C's. It can hold up to six people and is only about 25 feet long. As far as RV's go, Melbourne is ideally compact yet spacious. The kitchen is fully equipped with an eight-cubic-foot refrigerator, two-burner stove, and microwave. Once you have spent a few months living out of an RV, you will be very thankful for a nice kitchen. For more features, look at Melbourne here. 

Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are non-motorized RV's, hitched to a towing vehicle to haul from place to place. Increase your mobility with a travel trailer because once parked at a site, you can unhitch the trailer to drive your car or truck normally. Travel trailers come in a huge range of sizes with an even larger range of features. With so many options, guaranteed you find a travel trailer with every amenity you desire. 

Pros Cons
  • Wide range of sizes 
  • Need a vehicle with towing capabilities and equipment to move it 
  • Use with any tow vehicle 
  • Cannot ride inside when moving 
  • Low insurance costs 
  • Typically has fewer amenities than motorhomes 

The Airstream Flying Cloud is a wonderful travel trailer option. This iconic brand pioneered the mobile camper industry starting in the 1950’s. Flying Cloud has fourteen floor plans to choose from, top-end appliances, a retractable awning, and so much more. Personalize style details to make this trailer feel even more like home. To see all Flying Cloud features, click here. 

5th Wheels

5th wheels are similar to travel trailers. The most significant difference is they must be towed with a specialized hitch, usually only available for pick-up trucks. Because of this, 5th wheels have an elevated platform that sits above the truck bed. This distributes the weight differently and decreases the length of the vehicle-trailer combo. So, the rig fits in smaller parking spots. When you are permanently living in your RV, increased maneuverability comes in handy. 

Pros Cons
  • Typically more modernized for full-time living 
  • Expensive maintenance  
  • Easier to tow (if you have a truck)
  • Need a truck to move
  • Shorter than travel trailers and Class A 
  • Cannot ride inside while moving 

The Coachmen Chaparral is an excellent 5th wheel. Chapparral's extraordinary kitchen makes it a popular choice for permanent living. Because the appliances are larger than those typically in RV's, daily cooking is more enjoyable. To see all the extra features and floor plans, click here. 

The Forest River Wildcat is another popular option for full-time travel. It is known for its durability in cold weather. Traveling throughout the year means you could encounter cold, winter weather. Wildcat endures all temperatures. To find out more, see Wildcat here.  

Truck Camper

Truck campers are installed into your truck bed. Many states don't even classify truck campers as RV's because they are small,  lightweight, and come in many styles. These are great options for solo travelers. 

Pros Cons
  • Can park anywhere a truck can 
  • Very small interior 
  • Cheapest RV option 
  • Not suitable for every truck 
  • Easy maintenance 
  • Can get too heavy for your truck to go off-road  

The Lance 650 is one of the best truck campers. It is lightweight, and the efficient layout evenly distributes the weight. In addition, you will save gas money with this light model which is a plus for any full-time traveler. To see more about Lance 650, click here. 

Four Season RVs

Four season RV's provide a comfortable interior space through a variety of temperatures and weather conditions. However, this term is not standardized. Many companies and dealerships use this term to attract buyers, even if it is not entirely true. For permanent living, consider buying a true, four season RV. Read this blog post to learn more about them. 

What's It Like To Live In An RV Full Time?

In the beginning, living in an RV can be a shock. But, after a few weeks, most people adjust to the small space. Many find it to be a rewarding experience they wish they had started sooner. Life transitions into a flow of leisurely travel. It becomes a road trip without the stress of running out of time. The most important thing is to do your research before you invest in an RV, so you find one that will best fit your needs. 

How Much Does It Cost To Live In An RV Year-Round?

The yearly cost of living in an RV varies depending on travel style. There are several factors like gas, cost of parking spot or camp site, unexpected repairs/maintenance, and so much more. Some people manage to live in an RV for as little as $16,000 a year, while others spend closer to $50,000 and up. Whatever your yearly cost ends up totaling, we can almost guarantee it will be cheaper than the purchase and upkeep of a house. 

Join The RV Life Now!

You can see so much when you commit to full-time, slow travel in an RV. Class A's and 5th wheels give you a spacious home that may not even feel like a compromise. Class B's, travel trailers, and truck campers are great options if you don't need much space. Either way, you will save money as you experience unforgettable moments in your new home on wheels. 

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