I’ve spent the past couple of months looking for a new RV for our family of four. Doing this has made me think hard (once again) about what we are really looking for in an RV. If you’re in the market for a family-friendly RV for the first time, you may not really know what you’re looking for. That’s why we’re here today.

In this article, I will talk about the most important things to consider when choosing a family-friendly RV. I will also provide a short list of my favorite newer family-friendly RV floor plans.

What to Look For in a Family-Friendly RV

Let’s start by talking about what you’ll want to look for while shopping for a family-friendly RV. Knowing this will help you narrow your options and find the best fit for your crew.

Type of RV

First, think about what type of RV you’d like to have. While most RV types can accommodate a whole family, there are very few, say, class B camper vans that will be comfortable for more than a couple of people. Teardrop trailers and other tiny trailers are probably a no-go as well.

Instead, weekenders may want to look for medium-sized bumper-pull trailers or driveable class C RVs. Meanwhile, full-time RVers should consider a larger bumper-pull, a fifth wheel, or a motorhome of some sort.

Sleeping Accommodations

Sleeping accommodations are a super important thing to consider. If you use your RV often, you may not want to have to convert the dinette or the sofa into a bed every day. In this case, dedicated sleeping spaces for each member of your family might be a must-have.

Remember to also think about (1) bed size, (2) whether your kids are willing to share their sleeping space, and (3) the weight capacity of each bunk.

Bathroom Options

What do you need in your RV bathroom? Are two entrances necessary? Do you have young kids who need a bathtub? Maybe you have a large family and require a bathroom and a half, or even two bathrooms. Know your needs going in!

Seating Availability

Depending on how much time you’ll spend inside your RV, not having enough seating for everyone can be a real problem. Take a look at the living area of any potential rig.

Is the couch high enough for everyone to sit and enjoy movie night? Can the whole family fit at the dining table? These things may not matter to you, but they could also be a game changer. That’s something only you can decide.

Storage Space

Camping means lugging a lot of stuff with you, and kids only add to the amount of stuff you have to have for a successful camping trip. For this reason, storage space is incredibly important when it comes to choosing a family-friendly RV.

Pay attention to the cabinet and drawer space inside the RV. Will your clothes, dishes, and pantry foods fit inside? Also, look at the exterior storage. How much space do you have for camping chairs, sports equipment, and other bulky gear?

Our Favorite Family-Friendly RVs

Not sure where to begin when looking for family-friendly RVs? Take a look at the floor plans listed below to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t.

Forest River Salem 273QBXL

At 33¼ feet, this bumper-pull trailer is on the longer side. That said, the extra length provides loads of benefits for families. Our favorite features? The Versa-Lounge allows you to configure the living room seating however you see fit, and the large bunkhouse that sleeps 4 or 5 kids.

Lance 2185

Looking for something a bit smaller? This Lance trailer is just over 26 feet long, making it an ideal option for weekend campers. We absolutely adore the triple bunks that are set opposite the master Murphy bed, providing a large amount of sleeping space as well as plenty of living space. It’s also pretty cool that the bunks can fold out of the way, providing storage space for bikes, kayaks, and more.

Keystone Arcadia 3570LT

As far as fifth-wheel trailers go, we recommend this Keystone Arcadia. An enormous 39½ foot rig, this trailer is amazing for families with teenagers because the bunkhouse includes two full-size beds—one set in a loft and one under the loft. The RV also has one full bathroom plus a half bath, something many families will appreciate.

Tiffin Allegro Red 38 KA

If you’re looking for a driveable family-friendly RV, this Allegro might just be the nicest option on the market. With three slides, the living space feels enormous, and the biggest slide includes a couple of single bunks that are perfect for younger kids.

Have an older kid as well? Go for the optional drop-down bunk that sits over the cab and provides an extra dedicated sleeping space without eating up living space.

Thor A.C.E 32B

A more budget-friendly class A option, the Thor A.C.E. bunkhouse is also a good option for families. This one only has a single slide, but it is an enormous slide that houses a set of single bunks. This rig also offers an optional drop-down bunk over the cab, so you can fit as many as four kiddos in the RV without ever converting the sofa or dinette.

Winnebago Minnie Winnie 31H

Prefer a class C? There are family-friendly versions of those as well! We particularly like the Minnie Winnie bunkhouse, which uses two slides to maximize living space. One slide houses a set of single bunk beds, and the other plays host to the couch and stove. A U-shaped dinette sits opposite the couch, providing a nice large extra bed should you need it, and the over-cab bunk is also quite roomy.

By now you know pretty much all there is to know about choosing the perfect family-friendly RV. Why not get out there and start touring some rigs in person so you can find the perfect one for your family?

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Thomas Z. ~ “Unbelievable service, and from the time we called in till he showed up 40 minutes. Super! Follow-up calls. Excellent experience. Kudos to Coach-Net”