Recreational vehicles have never been more popular than they are right now.  Their appeal is equally attractive to travelers of all ages and backgrounds.  If you are considering purchasing an RV, there are some things to think about that will help you choose the RV perfectly suited to meet your needs.

The best RV is the one that is the right fit for you.  To determine what you need in an RV, consider the five W’s.

Who?

The first question to think about is this:  “Who will be primarily using this RV?”  Maybe the answer is you alone.  But perhaps you’ll be sharing the space with a partner, a family, kids, or pets.

How big should it be to accommodate everyone?  How many beds does the RV need, and what sizes?  Where should the door be if pets will be in and out often?   

If you select an RV rather than a travel trailer, who will drive it?  Not everyone feels confident with or has the skills necessary to drive a big rig, so size matters.

What?

What is the function of this RV?  Will it be a second home that you’ll spend several weeks or months in each year or your primary residence that replaces a traditional house or apartment?  Will you use it only for long weekends and vacations, storing it most of the year?

Will your RV also be your office?  Many digital nomads live and work in their RVs while traveling the country.   Do you expect to haul other things like bikes, skis, a canoe, or snowboards?  If so, you’ll need an RV you can equip to meet your mobile office's needs or with enough storage for your outdoor toys.

Understanding what purposes you expect your RV to serve will help you weed out the makes and models that won’t work for you. 

When?

When will you be purchasing your RV? If you have a tight budget, you might be able to find a bargain by buying during off-peak times in your area.  If you’re not under a time deadline, you might wait until the new model year is released so you can take advantage of sales on the current year’s version.

When will you be traveling? Off-season travel is often more affordable.  Traveling while gas prices are lower, campgrounds, state or national parks are less busy, and other vacationers aren’t out can be an economical way to get the best bang for your buck.

If you are traveling a lot in the summer, especially in hot climates, pay close attention to the air conditioning system when choosing an RV.  Likewise, if you know you’ll have winter travel in colder environments, look at things like insulation, protection for your pipes, and a sound heating system.

Where?

Where will the road take you? 

If you’re camping exclusively in RV parks or campgrounds, look into the average nightly rates to know how much to budget for that. You’ll appreciate the convenience of pulling in, plugging up, and having running water and electricity that easily accessible.

On the other hand, your plan might be to live or stay off-grid with your RV.  If so, you’ll need to choose a model with solar capabilities, a generator, and large holding tanks.  Think about the types of roads you’ll be on and get an RV designed for the terrain you expect to spend the most time on.    

Why and why not?

Why buy an RV?  Your reasons will undoubtedly be uniquely personal to you.  But whatever your reasons, however you use your RV, whoever your travel companions, and wherever the road takes you, the best RV is the one that is well suited to your life and needs.

So do your research, choose wisely, then hit the road with the RV of your choice.  Why not set yourself up to enjoy the comforts of home and the freedom of mobility?  Now is an excellent time to give RV life a try.