RVs – or recreational vehicles – come in a myriad of shapes and sizes. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a recreational vehicle is any “vehicle designed for recreational use (as in camping).” There are motorhomes, fifth wheels and trailers, truck campers, vans and endless models of each. They can be factory-built or homemade, large or small, towable or single unit, new or old. Over the years, we’ve pretty much tried them all on our journey to find the perfect small RV. Keep reading for tips on how to find the right tiny home on wheels for you!
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The Journey Begins
I was twelve years old when my parents bought a small motorhome. We were living in Tungsten, Northwest Territories at the time. I don’t remember where they stored it, probably in Watson Lake, Yukon – the closest “cosmopolitan” center near the mining camp we lived in at the time. I do remember rumbling down the Alaska Highway when sections were still gravel, sprawled out in the overhead bunk alternately watching the scenery go by and reading Archie comics. The motorhome had one purpose – holiday trips. When we moved back south, my parents sold it.
Flash forward ten years and my new husband and I are taking off for a weekend honeymoon in our Volkswagen van after the wedding – prelude to the six months of travel that was the actual getaway. It was the beginning of a long and winding journey to find the perfect small RV together.
Why Choose a Small RV?
Buying little allows us to live large in an active lifestyle. We can park almost anywhere. Small RVs are comparatively inexpensive to purchase and operate. This frees up more money for adventure. Active travel has always been our priority and a small RV fits well into this lifestyle.
From Van to Truck to Van
If you’ve ever owned a Volkswagen van, you’re either a good mechanic or know one! The fuel pump went on one trip to visit Brad’s parents and Brad replaced it. Unfortunately, we were given the wrong fuel pump. As we headed back north to finish up our summer jobs before the big six-month adventure began, the fuel pump started acting up. It sputtered and we muttered.
The only way to keep the van running was to keep the gas pedal floored. We barely crawled up hills and flew down the other side as we inched towards a town big enough for repair. Pulling into a gas station at the first sign of civilization, we parked the van between the store and the pumps. That’s when it backfired… and caught on fire! Brad ran into the service station, grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out. They charged us for using it. After the tow and subsequent repairs, we eventually sold the van.
Our next RV was simply a truck with a bed in the box and boxes of camping gear. I sewed curtains for the back windows and it worked. When our daughter was born, Brad created a little loft bunk where she could sleep above our feet. It worked until she was big enough to kick the truck out gear from her perch in her car seat in the middle of single cab – oh my, how times have changed!
We switched to a Toyota van and Brad built a platform that covered folded seats to create a flat sleeping surface. Our daughter slept across the width of the van at the bottom of our feet. This worked… until she started sprouting again. Back to a family-sized tent until we figure out the next best RV.
Pop-up Camper, Anyone?
When our girl was eight, we planned a summer trip north to Alaska and the Yukon. Worried about bears and cool and rainy weather, we decided it time to ditch the tent. We opted for a used pop-up camper. The price was right – read “cheap” – and it gave us a little more protection from the elements and the wildlife.
The following spring, we headed south on our annual trip to the American Southwest for a little hiking and biking adventure. Camper worked great… until it didn’t. We were heading home and as usual had pushed our stay as long as possible so that we would arrive the evening before we had to head back to work. This meant long days for the drive back north. It was close to 11 pm when we pulled into Utah’s Yuba Lake State Park south of Salt Lake City. It was completely full.
With no other options nearby, we had to random camp. Pulling off on a gravel road, we found a place big enough to park the truck and camper and quickly start setting up. It was now close to midnight. Our girl was sound asleep in the backseat. It was my job to unhook the latches on the roof. Brad grabbed the crank and quickly started raising the roof. I missed a latch. The cable snapped and there we were in the middle of night, trying to wedge a piece of wood in between the roof and the upper bunk to get enough space to sleep for the night. A few misadventures are par for the course when you travel as much as we do! Brad fixed the cable and we sold the camper.
Trailer Time
Our next adventure was a classic. A summer trip across Canada in a vintage Boler trailer. We were planning to do a lot of canoeing and a trailer gave us the freedom to easily carry the boat and the extra outdoor gear. The used Boler we bought needed some serious TLC. Brad replaced all the wiring, we put in a new floor, new countertops, new cupboard doors and replaced the curtains.
On the day of the big departure, we loaded in the truck and headed up the Big Hill. That’s when the tires started smoking. Apparently, they were the wrong size for the loaded trailer. Back down the hill to a tire store we went. We sold the Boler after our trip.
Years later, with our girl off at university, we thought it was time to get back into an RV, but we wanted something that was super light and that would go anywhere. The seven-foot long Kamparoo tent trailer fit the bill. It got us up off the ground and gave us floorspace to stand to change clothes and even set up a portable table and chairs if the weather was bad. Brad built a box with a sliding drawer to hold the cooler, cook box and food bins. It worked great for trips south to the desert… and then we took it on a trip down the Oregon coast. Tent trailers need to dry before they are stored away.
The Perfect Small RV?
We knew we were looking for a lightweight, hard-sided trailer next. The Prolite Eco trailer has a dry weight of under 1000 lbs (454 kg) and a tongue weight of 95 lbs (43 kg). Perfect, we thought. And it was – after a few modifications. Read my article “10 Tips for Tricking Out Tiny” in Snowbirds & RV Travelers.
We took the Prolite south last year on our first “snowbird” winter, leaving home in early November and returning – not by choice! – in late March this spring. The comments we get never fail to entertain. “Where does he sleep?” and “Do you fit in there?” people ask as they point at Brad.
That being said, we’ve had people also come up to us and ask if we would mind if they have a look inside. They always love what they see. We’ve had many a dinner and games night with friends, sitting four people comfortably at the table. It’s travelled with us to the Yukon in the north and Baja, Mexico in the south. We love the simplicity of our tiny trailer, its maneuverability and the way it functions for our needs at the moment.
Read more in Things We Love About Our Tiny Trailer Kitchen!
Is a Small RV Right for You?
It depends. A small RV works for us because we like each other. No, seriously. It works because we are – usually! – compatible in cramped quarters. If you really need your own space, you might want to reconsider. It works because we spend most of our days outdoors – hiking, biking and exploring. And it works because we are willing to give up space for the freedom a small RV brings.
Questions to Ask When Looking for a Small RV
- How much can you afford to spend? Remember there are costs to purchase, operate, maintain, store and repair.
- How often will you use your tiny home on wheels and how far will you travel?
- Do you need flexibility of use? A truck + trailer = easily detached and used separately.
- Are you comfortable towing? If so, what is your vehicle’s towing capacity? Do you have the skills required to maneuver the trailer into and out of tight sites?
- Should you rent before you buy? Might be a good idea to see what works and what doesn’t for your lifestyle!
Looking for RV Adventure Ideas?
Baja RV Adventures: Bahia de los Angeles
4 Days of Family-Friendly Adventure in the Columbia Valley
Exploring Chiricahua National Monument
Free Camping in AZ: Saddle Mountain
Exploring Northern BC: Kispiox, Kitwanga and Kitwancool
Fantastic Site!
Thank you Les, come back and visit any time!
What a neat evolution Megan. How cool. My grandparents had that same old skool VW camper. We did a trip from New Jersey to Myrtle Beach back in ’80. I recall it sputtering along and myself sleeping on a freaking board in the middle of the thing as a 5 year old. My grandfather was an old school, hardened Romanian man and although kind, he definitely toughened us up too LOL. He was also a mechanic so had no issues fixing the van.
Ryan
Love it when my stories stir up memories of your own travels – and happy to hear your Grandad was VW savvy 😉