What size and model of recreational vehicle is the ideal for a retired couple intending to live full-time or nearly full-time on the road?

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That completely depends on the couple themselves and what their priorities are. Costs for Class A units are very high, from fuel (single digit MPG on some) and the spots at RV parks for them can be more costly. They are also not allowed on some winding roads out west.

My ex and I had a 17' travel trailer that served the two of us nicely but would have been a stretch for longer than a week. But we met many other couples on the road with differing outlooks. One retired couple had been living for over a year in a tiny Casita trailer. They had a very efficient routine, with everything in it's place and they were happy. They set up a large stand up tent when they camped to give themselves a bit of extra living and dining room. We had rented 19' Class B Pleasureway motorhomes that were great for a week or so but having to convert the bed area to the living area daily gets old after a while. For my taste, a 20' to 26' Class C is the ideal long term unit, one with a queen bed in the rear, full bath, generous dinette area that has a sofa like arrangement, large fridge with separate freezer and range with oven and microwave. Older Class C's are a problem since the overcab area always leaks unless maintenance and resealing windows has been scrupulous. Newer ones have modular fiberglass shells that are more reliable.

I have a vintage 22' Class C which I know I could easily live in for an extended period with one other person who was also as organized as I am. It has a queen bed over the cab, a sofa that folds out as a twin, two upholstered lounge chairs with a table between, a full sized refrigerator/freezer, range and oven, full bath with tub and shower and lots of storage. I travel with a bicycle on the rear rack and a full sized sea kayak that folds up into a duffel bag -- everything I need to be happy in this unit. With a Ford E350 engine I could even tow a compact car if I wanted but see no need to do so.

But some people need more space and haul more stuff. ONly you can determine this. Renting various models is the best way to determine this before you buy.

I would advise against anything with a side pull out -- they are a weak spot and only add weight and potential hassles and leaks. And if you are the sort of people who need some privacy from each other at times, a longer class C with the separate rear bedroom would help keep everyone happy. A larger unit means more to have to keep clean as well, and along with high fuel costs, means it is best to try to determine the smallest possible unit that is comfortable and practical for you. Smaller units have higher resale too -- people are selling gas guzzling larger class A's for a song anymore, whereas ultralight small units that can be towed by regular car, or self contained motorhomes that get 15 MPG or more command competive bids when they come up for sale.

There are also great on-line forums for people who love and live in RV;s. iRV2.com is a very good one....Show more

Agreeably it depends on the couple and their lifestyle. I spent 3 years traveling the USA in a 20ft Toyota Dolphin camper with the wife and a cat. Whilst others I know do the same in 40+ footers. Also agreeably the bigger you get the more comforts you have but fewer the destinations that are accessible. Definitely research more how others are living the dream as options are aplenty. One word of advice, never buy new. an RV drops in value 50% once you drive it off the lot, and remember always an RV is a whole in the pavement you sink money into.

Good Luck!...Show more

Once I attended a motor home car show and fell deeply and meaningfully in love with a Grand Teton 33' long 3 axle 5th wheel trailer which was nicer than anywhere I have lived in. It could be mine for only about $80k. Problem is a lot of campgrounds don't allow trailers longer than 30'.

But since we're talking "ideal" here, there are a lot of options.
Problem with your question is you didn't say what the budget is.
That makes all the difference.

Snowbirds run into trouble with trailers longer than 30' because a lot of places they may wish to stay at don't allow long trailers. Your picture shows only one rear axle meaning it can't handle much more weight than the vehicle is when empty. But living full or part time means one will load the vehicle or trailer with thousands of pounds of "stuff" (consider the weight of a water tank) so if they can afford it and know how to maneuver a trailer while backing, a 2 or 3 axle would be way better.

I'm assuming we're not talking about a diesel pusher bus costing 3/4 of a $million? Pretty lush those are!

I currently make my living driving 18 wheel commercial vehicles.
2 important things one must think about:
-Parking. You said "urban or rural". Parking is a serious problem and there are laws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmukyU9zTiY
(This Grateful Dead song speaks for itself ;)

-Turning around. When following directions, sometimes one realizes one must make a U-turn. Today's helpful hint: find a church parking lot in which to turn around. Every town has a church. Watch the trees if it is tall. Large vehicles get into trouble or tear stuff up when attempting to get turned around, takes a lot of room most car drivers can't imagine.

Notice I am talking tactics, not brands. I can not recommend what to buy but I am expert on how to drive it. Should you have more questions, email me and I will help as best I can....Show more

Boating has found 35 feet is the minimum length which
can be shared for any length of time without personal
living room strife or homicide. Upward of 65 feet is the
usual choice for World Class. Such boats are parked
beside other recreational vehicles but are clearly pearls
amid worse. Only production hulls find marine insurance
easily available. Marinas are not inclined to offer more
than temporary park or pee time for uninsured boaters.
I have friends who live off the grid outside all taxes and
go ashore to visit public-use services.. Personally enjoy
the Hunter line of Production hull designs for a lifestyle.
Hunter 50 in a key-turn used condition is over $300,000...Show more