- If your new to the camper world and are considering purchasing one, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. There are so many makes, models and floorplans out there. All of them are a compromise at some level and no one camper fits everyone’s needs. As your thinking about this, start by asking yourself a few questions
- Who?
- When?
- Where?
- Why?
Who
- Who will you be camping with, paying particular attention to which of those folks will be using the campers facilities.
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- Will they be hanging out in the camper with you often?
- Is there enough seating?
- Is there enough room to sit around the table to eat and/or play a game?
- Can you see the TV from the seats without craning your neck?
- Do you spend way more time outside the camper than in?
- How many people does it need to sleep?
- Will you have adequate privacy?
- Will they?
- Are your guests using the kitchen or bathroom?
- Large enough tanks for fresh and waste water?
- Are spaces like the shower tall enough?
- Will they be hanging out in the camper with you often?
Making sure you have the facilities you will need for you and your camping companions is important.
A common thing heard from empty nesters is that they bought too much camper – perhaps with bunks or extra space on the chance the kids or grandkids will come camp with them. My wife and I have our grandkids camp with us on occasion, but we “make it work” in a smaller unit. The majority of our camping is just the two of us.
When
The primary consideration here is weather conditions. Many people’s camping season is Spring through Fall and they are extremely unlikely to encounter freezing temperatures. For these folks the camper doesn’t really need the added expense and weight that are required to extend the range of conditions where they would be comfortable. Others will camp year round and be in freezing as well as very hot conditions.
Hot Weather Camping
- Consider the following
- Insulation.
- Double paned windows.
- One, two or even 3 air conditioners.
- Adequate ducting for good airflow.
The above can make you much more comfortable when out in hot weather. Keep in mind that AC requires shore power hookup and/or adequate generator power to run.
Cold Weather Camping
- Consider the following
- Insulation.
- Double paned windows.
- Heaters.
- Propane Furnace.
- Electric heaters (built in or stand alone).
- Water Systems protection.
- Furnace is ducted into all locations where there is plumbing.
- Plumbing is insulated.
Cold weather can be much harder to deal with when using a camper. Many manufacturers have “All-Season” or “Arctic” packages and most of those will be adequate in moderate freezing cold weather. Very few are going to be easily usable below 10F or so for extended periods of time. You are also going to be using considerable propane, battery and/or shore power to keep things warm and toasty.
If you are going to be boondocking (IE: not having shore hookups) there are other things to take into consideration that we discuss here.
Where
Are you wanting to get back into the deep of nature away from it all, or just bring your mobile hotel room to the places you want to visit. Will you be staying in RV Parks where you will have hookup for power/water or will you be parked in a forest meadow miles away from the nearest dump station?
Also take into account the size of the rig you are considering. This is a balance in usable space inside the rig against where you can take it and what campsites it will fit into. Off-road capabilities can also come into play back on the forest roads.
Just about any camper can take advantage of an RV Park, however the larger your rig, the less sites there are that can accommodate it.
Why
The “Why” really drives the rest of the decisions. Are you going to be full-time or part-time living in your RV, or just taking it out for the weekends? Are you looking to explore the country or take short trips to get away close to home? Your dreams and desires for travel will help you decide what type of camper is going to be best for you.
Summary
So take what you have thought through form the above and hop on over to the Member Community to discuss options on what might be the right camper for you!
Now, go look at the types of campers available with the above in mind.
