The Right Home for Camping

NOTE: This article is from an old blog Golden wrote on from 2017 to 2019. It was called Mama Wants an RV. The blog has since expired but the memories remain. Thanks for reading!

Original Post from July 31, 2017

Our first experience camping as a family came with both great memories, and giant woes, mainly from our backsides! While my husband had challenged my request to tent camp, I felt we must do something to enjoy the great outdoors. In that particular season, we could not afford, or store, anything but a tent. So, off we went!

Setting Up the Tent

Since then, we have moved on to trailer camping, and now we are in the market for a smaller Class C motorhome. When we go full-time on the road we may consider a fifth-wheel, or even a Class A motorhome (basically a giant bus).

As you read on, you will discover what we have learned about each of these home-away-from-home structures. Perhaps it will give you the motivation you need to get looking for your own abode geared towards outdoor living.

1. A Tent

This humble fabric structure comes complete with tie-downs and zip-open doors and windows. The stylish bright blue, red, green, yellow, or other vibrant color will help you recognize where to rest your weary body after a long hike. When bugs intrude, don’t worry, simply grab your shoe and smash away. When you hear the little pitter-patter of rain droplets, enjoy your dry space while you can, and pray! Last, if you choose to eat inside your closed-in room, don’t be surprised if you are greeted by a wild animal.

Our First Tent

I recommend every young family experience the beautiful outdoors together in a tent at least once. You might even fall in love with the rustic hard flooring and open airy feeling. The scent of pine will woo you to sleep when you finally get settled in after building your frugal abode.

However, if you find it’s not quite as neat an experience as you had hoped, don’t be afraid to pursue other low-budget options.

2. The Pop-Up

Easy to Tow

This small trailer will tuck nicely behind most SUVs and minivans. The hard-sided shell squished around a fabric interior will keep most things inside from moving around during the journey. Once you arrive, simply slide, pull, tug, yank, lift, twist, prop, shake, do a little dance, and wah-lah, you have a compact hardy tent-like structure complete with cushioned beds, table, and sink! Feel free to tuck into those luxurious sleeping bags on top of foam mattresses. You deserve it!

I think pop-ups are a great way to add a bit of comfort to the outdoors. Some people even find the light swaying motion created by others moving about the cabin to be calming and soothing while sleeping. Others, however, may become annoyed when they are awakened sharply to nature calling, only to realize this simple dwelling lacks a toilet.

Our Little Camping Home

If you don’t think you want to pop a squat or traverse the deep dark woods each time you need to take a leak, I suggest you continue reading on.

3. Class C Motorhome

A small tiny home-like structure on top of a truck motor, these units provide a way to live in the woods for a couple of days at a time. Simply park, level out, and eat, shower, sleep! Enjoy the quite as the kids couldn’t come, because extra seat belts were missing. Cook on your tiny stove and store the leftovers in the fridge, just don’t forget to take them out when you return home. You may be greeted by an unforgiving stench for your next trip.

Class C Motorhome

I like the cozy feeling of a small house on wheels. When the hallway gets clogged with people, we simply maneuver our bodies until free again. When the bathroom door swings open into your face, don’t be startled, it just means it’s your turn now!

This might be just the right niche for you now, as anything further will require steep resources. However, if you’re planning ahead, like us, you may have time to save up.

4. A Fifth Wheel

Built for maneuverability and poise, these giant tiny residences can be more like apartments than outdoor adventure retreats. Drive forward, backward, forward left, now right, back again, get out and check, forward a little and you got it! Don’t worry about the trailer’s bumper running into that tree again on your way out, because it will be firewood tonight. Tell your kids to kick back and relax as you press your finger on the wall button to open up the vast interior. Find the remote and you’re all set!

Fifth Wheel

My husband is sold on these particular structures, but I’m not so sure. While it may be nice to drive away anytime, the thought of purchasing a giant truck in addition to a giant trailer makes my eyeballs pop when looking at the bottom line.

Let’s consider the last option.

5. Class A Motorhome

This diesel pusher will get a whopping 5-8 mpg as you cruise down the road in bus-like fashion. Forget trying to watch for cars. They will all be running from you! Enjoy those four personal cup holders, air conditioning, and freshly prepared sandwich. This is a piece of cake, complete with fancy bells and whistles on top! Park your rig at the local superstore and enjoy the good life. After you finish shopping, simply roll over to the theme park, water park, or national park. When you reach those small dirt roads and cramped parking lots, don’t worry about turning back, just chug on forward.

Class A Motorhome

I find these vinyl homes to be tantalizing to the consumer. Who doesn’t want all the luxuries of home living anywhere on the road? But wait, does that mean it comes with all the chores of home too? Cooking, cleaning, dusting, mopping, and laundry? This is probably one of the better options for living full-time away from home, but maybe not for vacation.

RV Wrap Up

Tent Pros – little cost to start up, doesn’t take much space to store, easy to haul

Tent Cons – bugs, hard ground, water, supplies must all be stored separately

Pop Up Pros – low budget, easier to store, easy to pull, some come with toilets

Pop Up Cons – little amount of space, shakes with movement, cloth sides, set up required

Class C Motorhome Pros – protected home-like space, bathroom, medium budget, easier to drive

Class C Motorhome Cons – more people equals tighter space, whole unit must drive somewhere

Fifth Wheel Pros – detachability, large living space, lots of amenities

Fifth Wheel Cons – must buy truck and trailer, plus hitch, harder to navigate small spaces

Class A Motorhome Pros – a home away from home, good for full-time RVing, lots of storage/amenities

Class A Motorhome Cons – gas guzzler, huge start-up price, huge repair cost when something breaks

When it comes time to choose a home for the road, these insights will all need to be considered. For now, we’ll keep looking for a budget-friendly Class C motorhome and then see how we like it. Who knows, maybe it will be enough to get us on the road full-time.

Do you have some other pros or cons? Please share them with us in the comments below.