Three Checklists To Help You Find Your Perfect RV 

CHRISTINA AND BEN MCMILLAN sit around a fire while boondocking in a desert
Ben and Christina McMillan Headshot
Ben and Christina McMillan Headshot

CHRISTINA AND BEN MCMILLAN

41 AND 38, LONG-TERM RVERS

Christina and Ben live a minimal and purposeful life that prioritizes adventures. Christina enjoys scenic drives, sunsets and art. Ben is more of a “watch the big game, campfire, bourbon, people person” type of guy. More than anything, they enjoy being together in their Jayco Jay Feather travel trailer and not being tied to one particular location.

Five years ago, we purchased our very first RV: a Jayco Jay Feather travel trailer. And guess what? We still have that exact same RV today. We put a lot of thought into finding our perfect RV, and while everyone’s needs and requirements are different, putting in the time and effort upfront will definitely pay off in the long run. We found checklists to be extremely helpful during our initial RV research phase, so we’ve put together a few of the most helpful lists, all of which are designed to help you narrow down your search and ultimately find your perfect RV.

Pro Tip: Set a budget before you even start shopping for an RV. Then check out a few different dealers and reputable sources to get an idea for what your budget can get you. You can also join RV groups and forums online to hear from other RVers about their buying experiences.

Checklist #1: Motorized vs. Towable

To tow or not to tow? That is the question. Our very first checklist was to determine if we wanted a motorized RV (Class A, B and C) or a towable RV (travel trailer, toy hauler and fifth wheel). Here are a few questions to check yourself:

CHRISTINA AND BEN MCMILLAN's RV parked in a field with solar panels attached to the roof of the RV

Motorized:

Towable:

Checklist #2: RV Usage

How you plan to use your RV is another big thing to consider. Will you be traveling long-term or taking weekend trips? Do you prefer campsites with full hook-ups or something more remote? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you determine the various features and amenities you might need. We’ve provided a few recommendations based on the different RV uses:

CHRISTINA AND BEN MCMILLAN's Jayco Jay Feather parked at a traditional campground next to a lake

Checklist #3: RV Layouts and Features

Once you’ve figured out the type of RV and how you plan to use it, then you can move on to some of the layouts, features and amenities offered. Try to take inventory of everything that you might put in your RV, as this will help you determine the amount of space you’ll need. Here we’ve included some considerations for various layouts and rooms inside your RV:

CHRISTINA AND BEN MCMILLAN relaxing inside the living room of their RV

If you’re just starting to look for a new RV, the most important thing to remember is that you find an RV that suits your exact needs and comfort level. You know yourself, your family and your travel style better than anyone. Feel free to use these checklists as a guide to help you craft your own lists—tailor them and tweak them to fit your individual preferences. Armed with the right information, we promise you’ll be successful in finding your perfect RV.

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are the most popular type of non-motorized RV. No doubt you’ve seen one pulled down the highway hitched to a car or pickup. Travel trailers come in all sizes including tiny jellybean-shaped models with a chuckwagon kitchen in the rear to the massive house-on-wheels with picture windows and a sliding glass patio door.

Jayco Jay Feather

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Whether you're new to the world of RVing or you're ready to narrow your search, we're here to help you sort through it all and find the RV that's right for you. Explore RVs based off of your lifestyle and the features important to you.

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An travel trailer RV parked in a green field.