IQ RV Guide

What Type And Size RV Is Right For Your Recreation And Travel Goals?

If you already enjoy RVing, you probably know what type and size RV you’d like. But if you are new to RV travel, then you may not know just which type and size motorhome, travel trailer or camper will meet your recreational goals—or fit your budget. The tips and sites below can help you consider the options.

A tip if you are not yet an RVer: Rent before you buy. After you’ve done some basic research about types of RVs and particular models that fit your goals and budget, why not do a real test drive of the type of RV you’re thinking about buying? Take it for a weekend or other short road trip. Make sure you are comfortable driving and maneuvering it and living in it. You might even consider going to an RV rally where you can meet RV owners and learn from them. You’ll find the RV community friendly, outgoing, and welcoming. Here are some sites that can help you locate companies that rent RVs.

Recreational Vehicle Rental Association lets you search for companies in Wisconsin.
rvNetLinx lists many rental companies around the world. Each link indicates the company's location.
RV America Rental Resources lists resources by state.
RVzone.com lists rental companies from around the world.

What type of RV is right for you and your family?

These two websites offer definitions of each class of RV. Brief descriptions, pictures, average size, and price range are among the details provided.

Selecting the RV type that’s right for you from RVNetLinx.com
What is an RV? from rvamerica.com

Tips on selecting RVs.

Before you start looking at RVs, reading these overviews might help you focus your review.

From the RV Buyer’s Guide website, Shopping Around gives tips on ways to explore RV options and RV Planning Worksheet puts many factors you need to consider in selecting an RV in a handy checklist form. Where they ask about budget, you’ve already figured your Available Cash using the calculator.

RVing 101 provides a selection of articles written by RV owners for prospective or new RV owners. It’s from rvclub.com, a membership organization of RV owners.

Take a quick tour of RVs, from the small to the extra deluxe. Now’s the time to browse through a variety of websites previewing the enormous selection of RVs, new and used, available right now. We recommend making a note of RVs you particularly like, new and used, that are within 20-25% (above and below) of your Available Cash figure.

An alphabetical list of RV Manufacturers with links to their websites from RV Buyer’s guide.
Another set of links to RV Manufacturers from rvNetLinx.com.
rvtraderonline.com allows you to browse used RVs by type and make, year range, and location.
RV-online allows you to select the type of RV and browse the list sorted by size, price, or location.
RVregistry.com allows you to browse the listings of used RVs.

What about RV shows and rallies?

When you have a general idea of the type, size and model RVs that fit your recreational and travel goals, attending an RV show or rally can give you an opportunity to give the RVs a hands-on inspection. Before heading out, you might want to think about “new or used” and the “safety and reliability” of the RVs you like—this guide’s next two sections. The following sites can help you locate nearby RV shows and rallies.

RV Events/RV Shows from rvadvice.com are listed by state & country.
The Camping Source provides a list of upcoming RV shows around the U.S and Canada.
The Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association lists RV shows and sales in Canada.

IQ links to sites provided by a variety of sources. We review sites for credibility and reliability, but IQ, of course, can't control advertising and other links on these sites. We advise ignoring pop-up ads, links to sales of products or services, and the like.