What To Look for in an RV: Solo Travelers

Safety Considerations

Safety is always an important consideration, especially when traveling alone.

• Is a motorized or towable RV better for solo camping? This is a matter of personal preference. Do you imagine yourself behind the wheel of a nimble van or meandering down the road with an adorable teardrop in tow? Some campers feel safer driving a motorized RV, especially if it’s on the small side, like a Class B van. However, towables are also perfectly safe for solo travelers. Be sure to consider whether you’ll feel more comfortable navigating traffic and backing into campsites without a co-pilot in a motorized RV or towing a trailer.
• What other safety considerations might solo travelers have? Imagine an unexpected emergency requires you to evacuate the campground quickly. You’ll want a set up that allows you to pack up and go as a team of one. Because of this, some solo campers prefer to have an RV they don’t have to exit in order to take off. Motorized RVs and some truck campers offer this advantage.

Comfort Considerations

Buying the right size and setup for your RV can make it more comfortable for camping alone.

• Which floorplans are best for solo travelers? Most, though not all, solo travelers prefer a smaller rig. If you want a motorized RV, Class B vans, and smaller Class Cs are often a perfect fit. In the towable realm, check out teardrops, pop-up campers, egg campers, and lightweight travel trailers. RVs described as “couples coaches” may be perfect for the solo traveler wanting a roomier living space.
   
• Which special amenities might solo travelers appreciate? First, decide whether a dedicated bed is important to you. Smaller RVs often have dinettes that convert to the main bed. Also, think about the bathroom situation. Some RVs use wet baths (where the toilet shares a space with the shower) as a space and weight saver—and some don’t have a bathroom at all. Finally, consider your cooking habits. Is a fully outfitted interior kitchen important, or would you be happy with an outdoor kitchen (or none at all)?
   
• Is a spare bed desirable? While some solo campers never envision taking along friends and family, if there is a possibility you will want company, look for a rig with a spare bed. Sometimes, these are convertible or tucked away, so they don’t take away from the day-to-day living space.

Lifestyle Considerations

Think about your lifestyle preferences when shopping for an RV.

• Do solo travelers need a tow-behind vehicle? If you decide to purchase a motorized RV, you’ll likely use it as your primary driver while traveling. However, once you set up camp, you may have to unhook everything every time you leave. If you have a larger motorized RV, you might decide to purchase a small tow-behind vehicle to give you an extra set of wheels. This does add extra cost and will affect the navigability of your rig. 
   
• What kind of tow vehicle do solo campers need? For purchasers looking at towable RVs, carefully consider the math to find a perfect match between the tow vehicle and the trailer. Tiny trailers may be towable by small SUVs, while larger, heavier trailers may require a pickup truck. Some RVers look for trailers that can be towed by their daily drivers, while others use a dedicated tow vehicle. Consider both your driving preferences and your budget.
   
• What level of adventure are you seeking? RVs for solo travelers can be fully outfitted with all the gear you need to get off grid for the true solo camping experience—or they may come with the basics you need for camping in a full-service RV park.

Budget Considerations

• What budget considerations should solo travelers have while RV shopping? Like any RV purchaser, you’ll need to plan for a down payment and monthly payments including interest (if financing). Make sure to get appropriate RV insurance. Roadside assistance plans and optional warranties may also come in handy. Also, plan on having regular expenses for repair and maintenance, like you do for any vehicle. Finally, solo campers may be solo financers. If you aren’t sharing the expenses, you are shouldering more of the cost. Pick a realistic budget and shop accordingly.

The Best RVs for Solo Travelers

With the safety, comfort, lifestyle, and budget considerations above in mind, these types of RVs might be most suitable for a solo traveler:

• Class B vans are small and nimble. The floor space is perfect for a single person, with plenty of room and no wasted space. These usually have small interior kitchens and wet baths.
• Small Class C vans may offer more living space and gear storage. Full bathrooms instead of wet baths are the norm.
• Teardrop trailers and egg campers are among the smallest towables and have classic shapes that hearken to earlier eras of road tripping. Convertible bed/dinettes and either a wet bath or no interior bath are common in this group.
• Pop-up campers, or folding camping trailers, trailers require travelers to pop up the sidewalls to prepare for camping. Luckily, this step doesn’t require more than one person, though extra hands may be appreciated. Due to their compact nature, they may be easy to tow.
• Lightweight towable travel trailers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with floor plans, amenities, and furnishings designed for a range of tastes and budgets. Explore the range of options at a dealership or RV show.