Don't Buy a Class A Until You Read This First!

This is a very common story. You bought the bus. You liked the bus. You felt powerful sitting in that big driver’s seat and looking out at the road. But now, the excitement is gone, and you do not want to drive the bus anymore.

Maybe you are tired of planning your trip around low bridges. Maybe you are tired of worrying about "truck route" settings on your GPS. Or maybe you just want to fit into a campsite at a National Park without needing to measure the space perfectly. Whatever the reason, you are ready to trade the big RV for something smaller. You want something easier to drive. You want something that does not require you to think like a truck driver just to go buy milk.

But how do you fit a 40-foot lifestyle into a 25-foot space? How do you go from a large closet to a very small wardrobe?

Here is your guide to downsizing from a Class A. It is written for people who want honest advice.

The Decision: Why You Are Doing This

What is this? This is the moment you realize you are tired of getting bad gas mileage and paying for storage space you do not visit.

We understand. The Class A is the biggest RV on the road. You have a washer and dryer. You have a large fridge that holds a lot of food and drinks. You have heated floors that are nice in the winter. But you also have an RV that is hard to drive to the grocery store. You miss being able to just drive. You miss seeing a sign for a roadside attraction and turning in to see it. You cannot do that in a Class A because you might not be able to turn around.

Why you would consider it: You probably want to be able to turn around easily. You want to make a U-turn without needing someone to help you guide the RV. You are probably tired of being told "no." You are tired of reading "Max Length 30 feet" on campsite websites. You are stuck in private RV parks while other people are in the State Parks. You also know that money is a reason. Tires for a Class A are very expensive. A smaller RV costs less to fix. It gets slightly better gas mileage. It costs less to insure. You also need to think about stress. Driving a large RV through a construction zone is scary. Driving a smaller RV is much less scary. You can look at the view instead of looking at your mirrors.

The Purge: You Have Too Many Things

What is this? This is the act of getting rid of things you do not need. You do not need 12 towels. You do not need a bread maker. You do not need tools for an engine you cannot fix yourself.

This is the hardest part of the process. If you own a Class A, you have "basement" storage. This storage is very large. You have closets inside. You have drawers full of things you do not use. To move to a Class C, a Super C, or a Class B, you must get rid of at least half of your things. You might need to get rid of more than half. You need to understand weight limits. Your Class A could carry a lot of heavy things. A smaller RV cannot carry heavy things. If you bring too many books, the RV will be too heavy.

How to start: You need to be strict. You should use the "One Year Rule." This rule says that if you have not used an item in one year, you must get rid of it. You must give it away. You must also get rid of extra items. You do not need two different frying pans. You only need one pan. You do not need plates for eight people if only two people eat there. You should scan your paper books and manuals to a computer or tablet. A tablet weighs much less than a box of books. If you have things you are not sure about, use the "Maybe Box." Put the things in a box. Tape the box closed. If you do not open the box in three months, throw the box away. Do not look inside the box.

The Hunt: Choosing Your New RV

What is this? This is finding an RV that is small but comfortable.

You are used to luxury. If you buy the wrong small RV, you will not like it. You need to find the right size. It must be small enough to drive easily. It must be big enough for you and your partner to live together happily. You need to look at the floorplan. You are not looking for space to have parties. You are looking for space that works well.

Top choices for former Class A owners: The Super C is often the best first step. It drives like a truck because it is a truck. It can still tow a car. It has a powerful engine. It is like a smaller Class A. If you want to go even smaller, look for a Class B+ or a small Class C. Brands like Tiffin or Leisure Travel Vans make these. They have nice counters and wood cabinets like your Class A. But they are small enough to park at a restaurant. Finally, the Mercedes Sprinter is a popular choice. It drives like a large SUV. It fits in many parking spots. However, it costs a lot of money to fix a Mercedes. You should also look at the "Murphy Bed" layout. This bed folds up into the wall. It gives you a lot of room during the day. But you must make your bed every night. You must decide if you want to do that.

The Reality Check: What You Will Miss

What is this? This is the truth about what you lose when you get a smaller RV.

We must be honest. You are going to miss your tanks. In a Class A, you have 100 gallons of fresh water. You have large waste tanks. You can camp without hookups for two weeks. In a smaller RV, you have 30 gallons of water. You will have to dump your waste tanks every three days. You will have to take very short showers. You will also miss the generator. Class A generators are quiet and run for a long time. Small RV generators are often loud. Some small RVs use batteries instead of generators, but you have to learn how to use them. You are trading your large water tank for the ability to drive anywhere. You must make sure you want that trade.

The Shift: Changing How You Live

What is this? This is learning that you now live outside the RV, not inside the RV.

In a Class A, you live inside. In a smaller RV, you live out of the RV. This is a big change in how you think. Your living room is not inside anymore. Your living room is outside under the awning. You are closer to your neighbors. You are part of the campground.

Tips and Tricks for the change: Your kitchen is very small now. You should cook outside. You should buy a portable grill. This keeps the heat outside. This keeps the food smells outside. You also need gear that does two things. You should not bring anything that only does one thing. An ottoman should also store shoes. A table should also turn into a bed. If it does not do two things, do not bring it. The most important thing is to change your attitude. You are not the biggest RV in the park anymore. But you can fit in the drive-thru line to get coffee. You could not do that before.

Helpful References

If you want to read more about people who have decided to downsize, check out these websites:

• Gone With the Wynns – They went from a large diesel RV to a boat. They have smaller RVs now too. They have good advice on how to manage your things.
• Technomadia – They explain how to fit a mobile office into a small space.