Downsizing

Downsizing is going from a large RV to a smaller one.  Or from a large tent to a smaller one. Downsizing  isn't as common as upsizing.  Sometimes it makes sense but the typical path of RV and tent ownership over time is usually to larger equipment with more space, luxuries, and conveniences so the downward move is somewhat unnatural.  However, there may come a time when upsizing is no longer appropriate and you may need to downsize.  Now that all our kids are grown and gone they are encouraging us to downsize.   I could see the practical side of it but for a long time I wasn't sure I was ready to give up the luxuries and conveniences of our 40' diesel pusher just yet.  We tried a 23' Class C for a while after the kids had all left home, but we soon found it didn't fit our acquired needs.  The 25 gallon fresh water tank was not enough for a long weekend in the desert for even the 2 of us, let alone when some of the kids tagged along.  Downsizing your tent may make sense if you no longer need to lug around that big family tent once all the kids have grown up and left home and a smaller tent will be easier to set up and easier to keep warm in cold weather.

Why would you ever want to downsize? As your family grows up and moves out you may not need as large a facility.  Changes in employment, including retirement, may reduce your disposable income.  Or you may simply change the kinds of activities you participate in and the destinations you choose to frequent.   Smaller units are usually more fuel efficient and can negotiate some roads and fit in some campgrounds where big motorhomes are prohibited or impractical.  A smaller, more fuel efficient unit, might be better suited to retirement than a big fuel guzzler.   Smaller units are also easier to drive and can go places the big ones can't.   As you mature you might simply get tired of driving a behemoth RV or setting up a big heavy tent.

Our first attempt at downsizing wasn't very successful.  The kids were mostly grown and gone and we figured that with just the two of us we could get by very comfortably with a 23' Class C instead of the 35' Class A we had when the kids were growing up.  Several factors made it a less than perfect decision.  We soon discovered that the limited water and holding tank capacities were inadequate for extended weekends in the desert, even for just two people.  Our Class A had about 100 gallons of fresh water. The Class C had only 25.   The second problem was that we underestimated how many of the kids would still be going with us on typical outings.   A big part of why it didn't work out was we hadn't evaluated our needs and our expectations correctly.  Had we done so we might been able to better adapt our behavior to the more limited resources and been able to manage the transition better.  As it was, our solution was to move back up into a Class A motorhome with increased capacities and, frankly, we've never regretted it.  In fact, we upsized again one more time after that.

A second downsizing occurred a few years later. This time we didn't replace our big Class A motorhome, we added a truck camper we could use for limited activities and have access to smaller campgrounds and be able to negotiate narrow mountain roads that were too tight for the motorhome. Buying the camper was also cheaper than replacing all tires on our big motorhome to meet short term camping 'needs'.   This turned out to be more successful, mostly because we had adjusted our expectations and weren't trying to use the camper as full replacement for the luxury motorhome.  By adjusting our activities to those appropriate to the truck camper we were able to enjoy outings not suitable for the big motorhome and we avoided the disappointment and limitations that plagued our first attempt at downsizing.

We recently faced another (involuntary) downsizing when our 40-foot Class A was damaged in an accident.   It was a rare model that could not be replaced.   We looked at hundreds of online ads, visited at lest a half dozen dealers, and examined more than a half dozen private party sales.   Over time we developed a list of "must have" features that helped us narrow our search.   We found that at least some of the luxury features on our big motorhome, while sometimes nice to have, weren't critical to our desired camping lifestyle.   We settled on a much smaller, 27' Class A that still provided many of the creature comforts we had come to enjoy in our bigger unit.   Downsizing required carefully choosing the items, gadgets, and supplies we could fit into the smaller unit.  While a general rule for the big motorhome was "If you think you might need it, bring it along" the rule for the smaller unit is pretty much "If you aren't sure you'll need it, leave it home."  For example, I had a 12 volt chain saw I'd carried in the big motorhome for years and seldom used but there isn't room for it in the "new" motorhome.

If you attempt downsizing, you should plan to make adjustments.   Manage your expectations and realize you will be giving up some of the luxuries and conveniences you've become accustomed to.  Alter your activities to take advantage of the smaller size.  You may have access to smaller campgrounds and other remote locations you didn't have with your big unit, but you may also have to limit duration and modify your activities to match the capabilities of your smaller unit.  That may mean more frequent trips to the dump station and/or bringing along extra water.   And don't forget doing what you can to make your smaller unit as comfortable as possible.  Explore what features the big motorhome or trailer had that you really liked.  Can you add similar features to your replacement? Can you adjust your activities and/or the gear and equipment you carry to fit the smaller unit?   Can you adjust your expectations and accept that not all your "wants" are needs?  If, after considering all your options, you don't think you'll be happy with the smaller unit, forget it!  Any changes you make are intended to improve your enjoyment, so don't do something that isn't going to make you happy.

Trial runs are a good idea if you can make it happen.  Most RVs represent a significant investment so you don't want to be jumping from one to another without good reason and careful planning.  If you think you want to downsize, consider renting or borrowing a unit similar to the one you're considering and take a few short trips in it.  That way you'll know if you will be comfortable BEFORE you get rid of your old tried-and-true behemoth . It will probably be an expensive proposition if you downsize and then have to upsize again.   It was for us.

Bigger is not always better.