Upsizing

Since upsizing is the most common practice, it is almost self-evident, but it is worth mentioning a few of the things to keep in mind when it comes time to move up.   Upsizing in this article applies mostly to RVs, but tent campers will often want to upsize to larger tents  and other equipment too. Many of the concepts given below for upsizing considerations for RVs can also be applied to getting a bigger tent.  The justification, timing, and even the idea of alternatives, are all applicable to tent camping as well as RVing.  Upsizing might be applied to upgrading your equipment even it it doesn't mean getting larger versions.

Many of the reasons for upsizing have more to do with wants than needs.   Sometimes you really do need a bigger rig as your family grows, but very often we just want more luxury and convenience.  We often see features on  rigs belonging to fellow campers that we find desirable and it is surprising how quickly we begin to perceive our wants has needs.   Many of our upgrades were driven at least as much by desirable additional features as they were by the need for a larger RV as the family grew from 2 to 6 kids.   Today's RVs even have slide outs that expand the living space once you are in camp and eliminate the "tunnel" feeling of older rigs.   I've seen some big motorhomes with slide outs on both sides where the main living area rivals my living room at home.   Let's face it, unless you are using your RV for business parties it is hard to justify slide outs as a need, but a lot of us sure want them, and they are very nice to have.  The open space certainly does make many activities more convenient and comfortable even though they usually don't expand bed space.   Some other, often coveted amenities include ice makers, electric steps, built-in food processors, automatic levelers, and home theaters.   It is really kind of strange.  We go camping to "get away from it all" and then strive to take it all with us.  But, I guess, we can even overdose on the wonders of the great outdoors and it is nice to have a refuge where we can return to the familiar womb of electronic entertainment and modern conveniences to sooth our psyche and give us an alternate means of escape.  It sure is nice to have a climate controlled RV to return to after an afternoon of outdoor activities, whether its a place to warm up after snowmobiling or a place to cool down after some desert trail riding or just too much sun at the pool or on the lake.

When to upsize is something you have to determine based on your own situation.   Certainly if your family has grown and you no longer have enough beds for everyone is one measurement.  That prompted one of our first upgrades from a handy little Class B van conversion to a larger Class C bunkhouse style motorhome.  When we first upgraded to Class A motorhomes, we considered the front salons an unnecessary  luxury and a frivolous waste of space, but after a few long trips with 6 kids, we decided that extra space was a necessity.  Today slide outs would probably be high on the list.  If you find your RV too cramped for activities such as preparing and serving meals you may want to consider moving up.   If you REALLY have strong feelings about some of the additional luxuries and conveniences, you will want to include those in your plans for your next RV.  Regardless of the fundamental reason(s) for upgrading, there are some basic steps you will want to take to make sure your solution is a satisfactory one.  First, make a list of all the features you desire and prioritize the list.   Some items will be on the "must have" list, some may be "nice to have", and some may be completely optional.  Check the prices on the options you want to make sure they are within your budget and to help you prioritize what you "need" most.  You may decide some upgrades just aren't worth the cost.   Second, check out rigs with the features you want.  You may be able to find pictures and reviews on the Internet and in RV magazines.  Visit RV shows and RV dealers so you can walk through some units and get an idea of what feels right and what doesn't.   Collect prices as you go so you can evaluate potential deals and get the best value.   If you find your perfect rig, try to contain your excitement to allow yourself to negotiate the best possible deal.  Jumping up and down and chanting "I want this one!" is not going to give you much bargaining power with the seller.  If you are considering previously owned rigs, be sure to either check them out or have them checked out carefully.  It is way too easy to get excited about desired features, a nice paint job, and a "special price" when you find that "perfect" RV and overlook basic problems that could be inconvenient and expensive to repair.   If the price is too good to be true, there is probably a good reason.  Ask questions of the seller.  Why is the unit being sold?   How did he/she arrive at the asking price?   How often and where did they use the RV?   Do they have service records?  Where has the unit been stored?  What, if any, upgrades does it have?  Has it ever been in a serious accident or had any structural damage or mechanical problems?  If so, how were they resolved?

Upsizing alternatives. There all some alternatives to getting a bigger motorhome or trailer, depending on your current situation and your needs.   If you have a motorhome and need more sleeping room, you might be able to purchase a small travel trailer or utility trailer to pull behind your motorhome to expand your living and/or cargo space, depending on your needs.  This may a be a lot less expensive than buying a bigger motorhome and you can even rent the extra unit when you need it instead of having to buy one.   Having a second RV will expand virtually all of the facilities, including beds, cooking area, bathrooms, fresh water supply and holding tank capacity.   Carefully consider what additional facilities you really need.   Make sure the Combined Vehicle Weight Rating and hitch rating of your motorhome is adequate to pull a trailer.  If you have a trailer and need more space, a second trailer will only be an option if you live and travel only in states where you can tow multiple trailers or have a second vehicle and driver to tow the second trailer.   Also make sure you will be comfortable towing two trailers.   Small, older travel trailers can often be purchased at very low prices. If all you need is more cargo space, a small utility trailer or a roof pod may take care of your needs for at least a while.  Another way of expanding living space in camp on an existing RV is with an "add-a-room", which essentially is a tent or awning enclosure that attaches to your RV. Sometimes, you can redesign some of your interior space to better fit your particular needs.  This usually takes the form of swapping out furniture in the main living space to either increase sleeping capacity or create more floor space and make it easier to move around.   More extensive modifications might redesign the gallery to make it more efficient to use and/or create additional storage or counter space.  Bathrooms are often tight and difficult to improve.  Many RVs have only a shower, but if you need a tub to bathe toddlers, you might be able to replace the shower pan with a suitably sized RV tub -- or just bring along a baby bath tub.  If your primary need is increased sleeping capacity you may be able to install fold down bunk beds over existing sleeping and seating areas.  I've seen several Class B's with cots that fit on pipe rails across the front seats.   This idea can be adapted to many other types of RVs and even vans and passenger cars. More convenient, permanent (and expensive) options are beds that drop down from the ceiling.   Some are even electrically operated.   These are not cheap mods, but they may be a lot cheaper than buying a bigger RV!  They will probably require professional installation to be sure they are properly anchored and do not compromise the structural integrity of the RV.

Downsizing to upsize.  OK, how's that for a paradox?  Here is what I mean. Instead of getting a bigger rig, try getting rid of some of the stuff you're carrying around all the time.  Make more room by eliminating un-used or seldom used items and by making better use of the space you have. Perhaps you can move some items to an outside compartment or roof pod to make more space available inside.   You might be surprised how much you can improve usability with some creative organization.  Take inventory of your equipment.  There may be newer, more compact versions of some of your gear and equipment that will help you lighten the load and make more room.   More efficient use of existing space can make a surprisingly large difference in the livability and convenience of your RV.  Because space is so limited to start with even small changes can achieve a significant percentage difference.

Parking/storage.  When choosing a larger RV, be sure to consider your parking and storage requirements.  You don't want to learn your new RV is too tall to fit in your RV garage by ripping the A/C off the roof when you drive in!   Is it too long for the available parking space?  Will it fit through access gates?  If you have a steep driveway, will the overhang drag?  You don't want to smash your dump valves or tail pipes or rip off the back bumper.  Any problems with parking or storage should be eliminated or mitigated BEFORE you buy a bigger unit.

Move on up!