Two RVs of the same length can feel completely different inside. The floorplan decides where you sleep, cook, sit and store things, so compare layouts in person and with real use in mind.
Floorplans to compare
| Layout | Advantages | Possible drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Rear living | Seating and campsite views | Often less family sleeping space |
| Rear kitchen | Useful counter space | Rear cabinets can experience considerable movement |
| Bunkhouse | Dedicated children's beds | May sacrifice living or storage space |
| Front bedroom | Permanent sleeping area | Bed access can be tight |
| Murphy bed | Opens up daytime space | Needs conversion every day |
| Twin beds | Independent access | Different space trade-offs |
| Toy hauler garage | Flexible equipment or sleeping space | Added size and loading complexity |
Check the RV with the slides in
An attractive campsite layout can be inconvenient at a lunch stop or an overnight travel stop. With the slide-outs retracted, can you reach the:
- Toilet
- Refrigerator
- Bed
- Main storage
- Exit
Sleeping capacity versus usable capacity
"Sleeps eight" does not guarantee comfortable beds, eight suitable travel seats or enough carrying capacity for eight people. In a motorhome, evaluate designated travel seats, seat belts and child-restraint compatibility separately from sleeping capacity. For routine travel, keep passengers in properly equipped powered-vehicle seating rather than inside a towable RV, and think about child-seat installation and pet restraints before committing to a floorplan.
Bathrooms
| Type | What it is | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Wet bath | Shower and toilet share one waterproof space | Saves room, but needs drying and careful storage |
| Dry bath | The shower is separate from the rest of the bathroom | Usually takes more floor space |
| Cassette or separating toilet | An alternative to a conventional black tank | Different emptying routine |
Try the layout with your own routine
- Sit on the toilet and stand in the shower.
- Lie on every bed, and make it.
- Open the cabinets and the refrigerator.
- Cook a pretend meal and sit at the table with everyone who travels with you.
- Imagine a wet day inside with the slides closed.
- Check headroom, door swing and steps for every person, including anyone with mobility limits.
Layouts by type
Compact types such as Class B Camper Vans and Teardrop and Small Trailers have few layout choices. Mid-size types such as Class C Motorhomes and Travel Trailers offer the widest range. Large types such as Fifth Wheels and Class A Motorhomes add features like separate offices, bunkrooms and residential appliances. Read each type page for the details.
Common questions
What is a bunkhouse floorplan?
It has dedicated children's beds, usually in a bunk room, which is great for families but can reduce living or storage space.
What is the difference between a wet bath and a dry bath?
A wet bath puts the shower and toilet in one waterproof space and saves room. A dry bath separates the shower from the rest of the bathroom and uses more floor space.
Does "sleeps eight" mean eight people fit comfortably?
Not necessarily. Check bed sizes, travel seating and carrying capacity separately.