Storage space in a 34' vs. a 39' 5th wheel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

tampabikeracer · RV-Dreams Community Member

Storage space in a 34' vs. a 39' 5th wheel

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm downsizing from a 4 bedroom house! I've been looking at 40'+ rigs, but actually just absolutely fell in love with a floorplan that's attached to a 35 footer. The only stuff we've decided to keep are items we believe we are going to need on a daily or at most a weekly basis (with the exception of 1 winter coat, 1 pair of gloves and 1 scarf and maybe 2 sweatshirts for the colder temps). It'll only be me and DH living in the rig and we don't really expect much, if any company for meals, so even a serving set for 4 is more than we need (currently have enough for 12). We don't need a cabinet loaded with coffee mugs - we can reuse 1 each. That's the drift. Good luck purging!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

there is no such thing as "storage" on an RV.......just necessity Bins, as you go along after you first pull out you notice all that" STUFF "you dragged along no longer has any... Daily... use.

better off to part with it before you leave....if you have ever been to a yard sale in an RV park , please notice everyone is giving it away almost....and everyone is afraid to pick it up for there storage area!!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can't speak for all brands and models, but in our case our 38.5-foot trailer has more storage capacity than a 36-foot or shorter. Now, in our specific case, part of what increased in our length was the allowance of the washer and dryer being side by side instead of stacked. Now, having said all that, it is likely to vary with different brands and models and even types of RV's. Also, toy haulers may vary as well. We've never considered a toy hauler, so I really can't speak to that type.

I guess you will just need to spend a lot of time at RV shows and on dealer's lots and compare as you are looking. In our case, over our 2 years of research, I took a lot of photos with a digital camera so that I could "compare" more later.

Terry

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

David and Sherry, you've probably figured out that the answer to your question is "it depends." Spend some time looking at floor plans from one company and see how they handle the added length. Then do the same with another one. You are looking at the overhead cabinets. Some companies are better at using every cubic inch than others.

With a five-foot difference in length I would expect there to be a difference in storage space. How much, though, is the question. Different floor plans lend will have differing amounts of storage space even with the same overall length. I know that you are looking at 5'ers, but our motor home provides a good example. We have what's called a walk-through bath. What that means is that we have three full-length closets on the street side (one of which is set up for a washer/dryer) and all of the plumbing stuff on the curb side. With both bathroom doors closed there is a huge bathroom. With both open there is plenty of room to walk from one end of the coach to the other. This same coach was available with a private toilet. That reduces the closet space to one space, and makes some other small changes.

Probably the best suggestion is to look at the floor plans available and find those that fit your needs and wants. Once you have figured that out it will be easier to compare the storage space. Remember that there are only so many ways to arrange the interior of a coach, so if you see a plan that looks good on paper (or the monitor) you might be able to look at it in real life in a brand that you aren't considering. That's fine. Yes, there will be minor differences in details, but you will still be able to tell whether it will work for you or not. We were really interested in one particular floor plan (a 5'er, BTW) until we actually saw one. There was very little room on one side of the bed, so that making the bed would have been a royal pain.

You didn't mention the brands that you are considering, but generally the higher end coaches do a better job of using space well. Of course, you pay for that when you buy the coach.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

David Kbozke said it so well as did Lucky Mike. I doubt I would have much to add. While we were having a satellite antenna installed recently, we killed time by touring high end MH's at the dealers lot. I was amazed that most 40fters only added a half bath but no more and sometimes less storage. In a 5th wheel it's different. You would NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH INTERIOR STORAGE WE HAVE. we made another trip to Goodwill yesterday and our storage shed on our lot here has amazingly filled up! Criminey! And we still have more than we need.

Just sayin' unless you have a business that you need to carry supplies for you'll probably have enough. My Jesse likes to say, " We're like goldfish with our stuff, we grow to fill the space available!"

Sherry

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Mike, David and Sherry. Whatever storage you have will get filled. Unless you are a very disciplined person, which most are not. Plus, any storage is out of sight and it is easy to forget what is there. We just helped my mother-in-law move from a 40' tag axle diesel motorhome to a 33' gas motorhome. The diesel had been modified to have extra deep cabinets and had extra storage added by my father-in-law when he was alive, all very full. She drove away in her new motorhome with her bed surrounded by stuff, half the bed covered in boxes, boxes in the hallways, etc. She had multiple of the same item because they could not find where they were stored and bought again, sometimes multiple times. Now she is culling more stuff, decluttering, etc. She realizes she does need all the stuff and likes the new motorhome a lot. It is more maneuverable and the systems are simpler.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

WestWardHo wrote:
.... My Jesse likes to say, " We're like goldfish with our stuff, we grow to fill the space available!"

Sherry

As an ex-Navy supply type, I can attest to the standard rule of Supply, available inventory will always increase to fill available space. It's an immutable law biggrin biggrin biggrin

The corollary.... If it won't fit, force it! You can never have enough inventory. biggrin

-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 14th of March 2014 08:12:01 PM

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Are either of you pack rats? I don't ask this to be rude, but if either of you have that tendency I shudder to think what would happen in a smaller rig. For us, only one of us (not me) is a pack rat. We spent our first 2 months on the road with major purging at every stop until we got to the right weight and could sell the second car. Since then it's slowed down on the purging, but we're still finding stuff to get rid of, unfortunately I think right now Dale is adding "stuff" at a faster rate than it's going out the door. The "one in/one out" policy worked well for a while but he seems to have forgotten that rule.

So, at a stop we have in May where we'll actually be in the same place for just over 3 weeks purging will begin again so we can make room for the extra batteries we'll be having installed and allow for the extra weight we need for the solar panels that will also be installed. We also will be back in the area where we have a storage room in June, planning to "downsize" the storage room, but at the same time there are some things we carried with us that are going to find a long term home in that storage room.

Purging the "stuff" is an ongoing chore for most of us, far too easy to pack too much "stuff" that we might need, all the just in case items, etc. Then, forget what you have, buy another XXXX and find that you have 2, 3 or 4 of the same or similar items.

tampabikeracer · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all so much for your insight on this post. To answer a few questions: I'm looking at a used (for sure) Excel, DVR Suites, New Horizons, or (maybe) HitchHiker. The reason I'm already this limited is that I've purchased a membership with RV Consumer Group, and have reviewed the over 55,000 RV's they've rated. I'll admit I'm a total newbie on RV's, and that's why I bought their package. To be totally impartial to all other opinions, I also have a subscription to Consumer Reports, and I know for certain that I've seen ratings on their site that I KNOW are wrong, so I harbor no ill will on anything anyone posts on here.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

David,

Since you mentioned the brands you are considering and are considering buying used, be sure and check out Rolling Retreats in Elk City, Oklahoma. They are a "mom and pop" dealership that deals primarily with DRV Suites models and usually have some used ones on their lot. When I say, "mom and pop," it it because they are literally about all the employees there are. They are gaining a very good reputation with owners of DRV Suites models and will even deliver anywhere in the lower 48 states, in the event that you haven't chosen a truck yet.

That's another thing, wait on a truck until you have chosen your trailer and then get a truck capable of handling the weight of that trailer.

Right at the moment, on their "Inventory" page, they have 6 used models listed. Only one of those is listed as a consignment and the unit is actually in Florida. The others are either on the lot or soon to be there. They will work with you very well and are very conscientious about how they treat their customers and making sure things are working right on the trailers.

Terry

tampabikeracer · RV-Dreams Community Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
David,
Since you mentioned the brands you are considering and are considering buying used, be sure and check out Rolling Retreats in Elk City, Oklahoma. They are a "mom and pop" dealership that deals primarily with DRV Suites models and usually have some used ones on their lot. When I say, "mom and pop," it it because they are literally about all the employees there are. They are gaining a very good reputation with owners of DRV Suites models and will even deliver anywhere in the lower 48 states, in the event that you haven't chosen a truck yet.
That's another thing, wait on a truck until you have chosen your trailer and then get a truck capable of handling the weight of that trailer.
Right at the moment, on their "Inventory" page, they have 6 used models listed. Only one of those is listed as a consignment and the unit is actually in Florida. The others are either on the lot or soon to be there. They will work with you very well and are very conscientious about how they treat their customers and making sure things are working right on the trailers.
Terry

Thanks for the heads up, Terry. It's too bad we're not ready to buy right now, as there are 2 "package deals" at their store, and they both look great. I'll definitely keep them in mind when we're in our purchase window. I had already decided not to get a tow vehicle until we get our 5th wheel, as weights on those things are all over the place. I'd rather err with too much truck than not enough, or one that's overloaded to start with.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ruth, laughing at your question and no, I don't think we're pack rats. Both Jesse and I could easily get by with 1/2 the clothes we have, 1/2 the kitchen gear but so far we've used most of the things we haves do donated what we haven't used. The problem is we have so much storage, why not put something in it? We're not as wise and disciplined as you, more like Dale I guess. Got rid of the canoe and large inflatable Kayak but added fire pit, Traegar smoker, generator, a tall ladder to get on the roof.

We'll get there!! We actually have some empty cupboards now and more to come!

Sherry

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

34' vs. a 39' = 5' Hope this helps.

Airplane Guy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well stated Mike. I've been full-time for a month and already agree.

:)

tampabikeracer · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks, all. The info has helped me to choose that a 34' is the longest I want to go.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We were looking at a 35 ft and 37 ft made by the same manufacturer. The 37 ft had an extra closet plus 11 extra inches of counter space and 9 inch deeper cabinet at the rear in the kitchen area. The extra closet was where the manufacturer would place a stackable washer/dryer or it could be used for clothes. The extra 9 inches of cabinet provided room for small appliances otherwise the cabinet would barely hold anything. The deeper counter top meant you could place a dish or appliance on it. With the shorter 5th wheel the counter was only 6 inches deep.