What Is The Best Small RV For A Family Of Four?
Taking RV trips as a family is a great way to spend time together, explore new places, and take your living accommodations on the road. Most small RVs are better suited to single travelers and couples though, not large families. If you have a family of four and are looking for the best small RV, you’ve come to the right place!
There are a variety of options available for customers who want to take their families on the road. Below we’ve provided recommendations for a pop up camper, travel trailer, Class B motorhome, and Class C motorhome. Fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes are also popular designs, but they are typically too large to qualify as a “small RV.”
The models below are a good place to start your search, but there are obviously many more options on the market!
The best small RV campers for families
Pop Up Camper: 2019 Jay Sport 12SC
- Exterior Length: 18 feet, 7 inches
- Slide-outs: 1 slide out, 2 pop out sections
- Fresh Water Capacity: 28.2 gallons
If you’re looking for a balance of space and utility, a pop up camper is the best small RV type to consider. They are nice and compact when you drive, but can expand a good amount once you’re ready to park and set up camp.
This model from Jayco is one of the best designs for families of 4 or more. There are two pop out sections (one on each end of the trailer). In the 12SC model, the rear bed is a queen-sized bed, while the front is a king-sized bed. This provides plenty of sleeping pace for everybody and lets the parents and kids enjoy some separation from each other.
The middle of this camper contains a kitchen, a booth-style dinette, and some additional storage space. The dinette sits within a slideout, so there is plenty of elbow room once everything has been expanded. There’s even an extra sofa in case you need even more sleeping space!
The only downside is that this floor plan doesn’t come with a bathroom, so you’ll have to make sure there are bathroom facilities nearby when you set up camp.
To view this model and similar floor plans, visit the product page here.
Travel Trailer: 2021 Jay Flight SLX 7 174BH
- Exterior Length: 21 feet, 8 inches
- Slide-outs: 0
- Fresh Water Capacity: 20 gallons
Travel trailers are one of the most varied and versatile RV designs on the market. Luckily that means that there are many small RVs that work well for families of 4! One great option comes from the Jay Flight SLX lineup. This is a fairly small RV, measuring in at only 21 feet, 8 inches long.
The front end of this trailer contains a queen-sized bed that is perfect for parents to share. The second sleeping space is located at the rear and it’s a set of bunk beds. This is perfect if you have kids who don’t want to share a bed!
A bathroom is also located at the rear of the trailer, so you won’t have to worry about finding a campsite with a bathroom nearby. In between the two sleeping areas is a booth-style dinette and a kitchen. Overhead cabinets also cover many of the walls in this trailer, which expands the storage capacity.
Overall this is one of the best small RVs for families of 4! It has space for everyone, a bathroom, and all the storage and living amenities you need.
To view this model and similar floor plans, visit the product page here.
Class B Motorhome: Coach House Arriva V24 TB
- Exterior Length: 24 feet, 2 inches
- Slide-outs: 0
- Fresh Water Capacity: 31 gallons
Class B motorhomes (or camper vans) are popular among customers who like to travel light. These are essentially large vans that are filled with living space rather than rows of seats. The Coach House Arriva is a fantastic model for people who are traveling with families and want to make space for everyone.
This camper van comes with everything you need for a family road trip in one neat package. The front area is occupied with the driver’s seats, which can swivel and integrate into the living space once the vehicle is parked. Behind these seats are the kitchen and dining areas.
The kitchen is equipped with a sink, dual burner stove, refrigerator, microwave, and pantry. There is also a fold-out table that can couple as a workspace or dining area.
Behind this space is the sleeping area. Depending on the design you choose, this can either be a set of twin beds, or a full king-size bed conversion that takes up the whole width of the vehicle. If you choose to go for the king-sized model, everyone in the family should be able to sleep there (although it may be a bit crowded). There are also overhead cabinets and a TV in this space, so there is storage and entertainment built in.
The rear of this vehicle contains a spacious dry bath. There is room for a toilet, shower, sink, medicine cabinet, and a wardrobe. All in all, this model is among the best small RVs if you love camper vans.
To view this model and similar floor plans, visit the product page here.
Class C Motorhome: Winnebago Outlook 22C
- Exterior Length: 24 feet, 8 inches
- Slide-outs: 1
- Fresh Water Capacity: 37 gallons
Finally, we have our Class C contestant, which has a combination of the greatest features from the models above. It is the longest RV on the list, but it’s still fairly small compared to many other options. The Winnebago Outlook 22C is a fantastic camper for families to consider.
The front of this RV is split between a driver’s cabin and an over-the-cab sleeping area. This raised sleeping space is perfect for kids and the bed is fairly large as well. It measures in at 95 inches long and 54 inches wide.
The rear of this motorhome holds the other bedroom. This once contains a queen-sized bed that sits partially within a slide-out to make more room. A dry bath occupies the other rear corner, which makes showering and using the bathroom convenient for everyone on board.
In the middle of this motorhome, there is a kitchen on one wall and a dinette on the other. The dinette seats are equipped with seat belts, so everyone can ride in safety. Overall this design is wonderful for families with children and it has everything you need for a long and fun road trip!
To view this model and similar floor plans, visit the product page here.
One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and much more.
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I’m looking to buy a small RV one that I can drive I do not want to pull I need one that sleeps four
The Jay Flight is a single axle trailer and has a cargo capacity of 675, which would include water, gas bottles, battries and all the “STUFF” one needs when on a trip.
This means it will not work for most families of 4, unless the tow vehicle has a large payload and can accommodate all the weight instead of the trailer. Most half ton trucks payload will max out with 4 people and a generator and the BBQ.
So its buyer beware, you could end up with a useless toy, except for short weekend trips, useing 2 vehicles, one as a tow the other as a mule to carry all the camping goodies. Check the numbers carefully before you buy.
We had a Conquest 19BH. Great for a family of 4 with small kids.