Finding the Perfect RV Layout for Our Family (And Why It Took So Much Work)

 

When we first started looking at RVs, we had no idea just how deep the rabbit hole would go. You’d think it’s as simple as walking onto a lot, picking a floorplan you like, and hitching it up. Nope.

As a family, we knew we wanted a space that didn’t feel like a camper. We weren’t aiming for something we’d just crash in at night—we wanted something that felt more like a tiny home. Somewhere we could breathe, spread out a little, and still have our own spaces to retreat to.

That meant a second bedroom was a must—not just a curtain or a fold-out bunk in the hallway, but a real door and a real room for our kid. We’ve learned that even in the smallest of homes, privacy and personal space make a huge difference, especially when you’re all living under one roof full-time (on wheels, no less).

But there was a catch: our truck. When we bought it, RVing wasn’t even on our minds. We picked the truck for other reasons, and only later did we start thinking about towing an RV. That meant we had to work within its weight limits—and once you factor in things like towing capacity, payload, and hitch weight, the list of potential RVs gets a lot shorter.

We quickly realized that finding the right RV when you’re limited by your truck is no small task. Some of the biggest, most luxurious layouts were immediately off the table. No matter how perfect they looked on paper, they just weren’t going to work with what we had.

We probably spent a solid week (at least) glued to our screens, comparing floorplans, watching walkthroughs, reading forums, and stalking used listings. It’s wild how many layouts exist—especially once you open up the used market. Some were way too cramped, some felt like airport terminals, and others seemed perfect until we checked the weight specs and had to rule them out.

In the end, we found one that hit the sweet spot:

✔️ Private second bedroom

✔️ Layout that flowed like a small home

✔️ Under our truck’s towing capacity

✔️ Enough room for everyone to have a little space

Was it exhausting? Absolutely.

Was it worth it? 100%.

If you’re just starting your RV journey and feel overwhelmed, take a breath—it’s totally normal. Just know that finding the right layout, especially one that works for your family and your truck, takes some time and effort. But once you find the right one, it really does make all the difference.