RVs are a great way for you and your family or group of friends to explore the country in style. One reason RVs are so popular for group travel is that they can accommodate quite a few occupants comfortably. Some RVs even sleep between 6-8 people.
Overall, RVs come in a wide range of sizes, styles, and layouts, so it’s important to choose a rig that’s designed to meet your capacity needs. (For more tips on choosing the best RV size for your needs, check out this article). Otherwise, you and your travel party will feel like sardines in a can, which could ruin your whole trip.
Key Takeaways
- Class A motorhomes can typically accommodate up to eight people
- Class B RVs usually fit two to four passengers.
Factors Influencing RV Capacity
RV capacity doesn’t just refer to how many people you can physically stuff inside an RV. Instead, it refers to how many people your RV is designed to house. So, you’ll need to take into consideration the RV specifications, sleeping capacity, legal regulations, and any safety regulations to determine your RV capacity.
Factor #1: Sleeping capacity
Unless you plan to have some of your party members tent camp, everyone traveling with you should have a designated place to sleep–other than on the floor. RVs have a number of innovative sleeping arrangements, including bunk beds, overhead bunks, pull-out sofas, convertible dinettes, and more.
Factor #2: Safety
You also shouldn’t put more people in an RV than is safe to do. Everyone should have a seatbelt and a place to sit. If they don’t, then there isn’t enough room in the RV for them.
Factor #3: Adherence to Legal Regulations
In addition to being safe, having a seatbelt and a place to sit is also a legal requirement. The last thing you need is to get pulled over and ticketed because you have people running around in the back of a moving RV.
Factor #4: Comfort
Even if everyone has a place to sit and sleep, that doesn’t mean you’re all going to be comfortable together. RVs have many different layout options, and some are better for large groups than others. Therefore, do some research and choose a rig with the right layout for your needs.
Factor #5: Slide-Outs
Something that RV owners should look into–depending on how many guests they have–is an RV with slide-outs. Slide-outs will dramatically increase your living and sleeping space. However, in the case of motorhomes, they may eliminate some of your seating and moving-around capacity while the rig is in motion and the slide-outs are in.
Factor #6: RV Specifications
Lastly, check the RV specifications to see how many people it’s designed to sleep and house. Exceeding the specifications typically isn’t a good idea and will bring about sleeping, comfort, and safety concerns.
Passenger Capacities of Different RV Types
In addition to there being many different RV layouts and designs, there are also different types of RVs. Some of them are better suited for large groups than others.
Here’s a quick rundown of your options!
Class A Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes are the giants of the RV world and are usually the biggest option available. Class As are also the most luxurious options and have the most amenities.
However, in spite of having the most interior living space, not all Class A motorhomes are set up for large groups of people. Instead, they’re intended for retired couples or smaller families who want to RV in luxury.
Having said that, there are several group-friendly Class A motorhomes out there. These larger rigs also have more towing capacity, which means you can tow a vehicle or trailer behind you (also known as a “toad”). Therefore, if you want a Class A motorhome for your traveling group, do some research and find the RV with the right layout and sleeping accommodations.
Class B RVs
Class B RVs, also known as camper vans, are the smallest of the motorhome categories. So remember, camper vans are loved for how small and compact they are–not for their ample living and sleeping space. As such, Class B RVs are better suited for individuals, couples, or families of three or four rather than large groups.
Class C RVs
Class C motorhomes are one of the most popular options for traveling with a large group or multiple family members. Although they aren’t as big as Class A motorhomes, Class C RVs often have a more group-friendly design and layout.
They make up for their lack of overall space with innovative sleeping accommodations. Many options also have sleeping arrangements for up to eight people or even more! As such, as long as you don’t mind things being a tad tight on travel days, Class C motorhomes are an excellent option for groups on a budget.
Fifth-Wheel Trailers
Fifth-wheel trailers are a popular choice for larger families or groups because they have the most living space of any type of RV. Depending on the fifth wheel you choose, they also have some of the most luxurious accommodations.
If you really want to maximize your sleeping and living capacity, consider getting a fifth-wheel toy hauler. Toy haulers have a rear garage that you can repurpose into a massive bedroom or living area.
Travel Trailers
Another option is to invest in a travel trailer for your group. While travel trailers are smaller than fifth-wheels, some models have the same amount of sleeping space. As with Class C motorhomes, they make up for a lack of overall space with innovative sleeping arrangements and floor plans.
The downside of travel trailers, fifth-wheels, and other towable RVs is that they require a tow vehicle. Most tow vehicles can’t hold more than four to six people comfortably, which means you may need a second travel vehicle (as it’s not legal to ride in a moving travel trailer).
Understanding RV Sleeping Arrangements
Because we’ve mentioned sleeping arrangements and accommodations several times in this article, let’s dive in a bit deeper. What qualifies as a “sleeping arrangement”? And what are ways to maximize your RV’s sleeping space? Answers to these questions (and more) are to come!
Bunk Beds and Overhead Bunks
Bunk beds in RVs are one of the most common and practical ways to maximize sleeping space, especially in smaller models. These beds can come in various configurations, such as twin bunks, double bunks, or a mix with an upper twin and a lower convertible piece of furniture.
Another sleeping option that’s common with Class C motorhomes is to have an overhead bunk above the driving cabin. Overhead bunks are also common with toy haulers and larger fifth-wheels and motorhomes.
Tables, Couches, and Convertible Beds
Another common sleeping accommodation is to have tables and couches that convert into full-size beds. These typically sleep two people and are a great way to maximize sleeping space.
Main Bedrooms and Extra Space
Master bedrooms are the most comfortable option in all types of RVs. They’re especially good for families where the parents need some privacy, their own space, and a king- or queen-sized bed. However, master bedrooms take up a lot of the overall sleeping and living space, which makes them less than ideal for larger groups.
Legal and Safety Considerations
Last, but not least, it’s essential to be safe and law-compliant when you’re RVing with a group. That means following seat belt laws and using common sense.
In most cases, every passenger in a moving motorhome must have a seatbelt and their own seat. While they aren’t required everywhere, three-point seat belts are recommended for all passengers.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoyed your road trip and look forward to your next group outing, it’s important to ensure that your recreational vehicle is primed and ready to go. That means having somewhere safe to store your RV so that it isn’t subjected to wind, mold, hale, and other elements that can damage it.
If you don’t have the proper accommodations or space on your property and don’t want to use a general storage facility, consider using Neighbor. Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace with dozens of RV storage options throughout the country, and maybe even in your own neighborhood!
