Solo travel is alluring for many people, young and older. Van life continues to trend as a popular method for individual travelers, but there are many different RVs that can be used for solo travel, and many ways to travel on your own.
With RVing, you have a lot to learn when starting out. Our collection of articles focused on Solo Travel is meant to ease the learning curve so you feel more comfortable setting out. But all solo travelers need a home base and a reliable vehicle to get from A to B. You can accomplish both with a motorhome, but there are also advantages to keeping them separate, with a tow vehicle and a towable RV.
What’s the best RV for solo travel? It depends on your preferences, but most have one thing in common. They’re generally smaller than RVs meant for couples or families. We reached out to solo travelers to see what types of RVs they’re traveling in and what they love about them:
Towable RV or Motorhome?
Each RV type has advantages and disadvantages, so let’s cover them:
Pros and Cons of Choosing a Towable RV for Solo Travel
Pros
- Price: You’ll find more towable RV options at a lower price point than motorhomes.
- Mobility to Explore: Explore with your tow vehicle once you’ve disconnected your RV and set up a base camp.
- Easier Maintenance: Only worry about regular vehicle maintenance on your tow vehicle. Plus, you’ll have a secondary vehicle to get around if you need to service your RV.
Cons
- Keeping Perishable Foods: It’s recommended to turn off your refrigerator and shut off valves on propane containers before towing. So you may need to stop every 4-5 hours and turn your propane and fridge back on to keep foods from perishing, depending on outside temperatures.
- Towing Considerations: Driving and maneuvering with a towable requires more attention and proficiency than driving a motorhome.
- Wear on Tow Vehicle: Consistent towing puts more wear and tear on your tow vehicle, especially if you’re a full-time RVer.
Pros and Cons of Choosing a Motorhome for Solo Travel
Pros
- Maneuverability: You don’t have to worry about towing, and driving is easier, especially if you choose a smaller motorhome.
- Relief from Drowsy Driving: Easily pull into a rest area and climb right into the back to lie down and rest.
- Quicker Campsite Setup: You don’t need to worry about disconnecting your tow vehicle whenever you arrive at a new campsite.
Cons
- You’re Tied to Your RV’s Location: You won’t have the freedom to set your RV up in a campground, unhook, and drive to visit nearby attractions. You’ll only be able to get around using a bicycle, e-bike, on foot, or by another slower method of locomotion.
- RV Availability During Maintenance: You don’t have a secondary vehicle to get around if your RV has to go in for extended service.
What is the Best RV for Solo Travel?
“Best” is subjective, as everyone has slightly different preferences. But I’ve chosen one RV from each type – Class A, B, and C motorhomes and the various towables – based on my solo RV experience and the desire to highlight some of the newest models hitting Camping World lots in 2024. Here are my selections:
Travel Trailer: Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2506S
RV Specs
- Length: 25’11”
- Dry Weight: 5,551 pounds
- Freshwater Capacity: 54 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 60 (gray) and 30 (black) gallons
Picked for its relatively light dry weight and solo-friendly floorplan, the Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2506S is arguably the most dependable nameplate for Elkhart-built travel trailers. This floorplan boasts a large L-shaped front kitchen that’s perfect for keeping yourself well-fed on all your RV adventures.
Find Rockwood Mini Lite travel trailers in your region.
Other Travel Trailers Worth Considering
- Lower Budget: Coleman Lantern LT 17R, Forest River Salem FSX 163RDSK, Jayco Jay Flight SLX 183RB
- Step Up: Jayco Jay Feather 19MRK, Keystone Cougar 22MLE, Grand Design Imagine 2600RB
- Big Step Up: Airstream Caravel 19CB, Outdoors RV Creek Side 21KVS, Lance 1995
Fifth Wheel: Keystone Cougar 23MLE
RV Specs
- Length: 27’11”
- Dry Weight: 7,678 pounds
- Freshwater Capacity: 54 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 60 (gray) and 30 (black) gallons
A true half-ton towable, the Keystone Cougar 23MLE is a great fifth wheel for solo travel because it boasts a solid layout with excellent storage space. It’s also built by a dependable brand that backs its model with a 1+3 warranty and one of the best warranty/parts departments in the industry.
Discover Keystone Cougar fifth wheels in your area.
Other Fifth Wheels Worth Considering
- Lower Budget: Jayco Eagle HT 25RUC, Forest River Palomino Puma 253FBS, Coachmen Chaparral 235RK
- Step Up: Grand Design Reflection 150 Series 260RD, K-Z Durango HT 250RED
- Big Step Up: Keystone Montana High Country 295RL, Forest River Cedar Creek Experience 3125RD, Grand Design Solitude S Class 2930RL
Toy Hauler for a Dirt Bike: Forest River Ozark 1900TH
RV Specs
- Length: 23’5”
- Dry Weight: 4,359 pounds
- Freshwater Capacity: 54 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 40 (gray) and 40 (black) gallons
A half-ton towable with a very functional layout, the Forest River Ozark 1900TH is the perfect compact toy hauler for hauling smaller power sports equipment like dirt bikes. There’s no built-in generator or fueling station, but it’s available at a great price point, and the garage measures 125” long by 66” wide. Plus, you’ll have a super functional kitchen and cozy queen-sized bed.
Find more info on pricing and availability of Forest River Ozark toy haulers in your region.
Other Toy Haulers for a Dirt Bike Worth Considering
Toy Hauler for Bigger Toys: Grand Design Momentum G Class 21G
RV Specs
- Length: 26’11”
- Dry Weight: 6,400 pounds
- Freshwater Capacity: 96 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 74 (gray) and 39 (black) gallons
Boasting a 98” wide by 79” long garage complete with a fueling station and an optional generator, the Grand Design Momentum G Class 21G is among the best-selling toy haulers out there. Perfect for the solo traveler with a furry companion, this toy hauler boasts a flip-up pet dish tray between the Euro-style chairs and a 30-gallon fueling station to help you keep your larger power toys fueled up.
Shop our nationwide inventory of Grand Design Momentum toy haulers.
Other Toy Haulers for Bigger Toys Worth Considering
Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler: Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pack 315Pack12
RV Specs
- Length: 40’7”
- Dry Weight: 11,220 pounds
- Freshwater Capacity: 96 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 88 (gray) and 44 (black) gallons
With the right heavy-duty truck for towing this trailer’s weight, the Forest River Wolf Pack 315Pack12 is a 101-inch wide fifth wheel with an optional generator and a standard fuel station at a super attractive price point. It might not fit all the toys in its 12’ long by 97.5” wide garage, but fits a lot. When you aren’t storing your toys, the garage converts to a secondary dining area with a powered drop-down bed above.
Discover Forest River Wolf Pack toy haulers near you.
Other Fifth Wheel Toy Haulers Worth Considering
Pop-up Camper: Forest River Rockwood Limited 1940LTD
RV Specs
- Open Length: 20’2”
- Closed Length: 13’9”
- Dry Weight: 1,685 pounds
Renowned by many for having the best layout and price point in the pop-up camper category, the Forest River Rockwood Limited 1940LTD will take your solo camping trips to the next level with a much smaller investment than other campers. Still, it’s equipped with a powerful furnace and A/C unit, a portable two-burner cooktop for indoor/outdoor use, and a power lift system for easy setup and breakdown.
Discover our nationwide inventory of Forest River pop-up campers.
Other Pop-up Campers Worth Considering
- Higher End Tent Camper: Coachmen Clipper Viking Legend 1285SST
- High-End A-Frame: Aliner Evolution 12
Truck Camper: Northwood Arctic Fox 990
RV Specs
- Length: 17’6”
- Dry Weight: 3,010 pounds
- Freshwater Capacity: 59 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 39 (gray) and 43 (black) gallons
Easily one of the best-selling truck campers on the market, the Northwood Arctic Fox 990 is built by a brand with as solid of a reputation as it gets. You’ll need a heavy-duty pickup truck with ample payload capacity to haul it, but the trade-off for the interior space and amenities you’ll get is worth it – including a queen-sized bed, a full shower, and a very functional kitchen.
Find the perfect Arctic Fox truck camper for your truck bed.
Other Truck Campers Worth Considering
- Cheaper: Forest River Palomino Backpack SS-1240
- Higher End: Lance 825
Class A Motorhome: Forest River Georgetown 5 Series 31L5
RV Specs
- Length: 34’11”
- GVWR: 22,000 pounds
- Freshwater Capacity: 82 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 42 (gray) and 42 (black) gallons
Consistently one of Camping World’s best-selling shorter Class A motorhomes, the Forest River Georgetown 5 Series offers four distinct floorplans, with the 31L5 being the most compact. The floorplan is more than spacious for a solo traveler but ideal for full-timing, especially if you like entertaining guests. With an 18 cubic-foot RV refrigerator, you’ll have no trouble keeping perishable foods fresh with this compact Class A motorhome.
Discover the pricing and availability of this Forest River Georgetown motorhome.
Other Class A RVs Worth Considering
- Thor Motor Coach Vegas 24.1 – the shortest Class A on the market right now
- Winnebago Vista 29V
- Tiffin Allegro Open Road 36LA
- Fleetwood Bounder 35K
Class B Motorhome: Thor Scope 18M
RV Specs
- Length: 17’11”
- GVWR: 8,550 pounds
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster
- Freshwater Capacity: 18 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 20 (gray) and 4.75 (black) gallons
Get ready for stealth camping at its most basic. The Thor Scope 18M has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s also positioned itself among the cheapest Class B RVs for sale on the market today. With a pull-out bed that doubles as a daytime couch, a removable table for working or dining, and a wet bath, it’s an extremely versatile van camper.
Explore our nationwide selection of Thor Scope camper vans.
Other Camper Vans Worth Considering
- Winnebago Revel 44E – the best-selling B Van on the market for a reason
- Coachmen Nova 20RB – a nice Promaster chassis from one of the most reputable Class B van builders
- Jayco Solstice 21B – a nice Transit chassis option
Class C Motorhome: Jayco Greyhawk 27U
RV Specs
- Length: 29’11”
- GVWR: 14,500 pounds
- Chassis: Ford E-450
- Freshwater Capacity: 42 gallons
- Waste Water Capacity: 41 (gray) and 31 (black) gallons
The Greyhawk is arguably the best riding class C RV on the market, and the 27U has the shortest floorplan, making it best suited for solo travelers. Other notable features that set this apart include a king-sized bed, loads of closet storage, and an 18’ power exterior awning.
Shop our full inventory of Jayco Greyhawk motorhomes.
Other Class C RVs Worth Considering
- Lower Budget: Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite 22FE, Forest River Forester LE 2151SLE, Jayco Redhawk SE 27N
- Higher Budget: Forest River Forester Classic 2501TS, Entegra Coach Odyssey 24B
- B-Plus: Winnebago View 24D, Forest River Sunseeker MBS 2400B, Thor Motor Coach Gemini 23TW
- Super C / Offroader: Jayco Seneca XT 29T, Dynamax Isata 5 28SS
Tips for Choosing an RV for Solo Travel
Here are my top tips for narrowing down your options and choosing an RV that supports your solo travel dreams.
- Consider your primary activities. Are you traveling solo to visit the national parks? Go hiking? Paddle your kayak on new waterways? Work remotely? Your primary activities will lead you to the RV features you can’t live without. For me, it’s a dinette that I turn into my mobile office because, as much as I like to play when I travel solo, my ability to work remotely is what makes it all possible.
- Plan for all seasons. Sure, there are many forms of solo travel. But planning for the worst possible weather can help you stay comfortable when and if it comes. I personally considered a smaller towable with an outdoor kitchen, but my indoor kitchen has proved so valuable, and the added interior space to stay comfortable in rainy or dismally hot weather is a game-changer.
- Browse various floorplans. From bunkhouses to rear entries, there are many unique floorplans to choose from. My best advice is to explore as many floorplans as possible in person. It’s the best way to get a feel for how you’ll actually utilize that space.
- Ponder the future. While you should prioritize your current needs, it’s healthy to consider the future. For me, adopting my Husky was a major factor in my decision to choose a small camper that would accommodate the two of us. But because I chose a trailer with a queen-sized bed, convertible dinette, and plenty of storage, it became a comfortable home away from home when we added a new partner to our travel fellowship.
If you’re leaning into traveling solo, don’t forget to lean on your network of friends and family. One of my favorite things about traveling solo is taking the time to visit folks that I otherwise wouldn’t have if I had a more defined home base.
What are the biggest hurdles stopping you from traveling solo? Let us know in the comments below.
