Updating an RV’s interior is a fun and satisfying project. But as the creative ideas start swirling, the question arises: “Can you put regular furniture in an RV?” Thanks to Camping World’s Design Center, reimagining and renovating your RV’s interior is easier than ever.
Residential furniture can certainly work inside an RV, but the process isn’t always a simple swap. Ask these important questions before removing your RV furniture. Take time to plan, measure, and research furniture pieces that will stand up to the wear and tear of RV travel and camping.
1. What is Underneath the Furniture?
Storage space is king in an RV, motorhome, or travel trailer. Most of the time RV furniture is doing double duty, acting as a seating area and storage space. Often important system elements, like water tanks or furnaces, live underneath sofas or dinettes. Check to see whether this is the case in your RV before tossing your RV furniture. Finding a residential sofa that will fit around these custom elements may prove tricky.
2. Is the furniture in a slide-out?
Slide-outs are finicky mechanisms and can buckle under too much weight. When replacing furniture in a slide-out, keep the furniture lightweight. Overloading your pop out with heavy items could wear on the trailer over time and cause separation, sag, or mechanical failure.
3. How much does the RV furniture weigh?
Loading a trailer is a crucial aspect of safe towing. If one side of a trailer is too heavy, it could cause trailer sway on the road. Equally unnerving, an imbalanced trailer puts uneven stress on the axel and tires, leading to blowouts. Before replacing furniture, consider where you are adding and subtracting weight. If you’re unsure about estimating weight distribution, take your trailer to a truck weigh station and get precise measurements.
Beyond misbalancing your trailer, heavy furniture will cost you more over time in gas. It may seem small now, but a hauling a heavier trailer across the country can add on a significant cost.
4. Can I secure this furniture?
The biggest difference between home furniture and RV furniture is its exposure to movement. Every time an RV goes down the road, its contents are subject to vibrations, bounces, jerks, and impact. This intense movement is why all RV furniture must be bolted down before rolling down the road. A poorly secured piece of furniture could come loose in transit, and start moving around within the trailer, causing trailer sway. A very dangerous scenario, it’s imperative all RV furniture is strongly secured to the trailer to prevent movement.
5. Do I have a warranty on my trailer?
If your RV is still under its factory warranty, or if you’ve purchased an extended warranty, hold off on replacing the furniture. More often than not, altering an RV’s structural integrity will void all warranties. Live with your new RV for a few years before making big changes. This way you’ll know how much you use that extra sofa, and whether the space would be better used as a desk or table.
6. Does this furniture fit through my door?
It may seem obvious, but that new furniture won’t make it into your RV unless it can fit through the door. You may be able to use the fire-escape window as an entry point, but most of the time the door will be the biggest port in and out. Measure your RV door carefully before purchasing new furniture. Opt for pieces that can be disassembled and reassembled for an easier installation process.
7. Is residential furniture my best option?
It might seem tempting to give your trailer an eclectic new look, but safety is always paramount to aesthetics. If your RV furniture is in need of an update, consider installing new RV furniture specially designed for RV’s.
8. What do I want to change about my RV Interior?
If replacing your RV furniture seems too daunting, start small with some of our favorite damage free RV interior decoration ideas. Work your way up to bigger alterations as you become more comfortable with your RV’s construction. Try sprucing up your RV furniture with new fabric, pillows, or blankets.
If in doubt, consult Camping World’s Design Center where a Design Specialist can help you access the products, resources, and installations you need to plan and execute your ideal interior design project with the latest products from exclusive brands.
How do we know if the new furniture brackets attach to the floor as the old furniture did. Are they all the same bolt dimensions. IE: I have a 68″ sofa that slides into a bed, installed in the slide out. Will the brackets of a new sofa that attach to the floor be the same distances or will i be drilling new holes?
Hi I’m looking at the Jiffy sofa and the slidejack sofa. I would like to see it and try it out. Is there a Camping World store that has them? I am in Southern California.
Thanks
Susie Butler
Hey Tony, it depends on your RV and the new sofa size. I’d chat with a product specialist at your local Camping World. You can call in or go into the store.