8 Best RV Travel Trailers for Full-Time RV Living Adventure in 2024

Selecting the right travel trailer for full-time living can be an overwhelming decision.

Yet, after rigorously testing over thirty models myself, focusing on comfort, durability, and practicality, I’ve come to find that not all RVs are cut out for the lifestyle.

Finding an RV that can truly be called a home is key for those looking to transition into full-time RV living.

Some crucial factors include space, amenities, and how well they can support the everyday needs of full-time dwellers, from solo adventurers to families.

Out of the many I explored, the Winnebago – Micro Minnie 2108DS stood out for its exceptional balance of comfort, functionality, and mobility, making it my top pick for the best overall travel trailer for this purpose.

It’s a prime example of how a thoughtful layout and design can make a space feel like a true home on wheels.

Based on my experience, the top travel trailers for full-time living are:

• Winnebago – Micro Minnie 2108DS: Best overall for full-time living with its compact efficiency.
• Grand Design – Imagine XLS 22RBE: Great for couples seeking comfort and luxury on the road.
• Coachmen – Apex 284BHSS: Ideal for families, offering spacious living and sleeping areas.
• Airstream – Flying Cloud 30FB Office: Perfect for remote workers, featuring a dedicated office space.
• Palomino – Solaire 320 TSBH: Top choice for entertainment, featuring multiple TVs and spacious seating areas.
• Coachmen – Catalina Legacy Edition 343BHTS: Excellent for larger families, with generous living spaces and multiple bedrooms.
• Forest River – Cherokee Wolf Pack Gold 27GOLD10 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer: Best for adventure lovers, with ample storage for outdoor gear.
• Jayco – Jay Flight Bungalow 40RLTS Destination Travel Trailer: A fantastic option for those preferring stationary living with the comforts of a full-size home.

What to Look for in a Travel Trailer for Full-Time Living

Your preferred travel and lifestyle are going to be the biggest factor that determines the features you prioritize in a travel trailer for full-time living.

When shopping for the model that suits your family best, consider the following factors.

Where You Will Stay

Are you the type of person/family that likes to stay in well-appointed RV parks with tons of resources available, or do you love to boondock off the grid for several days at a time.

If you do love to dry camp, then you’ll want to prioritize a travel trailer with large waste and fresh water storage tanks.

You might want to also move things like a generator or solar panels higher up your list of priorities as well. 

Size & Floorplan

What this ultimately comes down to is just how many people will be living full-time in the travel trailer.

If it’s just you enjoying the open road with perhaps a four-legged best friend for companionship, you might lean more toward a travel trailer that’s under 20 feet long, and has one very well-decked-out master suite.

On the other end of the spectrum, a traveling family with two small children might prioritize a travel trailer over 25 feet with a master suite in the front, bunk beds in the back, and a large dinette area for mealtimes.

Power slide-outs can also buy you more precious interior living space as well. 

Length of Stay

Just how long you will stay in one spot might also be a factor. If you will be moving around every week or two, then a travel trailer that hooks up easily and deploys an awning with ease might be a preference.

If you are planning to set up camp and put your feet up for months at a time at the family lake lot, then a destination travel trailer that steps out onto a prepared deck space might top your priority list. 

Where You’ll Be Staying & HVAC

If you plan to live in the sunbelt 12-months out of the year, then a travel trailer with a robust rooftop air conditioner will be a priority.

If you are a tradesman who lives in his travel trailer on remote job sites during the summer but wants to live on the ice fishing all winter, then insulation and a powerful furnace will top your list. 

Payload Cargo Capacity

Since you will be living in it full time, you will likely need to haul more gear and personal effects to maintain your preferred lifestyle full time.

To spare you from living a Spartan existence, you might want to prioritize travel trailers with an above-average payload or cargo capacity. 

Weight

If you are going to be towing your full-time travel trailer a lot, then you want to put extra scrutiny into the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) compared to the maximum towing capacity of your intended tow vehicle.

Ideally, you want the GVWR to be 80% or less than the pickup truck’s GVWR to keep from constantly straining the tow vehicle with all the journey’s from Point A to Point B and Point C.

The gross weight becomes less of a factor if you are going to do something like park a travel trailer at the family lake lot and leave it there year-round. 

Key Travel Trailer Appliances for Full-Time Living

People who live full-time in their travel trailers tend to place a higher priority on certain appliances compared to people who just want to camp in their travel trailers.

This makes appliance choices their own separate category to factor into your traveling lifestyle. 

Washer & Dryer Prep

Most people who live in their travel trailer full time bemoan having to take time out to sit in a laundromat.

If this sounds like you, then you might want to prioritize a model that either has a washer & dryer included in the purchase or comes prepped to have one installed. 

Dishwasher

In the same vein as laundry, washing the dishes can be a real pain. Especially if you fall in love with a travel trailer that has a small sink or a single basin sink in the kitchen.

A high-efficiency dishwasher will use only a small amount of water while cleaning the dishes and sparing you a lot of elbow grease.

It also frees up precious counter space that might otherwise be lost to an unsightly dish drainer. 

Large House Batteries

If you are going to be staying off the grid for even a short amount of time, you will likely need to rely heavily on your RV’s house batteries.

A larger battery bank will hold more charge, while also giving you the opportunity to parallel wire them for a longer run time between recharging. 

Generator Prep

While most travel trailers don’t come with a built-in generator, there is a fair number that does.

This is a great way to power your travel trailer when you are camping off the grid, or simply staying at an RV park that doesn’t have compatible shore power available. 

Optional Solar Power

Solar panels are a great way to recharge or maintain the charge on house batteries.

They can also be a great way to save money on the cost of electricity when you are at a campsite that offers shore power.

You ultimately end up paying far less per unit for solar in the long run than you pay per unit when plugged into an RV park’s resources. 

9 Great Travel Trailers For Full-Time RV Living

1. Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108DS

Winnebago is one of the most popular RV manufacturers of all time, and the Minnie travel trailer is one of their most popular platforms.

So, it only stands to reason that they would make a model that is geared toward an individual or couple who loves full-timing like you see with the Winnebago – Micro Minnie 2108DS.

With an MSRP of around $31,000, it is one of the most affordable options on this list. This makes for easy financing.

Its overall popularity also means that dealerships are likely to have a wide range of optional upgrades for you to customize the creature comforts to your travel style. 

The interior of the Winnebago – Micro Minnie 2108DS has a sofa that converts into a queen-size murphy bed with his and hers wardrobes on each side.

This gives you a couch to lounge on during the day and a bed, all in the same area to save space.

If one of you wants to stay up late, there’s a privacy curtain that can be drawn to enclose the front master suite. 

In the back, you will find a spacious full-size bathroom to meet all your full-timing needs. The shower is separated from the toilet and the rest of the bathroom to give you a true dry bath. 

The towing statistics are another nice thing to appreciate about the Winnebago – Micro Minnie 2108DS.

It has a dry weight of 4,140-pounds, which is well within the range of what a robust mid-size SUV with a towing package can handle. This saves you having to invest in a half-ton truck tow vehicle. 

Just keep in mind that the Minnie’s massive cargo capacity means that you can potentially stuff it with so much gear that it will tip the scales with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of up to 7,000-pounds.

So, keep your equipment and packing style in mind when you are choosing the right tow vehicle to pair this travel trailer with. 

2. Grand Design – Imagine XLS 22RBE

The MSRP of $30,000 for the Grand Design – Imagine XLS 22RBE is just one of the many impressive factors that make this travel trailer a good choice for full-time living..

With a gross vehicle weight rating of under 7,000-pounds, it is comfortably towable by a half-ton pickup truck or a full-size SUV.

The floorplan is also very appealing for a single person or a couple who wants to live in their travel trailer full-time. 

One of the major things that jump off the page with the Grand Design Imagine XLS is the Four Season Protection Package.

This makes it one of the best travel trailers for full-time living for a couple or a small family that needs to handle everything the four seasons can throw at them.

It includes key features like an upgraded 25,000 BTU High-Capacity Furnace, Heated & Enclosed Underbelly with Suspended Tanks to prevent freeze-ups, as well as a heat ducted floor and residential grade ventilation system throughout. Even the roof and front cap offer superior R-40 insulation. 

When you take a closer look at the interior layout you find a queen-size master suite in that well-insulated front nose cap to keep you and perhaps a spouse toasty warm on a cold winter night.

A single power slide-out section expands the available floor space in the open concept living area to give you a truly homey feel.

The exterior of the Grand Design Imagine XLS also has a lot of the touches that help transform a travel trailer into a home.

The 18-foot awning expands to give you an outdoor porch area with plenty of elbow room.

There’s also an unobstructed pass-thru storage bin to let you conveniently stow all your outdoor gear, to keep from tracking dirty inside.

There’s even an LP quick connect for your favorite gas grill and a retractable spray nozzle hose to rinse off the dog.

These exterior creature comforts go a long way toward feeling like you are “Living” instead of “Camping.”

3. Coachmen Apex 284BHSS

With its queen-size master suite in the front, bunk beds in the back, and a ton of creature comforts the Coachmen – Apex 284BHSS is one of the best travel trailers for full-time living to meet a family’s needs.

The bunk beds in the back are great for school-age children, but also big enough to accommodate a teenager’s needs and give them a place to feel is truly their own. 

The MSRP of the Coachmen – Apex 284BHSS ranges around $50,000, though there are a fair number of national dealerships who are willing to offer promotional sales, or will wrap optional extra’s into the initial purchase price. 

It’s when you turn your eye to the weight and storage statistics that things start to get interesting with this full-time-capable travel trailer.

With a gross vehicle weight rating of 7,600-pounds, it is comfortably within the range of what you can pull with a half-ton pickup truck or a full-size SUV.

This spares you from having to invest in a larger vehicle to tow it, which makes it appealing to traveling families who are on the go. 

The large power slide-out section of the Coachmen – Apex 284BHSS gives it a lot of interior living space.

It gives you enough elbow room to let everyone feel like they have their own area.

It also makes the most out of the open concept living room and kitchen combo to feel like a real “Home.” The bathroom in the back even has a basin deep enough to bathe a young child. 

If there is a minor complaint about this family-friendly travel trailer for full-time living it’s the lack of any sort of washer & dryer prep.

If you are okay with spending a few extra hours each week at a laundromat, this isn’t a big deal. 

4. Airstream – Flying Cloud 30FB Office

Airstream is the classic American travel trailer, and one of the most popular travel trailer brands embraced by full-timers of yesteryear as well as today.

The problem is that their “Classic” model tends to have a price tag based on brand recognition, while also feeling like they skimped a little on modern amenities to preserve that “Classic” feel. 

That is where the Flying Cloud travel trailer comes perfectly into play. It has all the look and feels of a Classic Airstream travel trailer, though it carries a price tag of around $110,000 instead of $160,000.

There are 15 different floorplans available, though we chose the Airstream – Flying Cloud 30FB Office for its ability to appeal to a traveling tradesmen, or a job site supervisor who needs to stay in comfort while living on a remote job site. 

When you look at it from the outside, you will see all the signature gleam and aerodynamic shapes of a classic Airstream travel trailer.

When you step on the inside, you find a modernized travel trailer with a lot of creature comforts and innovation.

This includes things like a tankless water heater for on-demand hot water, a large bathroom, and a lounge area that separates itself from the front bedroom. 

In the back, there is also a small, yet functional office. It’s the perfect place for a foreman or job site supervisor to take care of the paperwork and keep important documents in one orderly place. 

When it comes to the towing statistics, the GVWR of 8,800-pounds and the heavy Hitch Weight of 903-pounds means that the Airstream – Flying Cloud 30FB Office is better suited to being towed by a three-quarter or one-ton pickup truck.

This is the typical pickup truck you see a lot of “Bosses” having at construction sites, to begin with.

Though it might put this travel trailer out of your range if you already have a half-ton pickup truck that you love. 

5. Palomino Solaire 320 TSBH

The Palomino – Solaire 320 TSBH is a relatively heavy 36-foot travel trailer with all the comforts of home and then some.

While it can technically sleep up to 10 people on paper, it is arguably better suited for a couple or retirees who want to have the grandkids come to stay for a weekend. 

The master suite is one of the things that jumps off the page right away.

It has a true king-size bed built into one of the three slide-out sections, with floor space for two people to walk around. This is rare in a lot of front-mounted king-size master suites. 

The other thing to like is the corner closet that comes with washer & dryer prep. A dealership will have affordable stackable models for you to choose from, which lets you save time and money, without having to go to a local laundromat.

Palomino also made sure to build this version of the Solaire with a large enough gray water tank to handle the washing machine water, which isn’t always the case with the competitors. 

A large slide-out at midship gives expands the livable space for the open concept kitchen and living room.

It has a comfortable sofa, a cozy dinette, and a large entertainment center just like you would expect in a brick & mortar home. 

The rear of the Palomino – Solaire 320 TSBH has a separate small living room area with its own entertainment center.

There’s also a sofa sleeper with a fold-out bunk. This gives teenagers or visiting family members their own living space. 

The exterior of the Palomino – Solaire 320 TSBH is also well-appointed with the creature comforts of a home on the road.

The 21-foot awning gives you a huge sitting area out of the sun. There’s also a large outdoor kitchen area with a refrigerator and sink to replicate the feeling of a grill on your back deck. 

6. Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 343BHTS

The Coachmen – Catalina Legacy Edition 343BHTS is another travel trailer set up for full-timing that includes a washer and dryer prep.

Adding a stackable unit saves you a lot of money in laundromat costs, without taking up a lot of space in the queen-size master suite’s corner closet.

Though this isn’t the only way in which this well-appointed travel trailer feels like a “Home” instead of a “Camper.” 

When you step into the bathroom you are treated to the kind to the kind of quality features you want to live with.

This includes things like a large shower with a true glass door instead of plastic, as well as a large RV toilet and a deep basin sink. 

The rear of the Coachmen – Catalina Legacy Edition 343BHTS is essentially a separate living room with an entertainment center and a comfortable couch.

If your children or your grandchildren want to visit for a weekend the entire rear transforms into a comfortable guest bedroom without robbing you of any of the living space in the midship open concept kitchen and family room. 

When you step outside you’ll also find a lot of like-home convenience features.

Including an outdoor camper kitchen and a rear bumper gear rack for things like mountain bikes or hanging outdoor clothes. Not to mention a large pass-thru exterior storage bay. 

All this comes with an impressively comfortable MSRP of $52,000 new. Though the gross weight of nearly 11,000-pounds does mean that you will need at least a three-quarter-ton pickup truck to tow it.

If you are going to be moving around a lot you might want to lean toward a one-tone truck for your tow vehicle. If you don’t already have one, this can factor into the overall cost of ownership. 

7. Forest River – Cherokee Wolf Pack Gold 27GOLD10 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer

The Forest River – Cherokee Wolf Pack Gold 27GOLD10 is a toy hauler travel trailer that is nicely geared for a couple or a small family that loves full-time living.

Yet it is also geared to let you live in comfort when you want to take your travel trailer home off the grid for a week or so of boondocking. 

The MSRP of the Forest River – Cherokee Wolf Pack Gold 27GOLD10 is also very friendly for a toy hauler travel trailer.

It only costs around $64,000 totally loaded and ready to pull off the dealership’s lot.

Though the gross vehicle weight rating does push the limit of what a half-ton pickup truck can safely pull when it’s fully loaded.

If you don’t already have a three-quarter-ton truck to pull it, you will need to factor that into the overall cost of ownership. 

The living and sleeping accommodations in this toy hauler travel trailer are the definition of the word “Spacious.”

You see this with the truly king-size master suite in the front with enough room on each side of the bed for his and hers nightstands, and wardrobe closets.

There’s also enough floor space to dress and walk around easily, which isn’t always the case with a lot of other master suites that basically jam a king-size bed into the bedroom. 

The large power slide-out section adds to the overall floor space that flows through to the kitchen.

It houses a family-size dinette as well as a comfortable jack knife sofa that feels like a true living room, as it faces the entertainment center and pantry. 

The rear cargo area garage is large enough, and the payload capacity is high enough to easily hold an ATV, golf cart, or UTV.

Though it is much more than that. When you pull your “Toys” out the rear ramp converts into an outdoor porch or deck where you can sit back and enjoy a pleasant summer evening, just like you would on your deck at home. 

The Forest River – Cherokee Wolf Pack Gold 27GOLD10 is a great option for couples who like to spend the summer “Hosting” a private campground or contract operating a primitive campground for the forest service.

You can set it up as a seasonal home in the summer, with a golf cart or ATV to let you patrol the campground. Then it packs up to let you head south before the snow flies. 

8. Jayco Jay Flight Bungalow 40RLTS Destination Trailer

While destination travel trailers like the Jayco – Jay Flight Bungalow 40RLTS are truly mobile, they are geared more for families who want to park up their travel trailers for months if not years at a time.

You see this in the signature large sliding glass door that is intended to step out onto a semi-permanent deck.

It makes this a great travel trailer for full-time living at the family lake lot or your own private retirement village. 

For all the comfort and luxury you get the MSRP of the Jayco – Jay Flight Bungalow 40RLTS is a very friendly $56,000.

Though this doesn’t include the cost of some of the optional extras like the washer & dryer prep in the spacious master bath. 

Where you want to keep this destination travel trailer and how often you want to move it can be a factor in the overall cost of ownership.

With a gross weight of 13,000-pounds and a hitch weight of nearly 1,500-pounds, you will need a three-quarter to a one-ton pickup truck to safely tow it.

If you are planning to park it at a seasonal or long-term campsite, then this is a non-factor.

If you are going to move it around every month or two, then you will need to factor in the tow vehicle cost or the cost to hire a tow company to move it for you. 

The interior of the Jayco – Jay Flight Bungalow 40RLTS is well appointed and designed to be a true home for a couple or a small family who wants a weekend retreat that is ready 24/7/365 days a year.

It has a comfortable queen-size master suite in the front with tons of storage.

A spacious master bath, and an open concept kitchen, and a living room with an entertainment center that houses a 40-inch flatscreen TV. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Get Homeowner’s Insurance On A Full-Time Travel Trailer?

If you are living in your travel trailer full-time you need to carry comprehensive full coverage, which will replicate the coverage you would get in a brick & mortar homeowner’s insurance policy.

Though with so many people turning to full-timing in their RV, insurance providers are becoming more willing to consider homeowner’s insurance for travel trailers. Though conditions may vary. 

How Much Does It Cost To Insure A Travel Trailer For Full-Time Living?

Comprehensive coverage for a travel trailer will average between $1,000 to $2,000 a year and will be influenced by the MSPR as well as the current value.

Many insurance providers will offer additional coverage options for high-value items that you keep full-time in your travel trailer.

How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Travel Trailer?

If you don’t want to make a major investment in a large pickup truck just to tow your travel trailer every few months, you can usually hire a towing service for around $3.30 per mile within 100 to 250 miles.

Beyond 250 miles, you might want to consider “Shipping” your travel trailer on a flat-bed semi-truck, which could cost as low as $1.25 per mile. 

Conclusion

Full-timing in a travel trailer is an increasingly popular trend that has many people enjoying life without all the hassles of taking care of a yard or being forced to deal with the same old neighbors.

It’s also a great way for couples and retirees to enjoy life in some exotic locations, without the exorbitant costs of investing in a traditional timeshare. 

The type of travel trailer that’s been for you to live in full-time will vary depending on the size of your family as well as your travel style.

You will also need to factor in the cost to tow it or the investment in a tow vehicle for some of the larger models. 

If you are a tradesman or project supervisor at a remote job site, then the Airstream – Flying Cloud 30FB Office might be the best travel trailer for full-time living to meet your needs.

It has Airstream’s classic look at a more reasonable purchase price than the “Classic.” It also has great living accommodations and an office for all your important papers in the rear. 

If you are looking to retire to the family lake lot, or you don’t have intentions of moving around a lot, then a destination travel trailer like the Jayco – Jay Flight Bungalow 40RLTS might be the best option to meet your lifestyle.

It has a sliding glass door that lets you step out onto a separate deck, as well as the master suite and well-appointed living room that a couple needs to feel truly at home. 

If you love to bring a runabout golf cart or ATV with you, and you want to bask in a pleasant evening on the porch then a toy hauler travel trailer like the Forest River – Cherokee Wolf Pack Gold 27GOLD10 might be perfect for full-timing.

It lets you bring your toys with you from campsite to campsite, then transforms the rear into a spacious back deck.