Selecting Our RV

I guess we were just like most folks in the market to purchase an RV. We thought about it for several years, stopping at dealerships and RV shows to look at what was available. I really should have lost some weight just climbing RV steps. We finally made our first big decision—we wanted a travel trailer or 5th wheel rather than a motor home.

We had looked at many, many RVs of all types by the time we took our little pop-up camper to Alaska. We were minding our very own business when a Montana rolled into the campsite next to ours in Dawson Creek. The next morning we hitched up bright and early and headed down the Alaska Highway. We found a tiny campground in a provincial park along the way and pulled in for the night. The next thing I knew, that Montana rolled into the campsite next to ours. It’s owners were very nice and we had chatted some while in Dawson Creek. They invited us over for fresh baked cookies. When I climbed the steps of that Montana, I was sold. I never found another RV I liked as well.

Lucky for us there is a Montana dealer in our home town, so when we really started shopping, that was where we went first. We had made a list of things we wanted based on how we planned to use the RV. First and foremost, it was to be our fulltime home. Therefore, we would need more storage space and carrying capacity than if we were just going to use it for short vacations. Secondly, since we expected to be away from our home base for extended periods of time, we wanted to be able to invite friends and family to visit. Therefore, we needed sleeping space. We also expect grandchildren some day and wanted to be able to accommodate them. With these things in mind, we shopped until we dropped.

After much deliberation, we finally selected the 3295RK, 2006 model. It was short enough that we can still get into a few National Park and more rustic campgrounds, but large enough to be comfortable living in fulltime. We have plenty of wardrobe and drawer space in the bedroom and ample basement storage for less used items and camping/hiking gear. With opposing slides in the living area it is spacious enough for guests. We actually had 12 people in here at one time, but I don’t recommend doing that. The high ceiling of the 5th wheel gives you the feel of a house rather than a trailer. The sofa converts to a bed for extra guests and we got the garden tub for eventual grandchildren.

Someone told us to think about what we most like to do and get that in the rear. I really enjoy cooking and Gene really enjoys eating, so we selected the rear kitchen model. I actually have more drawer space than I did in our condo kitchen. The L-shaped counter gives me plenty of room to prepare and serve meals and the under counter space is awesome.