There's nothing out of the ordinary about traveling for the majority of the year in an RV, but most people do it in large and luxurious Class A motorhomes or fifth-wheel RVs. For many people, traveling full-time in a much smaller Class B RV is a different kettle of fish. The following talks about some of the considerations to make if you decide to make the open road your new home in a Class B RV.

Benefits of Using a Smaller RV

Being built around a van platform certainly has its advantages. For starters, Class B RVs use less fuel than their Class C and Class A counterparts. The average gas-powered Class B RV can achieve anywhere from 18 to 25 mpg in long-distance cruising. Diesel-powered RVs of the same size start out at around 22 mpg and top out at 25 mpg. In comparison, a Class C RV usually gets around 6 to 8 mpg, with some models achieving a whopping 10 mpg with the right engine and gearing configuration.

As another benefit of being smaller than most Class C RVs, Class B RVs offer far better maneuverability on narrow city streets and in tight camping sites. Overall handling and maneuverability are similar to an average minivan or full-size passenger van. The shorter overall length also means you'll be able to fit your RV in standard-size parking spaces. In essence, you won't feel like you're at the helm of a huge boat and you'll have more confidence about driving your RV full-time.

Managing Space

While a smaller RV means less hassle at the pump and the parking lot, it also means that space is at a premium. That means you'll have to be smart about managing the space you do have to remain comfortable. Here are a few tips for keeping your Class B RV organized and clutter-free:

• Keep the things you use most on top or in front of your other items to avoid rummaging and displacing items.
• Voids and other odd spaces can be filled up with soft and small items, thereby maximizing your storage space.
• Designate an area for dirty or wet items and use waterproof bins to safely contain those items until they can be cleaned and/or dried off.
• Remove dry items and other durable foods out of their bulky packaging to save on cabinet space.
• Keep a few reusable grocery sacks and tote bags on hand for packing and toting odds and ends such as toiletries.
• If your spouse is coming along for the journey, it's a good idea to maintain separate areas for each other's' belongings.

Dealing With Toiletries

When nature calls, you may find yourself confronted with one of the downsides of traveling full-time in a Class B RV. Unlike a larger Class C motorhome, there's not a whole lot of space for a proper bathroom and shower. At best, the shower usually requires you to sit on the toilet seat with a small shower curtain and a shower pan built into the bathroom floor being the only thing between a clean body and a soaked motorhome.

The best way to deal with the inconvenience is to plan for pit stops that afford you access to a proper toilet and a hot shower. Truck stops, highway rest stops, some larger campgrounds and even gyms offer the proper facilities for keeping up with your hygiene in a small rig.

If you have to wash up inside your RV, use only the bare minimum amount of water to get damp prior to soaping up and then quickly rinse off the lather. It'll save you from completely depleting your on-board water supply and you'll still feel clean. For more tips, contact companies like Fretz RV.