A variety of RV models provide all the comforts of a stationary home, enabling occupants to enjoy the freedom of the road on a long-term basis.
By Bruce W. Smith
August/September 2025
For many travelers who use their RV a few days or weeks a year, the thought of living in one for longer periods may sound magical. Traveling untethered, roaming the country at a moment’s notice, can be both revitalizing and exciting.
The author resided in a Keystone Sprinter fifth wheel for close to a year, which included experiencing wintry Idaho weather.
I know firsthand. Back in 2021, I lived in a beautiful 39-foot Sprinter fifth wheel for nearly a year in southwestern Idaho shortly after my wife passed away. The transition was a learning experience in many ways, from dealing with harsh winter conditions to mentally adapting to a new way of life. The RV was equipped with a bonus room, which became my office/den, and that extra space made full-time living comfortable.
Living in an RV, whether a towable or a motorized model, is not always an easy transition. It requires serious self-reflection — taking an honest look at yourself and whoever you’ll be sharing time with in a home on wheels roughly the size of a one-bedroom apartment measuring less than 400 square feet.
The author utilized the RV’s bonus room as a combination office/den.
Most RVers who make this move want their new unit to reflect the same level of luxury and amenities as the stationary home they are leaving behind. RV floor plans that make full-time living most enjoyable may include multiple slideouts; a bath and a half, at least; a nicely outfitted kitchen with residential appliances; a spacious living room; and high ceilings with lots of light. A built-in washer/dryer and a dishwasher are must-have items for many. A second bedroom or bonus room/den is desirable as well.
“For couples or solo travelers living full-time in their RV, having a separate space for work or personal activities allows for better organization and a more comfortable, homelike living arrangement,” said David Johnson, marketing manager for Luxe Fifth Wheels.
Space, of course, is a direct result of length. RVs in the 40-foot-plus range offer the most elbowroom. The downside is that RVs longer than 36 feet may not fit into sites at many campgrounds and RV parks. In addition, smaller fifth wheels and travel trailers are easier to tow and maneuver than the bigger versions.
Three other factors that play a key role in choosing the right RV for full-time living are durability, comfort, and efficiency. The last thing you want when living in an RV is for it to need repairs related to subpar craftsmanship and engineering.
When considering an RV purchase, pay close attention to how it is built; its chassis and suspension; how well it’s designed to handle all seasons; solar and battery accommodations for boondocking; its outdoor entertainment center, if one is included; and the level of craftsmanship inside and out. This is not the time to cut corners. Construction quality is key when your goal is to live in an RV full-time.
You’ll want to address what type of RV would fit your envisioned nomadic needs. Consider motorhomes, which are self-contained and easy to drive. They also can tow a second vehicle or a cargo trailer to use when a destination is reached. Diesel-powered Class A motorhomes and Super Cs are good choices in this arena.
On the towable side, fifth wheels are the most spacious. However, they need to be paired with a heavy-duty pickup that supplies ample towing muscle to move them from one location to the next — a downside for some buyers. Many full-time RVers opt for a diesel towing vehicle. The 2025 Ford F-250/350 and GM and Ram 2500/3500 pickups are good choices for towing the big fifth wheels.
Literally dozens of RVs are suited for full-time use (even conventional travel trailers and Class B motorhomes). Keeping the above considerations in mind, the following models may be good candidates for someone looking to transition from casual weekend or multiweek outings to full-time RV living. Note that RV prices at dealerships may be lower than the listed MSRPs.
Newmar Supreme Aire 4530
NEWMAR SUPREME AIRE 4530
(MSRP: $744,144)Renegade X
Of the 14 motorized luxury RV models offered within the Newmar brand, the 45-foot 2025 Supreme Aire Super C — built on the Detroit Diesel-powered Freightliner M2 112 chassis — makes full-time living on the road a true comfort for touring couples. From the air-ride cab to the maple hardwood cabinets to the king bedroom with a full bath and a washer/dryer, this model is well equipped to help RV owners enjoy life on the road.
Newmar Supreme Aire 4530
It features upscale residential appliances, abundant storage, large holding tanks, exceptional build quality inside and out, and triple slideouts that expand to create maximum space in the living room and kitchen. The 525-horsepower, 12.8-liter Detroit Diesel engine, coupled with an Allison six-speed automatic transmission, ensures this tandem-axle home on wheels will have no problem maintaining highway speeds, even in the mountains. Multiple options allow buyers to select living room furniture and dinette arrangements that best suit their needs.
Keystone Montana 3901RK
KEYSTONE MONTANA 3901RK
(MSRP: $133,778)
The 42-foot Montana 3901RK, with an 18,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating, is touted as an excellent fifth wheel for full-time living. This floor plan features a spacious rear kitchen and a luxurious master suite with a front bath and walk-in wardrobe. It comes equipped with washer/dryer prep, a cozy La-Z-Boy furniture package, and durable Beauflor vinyl flooring throughout. The nicely furnished raised rear kitchen overlooks the living room. Occupants enjoy elegant hardwood details, including decorative slideout fascias and window frames, along with hardwood cabinetry, stiles, and framing.
Keystone Montana 3901RK
The unit’s Four Season Living Package makes this RV ready for any environment, with Astrofoil-insulated slideout floors; a heated underbelly; a 35,000-Btu furnace that makes the RV usable down to 0 degrees; and dual air conditioners to handle the heat.
Forest River Salem Hemisphere 356QB
FOREST RIVER SALEM HEMISPHERE 356QB
(MSRP: $105,363)
When space is a priority, the 43-foot Salem Hemisphere 356QB fifth wheel (and its Wildwood Heritage Glen twin) is going to rule the day. This popular quad-slideout floor plan, which has a GVWR of 13,790 pounds, has been around for a number of years.
Forest River Salem Hemisphere 356QB
Its rear bunkroom features dual opposing slideouts, which maximize interior space, and it has two full bathrooms — one adjacent to the bunkroom. The bunk area utilizes a Versa Queen convertible sofa bed, along with a 30-inch-by-74-inch flip-up bunk above, and a 38-inch-by-74-inch bunk bed over built-in storage cubbies in the opposing slideout. If preferred, both areas can be converted into an office/den/hobby area. The bonus room also has its own rear entry door, which maximizes privacy by minimizing foot traffic entering the main living area. Up front is the conventional bedroom with a 66-inch-by-80-inch king-size bed and the second full bath.
Cedar Creek Cottage 41FWC
CEDAR CREEK COTTAGE 41FWC
(MSRP: $115,052)
One of the most innovative and distinctive-looking fifth wheels on the market is the Cedar Creek Cottage 41FWC, a “destination RV” designed to accommodate full-time living, with room for overnight guests. This 42-foot-6-inch, 16,564-pound-GVWR unit boasts a printed fiberglass exterior, a two-tone pattern that includes a woodgrain look.
Cedar Creek Cottage 41FWC
Look at this model as a resort cottage with a stairwell leading up to two loft areas over the spacious rear living room. The roomy street-side kitchen, with solid-surface counters, holds a pull-out pantry, a three-burner cooktop, a 30-inch overhead microwave, and a 19.6-cubic-foot 12-volt fridge/freezer. On the curb side, a flip-down bar top creates dining space. The flat-floor slideouts eliminate trip hazards; the 38-inch entrance door is designed to be flush if a deck is added. Up front, a king bedroom features a bench seat in the nose, great for enjoying the scenery outside.
Renegade XL X45DBM
RENEGADE XL X45DBM
(MSRP: $783,895)
Renegade RV builds a wide range of high-end Class C motorhomes, including the 2025 Renegade XL X45DBM, a beautiful 44-foot-11-inch Super C with a 58,000-pound GVWR. The bath-and-a-half floor plan comes with a nice outside entertainment center that includes a 43-inch smart TV.
Renegade XL X45DBM
This new model in the XL line includes heated porcelain tile floors, quartz countertops, a large kitchen with a 23-cubic-foot fridge, and hardwood maple cabinetry. The quad-slideout model reportedly has the tallest interior height of any Class C (7 feet 6 inches). It’s also one of the few motorhomes in this category that is offered with a choice of two chassis: the Western Star 57X and the Freightliner Cascadia 126, both powered by a 600-horsepower Detroit Diesel DD16 engine. This tandem-axle model comes with a 12.5-kilowatt diesel generator, state-of-the-art electronics and technology, triple A/Cs, a full complement of driver safety features, six 200-watt solar panels with four lithium batteries, and a 30,000-pound towing capacity.
Luxe Regent 48FLB
LUXE REGENT 48FLB
(MSRP: $492,450)
At 48 feet, the brand-new Luxe Regent 48FLB is the pinnacle of fifth-wheel luxury, space, and innovation, according to David Johnson, Luxe fifth wheel marketing manager: “Designed with cutting-edge AI-driven precision, the 48FLB offers a harmonious blend of sophistication, functionality, and forward-thinking design,” he noted.
Luxe Regent 48FLB
With a GVWR of 28,000 pounds, the unit is ready for full-time living on or off the grid. The bath-and-a-half floor plan features a towering upper deck ceiling height, a spacious interior layout, and a secret bonus room in the front cap — a versatile area that can be customized as an office, wine cellar, or creative retreat. Amenities include custom hardwood cabinetry, “industry-leading” solar capabilities, a gourmet kitchen, six slideouts, a 6.5-kilowatt generator, and massive storage.
Forest River Riverstone Legacy 44DBL
FOREST RIVER RIVERSTONE LEGACY 44DBL
(MSRP: $207,967)
Of the six 40-foot-plus floor plans in the Riverstone fifth-wheel line, the 44DBL, a 44-foot-5-inch quad-slideout big boy, should be an especially attractive option for full-time living. Featuring a wide-body design, it tips the scales at 19,271 pounds unloaded, with a 23,940-pound GVWR.
Forest River Riverstone Legacy 44DBL
The two-bedroom, two-bath floor plan incorporates separate entries on the curb side — one door leads into the spare bedroom in the rear, and the other provides access via the midship living room. The rear bedroom also could serve as a den or hobby room. The furnishings, woodwork, and trim ooze high-end luxury. A bright, well-designed, U-shaped kitchen includes a four-burner range with oven, a convection microwave, and a dishwasher. The front bedroom includes a king-size bed, a stackable washer and dryer, and plentiful storage. With the Legacy package, the unit features full-body paint, three air conditioners with heat pumps, and 600 watts of solar power with a 100-amp-hour lithium battery.
Thor Motor Coach Aria 4000
THOR MOTOR COACH ARIA 4000
(MSRP: $417,060)
The diesel-pusher Aria Class A motorhome is a staple in the Thor Motor Coach lineup. The largest floor plan, the 41-foot 4000, is popular among those who desire midlevel luxury and sleeping space to accommodate a family. The 2025 model is bright and airy and includes two full baths. It also incorporates a midship bunkhouse in the curbside full-wall slideout and a stacked washer/dryer in the king-size master bedroom. The spacious rear bathroom features dual vanities and a walk-in shower. The kitchen is equipped with residential-size appliances, an induction cooktop, a convection microwave, a double-door fridge, and a large pantry.
Thor Motor Coach Aria 4000
The Aria is built on the Cummins-diesel-powered Freightliner XCR air-ride chassis. The Aria comes equipped with a 10,000-pound-rated hitch. It’s one of the best-driving Class As on the market, in my opinion. In addition, the raised-rail chassis design gives this luxury motorhome expansive cargo storage under the floor.