A Luxury Suite RV has the power to solve one of the biggest travel catch-22s I’ve encountered. And I’ve encountered a few in my 8+ years of full-time travelling, including road trips in the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Iceland, Madagascar, India, and Italy. Here’s the conundrum so beautifully solved with a Luxury Suite RV:
- The most deeply rewarding trips for me involve being close to nature
- And yet … roughing it is not my cup of tea
So what’s a luxury traveller to do when she needs to get out into the wild? And I don’t mean Central Park wild, or Venice Beach wild. I mean Yukon Territory, visible Milky Way, watch-out-for-bears kind of wild. I mean the kind of magical, awe-inducing wild so far away from human civilisation that there is no hope of finding a Ritz. Nothing kills the magic faster than a dumpy hotel room, amiright?
Glamping sites are an option, but quality varies drastically and the really good ones are only available in so many locations. So what about the eight times out of ten you want to go somewhere without any top shelf glamping sites? Enter the luxury suite RV.
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Buy a Luxury Suite RV
If you’re fortunate enough to be in the market for a luxury suite RV purchase, have a look at DRV Luxury Suites. These are fifth wheels—large RVs that are towed by a truck using a fifth wheel hitch. The benefits are:
- Their stability
- They tend to have more spacious living quarters than other towable RVs
- They are generally less expensive and easier to drive than motorhomes. (Motorhomes are self-propelled RVs that have a cab and engine built in, so you can drive the RV itself instead of towing it.)
You need a powerful truck to tow a fifth wheel trailer safely and you can’t go offroading the way you can in some specialty motorhomes. You’ll also have to unhitch and level up the RV once you reach where you’re staying, rather than just being able to park it like a motorhome. But that means you can also easily drive the truck around without your whole rig attached once you’ve set up camp in a specific destination.
DRV LUXURY SUITE RVs
DRV’s Mobile Suites are spacious fifth wheel trailers with beautiful interiors and durable construction. The design is decidedly modern (this ain’t your grandma’s RV). Luxury features include a king bed, at least one full bath, and custom hardwood wardrobe doors. You also get a residential dishwasher and a french door refrigerator. In other words, you won’t be missing any of the comforts of home. Check out the manufacturer pictures on DRV’s website.
Some of my favorite surprises are the kitchen island, the custom glass backsplash and an electric fireplace. I love the residential theater seating in the living room (the better to watch your 55″ Smart TV with a JBL soundbar). There are tons of storage spaces, a power awning with LED lights, and recessed LED ceiling lights with dimmers inside the RV. You’ll have a built-in generator and a wifi router (a deal breaker for digital nomads like me who need to work from the road). There are also toy hauler models in case you need to bring along your dirt bikes and other motorized toys.
Less sexy but still essential luxury features
- A MORryde I.S suspension system to reduce road shock for a super smooth towing experience
- A MORryde Pin Box that reduces bucking and jerking
- A precision SeeLevel tank monitoring system for the sewage tank (an externally mounted sensor that’s much more reliable than probe-style sensors)
- Extra thick compartment doors for the cargo hold
- A hydraulic levelling system that automatically levels the trailer with the push of a button after you unhitch (infinitely nicer than a set of jacks that you have to crank by hand)
Summary
Basically, this luxury fifth wheel by DRV is the perfect RV. It’s got some of the best construction on the market and feels like a brand new home. The RV price for this brand can start as low as $150,000 + sales tax.
McKee RV has calculated payments starting at $1301/month, so you could go full-time road warrior for less than the monthly rent payment on a nice apartment in Dallas, Texas. (Note that monthly payments will vary depending on your specific unit, your specific interest rate, and other financing terms).
Rent a Luxury Suite RV
If you’re not in the market to buy, fear not. You can rent luxury RVs using several different websites:
- Outdoorsy is the Airbnb of RV rentals. You can rent RVs directly from owners and read reviews from others who have gone before you. You can even have your RV delivered and set up for you so that you don’t have to tow it or drive it yourself (delivery fees apply).
- RV Share is another peer-to-peer marketplace for RV rentals. Like Outdoorsy, they have reviews and offer delivery.
- Allstar Coaches is great because it specialises in luxury RVs for rent (no cheapies here!). It’s not so great because you can’t book instantly online. However, you can browse vehicles and request a quote. You can also call their 800 number for personal service.
- If you’re in a pinch, Cruise America has a sizeable fleet including some luxury models. But beware: the average rating on Google reviews is only 3.5 stars at the time of printing. That’s below my personal minimum standard of 4+. However, the average is only based on 17 reviews in total, which may not be a representative sample.
The Best Luxury Suite RV Destinations in North America for Solo Travellers
If you’re itching to get off the grid and you’re flying solo, consider parking your Luxury Suite RV in these world class nature destinations. These are some of the best spots in North America to keep it safe and keep your schedule as full—or as empty—as you’d like it.
They all offer well-maintained infrastructure. And they all have a robust team of rangers to provide safety tips and other information you don’t even know you don’t know. Well-marked trails, visitor centres, and services like restaurants, gas stations, and campgrounds will increase your peace of mind. They also make it easier for solo travellers to navigate without a team.
The settings are truly some of the most remarkable examples of natural beauty on earth, providing an ideal setting for lone wolves to find all the space they need to reconnect with themselves. All of these destinations also have a wealth of activity options that can be savoured independently or with the services of a professional guide. Some offer ranger-led programmes that provide an opportunity to meet other travellers.
Glacier National Park
Glacier is a good pick for your next luxury glamping excursion if you’re looking for something less crowded than many other national parks. Three mountain ranges in the northern Rockies converge here. There are 150+ named peaks taller than 2400 metres (8000 feet) towering above immaculate glacial lakes in every shade of blue.
Just because you’re flying solo doesn’t mean you can’t do something adventurous! The Whitewater Rafting Adventure from Great Northern Rafting comes with a built-in group and expert safety measures.
Note that I’ve encountered snowfall here in June. Going-to-the-Sun Road (the only way across the middle of the park) is only open from July until sometime in October (typically the third Monday).
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone always gives me the sense that I’m wandering at large across God’s paint palette. The psychedelic rainbow of hot springs and other trippy geothermal features are simply mind-blowing. But it’s also prime territory for wildlife-spotting. We’re talking bears, bison, elk, moose, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and more than 300 species of birds.
You can steer clear of the crowds and maximise your chances of encountering wildlife by hiring your own private naturalist from Yellowstone Adventure Tours.
Banff National Park
This natural treasure located in Alberta, Canada is well worth your time if you’re interested in visiting the U.S.’s neighbours to the north. Its Lord-of-the-Rings-level scenery includes electric turquoise glacier-fed lakes, glacier walks, and world class canoeing. You can also take a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for dizzying panoramic views.
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin in Nevada is a choice destination if you’re looking for world class stargazing. This underrated national park is one of the darkest regions in the contiguous United States (i.e. not counting Hawaii or Alaska). A bright moon can drown out the Milky Way, so check the lunar calendar first. Then, time your visit for the days of and surrounding a new moon. This way, you’ll get the most show-stopping spectacle of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes in California is a fabulous choice for those in need of a healthy dose of Vitamin Sea. It’s also less than two hours north of San Francisco, so it’s a relatively accessible location if you’re looking to minimise your drive time and/or delivery fees. Some of the best activities here are whale-watching, hiking along the dramatic cliffs, and exploring hidden beaches and secret coves. Kayaking is also popular, but proceed with caution if you’re travelling alone. Tomales Bay is beloved for its scenic beauty and it’s also a safer choice thanks to its sheltered waters. Dillon Beach is another smart choice with calm waters shielded from the open sea by Tomales Point.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park in Maine has a delightful combination of fascinating historical sites and almost 50,000 acres of pristine natural beauty. This includes coastline, glacier-sculpted mountains, and picturesque towns with plenty of maritime history to learn about. You might take in the scenery on an e-bike tour of the park’s historic carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Or you could splash out on a private local guide from small family business At Your Service Tours. A patient and informative chauffeur who knows the land and history can add significant depth and richness to your experience.
The takeaway
Wherever you choose to take your Luxury Suite RV, you’ll get to revel in the best of both worlds: immersion in the most magical and remote natural environments the North American continent has to offer AND sumptuous accommodations.
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