We Lived in a Tiny RV, Here’s a Look Inside (and Why We Wouldn’t Again)

During the last 2.5 years we’ve been traveling and full time RV living in a 16-foot, 1985 Fiber Stream camper. It’s served as the perfectly sized trailer for our journeys across America.

It was fun while it lasted, but we wouldn’t live in a tiny RV again!

The Tiny RV Kitchen 

As most would expect of a 16 foot trailer, we have a tiny kitchen. A two-burner stove is our only cooking option.

It seems like the original layout included an oven, but by the time we bought the trailer it was long gone.

The sink is shallow and the faucet sits pretty low. However, we’ve found a few great hacks that improve this space.

First, we use a rollable dish rack. This creates a more usable space above the left side of the sink. We also installed an Acuva LED-UV ray water filtration system. Not only does it purify the water, it also has its own unique, high sitting faucet. This makes it easy to fill gallon jugs with purified water.

The kitchen’s overhead storage is used for plates, cups, and random cookware.

We pack it tight like a puzzle, this actually helps keep everything in place during travel days. Below the sink we store the trash can and cleaning supplies. It’s a pretty standard household set up, just smaller!

PRO TIP: Here’s a list of our top 5 kitchen gadgets for RV life.

Food storage, both dry and refrigerated, is on the opposite side. The original version of our trailer included a propane fridge, but at some point (before we owned it) it was replaced with a standard dorm room fridge.

It looked nice when we bought the trailer, but little did we know that it would consume massive amounts of energy when boondocking!

The last kitchen feature is a custom storage area we built in the doorway. This space was being used for absolutely nothing when we bought the rig! Now we’re able to store so much more produce and canned goods!

Our Tiny RV Bathroom

Contrary to popular belief, we do not have a wet bath. Our shower and toilet are separated into two sections. And, even though the space is tight, water doesn’t douse our toilet when showering.

This is important because we use a composting toilet! It’s our favorite bathroom feature. When we purchased the rig, the black tank could only hold 7 gallons. An amount so inconsequential, we removed it and upgraded to the compost life.

Depending on the conditions, we can use the toilet from 2 weeks to 2 months before emptying.

Our King Size Bed (In The Tiny RV)

Yes, the rumors are true…we have a king size bed in this tiny RV! Here’s the catch, it’s also a U-shaped dinette. So, we have to decide whether we want to transform the bed every day to create a good working space…or just live in our bed.

The answer became increasingly easy to make. If we want a comfy bed, we have to use an awesome foam topper. And, if we have an awesome foam topper, it becomes impossible to remove it, store it and then reinstall it every night.

Long story short, after our first year on the road we opted for full time king size bed!

Above the bed, on either side, is where we store our clothes. It may not look like much space, but its enough for our jeans & tees. We also have a small closet for towels, shoes and jackets.

Traveling Light

During our time in this 16-foot tiny home on wheels we’ve learned that we don’t need many “things” to be happy. We continuously shed items that don’t prove to be useful. The space has taught us how to enjoy life and explore more!

Why We Wouldn’t Live in a Tiny RV Again?

First of all, we had a baby! There’s no way we could all fit in that trailer. Additionally, the thrill is gone.

Our first two years on the road was a whirlwind of fulfilling our bucket list items. We still love RVing, but not enough to do it in a 16 foot RV!

Free Camping Does Exist (and most campers don’t know about it)

To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy). You should give it a try! A matter of fact, these free campsites are yours.

Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

Here’s our list of the 20 Best Free Campsites in the USA.

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