Hospitality in 300 Square Feet (Give or Take)

Being hospitable in small spaces is part of the fun in full-time RV life. Sure, we’ve got the whole outdoors to be hospitable in, but when the weather doesn’t cooperate, what can you do to accommodate friends and family comfortably inside a travel trailer? When your friends exclaim, “It’s so cozy!” they usually mean, “It’s smaller than I thought.” Kind of like “bless her heart” doesn’t always mean what it sounds like in the South.

More Space than a Cruise Ship Cabin

Still, at least we have more living space than a cruise ship cabin. Whenever we’ve booked a cruise in the past, the square footage we choose seemed vital to having a successful cruise. Inside, outside, porthole, window, balcony—which offers the most “spread out and make yourself comfortable” space?

Believe it or not, on our latest cruise we accepted a downgrade. You would, too, if the cruise line emailed you a week in advance and offered a free ride if you agreed to switch your balcony room for an inside stateroom. We happily took the $4000 and gloated every day of that cruise, thank you very much.

Space Depends on Your Perspective

It’s funny that our approach to choosing a fifth wheel was initially the opposite. Evaluating the layout and storage was higher on our list than considering hospitality space. Before buying our first fifth wheel in 2021, we pored over RV floorplans online. A rear kitchen strongly appealed—until we stepped into our trailer of choice at a dealership and discovered how awkward it was to have the bathroom door right next to the stove. Not our jam.

After touring several models, we left to view a fifth wheel for sale by owner. As soon as the slides went out, we were hooked. Only 31’, plenty of storage, and all that space in the living area—we bought it on the spot. The tipping point? A queen airbed for all three grandkids could fit in it. And I can truthfully testify that even after 15 months on the road, we didn’t develop “footitis,” that perpetual belief that “all I need is an RV one foot longer and I’ll be happy.”

The Dealer Saw Us Coming

After that RV met its unfortunate demise on Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, TN, we sat on the insurance money for a year before the RV bug hit again. This time, we thought we might enjoy a more nimble rig, something we could just jump in and drive off into the wild blue yonder at a moment’s notice for a quick getaway. Maybe a Class C motorhome? We set off to explore used and new units and get a feel for pricing.

While I was pleased with several floorplans, Roger wasn’t. Too cramped, he said over and over. Finally, I suggested we look at fifth wheels again. The new version of our previous Grand Design Reflection model now included a kitchen island, which we suspected it would be a poor tradeoff for all the open space we enjoyed before. “But let’s just see if anything appeals,” I urged.

As they say, the dealer saw us coming. And we left that day the proud owners of a new Grand Design Reflection 28rl with an incredible amount of storage and counter space in the kitchen island, which, it turns out, makes it easier to host friends and family well.

Side note: As you’ve probably heard, “It’s not the deal you got; it’s the deal you think you got.” But I’m here to tell you we didn’t pay much more for the 2024 version than we did for the 2015 version of our Reflection. So either we overpaid for the first one or we got the deal of a lifetime on the new one. I’m sticking with the latter.

Being Hospitable in Small Spaces

In the old rig, we had space, as I mentioned, for a queen airbed. When we had friends over for dinner and dominoes, we could even set up a card table with our dining chairs around it.

Not so in the new rig. But different doesn’t necessarily mean “bad.” Our still-young grandkids fit nicely on the sofa bed. For the three months they were with us in Alabama this past summer, it was fine. Kids truly can sleep anywhere.

We’ve hosted friends and family inside more than once, three or four at a time. I admit the dining table is a tight fit for playing cards, but when you add cookies, coffee, and funny stories, any seat in the house is fine.

Of course, when the weather is fine, we also enjoy unbeatable outdoor living space with a view. Many rigs come with an outdoor kitchen, including sink. Some have a back or side porch that folds down from the wall. Other campers opt for a pop-up mesh dining tent that keeps bugs at bay. And of course, there’s the time-honored tradition of sitting around the campfire, although I can’t recommend playing games with potential fire-starting elements like cards. Who cares if your hair and clothes smell like smoke and your fingers get marshmallow-sticky?

Back in the day, Americans spent a lot of time visiting on the front porch. I like to think of our fifth wheel as being a type of porch, one where everyone can find a comfortable seat, the kids can play within sight, and laughter breaks out regularly. Neighbors nearby might stop for a quick chat or to ask a question or borrow a tool. How fun is that?

Hospitality, Like Gratitude, is a State of Mind

When I pull back a minute, I find that square footage isn’t a guarantee of good times. People want to be seen, welcomed, fed, and enjoyed. Even when your camp chair sinks into the ground a bit and your paper plate flops, it’s all fodder for more good stories around future campfires. Like the story my Dad loved to tell about the time I left my feet too close to the fire and melted the bottoms of my tennis shoes. Haven’t danced like that since.

So whether you’ve got 300 square feet or 3000, hospitality comes from the heart. And you’ll feel the benefits there, too.

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:1-2

Got a story about reaping the benefits of being hospitable? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.