Which RV is right for me?

On its face, RVing can seem like an expensive hobby available only to the wealthy. The reality, however, is that RVing is an accessible recreation for anyone on most any budget! Whether renting or buying, you have a ton of options ranging from a small 10’ ft pop up camper to a $400,000 “Aerosmith goes on tour” Class A motorhome. Let’s take a look at the different types of RVs and how they best meet different needs.

Motorhomes

Motorhomes are fully self-contained, livable vehicles. That is, the drivers cab attaches directly to the living quarters. These are ideal for those without a truck for towing, or those simply looking for the easiest set up at a campsite. Within this classification, three major types of motorhomes exist:

Class A

These are the most high end motorhomes available. When you see a tour bus drive by, you’re looking at a Class A motorhome. If you’re looking for luxury and you have the money to spend, you won’t find a nicer, more spacious motorhome than a Class A. These are often built on a full-size bus chassis, and range from between about 26-45 feet in length.

Pros:

• Luxurious with tons of available options, often featuring amenities like separate sleeping quarters, full showers, satellite TV, and slide out walls to increase living space
• Plentiful cargo and living space available
• Great for families, or those wishing to extend all the features of home to their RV

Cons:

• Expensive, ranging between $50,000–$1,000,000+ at the highest end
• Large size can be intimidating to drive for inexperienced RV drivers
• Terrible fuel economy tops out at 8-10 MPG
• Expensive to operate and maintain

Class B

Class B motorhomes are built on a van chassis and, as such, are significantly smaller than Class A. They range in length from about 17-19 feet, and can range in price between about $40,000–$100,000.

Pros:

• Full motorhome amenities, including running water, toilet, kitchenette, and a convertible bed
• Their size makes them easier to drive for inexperienced RV drivers
• Much better fuel economy than Class A, with some diesel models getting up to 25 MPG

Cons:

Most cons are directly related to their small size:

• Best for individuals or couples, not families
• Not great for long-term stays
• Limited storage space

Class C

Class C motorhomes are essentially a step between Class A and Class B motorhomes. Often built on a truck chassis, these motorhomes range in length from between about 22–35 feet. Most feature an additional bed over the drivers cab. Because of their size and general affordability, these motorhomes are the choice for many families getting into RVing.

Pros

• Additional space makes these great for families
• Many luxury options and amenities are available for a price
• Can be purchased relatively inexpensively on the used market

Cons

• Large enough to be intimidating for inexperienced RV drivers
• Expensive to operate and maintain
• Living and sleeping areas not as spacious as a Class A

Towable RVs

Whereas motorhomes are fully self-contained vehicles, towable RVs require a truck to haul from location to location. Generally speaking, towable RVs are generally more affordable to own and operate than comparable motorhomes. However, because it’s illegal to haul passengers in a towable RV while driving, passenger space is much more limited than motorhomes.

Let’s take a look at some of the main types of towable RVs:

Travel Trailers

The sky's the limit when it comes to travel trailers. These pull-behind trailers include the amenities of home—running water, a bathroom, living space, etc.—with the option to add on most any luxury feature you can think of. These vary greatly in both price and size, beginning at around $11,000 for a bare bones setup to $35,000+ for a longer, more modestly appointed setup. Keep in mind, however, that these prices do not reflect the cost of the truck needed to pull these trailers.

Pros:

• For current truck owners, much more affordable than a comparable motorhome
• Plentiful space for families
• Can be unhitched for easier travel at destination

Cons:

• Can’t access while traveling
• Require a truck to tow
• Can be difficult to park and set up at campsite

Fifth Wheel Trailers

Fifth wheel trailers are much the same as travel trailers, except that they attach via gooseneck into the bed of a flatbed truck.

Pros:

• Fifth wheel connection makes for a better, more reliable towing experience
• Offer many of the wide-ranging options and amenities available as travel trailers
• Provides overhang for additional living and sleeping space

Cons:

• Requires a truck with fifth wheel capability (often larger, 200 series or higher trucks)
• More difficult to unhitch for easy travel at destination

Pop-up Campers

Pop-up campers have long been a great entry point for RV enthusiasts on a budget. These campers are small and portable, collapsing down into a shell for easy towing as well as storage when not in use.

Pros:

• Affordable, starting at around $7,000 for a basic model
• Great step for those intrigued by RVing but not ready or able to to go all in on a larger trailer or motorhome
• Often much lighter than travel trailers, allowing for use on a slightly smaller truck with less towing capacity

Cons:

• Often very bare bones, providing more of a camping experience than a luxurious motorhome experience (which could be a “pro,” depending on the desire!)
• Regular amenities such as bathroom space or AC/ heating are only available as add ons to higher-end pop ups
• Thin walls often require “airing out” before before folding for storage to avoid mildew

At the end of the day, there are RVs available to fit almost any budget and desire. Be sure to look through our host sites to see where you should take your particular RV on your next adventure!