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 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:
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.
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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.
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Most cons are directly related to their small size:
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.
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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:
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.
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Fifth wheel trailers are much the same as travel trailers, except that they attach via gooseneck into the bed of a flatbed truck.
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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.
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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!