Different RV Types

Any article about the different RV types must begin with an explanation.  If we are going to be totally accurate when discussing RVing, we need to state that RV stands for recreational vehicle, the key word being “vehicle.”

I mention that because in the world of RVing, it is generally acceptable to include a travel trailer in the same discussion as literal RVs, and that is what we will do here. For the remainder of this article, a travel trailer will be spoken about as if it was actually a vehicle.

Clear as mud?

Let’s continue!

A list of RV types

The main categories of RVing would be the following:

• Class A motorhome
• Class B motorhome
• Class C motorhome
• Truck campers
• Travel trailer
• 5^th Wheeler
• Toy hauler
• Skoolies
• Camper vans
• And, if we are allowing travel trailers, we also have to allow tiny homes on wheels.

With all that out of the way, let’s give a brief definition/explanation of each of these.

Class A

Class A motorhomes are the behemoths of RVing. They range in size from 25-45 feet in length, and usually eight feet in width.  They are built on a single chassis with two or three axles to support the weight. This is the lap of luxury for an RV lifestyle, with all the comforts of home, and you pay for that RV life, with costs above $100,000 being standard.

Class B

Class B Motorhomes are generally referred to as camper vans.  They are usually slightly larger than a passenger van, the average length being 17-19 feet, and most are self-contained with a bed, bathroom, and kitchen area. Prices range anywhere from $40,000-$100,000 new.

Class C

Class C Motorhomes are the middle-ground for RV travel, not quite as comfortable as a Class B, but not as cumbersome as a Class A.  They are distinctive because of the cab-over design, with the sleeping quarters usually located above the driver and passenger compartment, and they are built upon a truck chassis, meaning a little-less-than-desirable ride.  Still, they are extremely popular, and range in length from 19-27 feet.  Expensive? Plan on paying $50,000 + for a new one.

Truck campers

Truck campers are living spaces which sit in the bed of a pickup truck. They can weigh as little as 750 pounds or as much as eight-thousand, and the pricing is all over the spectrum depending on the amenities within the camper. Some have bathrooms. Many have a pop-up design for more headspace.

Travel Trailer

A trave trailer is exactly what it sounds like, a trailer to live in which is pulled behind a truck or SUV. They range in size from eight feet to thirty, and you can have one for as little as $1,000 and as much as $75,000 depending upon amenities and length.  Some are tent trailers, some have slide-outs, some are pop-ups, and many are hard-sided.  The size you purchase will depend upon the towing capacity of your towing vehicle.

5th Wheeler

5^th Wheelers are the Class A’s of the trailer class. They can be quite long and they usually offer more comfort than a standard trailer. The name refers to the fact that the end of the trailer hitches to a mechanism in the bed of the pickup truck rather than a standard trailer hitch. The lengths begin at around nineteen feet and can reach thirty feet for the largest.  The cost? Plan on starting costs, for the smallest, at around $50,000.

Toy Hauler

Toy haulers once were not considered part of the RV lifestyle choices. They were originally used to haul “toys,” or four-wheelers/dirt bikes to recreational sites.  A new breed of toy hauler is now available, offering a space for the toys plus a space for sleeping.

Skoolies

Skoolies are converted school buses, the school seats removed and replaced by a living space.  Smaller ones are about sixteen-feet in length. Larger ones will hit forty-feet and can be quite cumbersome for RV travel. Still, they are quite popular as an alternative to the standard RV lifestyle, and some are very luxurious if retrofitted properly.

Camper vans

Not to be confused with Class B motorhomes, this category consists of vans like the VW van. Most have a sleeping space; some have enough room for a primitive kitchen arrangement. Hardly any have a bathroom or toilet.

Tiny Homes on wheels

Since some RVers actually tow their tiny house on wheels around, using it like a travel trailer, I have included these in the discussion. They can range from sixteen-feet to forty, and the price is all over the price spectrum.  Unlike standard trailers, a tiny home on wheels looks exactly like a miniature house.

So many choices for you to ponder

Thinking of beginning an RV life?  You have a lot of RV types to choose from, which is both the good news and the bad news.  Decide what you can afford. Decide if you want to tow your motorhome or drive it.  Find the best one for your situation, and go for it.  Your quality of life will improve dramatically once you get comfortable with the RV lifestyle.