What type of RV should I buy: class A vs. class C vs. travel trailer vs. 5th wheel vs. pop-up vs. campervan
Yesterday, we looked at the different types of RVs. Today, let’s talk about the pros and cons of each.
Let’s dig in!
There’s no right choice
Every RV is a set of tradeoffs.
Size. Drivability. Quality. Features. Cost.
Every time you adjust one of those levers, the others move, too. More drivable rigs are generally smaller, more expensive, or both. Less expensive rigs are typically smaller and lower in quality. And so on.
As part of the buying process, you’ll need to decide which mix of tradeoffs and compromises is right for you and how you like to travel.
There’s a high likelihood you won’t get it right the first time, or that your preferences and wants will change over time.
That’s fine, too! There’s no perfect rig!
With that out of the way, let’s look at the pros and cons of each type of RV.
Motorhomes
Pros:
- Generally easier to drive than a towable
- Easy access to the living area without having to exit the vehicle
Cons:
- Generally more expensive than a comparable towable (but not necessarily once you add in the price of the tow vehicle)
- Your living habitat is unavailable when the camper is in for repairs
Class A & Super C Motorhomes
Pros:
- The most space you can get in a motorhome
- Many floor plans and options available
Cons:
- Among the most expensive RVs you can buy
- Their large size makes them harder to drive and fit in campsites
- Maintenance is costly
Class C Motorhome
Pros:
- Relatively easy to drive (though some are quite long)
- Typically more affordable than a class A or super C
- Their smaller size fits nicely in most parks and campgrounds
Cons:
- Not always the best quality for the cost
- While they have room to sleep many people, they typically only have two crash-rated seats
Class B Motorhome
Pros:
- As easy to drive as a van
- Can fit in a standard parking space
- Typically looks like a normal fan, so you can park and “stealth camp” in places where RVs are generally not allowed
- Can be configured with four (or more) crash-rated seats
Cons:
- Very small inside
- Surprisingly expensive
Towables
Pros:
- Generally cheaper per square foot
- If your tow vehicle needs repair, you still have your living habitat (and vice versa)
- You can replace your tow vehicle without replacing your camper (and vice versa)
Cons:
- Generally harder to drive than a motorhome
- Can’t access the living space without existing the vehicle
Travel Trailer
Pros:
- Considered an entry-level camper, typically the most affordable per square foot
- Wide range of floor plans and options
- Some are small and light enough to be towed with an SUV
Cons:
- Often (but not always) lower in quality
- Hardest to tow of the towables
- Often on the smaller side
Fifth Wheel
Pros:
- Easier to tow because the weight and hinge-point sits over the rear axle rather than at the bumper
- The most spacious of the towables
- More affordable per square foot than a comparably sized motorhome
Cons:
- More expensive than a travel trailer
- Can be heavy, and require a truck with sufficient payload and towing capability
- Require a truck, and cannot be towed with an SUV
Teardrop
Pros:
- Often light enough to be towed by an SUV or even some cars/cross-overs
- Aerodynamic shape and small size make it easy to tow
Cons:
- Much smaller than a standard travel trailer
- Often light on features and typically lacking a shower
- Surprisingly expensive for the size
Pop-Up Camper
Pros:
- The most affordable campers
- Light enough to be towed by an SUV or even some cars/cross-overs
- Relatively easy to tow because of the size and weight
- Many include amenities like a toilet, shower, and kitchen
Cons:
- Prone to moisture issues and pop-up mechanism failure
- Sides are typically a thin tent material
- While more comfortable than a ground tent, they’re the least comfortable RV option
Truck Campers
Pros:
- About as easy to drive as the truck you put it on
- Can be separated from the two vehicle for repairs and upgrades
Cons:
- Generally pretty small
- Requires a truck with high payload
- Relatively expensive per square foot
Key Considerations
When thinking about which type of RV is right for you, some things you might consider include…
- Whether or not you already have a vehicle that could tow the kind of RV you want
- How many people you plan to travel with
- Drivability, how far you plan to travel, and your comfort with towing/hauling
- Amount of space you need to feel comfortable
- Where you plan to camp (state and national parks have notoriously small sites)
For example, we travel with four people plus a dog, and I wanted crash-rated seats for all of the people. I prefer something easier to drive, and a bit on the smaller side so that I can easily fit into lots of places.
That narrows down my options to a class B motorhome, travel trailer, pop-up camper, and truck camper.
We already owned an SUV, and a class B or campervan is outside our budget, which narrows things down to a travel trailer or pop-up camper.
For safety and comfort reasons, we went with the travel trailer.