RV Types Guide

An RV is a recreational vehicle, a home on wheels that one can take anywhere. It’s perfect for families with kids who love the great outdoors, but it also comes in handy for retirees and adventurers of any age. There are many RV styles out there that you can choose to buy. Each style has various advantages and disadvantages, so knowing which will work best for your needs is critical for buyers. Let’s take a look and compare RV types.

Recreational Vehicle Types

1. Travel Trailer

This is the most popular type of RV, especially for families. It’s relatively small and easy to maneuver and isn’t very heavy. The downside to this type of RV is that it doesn’t have a bathroom, kitchen, or living room. It can be parked anywhere you want because one can hook up to a vehicle like an SUV. The price range for Travel Trailers is about $20,000 to $50,000.

2. Fifth Wheel

A Fifth Wheel is an excellent choice for couples and families with kids because it has all the amenities of a camper but with the backup of a full-size vehicle. It’s big enough to fit the family in but not so big that the vehicle can only maneuver through tight spaces like parking lots. The price range for a Fifth Wheel is about $40,000 to $100,000. It’s also an excellent choice for families who want to take road trips with their kids but are on a budget.

3. Toyhauler

-This is the best choice for people who like camping with their toys, as the name implies! It’s excellent for all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles but not so much for trucks and cars. It doesn’t have a bathroom and kitchen, but it does have a kitchen table and seating arrangement. The price range for Toyhaulers is about $25,000 to $75,000.

4. Pop Up

-This is an excellent choice for people who like to camp. It has unique features that allow it to convert easily between RV and tent form, making it an excellent choice for a camper who likes to travel light. Since it’s so compact and lightweight, it’s also great for people with small families or older couples. The price range for a Pop Up is about $10,000 to $50,000.

5. Truck Camper

– This is the best choice for people who like to travel light, but it’s not for the faint of heart. It isn’t a recreational vehicle like the others listed, but rather a truck with the shell and amenities of an RV. The truck camper can be expensive and may not be best for people with smaller families because the price range is around $100,000.

6. Class A Gas

-Very large. 29 to 45 feet in length. This is the best choice for people who like a more extended camping experience. It’s comfortable, spacious, and stylish. The downside to a Class A Gas is that it can’t be driven anywhere except on the highway and takes up more space than other RV options. It’s perfect for retirees with no intention of ever leaving their site and who don’t mind spending money on luxurious comfort. The price range for a Class A Gas is around $80,000 to $200,000.

7. Class A Diesel

-This is a smaller and more compact version of a Class A Gas, but it has all the same amenities. It’s great for couples and families with teens who don’t have to worry about driving the RV around too much! It also makes an excellent choice for people who go camping during spring and fall, as it’s more energy efficient. The price range for Class A Diesel is about $30,000 to $90,000.

8. Class B Gas

– Moderately large. 18 to 24 feet long. This is an excellent choice for people who want the options that Class As offer but with a more compact size. It’s great for families with kids and older couples because they can easily access all Class A’s amenities without worrying about getting in and out of an RV. It’s also perfect for people who like to fish or take road trips to parks. The price range for Class B Gas is about $10,000 to $50,000.

9. Class C

-Also fairly large. 21 to 40 feet long. Easier to maneuver than a class A gas but still offering amenities and space. This is an excellent choice for people who want to camp in the back of their vehicle. It also makes an excellent choice for families with teens, as they can easily fit four people and two cars in the back of their Class C without taking up too much room. The price range is about $15,000 to $35,000.

Things To Consider When Choosing An RV Size

1. Where Are You Taking The RV

The size of the RV you choose will determine where you can go. If you have a large camper that has little space or if it’s heavy, it will only be able to be driven a little bit of space and take too many turns. The same goes for a small car or truck meant to drive only a short distance.

2. What Will You Do With The RV

Whether camping, long road trips or living in it full time, you need to consider what you will do with it. If it has a bathroom and kitchen, this will enable you to live in it full-time if that is your choice. It will also allow you to stay in a place longer and have a more comfortable living experience.

3. Where will you park the RV

Depending on how big the RV is, it will take up a lot of space in parking lots. If you can park your RV a short distance from your house, it can be easier to get into and out of the parking lot. You have to check if you are allowed to park an RV in your driveway if you have a home. You have to check the place you are camping at or living at what you are allowed to bring.

4. Towing or Driving (Size is a factor)

Consider that you will either be driving or towing the RV or trailer. You need to consider this before purchasing an RV or trailer. If you have a large trailer, you need a large vehicle to tow it. You also want your car to be able to pull it even when it is fully loaded. If it’s a large RV, you should be comfortable driving it.

5. What Is Your Budget

Your budget is crucial because it will determine how much room you can afford in the camper. Getting a trailer with the most space for your money is always wise, but it’s only sometimes possible. Realize that you will be spending a lot of money on this, and a lot of money going forward for maintenance, parking, and other things like dumping your waste and plugging in to electricity.

RV Type By Travel Idea

Camping

-Using an RV to camp has become very popular over the years. Bring all the comforts of a home to the great outdoors and stay for a while. The best RV to take camping is the one that you are comfortable pulling with your vehicle (or one that you are comfortable driving if it is a motor home) and the one that you can afford. We think the best RV type for camping is a Class C motor home. It offers ease of driving, a variety of sizes (fairly small), and plenty of space while remaining compact. Another option you might consider is a trailer like a truck camper or a pop up camper. That way, you still have your vehicle with you and you can drive around easily to explore.

Long Road Trip

-Long road trip RV vacations are the best for couples who want to be together and retreat from their everyday lives for a few days. When you go on a long road trip, you might want to make frequent stops to stretch or relax. If you are in a small car or suv, it might be uncomfortable after a while. For maximum comfort, you can get an RV and use it on the road trip. The best RV for road trips is a class A or class B. While they are rather cumbersome, they will offer maximum comfort. You might consider a different option based on how long you are staying at your destination. With a larger motor home, you can even tow a car behind it that way when you arrive at your destination, you have something to use to get around for groceries or exploring.

Full-Time Living

-Full-time living with an RV is possible, but many things must be considered before you make the move. You don’t want to live in a small RV, but you also don’t want one that is so big you are uncomfortable driving it or affording the costs associated with it. Living in an RV can save you money and be a nice change of pace from every day life. It allows you to travel and see the world while also having a comfortable home base. Having a full-time living RV will allow you to live in the same camper year-round and take advantage of the amenities that come with it. Choosing the best RV for full time living boils down to where you want to stay. Do you want to stay in the mountains? Will you have a car? Because driving an RV in the winding roads of the mountains can be very difficult. Can you afford a large enough RV and the costs associated with it? We think the best option for full time living hits all the points of being easy to drive, affordable, and big enough for comfort. You can choose a trailer so that you will still have a car with you or you can choose an RV so you don’t have to worry about a car and a trailer separately. A class C RV would be the best option for full time living if you didn’t have a vehicle. A fifth wheel travel trailer would be the best RV for full time living if you do have a vehicle.

Now that you have read through the comparison on types of RVs, you can start your RV search by choosing the type of RV you want for your use case and price range.