What Is the Best RV to Buy? Here's What You Need to Know
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What is the best RV to buy? This is a loaded question because there really isn't one right or wrong answer. The truth is, if you ask ten different people, you're likely to get ten different answers. S...
What is the best RV to buy? This is a loaded question because there really isn't one right or wrong answer. The truth is, if you ask ten different people, you're likely to get ten different answers. So, figuring out what the best RV is, comes down to doing a little research.
Class A RVs are the largest RVs. These are the ones that you drive on their own and they don't have a bunk space over the cab. They usually come with multiple slide-outs that provide plenty of space inside the RV. They often include many of the "extras" including residential-sized appliances, washer and dryer, fireplaces, extra storage space and even more than one bathroom.
These RVs can be either gas or diesel. You may have heard the latter referred to as diesel pushers. There are pros and cons to each option. The average length of a Class A RV is 33 feet, but they can be as long as 45 feet.
Moving down from the larger Class A RVs, we have Class B RVs which are also called camper vans because they are built on a van chassis. From the outside, they may look exactly like a full-size van, but inside, they can provide you with everything that you need in an RV including a bathroom. The living space usually converts to a sleeping space and they can fit both a small kitchen and bath area in the RV.
These are easy to drive because it's just like driving a van and because of their smaller size they can be ideal for urban camping. They are generally best fits for couples or solo RVers.
The Class C RV is a marriage between Class A and Class B. While they are smaller than the larger Class A RVs, they provide you with more space than a Class B. They have the additional space above the cab which is traditionally used as a sleeping space. They are usually built on a truck chassis and allow you to fit in some places that larger RVs are unable to go. And, they still provide the amenities that you are looking for in an RV like kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping spaces. They can also have slide outs to help expand the usable space you have to use once you set up camp.
Travel Trailers are a popular option for many RVers because they allow you to tow your RV, disconnect it from your tow vehicle and have a way to go day tripping while camp is setup. They are essentially a trailer with a hitch that you attach to your vehicle so you can pull it.
There is a huge range of the size of travel trailers and many include slide outs as well. This allows there to be many different layout options that can work for solo RVers or even large families.
Fifth Wheel
Fifth wheels are similar to Travel Trailers in the sense that they detach from the towing vehicle. However, Fifth Wheels must be pulled by a pickup truck because the hitch for the fifth wheel is placed in the bed of the truck. They are often larger than travel trailers and provide because of the part of the trailer that sits upon the truck bed.
Fifth wheels can have several slide outs which expand the usable space inside. They are a great fit for large families and the layouts provide plenty of options.
Toy Haulers do exactly what the name says. In the back of a Toy Hauler is a garage-type space where you can haul anything from ATVs to kyaks to tools. It's a space you can use in the way that works the best for you. And, many areas have a convertible garage space that also provides additional living or sleeping space.
Toy haulers are typically fifth wheels, but you will also find some motorized RVs that are toy haulers as well. This isn't really its own category of RV, but more of a subcategory.
The types of RVs
The first thing that you need to understand is the different types of RVs. When some people hear "RV" they instantly think of Class A motorhomes, others think of the old school pop-up campers. So, it's important to understand the different options that are available on the market.Class A
Class A RVs are the largest RVs. These are the ones that you drive on their own and they don't have a bunk space over the cab. They usually come with multiple slide-outs that provide plenty of space inside the RV. They often include many of the "extras" including residential-sized appliances, washer and dryer, fireplaces, extra storage space and even more than one bathroom.
These RVs can be either gas or diesel. You may have heard the latter referred to as diesel pushers. There are pros and cons to each option. The average length of a Class A RV is 33 feet, but they can be as long as 45 feet.
Class B
Moving down from the larger Class A RVs, we have Class B RVs which are also called camper vans because they are built on a van chassis. From the outside, they may look exactly like a full-size van, but inside, they can provide you with everything that you need in an RV including a bathroom. The living space usually converts to a sleeping space and they can fit both a small kitchen and bath area in the RV.
These are easy to drive because it's just like driving a van and because of their smaller size they can be ideal for urban camping. They are generally best fits for couples or solo RVers.
Class C
The Class C RV is a marriage between Class A and Class B. While they are smaller than the larger Class A RVs, they provide you with more space than a Class B. They have the additional space above the cab which is traditionally used as a sleeping space. They are usually built on a truck chassis and allow you to fit in some places that larger RVs are unable to go. And, they still provide the amenities that you are looking for in an RV like kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping spaces. They can also have slide outs to help expand the usable space you have to use once you set up camp.
Travel Trailer
Travel Trailers are a popular option for many RVers because they allow you to tow your RV, disconnect it from your tow vehicle and have a way to go day tripping while camp is setup. They are essentially a trailer with a hitch that you attach to your vehicle so you can pull it.
There is a huge range of the size of travel trailers and many include slide outs as well. This allows there to be many different layout options that can work for solo RVers or even large families.
Fifth Wheel
Fifth wheels are similar to Travel Trailers in the sense that they detach from the towing vehicle. However, Fifth Wheels must be pulled by a pickup truck because the hitch for the fifth wheel is placed in the bed of the truck. They are often larger than travel trailers and provide because of the part of the trailer that sits upon the truck bed.
Fifth wheels can have several slide outs which expand the usable space inside. They are a great fit for large families and the layouts provide plenty of options.
Toy Hauler
Toy Haulers do exactly what the name says. In the back of a Toy Hauler is a garage-type space where you can haul anything from ATVs to kyaks to tools. It's a space you can use in the way that works the best for you. And, many areas have a convertible garage space that also provides additional living or sleeping space.
Toy haulers are typically fifth wheels, but you will also find some motorized RVs that are toy haulers as well. This isn't really its own category of RV, but more of a subcategory.
