Choosing an RV that is right for your family, can be a difficult decisions… many factors should be considered before making a purchase. So what type of RV should I buy? There are many types of RVs to choose from…the options are quite numerous and the choice is quite personal. The basic categories of RVs are:
- Truck Campers
- Travel Trailers
- Fifth Wheels
- Motor-homes (Class A, Class C, & Class B)
PROS & CONS OF EACH
Truck Campers – an RV that may be carried in the bed of a pickup truck.
Pros:
- One of the least expensive RV’s.
- Mounts in the bed of most full size trucks with minimal modifications.
- Truck doubles as local transportation.
- Can tow a small trailer or support a carrying platform on hitch.
- Requires no special storage when not in use. Fits in standard driveway or back yard.
- Can reach less accessible camping sites that are too tight for large RV’s. When attached to an off-road truck, it can reach camping sites that no other RV’s can.
Cons:
- Driving and living compartments are separate. Living area inaccessible while moving.
- Road handling can be an issue when mounted on a truck with light suspension.
- Limited space practical only for short trips.
Travel Trailers– are trailers that are hitch and towed completely behind a tow vehicle.
Pros:
- Can be towed with a variety of vehicles fitted with a standard ball hitch and rated for the trailer weight.
- Spacious, open floor plans suitable for a variety of uses.
- Provides more interior space per length foot than motor homes because it does not contain driving and engine compartments.
- Lower profile allows easier entry than a fifth wheel trailer.
- Tow vehicle doubles as local transportation.
Cons:
- Less storage than fifth wheel trailers because it lacks a raised section.
- Least stable on the road of all RV types. Requires the most skill to tow and back up.
- Driving and living compartments are separate. Living area inaccessible while moving.
- Generally cannot tow vehicle behind trailer.
- Larger models require large storage area when not in use.
Fifth Wheels– trailers that have a goose-neck front section that extends over the bed of the pick-up truck.
Pros:
- Easier and safer to tow than travel trailers, but requires more caution and skill than motor homes.
- Easier to back up than travel trailers.
- Spacious, open floor plans suitable for full-timers.
- Provides more interior space per length foot than motor homes because it does not contain driving and engine compartments.
- Most storage space of all trailer type RV’s.
- Tow vehicle doubles as local transportation.
Cons:
- Requires a truck with fifth wheel hitch in bed.
- Driving and living compartments are separate. Living area inaccessible while moving.
- Generally cannot tow vehicle behind trailer.
- On tall models top clearance can be a problem under low branches and structures.
- Most models require large storage area when not in use.
Motor homes -Motor homes are RVs with your vehicle and living quarters combined. There are 3 different classes of motor homes; Class A, Class B, & Class C. Here is the pros & cons for each:
Class A- Class A motor homes are the largest. They are the RVs most people think of when you use the term RV.
Pros:
- Easy to drive on highway.
- Spacious, open floor plans suitable for full-timers.
- Elevated driver position provides a good view of the road ahead.
- Driving and living compartments are connected. Living area accessible even while moving (not recommended).
- Most storage space of all RV types.
- Can tow vehicle behind or support a carrying platform on hitch.
Cons:
- Most expensive of all RV types.
- Can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.
- Most are too large to drive around town; alternate local transportation required.
- Top clearance can be a problem under low branches and structures.
- Requires large storage area when not in use.
Class B– Class B motorhomes are the smallest and are built on a van chassis. Although there are full-timers in Class Bs, they are generally too small to live in for long periods of time.
Pros:
- Least expensive motorized RV to own and operate.
- Easy to drive on highway and around town.
- Driving and living compartments are connected. Living area accessible even while moving (not recommended).
- It can be used as local transportation.
- Can tow a small trailer or support a carrying platform on hitch.
- Can be used as a second family car when not traveling.
- Requires no special storage when not in use. Fits in standard driveway and lower models may fit in the garage.
- Can reach less accessible camping sites that are too tight for large RV’s.
Cons:
- Limited space practical only for short trips.
Class C– Class C motorhomes are built on a van chassis and are often referred to as mini-motorhomes. They are distinguished by an extended section over the cab which usually contains an extra bed.
Pros:
- Easy to drive.
- Driving and living compartments are connected. Living area accessible even while moving (not recommended).
- Can tow vehicle behind or support a carrying platform on hitch.
- Smaller windshield and curtain separating cockpit makes unit easier to heat and cool than a Class A.
Cons:
- Largest models can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.
- Some models may be too large to drive around town; alternate local transportation may be required.
- Requires large storage area when not in use.
