RV Classes Explained
Class A - Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes usually have a body similar to a bus in shape and design. These spacious RVs are built on a specially designed motorhome chassis and can have either gas or diesel engines. Some class A's are equipped with anywhere from 1-4 slide out sections for extra room and comfort. The list of features, options and amenities are almost unlimited, but generally they have kitchens, bathrooms, entertainment centers, and centrally controlled heating and air condition.
Features of the Class A Motorhome
Spacious and well-equipped, even the smaller, basic models are roomy and home-like.
The larger, more luxurious models have many of the bells and whistles of a custom home.
Designed with extensive storage capacity and often include basement storage areas.
At a touch of a button, slideouts in some models move the RV wall outward up to three feet to create larger living areas. Many motorhome models include multiple slideouts. Many owners choose to tow a small vehicle for short side trips once the motorhome is parked.
Class A Motorhome Lines Include:
Class B - Van Campers
Class B motorhomes have kitchens, washrooms with showers and can sleep up to four people depending on the model. These van campers are self contained and have a slightly stretched full-size van appearance with the addition of a raised roof. class B's are easy to drive, typically fit in a normal parking space, are easy on fuel, and are often used as a second vehicle.
Features of the Class B Motorhome
Nimble and easy to drive, type B motorhomes are easy to park and maneuver, even in downtown settings. Home-like conveniences are standard, including bathroom, sleeping, dining and kitchen facilities as well as storage. Full stand-up room is achieved by raising the roof and sometimes by the use of dropped floors, for extra interior headroom.
Class B & B+ Motorhome Lines Include:
Class C - Mini Motorhomes
The class C motorhome has a distinctive cab-over bunk that makes this RV easy to recognize. Built on a commercial cut-away van chassis Class C's have evolved tremendously over the years. With all the amenities of any motorhome, they are available in various lengths, many with slide-out rooms, and packed with extras.
Features of the Class C Motorhome
Ample living space includes sleeping, kitchen, dining, and bathroom facilities, as well as entertainment systems and storage. Slideouts in some models move the RV wall outward up to three feet at the touch of a button to create larger living areas. Owners can tow a small vehicle for short side trips once the motorhome is parked. The ability to easily move from the driving area or belted passenger seats to the living space when stopped along the way is the main reason owners say they chose a motorhome over a towable model.
Conventional Travel Trailers
This is the most common RV. A travel trailer is towed by a car, a van, SUV or pick-up and the sizes, features and prices are seemingly endless. Towable trailers now come with garages (often called a "toy hauler"), roof top patios, bay windows, fireplaces, offices, hideaway beds, expanding sides, lowering roofs. If you can dream it, chances are someone has already built it.
Features of the Travel Trailer
Smaller models can be towed by mid-size vehicles, including the family car, minivan, SUV, or a pickup truck equipped with a hitch. It is important to match the loaded weight of the RV to the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. At the campground, easily detach from the tow vehicle to use the vehicle for errands and sightseeing. Travel trailers boast all the conveniences of home, including kitchen, dining, bathroom, entertainment, and storage. Slideouts in some models move the RV wall outward up to three feet at the touch of a button, to create larger living areas once the travel trailer is set up in a campsite.
Travel Trailer Lines Include:
Fifth Wheel Travel Trailers
Although this style of travel trailer needs to be towed by pick-up trucks with a special "fifth wheel" hitch, they are delightfully easy to handle. 5th wheels generally have taller ceilings and more slide-out rooms than conventional towable travel trailers, with as many as four in some models. They are the most spacious RVs available and are loaded with luxury features.
Features of the Fifth Wheel:
Equipped with all the conveniences of home, including sleeping, showering, dining, cooking, entertainment, and storage, many manufacturers also offer luxury models that are very spacious and elegantly furnished. There can be as many as four slideouts in some models, which move the RV wall outward up to three feet at the touch of a button to create larger living areas. Fifth-wheels often have a large picture window at the rear for panoramic views.
At the campground, easily detach from the tow vehicle, freeing the vehicle for errands and sightseeing.
Fifth Wheel Lines Include:
- Open Range
- Yukon/Voltage
- KZ Sportsmen
- Vanleigh Beacon
- Vanleigh Vilano
- Vanleigh Ambition
Folding Trailer or Pop-Up
Also known as pop-ups and tent trailers, folding camping trailers are great for outdoor lovers who enjoy sleeping in a tent without sleeping on the ground. The folding camping trailer stows away for easy, lightweight towing. With canvas sides that extend to reveal queen-sized beds, it's easy to have a fresh-air experience with all the comforts of an RV.
Features of the A-Frame or Pop-Up Trailer:
Pop-Up campers appeal to budget-conscious consumers looking for a roomy towable.
The lightweight campers allow for towing behind many typical family vehicles, even including some small cars!. Their compact size allows for easy storage as well as a quick and easy setup.
Ample living space means most models include a kitchen, dining, and sleeping areas, and additional amenities are also available depending on the size of the camper itself.
A-Frame/Pop-Up Trailer Lines Include:
Truck Camper
The truck camper is a portable unit designed to be loaded onto, or affixed to, the bed or chassis of a pickup truck. The slide-in units are easily loaded and unloaded from the bed of the truck, freeing the truck's bumper to tow boats, ATVs, and other trailers.
Features of the Truck Camper:
Truck owners find Truck Campers to be an easy, economical option for camping getaways. The compact size makes them easy for travel on rough or windy roads.
Outdoor sportsmen find them handy for fully equipped base camps in remote locations.
The detachable camping unit allows the pickup truck to be used separately at the destination.
Small space still offers a range of floor plans that maximize living area. Many models also have slideouts, which move the RV wall outward up to three feet at the touch of a button to create larger living areas. Amenities include toilets, showers, kitchen facilities, and storage.