RV TYPES

Which RV is right for you?  What are the plusses and minuses of the various types of RVs?  Of course, there are as many answers to these questions as there are different types of people.  On this page, we will try to discuss the merits and disadvantages of the various RV types in broad terms.  Bear in mind our personal experience is limited to travel trailers only - anything we say about the other types is based on what we've learned from other RVers.

POP-UPS  

Pop-ups are a popular choice with new RVers and young families.

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Light weight
• Can be towed by smaller vehicles
• Low wind resistance
• Large beds
• Lots of open floorspace

Disadvantages:

• Must be set up/taken down every time you camp
• No access to interior while folded up (cannot pack cabinets, etc. before a trip)
• Fabric ends cannot be stored wet
• Limited bathroom/shower facilities
• Small tanks, limited dry camping capabilities

HYBRIDS  

A cross between a pop-up and a travel trailer, with a hard-walled, full-height center section and fold-down tent ends.

Advantages:

• Light weight
• Can be towed by smaller vehicles
• Bathroom and shower
• Large beds
• Bathroom and kitchen can be used with tent ends folded

Disadvantages:

• Must be set up/taken down every time you camp
• Fabric ends cannot be stored wet

TRAVEL TRAILERS  

These hard-side full-height trailers are popular with many families.

Advantages:

• No tent fabric to set up/take down
• Full kitchen and bath
• Some have bunk beds
• Increased storage space
• Larger holding tanks for dry camping

Disadvantages:

• Require substantial tow vehicle
• Can be unstable under tow (depending on hitch)

FIFTH WHEELS  

These pickup towed trailers can range up to 40' homes complete with fireplaces.  Many floorplans are targeted toward couples rather than families.

Advantages:

• Most stable towable
• Lots of storage space
• Large tank capacities for dry camping
• Some have provisions for integral generators
• Can be quite luxurious

Disadvantages:

• Require heavy-duty pickup truck or medium-duty hauler
• Hitch in pickup's bed limits usefulness of truck
• Two-level floorplan may pose problems for those who have trouble with stairs
• Taller persons may not be able to stand in the bedroom of some models
• Bathroom is often in the master bedroom - a privacy issue for some families

TRUCK CAMPERS  

Truck campers are especially popular with outdoor sports enthusiasts like hunters and fishermen.  Mounted on a 4WD truck, these RVs can go places others can't.

Advantages:

• Can be taken off-road
• Can be removed from truck so truck can be used for errands, sight-seeing, etc.

Disadvantages:

• Requires a full-size pickup truck
• Limited interior space and holding tank capacities

CLASS B MOTORHOMES  

These small van conversion RVs are popular with singles or couples who like to travel.  They are not well suited for long stays in one place.

Advantages:

• Can be used as a daily driver
• Some can be garaged
• Easy to drive in traffic
• Easy to park
• Can be used for sightseeing

Disadvantages:

• Limited living and storage space
• Must be disconnected from utilities before going out sight-seeing, etc.
• Limited tank capacities for dry camping

CLASS C MOTORHOMES  

These motorhomes are built on a van chassis.

Advantages:

• Smaller Class Cs are similar to Class Bs in their ease of driving/parking.  Can be used for sightseeing, etc.
• Larger Class Cs can tow a small car for sightseeing, etc.
• The van chassis may offer greater protection in a crash than some Class As
• Some have integral generators

Disadvantages:

• Long rear overhangs can have trouble on grades
• Like Class Bs, smaller Class Cs must be disconnected from utilities before being used for sightseeing, etc.
• Some have limited cargo weight capacity
• Towed cars must be disconnected before the motorhome can be backed up

CLASS A MOTORHOMES  

These motorhomes are built on a custom chassis and have a smooth, integrated appearance.  Can be very upscale, with elaborate interior options.

Advantages:

• Can be very large, with plush interiors
• Many offer diesel engines
• Most can tow a small car for sightseeing, etc.
• Large holding tanks and integral generators for extended dry camping

Disadvantages:

• Most expensive motorhomes
• Large size can be difficult to drive/park.  Will usually tow a car for sightseeing, etc.
• Towed cars must be disconnected before the motorhome can be backed up

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• If towing, what can your vehicle handle?  See http://members.aol.com/stephndudb/weights.html .

• Do you intend to stay on the move, covering a lot of territory, or are you more inclined to head to a destination and then stay there for a while?  For those who want to stay on the move a truck camper, Class B motorhome, or small Class C might be a good choice.  For those who wish to drive to a destination and then stay a while pop-ups, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and larger Class A and C motorhomes might be a better choice.

• Do your tastes run more toward rustic state and national parks or upscale, full-service RV resorts?  The larger RVs will not fit in some state and national park campsites.

• Do you enjoy the flow of fresh air and feeling of sleeping in a tent?  Consider a pop-up or hybrid.

• Do you intend to spend more than a few days at a time dry camping (without utilities)?  Larger RVs (especially fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes) tend to have larger holding tanks and generator hookups.

• Do you want a slideout?  Slideout rooms are available on most types of RVs.  They add a lot of interior space without adding to the size of the RV while underway.  On the downside, they add weight and increase the potential for leaks and mechanical problems.  There are also some campsites that are too narrow to allow a slideout to be extended.  If you do decide to get a slideout, try to find one where the RV can still be used with the slideout in its retracted position.

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