Did you know that 2020 was named the year of RV travel? And their popularity does not plan to fall anytime soon. It is very much understandable since RVs are one of the safest ways to travel during a pandemic. It is also cheaper, flexible, and advantageous in many other ways. Perhaps you are also thinking about trying out RVs? Whether you plan to rent, buy or just want to learn more about RVs, you should know different RV types. Which we will cover in this article, so read on!
One of the two main RV types: motorhomes
Motorhomes or motorized RVs have an engine. That means that it is one vehicle you both drive and live in. You don’t have to bother with hitching and unhitching them. Such motorhomes have three classes: A, B, and C.
Class A RVs are the largest and the most comfortable of all RVs. They are from 24 to 45 ft in size and look similar to a bus. However, they are also the most expensive and the hardest to drive because of their size. You have to be an experienced driver, and still, you might not be able to access some narrow roads. But they are the best type for long journeys and if you want to live on the road or travel with your family.
Class A RVs can be either diesel or gas-powered. The diesel engine is usually on the back of the RV. They are known as diesel pushers (or pullers if it is on the front). They are a bit more powerful than gas RVs but also more expensive. Gas RVs have an engine at the front. They might be better for travelers who plan to stay long at locations. Read more here.
Class C motorhomes are in between Class A and Class B: a combination of both. The front looks like a van, but there is a box behind it, like Class A RVs. Most Class C RVs also have an overhead cab: it might be an extra bed or storage space. They are usually between 20 and 30 ft in length. While not as large as Class A RVs, they have plenty of space for showering, cooking, eating, lounging, etc. Maybe not for laundry.
Class B RVs are the smallest and most economical. They look like vans from the outside and are often called camper vans. They might be too small for two people to travel for a long time. Here, seats fold out into beds. While not as comfy, they are very fuel-efficient, easy to drive, and access most places. There can also be super Bs and super Cs. They are larger versions.
Many types of towable RVs
Often called just trailers, towable RV vehicles come in many types. All need to be towed by a vehicle, either with a bumper pull or a hatch. The trailer you need depends a lot on the vehicle with which you plan to tow.
Fifth-wheels. These are the largest towable RVs. You can only pull them with a truck. They have a distinctive front overhang which is often called a gooseneck. It hovers over the bed of the truck. Inside, there is often a bedroom or a living room area. Fifth wheels are 20-40 feet in length and can fit from 4 to 8 people. They have high ceilings and are pretty comfortable.
Travel trailers or pull-behinds have a great variety of types. They can be from 8 to 40 feet and fit from 2 to 8 people. Inside, there is usually a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a living area. Many have expandable sections. You can tow travel trailers with trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.
Toy haulers or sport utility a type of RVs for transporting various kinds of cargo for camping adventures, including kayaks, snowmobiles, golf carts, etc. The back of the hauler flips back and becomes a ramp to load the cargo. You can also convert the space to a living room or bedroom. Toy haulers are from 18 to 40 ft and can fit from 4 to 8 people.
Pop-up trailers, also known as fold-out campers, kind of look like tents. They are great for people who are transitioning from camping to RVing. They have a base like a utility cargo trailer and a heavy-duty canvas top. Pop-up trailers are also some of the cheapest RVs, although they are not super luxurious: for instance, not all pop-up trailers have a bathroom. They are 8-20 ft and fit 2-8 people.
Finally, there are also teardrop trailers and truck campers. Teardrop trailers are unique because of their teardrop shape. They are affordable and easy to tow but very simple: often it’s just a bedroom on wheels. Truck campers sit in the bed of your truck. They have an overhand that expands over your vehicle. They are very compact, but you need to have a powerful truck to tow truck campers.
We hope you now know more about different RV types. We recommend renting an RV before you buy one. This way, you can decide whether a certain RV is right for you.