How to Choose an RV that’s right for you
Wondering how to choose an RV? There are a few reasons you may be looking into an RV. Whether it is for weekend camping, full-time stationary living, full-time RV traveling, or maybe you take a month trip a year. Regardless we will discuss the types of RV’s you can purchase and their pros and cons to help you choose the right RV.
Let’s get started!
Types of Rv’s to Choose from
Here is a list of your RV options! Jump to a specific Rv if you need to in order to choose the right RV for you!
- Types of Rv’s to Choose from
- Class A – Motorhome
- Class C – Motorhome
- Super C – Motorhome
- Truck Camper
- Travel Trailer
- Fifth Wheel
- Toy Hauler
- Pop Up Camper
- Van
Class A – Motorhome
Class A (one of my Favorites to live full-time in has two categories
- Gas
- Diesel
Now I say this because of POWER. It honestly depends on what you plan on doing with it and how big you want it. Here is a few when comparing the two Options in order to choose the right Class A RV .
GAS – CLASS A
Typically less expensive and less maintenance costs
Noisier during traveling due to engine being up front
Can tow smaller vehicles but may take a while to get up that mountain pass
DIESEL PUSHER – CLASS A
More expensive
Quiet inside while traveling because of engine location (in the rear)
Tow enclosed trailers, larger vehicles with ease
Advantages of a Class A (either option)
Quick setup and take down
Movies, bathroom, kitchen functional while going down the road (For safety purposes I cannot condone this activity while in motion).
Some have full pass through storage underneath
A lot of full-time families prefer Class A’s because of the ease of travel
Typically everything is useable with the slides in
No hooking up to a truck
Disadvantages of a Class A
Must bring a tow car. You CANNOT fit your Motorhome through a drive through or a lot of tourist spots
First several feet is made up of dash and captains chairs therefore lessening your space when your slides are out
Can be difficult to find bunk floor plans
Car seat regulations…very confusing….research at your own risk
Conclusion
With all of this info…I would have to say I loved our Motorhome. The ease of travel, especially with quick overnight stops, was amazing. If you’re always in a hurry and make short one night stops this might be a good option for pure convenience. You also have access to your fridge so you don’t have to pack a cooler every travel day in your vehicle!
FUN FACT: When shopping for a Class A check for the location of the door. If it is in front of the front wheel it is a diesel and if it is behind the front tire it is a gas! We also LIVED in one the first year we went full-time in our RV.
Class C – Motorhome
Class C! Another great RV for long road trips or trips with the family.
Advantages of a Class C
Easier to drive than a Class A due to the size – more familiar driving
Can still tow a car
More sleeping spaces – extra bed over drivers seat
No hooking up to a truck
Access to the fridge and bathroom during travel days-similar to the Class A
Easily serviced – if not towing, you only have to worry about one vehicle!
Disadvantages of a Class C
Not as comfortable as a Class A
Not as luxurious – more simple
More often than not they are gas so watch tow ratings
Less storage because they are a smaller option
Louder due to engine location
More wasted space up front than a Class A due to the cockpit area
Conclusion
Easier to drive considering they are smaller than a Class A but they lack the luxurious options you can get in an A. A good option for quick overnight stops since you will not have to open slides to access the necessities. But on the same note they are more comfortable for a beginner Rv’r unless you’re ready to jump to a Class-A!
Super C – Motorhome
A Super C, where do I start? They are a SUPERSIZED version of a Class-C. Who doesn’t like supersized?! Drool worthy in my opinion depending on the setup.
Advantages of Super C
More luxurious and have more options than a Class C
Highest tow rating of most RVs
Drives more like a pickup than a bus
POWER. Lots.
Less weight on the rear axle therefore the tow rating is higher than a Class A (Some can tow up to 30,000 pounds!)
Built on a truck chassis making it easily serviced at a truck stop
Very luxurious
Having access to essentials while on the road (fridge, bathroom etc)
Disadvantages of Super C
VERY pricey….you get what you pay for though!
Lose cockpit area as interior space
Must have a tow car because they are a bit on the bulky side
Conclusion
There are so many advantages to these guys. Perfect for a lot of RV styles but still a bit too bulky for in town sight seeing. But a great option if you need to tow heavy like a stacker trailer with a sick car or two!
Truck Camper
Want to be in a small space yet very versatile? Here it is!
Advantages of a Truck Camper
One vehicle to maintenance and register!
You can still tow with your truck! UTV, boats, etc
Detachable if needed
You can fit in decent sized parking spots still
Disadvantages of a Truck Camper
Pretty tight living quarters
May or may not have a bathroom
You may need a larger truck depending on the size of the camper
Conclusion
Looking for a way to skip tent camping but still be versatile? A truck camper might be your best bet! Not many cons unless you want to live in one…might be a bit tight.
Travel Trailer
We have owned a travel trailer toy hauler and I grew up with a 21’ nomad for weekend trips (family of 5) but this is the pros and cons….
Advantages of Travel Trailer
Avoids the inside steps that fifth-wheels have. A flat floor plan.
Can be towed by a smaller truck, they come in many different shapes and sizes!
Less expensive but smaller than most fifth-wheels
Easy to maintain than motorized RVs
Disadvantages of Travel Trailer
Tow like garbage.
Will drag your truck around in the wind
Limited to no underneath storage
Very few are rated for full-time living
Fewer amenities than larger RVs
Conclusion
After owning a travel trailer I would have to say it was not my favorite. Yes it was affordable but I cannot stand the swaying in the wind. The storage being limited was also not the best but when we owned one it was more for weekend trips and the occasional week or two. Definitely an advantage due to affordability and not having to buy a massive truck though.
Fifth Wheel
We have a lot to say about these guys mainly because we constantly find ourselves going back to them! This is the RV we would choose and have!
Advantages of Fifth-wheel
More stable towing experience
Easier to maneuver because the weight of the trailer rests in the bed of the truck
Get more for your money
More floor plan options
Typically has basement storage
Larger than a bumper pull (travel trailer)
Easy to back up due to the truck being able to move 90 degrees
Taller ceilings
Easier to hook up than a travel trailer
Disadvantages of Fifth-wheel
The amount of space it takes up in the bed of your truck is a lot
Typically has interior steps to get into a bedroom
Need to buy a truck
Conclusion
Easier to maneuver than a bumper pull (travel trailer) and much roomier. They have taller ceilings and a variety of floor plans and weights for different size trucks. We go back to the fifth-wheel because we love how easy it is to tow in the wind, quick to hook up and the inside is all useable space!
Toy Hauler
A toy hauler can be a travel trailer AND a fifth-wheel and the occasional Motorhome (Crazy right?).
Advantages of a Toy Hauler
You can easily load up a small car, UTV, golf cart, motorcycles, or even your bikes or kayaks
Can still attach a hitch to hold other non-motorized toys
More bed space. They usually have a loft, and one to two happy jacks in the back as well as a bedroom
Built in generator
Larger tanks for boon docking (gray, black, fresh)
The ramp can be set out as a deck and at times come with railing and even 3 season doors!
Disadvantages of a Toy Hauler
Not as homey of an atmosphere inside
Typically one bedroom due to the garage unless you find a model with a bunk room
Need a larger truck if you are bringing toys
Conclusion
You can purchase a fifth-wheel or a bumper pull (or a Motorhome) as a toy hauler. Advantages and disadvantages to all of should be thought out and IF you need a toy hauler. We love going this route for the convenience of loading up our off road vehicle as well as having the garage space turn into a bedroom. The fifth-wheel is always our option we love the ceilings (my husband is tall) and the living space is roomy.
Pop Up Camper
Looking for an inexpensive way to camp but it’s not a tent? You might want to choose this style! They come in a hard top and a soft top depending on your preference.
Advantages of a Pop Up Camper
Small and easy to maneuver
Small enough to fit in a lot of camp grounds
You feel like you are in a tent but you’re not. The outdoor experience!
Many are budget friendly
You do not need a truck to pull a lot of these..but watch the tow ratings
Cheaper to maintain
Disadvantages of a Pop Up Camper
Lack of storage
You do feel like you are in a tent therefore being in some types of weather can be less than relaxing
Set up and take down is not as simple as pulling out a slide
Not many amenities..larger ones might have a toilet, shower, or kitchen
Smaller living space
Typically do not come with heating and cooling
Conclusion
A little more luxurious than tent camping but you still feel as if you are outside, a pop up tent camper is your best bet! With a variety of vehicles that can tow this bad boy you won’t have to purchase a bigger truck. Being one of the most affordable styles of campers to get outdoors and yet you can upgrade for more amenities. They also make ones you can strap a side-by-side to the top!
Van
Van life is a thing, a popular thing. I don’t mean your mom’s mini van my friends. We personally love the vans for many reasons.
Advantages to a Van
One vehicle to maintain
Fits everywhere and anywhere
You can stealth overnight camp in places
Small kitchen space
Customizable
Disadvantages to a Van
Small living quarters – obviously
No bathroom or shower
Conclusion
Van life is a different story. You may need to do conversions and a lot more research or you can buy one already converted and ready to roll!
What We Learned Choosing an RV
How to choose the right RV is hard when there are a MILLION options on the market.Floor plans are always changing and the RV industry listens to their customers. SO the pros and cons we have come up with are in general because we do know that some companies may have the solution to fit your needs.There was a LOT of research that went into choosing the right RV when we were deciding and wanted to share what we learned. Of course we hope this helped you understand the different kinds And you are able to choose an RV!
After bouncing around ideas we went back to a fifth-wheel after living in a Motorhome for a year! Yes travel days can be more of an inconvenience but it is still doable. We love our DRV and the floor plan. We did convert the master bedroom into a room for the kids and use the garage as our bedroom. BUT we can also take our UTV with us on our travels and have the space we need for everyone.
Our preference as a family of 4 + our dog is a fifth-wheel toy hauler BUT if it was Taylor and I we would opt for a diesel pusher Motorhome. To each their own right?
Reminder When Choosing an RV
Always remember you can install a LOT of things after purchasing an RV to fit your style of camping. If you want to boon dock you can always put solar or even mini splits to live off the grid. Again, so many options for budgets and needs.
Let us help you choose the right RV! If you need more info shoot us a message and give us a follow on social media.
Happy Shopping!
Safe and intentional travels to all,
Four Season Travelers – The Brownings