Class B+ motorhome with awning to hang out outside

Types of RVs, Campers and Trailers: What Are the Differences & Which is Right for You?

We’re sure you’ve seen all the beautiful photos on social media of people enjoying the RV lifestyle in all different types of RVs, campers, trailers, or even living #vanlife as well. How wonderful would it be to be able to jump in a vehicle and take off on a trip at a moment’s notice?! Being able to explore the country and wake up to spectacular scenery all around you.

As RVer’s ourselves, we can tell you it is pretty amazing. In fact, there are many reasons we love RV travel you might too! But if you are new to this whole RVing thing and considering renting an RV to test it out for yourself or even buying an RV to jump right into the lifestyle, then you may be a bit confused as you begin to search around and see / hear different terms.  

Vans, campers and trailers? Fifth-Wheels? Class A, B or C? What does it all mean!?! And what are those huge buses anyway?

Breaking Down All the Different Types of RVs – Pros & Cons

What does any of it mean?

The terminology can get confusing real quick, especially if you aren’t familiar with them. So what are the types of RVs out there and what makes them different? When it comes to the different types of RVs, there are some unique features to each type – such as trailers or fifth-wheels versus a class A motorhome.

But from a user/owner perspective, a lot of it really comes down to the pros and cons of each type and how they will fit into your lifestyle.  This is honestly one of the most important things to think about, especially when you are just starting out and want to pick the right type of RV for your needs.

So to help you understand the differences between RVs, and decide on the right style for your needs, here’s a breakdown of the different types of RVs so that you can enjoy the RV travel lifestyle too!

This is a large post with a ton of information. Feel free to read it all the way through or you can use the table of contents below to click to specific sections. Remember you can always jump back up to the top of the post to jump to other sections too. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS – Types of RVs, Campers & Trailers:

Click to Jump to Any Topic Below

  1. Camper Vans (aka Class B RV’s)
      • Factory Built vs. “Conversion”
  2. Pop-Up Tent Trailer Campers
  3. Truck Campers
  4. Travel Trailers (Towables / Tow Behinds)
    • Unique & Small Travel Trailers
  5. Fifth Wheels
  6. Toyhauler
  7. Motorhomes (Drivable / Motorized RV’s)
    • Class A
    • Class C
    • Class B+ (what about Class B’s?)
  8. Skoolies & Tiny Homes (special notes)
    • Considerations – RV Park Rules & “Self-Contained”

 

READ MORE: 35 Funny Camping Memes

What Type of RV is a Camper Van? (Often Referred to as Class B RVs)

These vehicles are just what they sound like, a van that you can camp in. But they can vary dramatically!  Camper vans are a very popular type of RV that range in size from very small to fairly big. They also may have a lot of interesting customization to them.

Many camper vans may only have 1 bed, but in the larger models there could be an additional sleeping area or bunks (if the roof is raised).  Some of camper vans even have pop-tops that expand so you can stand up inside, and open the vents to get airflow.

Class B van is a popular type of RV. We rented this one in florida to explore Flagler beach & st augustine for a weekend
We rented this Class B van for a fun weekend getaway in Florida at the beach.

Factory Built vs. “Conversion” – What’s the Difference?

Vans are super popular, especially with the whole #VanLife movement that really exploded during Covid. Search anywhere online and social media and you’re sure to see vans everywhere. But if you start looking for a van to rent or buy you should definitely pay attention to whether it was factory built or converted. 

Factory-built means just that. It was intended right from the factory to be a camping van. These will typically have all the bells and whistles of a traditional motorized RV including things like running water, electricity & batteries, kitchen, fridge, bathroom, beds, etc.

However, a lot of people are into the business of converting regular vans into camping vans. You have to be careful with these because you might get something that was not converted professionally. The systems might not be built well, and honestly…many of them do not have proper bathrooms in them! (look closely at listings and you will see what I mean). 

Most camper vans will have some type of kitchen appliances, but they will usually be quite small and simple; possibly just a burner stove and a cooling compartment.  More rustic versions may just have a jug with a pump for water, while larger sophisticated vans could have a reservoir with a running water and even a type of wet-bath with a shower and toilet!

rare and customized class b van volkswagon is a unique type of class B RV
This photo is a very unique and classic Class B Van. Probably pretty rare too!

Now don’t get me wrong, some of these customized conversion vans are pretty impressive! But you definitely need to keep it in mind so you know what you are buying. And for the right person, converted vans might be perfect! For others, not so much. So definitely something to consider. 

One final note about conversion vans. Some RV parks actually have rules against any type of “conversion” RV. We have stayed in multiple parks where they require the RV to come from the factory as an RV or “built as an RV” and not be a vehicle turned into an RV.

There are a variety of reasons for this which we won’t get into here, but it is something to keep in mind in case you are considering getting a converted van. We’ll discuss this a little more at the bottom of this post too when it comes to “skoolies” and “tiny homes” as well.

Pros & Who Will Love ‘Em:

Class B camper vans vary greatly with size and features.  But overall, they are best for just a couple of people.  Simple camper vans are good for those who just take weekend trips or prefer to rough it a little (but still have more comforts than a tent).  But larger and more luxurious models are good for extended trips too — as long as you are ok being in a tight space. 

Camper vans are also wonderful for maneuverability around town, parking in tight places, and even “boon-docking” more inconspicuously.

Camper vans can be pretty charming and hold a lot of nostalgia for some people, especially the classic VW versions (even though we have a motorhome now, Josh constantly talks about getting a classic VW campervan one day).

As far as affordability, that depends.  Camper vans are typically pretty good on gas overall, but the prices of the vehicles can vary drastically.  Cheaper options may not have many features, while more luxury options can cost a small fortune.

Summary of Class B Vans Pros & Cons

  • Pro – small for easy driving & parking
  • Pro – great for 1 or 2 people taking quick trips
  • Pro – compact to store at home, could even drive around as another vehicle if needed
  • Pro – better on fuel than other larger RVs
  • Con – Can be very expensive (especially newer, nicer ones)
  • Con – small inside area, can feel cramped (especially on long trips, with large pets and multiple people)
  • Con – not much storage
  • Con – you have to pick up camp every time you leave to go do something because you need the van to drive!
  • Cons – pets have to come with you everywhere & maybe stay in the van (you can’t leave them at campsite if you take the van with you for the day)
READ MORE: List of US National Parks by State PLUS Printable Checklist!

What Are Pop-Up Tent Trailer Campers?

Pop-up trailers or “tent trailers” are a type of RV that are like a tent on wheels. You pull them wherever you want to go then you “pop them open” by raising the ceiling and popping out all the side sleeping areas. Then when you are finished, they collapse back down into a low-profile trailer.

They are light and easy to tow behind most vehicles and don’t cost very much relative to other types of RVs. Tent trailers have some basic features that include a couple of beds, a dinette area with seating and tables, as well as a small kitchenette.  You can hook them up to power and maybe even store power with batteries. There are water tanks with running water and usually a furnace if it gets cold. Many of the smaller and cheaper ones don’t have a separate bathroom area, but the larger models may even include a type of wet-bath.

pop up tent trailer in the desert - this is an affordable type of rv

Pros & Who Will Love ‘Em:

Pop-up campers are great if you are just looking for a step up from a tent.  They are fairly inexpensive and light, so they can be towed fairly easily with many vehicles, even some of the more powerful cars.  The downside is that you do have to set it up and take it down each time, which can be a pain. 

You are also at the mercy of the weather – if there are strong winds or rain it could be less comfortable inside.  Plus, the fabric can always rip, leak or get moldy. So you have to be sure to take care of it. 

If you enjoy tent camping but are looking for something a little larger, yet simple, then a pop-up trailer may be good for you.  Also, keep in mind that you will need to have a vehicle that can pull it (and stop it) safely. But luckily, it doesn’t really take a large-haul or super-expensive vehicle to tow these.

inside view of a pop up tent trailer rv with beds, couches and tables. An easy and basic type of RV
Inside this pop up tent trailer you can see the bed in the back as well as couches and a dining table. The kitchen is just off camera to the right.

Quick Summary of Pop-Up Tent Trailers Pros and Cons

  • Pro – most affordable RV option to purchase
  • Pro – light and fairly easy to tow
  • Pro – may be able to tow behind some cars!
  • Pro – feels more like camping where you are sleeping outside in a tent
  • Pro – open up all the windows to feel wide open with the breeze like being outside!
  • Con – set up and take down can be work
  • Con – you’ll need a vehicle that can tow it (and maybe some modifications with a hitch, etc.)
  • Con – not much storage
  • Con – weather can be an issue with wind, rain, and insulation for heating or cooling
  • Con – many of them don’t have a proper bathroom inside
  • Con – quite basic on the inside as far as luxury feeling and amenities

What Are Truck Campers?

If you already own a strong truck and want an option more comfortable than a camper van, then a truck camper might be the right type of RV for you. Truck campers are a type of living space that can be temporarily added on top of a truck bed. 

Depending on the size, you can get a basic camper that includes a bed and small kitchenette with a seating area. However, some of the larger ones will have bathrooms, ample closet space, larger kitchens and even multple seating areas. 

collapsible palomino truck camper on the back of a truck bed for an rv - these are popular types of rvs for hunters and weekenders

In fact, Josh and I have been really interested in these lately because they’ve come a long way! I remember as a kid my grandparents had one (before they graduated up to larger RVs). The newer ones now can be extremely large, with multiple slides that when parked and opened up, really make the inside feel huge!

We’ve seen them even having large and comfy recliners inside with large TVs and even fireplaces! 

Pros & Who Will Love ‘Em:

The convenient thing about truck campers is that they are a great option if you already have a good strong truck to put it on. And yet, they are compact for traveling around and you can get into tight areas with them.  You also don’t have to worry about towing anything behind a vehicle (and all that entails when driving, turning around, parking, etc.) because it’s on top of your truck like just 1 vehicle.

However, you can also take the camper off at your campsite if you are staying for a while and then still have your truck to drive around. And when you are at home, you can remove the camper and just use your truck as a normal vehicle.

However, the key here is that you must have a sturdy truck! Especially if you are getting the larger truck campers, you will probably need dual tires in the back and maybe a larger more customized truck bed to hold it. Also, you definitely need to make sure it’s secured when you are traveling. 

Truck campers are preferred by those who want RV comforts without investing in a totally separate vehicle, or towable trailer.  These are quite popular with hunters or other types of outdoors enthusiasts because they are compact, and can be put on a truck for use and then taken off so the truck can be used for other things when they aren’t camping.

Summary of Truck Campers Pros & Cons

  • Pro – a compact style of RV
  • Pro – can fit on existing truck, if you have one
  • Pro – can be removed when you are not using it or to leave at camp so you can drive the truck around
  • Pro – larger ones can have great storage & space inside with luxury amenities
  • Con – you may need a larger, specialized truck to hold it safely
  • Con – putting it on and off and securing it might be a pain
  • Con – they might not feel as roomy as larger RV styles
  • Con – the really nice and larger ones can actually be quite expensive
READ MORE: Our Favorite Campground in the Grand Tetons, Wyoming

What is a Travel Trailer? (aka “pull behinds” or “towable”)

Travel trailers are an extremely popular type of RV because of their versatility as well as the price point. They can also vary in size & features dramatically! Small trailers can be towed with just a truck, SUV and even some mini-vans.  Smaller travel trailers may have 1-3 beds in them (including a table that converts), seating areas and a kitchenette.

They will also usually have a bathroom inside. The great thing about these are that they have solid walls all around, unlike the pop-up tent trailer, and there isn’t as much work to pop it up and take it down. 

As the travel trailer gets larger, so does the kitchen, seating and storage areas.  While the smaller trailers may just have a wet-bath and small sleeping areas, the larger travel trailers will have private bedroom areas (maybe even multiple bedrooms) as well as larger bathrooms, perhaps even with a shower!

You could also have multiple bathrooms in the larger travel trailers too. Larger and more luxurious travel trailers could have additional features such as large recliners, islands in the kitchen and even fireplaces inside. 

travel trailer towed behind a van with mountains in background. this is a popular type of rv that can be affordable

Unique Types of Small Travel Trailers

With travel trailers, there really are SO many different types to choose from. And some of them are quite unique with their small footprint and offer specific benefits.

For example, teardrop trailers are a super compact version of travel trailers.  They can be towed easily and typically just a bed a few other features.  There are also some unique trailers that are low profile, but have automatic pop-up features — but it’s a hardshell instead of a tent!  These may be called hybrid trailers, or something similar.

teardrop travel trailer is a unique and very small type of RV where there is really just a sleeping area inside and usually the kitchen opens up outside.

These types of smaller trailers may only have a bed inside and the kitchen areas open up on the outside. You’ll typically have some type of power source and outlets as well as maybe a small heater inside if it gets cold. Usually these are so small that there isn’t a bathroom. So you still feel like you are camping in the wilderness, but you have some comforts for sleeping and hauling your gear with you. 

Pros & Who Will Love ‘Em:

Overall, one of the perks to having trailers is that you have a separate vehicle that you can easily detach and drive around at your destination, without having to break down your campsite.  Also, trailers are typically less expensive than actual motorhomes – and you can easily change the car, if necessary. 

The downside is that not everyone feels comfortable towing a trailer. And with the super small ones that only have a bed, you will always be at the mercy of the weather since you are really only sleeping inside the trailer. 

Travel trailers are good for a large variety of travelers.  They are relatively affordable and vary widely in size and features, so people can pick what is right for their needs.  However, you need to have a vehicle that can handle towing it.

Summary of Travel Trailers Pros & Cons

  • Pro – affordable options, popular entry-level RV because you can get a lot of RV space for your money
  • Pro – you can change to a different travel trailer at any time and keep the same tow vehicle
  • Pro – you don’t have to pack up camp to drive your truck to the store or to go sightseeing
  • Con – you need to be sure you have a tow vehicle that can handle it, and may need to make modifications
  • Con – not everyone feels comfortable towing a large trailer, and it can be very unsafe if done wrong
  • Con – you have to consider weight distribution inside the trailer too (for safe towing)
  • Con – backing up and parking can be a challenge!
  • Con – you always have to get out of your vehicle to get anything out of your trailer (get into your fridge, go to sleep if you pull over at night to boondock, etc.)

What is a Fifth Wheel?

Similar to a trailer, Fifth Wheels are a type of RV that is towed behind a vehicle.  However, the vehicle must be a truck because it has a special in-box hitch or “goose-neck” hitch where it sticks out front and actually attaches inside the bed of the truck. The body of the trailer that sticks out over the truck bed is used as extra square footage inside the rig, usually with a bedroom or even a living room area. 

This extra living space above the hitch can actually add a good deal of living / sleeping space inside the trailer and is a big perk. While fifth wheels can vary dramatically in size, price point and luxurious features, for the most part they tend to be more expensive and larger than typical travel trailers. 

fifth wheels are large types of rvs that are similar to travel trailers but they are often very big and open up to feel very large and luxurious. Great for long term stays

Pros & Who Will Love ‘Em:

The advantage to this is that fifth wheels, due to their design and the way the “goose neck” or in-box hitch attaches inside the truck over the wheelbase, are actually more stable when towing them down the highway than a typical trailer and make them actually safer to tow.

However, fifth wheels require more customization and expense when setting up the towing hitches inside the bed of the truck.  Plus, having the trailer hitched in the back of the truck bed may take away valuable storage space for some people who want to put larger items in the back of their truck, such as bikes or 4-wheelers.

As far as features, fifth wheels tend to be quite comfortable and have a lot of features of a home – especially the new massive ones.  In fact, walking around many RV parks you will certainly see a number of these massive, luxurious fifth wheels — some may seem bigger than apartments!

luxurious fifth wheel rv inside with large kitchen island and living area
Check out the inside of this fifth wheel with luxury kitchen & island and tons of living / lounge space!

Fifth wheels are preferred by people who already have good strong trucks, but are looking for a larger living space.  These are quite popular with “snowbirds” and other people who live on the road for extended periods of time because they are so spacious and comfortable once they are set up.

Summary of Fifth Wheel RVs Pros & Cons

  • Pro – can be very large and luxurioius
  • Pro – tons of storage inside and outside
  • Pro – safer to tow than a typical travel trailer because of the way it attaches to the truck
  • Pro – many different sizes, floor plans and features / amenities to choose from
  • Con – more expensive than travel trailers
  • Con – require a good truck to pull & hitch modifications inside the back of the truck bed
  • Con – can lose storage in the back of the truck bed due to hitch taking up space
  • Con – really large ones can be nervewracking to tow and park

What is a Toyhauler (on a trailer, fifth wheel, Class A or C RV)?

Toyhaulers are a special type of travel trailer or fifth-wheel (and even some motorhomes) which basically includes a back “garage” room where you can store all your “toys” to bring them with you — such as ATVs, golf carts, bikes, etc.  They open up in the back with a ramp so you can put these vehicles inside the back of the living area – kind of like a mobile garage that’s attached. 

toyhaulers are a type of RV with a garage that opens to bring things like bikes, golf carts, etc. when camping. This toyhauler has the garage closed in the back.

To get double use out of the space, most toyhauler “garages” actually convert to a usable room when the toys are unloaded. This could be having couches that fold down or even having beds that pull down from the ceiling. That way, the room can be used for both storage and living or sleeping. 

toyhauler rv where the garage is open and you can see it is a blank canvas inside. great rv for bringing lots of things with you or for extra space with the large room to do whatever you want (makes a great mobile office!)

Pros & Who Will Love ‘Em:

If you have a lot of “toys” or other types of larger gear that takes up a good bit of space, then toy haulers are a great option because you can bring so much with you in this mobile garage! Also, another perk to this space is that because it’s a large open room without much fixed furniture, it’s a very flexible space and can be used for just about anything you want. 

For example, when we were full-time RVer’s, we knew a lot of people who actually turned these garages into offices because they are wide open spaces that can be configured with different furniture that you move around. So the empty garages are like a blank canvas!

Another huge perk for some people is that many of these toy hauler garages actually open up to be a raised platform off the ground that turns into a deck / porch area! So it’s like having an extra outdoor room where you can put chairs and hang outside without being on the ground and in the dirt.

They are great for pets who like to be outside without being tied up on a leash. And may times there will be large glass doors going into the back of the RV – so again, if you make that a hang-out or office space, you have large views to the outside. Or you can open the large doors and get great airflow inside!

toyhauler rv where back garage opens into a porch for hanging out outside. This is a nice style of RV to enjoy the outdoors.
Back porch on a toyhauler RV where you can enjoy the outside!

Summary of Toyhauler RVs Pros and Cons

  • Pro – can bring large “toys” with you such as bikes, 4-wheelers, golf carts and more
  • Pro – great for storage as they are one big flexible room!
  • Pro – garage space is a blank canvas for some people without much fixed furniture and they can really turn that room into whatever they want, or change it up for different trips
  • Pro – the deck / porch feature is awesome for enjoying outside and even pets can hang out with a fenced area
  • Con – the garage takes up a lot of space of the RV
  • Con – the garage room is basic, and feels like hanging out in a garage sometimes
READ MORE: How to Get Internet in an RV (especially for working)

Different Types of Motorhomes (aka motorized / drivable RVs)

Motorhomes are an extremely popular type of RV that has both a living space or “coach” area PLUS an actual engine and driving cab. So it is a drivable vehicle. Essentially, it’s a two-in-one that comes in a package together.  The advantage of a motorhome is that it’s easy.

You don’t necessarily need to have a special vehicle to pull it and you also have the ability to get up and move around within the living area as needed, even if you are going down the road.

Also, motorhomes are actually much easier to drive than most people think and you do NOT need to have a special driver’s license (except for a couple states like Texas – but that’s only for the large Class A style RVs). Plus, they are actually easier and safer for the most part when compared to towing a travel trailer!

Another perk to motorhomes is that you aren’t putting wear and tear on a vehicle to tow a trailer behind it. 

Class B+ motorhome is a compact style of rv that gives many perks of bigger rigs. This one has the awning open to hang out outside

The downside is that motorhomes are quite a bit more expensive than trailers because you are essentially buying a car and an RV all in one!  Plus, if there is an issue with the engine, then it affects the whole RV! You can’t just buy a new truck. Same is true if you decide you want a different bedroom / living area.

You can’t just buy a new trailer and keep the old truck, you have to get a whole new everything!

However, there are many perks to this too. For example, your generator could be built right into the RV and even hooked right up to your main gas tank! And with this your generator could actually be used directly as it’s hooked up to jump-start your RV if it’s cold and the battery dies (we’ve totally had to do that before!). 

Lastly, a major consideration that people should keep in mind when it comes to motorhomes is that many people don’t want to drive a big RV around town just to go do some sightseeing. Also, it’s a pain in the butt to tear down camp just because you forgot to pick up something at the grocery store for dinner!

So may motorhome owners (including us) end up towing a car behind the RV that they can unhook and use to zip around easily. But towing a car brings a whole new set of considerations (that’s for another blog post…).

So what about that whole Class A, Class B, Class C thing? Well, there are actually many different styles of motorhomes. Below we’ll go into a bit more detail about each one because they are all unique and have their own pros and cons to them.

What is a Class A Motorhome?

Class A’s are the big bus-style type of RVs that you see driving down the road.  These are typically on the bigger side and have a lot more living space and storage than all other types of motorhomes. They are typically built on a truck/bus kind of chasis and have large windows. They also sit up higher, pretty much level with semi-truck drivers.

This actually gives you some great views of the landscape while you are driving, plus for safety because you can actually see over cars ahead of you for quite a distance. My dad loves his class A motorhome, and we definitely enjoying traveling with them in their class A.  So when it was time for us to upgrade our Class C to a larger motorhome, we actually decided to go with a large Class A.

class A rv which is a large bus style of RV. has all the slides open to feel big and spacious inside. Really great for long-term travel and full time RV living.

Overall, we didn’t find it difficult to drive. In fact, both Josh and I take turns driving it without a problem! The downside is that they are real gas-guzzlers, and can be difficult to maneuver around town and in and out of stores, gas stations, etc. So it does take a little more care, planning, and consideration when you are driving something this big.

However, you can get the shorter Class A’s which will give you many of the same perks without being as large to drive.

What is a Class C Motorhome?

This is the kind of RV we bought for the first time. Actually, this is a fantastic entry-level RV for many reasons. Class C’s look kinda like a truck camper because they have a sleeping bed / storage area resting over the top of the cab where you drive.  Class C’s are on a minimum truck chassis, so they feel more substantial like you are driving a large van really. But they are easier than the large class A’s. 

Think of it like driving a big van as opposed to a giant bus (at least from our opinion). We also feel like these are less intimidating for newbie RV owners to drive.

Our class C rv was the first kind of RV we ever bought. In this photo we just bought her and are very excited to go explore.
We named our new RV “Eva” — which came from a texting typo…and we just decided to keep it! 

Honestly, we had no trouble whatsoever driving our Class C. We LOVED it so much! In fact, it was almost too easy to drive because sometimes we would forget we were driving a 32 foot motorhome. We had a couple close calls when we took corners too sharp because it really felt like we were driving a van. Super easy!

And we had all the perks of an RV with plenty of lounge space, multiple beds, a whole separate bedroom, recliners, huge bathroom, kitchen, etc. 

The only reason we upgraded to the Class A from the Class C was that we were living in it full-time (and working). So we needed a bit more space to spread out and have more workspace areas. But now we are no longer full time and honestly, we kinda miss her. We had some truly amazing adventures in that rig!

What is a “Super C” Motorhome?

Super C motorhomes are very similar to a Class C in their style and how they have the sleeping bunk over the cab. However, Super C’s are more like an actual semi-truck in size, power, and how they drive. They are actually built on a lot larger chasis and the cab and engine really are like a semi truck. Plus, they are SUPER powerful!

Not only are Super C’s very powerful, but they are spacious and quite stable to drive. However, they are also extremely expensive!

What is a Class B+ Motorhome? (wait what about Class B’s?)

Let’s talk about Class B+ vans. But you might be thinking, “Wait, what about Class B RVs?

Remember at the top of this post (it might seem like ages ago) we discussed Camper Vans. Well, camper vans are actually considered Class B type RVs. So we already went over those. So, the next step up from a Class B van is actually a Class B+. The Class B+ type of RV is similar to a camper van and often on the same type of van chassis, but just a bit larger overall.

class B+ motorhome with awning open at campsite with bikes. These rvs are more compact than C style rvs but a little bigger and open up for more space than a class b camper van.

Usually, Class B+ vans will have a coach body that is slightly wider than the driver / passenger “cab” area. This wider body can really make the living space feel bigger overall. Plus, many Class B+ rigs will have “slide outs” that make the living space quite large.

So it’s not quite the size of a Class C, but definitely bigger than a Class B van overall. What we love most about Class B+ rigs are that they are an awesome combination of maneuverability like a small van but offer larger living space & more comfort.  Also, they tend to be super easy to drive and even more economical on fuel than the larger Class C & Class A RVs mentioned above.

Lastly, some Class B+ rigs have large enough engines and tow packages so they can actually tow a small car behind them! This is great if you really want to bring a car but don’t want to be driving something that’s 50 feet long!

Pros to Motorhomes & Who Will Love ‘Em:

Motorhomes have a lot of perks. As mentioned, it’s easy for a passenger to hop up and grab something to eat or drink out of the fridge while you are driving, or even go to the bathroom. Or even if you pull over to make lunch, you don’t even have to get out when you park or pull off to the side of the road.

It’s also nice for boondocking because you don’t have to get out of your vehicle to go to sleep (especially if you are in an area where safety is a concern).

Big and luxurious Class A RV inside lounge area with couches, tables, fireplace and more. This is a very big and expensive type of RV.
Luxurious inside of a large Class A RV

In general, motorhomes (any class) are great for people who don’t want to have the stress of towing a trailer or don’t want to invest in an expensive truck.  They are great for all types of travelers, but it’s really important to find the right style of motorhome for your needs – whether it’s a class A, B, or C.

They are all so different and offer different pros and cons. So you should really tour lots of them and maybe even rent them so you can test out different types. 

Summary of Motorhomes Pros & Cons

  • Pros – motorhomes are an all-in-one package, so you aren’t required to have another vehicle to use it
  • Pros – you don’t have to pull over for passengers to grab a drink or go to the bathroom
  • Pro – these are much easier to drive than people think. And overall much safer than towing a trailer.
  • Pros – when you boondock for the night you don’t even need to get out of the vehicle (safety) to go to sleep (or wake up and start driving away!)
  • Pro – we’ve noticed they tend to be built with a more sturdy feeling and higher quality, especially compared to many of the cheaper travel trailers!
  • Pro – even when you tow a car behind it, it’s much easier and safer than towing a trailer because often a trailer is bigger than the truck towing it but with a motorhome usually the motorhome is bigger than the tow car — you hardly even know the tow car is back there!
  • Con – you have to pick up camp to drive anywhere! So many people end up getting a tow vehicle anyway. 
  • Con – if something goes wrong with the engine it affects the whole RV, you can’t just buy a new truck. And if you want to change to a different layout of bed, kitchen, etc. then you have to get a whole new RV rather than just swapping out a trailer.
  • Con – motorhomes can be very expensive because you are basically buying the coach of the RV and an entire vehicle in one. 

A Few Important Notes on Skoolie Conversions & Tiny Homes 

If you are in the market for an RV then you may come across some other more unique styles of RVs. For example, there are many people who are into the “skoolie conversion” – these are basically school buses that have been totally renovated and converted into custom RVs.

You also might also see “tiny homes” being marketed, which are very similar to a travel trailer but they are built like a cute miniature home.

While these are super cute, there are definitely some things to consider before you jump into buying a tiny home or a school bus conversion. First of all, some RV parks will not allow these types of RVs!

Yes, it’s true.

We have stayed in RV parks that specifically have rules saying that an RV must have been “factory designed” and intended to be an RV. So basically, they don’t allow conversions of any kind (not even van conversions in some cases!). 

They May Not Be “Self-Contained”

Another thing to keep in mind, especially with Tiny Homes, is whether or not they are actually “self-contained” RV. “Self-contained” means that it has everything you need within it to live and contain your waste. That includes power sources (electrical batteries and generator), fresh water reservoirs, and dirty water storage too. 

What many people don’t realize (especially with tiny homes) is that many of them are NOT self-contained. They might need to be plugged into electricity, hooked up to fresh water with a hose and hooked up to a sewer to drain dirty water! Therefore, you won’t be able to take many of these types of rigs off-grid outside RV parks because you will need all the hookups!

Which Type of RV is Right for You?

Now that you know about the different types of RVs out there, how they are unique, as well as their pros and cons, you should be able to narrow down which options are right for you and your travel style.  There are a lot of features of RVs to consider, so take some time and look around at the different options out there to see what might work best for you.  Once you know that, then you will be better able to buy an RV that suits your needs best. 


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