If you are just starting your quest to search for the best RV type that suits your camping needs, and with so much out there, the search experience can be truly overwhelming.
We will simplify the analysis to help you make the best choice for a recreational vehicle that might be the best fit for you. There are no one-size fits all and the right RV for you might not be the best for me.
Deciding on the best RV type for you will depend on a lot of factors: going solo or with families? What’s your budget? What features are important to you? And lots more…
Let take a closer look at the different types of RVs and campers:
There are two types of RVs, Towable and Motorable RVs
TOWABLES RVs:
Travel Trailers
They are the most popular towable RVs on the market and they come in different lengths and weight. With a kitchen, sleeping area, bathroom, convertible dinette or living room that can function as an alternative sleeping space.
They are typically 20 – 30 feet long and can extend up to 40 feet in length. Made with hard sides and a decent amount of interior and exterior storage. Some have outdoor kitchen features.
The availability of freshwater, gray and black tanks, makes it more versatile with less setup time. You need a tow vehicle with sufficient tow rating and a hitch installed to connect the trailer.
Sleep:
- Up to 10 persons
Pros:
- Less setup times
- Budget friendly
- Better insulation
- Can fit in most campsite
Cons:
- Requires truck to tow
- Poor gas mileage due to weight and wind resistant
- May be limited to some campsites
- Too large for a residential garage.
Fifth Wheel:
This is the biggest towable RVs in the market and a popular RV for full time living. Fifth wheel ride is smoother and more stable than a travel trailer because of its hitch which connects a pin-box toa a U-shaped coupling mounted in a truck bed.
They are often made of double levels with the upstairs housing the bedroom or a bunk-house multipurpose area.
It’s a great option for fulltime RVers or large families with lots of storage space.
Sleep:
- Up to 8 persons
Pros:
- Lots of space
- Wide variety of floor plans
- Lots of storage
- Separate living and sleeping space
Cons:
- Too large for some campsite
- Hard to park in a residential area
- Heavy duty truck to tow
- Sometimes doesn’t include generators
Toy Haulers:
Most toy haulers are either a travel trailer or a fifth wheel RV with an additional attribute or functionality that allows you to carry your toys like motorcycles, off road utility vehicles, kayaks, dirt bikes and more.
Its huge ramp door makes it easier to load and unload these toys.
Sleep:
- Up to 11 persons
Pros:
- Extra room for toys
- Easy to repurpose the garage
- Rear ramp door double as a patio deck
Cons:
- Heavier that others
- Limited external storage
- Some doesn’t come with generators
- Share living and toy space
Pop-ups Campers:
These are the easiest to pull towable RVs, almost any vehicle can pull these campers. It’s very affordable and thereby being more popular with tent campers and small families who want an extra comfort that a regular tent can’t provide.
It’s often a great choice for budget conscious RV shoppers, it’s easier to store in residential areas thereby eliminating storage fees that are common with the larger towable RVs.
From pop-ups to slide-out, it functions like a hybrid RV tent. It typically has a hard sided bottom that hosts the kitchen, dinette, storage, toilet or shower.
In driving mode, it collapsed into the hard sided bottom.
Sleep:
- Up to seven persons
Pros:
- Very light weight
- Easy to pull
- Very affordable and budget friendly
- Easy to part in residential areas
- Fits any campsite
Cons:
- Requires a lot of set-ups
- Limited storage
- May not have shower or rest room
- Smaller tanks available
- Subject to noise and extreme temperature
Teardrop Trailers:
These are tiny travel trailers because of their smaller size, they may include some basic amenities like, a kitchen, bathroom, couch, dining area and bed (configurations may differ)
Teardrop trailers might be the right choice for solo or couple campers who just want to enjoy weekend camping trips.
Sleep:
- Two to four adults
Pros:
- Light weight
- Easier to tow
- Less expensive
- May include air conditioner
- National Park friendly
Cons:
- Small size
- Limited storage
- Small freshwater, gray and black tank.
- Maybe be uncomfortable depending on your height
Hybrid Trailers:
This is a type of towable RV that looks like a pop-up and a travel trailer, something like a cross breed RV between these two types of RV.
But it has a lighter weight than a typical travel trailer and less set-up time than a regular pop-up camper.
It also has a full bathroom and kitchen facilities, freshwater, gray and black tanks and with two standard propane tanks.
Sometimes you might have bunk beds and full bathrooms.
Sleep:
- Up to six persons
Pros:
- Easy setup
- More amenities than pop-ups
- Less expensive than similar sized travel trailer
- Larger bed than travel trailers and pop-up
- Light weight
Cons:
- Temperature fluctuations
- Condensation builds ups
- Less privacy
- More maintenance
Truck Campers:
These are towable RVs that fit into the bed of a pickup truck, they are versatile and portable RVs. Truck campers provide unique capabilities in that they can go anywhere the pickup truck decides to go, without any limitations.
This unique quality makes you open to a tremendous amount of campsites opportunity you wouldn’t have with other towable RVs.
Sleep:
- Up to four persons
Pros:
- Easy to drive and park
- Boat and toy friendly
- Lower clearance
Cons:
- Limited storage
- Truck must have a gross vehicle weight rating
- Smaller than hard-sided campers
MOTORABLE RVs
Class A Motorhomes:
These are built with comfort and luxury as the topmost priorities, they are made with the same framing and construction of a commercial truck and buses. There are lots of rooms for you to explore and get comfortable.
They are powered by gasoline or diesel engines, the diesel engine model has their engines at the rear, hence the name – Pushers.
Regardless of the engines, Class A motorhome RVs are suited with residential appliances, upgraded flooring and furniture and under belly storage with large enough freshwater, gray and black tanks.
Thess Class of RVs takes camping to a whole new level.
Sleep:
- Up to 10 persons
Pros:
- Large picture wind shield
- More spacious with open floor plan
- Additional sleeping space with hydraulic bunks
- Easy to set up
- Large storage capability
Cons:
- Campsite limitations
- Hard to drive
- Weight restrictions
- Poor gas mileage consideration
- Loud when driving
Class B Motorhomes:
These are popularly called the campus van, they are the smallest drivable Rvs on the market. They come with two engine types – diesel and gasoline.
Class B are built on a van chassis, but have a small kitchen, restroom, and bed, they can fit in a standard driveway.
Sleep:
- Up to 2 persons
Pros:
- Ideal for narrow roads
- Fits in your garage
- Easy to drive
- Campground friendly
Cons:
- Limited storage
- Limited living space
- Small freshwater , gray and black tank
- Could be crazily expensive
Class C Motorhomes:
These types of RVs are built on the chassis of a truck that are perfect for larger families at a lower price point than Class A motorhomes.
Class C motorhomes are peculiar with their raised sleeping or storage areas which extend over the cab of the RV.
They are also more spacious than Class B motorhomes and offer more living space. It provides easy access to the bathroom, kitchen and dinette while driving.
There are Super Class C, the big brother of Class C with diesel engines and with a larger chassis, it carries more and has the towing feature. They tend to have more storage space and are more expensive than the regular Class C.
It comes with a variety of length and floor plans.
Sleeps:
- Up to eight persons
Pros:
- Easy access to amenities
- Easier setup than towables RVs
- Entry and exit made easy
- Multi- sleeping areas
Cons:
- Limited storage
- Weight restrictions applies
- Hard to drive
- No towing functionality (Available in Super Class C)
Now you have it, what RV do you think it’s right for you? Whether you choose a travel trailer or a Pop-up camper, It doesn’t matter just make sure you get out there and have fun!