RV travel is actually one of the safest ways to travel these days.
- You can keep your distance from other people and you have your own kitchen and bathroom so you can limit the stops you have to make on your travels.
- RVs have been getting pretty popular lately especially after the pandemic hit.
- A way to go and enjoy the great outdoors while keeping a social distance.
Since you came across this article, something may have piqued your interest in RVing.
But don’t worry! We got your back.
If you’re thinking about going out on your first RV adventure, we have gathered the basics to guide you on picking the perfect RV that’s fit just for you.
Getting to know the different types of RVs
It is a common misconception that most RVs are similar and only offer little differences when it comes to their types. There are a number of many different classifications. Each RV is different and one may be more suitable for your needs than the other. There is definitely no one size fits. Why is it important to understand the difference you ask?
Each type of Recreational Vehicle offers different types of experiences. From the amount of space they offer, how many people can fit and sleep in, to the type of amenities that are included in the RV such as fully functional kitchens, whether you want the luxurious RV lifestyle or just the simple traveler type?
Below you will learn the details of each type and how different they are from each other, especially with their sizes and what type of amenities they offer.
Class A Motorhomes :
This is your all-in-one quality and luxury vehicle that has everything you need for your RV camping trip. This is the biggest and heaviest type of motorhome, ranging from thirteen thousand to thirty thousand pounds and twenty-one to forty-one plus feet in length, which means it has plenty of storage space and a roomy interior.
These are mostly equipped with a full kitchen, a bathroom, a living area, an eating area, and a large sleeping area with bedrooms and couches that can fold into beds and can sleep two to seven people which makes it perfect for families or groups of friends. Others actually have multiple slide-outs or full-length slide-outs for added space and have plenty of storage compartments for luggage and other personal belongings needed for an extended trip.
Some Class A motorhomes even offer a residential-style interior and quality made for a full-time life on the road. This motorhome is considered a “home away from home” on wheels that is fully loaded and equipped with full-size appliances from refrigerators and microwaves to washers and dryers as well as master bathrooms, high-quality electronics, and designer furniture.
These make you ready for either short travels, long vacations, or even full-time RV living.
Class B Motorhomes :
These look like oversized vans which is why they are more known as camper vans. These are actually the smallest out of the three types of the motorhome, only around seventeen to nineteen feet in length and around six thousand to eleven thousand pounds in weight.
But do not be fooled by the size as these are cleverly designed to have interiors that can fit all your essentials which means you can experience the full RV adventure without the intimidating size of a motor coach such as the Class A or even the Class C motorhome? These are equipped with amenities such as swiveling toilets and fold-away sinks in the wet bath with most sleeping spaces converted from seats to beds.
These are the least expensive and have the best fuel economy due to their size.
This type of motorhome is very easy to drive and great for solo travelers or couples.
Class C Motorhome :
These are less heavy and easier to drive compared to the Class A and offer more space than the Class B RV. It is like a compromise between the two classes which makes it great. These range from ten thousand to twenty thousand pounds in weight and twenty to thirty-eight feet in length.
The Class C motorhomes have similar amenities to the Class A motorhomes, like kitchens, bathrooms, and slideouts, but just on the smaller side in terms of scale. They have shorter chassis meaning these motorhomes can actually go to places where larger RVs like the Class A won’t fit making this type of Recreational Vehicle the perfect fit for anyone that enjoys remote exploring and camping.
These can sleep up to 6 people with their over-cab sleeping areas which allow for more room in the living area. This is a wonderful choice for families or groups of friends. These types are more recommended for first-time RV travelers as they provide a comfortable RV camping experience.
Travel Trailer :
There are many different types of travel trailers such as fifth-wheel trailers, bumper pull campers, towable campers, truck campers, or camper trailers.
This is a type of towable RV which you would need a vehicle to pull it with, hence, the word “trailer”.
Some types of trailers require heavy-duty or high tow capacity trucks while there are already smaller ones that can be pulled by regular SUVs. Pulling the trailer behind you all the time might become a bit of a hassle. You can actually have a more flexible travel arrangement. What you can do is set it up on your campsite or campground and then you can go take your truck on small adventures during the day.
This is considered the least expensive way to enjoy RV travel or the RV lifestyle.
Pop-Up Camping Trailers
These are small and lightweight trailers and you do not need high tow capacity trucks to tow them with. You can just tow these with most pickup trucks and SUVs. These are compact while you travel and can unfold and expand on the campsite ready for you to experience the great outdoors. This may surprise a lot of people but these types of camping trailers can actually accommodate up to eight people.
Although it does not offer a luxurious type of camping experience such as the other recreational vehicles, this offers a more simple, easy, and hassle-free camping.
Truck Campers
These are RVs that are loaded and unloaded on top of the bed of a full-size or mid-size pickup truck. These campers are small and offer limited space but are easy to maneuver around and are able to reach campsites that have less accessible roads.
Fifth wheels
These types require a special hitch called a “jaw hitch” that is found on the bed of a pickup truck.
These trailers or camper types are considered some of the most spacious RVs out there thanks to their extended length and slideouts. These are larger trailers or campers which means they have more space are equipped with full kitchens and have more luxurious amenities with full-size appliances which makes them a great choice for large families or those people who enjoy camping with big groups.
You just have to note that fifth wheels are also heavier than the other types of trailers or campers which means they can only be pulled by heavy-duty or high tow capacity trucks.
Identifying the right RV for you
Now that you know the different types of RVs it’s time to help you choose which type you should rent! When choosing an RV to rent, you should make sure you’re going to rent the RV that’s perfect for your needs. Here are some questions you’d want to answer first in order to find out:
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What type of camping experience do you have in mind?
As you already know, there are many different types of Recreational Vehicle options that you can choose to rent. Knowing what type of camping experience you wish to have can greatly help you narrow down your choices. If the simple and user-friendly camping is more your type then the travel trailer or the other types of towable RVs or campers are a great choice for you. You will have all your basic camping needs.
However, if you are into a more luxurious, residential comfort with plenty of space, and an interior that resembles a home-quality type of camping then you would want to rent a Class A RV where you can indulge with its grand amenities.
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Are you planning to travel more or are you planning to stay at one campsite?
Whether you plan to move around from place to place or plan to settle in one campsite or campground plays a significant role in choosing the right RV for you to rent. If you’re planning to travel to many different sites, move around a lot, and visit multiple parks in one trip, you would want to rent a more mobile RV that’s easy to drive and park. You can opt for the trailers but hooking and unhooking a lot can be a hassle sometimes.
In this case, you can choose to rent one of the motorhomes. You just have to keep in mind that the bigger and heavier ones can be quite difficult to maneuver around and they consume more gas, so if you are planning on moving a lot, you have to make sure to consider this. There are motorhomes that are much smaller and lighter such as the Class B and Class C. Class B motorhomes are the easiest to drive around but offer less space than the class C.
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Do you want to Drive and Sleep in the same RV or do you want to pull the RV with your own truck?
If you want to Sleep and Drive the RV then obviously you would want to pick from the different classes of motorhomes. If you want to use your own truck to pull the RV then you would choose from the selection of towable trailers.
However, you would be limited to the compatibility of your truck to the trailer or the towing capacity of your truck. There are also other things to consider such as special types of hitches.
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Who is the driver?
Being confident and comfortable in driving the RV is absolutely important when you are considering which RV to rent. Some RVs like the Class A which resembles coach buses can be very difficult to both drive and park. Unless you have experience driving bus-sized vehicles, these are not for you and we recommend renting the smaller classes B or C.
If you feel like you can take on the driving challenge brought by the class A motorhome and plan to bask in its luxury, there is one thing you have to note; some class A motorhomes, those over 26,000 pounds, require a special license to drive. So if you do not have a special license or have no plans on getting one soon, you can opt for the lighter Class As.
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How much is your budget?
The last question but definitely not the least, how much are you planning to spend on your RV travel and camping experience? This is a very important aspect of choosing which RV is right for you.
RV travel is definitely more cost-efficient than going to hotels or resorts. Renting an RV is also definitely much cheaper than buying an RV but it is still considered expensive. The bigger the RV and the more amenities it offers, the more money you’re going to have to shell out. Another factor is how heavy the RV is which was mentioned before. The heavier it is the less fuel-efficient it is.
If money is not an issue then you can go for the bigger and more luxurious RVs. But if you’re on a slightly tight budget, you can save on both rent and fuel by choosing the smaller types like the class b or the travel trailer or non-motorized RV. You have now discovered the things you have to consider when you are picking the best RV to rent and go on your first camping trip with.
You most definitely have to plan ahead with your budget, your comfort, and your needs. Once you get this down, you’re on your way to a great outdoor travel and camping adventure on an RV and create wonderful memories. Just be careful though. RV travel can become addicting! You might find yourself planning your next trip sooner.
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