RV Types

The Folding Camping Trailer is a lightweight unit with sides that collapse for towing and storage. They combine open-air tent camping with the sleeping comforts, basic amenities and weather protections that can be found in other RVs. A folding camping trailer, also called a pop up, can range from 15 to 23 feet when opened. An average cost for this trailer is $5,200 with models starting around $3,600 and available up to $11,600. Depending on the floor plan that you select, you can sleep up to 8 people in a pop up camper.

Features:

• The folding camping trailer appeals to first time RVers because of its low price.
• The lightweight of a pop up allows for towing by most vehicles, even some smaller cars. You can even maneuver the unit into a tight spot by hand.
• Set up is quick and storage between uses is easy because of the small size and collapsible sides.
• When opened, the pop up provides kitchen, dining and sleeping areas.
• There is an amazing amount of space with many modern amenities including stoves, refrigerators and showers depending on the floor plan that you choose. Some models even include a slide out.

The truck camper is loaded and affixed onto the bed of a pickup. It is popular for back road travel able to access remote locations. A truck camper can range from 18 to 21 feet. An average cost for this camper (truck sold separately) is $13,500, with models ranging from $4,500 to $21,900. Depending on the floor plan that you select, you can sleep up to 6 people in a truck camper.

Features:

• If you already have a pickup, adding a truck camper is an economical way to get started in RVing.
• Truck campers combine the best features of the stand alone motor home with the towable trailer.
• At home or at your destination, the truck camper can be detached and set on its own jacks. This allows for independent use of the truck.
• There are a wide variety of choices in the floor plans of truck campers—choose from models with toilets, showers, kitchens, air conditioners and pop-up roofs.
• Truck campers are built for the efficient use of space, yet today’s floor plans and options offer more space than ever before.

A travel trailer is designed to be towed by a separate vehicle via a bumper or frame hitch. The travel trailer provides all the comforts of home and is perfect for the weekend getaway, a family vacation or even full time RV living. A travel trailer can range in length from 12 to 35 feet. An average cost (without the tow vehicle) is $14,700, with models ranging from $9,500 to $63,000. Depending on the floor plan that you select, you can sleep up to 8 people in a travel trailer.

Features:

• All towables, including the travel trailer, can be detached from the tow vehicle at the destination. The tow vehicle is then available for traditional uses like errands, and short excursions.
• Travel trailers offer all of the conveniences of home for things like sleeping, showering, cooking, dining and relaxing. There are a wide variety of floor plans available for every need and every want.
• Many of today’s travel trailers offer the slideout. With the touch of a button, the slideout moves a portion of the RVs exterior wall out to enlarge the living, dining, sleeping or kitchen area. The slide is like an addition on your home.
• Today, there is a large selection of appropriate tow vehicles. Most full-size and many mid-size family autos, SUVs and vans will tow a travel trailer. (Please consult with your dealer for specifications.) GOOD LINK TO THE TOW GUIDE
• Recently, lightweight travel trailers were introduced that can be towed by most six-cylinder vehicles. These lighter trailers offer all of the amenities of the traditional travel trailer; some even come with a slide. Typically, the lightweight travel trailers are less than 26 feet, weigh less than 4,000 pounds and cost from $8,000 to $14,000.

A fifth wheel is designed to be attached and towed by a pickup truck with a special hitch in the truck bed. These units, with two levels, provide the best experience of most towable RVs. The fifth wheel provides all the comforts of home and is perfect for the weekend getaway, a family vacation or even full time RV living.

A fifth wheel can range in length from 21 to 40 feet. An average cost (without the tow vehicle) is $23,800, with models ranging from $12,800 to $97,000. Depending on the floor plan that you select, you can sleep up to 8 people in a fifth wheel.

Features:

• All towables, including the fifth wheel, can be detached from the tow vehicle at the destination. The tow vehicle is then available for traditional uses like errands, and short excursions.
• The unique two levels of the fifth wheel put the spacious master bedroom suite over the truck bed. This allows more room for family activity in the living space of the unit. Many units include large pictures at the rear offering a panoramic view.
• The majority of fifth wheels today offer at least one slideout. With the touch of a button, the slideout moves a portion of the RVs exterior wall out to enlarge the living, dining, sleeping or kitchen area. The slide is like an addition on your home.
• Towing a fifth wheel requires a properly equipped and compatible full size pick up truck (or custom tow vehicle). You must match the weight of your trailer with a vehicle which has the correct towing capacity. (Please consult with your dealer for specifications.)
• New, lightweight fifth wheels are designed to be towed by smaller trucks.

Toy Haulers are available as towables or motorized RVs. You can find a toy hauler option in a travel trailer, fifth wheel, Class A motor home or Class C motor home. A toy hauler is a home with your garage attached. The garage area allows you to take the toys with you—to the motocross or highway with a motorcycle or to the trails with a snowmobile or ATV.

The class A motor home, class A motor home diesel, class A motor home toy hauler and class A diesel toy hauler are the largest and most luxurious of the motorized RVs. They are a home away from home, just on wheels. If your kids think it looks like a fancy bus, then it is a class A motor home. The class A is fully loaded and can be used for a short trip, a long vacation or for full time RVing. A motor vehicle chassis is used as the base for construction of the class A motor home.

The size of the class A can range from 21 to 40 feet. An average cost for this class is $117,500 with models starting around $50,000 and going upwards of $500,000. Depending on the floor plan that you select, you can sleep up to 10 people in these units.

Features:

• Class A motor homes are quite spacious and have every imaginable luxury available including basement storage, washer/dryers, VCRs, hydraulic leveling, security systems, satellite dishes, back-up cameras, and even hot tubs.
• Today’s class A motor homes include the slideout. With the touch of a button, the slideout moves a portion of the RVs exterior wall out to enlarge the living, dining, sleeping or kitchen area. A class A motor home can have from one to 6 slides. The slide is like an addition on your home.
• If you load your class A correctly, it will provide an amazingly smooth and steady ride that is enjoyable even for a long distance. No special license is required to drive a class A motor home.
• The class A is great for family travel as everything is accessible even during the trip. Travelers can make a sandwich in the kitchen, watch TV or play video games in the living area, or nap in the bedroom; you can even cut down on those bathroom stops because the bathroom is right on board.
• With a class A motor home, you can even tow an auto to use for travel once you reach your destination.

A Class B motor home or van camper is a cargo van that has been customized to provide temporary sleeping, eating and bathroom facilities.

The size of the class B can range from 16 to 21 feet. An average cost for this class is $56,500 with models starting around $35,000 and going up to about $65,000. Depending on the floor plan that you select, you can sleep up to 4 people in these units.

Features:

• The class B is the most economical of the motor homes. It is versatile and easy to maneuver. It is easy to load for any occasion and can also be used as a second vehicle.
• Many class B RVers tow a camping trailer for more accommodations, especially one that may not have a full bathroom.
• A raised roof and sometimes a dropped floor added to the van provides for full standing room.
• The van body provides for an RV that is narrower than other RVs.
• The compact size of the class B is perfect for couples and young families.

The class C motor home is sometimes called a mini-motor home. These offer the same conveniences as the larger motor homes with a scaled-down size and price tag. An automotive van frame with attached cab is used as the base for construction of the class C.

The size of the class C can range from 20 to 28 feet. An average cost for this class is $57,000 with models starting around $45,000 and going upwards of $75,000. Depending on the floor plan that you select, you can sleep up to 6 people in these units.

Features:

• There is usually a sleeping bunk over the cab area. When not used for sleeping, this overhead compartment can be used for storage.
• Even though the class C is typically smaller than the large class A motor homes, there is sufficient space and privacy. The unit is outfitted with the sleeping, kitchen, dining and bathroom areas needed for relaxed family living.
• Today’s class C motor homes include the slideout. With the touch of a button, the slideout moves a portion of the RVs exterior wall out to enlarge the living, dining, sleeping or kitchen area. A class A motor home can have from one to 6 slides. The slide is like an addition on your home.
• Just like the class A, he class C motor home is great for family travel as everything is accessible even during the trip. Travelers can make a sandwich in the kitchen, watch TV or play video games in the living area, or nap in the bedroom. You can even cut down on those bathroom stops because the bathroom is right on board.

This is a special type of RV designed for permanent parking in an RV park or resort. These units are not built for travel and a special highway movement permit is needed to move them. They are typically shorter than a traditional mobile home but have many of the conveniences of one.