Which RV Type is Right for You?
When you’re shopping for the best RVs, it helps to know all of your options. Our handy guide to the various types of RVs will help narrow the field from campers and motorhomes to the best RVs for families and outdoor enthusiasts, and we carry them all at Nielson RV.
Benefits of New Versus Used RVs
Before we get to the specifics with various types of RVs, the first step to your buying process should be whether to go for new or used.
Pros and Cons of Buying New RVs
+ Manufacturer warranty
+ No previous owner
+ Customizations
– Depreciation
– Higher price and insurance
Pros and Cons of Buying Used RVs
+ Upgrades included
+ Less depreciation
+ Lower price and insurance
– Sold as-is
– Possible higher deposit for financing
The Best RVs Types for Your Needs
Keep in mind that each type of RV isn’t cookie cutter. It’s like buying a new car. You can mix and match upgrades to fit your preferences and needs.
Two primary types of RVs
- Campers or towables: towing vehicle required
- Motorhomes or motorized: no towing vehicle needed
Types of Campers
Folding Pop-Ups
A folding pop-up is the best RV for smaller towing vehicles. It’s lightweight and compact, folding down for low-profile towing. Depending on the model, you’ll have some unexpected options like a bathroom with a shower.
- Sleeps: 2-6
- Benefits: more authentic camping experience; easier to tow; optional slide-outs
- Considerations: setup and tear down required
Travel Trailers
A travel trailer is one of the most common types of campers, ideal for couples and small families. Travel trailers are far from one size fits all. Add-ons include bunkhouses, murphy beds, and outside kitchens.
- Sleeps: 2-10
- Benefits: no setup required; lightweight couples models available; full bathrooms
- Considerations: larger campers require heavy-duty trucks
Fifth Wheels
Like travel trailers, fifth wheels are a flexible type of RV with sizes ranging from 21′ to 44′. A fifth wheel feels more like home, though, with a higher ceiling, bigger coach area, and feature slide-outs. Fifth wheels are family-friendly with a bedroom in the front, optional laundry hook-ups, and bunkhouse models.
- Sleeps: 4-9
- Benefits: comfortable for families; easy highway travel
- Considerations: not as easy to tow in the mountains
Toy Haulers
There are two types of RVs in the toy haulers category
- Toy Hauler Travel Trailer
- Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel
What is a toy hauler?
It’s right there in the name. Toy haulers have rear-facing garages, accommodating toys like ATVs and bikes.
- Toy Hauler Travel Trailer: options for a larger cargo area and smaller living space, or vice versa; more compact than toy hauler fifth wheels
- Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel: better for a larger family as it’s more home-like with higher-ceilings and modern amenities; also provides extra storage space
- Sleeps: 2-8
- Benefits: perfect for outdoor enthusiasts; garage door turns into a ramp; includes kitchen, bathroom, sleeping areas
- Considerations: requires a heavier duty truck for towing; insulation isn’t as good as other types of campers
Types of Motorhomes
There are three basic types of motorhomes: Class A, B, and C.
Class A is the most luxurious, and B is the no-frills version. Class C is the one we’re covering, falling in the middle.
Class C Motorhomes
Unlike towables or campers, a motorhome is built on a truck chassis. That means your vehicle and living space is all-in-one. The class C type of motorhome is ideal for small to medium-sized families. It typically features a rear sleeping area and a double bed over the cab in front.
- Sleeps: 4-9
- Benefits: no towing vehicle required; everyone travels together; private sleeping areas, easier to drive; full kitchens and bathrooms
- Considerations: can’t disconnect the vehicle from the living area