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Tag: Class A RV

  • Top RV Models For Beginners

    Top RV Models For Beginners

    For beginne­rs embarking on their RVing journey, se­lecting the right recre­ational vehicle (RV) is crucial. This choice­ hinges upon your individual needs, budge­t, and leve­l of comfort. Factors to consider include travel companions, fre­quency of use, require­d space, and more. If this task fee­ls overwhelming, fear not! You’ve­ found the perfect re­source. In this guide, RV Trader will outline­ various RV types and classes while providing an unbiase­d assessment of their advantage­s and disadvantages. Additionally, we will furnish a curated list of re­commended RV options to help you kickstart your adve­nture.

    Understanding Different Types of RVs

    Among RVs, there are so many different types. However, these can be quickly divided into two types: towable and driveable. Keep reading to learn more.

    Drivable RVs

    Class A

    Also known as motorhomes, Class A RVs are the largest and most spacious of the drivable RVs. These are ideal for those who prefer space and comfort over mobility and convenience. They come equipped with full-size kitchens, bedrooms, and ample storage space. However, the size and complexity of these vehicles might be daunting to first-time RVers.

    Class B

    Class B RVs are often camper vans and are the smallest type of drivable RVs. They are compact and offer great fuel economy, making them ideal for beginners. However, their interior space is limited, and amenities are usually condensed. While the drivability is comparable to that of a large SUV or truck, many first-time RVers may struggle with the lack of space, especially if they’re traveling with a companion.

    Class C

    Class C motorhomes are midsize drivable RVs that offer a good balance between the amenities of Class As and the compactness of Class Bs. They typically offer a sleeping area over the driver’s cab and a decent-sized living area. Though larger than Class Bs, they are still manageable for beginners with a bit of driving practice.

    Towable RVs

    Travel Trailers

    Travel trailers are towable RVs that come in various sizes and layouts. They offer the advantage of leaving the trailer at the campsite while you explore the area in your towing vehicle. The large ones can be challenging to tow and park for beginners, but smaller models are more manageable.

    Fifth Wheel Trailers

    Fifth wheel trailers are the most spacious of the towable RVs, offering the comfort of Class A motorhomes. However, they require a special hitch installed in the bed of a pickup truck to tow. These RVs are some of the longest on the market and can be really difficult to tow and park. For these reasons, they can also be challenging for beginners.

    Pop-up Campers

    Pop-up campers are lightweight and compact trailers that expand, providing ample living space. They are easy to tow and can fit into tight spots, making them an excellent choice for beginners. However, they offer minimal amenities and require setup and takedown at each campsite.

    Types of RVs and the Best Models for Beginners

    In most cases, we recommend newer RVs for beginners. They’re usually equipped with more amenities and features to help make your life easier on the road and in the campground. Here are a few suggestions of some great RV models for beginners.

    Class A

    • The Tiffin Allegro Breeze 33 BR measures 34’ long and has plenty of upgraded amenities to make you feel right at home.
    • Coachmen is a classic RV brand and the spacious Mirada 35OS has enough room for the whole family.
    • For those torn between the Class As and Class Cs, look no further than the Thor Axis 25.7. This RV is only 27’ long but includes all of the expected Class A amenities.

    Class B

    • Winnebago is usually known for their larger RVs, but their Revel 44E is a great compact camper van with perfect features for beginners.
    • The American Coach Patriot FD2 brings the perfect balance of comfort and power. This diesel van could be great for remote camping spots, or driving through a city.

    Class C

    • The Thor Geneva 25VA offers drivability without sacrificing interior comfort. At just 25’ long, this RV is still big enough for the whole family, if you don’t mind sharing a room.
    • The Tiffin Allegro Bay 38 AB has everything for short trips or even full-time RVing, and includes a separate bedroom.

    Travel Trailer

    • For those looking for a unique find, the Intech Terra Willow travel trailer is the perfect trailer for a couple. It offers a moderate amount of living space without being uncomfortably long to tow.
    • For solo travelers or couples that won’t be spending much time in the RV, the Jayco Jay Flight SLX 154BH is the perfect compromise between a travel trailer and camper van.

    Pop-Up Campers

    • The Coachmen Clipper Camping Trailers 9.0TD Express offers the comfort of a hard-sided shell with the same ease-of-handling that comes with all pop-ups.
    • For those wanting to keep it simple, we recommend something similar to the Coachmen Clipper Camping Trailers 107LS. These soft-sided pop-up campers have a similar feel to tent camping but with some amenities.
    • The Forest River Rockwood Extreme Sports 2318ESP is perfect for families or those needing more space. This pop-up comes with two beds, but still collapses down for easy towing.
    • The Columbia NW Aliner Classic is a unique find that provides more aesthetics than the traditional pop-up camper while still being easy to tow.

     

    Embarking on a journey with an RV can prove to be extremely fulfilling, offering countless chances to explore unfamiliar regions and interact with diverse individuals. Picking the appropriate RV style as a novice is crucial to ensure that your transition into the realm of RVing is smooth. Gaining comprehension about various kinds of recreational vehicles, including their strengths and weaknesses, helps in determining which model fits perfectly within your living situation, finances, and itineraries. 

    Furthermore, opting for an ideal RV class can considerably minimize upkeep costs and space usage needs. Ultimately though, the most suitable beginner-friendly models are subject to each person’s unique choices, encompassing budget considerations and ease with handling or pulling substantial automobiles. Armed with this all-encompassing guidebook’s insight, you should now possess sufficient information to make a sound decision about which RV is the right match for you.

    If you’re ready to take the plunge into RV life, check out our inventory of new and used RVs for sale on RVTrader.com.

    By Sam Moon

  • What RV Shoppers Should Know About Buying a Class A Motorhome

    What RV Shoppers Should Know About Buying a Class A Motorhome

    If you’re new to RVing, here’s a quick lesson on the difference between a Class A, Class B, and Class C vehicle. A Class A motorhome is built on a bus or commercial truck chassis and is typically 21 to 45 feet long. These units are primarily for people who intend to live out of their RV for longer periods of time than the other units, because they provide a more spacious living environment. 

    Comparatively, a Class B camper van is a retrofitted or conversion van that’s great for weekend camping trips. A Class C RV is generally bigger than a van but smaller than a bus and is great for longer road trips or extended stays because they have more space and amenities than a van.

    Whether you’re just joining the RV lifestyle and want a home on wheels, or an experienced camper who is ready to trade up from a Class B or C RV, consider the following six tips from RV Trader while you research which type of Class A vehicle is best for your needs.

    1. What Gets You Moving in Your RV?

    You generally have two options when it comes to the fuel type that powers your used or new Class A RV: gasoline or diesel fuel. While diesel fuel costs more and diesel engines tend to be more expensive to maintain, diesel power plants are consistently more durable than gas engines and they are more fuel efficient when it comes to miles per gallon. They are also more powerful when it comes to towing capabilities if you plan to bring an extra vehicle or a boat with you on your journeys. As a note, diesel fuel can also sometimes be more difficult to find at gas stations than gasoline.

    2. Packing on the Pounds with RV Storage Capacity

    Because of the frames that Class A RVs are built on, they can accommodate a lot more weight than other classes of vehicles. That’s not only great for what you want to pack into the expansive storage units, but it also means you have more capacity for your fresh, gray, and black water needs.

    3. Stretching Out to Find Your Perfect RV Length

    The length of the Class A motorhome that you end up with will be determined by your space needs. If it’s just you or you and a spouse, significant other, or traveling companion, you can probably get away with one of the shorter new or used Class A RVs. For those who want to bring along the kids, the pets (or both), or if you find smaller spaces too confining, you may opt for a longer unit.

    Keep in mind that longer units tend to be more difficult to maneuver when pulling into a campsite, getting onto a ferry, etc. In addition, some campsites may only be able to accommodate smaller RVs based on the amount of total space they have. 

    4. Powering Up Your Class A Motorhome

    Traditionally, RV parks provide electrical hookups (sometimes known as “shore power”) in 20-, 30-, and 50-amp outputs, although most have transitioned away from the 20-amp plugs. Smaller rigs can use 30 amps while bigger ones require 50, which is where most Class A motorhomes fall based on the amount of lighting and appliances that will be in use while parked.

    Converters are available to plug a 50-amp rig into a 30-amp power supply, but it’s preferable to make sure the spots where you stop will have a 50-amp plug in. A site that doesn’t work with your RV’s electrical needs can do some major damage to the RV’s power system, which means your campsite choices once again may be limited, unless you plan to use your generator.

    5. Just Getting Warmed Up with Your RV Heating System

    Class A motorhomes most frequently come with one of two options when it comes to regulating the internal (living area) temperature: forced air or hydronic systems. Forced air is similar to what you might get from an electric heater. Hydronic heat uses tubing that runs hot liquid into heat exchangers to disperse warm air through the unit. Hydronic heat is also better for those that dislike the dry heat from forced air systems because they can help to control the humidity in your RV.

    6. Start Your Search for a New or Used Class A RV

    Of course, there are a host of other options you want to consider when looking for the perfect Class A RV for you, including the floor plan of the vehicle, interior colors, etc. When you want to take a look around at the different options out there, plug some different search requests into RVTrader.com and see what we have to offer. We have both new and used Class A RV listings to help you find exactly what you want for your new life of adventures.

    By Barrett Baker