Types of RVs Explained: How to Choose the Right One for You
A guide to the most common types of recreational vehicles
Whether you’re in the market for a small camper van for an upcoming trip or you want to live on the road full time without compromising the comforts of home, finding the right recreational vehicle (RV) can make all the difference. We’ll cover the most popular types of RVs so that you can choose the best one for your next adventure.
| Type of RV | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Class A RV | $80,000-$900,000+ | Full-time RV living |
| Class B RV | $50,000+ | Small families, camping in comfort |
| Class C RV | $60,000-$500,000+ | Class A features on a smaller scale |
| Fifth wheel camper | $19,000-$150,000 | Home comforts at a lower price point |
| Travel trailer | $12,000-$80,000 | Large living space with small price tag |
| Toy hauler | $10,000-$200,000 | Towing large sports equipment |
| Pop-up camper | $9,000-$25,000 | Camping, short trips |
Types of RVs
Class A motorhomes
- Price: $80,000-$900,000+
- Size: 26-45 feet long
- Transportation/fuel: Gas or diesel
Class A motorhomes are large motorized RVs built for long stints on the road or full-time RV living. With a Class A RV, you can take many of the comforts of home — bathrooms, kitchen appliances, storage space — on the road with you.
PROS
- Home amenities, like full-sized refrigerator and washer/dryer
- Capable of towing a car
- Potential to live in RV full time
CONS
- Large size can make them difficult to drive
- Poor gas mileage
- May require a special driver’s license in certain states
Class B motorhomes
- Price: $50,000+
- Size: 17-24 feet long
- Transportation/fuel: Gas or diesel
Class B motorhomes are compact motorized RVs that come with the home amenities of a Class A motorhome, but on a much smaller scale. You’ll have a kitchen, sleeping space and bathroom, but the compact nature of Class B camper vans means that they’re easier to take on the road.
PROS
- Modified home amenities, including small kitchen and bathroom
- Easier to drive than Class A counterparts
- Can come with 4WD
CONS
- Not ideal for full-time RV living or large families because of small size
- Only sleeps up to four people
Class C motorhomes
- Price: $60,000-$500,000+
- Size: 25-35 feet long
- Transportation/fuel: Gas or diesel
Class C RVs are the Goldilocks of motorized RVs — not too small, not too big — and offer some of the best features of their Class A and B counterparts. If you’re interested in the space and expanded home amenities of a Class A RV but don’t want to deal with the difficult maneuvering, a Class C might be the right choice for you.
PROS
- Sleeps up to eight people
- Space above the cab can be used as sleeping quarters or storage space
- Home amenities, like full kitchen, bathroom and several sleeping spaces
CONS
- Not as comfortable or luxurious as Class A motorhomes
- Larger size makes them more difficult to drive than Class B RVs
Fifth wheel campers
- Price: $19,000-$150,000
- Size: 25-45 feet long
- Transportation/fuel: Tow
Fifth wheel campers are large trailers that attach to the bed of a truck for stable towing. They come with many of the amenities of larger motorhomes at a lower price point, making them a good choice for price-conscious RV buyers.
PROS
- Home comforts like kitchen, bathroom and sleeping space
- Stable towing
- Less expensive than motorhomes
CONS
- Large size makes them difficult to drive
- Require truck with enough towing power
Travel trailers
- Price: $12,000-$80,000
- Size: 12-40 feet long
- Transportation/fuel: Tow
Travel trailers, also known as conventional trailers, have similar features to fifth-wheel campers but have a standard hitch, making them easier to attach to your truck.
PROS
- Easy to hitch and unhitch
- Less expensive than motorhomes and fifth wheels
- Home comforts, like kitchens and slideout living spaces
CONS
- Less stable towing than a fifth wheel
- Smaller living space
Toy haulers
- Price: $10,000-$200,000
- Size: 15-48 feet long
- Transportation/fuel: Tow
Toy haulers are trailers that allow you to bring your sporting “toys” — ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes — with you on your next adventure. A toy hauler camper can come with living space in addition to the cargo space for your equipment, but this space is typically small.
PROS
- Ideal for towing large equipment like snowmobiles, ATVs and kayaks
- Can come equipped with small living space
CONS
- Require a truck with enough towing capacity
- Smaller living space than other RVs
Pop-up campers
- Price: $9,000-$25,000
- Size: 16-32 feet long when opened
- Transportation/fuel: Tow
Pop-up campers are collapsible trailers that provide temporary living space that you can tow along with you. They’re popular choices for camping or short trips that don’t require all of the luxuries of home.
PROS
- Collapsible for easy storage
- Inexpensive
- Don’t require large truck or SUV to tow
CONS
- May lack amenities like bathrooms, running water and kitchen appliances
- Difficult to regulate temperature
- Require setup and takedown
How to choose the right RV for you
When deciding between different types of RVs, consider how you plan to use your new vehicle. Large motorhomes or trailers will give you the space you need to live comfortably on the road full time, while smaller RVs may be best for camping or shorter trips.
You should also consider how much RV you can afford. While you can significantly lower the RV’s purchase price by buying a used motorhome, you can find affordable monthly RV payments with an RV loan.
Frequently asked questions
A recreational vehicle, or RV, is a mobile vehicle with living accommodations. Motorized RVs, also called motorhomes, have their own motors, while trailers are towed by another vehicle, usually a truck.
Camper vans, or Class B motorhomes, start at $50,000 for new models.