There’s something undeniably freeing about living the RV life. You pack up, hit the road, and go where you want, when you want. You’re on no one’s timetable but your own, and there are so many things to see and do. Of course, there are barriers that need to be overcome before you can enjoy that life, and one of the most challenging is deciding between motor homes. Renting an RV is a good way to test the waters, but what type do you want to gravitate toward?
Your Comfort Needs
When choosing between rental motor homes, one of the primary questions you will need to answer is what sort of comfort you expect. Do you want something barebones and basic? That might be a great choice for a couple or family that wants an experience more akin to camping. In this case, a small, basic pop-up camper might be enough. However, if you want a bit more comfort, you’ll need to upgrade to something larger, like an RV.
Generally speaking, motor homes will offer the most comfort and the most home-like experience with all the perks. They come in sizes that range from near van-like to monstrously huge vehicles that have enough storage room for a subcompact car.
A Note on Types of Motor Homes
Briefly, we need to touch on the available types of motor homes. These are Class A, Class B, and Class C.
Class A – These are the largest RVs on the road, with price tags that may reach $1 million, and they max out at 50 feet in length. For the ultimate in luxury, this is your RV. Most Class A motor homes will have a minimum of one slide-out, and they sleep four or more people.
Class B – Class B motor homes max out around 25 feet and generally cost up to $125,000. If you’re looking for a good tradeoff in size versus maneuverability without sacrificing comfort, this is your choice. Note that these are actually the smallest options available, and sleep two to four people.
Class C – Class C motor homes can be up to 35 feet long and cost up to $120,000. These are your typical loft-over-cab design, usually have only a single air conditioner, and operate on 30 AMP power. They can sleep four or more people in relative comfort, and are actually larger than Class B motor homes.
Trailers and Campers
Next, you have trailers – these are about the same size as an RV, but they must be towed. That means you need a vehicle capable of towing a trailer of that size and weight. You may hear these called travel trailers, and so-called fifth wheel trailers also fall into this category.
At the bottom of the range, you have basic campers. These are usually pretty small, although they can be quite comfortable for shorter trips or with only a couple of people. You’ll find rigid-frame trailers, ultralight trailers designed to be towed by smaller vehicles, teardrop-shaped trailers, and even pop-up campers in this range.
Your Preferred Destinations
The next item on the agenda will be determining your preferred destinations. Are you looking forward to exploring Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks? Heading up to Sequoia National Park, or over to Kings Canyon? The US boasts an incredible wealth of natural beauty that can be accessed right through our national park system, but you might find it a bit challenging with a Class A motor home or trailer. Why?
Simply put, you’ll find that most of the parks are geared more for those who want to go tent camping, or those with smaller travel trailers. So, if you’re intent on exploring each park, you might want to consider motor homes that are a little on the smaller side. How small? The recommendation is around 32 feet in length, but no more than 35 feet. Check out our RV sizes & National Park article for more details.
However, if you want to explore the country and stay in actual RV parks, then you can go as large as you want. These facilities are specifically designed to handle even larger motor homes, although you may still find turning and parking a bit tight with the largest options.
Remember the golden rule – smaller motor homes and campers are easier to maneuver, but they’re limited on comfort. Larger ones offer much better comfort, but are challenging to move and park.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, you need to decide how much comfort you want and whether or not your desire for comfort should be balanced against maneuverability. Of course, your budget plays a role here, as does what you want to do with the vehicle. Happy RVing!
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