RV Types - an illustrated explanation

Class A Motorhome (shown below)

A self-contained motorized RV that looks something like a bus, often referred to as 'a coach'. Built on a special chassis, the class A has all the comforts of home. Floorplans typically include separate living quarters, a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, one or more bedrooms, and one or more bathrooms.

It does not have a separate cab; The driver sits at the front of the coach.

Class A motorhomes vary in length from approximately 25 feet to 45 feet (check our Legislation area for details on the maximum length permitted on European roads). They are powered by a petrol or diesel engine and are often equipped with a generator to provide power for appliances.

Newer models have optional slides, where one or more sections of exterior wall can be extended at the push of a switch to provide a much wider living area.

Class B Motorhome (below)

The class B, or van conversion, looks like a large van, but is smaller than the class C. Like the class C, a van conversion typically has living, cooking, sleeping and bathroom accommodation.

Larger van conversions can be equal to, or larger in size than the class C, but they retain their exterior van characteristics.

The class B provides walk-thru access between the driving and living areas without having to exit the vehicle.

Class C Motorhome (below)

Smaller than the class A, the class C motorhome is built on a specially manufactured van chassis. Floorplans are similar to those of a class A, but are more compact due to the smaller overall interior space. They typically include living quarters with an integrated kitchen, dining area, one or more bedrooms, and a bathroom.

The class C is easily recognized by the forward cab where the driver sits. The main body of the class C usually projects over the top of the cab to house a bed or storage space.

Truck Camper (below)

A truck camper is a specially designed unit carried in the bed of a pickup truck. This makes it ideal for remote, off-road locations.

This versatile RV provides a significant amount of utility in a small space. Amenities can include kitchen, shower and toilet facilities, depending on model.

The camper can be removed from the pickup truck using jacks mounted at each of the four corners, allowing the pickup truck to be used separately at the destination.

Toyhauler (below)

A toyhauler is a specially designed RV (motorhome or trailer). As the name suggests, it allows you to bring along your "toys" in an area of the RV set aside for the purpose.

In its simplest form, a storage area accessible from the outside provides space for hauling one or more bikes.

The toyhauler shown above is a travel trailer with a space provided for storing a quad bike. Larger versions, typically in a trailer, provide space for much larger toys.

Travel Trailer (below)

A travel trailer is designed to be towed by a pickup truck equipped with a special hitch attached to the truck chassis. The easiest comparison in the UK is a car and caravan.

Travel trailers come equipped with all the conveniences of class A and C motorhomes. Depending on their length, they may also have one, two or three slides which, when extended, provide a large amount of interior space.

A trailer has the advantage of being able to be detached from the tow vehicle at your destination, thereby providing convenient transport.

Fifth Wheeler (below)

A fifth wheel trailer, often abbreviated to 5th wheeler, is a trailer designed to be towed by a pickup equipped with special hitch in the truck bed. It is easily distinguished by the goose neck shape at the front. This elevated front section of the trailer often houses the master bedroom.

Fifth wheels come equipped with all the conveniences of class A and C motorhomes. Depending on their length, they may also have two or three slides which, when extended, provide a large amount of interior space.

A fifth wheel shares the advantage of a travel trailer in that it can be detached from the tow vehicle at your destination, thereby providing convenient transport.

Bus Conversion

As the name suggests, a bus conversion is a highly customized coach on a bus chassis. In its prior life, the coach could well have been a commercial bus, and the interior completely remodelled. Alternatively, the bus conversion could be a new, specially manufactured shell mounted on a new bus chassis.

Because they are highly customized, bus conversions are typically the most expensive type of RV. Floorplans are customized, as are the living and sleeping accommodation. Luxury is usually the operative word associated with the interior of bus conversions.

They can often be seen on US freeways with distinctively painted exteriors, and are usually owned by celebrities to transport their entourage.


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