Is a Class C RV Right for You?

You’ve heard the phrase “go big or go home,” but in the world of RV living that may not be the best route for you.

If you go big with a Class A motorhome, you have a lot more expense and maintenance, and they are not as easy to drive. If you go small with a Class B RV, it may work for a solo traveler, but many more passengers than that and you will find yourself cramped and irritable. Read on for more information about Class C motorhomes to decide if this is the one that may be just right for you.

Safety and Handling

When shopping for your Class C RV, luxuries are nice, but you should always be concerned with safety first. The Class C motorhome has the following safety features the Class A does not:

• Gas pedal and brake pedal are the same as on a regular vehicle, whereas in a Class A they are further to the right, which can take some getting used to.
• Class C RVs have more exits: driver’s side door, passenger side door, and the sidewall door to the living area. In case of accident, that makes it easier for passengers to exit quickly and safely.
• Class C motorhomes are safer in a front end crash because of the location of the engine, which is at the front of the vehicle, just like a van or truck, with a barrier and crumple zones between it and the passengers.
• Class C RVs are lower to the ground, so they are much more stable for driving, particularly in inclement, windy weather.
• It is easier to see the front of a Class C motorhome and what is IN FRONT of the RV. Class A’s sit so high that something in front of it, like a small child, might not be seen.

Accessibility and Affordability

As mentioned earlier, the Class C has more ingress/egress for safety as well as ease in packing the RV and setting up camp. They are also lower to the ground, so they are easier to get in and out of.

When looking at RVs, don’t forget to consider accessibility to campsites themselves.

The average Class A motorhome is about 28-40 feet in length. Many campgrounds cannot accommodate campers that big. For example, at Yosemite National Park the maximum length for an RV is 40 feet, but they only have 12 sites available for RVs this long. The average length of a Class C is 28-30 feet, so there are many more campsites available to them.

Another accessibility issue to keep in mind, one that will save you much stress and many headaches, is the turning radius of Class C vs. Class A. The Class C motorhomes are much easier to back into campsites, as well as pull into parking lots and gas stations.

Typically Class C motorhomes are less costly than Class A’s, and you can also find some very
nice used Class C RVs that are quite affordable.

When considering affordability, keep maintenance costs in mind. Many mechanics will not work on Class A motorhomes at all, and even some Class C+ motorhomes that are on a Freightliner chassis will require a truck service center. These are much more costly than your regular auto mechanic.

Class C RVs are usually lighter than Class A’s, so they typically get better gas mileage. More Class C’s are being manufactured with diesel engines, which not only get better mileage but also provide more towing capacity.

Amenities

Class C RVs and used Class C motorhomes have many of the same amenities as a Class A, just on a smaller scale. You can still have a full kitchen and bathroom with shower. Many Class C’s come equipped with televisions and entertainment centers. A Class C usually has more sleeping space thanks to the sleeping compartment above the cab.

Class C motorhomes are perfect for the couple who wants to travel the country in style and comfort but do so on a smaller budget. They are also wonderful for small families with young children, as summer vacation or holiday transport, or just fun family camping.

At Southeast Financial, we specialize in Nationwide Recreational Vehicle Financing, so contact us today to take the first steps to the trip of a lifetime.