Is A Class C RV Right For You?

What You Should Know About Class C RVs

1. Why did you choose your specific Class C RV?

   We initially thought we wanted to buy a fifth-wheel RV but quickly realized that we’d also need to purchase a new tow vehicle, and that was out of our budget. Since we were new to the lifestyle, the thought of buying a large Class A motorhome felt a bit intimidating. On the flipside, a Class B felt a bit too small for us. After doing some further research, we discovered that a Class C would not only give us ample space and keep us within our budget but also allow us to visit plenty of parks and destinations. — Kirsten & Mack Womack / Extended Travel Couple / Entegra Odyssey

2. Did you have any concerns about buying a Class C RV? If so, what were they and how did you address them?

   We had three main concerns about purchasing a Class C. The first was space and if we would have enough room for two adults and four children. We’ve had our Class C for nearly four years now—and our kids have grown bigger since we got it—and we’ve never had any issues with space. Only packing what you need and decluttering will help make your tiny home feel bigger. And the great thing about RV life is that you’re always close to the outdoors, so you can step outside and have plenty of wide open spaces. Our second concern was the turning radius on a Class C and how it compared to a Class A. We learned that the shorter wheelbase on a Class C means they have a tighter turning radius and are much easier to maneuver compared to a Class A. And our last concern was extra noise while driving. Occasionally, we hear the rattle of our pots and pans if we haven’t put them away properly, but the road noise is way less than I ever imagined. — Sandra Pena / Long-Term Travel Family / Jayco Greyhawk

3. What are some of your favorite hobbies and activities, and how does your Class C RV fit these?

   We love all things outdoors, but our favorites are hiking, mountain biking, nature photography, and pack-rafting. Our Class C has been a perfect fit for all of the above. It has given us ample storage, both inside and out, and it has allowed us to travel faster and farther due to its nimble size and reasonable fuel costs. Plus, its small size has allowed us to pull over and park just about anywhere a standard vehicle can. This has opened up more river runs, amazing picture opportunities and new trailheads that weren’t accessible to us before. — Dustin & Sarah Bauer / Weekend Warrior Couple / Tiffin Wayfarer

4. How do you maximize storage and living space in your Class C RV?

   Storage in our Class C has been, and continues to be, something that we constantly rework, especially as our kids get older and bigger. Don’t be afraid to re-evaluate every few months to see if there are things you can consolidate or get rid of entirely. With six people, we try to keep our clothes and wardrobe to a bare minimum and utilize compression bags for anything big or bulky. We store our shoes inside ottomans, which serve a dual-purpose for both storage and seating. Having tubs and bins in the kitchen for various cooking tools and utensils is also a great way to organize and keep track of what we have. Our biggest piece of advice for maximizing storage and living space is to always buy dual-purpose items. — Sandra Pena / Long-Term Travel Family / Jayco Greyhawk

5. What is your advice for driving a Class C RV, especially if you need to tow a vehicle?

   Driving and parking a Class C is pretty low-stress when compared to other RV types, especially if your RV is under 30 feet. Our best tip is to drive slow and factor in enough time to get to your destination so you don’t arrive after dark. Generally, we like to add an extra hour onto whatever our navigation says. Be sure and research your routes ahead of time so you aren’t surprised by rough or impassable roads. And remember, there’s no shame in turning around if conditions get rough. While we don’t tow anything behind our Class C, we do have a separate vehicle that follows (called the “chase” car). I drive the “chase” car and Ben drives the RV. We have found this to be much easier than having to hitch and unhitch. Plus, having a separate car allows us to explore harder-to-reach destinations after we’ve arrived at our campsite. Sometimes we do travel without a separate car, and while this may take a bit more planning, there are still plenty of places our Class C can access thanks to its smaller size. — Sarah & Ben Hubbart / Part-Time Couple / Thor Motor Coach Chateau

6. What advice would you give someone who is considering buying a Class C RV?

   We highly recommend making a priority list before you even start to look at RV options. Write down what your camping goals are, when and where you'll use it, how many people you need to fit, how you like to cook, storage space needed, what interior amenities are most important to you, what length feels comfortable for all drivers, and how important the add-ons are (solar panels, generators, stabilizing jacks, etc.). Then do your homework on what RVs have your musts and test drive a lot. Keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better—we truly believe that we use our Class C more because the smaller size makes it easier to take more trips. — Dustin & Sarah Bauer / Weekend Warrior Couple / Tiffin Wayfarer