Consumer Reports is THE organization to consult when making any major purchase. Renown for their research and product testing. They are the go-to for individuals seeking reliable information about consumer products. Below is information gathered from their website describing the different classes and styles of motorhomes and RV trailers.
The following is not a comprehensive list but an overview of the most common RVs you may encounter.
Class A
Medium to large RVs. These are the bus-shaped models. The class spans from alternatives to Class C, built on similar platforms, all the way to extremely luxurious, large coaches called diesel pushers, due to the engine being in the rear. How are they built? The motorhome company builds the entire body and upper structure, which is mounted atop a frame and drivetrain components from another manufacturer.
- Length: 25 to 36 feet long
- Sleeps: 6 to 8 people
- Price: $90,000 to $1,000,000
Class B
Camper vans that are based on a van. These RVs are typically the most expensive per foot. They pack a lot into a small space and often are based on a Mercedes-Benz platform. The key benefits are a premium cabin and modest size that makes them more suitable than big RVs for driving to stores, restaurants, and attractions. How are they built? Based on a van body shipped from the vehicle manufacturer (Ford, Mercedes-Benz, or Ram).
- Length: 20 to 26 feet long
- Sleeps: 2 people
- Price: $85,000 to $150,000
Class C
These use a cutaway chassis, combining a van cab front with an RV shell that typically includes an over-the-cab sleeping area. Class C can be the most affordable all-in-one models. There are Super C models, very expensive RVs that apply this concept to a medium-duty truck platform. How are they built? The front and frame are from a van or truck, and the rest of the body is built by the RV manufacturer. Most use a Ford cutaway chassis with a V10 or V8 engine.
- Length: 22 to 35 feet long
- Sleeps: 4 to 8 people
- Price: $70,000 to $200,000
Folding or Pop-Up Trailers
Sitting only about 4 feet high when towed, pop-up trailers can be raised by hand crank or electrically at a campsite. Most have tentlike sides and extensions that pull out of either end.
- Length: 8 to 20 feet
- Weight: 1,000 to 4,000 lbs.
- Sleeps: 2 to 8 people
- Price: $10,000 to $30,000
Travel Trailers
Travel trailers are the most widely sold and most varied type of towable RV. They have solid walls and often feature a slide—a section of wall that either pulls out or motors out to provide more space inside when camping.
- Length: 8 to 40 feet
- Weight: 1,000 to 10,000 lbs.
- Sleeps: 2 to 8 people
- Price: $10,000 to $150,000
Hybrid or Expandable Trailers
Hybrid or expandable RV trailers increase sleeping space without the downsides—the added length and weight—that come with getting a bigger trailer. They do that by combining the hard-sided body of a conventional travel trailer with the pullout end extensions typically found on a folding trailer. This design can let you use a smaller tow vehicle while still providing enough sleeping space and amenities for the whole family.
- Length: 8 to 26 feet
- Weight: 2,500 to 5,500 lbs.
- Sleeps: 4 to 8 people
- Price: $10,000 to $40,000
Fifth-Wheel Trailers
Fifth-wheel trailers are designed to be towed by pickup trucks. The front of this type of trailer extends over a pickup bed that has a hitch that sits beneath the forward quarters. The trailer slides into place in the pickup truck bed.
Fifth-wheel trailers are generally large and heavy, requiring at least a half-ton truck equipped by the factory to handle a heavy payload. It’s common to use a heavy-duty truck to tow a fifth-wheel. If you’re shopping for a trailer and a tow vehicle, consider a pickup truck with dual rear wheels (often referred to as a “dually”) to pull the largest trailers for better stability and payload capacity. Look at the specific capabilities on the truck you own or plan to buy, because truck cargo and towing capacities can vary widely depending on the engine, the cab configuration, and transmission gearing.
- Length: 20 to 45 feet
- Weight: 7,000+ lbs.
- Sleeps: 4 to 8 people
- Price: $20,000 to $150,000
Toy Haulers or ‘Sport-Utility Trailers’
Toy haulers or “sport-utility trailers” can come in any travel trailer type. They usually have an enclosed garage in back, designed for carrying motorcycles, ATVs, or other outdoor playthings. A ramp is built in off the back of the trailer, letting you drive these toys out. The ramp itself can often be used as a porch once the toy is unloaded.
- Length: 18 to 40 feet
- Weight: 3,000 to 10,000 lbs.
- Sleeps: 4 to 8 people
- Price: $10,000 to $150,000
Truck Campers
Truck campers slide into the back of a pickup truck’s bed—no towing needed. Often they stick out over the top of the truck’s cab to increase living space. Lightweight “expedition style” models usually have tentlike fabric sides that pop up to add headroom.
The key for truck-camper owners is having enough payload capacity. Some pop-top lightweight models fit into smaller trucks, but the typical hard-sided truck camper is too heavy for a half-ton truck, unless that truck is carefully optioned to maximize payload. Most owners tend to use heavy-duty trucks.
- Length: 6 to 12 feet
- Weight: 1,000 to 3,000 lbs.
- Sleeps: 2 to 4 people
- Price: $15,000 to $50,000
THE CAMPER 