Get FinancingKnow Your Motorhomes: What Are Class A, B & C Motorhomes?
Buying a motorhome is a large investment, so it’s important to gather as much information as possible before you begin your search. The first thing to consider is which of the four basic motorhome classes (A, B, B+, and C) is best for you. To that end, we’ll help you learn to identify each class, we will highlight the various features that differentiate them, and we’ll describe a few pros and cons of each in an effort to help you make an informed decision.
Class A Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes look like buses, and with good reason: they’re built on custom commercial bus or truck chassis. They tend to feature a flat front, flat back, and sides that are the same width from bumper to bumper. This category also includes commercial passenger and school buses that have been converted into motorhomes. Class A RVs typically have two or more slide-outs on them to increase the already ample interior cabin space. The high-end models have many luxury amenities, making them ideal for those who plan to live in them for weeks or months on end. Depending on where you travel, you may need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to legally drive a Class A motorhome.
The term “diesel pusher” refers to Class A RVs that feature a diesel engine located at the rear of the vehicle, though there are gas-powered variants. Due to their size, Class A units have limited access in urban and residential areas and restricted campsites, so it’s often a good idea to tow a smaller vehicle for making day trips or running errands. In the event of a collision or rollover, Class A motorhomes are considered the least-safe type of motorhome. Popular Class A motorhome manufacturers include Coachmen, Fleetwood, Forest River, Holiday Rambler, Newmar, Thor Motor Coach, Tiffin, and Winnebago.
- Size: Up to 45 feet long, the largest motorhomes
- Price: Starting at $75,000, up to $1 million or more
- Gas mileage: Typically single-digit miles per gallon
- Accommodations: water system, heating and AC, multiple appliances, large entertainment center, multiple sleeping areas, kitchen, full bathroom and shower, spacious living area, laundry appliances, and two or more slide-outs
- Passengers: Seating for eight or more, beds for up to six or more
- Storage: Ample cargo space at ground level
- Maneuverability: Difficult to drive
- Extras: High towing capacities, large front and side windows, power awnings
Click here to view all current Class A Motorhome listings.
Class B Motorhomes
Sometimes referred to as “camper vans” or “conversion vans,” Class B motorhomes are most commonly constructed upon a van body and chassis. Another common feature is a raised, fixed or pop-up interior ceiling and a lowered floor that allows adults to stand upright. Sometimes there are widened side panels, though these motorhomes tend to be considerably smaller than even the smallest Class A motorhomes. There are both diesel and gasoline-powered variants.
The appliances you’ll find in Class B units tend to be very small. Common chassis used for modern Class B RVs include the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Dodge Ram ProMaster, the Chevrolet Express, and the Ford Transit. Of the four types, Class B motorhomes are considered the safest in the event of a collision or rollover, due largely to their small size and conventional van cabs. Popular manufacturers of Class B motorhomes include Chinook RV, Coachmen, Leisure Travel Vans, Pleasure Way, Roadtrek, and Winnebago.
- Size: Up to 20 feet long, the smallest motorhomes
- Price: Starting at $50,000, up to $180,000 or more
- Gas mileage: Approximately 15 miles per gallon or less
- Accommodations: water system, a sink and/or shower, refrigerator, cooking system, fuel or 110-volt electrical system, AC unit or heater, toilet, and single bed or foldout
- Passengers: Seating for four to six, beds for two to four
- Storage: Storage is very limited
- Maneuverability: Easiest type of motorhome to drive
- Extras: Fits into a standard garage space, best fuel efficiency
Click here to view all current Class B Motorhome listings.
Class B+ Motorhomes
Motorhomes don’t see the same rate of technological advancement as, for instance, mobile phones and TVs, but the Class B+ variant is a relative newcomer to the industry. This type of motorhome most closely resembles a Class C-style vehicle, and some manufacturers even refer to them as Class Cs. These are built on a cutaway chassis that looks like a van or truck cab has been stitched to a box camper.
Class B+ motorhomes feature a van or heavy-duty truck cab on the front that includes the engine, doors, dash, and cockpit area. Class B+ motorhomes tend to lack the over-cab bed that helps define Class C vehicles, but are more aerodynamic and get better gas mileage as a result. They’re smaller in height and length than most Class C motorhomes, and the use of lighter building materials contributes to comparatively decent fuel mileage. Due to their truck or van-like cab, these motorhomes are considered safer than Class As in the event of a collision or rollover. Popular manufacturers of Class B+ motor homes include Airstream, Forest River, Nexus, Renegade, and Thor Motor Coach.
- Size: Between 20 and 30 feet in length
- Price: Starting at $80,000, up to $200,000 or more
- Gas mileage: less than 12 miles per gallon
- Accommodations: heating and air conditioning, water system, awnings, kitchen, dining area, refrigerator, range, microwave, dining area, bath/shower/toilet, two or more sleeping areas
- Passengers: Seating for six or more, beds for up to four
- Storage: Moderate storage space
- Maneuverability: Moderately easy to drive
- Extras: Better gas mileage than Class Cs, one or more slide-outs
Click here to view all current Class B+ Motorhome listings.
Class C Motorhomes
Similar in size to a Class A motorhome, Class Cs use a cutaway chassis, with a van or heavy-duty truck cab for the front portion of the vehicle that consists of the engine, doors, dash, and cockpit area. These motorhomes all tend to look similar, with a portion of the living area extending across the top of the cab where a full- or twin-sized bed is located in a loft. These motorhomes can cost significantly more than a Class B or B+ motorhome, and gas mileage is significantly worse. Due to their truck or van-like cab, these motorhomes are considered safer than a Class A in the event of a collision or rollover, but not as safe as a Class B or more compact Class B+ motorhome.
Because they can be as large and offer as many amenities as Class A motorhomes, these models are viable options for snowbirds, or those who plan to use the motorhome for weeks or months on end. Manufacturers have begun using Chevy, Ford, International, and heavy-duty Freightliner truck chassis for Class C motorhomes, and a few even designate these as Class C+ or “Super C” units. There are both diesel and gas-powered Class C motorhomes. Popular manufacturers of Class C motorhomes include Coachmen, Dynamax, Forest River, Gulf Stream Coach, Jayco, Thor Motor Coach, and Winnebago.
- Size: Up to 30 feet and longer
- Price: $60,000 to up to $500,000 or more
- Gas mileage: 10 miles per gallon or less
- Accommodations: heating and air conditioning, water system, awnings, multiple appliances, large entertainment center, one or more sleeping areas, kitchen, dining area, full bathroom, sizeable living area
- Passengers: Seating for six to eight, beds for up to six or more
- Storage: Ample amounts of storage space
- Maneuverability: Moderately difficult to drive
- Extras: Two or more slide-outs, luxury amenities, sleeping area in loft over cab
Click here to view all current Class C Motorhome listings.