RV Brands

What are the Best RV Brands?

There are many kinds of RVs brands and many manufacturers that make them. Which one is suitable for you would depend on your goals and, of course, your budget. Some RVs are simple, like extra large vans with enough space for basic living accommodations. Others are luxurious, like the tour buses famous musicians use when they are on the road.

List of RV Brands

Fixed RVs

Class A Motorhome

By Thor Motor Coach – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18691440

 These are the fancy ones. Imagine a bus that was converted into a mobile hotel suite home. RV manufacturers would make Class A motorhomes out of strong, heavy-duty frames similar to commercial bus or truck chassis that can fit an 18-wheeler. They usually come with a minimum of two slide-outs for extra space. The bedroom is usually at the back. The larger space Class As have means you can have larger RV mattress sizes. Below are some Class A brands and the mattress sizes they can have.

However, because of their large size and weight, Class A tends to have the lowest fuel economy out of all the RV types. You also need to have exceptional driving skills to handle these mansions on wheels. Their large size makes them impractical for everyday use too. You will not be driving a Class A motorhome to do your grocery run. Thus, not only are Class As pricey to get, they are also pricey and difficult to maintain. Professionals who go on tours, such as performers, usually opt for this kind of RV because (1) it is comfortable and (2) they can afford it.

Class B Motorhome

 Class A motorhomes focus more on comfort and luxury. On the flipside, Class Bs give more importance to practicality. Class Bs are smaller, more streamlined, and more fuel efficient. Camper manufacturers usually make Class B motorhomes from automotive vans or panel trucks. However, the bigger emphasis on practicality does not mean Class Bs are uncomfortable. These smaller RVs are also appropriately called camper vans. They are still basically vans, but instead of passenger seats at the back, they have compact but still comfortable living amenities like a kitchen, restroom, TV and entertainment, and a bedroom. Since Class Bs are the size of regular vans, you can use them as an everyday vehicle.

Class C Motorhome

Although Class Cs are further down the alphabet, it does not mean they are a “lower” RV class than Class B or Class A. Class Cs are like a fusion between Class As and Class Bs. Like Class As, RV manufacturers make Class Cs from truck or van chassis. Many have an overhang that extends over the cab. This area usually serves as a sleeping room. Class Cs have a fuel efficiency between that of Class As and Class Bs. The amenities are similar to that of Class A, but less focus on luxury and more on practicality and simplicity. Although Class Cs are smaller than Class As, they are still massive and are impractical for everyday driving.

Towable RVs

The first three kinds of RVs so far have the cab attached to the home. Towable RVs, as the name suggests, are RVs where the “home” portion is separate like a trailer. If you are thinking of getting a towable RV, you need to have a powerful vehicle like a pickup truck first. A run-of-the-mill sedan will suffer trying to pull these RVs.

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are, well, trailers that have been custom out to be a mobile home. RV manufacturers make travel trailers from standard trailer frames. Travel trailers have the essential living amenities such as a kitchen dinette, bathroom, and bedroom. They can range from simple to luxurious.

Fifth Wheel Campers

Fifth wheel campers are the largest among the towable RVs. Their name stems from the fifth wheel hitch to which you attach your vehicle. A pickup truck is the vehicle of choice for pulling fifth wheel campers. Fifth wheel campers have an overhanging section that goes over the cargo bed of your pickup truck, and the fifth wheel hitch is at the base of this section. This overhanging section is typically a sleeping area like in Class C motorhomes.

Toy Haulers

Some people call toy haulers as sport utility RVs. They get their name because RV manufacturers make toy haulers to accommodate gear and outdoor “toys” like motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, etc. Toy haulers have heavy-duty doors that act as ramps for your gear. These are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with an adrenaline rush. Toy haulers tend to not have the same luxury as the other towable RVs, but they offer just enough of the basics to have a comfortable experience. Hauling toys is their first purpose while living accommodations are second. However, some brands make fancy toy haulers. After all, if you can afford your toys, you can afford a fancy RV. Although toy haulers are mostly towable, some also come as motorized RVs.

Teardrop Trailers

As the name suggests, teardrop trailers are trailers or campers that are shaped like teardrops.  They are small and compact, so they only carry the essentials. These campers are perfect for the casual nature enthusiasts who enjoy adventures, but perhaps not to the extent of the hardcore ones. The simplest teardrop trailers are just mobile bedrooms. The larger ones have a kitchen, dining area, and restroom. Even with these extra amenities, the smaller size of teardrop trailers makes driving with them easier than the larger towable and even fixed RVs. You do not need a truck or an SUV to tow teardrops, just an appropriate ball hitch. Their lighter weight also means you can bring them tow them through more rugged terrain. Fancier RVs are more suited for campgrounds. Besides function, teardrops also have aesthetics going for them. They give off a 70s retro or vintage vibe that appeals to some people.

Pop-up Campers

Korey99, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>,
via Wikimedia Commons

These campers get their name from the canvas sides that extend or “pop up” to provide more space. Pop-ups are even more basic than teardrops. They are therefore perfect for the occasional camper. Like teardrops, pop-ups are compact and light so you do not need a powerful vehicle and exceptional driving skills to haul them. They also have the bare essentials. Pop-ups are like tent-RV hybrids, so you get the similar mild protection that many tents offer.

NOTE: Besides the spaces that are meant for the beds themselves, some RVs brands may have extra spaces that have multiple functions, including serving as bunk areas. These ones can have irregular shapes besides the typical rectangular bed. Some RVs also have dining and lounge areas that can be converted into sleeping areas with the right attachments or accessories. Check with the RV manufacturers and the different floorplans they offer to see if a certain model can accommodate more people for sleeping.

Conclusion

Connecting with nature is great, but there are some comforts of modern living that are difficult to detach from, and that includes sleeping on a comfortable bed. Sure, if you are camping alone, you may not mind sleeping on the ground. But if you are with your family, your kids or spouse may not be so inclined to roll in a sleeping bag on dirt and grass. Your next best bet is an RV. Whether you are a hardcore nature lover, weekend warrior, or an occasional nature adventurer, there is an RV for you. Your options range from mobile mansions to mobile bedrooms. With the many types of RVs and RV brands, you can definitely find one that fits your needs but will not break your bank.