For Part one in this series, please go here: First Questions To Ask When Picking Out A Fulltime RV Rig

The Focus

This is the second article in the series on buying a nomadic home on wheels.  Once again, our emphasis is on fulltime RV living VS. part-time, so though we will talk briefly about other rigs one can buy, the focus and intent will be on helping with the choosing and purchasing of the larger, and in our opinion, more appropriate rigs to live in on the road.

A confusing array of jargon greets the neophyte RV’er.  We will help demystify the terms used in describing the various types of rigs.  This post is a quick overview, while the next posts in the series, will go into depth with more of the details of the layout, operation, and pros and cons of each of the major types of fulltime rigs.

Overall, the major types of RV’s are different to drive, operate, maneuver and park.  Towing anything is in general harder, than driving something without towing.  Towing a good-sized 5^th wheel trailer is generally easier, than towing a good-sized travel trailer.  Driving a good-sized motorhome is easier than towing anything, though with a decent sized motorhome, you will probably end up towing an auxiliary car (dinghy), anyways, which must be unhitched at camp as it cannot be comfortably backed up.

The Driveables

Class A

Class A's Are the most popular motorized choice.

These are the large motorhomes one see’s built on a special chassis.  They are the largest and nicest of the motorized class of RV’s.  They come in both gasoline and diesel flavors.  Some come equipped with 4 or slideout’s greatly expanding the interior space, some have a slideout that runs the entire length of the one side if the RV.  They are usually not family friendly, though some sport a couple of bunk beds tucked in the hallway to the master bedroom.

Class B

Class B motorhomes in action

These are built on a van chassis.  They are fairly small, with some having a fiberglass roof for standup headroom, or a popup canvas roof.   Full conversions can come with bathroom, and even shower facilities.  The limited space dictates that the water tanks and holding tanks cannot be that large.  These are best for single travelers who want an easily drivable and maneuverable rig.

Class C

Class C is a good economical choice.

A class C is a motorized RV built on a truck chassis.  They usually sport a bed that hangs over the front of the rig.  Keep in mind that these beds are pretty tight and limited in headroom.  Some class C’s come with a separate bedroom, and many include 1 or more slideouts.  They lie somewhere between a class A and the small class B’s.  They can be a good fulltime choice for those who cannot afford a larger class A.

Truck Camper

Truck campers can go anywhere.

A truck camper is an RV that mounts into the bed of a heavy duty pickup truck.  Though there are smaller campers available that can work for smaller trucks, they would not be appropriate longterm for fulltimers.  Keep in mind that the larger truck campers need a really heavy duty truck and dually wheels.  You will also need to beef up the truck with extra gear to handle the load.  Some newer truck campers come with up to 3 slideouts!  They are great for getting into the boonies if the truck has 4 wheel drive.

The Towables

5^th Wheels

5th wheels are the most popular fulltime rig

By far the most popular towable available for fulltimers, 5^th wheels come in a wide array of floorplans, with the distinctive bi-level design.  Usually the bedroom is in the top level, though some have the living room area upstairs.  They are designed to be towed by a pickup truck with the hitch mounted in the pickup bed over the rear axle.  They are considered the most stable of the towables especially when one gets into the larger sizes.  They can come with 4 or slideouts and offer the most living space of all RV’s.  The raised roof that slope’s upwards towards the front adds to the feeling of spaciousness with a vaulted ceiling effect.

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are cheap if you have a tow vehicle

Travel trailers are another popular fulltiming option.  They are usually towed by a truck,  van or SUV.  They come in a huge number of different floorplans, the larger sporting 2 bedrooms, good for those traveling families.  They can be much harder to tow than 5^th wheels as far as stability and overall towing lengths, as the trailer attaches behind the rear bumper of the vehicle adding to the overall length of the rig, though with additional gear, the instability factor can be remedied.  Travel trailers can come with a number of slideouts expanding the interior space.

Tent Trailers & Hybrids

Tent trailers NOT recommended.

Tent trailers are a hybrid creation of the travel trailer.  They fold up when traveling which adds to the economy of operation, but also contributes to their disadvantage, as they have to setup when one arrives in camp.  Many also have canvas walls on both ends making them less than desirable for fulltiming, especially when the weather turns for the worse.   Some come with hard sided popouts on the ends, but still are not recommended to live in unless one is financially strapped and needs to get started now.

Toy Haulers

Toy Haulers have a versatile garage included.

Another newer offshoot of the RV industry has been the toyhauler.  Usually that means the inclusion of an often separated garage, and is featured in 5^th wheels, travel trailers, and sometimes even motorhome configurations.  Though primarily designed for the carrying of off road “toys”, one could come up with creative uses for the garage, like indoor hydroponic gardens, music studios, work out rooms, food processing centers and the like, as the garage is usually empty allowing one to customize it to their liking.

Where Does This Leave Me?

For most, the major decisions come down to choosing either a large class A or C, or a 5^th wheel or travel trailer towed by a heavy duty truck or van.  There are many other RV homes available, including hybrids between most of them, but for most, these main types will suffice and get one started.  These are the recommended rigs of choice for long-term satisfaction and livability.

In the future articles in this series, we will further examine the pro’s and con’s of the major categories of RV’s, namely the larger motorhomes and towables to further help you in your decision to living out your dreams of a permanent nomadic lifestyle on the road.

Stay Tuned for Part 3!

Tags: 5th wheel, fulltime, motorhome, rv, travel trailer