Which would you choose and why? Class c RV or medium travel trailer

[Wrknmannavn]

So i have an opportunity to go from van living to class c rv or a medium travel trailer. Im stumped at what i should choose. So im posting this question here in hopes of your opinions showing me which direction to go. Thank you for your help

 

[Freelander]

I live in a Class C, for what I gave for it, I couldn't buy a Truck and Trailer for that. Also I dont have to hook and unhook all the time.

 

[jacqueg]

Class C. I don't like pulling a trailer. Yes, there are some advantages to having a trailer - primarily the larger living space - but for me they are outweighed by having to deal with the darned thing. YMMV.

 

[Matlock]

First question to answer is how much money to you have to spend on upkeep internally and mechanically. RV's get expensive really quick and overall appearances always have hidden gremlins trying to pick your pocket.
Trailers won't leave you stranded as you can always drop them off for repair or DIY.
A trailer pull vehicle requires the same maintenance, maybe a bit less than a class C.
So, my opinion was and is if something breaks on my mobile trailer platform I'd like the ability to drop if off for repair. Also easier to park the trailer and unhook to get groceries, sightsee, etc.
If possible you should try both and see what works for you. Maybe borrow or rent an rv for a week or two to start with. Then the decision gets easier with where you are, will travel to and what your 'new' needs are.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Travel trailers need a tow vehicle. You got one?

 

[RVTravel]

Travel trailers need a tow vehicle. You got one?

Looks like he has a highish top cargo van (trasit or similar) in his avatar.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I don't consider a typical passenger van, cargo van, or minivan as a suitable tow vehicle for a 'medium' sized travel trailer, so that's why I asked. The picture could have been taken anywhere, with anyone's vehicle in the background.

A 'medium' sized travel trailer could be 29 to 34 feet long (give or take) and weigh 9000 pounds ready to roll. Only the largest vans with upgraded equipment are able to pull these safely.

 

[user 423]

If you tend to do a lot of travel the C would be more convenient. If you plan to stay in one place for longer periods (14 days+) then the trailer might be a better choice.

 

[John in Montreal]

Small rv plus cargo trailer for bike, water and other gear.

 

[kklowell]

My choice would be the C, or even a B (Had one, loved it but sold it because I needed a vehicle that got better mileage). I'd not be able to deal with a trailer because I have a boat to tow.

 

[RvNaut]

After many many months of research, and seeing a few RVs, and really asking myself what I would be happy living in, I went with a Class A.... so of course I am going to say class C.. I agree with others that the whole tow . hitch and unhitch is a pain.. so then..in comparing the C to an A, I found that Cs cost more per sqr ft than an A and get similar gas mileage.. an A has way more storage than a C... yes the C has that van front end designed for crash impact, yet if that is what will matter, the stuff that comes flying fwd in a crash that would benefit from the Van front end is kinda pointless. If I was not on SS ( in other words, young and more able) I might go with a more compact arrangement, but being an old fart, if I am giving up the sticks and bricks, I want a few comforts.. I have one shot at getting a decent home on wheels, so I made the best decision I could make for me.

Good luck with your own decision

YMMV IANAL

 

[WayOutWest]

I would not choose any type of RV, whether class A, B, or C. Of those 3 types, the class B type is the most acceptable to me, as it's the most like a van, and from what I can see is generally a van body, with a built-in camper as manufactured. I believe that vehicles with the actual metal van body construction, as opposed to the RV made of aluminum/fiberglass, 2 by 2's, and panels, are much stronger, less likely to be severely damaged by wind or in accidents, and so that's all I'd ever consider. The weakness of the RV construction is one of the main reasons not to choose these vehicles, IMO. I have seen plenty of RVs or RV-type trailers missing an exterior panel or with large "crunches" in them. Eg, I was camping in a public campground in Nevada, and there was a full timer there who had a pickup truck and RV-style trailer (I use that term to mean a trailer with the RV type aluminum/fiberglass and 2 by 2 construction). It had been quite windy the past few days and he'd lost an exterior panel on his trailer. It went flying off. So he had to now spend a lot of time and miles getting to someplace to get that fixed. And imagine how frustrated he would be if, come another big wind, he lost another panel rather soon.

The other factor is that for me it's really important that I can built my own camper van rather than get something pre-manufactured. I want to create my own "tiny home" space. So this is another reason I would only go with passenger vans, cargo vans, or box trucks or school buses which could be built out according to my own plan. If your current rig is too small, I'd get a larger van, box truck or school bus. But not any type of RV.

Finally I would like to have a reasonable amount of maneuverability to get around on forest roads. The bigger the rig the fewer places you can drive it. A class B RV would be ideal in this regard, as would the short or long wheelbase cargo vans. The school buses begin to be too long.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

There are a lot of decent Class C's out there. I hear people saying that they are more upkeep, but given they are largely based on a full-sized GMC or Ford van chassis, mechanically they will be the same upkeep as a full-sized Chevy or Ford truck. Yes, the house portion will need some maintenance and upkeep, but generally systems in an RV are going to be a little more robust than portable camping systems used in a van build, so shouldn't be a huge issue. There is nothing that says you can't work on these yourself, just like if you did a van build, though you'll likely need to order parts online or find a camping store. You can't beat the room and comfort of a modern Class C, they are generally well laid out with thoughtful storage. Also there seems to be a price break at the slightly larger Class C's as people want the small ones so they carry a premium. 27-31 footers around here are selling for 3-4K less than 21-24 footers.

If you don't need an urban/stealth camping option the right Class C could be the way to go, especially if you want to be totally self-contained.

 

[frodo2222]

If you tend to do a lot of travel the C would be more convenient. If you plan to stay in one place for longer periods (14 days+) then the trailer might be a better choice.

Sort of..if one takes MPG into the equation then class C is very far in rear.. I've had 2 class C and 2 5ers

 

[user 423]

^ Do you mean a truck/trailer combo gets much better MPG while doing mainly highway driving? Then you'd have to trade $ for convenience. If you're parked somewhere for quite a while (LTVA) and you need to run into town for supplies or you have a workamping gig, a truck would be less costly than a C. Lots of variables to consider in rig size,highway vs. city miles,routines,overall cost.

 

[Sky]

So i have an opportunity to go from van living to class c rv or a medium travel trailer. Im stumped at what i should choose. So im posting this question here in hopes of your opinions showing me which direction to go. Thank you for your help

I had a bumper pull trailer and sold it to get a class C. It really depends on you and your health. I was a young 55 yr old very fit and worked in many physical vocations BUT I hated having to deal with all the rigging after a long drive having to do all the set up worse than a truck driver. There was the anti sway bar to start that did not really save you much when big rigs be it truck or RV's passed on the hwy. That was wild and stressful. Then when ya land for the night yes you have to do all this un-rigging and leveling crap and so it goes when you decide to re-hitch up. My set up spanned 34 ft + hitched so always have to deal with parking and maneuvering which I was adept at in prior work but it still can get old and a pain in the arse. The only perk is you can detach but at this point I'd rather just mount a bike or scooter or ? if I want that benefit. FYI this was a brand new trailer I had purchased off a lot from a dealer too. I call those cardboard boxes on wheels because seriously there is no R factor really your like in a fancy faux granite counter tops etc.... empty cardboard box without any real substance sucking energy. I myself prefer a well made substantial shelter. Hell I built an Adobe home which if you know anything about that you'd understand, warm when it is cold and cool when it is hot plus very high R factor. Best of luck hope that helps.

 

[RvNaut]

The only perk is you can detach but at this point I'd rather just mount a bike or scooter or ?

Ding!!

After juggling all the options, I went with an eBike. I would have prefer a 125/250 cc motorcycle ( not scooter) .. akin to what you would see in greater southeast Asia.. but in the US, those bikes are not available... low cc bikes aren't murkin enough.. no POWER.. lol...

So a folding eBike... .. and admittedly, it is a compromise.. but that can be said for any choice you could make.. a towable mean more tires, handling and parking issues.. yadda yadda... and C's mean this and As mean that, and a van or box-truck means the other...

The OP should read a few thousand posts and a couple of hundred videos.

I asked in here once ( only once) "What did you do or not do that you wish you had done or not done, with x,y,z?" .. the answers I got were by and large "What do you want or need?"... someohow they didn;t get it..

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I would go class B or C myself. But I've driven a lot of vans over the years. It's what I'm comfortable with.
If I wanted a much larger amount of space I'd go class A before doing the 5th wheel or trailer route.
That just seems nerve wracking and potentially terrifying to drive a trailer on the freeway next to semi trucks and all the weaving me-first drivers.
I have a suspicion that most trailer campers stick to their own neck of the woods. Just driving about 50-100 miles to camp out.
But of course you get the added benefit of leaving the camper behind to run into town in the truck to get firewood, groceries, a huge key lime pie etc.
The Class A of course needs a different class of driver license than class B or C. It's basically a bus. And I have seen a couple Class A's with ebikes or motorcycles on the back. Suppose you could get groceries that way.

 

[user 423]

The Class A of course needs a different class of driver license than class B or C. It's basically a bus.

That's not the case. In most states you don't need a special license:

https://www.outdoorsy.com/blog/guide-rv-drivers-licenses-requirements
Sometimes you see giant mohos towing something like a large toy hauler or a Suburban with a l-o-o-ng overall length and you would think that would require a higher level license. I've seen a pickup towing a 30' bumper pull with a good size boat tagging along behind that.

 

[MortimerEbinesr]

Ding!!

After juggling all the options, I went with an eBike. I would have prefer a 125/250 cc motorcycle ( not scooter) .. akin to what you would see in greater southeast Asia.. but in the US, those bikes are not available... low cc bikes aren't murkin enough.. no POWER.. lol...

So a folding eBike... .. and admittedly, it is a compromise.. but that can be said for any choice you could make.. a towable mean more tires, handling and parking issues.. yadda yadda... and C's mean this and As mean that, and a van or box-truck means the other...

The OP should read a few thousand posts and a couple of hundred videos.

I asked in here once ( only once) "What did you do or not do that you wish you had done or not done, with x,y,z?" .. the answers I got were by and large "What do you want or need?"... someohow they didn;t get it..

In 1975 I bought a '62 VW bus with a popup top, icebox, sink, & stove. I worked at the Warfield truckstop, ate, showered & washed clothes there.
Five years later my soon to be ex sold it to a junkyard for $100.
Since then I've lived in a class A, C, slide in truck camper, 25 ft. & 40 ft. 5th wheel, & a 16 ft tee pee. I presently have a homemade camper shell on 3/4 ton pickup. I think my next vehicle might be a box van.
With all my experience over the years I wish I still had that old VW. After replacing the old 36 horse engine, (it would go 56 mph downhill with a tailwind) with a 1600 duel port engine, I really enjoyed traveling over the western US.

Ding!!

After juggling all the options, I went with an eBike. I would have prefer a 125/250 cc motorcycle ( not scooter) .. akin to what you would see in greater southeast Asia.. but in the US, those bikes are not available... low cc bikes aren't murkin enough.. no POWER.. lol...

So a folding eBike... .. and admittedly, it is a compromise.. but that can be said for any choice you could make.. a towable mean more tires, handling and parking issues.. yadda yadda... and C's mean this and As mean that, and a van or box-truck means the other...

The OP should read a few thousand posts and a couple of hundred videos.

I asked in here once ( only once) "What did you do or not do that you wish you had done or not done, with x,y,z?" .. the answers I got were by and large "What do you want or need?"... someohow they didn;t get it..