Class B RV or Class C: Which One is Right for You?

Recreational Vehicle

In the world of recreational vehicles, or RVs as they are commonly known, the shopping and comparison process is quite different from the automobile realm. While considering the right car for your family may include many factors such as fuel economy, two- or four-door body styles or what type of oversized alloy wheel would look best, the important elements for an RV buyer run a bit of a different gamut. These shoppers consider everything from weight-hauling capabilities to everyday living quarters and available amenities. Once a prospective buyer has chosen to drive their motor home instead of tow it, he or she then must choose between a Class A, B or C RV. For those interested in a smaller size motor home, a Class B or C can make all your travel adventures convenient and comfortable.

Motorhome for Sale: Class B RVs

Unbeknownst to many, the differences between Class B and Class C motorhomes are related mainly to size. Like nearly every other commodity purchase, the larger a motorhome, the more it costs to buy and ultimately fuel. Class B RVs tend to run on the smaller size, representing a more economical approach are often labeled as “camper vans” or “van conversions” perhaps for good reason. These RVs are built atop a van chassis, exhibiting the overall appearance of a van but with the difference being they boast a raised roof to allow passengers to stand completely upright. As mentioned, Class B motorhomes are smaller than Class C, but feature a bathroom and kitchen in addition to a shower (albeit one that is sometimes positioned directly over a stainless-steel toilet to save on valued space). In comparison to the more luxury-laden Class C types, Class B motorhomes are devoid of beds or entertainment centers within what’s known as a “cabover,” the area over the driver and passenger’s seats. 

Motorhome for Sale: Class C RVs

Smaller Class C motorhomes build their foundations on cutaway van chassis characteristics while larger Class C variants, oftentimes referred to as Class “C+,” are built on a Chevrolet, Ford, International or Freightliner truck chassis. While Class C motorhomes are larger than Class B types, they’re smaller than Class A homes and can be, in a general sense, distinguished from Class Bs by an overcab sleeping area. Indeed, many larger Class C motorhomes boast a separate bedroom, where in that variant the overcab is often transformed into an entertainment system. 



When considering a motorhome for sale, prospective buyers have a few factors to balance if the choices have come down to deciding between a Class B and Class C type. In 2010, the average starting price of the smaller Class B motorhome was $50,000 with luxury models going up into the $130,000 range, while Class C motorhomes started around $55,000 and topped out in the $450,000 range. When additional amenities are taken into consideration, these bottom lines can rise as much as $10,000.

Just like everything else that’s for sale, both of these types of motorhomes have their pros and cons. Class B variants tend to handle in the vain of a minivan or full-size van, thus making them a bit easier to drive; they also return better gas mileage numbers as compared to Class C motorhomes. Conversely, Class C motorhomes often boast overhead sleeping areas, providing extra room for a living area with kitchen, a bigger bathroom and oftentimes a separate bedroom. Due to this benefit, Class C motorhomes can sleep six or more passengers, making them ideal for larger families. On the flip sides of these coins, Class B homes can seem extremely small and cramped inside, normally sleeping just two or three without much storage space. Class C homes, meanwhile, return low gas mileage numbers and are more awkward to maneuver than Class B variants making them difficult to park in typical driveways or small parking spaces.