Category: RV Living

Class A vs Class C RVs – The Pros And Cons Of Each

One of the most common comparisons that many new RVers make is Class A vs Class C RVs. Especially if you are intent on having a motorhome instead of a towable RV.

In the motorhome world, these are the two RV classes that have the most room. So naturally, they are ripe for comparisons between the two.

Therefore, let’s take a look at both RV classes and try to determine which kind of RVer fits each class best.

Watch my video about Class A vs Class C RVs

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Class A vs Class C RV Comparison

Class A RVs are often built on a bus or commercial truck chassis. And they usually resemble a bus in appearance.

Because of the strength of the chassis used in these RVs, they can safely handle quite a bit of weight.

They can range in size from around 30 feet to about 45 feet in length. And the longer ones are the luxury kings of the RV world, with all kinds of amenities onboard.

A Class C RV though, is usually built on a heavy duty truck or van chassis instead. A common Class C chassis is the Ford F350 or F450.

And this means that they can’t safely handle quite as much weight as a Class A.

Note – in this article I am not referencing Super C RVs. They are more or less in a class of their own.

B the best way to identify a normal Class C RV is by the sleeping area that usually juts out over the driving area.

Since the RV part is higher than the cab, it allows this space to be used. And most often that space is turned into a sleeping area above the cab.

Now, let’s get to the pros and cons in this discussion of Class A vs Class C RV types.

Class A Advantages

Class A RV

Each class of RV has it’s strengths, and here are the pros of buying a Class A RV:

  1. More living space – Class A RVs are usually longer, wider and taller than most Class Cs. This means that you get more living space to move around the RV inside.
  2. More amenities – Because the frame and chassis can safely handle more weight, you can have more amenities in a Class A. Things like washer/dryers, larger refrigerators and kitchens, bigger beds and so on become possible.
  3. More slides – They also can handle more and bigger slide-outs, which also contributes to more living area.
  4. More storage – Typically, Class A storage is greater than what you find in a Class C. But the difference becomes even greater when it’s a diesel pusher Class A. Again, all of this is possible because of the extra weight carrying capacity of the Class A chassis.
  5. Larger tanks – Usually the fresh water, gray water and black water tanks will be larger. This allows you to go longer before filling up or dumping your tanks.
  6. More towing capacity – When comparing Class A vs Class C RVs, the engine can be a factor too. In diesel powered engines, the towing capacity is much greater than most gas powered Class Cs.
  7. Better visibility – When driving, it’s hard to beat the view and visibility provided by a Class A RV.

Class C Advantages

Class C RV

Now, let’s take a look at the advantages of Class C RVs instead:

  1. Smaller and more nimble – Usually Class C RVs are smaller than Class As. That means that they can fit in more campsites. And they will be easier to find a site for boondocking too.
  2. Price – Most often, the price of Class C RVs will be much less than a Class A. This is true of both new and used RVs. That makes it easier for new RVers to get started with a Class C.
  3. More sleeping options – If you have a family, the number of sleeping spots can be important. And Class C RVs tend to shine in this area. Very often they provide sleeping arrangements for 8 – 10 people.
  4. Easier to drive – Because Class C RVs are smaller, they are also easier to maneuver in traffic. Many newer RVers like Class C RVs because of their driving characteristics alone.
  5. Easier to repair – Because they are built on a common truck and van chassis, there are plenty of places where they can be repaired. Engine work is also more easily done on a Class C engine, even by DIYers.
  6. Better fuel economy – Because a Class C RV is usually smaller than a Class A, they often get better gas mileage on the road.
  7. Less trip planning – Since Class Cs are smaller they can fit in many fuel stations and restaurant parking lots. So this eliminates the extra planning needed for stops made in a Class A because of its size and length.

Class A vs Class C – Which Is Best For You?

So having considered the above advantages of Class A vs Class C RVs, which is the best choice for you? What is best for the kind of RVer you are? And for the way you like to travel and camp?

Well, generally speaking, Class A RVs are good choices especially for full-time RVers. The extra living space is a big reason why a full-timer would often want a Class A.

But they are also best for those who really want their luxury items as they travel down the road.

The extra weight carrying capacity of a Class A means that you can essentially have a rolling home. And that appeals to a lot of RV glampers.

Class As are also great for storage, and towing along an everyday vehicle too. So again, this plays into the needs for a full-time RVer.

On the other hand, Class C RVs are great for weekend campers who don’t need all of the extra space in a Class A.

And they work very well as the first choice of RV for those who are just breaking into RV life.

Families also benefit from the extra sleeping options of a Class C RV. And even fulltimers who like to travel light and fit into smaller campsites benefit from a Class C too.

Which Should You Choose?

As with so many other matters in the RV world, there is no one solution to everyone’s needs. And both of these motorhome types have their place.

And that’s why you see so many of both Class As and Class Cs on the road. Obviously, each class fits the needs of a large number of RVers.

So if the Class A vs Class C comparison is one that you are making now, hopefully this article has helped.

I recommend that you define your own camping and travel priorities first. Then try to determine which type of motorhome will best answer those needs.

If you do your homework in advance, you will be able to make the choice that is best for you!

How To Find The Best RV Campgrounds And Campsites

We all want to stay at the best RV campgrounds and campsites possible on our RVing travels.

And there are plenty of places to stay in this country. But not all are equal. Some are well maintained and a pleasure to stay at. But others are not.

So how do you find the camping spots that are good places to stay if you haven’t been there before?

Fortunately, there is plenty of information about RV campgrounds and campsites online. And if you know where to look you can get the information you need very quickly.

I like to use a few tools online to search for the best RV campgrounds and I’ll share them with you here.

Please keep in mind that I am not affiliated with these websites in any way. So my recommendation is based purely on my own personal experiences with them.

Watch my video about how to find the best campgrounds

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Best RV Campgrounds Resource #1

The best resource that I have found overall for information about RV campgrounds in general is CampgroundReviews.com .

First of all, it’s completely free to sign up for and use. I like the fact that you don’t have to have another membership to get the information that you need. So this is a big plus.

I also like the fact that all of the reviews are submitted by people who have no vested interest in swaying your opinion about the campground one way or another.

And on top of that, all of the reviews go through a vetting process before they are published. This means that someone makes sure that it is a legitimate review first. Then it is posted after being approved.

Resource #2 For The Best RV Campgrounds

I honestly like to use CampgroundReviews.com for the vast majority of my campground searches.

But there is another site that also provides great information on campgrounds as well. In my book, it comes in a close second to my first resource.

That site is TheDyrt.com . There is plenty of information available about campgrounds throughout the country here too.

But overall, I have found that it has fewer reviews per campground in most cases. And that is the main reason why I give it the second place on my list of best RV campgrounds resources.

But I often find that I can get a very accurate picture about campgrounds I am considering when I use these first two resources together.

Resources For The Best Boondocking Campsites

Finding campsites for boondocking is a little bit different from finding campground information.

RV boondocking sites are sort of in a category by themselves. And most of what you want to know comes from those who have camped in those spots already.

Campground information like the kind of hookups available, site length, amenities and so forth, aren’t needed.

Instead, you need to know about things like the condition of access roads, how level the sites are, and what kind of internet access is found there.

So having previous campers share their experiences on these kind of matters is absolutely invaluable.

And the best resource I have found for this kind of information is Campendium.com .

Lots of boondockers use this website to find out what boondocking spots are available and where. And many boondockers recognize the need to share their experiences so there are always new reviews being added.

A second resource that also provides great RV boondocking information is FreeCampsites.net . This resource is a little more clunky than Campendium.com, but it has a lot of useful information though.

When I am considering boondocking spots, I almost always use both of these online resources together. When I do, I find that I get a really good picture of the campsites I am interested in.

Your Part In Providing The Best RV Campgrounds

So far, I have covered some of the most useful online resources that I know of for finding the best RV campgrounds and campsites.

But none of the sites I have mentioned could provide this information without reviews from RV travelers. The key to getting accurate campground and campsite information is getting unbiased reviews from RVers themselves.

So I highly recommend that everyone who travels by RV resolve to contribute their own reviews to help other RV travelers.

The more information provided on RV campgrounds and campsites, the better overall picture we have about them.

Also, when RVers post reviews of RV campgrounds online, you can be sure that the campground management reads them too.

And when the reviews are becoming increasingly negative about certain issues in that campground, that often gets results.

In fact, unbiased word of mouth is the best and worst advertising that RV campgrounds can have. So they know that it is in their best interest to keep the reviews as positive as they can.

So I encourage you to accept the responsibility for posting your own online reviews as a way to help make RV travel better for everyone.

RV Mice – Learn How To Get Rid Of Them For Good!

If you haven’t had RV mice problems so far, consider yourself very fortunate. Chances are that somewhere down the line you will face having to deal with these unwanted guests.

And it’s important to understand that having mice in your RV is not just irritating or a nuisance. No, they can really do some serious damage to your RV quickly.

This is because mice chew on almost everything in an RV. They love to chew on pipes, wood, clothing, furniture and paper goods of any kind.

But for some reason they seem very attracted to electrical wiring.

So just think about how much expensive damage to RV wiring can be done by mice behind your RV’s walls. Or even in your engine compartment if you have a motorhome.

This kind of damage can cost thousands of dollars in RV repairs. And of course, a lot of frustration and irritation as well.

So this article will help you devise a plan to eliminate RV mice issues as much as possible. Let’s get started!

Watch my video about how to get rid of mice in your RV

Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means – at no additional cost to you – I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website

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How To Prevent RV Mice

RV mice problems are most prevalent while an RV is in storage. This is because mice are looking for food and shelter. And your empty RV is just what they need to make a cozy home.

And since humans aren’t around, it seems to be the perfect place for them to set up shop for a while.

So the first action to take against having mice in your RV is to put prevention measures in place to keep them out. After all, it’s a lot easier to keep them out in the first place than have to remove them afterward.

Prevention Steps To Take

So here are the steps to take to prevent a mice infestation:

  • Look under your RV and try to plug up any holes or gaps that you can find where they might get entry. Remember they can get in with just a 1/4 inch gap. So push steel wool into the gap and then seal it further with expanding foam.
  • Remove all food when in storage other than canned food. They can even chew into plastic containers so remove anything other than what is in a can.
  • Many RVers have used strong scents and smells to keep them out. Scents like peppermint oil soaked cotton balls, Irish Spring soap bars, mothballs, and even dryer sheets. You may have to experiment to find the right combination for your area, but many have found these to be effective. Just remember to replenish and renew the scents often.
  • Predator pee has also been used to good effect by some RV owners. Especially bobcat and coyote pee. Mice recognize the scent of their predators and usually vacate the area.
  • LED rope lights under the RV at night has also been effective for some RVers. It’s well known that mice don’t like well lighted areas, so they seem to avoid RVs with lighted underbellies.
  • If you have an RV motorhome, keep the hood open when stored. This lets light and drafts into the engine compartment and mice will probably avoid nesting there.

Click here for expanding foam

Click here for predator pee granules

Click here for predator pee spray

Click here for LED rope lights

(These are affiliate links for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

Full-time Travel And RV Mice

If you are a full-time RV traveler, you are less likely to have to deal with mice in your RV.

This is because mice would rather be in an area where humans aren’t around. And since you are on the move, that can also be a deterrent to them setting up long-term living arrangements in your rig.

But that doesn’t mean that it can’t happen if you are a full-timer. We have had to deal with mice ourselves on one occasion.

So you need to have a plan not only to prevent RV mice, but also to remove them if necessary.

How To Remove RV Mice

Here are a few methods that have proven to be effective in getting rid of mice in your RV:

  • Mice killer or poison has proven to work against a mice infestation. The only caveat is to remember that mice can take the poison back to their nest behind the RV walls and die there. That means they are out of your reach, and the smell can be pretty bad for a while.
  • Glue traps have also been good mice control products. You put bait on the pad and when the mouse steps on the pad to get it he gets stuck there. He can’t go back to his home behind the walls. But you have to be vigilant about checking the glue traps regularly to dispose of them.
  • Humane mouse traps are another way to try to catch mice and remove them. And if done right, there is no real harm to the mouse. They are baited into a plastic container where they are trapped. They have food and air holes to breathe. But again, you must check the traps regularly to remove the mouse before he dies.
  • The good old-fashioned spring loaded mouse trap is by far the most effective way of eliminating an RV mice infestation. So if things start getting out of control because the mice are breeding rapidly, it may be your best choice overall.

Click here for Tomcat Mouse Killer

Click here for mouse glue traps

Click here for humane mouse traps

Click here for old-fashioned mouse traps

(These are affiliate links for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

Conclusion

If you find that you start to have an RV mice problem, don’t panic. But don’t be complacent either.

You need a plan of action to get them out of your RV as soon as possible. And then, do your best to prevent them from coming back.

The suggestions in this article have been proven over time to be very effective. But some work better than others.

The key here is not to waste any time doing something to remove the mice from your RV. So choose your plan of action and start putting it in place as soon as possible!

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