Motorhomes come in various different sizes. The standards are A, C, and B (or campervans). The size most suited to you and your travels depends on a host of factors. Some considerations include the size of your family, your budget, and how many amenities you desire.
Class C motorhomes are a step below Class A in length, weight, and sometimes amenities. Class C Motorhomes range between 20-33 feet in length, with the average length being around 31 feet. They can weigh between 11,000 pounds to 21,000 pounds. Considered mid-sized they can be the perfect option for families that love to travel.
Their average size also allows them to come in at a lower price point than Class A motorhomes. Great news for those on a budget!
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Specs of a Class C Motorhome
The size designations of motorhomes don’t exactly work logically. Class C Motorhomes, somewhat counterintuitively, is a mid-sized option between classes A and B. As mentioned, they can be anywhere from 20 to 33 feet in length. However, the standard range is usually 30 to 33 feet long.
On the outside, they somewhat resemble a camper van. This is especially true because they are constructed on top of a traditional van or truck chassis. The inside of the cabin most commonly extends out over the driver and passenger seats, or the cab.
This attic space over the cab combined with the rear box-style silhouette gives them a very recognizable form. They can be gas or diesel-powered and an onboard engine means that they are drivable and do not have to be towed.
The over cab extension provides extra sleeping space for motorhome occupants. Sleeping areas include pull-out couches, tables and dining areas that both can be converted into beds. Additionally, some more upscale Class C’s can include a master bedroom suite. Class C motorhomes can oftentimes sleep, 4-8 people.
Other amenities include kitchens, bathrooms, and entertainment or living spaces. Though not excessively spacious, all of these rooms should be larger than a Class B motorhome. Some of these types of motorhomes have slide-outs to maximize space once you arrive at your destination.
Class C motorhomes provide more windows (read more light) than a Class B or B+ motorhome and have the added benefit of a bit more storage. However, some are still not big enough to tow a vehicle.
As mentioned, they are usually built on your traditional truck chassis. In addition, the driving area of the motorhome can resemble the cab of a truck as well. There are usually two captain’s chairs and a dash featuring many of the controls and dials you would find in a regular vehicle.
Class C motorhomes are certainly not as massive as Class A motorhomes. Therefore, the learning curve concerning driving and maneuvering shouldn’t be as steep. However, they won’t have as many luxury options as a class A and won’t get as great gas mileage as a Class B.
A combination of many amenities, though standard in style, yet still a somewhat compact size make the Class C motorhome the perfect compromise between an enormous Class A and a cramped Class B. The lower price point is a great selling factor as well.
Many popular Class A motorhome producers also manufacture Class C rigs. Thor, Coachmen, Jayco, and Forest River just to name a few.
Pros
- Include many amenities of Class A motorhomes
- Not as expensive
- Multiple sleeping areas
- Can have slide-outs
- Smaller, therefore easier to drive and maneuver than a Class A
Cons
- Typically don’t include luxury features
- Not as good gas mileage as a Class B
- Some cannot tow a vehicle
How Do Class C’s Compare to the Other Classes?
Class A Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes are the largest on the road. Due to their expansive size, they often have the most amenities and the largest amount of space. However, their size may also present a downside.
Driving a Class A motorhome is not like driving your everyday vehicle. Ranging in length from 29 feet to 45 feet, and weighing 33,000-36,000 pounds, they are quite hard to maneuver.
With big size comes large interior spaciousness. Most class A motorhomes can accommodate up to eight people easily, some can sleep up to twelve. They often have large bedrooms with queen-sized or king-sized beds in the master.
A full-sized bath and large kitchen replete with residential-sized appliances aren’t rare. Entertainment areas have large screen televisions, surround sound, couches, and chairs.
Class A motorhomes can be a home away from home and include everything you desire. However, they take skill and practice to drive and park. Furthermore, they have a horrible fuel economy, unlike Class B and C’s.
Class B Motorhomes
Class B motorhomes are also known as campervans. Their name alludes to the fact that they are usually the smallest and least expensive. There are actually two categories of Class B, the standard Class B, and Class B+. Class B motorhomes are usually anywhere from 18 to 24 feet ( the B+ is slightly bigger).
These motorhomes are relatively affordable and somewhat uncomplicated to drive but can lack the storage and space one would expect from a motorhome. Class B+ usually includes more amenities and less “campervan-ish”. Class B+ campers are a hybrid of a Class B standard and a Class C.
In the campervan, there might be only one true space for sleeping. Other areas can sleep additional guests but will resemble a narrow pull out couch. There may not be a true toilet in the bathroom or it might be a wet bath. The kitchen will be modest and feature only small appliances.
Storage can be hard to come by as well, though not always thanks to some ingenuity. However, these small accommodations make for a smaller and lighter vehicle that can go almost anywhere with ease. Class B motorhomes are also budget-friendly in terms of purchase price and fuel.
Some Examples of Class C Motorhomes:
As mentioned, Class C motorhomes range from 20-33 feet. This is a larger range and therefore there is a wide variety of features and options available within the class.
2015 FOREST RIVER FORESTER 2251S, 24 feet in length. This is an average-sized class C. It sleeps six people and has one slide-out. Inside it has a queen bed and a single door refrigerator.
The 2014 FOREST RIVER FORESTER 3011DS is a bit bigger. It is 32 feet 3 inches in length. It has two slide-outs and sleeps eight. It also includes a large dining area, a three burner stove, and a side aisle bath with a shower.
A 2020 THOR FREEDOM ELITE 27FE is 29 feet in length and sleeps, six people. It has one slide-out but the inside is quite spacious and luxurious. It even features a king-sized bed in addition to the pull-out and cab-over bunk sleeping areas.
The 2019 THOR CHATEAU 31Y is 31 feet 3 inches long which is approaching the maximum length of typical Class C motorhomes. It has one slide out and sleeps 6. In addition to a queen-sized bed, the bedroom also has two closets. The bathroom features a decent sized shower. The kitchen has a stove, oven, refrigerator and even a pull-out pantry.
A 2014 JAYCO REDHAWK 23XM is 26 feet and 3 inches in length with two slide-outs and enough space to sleep six. Inside it has a queen bed, a bath with a split shower, a three burner stove and a convection oven. The exterior features an electric patio awning and an outdoor shower.
The 2013 JAYCO GREYHAWK 29KS is slightly bigger at 31feet 3 inches in length. It also has two slide outs and sleeps seven. This model includes some luxury options like a skylight above the tub, a double door refrigerator, and a mirrored wardrobe.
A 2013 COACHMEN FREELANDER 28QB-LTD is 31 feet in length and sleeps six. It has a three burner stove and center kitchen, but this space also includes a hide-a-bed sofa which when pulled out can make things pretty cramped.
The 2009 FOUR WINDS CHATEAU 31P is also 31 feet in length. However, it is able to accommodate eight people. Inside it has a dinette, kitchen with double door fridge, and a bedroom replete with a queen-sized bed and two closets.
Is a Class C For Me?
As you can see from the examples above, many Class C motorhomes on the market tend to be around thirty feet in length. Though this is great for driving and maneuverability, it can make sleeping a bit tight.
Even though these motorhomes usually sleep six to eight people, they do so with over cab bunk spaces and pull out areas. When the sleeping areas are stowed, there is room to move about the interior (although not much). But when the sleeping areas are being used, the inside becomes quite labyrinthine.
Nevertheless, Class C motorhomes are great options for families who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a motorhome, want a motorhome with good gas mileage and desire an option that provides space yet isn’t oversized. Class C motorhomes are the perfect compromise between a camper van and an enormous Class A.
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