When you want to start a RV trip, the vehicle you choose is one of the most important things. Your recreational vehicle will be your mean of transport but also, and mostly, your home. Therefore, you must choose very attentively what kind of RV you want to buy. But don’t panic ! We have your back.
Let’s see together what are the different kinds of RV and what factors you need to take into account before buying one.
The term “recreational vehicle” refers to multiple means of transport. It can be a camper van, a motorhome, a trailer or even a roof tent or a pickup camper. These different types of RV can be adapted to your needs, your wishes and your itinerary. Some of them might be better during winter than others.
Before buying your new recreational vehicle, you must take into account a lot of factors. In fact, you should define your plans before buying one in order to choose the perfect solution. You must know the number of people you are travelling with, the period and the duration of your trip but also your destination and your budget.
The number of people traveling with you will have a huge impact on the RV you will be choosing. Indeed, you will not buy the same vehicle whether you are traveling alone or with your family and children. You will need more or less space and beds. With children, you will need more bedding but also more space for them to play.
If you want to buy a camper van, you will have to choose one that is arranged to fit your needs. Usually, it will be enough for a couple but not for an entire family. If you choose a motorhome, you will also have multiple choices and sizes. Of course, the size of your RV will impact your budget.
On our website, you will find a wide range of RV. You will be able to talk to the owner in order to know if it fits your needs. We advise you to be reasonable when you choose the size of your vehicle. You may want to save money by buying a smaller RV but don’t forget that it will be your home for several weeks, months or even years.
Depending on your itinerary and the countries you are visiting, you may need a special vehicle. You have to pay attention to the quality of the roads and the parking facilities. If you want to travel to South America, for example, remember that the roads are sometimes difficult to access and that you will need good suspensions in order to travel comfortably. If you come from the United States, you might be used to big cars and trucks. In Europe, the cars, and so the roads, are smaller.
According to your destination, the temperature will not be the same. This is also an important factor to take into account when you will buy your recreational vehicle. For example, you don’t want to choose a roof tent installed on a big vehicle if you want to travel to Scotland. First of all, you won’t be able to access some roads. Moreover, the tent might not be adapted to the Scottish weather.
Of course, your financial capacities will affect your decision concerning your recreational vehicle. This purchase represents a major part of your budget. Once you will have your RV, your spending will be much more accessible. It will concern your food, your fuel and other small expenses.
If you have a small budget, you might want to buy a van and build it yourself. This way, you will be able to control the spending by choosing yourself the materials and equipment. You can also choose a roof tent or a pickup camper which are much cheaper. On the contrary, if you have a bigger budget, you will have access to high-quality vehicles. You won’t be able to build it yourself and you will save a lot of time (and effort).
When you start to look for a RV, you have to pay attention to the model but also to the equipment. Your watchwords must be security and comfort. When you will be discussing the RV features with the owner, don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions. Trust us, you don’t want to have bad surprises when you start your trip.
Be sure the vehicle has been stored and maintained properly. You can ask for maintenance records as a proof. Make sure the vehicle also has all the equipment you will need. Do you want to cook in your RV ? Do you need a toilet and a shower? How much electricity will you consume?
The seats in the driver’s cab are also very important. Make sure they are comfortable and have good suspension. When you will drive on country roads, your seats will have a huge impact on your back and neck conditions. Of course, the aesthetic and the decoration of the vehicle might help you make a choice. However, you can always change this after buying your RV to make it your own.
If we know one thing for sure it is that driving a car is not the same as driving a recreational vehicle. You must prepare yourself to this idea and choose a RV with a good drivability. During your trip, you will spend a lot of time with your hands on the steering wheel. It is very important that you feel safe and at ease while driving.
If you are not sure about your driving skills, you might not want to buy a trailer. Indeed, it is not the easiest vehicle to drive. On the other hand, you will probably prefer a camper van or a motorhome. Even if it is a big vehicle, driving is smoother.
Concerning the motorhomes, you can find 3 types: class A, class B and class C. Class A motorhomes are the largest vehicles and can fit more beds than the others. If you want to travel with your family or with a friend, this solution might be better. However, the class A motorhomes cause more spending since you need more gas and maintenance work.
The class B motorhomes are the smallest vehicles but they consume less fuel and are more versatile. It will be easier to drive them. Finally, the class C motorhomes are a great compromise between class A and B. You will have enough space while sticking to your budget.
If you want to buy a trailer, you will also have multiple options. You can go for a travel trailer, a fifth wheel trailer, a pop-up trailer or a hybrid trailer. These solutions meet different constraints of budget and convenience.
A travel trailer is like a motorhome but it is pulled by another vehicle. It is a cheaper solution than a motorhome. A fifth wheel trailer is easier to drive and turn. Pop-up trailers are easier to transport and storage. Finally, hybrid trailers are a good compromise between travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers.
Pickup campers are a great option for people who already have a pickup and want a small camping space. This is an affordable solution that can be driven and manoeuvred easily.
The pickup camper is pretty similar to roof tents. The main difference is that you can’t drive if the tent is set up. Apart from that, the roof tent is very mobile, easy to set up and comfortable. It is usually the cheapest RV solution. However, you won’t have all the equipment that you can find in a camper van, for example.
The camper van is the most versatile solution. You can choose between multiple types and brands of vehicle. You can also customize your equipment and arrangement. Depending on your financial capacities, you can choose a pretty small vehicle and install your bedding. But if you want all the comfort, you might want to choose a larger van.
You can find two types of campervan: the low top and the high top campervans. Usually, the high-top ones are better equipped than the low-top vehicles. They are also more comfortable because you can stand up properly. In a low-top camper van, you will be able to fit two bedding. In a high-top one, you may fit up to five people.
If you need any other information about the different types of RV, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can also reach out to our community members. They will be able to share their experience with you and give you some advice. If you are interested by a vehicle on our website, don’t forget to ask all of your questions to the owner to make sure it is the perfect match for you.
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