Why are the RV classes "A" - "B" - "C" ?
I fully know the difference between the three main classes of RVs, I was recently asked why the respective classes are the letter they are. I can't think of a logical reason where the nomenclature or...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
From what I have heard, class C started out as a Chassis mount camper on a pickup frame, this was before vans where in production. Econoline production did not start until around 1955. Until 1972, the Econolines did not have enough GVWR to carry much of a RV, and in 72 they started to be built with V8 302" engines and automatics in pretty much all of them.
Class A was a frame with a RV built into it, or a bus conversion.
Class B's started to be built once the vans where strong enough to carry the RV conversion.
However in the early days the RV sales places normally did not give a though to the GVWR of the vehicle or the curb weight. Many where over the GVWR even before leaving the factory.
I never could guess why the fifth wheels where called a fifth wheel, until I was watching a show about carriages. The round steering coupling the solid front axle with the bottom of the front of the carriage is called a fifth wheel. It is the shape of a wheel, and allows the front axle to turn under it. Trucking companies kept the name, and it was used in the big rigs too.
Fred.
From what I have heard, class C started out as a Chassis mount camper on a pickup frame, this was before vans where in production. Econoline production did not start until around 1955. Until 1972, the Econolines did not have enough GVWR to carry much of a RV, and in 72 they started to be built with V8 302" engines and automatics in pretty much all of them.
Class A was a frame with a RV built into it, or a bus conversion.
Class B's started to be built once the vans where strong enough to carry the RV conversion.
However in the early days the RV sales places normally did not give a though to the GVWR of the vehicle or the curb weight. Many where over the GVWR even before leaving the factory.
I never could guess why the fifth wheels where called a fifth wheel, until I was watching a show about carriages. The round steering coupling the solid front axle with the bottom of the front of the carriage is called a fifth wheel. It is the shape of a wheel, and allows the front axle to turn under it. Trucking companies kept the name, and it was used in the big rigs too.
Fred.
