Please allow me to start by saying that I mean no disrespect at all. I am just trying to understand the “why”. I am sure that it exists and you will help me understand it.So why buy a class C over a class A motorhome? In my head the reasons use to be that the C was smaller and less costly. Although that may have been truer some years ago it seems less true now. Class C MHs have come a long way from the days of a TT that was mated to a van. They are long, have multiple slides and are relatively expensive.I currently own an older class A. When I bought it I selected an A because of the better boon docking capabilities (in my head I thought they were better). I recently sold that MH (it’s still in my driveway waiting for the new owner to take it home) and I started looking for a replacement. When I started out I thought I would end up buying a Class C. I thought it would be cheaper and smaller than my 36’ class A. After looking and seeing the minimal price differences we opted to buy a newer Class A. The cost was close to the same but the class A offered so much more room.So what makes someone chose a Class C over a Class A?

My reasons:1. I wanted under 24 foot.2. I wanted a dedicated bed that doesn't take up "living space".3. I prefer the look of a class C over a class A.

We had 4 A's in the past.We spend less time on the road now. Do not need all that storage space.Lower roof line. Comfortable ride in the C. Sitting between the Axel's than over the axel. So less bounce up front.

Our first RV was a 22' Class C. We drove it over 75,000 miles throughout all of the lower 48 and most of Canada.When we recently got a new, bigger, RV, we stayed with the Class C.WHY??? With all of the traveling we have done, we have learned one thing. NO matter what direction we are going and no matter what time of day or night, because of the cab overhang, we NEVER have to sit (and bake) in the sun!!!

I have 3 doors to get into and out of my Class C.Most Ford/Chevy dealers will work on the engine/drive-train of a Class CIt's smaller.It's cheaper.

I am also go to venture a guess that the AC in the drivers area would be much more efficient in a class C.

Why buy a Class C? | Good Sam Community

tpi
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
For me, I prefer the cabover bed so that I can reduce the length of the RV by 3+ ft and not have to have a dedicated bed down below.

Same..

By counting the cabover bed as the main dedicated bed, the rest of RV can be pretty accommodating at 24'. Nice sized bath across entire rear, decent kitchen, plenty of seating. I find it a great compromise at 24'.

I do a lot of public camping-sites in areas which were designed for car camping back in the postwar period. Or leftover small sites in popular areas running without a reservation. The 24' C is pretty roomy taken in that context.

I think the cabover bed was an integral part of the early class C motorhomes. Some were very small by today's standards 16-18 ft. Today with the generally bigger RVs it has become a bit of a throwback. But for some of us it still serves the original purpose-maximum space utilization in a small footprint.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2015
MagillaGorilla wrote:
IF we were to buy a class C I would want one with the front entertainment system instead of the bed. I don't want/need a bunch of people coming with us when we vacation.

For me, I prefer the cabover bed so that I can reduce the length of the RV by 3+ ft and not have to have a dedicated bed down below.
naysmitj
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Big advantage to two beds, one at each end of the rv.....not that I snore that much.....
JaxDad
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2015
MagillaGorilla wrote:
IF we were to buy a class C I would want one with the front entertainment system instead of the bed. I don't want/need a bunch of people coming with us when we vacation.

Not that I snore or anything ( ;-o ) but there's advantages to TWO queen size beds sometimes.
Oldme
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Class C met our needs.
Class A does not.
Class B does not.
TT or tent does not.

In-laws had several of every type/class.
We are very familiar with Class A. They had a 40 ft Bounder.
That is nothing we would want.

It is all in meeting OUR needs and personal preference.
MagillaGorilla
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Yeah 37 feet is close to the end of the line for gassers. Personally I've never seen one longer than 38 feet. I'm sure someone at some time has made one but I've never seen it.

I currently have a 36' class A so I don't think the 37 will be that different.

IF we were to buy a class C I would want one with the front entertainment system instead of the bed. I don't want/need a bunch of people coming with us when we vacation.
j-d
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2015
Class A on a Ford F-53 chassis? I know E-350 is called a "one ton" and E-450 a "ton and a half" chassis. If F-53 is a "two-ton" then perhaps it is stiffer in frame and suspension. I've noticed some Class A's have a short wheelbase that would not be acceptable in a Class C. The specs for F-53 seem to allow for different tire sizes an capacities.

Class A used to be on a "truck" chassis meaning the front wheels were set closer together than the rears. Nowadays, it's an "RV" chassis with the front track closer to what the rear is. The E-Series of course has the narrower front track. Wide track on front axle is going to resist sway more than narrow. It's also a solid axle and that helps too.

A 37-ft Class A is big for a gas chassis.
OldRadios
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Driven both. Class C drives more like a truck, has cab doors and airbags. Class A's drive and steer like a bus.
Duck
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
I looked at a bunch of smaller class a,34-35 ft, yesterday along with some class c in the 30 ft range. The class a looks like they would sway more in cross winds and semis. Any opinions on this?
Don
MagillaGorilla
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
I drove a 37' class A yesterday. It was nice to drive in comparison to the class a I own. I have never driven a class C but I would imagine they are nicer to drive. They seem like they would have a familiar feel to them.