Hello! Brand new today (I've been haunting for sometime though, finally had enough questions wracked up to join!). :-)I've been reading and reading, and reading some more and I can't find anything about the cost of maintaining either an A or a C (if one seems to have more issues than the other) or which one seems better equipped for towing. I know all this varies on make/model. We're a military family and on a budget. We homeschool and really want the freedom RVing can bring us. Hotel/food costs keep us from traveling as often as we want to, but after reading how much can go into an RV annually, we could save that and go on at least two small family vacations a year if the information is accurate. But that seems to vary in cost too from $300 a year to over $1200 a year (this doesn't include gas). For those of you who own and do general upkeep, how much do you typically spend annually (not including tire years)? Is this something a family on a budget can feasibly keep up with and still be able to enjoy the open road?The other big issue for us is towing. We need to be able to tow either a little Kia or a Nissan Xterra (which is heavy I just learned). I know the newer Class C's have decent towing capacity, but the older ones do not. Since down here in Dixie Class C's are triple the cost of Class A's used, we'd be looking at a newer model to get more bang for our buck (no point in paying 30k for a 1989 Class C when I can spend the same amount for a 2006 model). Or we can spend around 19k for a Class A of the same size, though older, with considerably less mileage. So there-in lies our dilemma. We're not so worried about living space/storage as we are about our long term costs. Does one COST more to maintain than the other? Is one significantly better for towing than the other?Thank you so very much for your input and help!

Welcome!To get very accurate, you'll need to narrow it down to certain years and sizes, but IN GENERAL, and taking Ford as an example (they are the dominant player):C's are on either the 350 or 450 series chassis. A will be on the 550 (aka F53). So the A as a general rule has a higher weight rating and more towing capacity. The engines and transmissions for similar years will be almost identical across the whole range.There's a lot of variation, so a small C on a 450 chassis may have higher capacities than a large A on a marginal 550 chassis.Maintenance needs between a gas C and a gas A are nearly identical. I would much rather work on the A because there's more room underneath.You didn't really ask, but I doubt you can operate an RV less expensively than hoteling. Maybe if you don't drive it very much...In 6 months and 10k miles we have done two oil changes on the engine and one on the Gen, so somewhere around $100 I suppose. I do my own work.Best of luck on your search.

Towing capacity is based on the chassis not the year of the coach. So don't be so quick to write off an older coach. DP Class A is a whole different animal, yes 'they' can tow heavier toads.That said. It is easier to get a Class C into a repair shop while on the road RV'ing. It is nothing more than a truck/van so the repair shops and Ford/Chevy dealerships are not so hesitant to take you in.That was the main reason I choose a Class C for my first MH. I traveled with friends with Class A's and saw first hand the difficultly they had getting repairs on the road while I did not. They often where held hostage by having to use very costly RV dealerships. Just saying.

Thank you so much for your reply!We checked yesterday and we could drive five hours south of us to the beach for $65 in gas (which is comparable to my Xterra actually) and then $20 a night to stay on base. Providing our own food, we're saving a lot due to hotel rooms being $120 on average at the beach. Now I know you take into consideration the cost of maintaining the vehicle and the savings dwindle. But, your comfort and freedom (and the ability to load of up and go when you have the $300 in the bank for a week trip to the beach) is really exciting for me to consider. But I certainly don't want to get an RV and we can't go anywhere because all our extra income is going to just maintaining the thing....

Well, if you can save $100 a night, that's a good start. I love RV'ing, so don't take this wrong. If you do this 30 nights a year, that's saving you $3,000. Depreciation and maintenance will probably eat all of that and more.A MH will burn twice the gas your Nissan does. If you're lucky.I would love to see you get into this, but don't let the rose colored glasses affect your math.You'll get a lot of great feedback around here from people with probably sharper pencils than I have when it comes to economical RVing.Hope to see you in the CG some day.

The cost over time will be about even whether a Class "A" or CLASS "C" or staying in a budget hotel.If you are trying to save money by getting an RV you will be disappointed.First off even though you discounted tires, the first thing you will probably buy is tires. ANY RIG with tires over 5 years old MOST LIKELY needs new tires even if the tread looks new. Figure $1500 for them.The older the rig the more upkeep is necessary. MY class "A" cost me about $2500.00 in the last year to maintain. Things wear out and need replacing BEFORE THEY BREAK to try and avoid on the road problems.Recaulking the roof. Repacking bearings, brakes, transmission oil change etc. If you do not know for sure that a maintenance item was DONE BEFORE YOU BOUGHT IT then, it was not done and you NEED to do it.I would hazard to guess that the first year you own a used rig is the most expensive as far as scheduled maintenance costs.

Class A vs Class C: Maintenance and Towing | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

toedtoes
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2014
That makes sense.

If the group trip isn't going to happen at least once a year, I wouldn't focus too much on that. Get the RV that will work the best for what you will be using it for the most. You can work around it for the rare exceptions.

For example, once you get to your destination, you can add needed space by using a tent. Move the 3 kids to the tent and you now have room for the 3rd couple without having to buy a larger rig.
Sestilw
Explorer
Nov 01, 2014
Our youngest will be 6 soon. :) We'll be using it for family vacations and pretty much immediately after purchase for a lengthy trip with four adults and the child. I think I found one I really like at 31 ft, which is a little larger than I wanted to start, but it'll house the four adults (two couples) comfortably along with 3 kids and another couple when we get to where we're going. We wanted room for company since the purchase is going to be as long term as we can make it (I assume if we make avid use of the purchase we will upgrade in the future).

I know getting around and finding places to stop that accept such a large trailer will be a challenge, but we don't want everyone to be hating each other by the end of the journey either (for any trip we take!). A friend of mine who has a travel trailer said to get one with enough space for people to change in private while someone showers (this is very important she said, LOL!).

Thank you!
toedtoes
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2014
I had a TT and went to a Class C. The TT was 18.5ft, the C is 21ft. I'm not sure what lengths you're looking at, but here are my observations on the differences with the smaller versions (24ft and under):

Storage space is about the same between them. With the TT, I had the added storage space of the SUV I towed it with. With the MH, I have the added sleeping/storage space of the cabover bed.

Where it really differs is that with the TT, the parking/maneuvering length includes the SUV. With the MH, it is compact enough that I don't need to tow another vehicle. That means the TT had an effective length of 34.5ft versus the 21ft of the MH. That's a huge difference.

For example, when I drove my SUV/TT and needed to pull over on curvy roads, I found few places I could safely do so; with the MH, I can pull over most anywhere. With the SUV/TT, I couldn't easily turn around; with the MH, I can often do a u-turn (not even having to do the 3-point turn). If I needed to make a stop on the way, with the SUV/TT, I had to park along the edges of the lot; with the MH, I could park most anywhere in the lot.

This difference means that the small MH can be easily used for day trips to a local park, the lake, the snow, etc. You'll be able to fix a nice lunch, have a change of clothes, private bathroom, take a nap, etc. without having to lug around coolers, etc.

However, with the TT, you can set it up at the campsite and leave it. Since you HAVE to have the TV to get it there, you always have a vehicle for Dad and the kids to head 5 miles down river for fishing while Mom can stay at camp with the "home". With a small MH, the vehicle is the home - if Dad takes it to go fishing, Mom is left with an empty camp. This can really be a deal breaker for a family.

With the bigger RVs, this difference seems to lose its impact. A 28ft TT and a 30ft MH are comparable and the MH is big enough that a toad becomes extremely beneficial, so you're either adding the length of the TV or the length of the Toad, therefore maintaining a similar effective length.

You mention your oldest will be graduating high school - how about the youngest? How long will the kids realistically be vacationing with you? You're looking for a 10-year purchase (at minimum) - will all this time include the kids? Are you looking to use the RV for some "alone time" for you and your husband as the kids grow up? Or do you plan on having an RV to spend time with grandkids? The answers could help you determine the best choice for you.
Sestilw
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
Thank you so much for all your amazing replies! We're very rural and live on six acres, we're lucky we have space to store the trailer. :) My husband is hoping to retire in three years and our oldest graduates high school next year. This is a large purchase choice that we'll be using for at least a decade and we certainly want to make the right one, which is why I came to ask all these questions. Since we DO want an affordable travel option that will hopefully get us out on the road more often, we need to make sure we make the most economical choice. I'm excited that we can go the travel trailer route, be comfortable and travel on a budget. Yay!
wintersun
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
Don't expect to save money with an RV instead of paying for hotels and restaurant food. You will have the greater fuel expense, the cost of the RV, the cost for storing the RV when not in use, cost for maintaining the motor and drive train and tires, and brakes and batteries (multiple in the RV).

Least expensive route by far is to buy a 23-28 foot travel trailer and tow it behind a SUV or pickup truck. You will have more living space than in a motorhome and larger holding tanks for water and waste, and more sleeping space, larger bathroom and dry bath, and with a separate towing vehicle you have roof racks for boats and other gear and with a pickup you have a place to safely store bicycles and similar items.

The longer the RV setup you have the fewer places you will be able to stop, fewer places where you can park, fewer places where you can camp at a campsite.

Class A are less expensive because more owners are dumping theirs to get something smaller. If used Class C are so much more expensive in your state than look outside your state for a better price.
mockturtle
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
My husband has now decided he wants to get a pick up truck and buy a travel trailer. I'm not seeing any that compare to Class A's (or even C's) as far as comfort go, but we haven't done any serious looking yet either since I'd been leaning towards the Motorhome versus a trailer. He spoke to some friends who cut their expenses by half going the trailer route versus the motorhome.

We DO want to be able to load up and go and perhaps the truck/trailer is the best route for us to go to accomplish this.
Yes, a truck and trailer will definitely be the most economical way to travel. I've done Class A, Class C's and travel trailer.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
For starting out, the truck and trailer are probably the way to go. You might find your Xterra could pull a decent smaller TT. I really don't know. But keep in mind, a trailer is much roomier than a Class C for a given length, due to the cab on the C. Slideouts can affect that, of course, but I'm just saying that a 22' TT can be roomier than a mid-sized C.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
In reality it costs MORE to buy and use a MH for trips.

If you are only going on a couple of weekend trips and maybe one vacation per year it is less expensive NOT to have a MH.

I have dogs and do not/will not stay in motels. THAT is the main reason I bought a MH not because it would be less expensive.....cause it's not! :B
NCWriter
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
Your husband has the right idea. Motorhome RVs cost a LOT to purchase, maintain, insure and use. And they lose value each year after you buy them.

If I were looking for a low cost RV for my young family to go camping twice a year or whenever I had $300 or so in hand to cover fuel and campsites, I'd get a used pop-up trailer. We had one when we were first married and had lots of fun with it, towing behind the car we already owned.

By the way....you mentioned costs of purchasing a class A or C. If you have $19,000 - $30,000 in cash, that's great...spend a little of it on a low-cost used trailer and invest the rest for cost if maintaining and using your trailer, and for life's emergencies, college, or your retirement. You will be so glad you did.

But, If you were thinking of borrowing the $19,000 - $30,000 to buy a used motorhome or RV of any kind, that would be a really, really bad idea for a young family on a budget looking for low cost vacations.
royl
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
At least staying in my mortorhome I get to sleep with my own bed bugs instead of someone else's. :)