32 Foot Class A vs 32 Foot Class C

[kalikid4life]

Hello All, I have never owned any type of RV before however I have found myself in the market to purchase a motor home. The best option that I found that fit most of my needs was a 32 foot class C. After talking to a friend and doing some research I found some 32 foot class A motor homes that were around the same price. Can anyone tell me the drawbacks to getting the same size motor home in 2 different classes? I understand if I get a larger motor home I maybe limiting myself to certain parks and campgrounds but if they are the same size I'm not seeing the difference. Thanks for any help.

[Gjac]

ksg5000 wrote:
Class A will likely have more storage and tow capacity. Class C of that length will likely be close to the max on weight and have limited tow capacity.

I own a 29 ft class C and it works for me ... but if I had to do it over again I would have bought a Class A.

If you are looking at a 32 ft MH I would get the Class A. If 24 ft class C.

[ksg5000]

Class A will likely have more storage and tow capacity. Class C of that length will likely be close to the max on weight and have limited tow capacity.

I own a 29 ft class C and it works for me ... but if I had to do it over again I would have bought a Class A.

[4x4van]

Having owned both (2 Cs, 1 A) over the course of 32 years, here are my reasons for the A over the C: Heavier chassis means much larger capacities (fuel, fresh water, black water, grey water, LPG), much larger storage capacities, Higher OCCCs (or CCCs), More "walk around" room, Massive windshield for awesome views/visibility (both while driving and while camped), higher tow ratings. Now obviously, "some" of those may be found in "some" C's, but generally speaking, those are what you will find.

Finally, when it comes to safety; Yes, the C has an automotive cab, but have those cabs actually been crash tested without the steel structure of the rear of the van in place? No airbag on A's? Correct, but keep in mind that you are sitting well above all of the mass of most any other vehicle that you may hit. There are completely different dynamics involved, to the point where the difference in safety really is debatable.

[Tal_IL]

Having had a Class C in the past and being currently in our third Class A, I would say that Class A's are more comfortable in general because there is more usable living space. Class A's generally have far more storage, both basement and inside. That's a big plus if you haul a load of stuff like we do. But, fewer Class A's have the overhead bunk, which can be a consideration if you need lots of sleeping space.

[Seon]

I've owned Cl a, b, c, 5er, TT.

My con on the "A" was finding a shop mechanical maintenance that could work on the large unit especially while traveling. While almost all of the time "B" class are do-able in most shops. I currently have a TT because my "B" sat over a year without use due circumstances I won't get into. But that's just my opinion between class a and b.

I replaced it with a 25' TT with slide TV is my Yukon XL. Literally no mechanical maintenance other that brakes, hubs and bearings. Nice to be able to park, unhitch and drive around to site see, etc.

[dodge_guy]

Just curious if anyone has a seen a class C accident comparison to an A? I haven’t but would love to see one. While the Class C will be on a van chassis with airbags and has been tested for crash worthiness. How would a C do with 15k lbs behind it? The momentum would push it into what ever object you hit with greater force than I’m sure it has been tested at! We all have seen the aftermath of some class A accidents. But I don’t believe I have seen one video of a class C accident at highway speeds.

[Desert_Captain]

pasusan wrote:
Don't know if this needs mentioning... But ever see the results of a crash? At least a Class C will have the cab area much more stable as it is the front end of a real vehicle. A Class A will fall apart completely (well, unless it is a bus conversion).

In the spirit of full disclosure... We have owned our 24' C for 7 trouble free years and 64K+ miles with no regrets.

Safety is a huge reason to go with a C vs a comparable {in size and amenities} Class A. I have yet to see an A with air bags and there is nothing between you and a front end collision other than that huge windshield which can quickly turn into a Cuisinart. :E Roll one on its passenger side and you will have to kick out a window, assuming you are able, just to get out, hopefully there is no fire involved. :S

The shade and comfort afforded by the cabover often becomes a huge factor especially on high mileage days. The biggest downside to the larger {30'+} Class C's is the abysmal payload numbers. Ironically the larger the C the less you can haul. IMHO: The ride and handling of a properly loaded, inflated and aligned C is just fine and no worse than a comparably sized A. No question that a properly set up C is easier to drive than an A. Most C's will sleep more bodies but will have less space for all of their gear and A's haul more but usually sleep fewer. Maintaining a C is far cheaper, easier and gives you many more options as to where they can be serviced.

As noted above every rig is a compromise and the wise buyer figures out their intended maximum use and then buys the rig that poses the least objectionable degree of compromise for that use.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

[AJR]

I had a 36’ gas class A on a Workhorse chassis. Down sized to a 29’ class C on a Ford chassis. Then traded that for a 30.5’ class C on a Chevy 4500 chassis. The Chevy has a smoother ride and handles cross winds better than the Ford.

I really like having three doors to get out of the RV. It is so nice to pull up to a gas pump and just open the door and get out. The cab has air bags for crash protection. On my unit the difference between the cab floor & house floor is about one inch. I have outside bays I have not used. Plus inside cabinets I have not used.

I found driving a class A south for four hours on a sunny summer day was not fun. Unless you had the front house AC on and those small fans mounted by the windshield running. The chassis AC was not enough to keep you cool.

[Lwiddis]

While I agree you can see more in an A, the C’s overhang keeps the windshield shaded most of the time. Same as a truck camper. If you camp in warm sunny areas that’s nice when driving.

[DrewE]

IB853347201 wrote:
The biggest difference we found between a Class A and a Class C was the chassis they were built on and subsequently the way they drove and handled.
Both, depending on the layouts and features can be equally livable. However, Class C's tend to be built on light truck chassis with 16.5 inch wheels, which mostly drive and ride exactly like a truck. Not pleasant and usually exhausting.
Class A's for the most part are built on a MH chassis, with 22.5 inch wheels, with a much better ride and handling. Much more fun to drive.

16.5" wheels are non-existent on any halfway recent vehicles; class C's these days are on 16" wheels. The half inch difference is immaterial for what you're talking about, of course. Smaller class A's, such as would be comparable in size and price to class C's, are usually gas powered and use the F53 chassis with 16" or 19.5" wheels, and have generally similar leaf spring suspension systems and drivetrain components to the class C's. The differences in handling and ride are not so great between them. The improvements that come with a rear engine, air ride chassis are a different matter entirely.

A well-sorted class C does ride something like a box truck, but I can't say I find mine especially unpleasant or exhausting. It is a little more draining than driving a car, to be sure, but that's as much due to the added concentration required with any large, heavy vehicle, rather than due to terrible ride or handling.

(Big wheels are nice for the ride quality, but not so nice when paying to replace tires; 22.5" tires cost over three times as much as 16" tires, which adds up to at least a couple thousand bucks more for a set of six.)

[way2roll]

pasusan wrote:
Don't know if this needs mentioning... But ever see the results of a crash? At least a Class C will have the cab area much more stable as it is the front end of a real vehicle. A Class A will fall apart completely (well, unless it is a bus conversion).

This is a great point. Previously we've always owned Class A's and while we enjoyed the greater living space, more storage etc, I was always concerned about a crash. Class A's might be the worst crash worthy Rv out there. Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but a Class A will usually ride much better than a C. Not that Gas Class A's ride great, they can be loud and rough as well.

[IB853347201]

The biggest difference we found between a Class A and a Class C was the chassis they were built on and subsequently the way they drove and handled.
Both, depending on the layouts and features can be equally livable. However, Class C's tend to be built on light truck chassis with 16.5 inch wheels, which mostly drive and ride exactly like a truck. Not pleasant and usually exhausting.
Class A's for the most part are built on a MH chassis, with 22.5 inch wheels, with a much better ride and handling. Much more fun to drive.

[pasusan]

Don't know if this needs mentioning... But ever see the results of a crash? At least a Class C will have the cab area much more stable as it is the front end of a real vehicle. A Class A will fall apart completely (well, unless it is a bus conversion).

[dodge_guy]

The biggest difference between a C and an A is living space. A class A offers more useable floor space than a class C. Not to mention a class A offered larger slideouts. Also most A's have more storage than a C.