How To Find The (mostly) Perfect RV Type For Your Needs

Kellys travel trailer in the desert

Buying an RV is sort of like having a baby.

There's no play-by-play instruction guide to follow.

You've got Airstreams, fifth wheel trailers, teardrop campers, Class A's, Class B's, (plus others!) and all kinds of confusing classes to research and contemplate.

How can you know which kind of setup is going to work the best for you?

Let us first enlighten you with the fact that NO one RV will fulfill your every wish and desire.

At least we haven't come across anyone yet who doesn't have at least a few complaints about the design of their RV in one way or another.

(Unless you have one custom-built, and even then, it's likely you will have forgotten something or find that what you thought was a great idea isn't so much.)

At the very best, it's good that you are doing your research on camper brands and buying an RV.

We can help guide you with the ins and outs of the different kinds of campers.

Ultimate Guide To RV Types

Confused about the different types of RVs? Read our guide that explains the differences between the various RV styles.

RV Types

5th Wheel Trailers

Fifth wheel trailers are usually quite luxurious, typically more so than any other type of trailer.

They offer a MULTITUDE of layouts and RV slides.

Fifth wheel campers are usually GIANT.

(Most of them. Some 5th wheel manufacturers make smaller ones such as Scamp camper, but they are uncommon.)

So if you are planning to spend a lot of time in State Parks and smaller campgrounds, or if you KNOW you can't get used to driving and backing up such a large house, you may want to stay away from buying a 5th wheel.

The benefit of a fifth wheel RV in regards to towing is that it can be easier to maneuver than a travel trailer.

The connection is in the middle of a truck bed as opposed to the end of the truck on a hitch.

The benefit of a fifth wheel RV in regards to towing is that it can be easier to maneuver than a travel trailer.

The connection is in the middle of a truck bed as opposed to the end of the truck on a hitch.

The downside of this is that you are confined to using a truck as a tow vehicle.

If you have a large family, this can be less than ideal for a long trip.

Also, trucks aren't as comfortable to jaunt around town in than some other vehicles you could otherwise pull with.

5th Wheel Trailer

On the other side of things, if you want your RV to mimic a house as much as possible, a fifth wheel trailer might be good for you.

Some of them can even come with a washer and dryer.

If you plan on staying in commercial RV parks for the most part or exclusively, and especially if you don't plan on traveling much, a fifth wheel can be very cozy indeed.

Travel Trailers

These are the most common type of RV on the road.

They come in many different sizes and shapes.

RV travel trailers have the benefit of being able to set up and leave it at camp while you can take the tow vehicle out to easily get around town and explore.

However, a travel trailer's overall length can be longer than just having a motorhome, especially if you don't pull a toad.

Other benefits of buying a travel trailer- if you want to keep costs down, they are a good choice.

If you buy a motorhome, most of the time, you will also need a toad (towed vehicle) to get around with for sightseeing or running errands.

This means you have TWO vehicles to have to fix, maintain, and worry about.

If you buy a travel trailer, you only have one engine.

This helps keep maintenance and operational costs down.

Travel trailers are less expensive than motorhomes.

If you already have a vehicle that can tow a travel trailer, your initial cost to get an RV will be considerably less than if you purchase a motorhome.

Maintenance expenses most likely will be lower than if you had a motorhome.

Disadvantages?

Maneuverability is more difficult than a motorhome.

Backing up can prove to be tricky as well.

Getting around in a small or cramped town can be a 'joy' and maneuvering in gas stations can be tricky.

Trailers MUST be level when towed and then leveled when parked. (how to level a travel trailer)

This might mean having to purchase a weight distribution system to get your trailer properly connected.

Set up and break-down can take longer in a trailer than in a motorhome.

This does depend somewhat on your setup and the tools you have at your disposal for assistance.

For instance, if you are a solo RVer, it will take more time to get level and to get backed up to the trailer hitch if you don't have someone helping you.

Well, unless you have a remote way to see if you are level and you can see the hitch with a backup camera for trailers.

Everything depends on one's situation, but in general, a travel trailer takes a bit more time to use.

Let's look at the pros and cons of the different types of travel trailers out there.

a. Airstreams- These are the quintessential American Dream style of recreational vehicle. Can you resist gawking and being just a tad jealous when you see one cruising down the highway?

Vintage Airstream Trailer

They are honestly, by far, the best looking travel trailers out there for sure.

The Airstream comes with a big gotcha: the PRICE. (Though you do get a nice luxury travel trailer for the cost.)

They do ask for a mint for what you get. Read our article on Why are Airstream trailers so expensive? to see if they are worth the price.

Read our article where 7 Airstream owners tell all about their RVs.

The interiors are famously the most modern of any recreational vehicle out there, greatly attracting millennials, Gen Xers, and those who have a flair for style.

They come in many size options and some different layouts.

Airstreams aren't super light, but they aren't ridiculously heavy, either.

b. Teardrop trailers- A teardrop camper is good for the person who REALLY wants to live a minimal lifestyle and with a small footprint.

Teardrop Trailer

There are teardrops that you can stand up in and those where you can't.

In the ones you can't, basically all it is is a rolling bed.

It might have an outdoor kitchen in the back.

Major considerations for picking a teardrop trailer are whether to have your kitchen area inside or outside, and whether you want to have a bathroom or not.

(Oh, and whether you want to be able to stand up inside on rainy days!)

These are generally the shortest and the lightest of all the trailers, with the max length usually hitting about 20 feet long.

Storage is pretty much non-existent in this type of trailer, so that can be a big consideration to think about as well.

However, they are super light and can be pulled, sometimes, with a car.

c. Pop-ups- Pop up campers are best for weekend warriors who really want to have that camping feeling.

Pop up Trailer

Because they don't have hard sidewalls, they may not be allowed in campgrounds where bears are known to lurk. (Check out hard sided pop up trailers if you need to stay in campgrounds with these restrictions.)

Not the best for full-time, one COULD full-time in these, but you should be prepared to rough it a little more than with other trailers.

Set up and breakdown will be more physical than with other types, as you are literally raising and lowering the roof.

They also lack storage options, just as the teardrops do.

These are much more difficult to full-time in.

Why?

They don't have hard sides and can be nearly impossible to keep at a friendly temperature inside when in less than ideal temperatures.

However they are one of the lightest recreational vehicles you can buy, which makes them extremely easy to tow. (How much do pop up campers weigh?)

Find out what is the best pop up trailer with bathroom facilities, so you don't have to go in the great outdoors.

d. 'Regular' travel trailers- This is the most common type of trailer- the standard rectangular house on wheels.

Travel Trailer

Travel trailers come anywhere from 12 feet in length to almost as long as you want.

A 38 footer is VERY long, considering that your tow vehicle adds to that length.

Amenities can be as minimal or as luxurious as you want (with prices reflecting this).

There is a multitude of manufacturers who make this style of camper.

Layouts and slide options are endless. 

Storage can be OK to excellent, depending on the model.

They start out at a very affordable price for entry-level models and offer so many options that there is a trailer out there for just about every situation.

These are likely to lose value faster than an Airstream or a teardrop as they are usually pretty cheaply made.

They don't hold up for very long, especially if they are not properly taken care of.

Though there are some manufacturers who make some of the best made travel trailers.

e. Fiberglass Travel Trailers- Fiberglass travel trailers have quite a few benefits over the typical travel trailer. They hold their value better because they are made to be more leak-proof than the traditional trailer as they have far less seams to allow water to come in.

Fiberglass travel trailer

The fiberglass construction holds up better and they are usually fairly streamlined and cute.

People want them more than a 'regular' trailer.

These are usually pretty small, compact and light.

But they do come in pretty fancy versions, with the top-of-the-line fiberglass travel trailer being an Oliver (one of the most reliable RV brands).

This can be considered a fiberglass version of an Airstream.

Oliver Travel Trailer cost is much higher than the other fiberglass travel trailers and they weigh a good bit due to the high-end construction of the trailers, inside and out.

They, like Airstreams, probably hold their value the best out of all of the categories.

Truck Campers

Truck bed campers are great for those who want their life to be as simple as possible.

With little setup or breakdown, it's the best get-up-and-go type of rig.

Truck Camper

Used mostly for weekend getaways and hunting trips, there are a few people who DO full-time in a truck camper, so it is possible.

Amenities in truck campers can range from very simple to having multiple RV slides with crazy luxury touches for such a small space!

Negatives are that they are going to be small, no matter what (though surprisingly big with slides), and if you want to go off-roading, you will have to take the camper off your truck, which CAN be a bit of work.

Still, it's do-able.

Motorhomes

Motorhomes provide an all-in-one house on wheels.

Fully self-contained, engine included, motorhomes provide an easy and luxurious way to RV.

If you don't need a toad, it's much simpler than pulling a travel trailer and having to unhitch and hitch up all the time.

They are generally more expensive than a travel trailer or a fifth-wheel as you are paying for a driveline (engine, etc).

The learning curve of having a motorhome will be greater than that of a travel trailer.

It's by no means hard to learn - there is a little more to know.

These monsters get only about 8-10 miles per gallon (if you are lucky), so they have the worst fuel economy of the lot (though towing monster luxury 5th wheels will easily vie for the title of gas hog).

However, they provide a roomy interior and plenty of storage and are frequently used for full-time RV living.

There are several different types of motorhomes:

a. Class A motorhome- The Class A camper are usually pretty large- the largest of all class of motorhomes.

They range anywhere from around 24 feet, up to about 45 feet in length. These giants offer the most in features and amenities, such as a full bath (or multiple bathrooms), robust entertainment systems, and even a washer and dryer.

Class A Motorhome

They come in a bunch of configurations and floor plans, with multiple RV slides, or no slides at all.

Fuel options are gas or diesel.

A Class A motorhome tends to have much more storage on the outside than a travel trailer will have.

They are pricey since they come with an engine and usually lots of moving parts.

Though some are as big as 45', no CDL license is required to drive a Class A motorhome.

Another advantage (though be smart about this, and it may not be legal!) is that passengers may move about the rig while traveling.

Class A's are known best for being the luxury RV with plenty of amenities, storage capacities, and spaciousness.

b. Class B motorhomeWhy can't they just call these vans?

Essentially, that's what they are. Vans.

(Conversion vans, to be precise). 

Class B campers are usually easier to maneuver than a Class A since they are shorter and not as tall, generally ranging from 20 to 33 feet in length.

Class B Motorhome

Getting around is a breeze.

Getting to sketchier boondocking spots may also be easier with a Class B.

You might expect the price to be cheaper than a Class A, but surprisingly, they are not!

They can be amazingly pricey, sometimes even pricier than Class A's.

Not surprisingly, a Class B motorhome doesn't typically have a lot of storage.

They can be cramped for two people.

Holding tanks tend to run smaller in these and many of them come with a camper cassette toilet, which doesn't hold much at all.

PLUS you have to empty the container by hand.

So... you will get pretty up close and personal with your, um, sewage

c. Class C motorhomeAn RV C class is a motorhome you see with the camper beds over the cab.

Class C Motorhome

This allows for more people to stay overnight, making them good for large families.

Gas mileage ranges right in between a Class A and a Class B (as a matter of fact, there is a Class B+ that offers a cab over design like a Class C, but on a smaller van chassis).

A Class C motorhome generally isn't as large as Class A's, but offer more room than most Class B's.

They are sort of a compromise between the two, a medium sized RV if you will.

More storage than a Class B, less than a Class A. Better gas mileage than a Class A, worse gas mileage than a Class B.

The list goes on, but you get the idea.

Toy Hauler

Like to play while you are away?

A toy hauler camper offers interior storage space (garage) for your toys such as motorcycles, ATVs and sometimes even little Smart Cars.

Interior living space for actual human beings will be smaller than other types of trailers as so much space is dedicated to your toys.

Toy Hauler Trailer

However, some RVers choose a toy hauler and create, say, an office space out of the garage area.

This is something to think about when needing a type of space that isn't all too common in RVs.

You may want a play space for your kids.

You can easily convert it to use it any way you want to.

Toy haulers come with a long back ramp, so the entire back wall opens up so you can drive your toys in and out of the unit.

However, living in close quarters with vehicles can also be unappealing as far as breathing in fumes, depending on how closed off the area is from the living quarters.

A toy hauler trailer can come in the form of a travel trailer toy hauler OR a fifth wheel toy hauler.

Toy haulers are popular for weekend warriors who love their toys.

Conclusion

Figuring out what type of rig is best for you is a matter of knowing what your needs are.

You must go out there and look at different models to get a feel for what you like.

As previously stated, no rig will be able to make you perfectly happy.

There are always things you may want something different or improved.

However, the floor plans are seemingly ENDLESS, and it may be the deciding factor for you as far as what type of RV you end up getting.

Our best advice is to get out there and get into as many rigs as you can and see what speaks to you and looks like would work for you.

Drive a few of the ones you are interested, see how comfortable you are.

(Though driving more and more makes just about anything seem comfortable once you get used to it.)

To RV is better than to NOT RV because you can't decide, so just get out there as much as you can and start the process.

Whatever you do, Camp On, Addict!!

Kelly Headshot

I dedicated myself to living the full-time RV life for over 6.5 years, immersing myself in the unique quirks and joys of the boondocking lifestyle and gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way. In December 2020, my business partner and I made the transition to part-time RVing, but in January 2023, we hit the road once again, this time in our trusty vans. My mission is to help others embrace the RVing lifestyle with confidence and excitement, armed with the knowledge and resources needed to make the most of their adventures. I believe that the more you know, the more you can truly appreciate and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the open road.

  • My wife and I are back in the camping business! Prior to getting married 52 years ago, I bought a new VW Camper bus (not a pop top). We camped our way around the U.S., 12,500 miles over 55 days on our honey moon. We kept that VW for over 12 years and all three of our children grew up camping in it until we outgrew it. After that, we tent camped until they left home. We have been looking at small camping trailers for over twenty years and finally, finally took delivery of our new Oliver Elite I, single axle, double fiber glass hull on Sep 26, 2022. We recently spent 15 days on a “shakedown” without incident in TN, NC, SC, VA, AL, GA , FL campgrounds prior to returning home. All systems worked as advertised and we are impressed with the Oliver quality and the many videos they have on-line covering all systems. Our last big rodeo will probably be a Lewis and Clark overland expedition from St Lewis to the Pacific next May, pending Sacagawea’s concurrence.

    • Hi Morris,

      This is the perfect example of wanting something, going for it, and reaping the benefits of it! We are so happy you love your Oliver! May you have years and years of fun camping exeriences ahead of you!

      Cheers, and thank you for the comment.

  • I’m a Digital nomad entrepreneur I work travel and sleep in my van is there a travel trailer for me – stealth is very important.

    • Hi George,

      It sounds like you already have the perfect stealth vehicle, a van. Are you wanting to pull a TT with your van? We need more information to be able to potentially help you.

      What’s wrong with the van setup? Do you want something bigger?

      Do you want to live in it parked in place or do you want to pull it around?

      If you want to pull it around, there’s no trailer we can recommend that will be stealthy.

      They just aren’t. The vans are the best setups for that.

      If we didn’t hear you correctly and please provide us with more information. Thank You.

  • Bigfoot Travel Trailers are better built, offer more room and amenities than the Oliver plus they are true 4 season travel trailers. Built in Canada they are sold in the U.S. via a series of dealers and are fiberglass. They come in 17.5 ft, 21 ft and 25 ft. Lengths and offer more standard features than an Oliver.

  • For me, it all comes down to the almighty buck. The ones I want are too expensive or for rich people only, so I have to settle for someone’s old used, worn out camper!

  • After looking at different trailers for about a year and researching how each is made I have learned a lot. And thanks to all the you tuber’s. The number one thing I would say is check out your purchase thoroughly or even better have a professional do it. Preferably not the dealer your buying from. As you said rv’s are not cars and their not built as well.New and used alike. Don’t believe anything works unless you’ve seen it. I’d rather pay a couple of hundred now than get a 20 or 30K headache, or more. I have also owned and camped with 3 different trailers for over 30 years. I have never boon docked full time but I will be at the end of 2018.

    • Hi Pat,

      Yep, best to do your homework before buying, or have someone else inspect the rig. Either way, things can still go wrong after purchase. It’s kind of hit or miss, unfortunately. Marshall and I have been pretty fortunate in that we have had very few problems with our own rigs. Have fun full-time boondocking and Camp On!

  • Well, you certainly did not have much to say about ToyHaulers.
    But, when you stop and take your “toy” out …. there is a whole lot of room for other pursuits ….. yes?
    I am considering a ToyHauler because I ride a large motorcycle. With a 3/4T pickup, or suburban, as a tow vehicle, I can travel in just the truck, just the motorcycle, or the whole thing. When I stop and unload the bike, I can park the rig and have a ‘home’ to come home to while touring on the bike.

    Any others who ToyHaul and have comments on my comment?
    LameBear

    • Hi LameBear,

      Thank you for your comment. Toy haulers received the same treatment as the other categories, so we weren’t shorting it in this brief overview of the different types of RVs. ☺️

      You bring up some excellent points about toy haulers. They are definitely one of the more versatile types of rigs. Way back when during my ‘fantasy’ phase of RV shopping, I was eying some toy haulers and thinking about how I could convert them into an office (since I don’t have toys).

      It sounds like a toy hauler is pretty much the perfect rig for your lifestyle.

      Thanks again and Camp On!

    • Hi Renata,

      Thanks, we are so happy that you found it helpful. There are so many choices to fit people’s needs these days. It can be really challenging to figure out what will work best for you. Good luck if you are in the market, and Camp On!!

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