How to Buy a Class C Motorhome

The road beckons and you've got the RV itch but the idea of a 40-foot Class-A leaves you a little cold, so now you need to know how to buy a Class C motorhome. Popular since the 1970's, the Class C, also known as a mini-motorhome, has been a perennial family favorite for years. It offers solid construction and tried-and-true designs as well as many of features drivers appreciate in conversion and minivans such as the frontal crush area and all-steel cage offering protection for driver and passenger in a rollover. The Class C's fuel economy, ease of handling, and the snowbird-friendliness of certain models are leading more people to these great mini-motorhomes.

The Class C is based on a standard vehicle that is designed for both family and commercial use. The foundation of the Class C is the cutaway van chassis. In other words, the front end including engine and cockpit area is made the same way as a conversion van or a pickup truck.

In recent years, a larger version of the Class C has been developed. Based on Freightliner and Chevy Kodiak truck chassis, the Class C+ motorhomes rival the Class As in size, luxury, and price. Some are run on diesel but the majority are gas powered like regular Class Cs. What they offer are a great number of floor plans and the ability to add additional slideouts, which increase the amount of usable living space. However, they do this at the expense of the structural integrity of the living area's walls.

The interiors of most Class C cockpits are little different from those of vans and pickups. They have many of the same safety features available in these vehicles as well as the all of the usual options like power steering, automatic transmissions, and other amenities. Class C+ motorhomes have even greater frontal crush areas than the smaller Class C, which increases crashworthiness.

One of the big differences between the cockpit in the Class C versus the cockpit of the Class A is the placement of the television. One typical area for the placement of the TV in a Class A is over the heads of the driver and front passenger. The way that the Class C is constructed, this is impossible.

Class C motorhomes offer all the amenities including kitchenette, bathroom, dinette, heating, A/C, and possibly entertainment features. When dinettes are present, and that is not always the case, they can easily be converted into a bed. If it is absent, it is often replaced by captain’s chairs or a couch and chairs sitting area. The couch is usually a sleeper. One of the best things about the Class C is that it can usually sleep more people than a Class A. This is because of the number of convertible sleeping areas and the addition of the overcab bed. In fact, Class Cs can sleep up to 10 people depending on the configuration.

The most important features to look at are chassis capacity, wheelbase, and engine power and type. What you are trying to determine is whether or not there is too much motorhome for you to handle and whether you can maneuver it properly, which includes the amount of power generated by the engine as well as the overall stability of the vehicle. A wider wheelbase translates into greater stability for the vehicle and better performance in turns and in dealing with a strong crosswind. From a safety point of view—in case of collision or even rollover—it is also necessary to consider passenger seating, cockpit construction, the location of the television and whether or not the RV has slideouts.

RV travelers interested in how to buy a Class C motorhome should investigate the different manufacturers they are interested in, including taking controlled test drives and examining different available features. By finding what works for you, it is easy to hit the open road in comfort, style, and safety.

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