Types of Small Rv's
- Small RVs allow easier access to remote camping areas.rocky mountains image by Melissa Schalke from Fotolia.com
If you enjoy camping but are tired of sleeping in a tent, purchasing a small RV may be an economical choice for upgrading your outdoor experience. Small RVs not only cost less than their larger counterparts, but they're easier to maneuver, have better fuel efficiency and cost less to maintain. While small RVs are short on storage space, with careful planning you can comfortably hold essential gear while preserving interior living quarters. - If you already own a pickup truck, purchasing a truck bed camper is an affordable way to begin RVing. Truck bed campers are typically 8' feet or 10' feet long and today's designs include slide outs and larger bathrooms with separate shower and toilet areas. The advantage to truck bed campers is they can access more rugged roads than other RVs, especially if the truck has four-wheel drive. You won't have to pay to license it in addition to your truck, and you can remove the camper from your truck when it's not in use. The disadvantage to truck bed campers is limited sleeping quarters, access stairs are higher than other RVs and new campers tend to cost more than a trailer, due to their more complicated design.
- Camper vans, otherwise known as Class B motorhomes, have been manufactured by companies such as Volkswagen, Pleasure Way, Dodge, Roadtrek and now Honda, which is giving buyers an option to purchase a pop-top kit for the Element sport utility vehicle. Class B motorhomes are advantageous because they can easily be used as a regular passenger car that carries up to six people. They're also easy to navigate through compact areas, get better mileage and utilize space wisely since even the driver and co-pilot chairs can be turned around and incorporated into the dinette area. The disadvantages to this type of RV is that they usually have limited ceiling height, aren't comfortable for more than one or two people and often lack toilet facilities.
- Small Class C motorhomes have more interior space than most small RVs. The smallest models usually start at 19' long. They have more storage space, a full bathroom, kitchen facilities and larger sleeping quarters than other small RVs. Some models have slide outs for additional room and additional amenities often include awnings, solar power hookups and exterior shower facilities. Class C motorhomes are ideal for families and those taking longer camping trips. However, the biggest disadvantage to a small Class C is that it lacks the engine power needed to tow a regular passenger vehicle. They also require more parking space and cost more to insure than other small RVs.
