| When considering which motor home or recreational | | | | largest trucks, and suitable for a large RV with a |
| vehicle is appropriate for you, there is a great deal of | | | | relatively heavy load. 5th wheel trailers are often |
| information to sort through. In Canada and the United | | | | modified from some other original vehicle, so prices |
| States, leading RV dealers supply vehicles made by | | | | and sizes vary, but they are usually between 30 and |
| more than 80 manufacturers, in at least nine distinct | | | | 40 feet long, fetching anywhere between $30,000 |
| classes. | | | | and $100,000. |
| Smaller, used vehicles can start as low as $5,000, | | | | Fifth wheels have the advantage of being able to |
| while new, high-end models can fetch more than | | | | unhook from the vehicle towing it, giving you much |
| $300,000 at sale. The most gratuitous vehicles which, | | | | greater flexibility in how you use both your motor |
| among other luxuries, are capable of storing a small | | | | home, and your towing vehicle. Note that a 5th |
| car within the main "hull" have been known to cost | | | | wheel coupling is unsuitable for retrofitting to most |
| several million dollars! The features offered by the | | | | types of vehicle, so the preferred towing vehicle is a |
| vehicles of different size, class, and make vary a | | | | light commercial truck or something similar. |
| great deal, and it is always wise to make your | | | | Next, are the smaller caravan-style trailers ranging |
| purchase knowing that you are an informed buyer. | | | | from 13 feet to around 30 feet. These include the |
| There are nine different RV classes you should be | | | | smallest class, folding campers, that have extensible |
| familiar with when shopping around. The first three of | | | | fold-out awnings when deployed, and can be found |
| these are what are strictly known as motor homes, | | | | for between $5,000 and around $20,000. These |
| although it is still correct to call some other classes of | | | | represent the lightest type of RV you can normally |
| RV a motor home. Class A motor homes are usually | | | | find. Slightly larger are bi-fold, conversion vans, and |
| built around a commercial sized truck or bus chassis | | | | travel trailers - each of these is typically sized less |
| and are usually more than 30 feet long. A | | | | than 30 feet. |
| second-hand unit can be found for as little as $11,000; | | | | Conversion vans resemble a really large camper van |
| however, Class A motor homes will be found | | | | or light bus, and are available for around $90,000. |
| between $100,000 and $300,000 when new. | | | | Bi-fold RVs are large trailers of around 30 feet when |
| Class B motor homes are smaller, usually between 19 | | | | deployed, but which are towed when 'folded' to |
| and 30 feet long. You can easily recognize Class B | | | | make them much shorter and lower profile which |
| vehicles by the more common name of camper vans. | | | | makes them lighter, and easier for you to tow. |
| Built around a modified conventional van body, a new | | | | Bi-folds and travel trailers are each usually found for |
| one will usually cost between $30,000 and $70,000. | | | | between $15,000 and $40,000, and like conversion |
| Class C motor homes are more similar to Class A, | | | | vans, may need external hookups for water, waste, |
| being built on a truck chassis between 21 and 35 feet | | | | and power, frequently available at properly equipped |
| long, costing anywhere over $50,000 new. They are | | | | trailer parks. |
| distinctive in that they always have a section which | | | | With dozens of different types of RVs available, you |
| overhangs the truck's cabin, making the most of the | | | | are sure to be able to find a motor home or other |
| available space. | | | | recreational vehicle to suit your needs, whether |
| The next largest class of recreational vehicle is what | | | | you're a retiree, camper, on a college road-trip, move |
| is known as a 5th wheel trailer. This is an RV trailer | | | | around a lot for work, or you're after a low-cost |
| which hitches onto the back of a truck with a | | | | housing solution. Budgets can range anywhere |
| semi-trailer coupling. These are typically the | | | | between five thousand to three million dollars, |
| heaviest-duty trailer hitching available, used by the | | | | depending on your needs. |