Go RV Rentals' Newbie Guide to 18 Types of RVs

Are you in the market for a new recreational vehicle? There are 18 different types of RVs to consider. But don’t feel overwhelmed. This post explains every RV category, highlights the unique features of each RV class, and discusses what kind of traveler each RV type suits.

Definitely, renting a camper before buying is the most realistic way to test which classification of RVs is perfect for your personal needs. Go RV Rentals makes renting any RV easy. Use our site to find, compare prices, and rent just about any type of RV imaginable.

To give you a quick read, we’ve included all the important information in bullet points below each RV type. That includes details like average size, weight, number of sleepers, best brands, price, and current RV rental rate.

Motorized RVs

In this section, we will discuss 4 different classes of recreational vehicles that are self-propelled or driveable.

Class A Motorhome

Appeals To: RVers who want extravagant living plus a spacious and comfortable interior.
No of Sleepers: 4 to 8
Average Class A Size(LXWXH): 26’ to 45’X8½’X 11’ to 14’
Class A Weight (GVWR): 12,000 lbs to 50,000 lbs
Top Class A Brands: Tiffin, Newmar, Winnebago, Fleetwood
Cost of Class A RV: $150,000 to $800,000+
Class A RV Rental Price: $307 per night

A Class A RV is a motorhome that resembles a bus. It’s built on a commercial bus chassis or on a cutaway medium or heavy-duty truck platform. Indeed, it’s one of the largest and most luxurious of all driveable RV types. Expect high-end appointments throughout, including plush lounging residential appliances, a king bed, a huge full bath, abundant storage, plus a washer and dryer. Expanding their living space is easy, thanks to their multiple slide-outs.

These kings of comfort are available in both gas and diesel versions. Gasoline-driven models have front engines and are more affordable. On the other hand, diesel pushers have the engine at the rear and are more powerful, durable, and reliable. While they are great for glamping, Class As aren’t ideal for accessing national parks, small RV parks, and narrow roads due to their mammoth size. Further, they have a low fuel economy due to their size and weight.

Rent a Class A Motorhome

Class B Motorhome

Appeals To: Small families, couples, solo travelers, full-time nomads, off-road enthusiasts, and national park campers
No of Sleepers: 2 to 4
Average Class B Size(LXWXH): 18’ to 24’X7’ to 8’X 8’ to 10’
Class B Weight (GVWR): 6,000 lbs to 11,000 lbs
Top Class B Brands: Winnebago, Pleasure-Way, Tiffin, Airstream, Thor, Roadtrek
Cost of Class B RV: $100,000 to $280,000+
Class B RV Rental Price: $233 per night

Also known as camper vans or sleeper vans, Class B camper vans resemble oversize vans from the exterior. However, some are actually the size of a regular van. Of all the motorized RV types, they are the smallest, nimblest, and easiest to drive and maneuver. Their interiors have basic amenities like a bed, a small galley, a dining area, limited storage, and maybe a wet bathroom. Most have a raised roof to give you that extra headroom.

Others have a low roof, which means occupants over five feet can’t stand up inside. Impressively, few have a pop-up roof that raises, allowing extra standing room. Most Class B models are designed around Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, or Ram Promaster chassis. While many RVers choose factory-fitted Class Bs, some prefer buying a cargo van and having a conversion company outfit it to match their preferred lifestyle. These agile rigs have excellent fuel economy, can fit in the smallest campsites, and are great for exploring national park roads and crowded urban streets.

Rent a Class B Motorhome / Campervan

Class B+ Motorhome

Appeals To: Small families that want more interior space than a Class B offers, but still want the agility and small footprint of a van.
No of Sleepers: 2 to 5
Average Class B+ Size(LXWXH): 22’ to 28’X8’X 7’ to 11’
Class B+ Weight (GVWR): 11,000 lbs to 15,000 lbs
Top Class B+ Brands: Leisure Travel Vans, Winnebago, Nexus RV, Airstream
Cost of Class B+ RV: $140,000 to $300,000
Class B+ RV Rental Price: $270 per night

This category of RVs is similar to class B RVs, but they are slightly bigger and designed with more premium features. Consider them a blend between a campervan and a class C RV. Still; they look more like a small C Class due to the box shape. Compared to a camper van, the standout feature of a B+ is the cab chassis and over-the-cab extension.

In addition, it may have slide-outs, which are rare in campervans, cab-over storage, plus bigger holding tanks. Although it’s a relatively new class of RVs, it’s gaining popularity pretty fast. Mainly because it offers more living space and amenities than a typical van, without compromising on compactness. Most B+ RVs have a bathroom with a standup shower, toilet, sink, and minimal storage. Some also have a 4×4 option and off-grid capabilities.

Class C Motorhome

Appeals To: Small to large families that need generous living and storage space, plus all RV amenities without breaking the bank
No of Sleepers: 4 to 8
Average Class C Size(LXWXH): 24’ to 40’X8’X10’ to 13’
Class C Weight (GVWR): 10,000 lbs to 30,000 lbs
Top Class C Brands: Coachmen, Winnebago, Dynamax, Fleetwood
Cost of Class C RV: $90,000 to $350,000
Class C RV Rental Price: $217 per night

Class C RVs are mid-size units that are a compromise between the giant Class A and the compact Class B. Certainly, it’s pretty easy to distinguish them from other motorhomes. Because they have an overhead bunk that extends above the driving compartment. They appeal to all family sizes as they have all the basic features an RVer wants. Plus, generous interior room and a lower price point. These rigs begin as a van frame or truck chassis with an attached cab section.

From there, the motorhome manufacturer builds the living quarters onto the chassis. Definitely, they have a full bathroom, a well-appointed kitchen, multiple sleeping areas, plus dining and seating space. Notably, there is a category of Class C RVs known as super Cs. These rigs are built larger than the typical Class C and have upscale appointments. Normally, they have a heavier-duty semi-truck chassis, come with diesel engines, and are capable of towing 15,000+ lbs.

Rent a Class C Motorhome

Towable RVs

Here’s a breakdown of the 8 different types of RVs that you pull behind a vehicle. They are non-motorized.

Travel Trailer

Appeals To: Budget-conscious families that want flexible floor plans
No of Sleepers: 2 to 10
Average Travel Trailer Size(LXWXH): 10’ to 40’X5’ to 8’X4’ to 12’
Travel Trailer Weight (Dry Weight): 1,000 lbs to 10,000 lbs
Top Travel Trailer Brands: Winnebago, Outdoors RV, Forest River, Jayco, Grand Design
Cost of a Travel Trailer RV: $10,000 to $80,000
Travel Trailer Rental Price: $117 per night

Travel trailers, also known as bumper pull trailers, are box-shaped campers that attach to the hitch ball receiver at the rear of your tow vehicle. Without a doubt, they are the most popular and diverse of all RV types. You’ll find them in a broad range of sizes, shapes, and layouts. From small ultra-lightweight versions, spacious bunkhouse models, rugged off-road designs, to everything in between.

Bigger travel trailers have residential-sized appliances and multiple slide-outs, while still managing to keep the retail price down. Smaller models can be pulled by a regular vehicle, so you don’t have to invest in a powerful tow truck. However, these classes of RVs don’t have the most stable towing experience, so you’ll need to invest in other specialized towing hardware. Indeed, they are great for those who want to keep their RVing entry costs and future travel expenses low.

Rent a Travel Trailer

Fifth Wheel

Appeals To: Medium to large families who want luxury, a spacious interior, and separate sleeping areas
No of Sleepers: 4 to 8
Average Fifth Wheel Size(LXWXH): 25’ to 45’X8’ to 8.5’X11’ to 13.5’
Fifth Wheel Weight (Dry Weight): 8,000 lbs to 14,000 lbs
Top Fifth Wheel Brands: Forest River, Jayco, Grand Design, Luxe, Crossroads, KZ
Cost of a Fifth Wheel RV: $40,000 to $120,000
Fifth Wheel Rental Price: $170 per night

Also known as fivers, fifth wheels are large types of towable RVs that are pulled by large pickup trucks. Instead of connecting to a truck via the rear bumper, it attaches using a special hitch mounted in the center of the truck bed. Unique features of these classes of RVs include a loft space in the area above the hitch and a multi-level living space.

Many fifth wheels offer residential finishes like solid wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a cozy lounge area, two baths, and washer/dryer prep. Compared to trailers, these rigs have more slide-outs and larger storage in the basement. Further, they provide a more stable towing experience, a better turning radius, and are easier to back up. The main downsides are the hefty price tag, plus the need to invest in a one-ton truck or something larger.

Rent Fifth Wheel

Pop-up Camper

Appeals To: Beginners who want an affordable, compact, and ultra-light trailer with multiple sleeping areas
No of Sleepers: 4 to 8
Average Pop-up Camper Size when Closed (LXWXH): 7’ to 21’X5’ to 7.5’X4.5’ to 7’
Pop-up Camper Weight (Dry Weight): 600 lbs to 5,000 lbs
Top Pop-up Camper Brands: Aliner, Opus, SylvanSport, Forest River, Coachmen
Cost of a Pop-up Camper: $8,000 to $40,000
Pop-up Camper Rental Price: $89 per night

Pop-up campers are lightweight towables that are essentially a combination of a travel trailer and a tent. Also known as expandable trailers, folding campers, or tent trailers, these units are pulled behind a vehicle in a small, folded state. But once you reach your campsite, you raise the roof and extend the slide-outs to create a large living area with multiple beds. While most folding campers have soft canvas walls, there’s a segment with hard-sided walls.

Generally, these kinds of RVs are a great choice for families that are transitioning from tent camping to RVing. They’re easy to pull with almost any passenger car, are fuel efficient, and are easy to store at home. Moreover, they have the main camping essentials, such as a place to sleep, cook, and dine. Unfortunately, most lack a bathroom. Further, it’s hard to control their internal temps due to the thin walls, the canvas can get wet in heavy rain, and they aren’t great at blocking outside noise.

Rent a Pop-up Camper

Toy Hauler

Appeals To: Outdoor enthusiasts who want to bring motorized toys like dirt bikes and off-highway vehicles
No of Sleepers: 2 to 8
Average Toy Hauler Size(LXWXH): 13’ to 48’X7’ to 8.5’X10’ to 14’
Toy Hauler Weight (Dry Weight): 2,000 lbs to 16,000 lbs
Top Toy Hauler Brands: Grand Design, Heartland, Keystone, KZ, Dutchemen, Happier Camper, DRV Suites
Cost of a Toy Hauler: $40,000 to $250,000
Toy Hauler Rental Price: $142 per night

Sometimes called sports utility trailers, toy haulers are towable RV types that have a built-in garage at the rear. They are commonly used to transport ATVs, side-by-sides, jet skis, motorcycles, and golf carts. Certainly, they can also haul smaller gear like mountain bikes, canoes, kayaks, surfboards, winter sports equipment, and fishing tackle. At the front are living quarters appointed with home-like amenities. They use a fifth wheel or travel trailer hitch to connect to the tow truck.

Many toy hauler models are rugged, allowing you to access OHV trailheads. Further, they have versatile, roll-over furniture to convert the empty garage into a lounging or sleeping area. Impressively, you can turn the open ramp door into a party deck to relax in at the campground. When shopping for these types of campers, look for four-season and boondocking capabilities. Of course, you’ll also need a powerful tow truck.

Rent a Toy Hauler

Truck Camper

Appeals To: Solo travelers and couples who prefer off-road expeditions
No of Sleepers: 2 to 5
Average Truck Camper Size When Dismounted(LXWXH): 10’ to 22’X6.5’ to 8.5’X4’ to 9’
Truck Camper Weight (Dry Weight): 1,000 lbs to 5,000 lbs
Top Truck Camper Brands: Lance, Arctic Fox, Eagle Cap, Northern Lite, Host
Cost of a Truck Camper: $20,000 to $100,000
Truck Camper Rental Price: $125 per night

Truck campers or pickup campers are one of the most unique classes of RVs. That’s because they are neither towables or driveables. Instead, they are camping shells that slot inside the bed of a full-size or mid-size truck. When you aren’t camping, you can dismount the unit and use your truck for other purposes. However, it can be a pain to get the camper off the truck at the campground.

One of their biggest selling points is that they can go anywhere your pickup truck goes. This opens up more camping options. Although truck campers are equipped with tight living quarters, they still offer basic amenities such as a galley, bed, and dinette. Notably, there’s a special category of expedition truck campers that are permanently joined to the back of a pickup truck. These 4×4 beasts are designed for lengthy and self-reliant off-road adventures.

Rent a Truck Camper

Teardrop Trailer

Appeals To: Outdoor hobbyists who spend most of their time outside and prefer a small and affordable base camp
No of Sleepers: 2 to 4
Average Teardrop Trailer Size(LXWXH): 11’ to 21’X5.5’ to 8’X5.5’ to 10’
Teardrop Trailer Weight (Dry Weight): 850 lbs to 3,000 lbs
Top Teardrop Trailer Brands: nuCamp, Colorado Teardrops, Sunray, HomeGrown, Xtreme Outdoors
Cost of a Teardrop Trailer: $5,000 to $20,000
Teardrop Trailer Rental Price: $95 per night

Teardrop campers are one of the smaller types of RV trailers. A curved, teardrop profile is their distinguishing feature. These egg-shaped towables are aerodynamic, super light, and versatile enough to venture off-road. While traditional teardrops only offer a bed and an outside kitchen, modern designs incorporate amenities like a full inside kitchen, dry bathroom, and dinette. Some even provide enough headroom to stand up inside.

Teardrops are easy to tow and inexpensive to buy, operate and maintain. Additionally, they are excellent for anyone looking to embrace simple living. Of course, these bean-shaped trailers have their downsides, starting with the limited interior space and height. In many models, there is no bathroom, and the kitchen is outside. If you don’t mind foregoing space and comforts, a teardrop is an excellent unit for exploring beyond the beaten track. Mountain bikers, hikers, climbers, surfers, kayakers, and powder chasers love them.

Classic Trailer

Appeals To: Travelers who want a vintage-style camper with all modern luxuries
No of Sleepers: 2 to 5
Average Classic Trailer Size(LXWXH): 13’ to 31’X6.5’ to 8.5’X7.5’ to 10’
Classic Trailer Weight (Dry Weight): 1,500 lbs to 8,000 lbs
Top Classic Trailer Brands: Airstream, Oliver, Happier Camper, Scamp, Dub Box, Little Guy Trailers
Cost of a Classic Trailer: $15,000 to $200,000
Classic Trailer Rental Price: $110 per night

Classic or retro trailers are types of towable campers that have vintage looks. However, their interiors are modern and equipped with fancy amenities. In fact, these sleek trailers try to go beyond the norm by incorporating futuristic floor plans and enticing extras you’d expect in larger rigs. Notably, many retro-style trailers have smooth edges, a gloss exterior finish, and fun color schemes, making them adorable. A few have modular or customizable interiors.

These iconic campers are renowned for their reliability, durability, and aerodynamics, thanks to their superior construction process and materials. The exterior is mainly fiberglass or high-grade aluminum. Actually, most are handcrafted, making them some of the highest-quality RV types on the market. They often fit in a standard garage and are light enough to tow behind a standard vehicle. The main downside is the hefty price tag. Plus, large, family-friendly versions are rare.

Destination Trailer

Appeals To: Campers who want a long-term living solution that’s spacious and loaded to the gills with residential-style amenities
No of Sleepers: 4 to 10
Average Destination Trailer Size(LXWXH): 38’ to 43’X8’ to 10’X11’ to 13.5’
Destination Trailer Weight (Dry Weight): 10,000 lbs to 14,000 lbs
Top Destination Trailer Brands: Forest River, Keystone, Gulfstream, CrossRoads RV
Cost of a Destination Trailer: $65,000 to $130,000
Destination Trailer Rental Price: $160 per night

A destination trailer or residential trailer is a huge pull-behind designed to stay in one place for extended periods. Essentially, they are the middle ground between a trailer and a park model. Owners park them at a seasonal spot, a year-round RV park, or a private vacation property. On appearance, these units are longer and taller than the typical travel trailer and their front section is flat.

Their main difference from other types of RVs is that their amenities are the same size and quality as those found in a house. They have full-size washers/dryers, residential refrigerators, powerful climate control, large windows, and sliding glass doors. Further, you’ll have a king master bedroom, loft area, private bunkhouse, complete kitchen, and large living room for entertaining guests. While they are super spacious and great for long-term living, they aren’t ideal for frequent travel, are difficult to tow, and can’t fit in most campsites.

Other Types of RVs

Here are 6 other unique breeds of RVs.

Electric RV

Appeals To: Campers who care about the planet and want to adopt emission-free travel

Also known as eRVs, electric RVs are driveable recreational vehicles that are powered by an electric motor instead of a fuel engine. The motor gets electricity from an inbuilt battery, unlike regular motorhomes, which have a gasoline tank. Electrified RVs are still being refined, and the few available options are only in Class B size. Typically, they have a driving range of 100 to 200 miles.

All-Electric Trailer

Appeals To: Eco-conscious RVers who want a trailer that won’t cut their EV’s range.

Electric trailers are aerodynamic pull-behinds equipped with a battery and a small electric motor that allows the trailer to independently push itself forward. This self-propelling ability minimizes the work the tow vehicle needs to do. So, if you are using an EV to tow, you don’t have to worry about loss of range. And if you’re using a gas tow vehicle, you’ll save a lot of fuel. Some e-trailers are even capable of charging your EV.

Hybrid Electric RV

Appeals To: Campers who want to be less dependent on fossil fuels but also want to enjoy travel without range anxiety

Hybrid eRVs are special types of motorhomes that alternate between a battery-powered electric motor and a small fuel engine called a range extender. When the battery runs out, the engine kicks in, increasing your hybrid RV’s range.

Skoolie Conversion

Appeals To: Free-spirited RVers that prefer a complete custom build with plenty of space

A Skoolie, also known as a bus conversion, is a used bus that’s been converted into a camping abode. These types of RVs mainly start as school buses, hence the name, but can also be passenger transport coaches. They’re cheap, have tremendous interior space, and are built with heavy-duty components, making them safe and durable. However, renovation can be expensive, driving and parking is a challenge, find insurance is tough, plus they are fuel guzzlers.

Toterhome

Appeals To: Traveling groups or performers that want a luxury motorhome that can tow heavy equipment

Toterhomes are unique types of RVs that mix the best features of a semi-tractor truck and a motorhome. They have a large living area with all the bells and whistles of a luxury rig, plus massive towing capacities. These heavy-duty behemoths have a GVWR of up to 50k. Their purpose is to haul heavy equipment like automobiles, production equipment, and boats. Race car teams, music bands, rodeo groups, athletes, and horse racing teams often use them for transport.

Ice Fishing RV

Appeals To: Ice fishing enthusiasts or hunters looking for a versatile trailer

Also called a fish house, an ice fishing RV is a trailer that’s equipped with 4 to 10 holes on the floor for fishing over frozen lakes. Once you get to the fishing spot, they have special suspensions that allow their bellies to lie flat on the ice. Additionally, they usually have insulation and climate control, protecting you from sub-zero weather. Further, they’re easy to tow and have a basic kitchen, bathroom, couches, and a raised bed.

Wrapping Up: All RV Types Explained

Hopefully, this guide will help you understand all the different types of RVs available. No matter your group size or style of travel you want to pursue, there is a camper for you. To find a good fit, consider how many beds you’ll need, what amenities are a must-have, which locations you’ll be touring, how long you’ll be camping, what your budget is, and whether you prefer to drive or tow.

Ultimately, the best way to determine what kind of RV is right for you is to rent and experience different types of motorhomes and trailers. This will boost your knowledge and confidence when you go shopping.