Related to #1 and being able to just turn the key and drive away: I do much of my travelling solo, as well as long distances where I end up pulling over and sleeping at rest stops, truck stops, or parking lots, and there is definitely a lot to be said for being able to just slide into the driver seat and leave if you start to feel uncertain or unsafe. It’s probably not a consideration for most people, but worth thinking about for solo female travellers. I’ve done a lot of travelling solo in a truck, SUV, and van, and never had a problem, but there still a certain piece of mind that comes with knowing you have an easy way out if necessary.
A fair and balanced presentation. When we first started to RV, we also went thru the towing vs. motorized dilemma. But I had seen too many trailers swaying badly, even without a strong wind, to want to have that stress while driving. Thanks, Duane.
That's one of the major reasons that a lot of people choose motorhomes instead of towables. Matching up a tow vehicle and the RV correctly takes more knowledge and effort than many folks are willing to put into it. So they get poor results while going down the highway. Thanks for leaving this comment Robert!
Just got a Class C June 30th. Loving it for camping. I considered a trailer, but would have also had to purchase a tow vehicle. Buying a used Class C (2020) was actually equal or lower cost than buying a trailer and a used truck for a tow vehicle.
You are so right Lee. If the cost of a new RV is too much for your budget, just buy a few years older. It's amazing what you can find on the used market if you are willing to look around. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi Debbie. Having had both, I can say there are no perfect RV solutions for travel. I switched from a travel trailer to a Class A (most of what he covers with a Class C applies to a Class A). I want to stress that he really nailed it on using a Class C as inconvenient for in-town runs, vs using a tow vehicle. Also that you have to leave your campsite for those runs - which someone else may move into while you're gone. A travel trailer holds that space. So, you'd think that would mean I'm for a travel trailer. Nope: I'm happy with my motorhome. But it probably means I will find the right towable vehicle (aka a TOAD) so that I don't have to abandon the campsite at all. A Toad gets better mpg for in-town runs. If you go with a Class C, and you want to tow a small vehicle behind it - be sure you check the tow capacity of the Class C, so that it will tow the vehicle you have. Sadly, my current vehicle is too heavy for my motorhome to pull. I have found that even with a relatively small motorhome of 27' that I really want a smaller vehicle for in-town runs. We do this more often than we realize. Alternatively, you can just plan ahead so that such runs are fewer and far between. But life seldom cooperates that way. It also depends on how long you plan to stay in any one place. A few days? Two weeks? A few months? There is so much to consider in your decision. What kind of RV'ing do you plan to do? Weekends? Full time? Seasonal? Size matters too. Smaller is easier to park and drive, but you'll feel cramped in it if you're out for long periods of time. Will you be boondocking on BLM land for example, or going from one campground hookup to another? Smaller allows you more camping opportunities; you can fit in a lot more spaces. Larger gives you more comfort once you're there. National Parks for instance vary widely in how big a vehicle can come in for camping. He also nailed it on build quality. My motorhome was 13 years older than my travel trailer - but the build quality was so much better. I was amazed at the difference. Related to that was something he didn't mention: a trailer bounces down the road, which shortens its life: things just rattle apart. Less true of very large trailers - but still true. Liz Amazing covers this well in some of her videos. But a motorhome does this far less because your whole home is on a better suspension. How much your RV is going to sit while you're not using it matters. Travel trailers hold up much better to sitting than motorhomes do. If you're not going to be out a lot, or not full-timing, you're probably better off with a travel trailer. Motorhomes do not do well just sitting, just as cars and trucks don't do well if they sit for months at a time. Other things: a tow vehicle with a trailer is much longer than a motorhome with the same living size as the trailer. Therefore when in town on your way to your destination, it is usually easier to find parking spaces for the motorhome and park it than with the TT. But it varies. It matters as to how minimalist you can be happy with. Such things as a toilet/shower are deal-killers for a lot of people. Other people adapt. The range of what people do, and what they live in to do it - is astounding. If you haven't found Bob Wells's videos, go check him out. Also Liz Amazing: she tells it like it is, too. Bob interviews people in every conceivable platform, and you can decide better for yourself what you can live with by seeing what other people are doing. No matter what you get, short of truly monster RV's, water is going to be an issue. Unless you're using campground hookups all the time, you will be watching your water - and thinking about it - a lot. One final thing. No matter what you get - there's a good chance that after awhile, you'll get something different. So if you do - you're in good company. Many people start out with one RV platform only to find they're happier with a different one. There's no way to know for sure what works perfectly for you until you just go and do it. And don't beat yourself up if you don't get it perfect the first time. PS: Here's a video by Catherine Gregory who switched from a truck camper to a new TT and her thoughts on it. ua-cam.com/video/TpAjkHkhx_4/v-deo.html
I'm surprised that the ability to tow something else, such as a boat or other toys, is left out of the "pros" list for Class C units. As an avid fisherman, the travel trailer would force me to leave the boat home, or operate a second tow vehicle to have both the TT and boat. That precludes solo trips.
In spite of all cons, a TT is preferable. You can have your truck be your main vehicle and just hook it up when on vacation. A class c will force you to have another vehicle for daily commute
I'm looking into a class C rv because I have a small mitsubishi mirage, my work car. It will need to go with me regardless. I'll be solo and will need the class c instead
We have a small tear-drop and attach several tent rooms we attach to the back & side of the trailer. Easy to pull. Keep things simple. After mid-terms, gas prices will explode.
Good video - and good comments below. Someone's probably already said it, but a pro to a travel trailer is you don't have to leave your campsite to go into town for something, only to come back and find someone else has moved in. On the other hand, my experience with a travel trailer vs a motorhome was slightly different from your video with the trailer I had: gas mileage with the tow vehicle was not better. It is worth noting though, that I drove the same speed (~62 mph) with both of them, whereas most motorhomes can travel at the same speed as regular vehicular traffic, which can represent a significant drop in mpg.
Thanks for adding those thoughts and personal experiences Michael. I always appreciate hearing from RV owners who are willing to honestly share their opinion.
Great info and points. I do think if you’re going to make a side by side comparison between w TT and Class C, you have to include the cost of the tow vehicle/insurance and maintenance to get a true picture of how the costs compare.
Duane you hit the nail on the head once again! Good video as always. I'm am so confused. I can't find find a towable that will hook up to our Prius. SAFE TRAVELS
I don’t agree with the generalization that all travel trailers are of lesser quality than all Class C’s. I think that applies to many, but not all. I’ve had Winnebago, Jayco, and Forest River Class C’s and I can tell you for certain that Rockwood and Lance trailers are significantly better appointed and built. IMHO. Unrelated, but I’ve watched a few of your videos and find them to be well thought out and delivered. 😊
Hi Mike. You have a point there. I try not to make too many absolute statements about RVing, And there are TT brands that build a good quality product. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject here.
The con of needing a vehicle that can handle the trailer can also be a bit of a positive. If you want to tow a boat at some point etc you have the vehicle for it. Also trucks have a very good resale value.
I still choose a class C, because for the trailer u still need a truck that is capable to tow. U still have to maintain the truck , and on top of that the length and for safety reasons I still choose the class C. The convenience to be able to have access to the kitchen and restroom at any time . If u feeling tired or sleepy from drinking all u have to is pull over to a safe location and take a nap.
Something folks new to trailers don't always consider. The MPG of the tow vehicle will drop DRAMATICALLY when towing a trailer. That cost must be considered.
Thank you so much for this video. This really helped make a decision for us: we're going C Class. So now the question that could put you on the spot... In YOUR opinion, what chassis is the most reliable for a C class, or even B Plus? Not motorhome manufacturer, but rather, actual chassis (MB, Ford, Chevy, etc.)? Looking forward to your reply. Again, thank you!
Hi Joe. In the Class C category the decision is quite often already made for you as almost all Class Cs come with a Ford chassis. And the Ford chassis is very proven and reliable over the years. It's main Achilles heel is its handling and suspension can sometimes be a little rough. As for B+ RVs, I will be making a video soon on the comparison of a Sprinter vs ProMaster vs Transit chassis. So stay tuned for that. But I have already made a video has some information that may be useful on the Sprinter chassis alone. You can view that video at ua-cam.com/video/SeroO5ALniU/v-deo.html . I hope that helps.
Hi James. This video is about the entry level RVs for both towables and motorhomes. And that is travel trailers for towables and Class Cs for motorhomes. It's more fair to compare fifth wheels and Class As instead.
Curious to what has better resell value? Class A, Class C or travel trailer? I know they all depreciate greatly, none are an investment. Situation- we are only going full time for one year then moving into a home. Thoughts?
Actually, the factors that have the greatest bearing on how well most any RV holds its value in only a year's time would be how low under the market value you were able to buy the RV, how well it was cared for before you bought it, and how well you cared for it while you owned it. I hope that helps.
Yes, it is for a lot of folks. Motorhomes make a lot of things like that very simple and easy. But as the video says, they have their drawbacks too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
Related to #1 and being able to just turn the key and drive away: I do much of my travelling solo, as well as long distances where I end up pulling over and sleeping at rest stops, truck stops, or parking lots, and there is definitely a lot to be said for being able to just slide into the driver seat and leave if you start to feel uncertain or unsafe.
It’s probably not a consideration for most people, but worth thinking about for solo female travellers. I’ve done a lot of travelling solo in a truck, SUV, and van, and never had a problem, but there still a certain piece of mind that comes with knowing you have an easy way out if necessary.
Hi Valerie. That's a very good point. Thanks for sharing the point of view from a solo RVer's perspective!
good video. i would add that a class c usually has a generator on board which would be a pro over the travel trailer.
Good point Mickster. Thanks for mentioning that!
A fair and balanced presentation. When we first started to RV, we also went thru the towing vs. motorized dilemma. But I had seen too many trailers swaying badly, even without a strong wind, to want to have that stress while driving. Thanks, Duane.
That's one of the major reasons that a lot of people choose motorhomes instead of towables. Matching up a tow vehicle and the RV correctly takes more knowledge and effort than many folks are willing to put into it. So they get poor results while going down the highway. Thanks for leaving this comment Robert!
Just got a Class C June 30th. Loving it for camping. I considered a trailer, but would have also had to purchase a tow vehicle. Buying a used Class C (2020) was actually equal or lower cost than buying a trailer and a used truck for a tow vehicle.
You are so right Lee. If the cost of a new RV is too much for your budget, just buy a few years older. It's amazing what you can find on the used market if you are willing to look around. Thanks for watching and commenting!
This is exactly the conclusion I have reached.
I've been looking into this and your perspective is great! Thank you!
Great Video … Like the Comparison
Glad you enjoyed it William. Have safe and happy travels!
I've been struggling with exactly this question. Thank you for this great i formation.
Glad you enjoyed the video Debbie. Thanks for watching!
Hi Debbie. Having had both, I can say there are no perfect RV solutions for travel. I switched from a travel trailer to a Class A (most of what he covers with a Class C applies to a Class A). I want to stress that he really nailed it on using a Class C as inconvenient for in-town runs, vs using a tow vehicle. Also that you have to leave your campsite for those runs - which someone else may move into while you're gone. A travel trailer holds that space.
So, you'd think that would mean I'm for a travel trailer. Nope: I'm happy with my motorhome. But it probably means I will find the right towable vehicle (aka a TOAD) so that I don't have to abandon the campsite at all. A Toad gets better mpg for in-town runs. If you go with a Class C, and you want to tow a small vehicle behind it - be sure you check the tow capacity of the Class C, so that it will tow the vehicle you have. Sadly, my current vehicle is too heavy for my motorhome to pull. I have found that even with a relatively small motorhome of 27' that I really want a smaller vehicle for in-town runs. We do this more often than we realize. Alternatively, you can just plan ahead so that such runs are fewer and far between. But life seldom cooperates that way. It also depends on how long you plan to stay in any one place. A few days? Two weeks? A few months?
There is so much to consider in your decision. What kind of RV'ing do you plan to do? Weekends? Full time? Seasonal? Size matters too. Smaller is easier to park and drive, but you'll feel cramped in it if you're out for long periods of time. Will you be boondocking on BLM land for example, or going from one campground hookup to another?
Smaller allows you more camping opportunities; you can fit in a lot more spaces. Larger gives you more comfort once you're there. National Parks for instance vary widely in how big a vehicle can come in for camping.
He also nailed it on build quality. My motorhome was 13 years older than my travel trailer - but the build quality was so much better. I was amazed at the difference. Related to that was something he didn't mention: a trailer bounces down the road, which shortens its life: things just rattle apart. Less true of very large trailers - but still true. Liz Amazing covers this well in some of her videos. But a motorhome does this far less because your whole home is on a better suspension.
How much your RV is going to sit while you're not using it matters. Travel trailers hold up much better to sitting than motorhomes do. If you're not going to be out a lot, or not full-timing, you're probably better off with a travel trailer. Motorhomes do not do well just sitting, just as cars and trucks don't do well if they sit for months at a time.
Other things: a tow vehicle with a trailer is much longer than a motorhome with the same living size as the trailer. Therefore when in town on your way to your destination, it is usually easier to find parking spaces for the motorhome and park it than with the TT. But it varies.
It matters as to how minimalist you can be happy with. Such things as a toilet/shower are deal-killers for a lot of people. Other people adapt. The range of what people do, and what they live in to do it - is astounding. If you haven't found Bob Wells's videos, go check him out. Also Liz Amazing: she tells it like it is, too. Bob interviews people in every conceivable platform, and you can decide better for yourself what you can live with by seeing what other people are doing.
No matter what you get, short of truly monster RV's, water is going to be an issue. Unless you're using campground hookups all the time, you will be watching your water - and thinking about it - a lot.
One final thing. No matter what you get - there's a good chance that after awhile, you'll get something different. So if you do - you're in good company. Many people start out with one RV platform only to find they're happier with a different one. There's no way to know for sure what works perfectly for you until you just go and do it. And don't beat yourself up if you don't get it perfect the first time.
PS: Here's a video by Catherine Gregory who switched from a truck camper to a new TT and her thoughts on it.
ua-cam.com/video/TpAjkHkhx_4/v-deo.html
You convinced me to go for the class c. Going from the drivers seat to the rv is invaluable especially for a solo traveler
Sounds great. I hope you find the perfect Class C for your needs. Thanks for watching!
I'm surprised that the ability to tow something else, such as a boat or other toys, is left out of the "pros" list for Class C units. As an avid fisherman, the travel trailer would force me to leave the boat home, or operate a second tow vehicle to have both the TT and boat. That precludes solo trips.
That's a good point Evan. Thanks for mentioning it here!
In spite of all cons, a TT is preferable. You can have your truck be your main vehicle and just hook it up when on vacation. A class c will force you to have another vehicle for daily commute
Thanks for sharing your opinion on the subject here.
I'm looking into a class C rv because I have a small mitsubishi mirage, my work car. It will need to go with me regardless. I'll be solo and will need the class c instead
We have a small tear-drop and attach several tent rooms we attach to the back & side of the trailer. Easy to pull.
Keep things simple. After mid-terms, gas prices will explode.
Sounds like a great solution for your needs. Thanks for watching the video George and sharing your RV setup with us.
Good video - and good comments below. Someone's probably already said it, but a pro to a travel trailer is you don't have to leave your campsite to go into town for something, only to come back and find someone else has moved in.
On the other hand, my experience with a travel trailer vs a motorhome was slightly different from your video with the trailer I had: gas mileage with the tow vehicle was not better. It is worth noting though, that I drove the same speed (~62 mph) with both of them, whereas most motorhomes can travel at the same speed as regular vehicular traffic, which can represent a significant drop in mpg.
Thanks for adding those thoughts and personal experiences Michael. I always appreciate hearing from RV owners who are willing to honestly share their opinion.
Great info and points. I do think if you’re going to make a side by side comparison between w TT and Class C, you have to include the cost of the tow vehicle/insurance and maintenance to get a true picture of how the costs compare.
I agree Mike. That's a good point. Thanks for watching and leaving a thoughtful comment!
Been doing some preliminary research into RVs to use as long-term housing so this was a huge help!
I'm glad this video was helpful for you. Thanks for both watching and commenting!
Look at all fiberglass, Escape 5.0 or Oliver Elite II. Last longer then stick built.
Great concise video! Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and have safe and happy travels!
Duane you hit the nail on the head once again! Good video as always. I'm am so confused. I can't find find a towable that will hook up to our Prius. SAFE TRAVELS
Ha! Ha! I think the towable you need is the Little Red Flyer Wagon. All the best Ron. Thanks for watching!
I don’t agree with the generalization that all travel trailers are of lesser quality than all Class C’s. I think that applies to many, but not all. I’ve had Winnebago, Jayco, and Forest River Class C’s and I can tell you for certain that Rockwood and Lance trailers are significantly better appointed and built. IMHO. Unrelated, but I’ve watched a few of your videos and find them to be well thought out and delivered. 😊
Hi Mike. You have a point there. I try not to make too many absolute statements about RVing, And there are TT brands that build a good quality product. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject here.
Great video. Thank you
Glad you liked it and it was helpful for you. Thanks for leaving such nice feedback!
The con of needing a vehicle that can handle the trailer can also be a bit of a positive. If you want to tow a boat at some point etc you have the vehicle for it. Also trucks have a very good resale value.
Those are good points too. Thanks for mentioning them here!
I still choose a class C, because for the trailer u still need a truck that is capable to tow. U still have to maintain the truck , and on top of that the length and for safety reasons I still choose the class C. The convenience to be able to have access to the kitchen and restroom at any time . If u feeling tired or sleepy from drinking all u have to is pull over to a safe location and take a nap.
Those are all good reasons to choose a travel trailer. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on what works best for you with us!
Something folks new to trailers don't always consider. The MPG of the tow vehicle will drop DRAMATICALLY when towing a trailer. That cost must be considered.
Good point and thanks for sharing that here. And thanks for watching the video too!
Good job 😊
Thanks for the positive feedback. It's much appreciated!
Thank you so much for this video. This really helped make a decision for us: we're going C Class.
So now the question that could put you on the spot... In YOUR opinion, what chassis is the most reliable for a C class, or even B Plus? Not motorhome manufacturer, but rather, actual chassis (MB, Ford, Chevy, etc.)? Looking forward to your reply. Again, thank you!
Hi Joe. In the Class C category the decision is quite often already made for you as almost all Class Cs come with a Ford chassis. And the Ford chassis is very proven and reliable over the years. It's main Achilles heel is its handling and suspension can sometimes be a little rough. As for B+ RVs, I will be making a video soon on the comparison of a Sprinter vs ProMaster vs Transit chassis. So stay tuned for that. But I have already made a video has some information that may be useful on the Sprinter chassis alone. You can view that video at ua-cam.com/video/SeroO5ALniU/v-deo.html . I hope that helps.
Thank you so much!@@RVInspectionAndCare
I think it makes more sense to tow your home with your vehicle than tow your vehicle with your home.
LOL .... Well, I guess that's why there's different strokes for different folks.
What about 5th wheel trailer you should in glued in the video
Hi James. This video is about the entry level RVs for both towables and motorhomes. And that is travel trailers for towables and Class Cs for motorhomes. It's more fair to compare fifth wheels and Class As instead.
Curious to what has better resell value? Class A, Class C or travel trailer? I know they all depreciate greatly, none are an investment. Situation- we are only going full time for one year then moving into a home. Thoughts?
Actually, the factors that have the greatest bearing on how well most any RV holds its value in only a year's time would be how low under the market value you were able to buy the RV, how well it was cared for before you bought it, and how well you cared for it while you owned it. I hope that helps.
We are currently debating this exact thing at home
How about that for timing. I hope the video is helpful. Thanks for watching Jory!
I think learning how to back up a trailer would be a deal breaker for me.
Yes, it is for a lot of folks. Motorhomes make a lot of things like that very simple and easy. But as the video says, they have their drawbacks too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
Many class c motor homes are too small inside. We are looking for a trailer.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject here.
🙏🙏
Thanks for your support Ali.
🙏🙏🙏
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!