By Cheri Sicard
If you are considering buying a large Class A motorhome, watch the video at the end of this article first. In it, Small Space Living breaks down the pros and cons of this type of RV so that consumers can make an informed decision on whether or not a Class A motorhome is right for them.
Of course, these points are only the opinions of the video creators. You may or may not agree with all of them.
So let’s check out the good, the bad, and the ugly about Class A motorhomes!
Class A motorhome pros
• Set up and leveling is quick and easy, especially because most all but the very basic Class A’s have an electronic leveling system.
• Panoramic wrap-around front windows give you a fabulous view whether you are driving or parked.
• The video says a pro is that most of your living space is available even when your slides are in. That is certainly the case in their motorhome, but I don’t know that it is in all motorhomes, so check the models you are considering carefully.
• Roadside safety is high because you have everything you need inside. You need not ever get out of your RV at rest stops (unless you have pets).
To that list, I would add the HUGE amount of living and storage space that large Class A motorhomes offer.
Class A motorhome cons
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, however. Class A motorhomes do have some downsides.
• You lose a lot of living space in the front cab area, about three to five feet. Yes, you can swivel the chairs around to be used in the rig, but according to the video, it’s just not the same as having that area for usable living space.
• Safety. Because the driver sits right near the front of the motorhome with just a flat area before them, there is not a lot of protection if there ever was a collision.
• Maintenance is heavy on a Class A. True, ALL RVs require maintenance, but there is even more that can go wrong on a large Class A. RV repairs can get costly and good repair people are always in short supply.
• You need a “toad” or an extra vehicle you tow behind the motorhome (unless you want to spend all your time sitting in a campground). This adds extra expenses to set it up as well as ongoing maintenance.
• Those front cab wrap-around windows that they counted as a pro also have a negative side. They are the cause of losing a lot of heat in the winter and of incoming heat in the summer.
I would add a couple more cons that they didn’t address in the video. The massive size of a large Class A will limit the number of campsites available and places you can go with it.
Also, fuel is another HUGE expense. True, any kind of RV is going to use more fuel than just a car. But a big Class A, regardless of whether it runs on gas or diesel, is going to get fewer miles per gallon than most trucks and towables.
What else would you add to the list of pros and cons of a big Class A motorhome? Drop them in the comments below.
RELATED
- RV inspector recommends the 3 best brands of used Class A motorhomes
- Class A RV left in pieces after tow job goes wrong
- Our new-to-us Class A rides very rough. How can we fix it?
RVDT2718
Cons: The cost and perhaps the availability of said windshield.
There’s give and take with any type of RV – You either drive your home and tow your transportation or you tow your home and drive your transportation. Or you tow nothing and try to fit your life into a Class C or B.
If you’re okay with driving a truck everywhere you go, a towable might be a good fit. Some view that as a con akin to riding the plow ox instead of a horse.
If you want to fit in most campsites at the cost of size and capacity, a Class C or B might be okay. Some view that as a con akin to giving up pizza because it won’t fit into the toaster.
The moral of the story is one person’s con can easily be another’s pro. Get what works for you.
100% Vince. Every type of RV has pros and cons. Pick your poison! 😆
I used to tow a 30ft travel trailer and averaged about 9-10mpg, now I have a 38ft class A diesel and get 10.5 mpg on diesel. So, I’m extremely happy plus I don’t have to spend 15 minutes hooking up the trailer to the toe vehicle or unhooking it. All I usually do is plug the electric in and I’m set up. Oh , yes and push a few buttons to level and put the slides out.
Regarding the first Pro of leveling:
Over decades of RVing we’ve had towables and motorhomes. Towables have FAR more leveling capability than motorhomes, especially if you want to keep your tires on the ground.
While it is true that most MHs have auto levelers, they can only do so much. And, the longer the wheelbase the harder it gets front to back. Towables pivot and front to back leveling is a breeze, especially with an electric jack.
Net, if the site is reasonably level, easier with a MH. But for true versatility in sites, I give the leveling edge to towables.
A nice Pro for motorhomes is that when you stop for lunch at a rest stop, or at your final destination, in hot weather your MH is already cool inside, not 100+ degrees. For outside temps below 90°F our dash AC is sufficient during travel. Above that we turn on the onboard genset (another plus running off the main tank) and run an AC or two.
I prefer Class A’s for a couple reasons. I love the visibility sitting up high and being to see brake lights come on 6 cars ahead instead of just the guy in front of me suddenly hitting his brakes. Also, when we are at a rest stop, the windows are too high for anyone to look in or even climb in. Same if we are in a boondocking site or secluded cg.
Thank you for calling attention to the video and summarizing it, Cheri! Living space is “available” when slides are retracted, if the class A has slides, but only in a limited way. For example, we can get to most of the RV with the slides retracted, but we cannot open any of the dresser drawers. Driving a class A has a learning curve because of both the size and the driving position. The driver seat is ahead of the front axle. Also, the length puts the pivot point of the vehicle much farther behind, later than in a shorter vehicle (e.g., car, truck, or SUV), so one must learn to be conscious of the amount of tail swing and off-tracking ones class A has. Have a great day and safe travels!