By Liz Wilcox
So you travel in an RV… but have you ever thought about what your RV says about you? Like, what’s the impression you give when you pull up to the campground?
Well, look no further, my friend. I’m here to tell you all about how people are judging you from their camping chairs.
Luxury motorhome
You want to go camping – you just want to do it in style. And who’s to say you can’t watch TV and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature at the same time? Just because you live in an RV doesn’t mean you have to be one of those tiny homes hippies!
Class B
Can we all just agree to call this a van? So you RV in a van, but yes, we’ll admit it’s a sweet van. It’s got a name and you’re never gonna sell it, no way. Would people stop asking?! (Man, that’s annoying!)
Class B+
You’re old and you want a simple life, but you’d also like some room for your Shih Tzu.
Moving on.
Class C
You’re either a family with small kids on vacation or a couple looking for your next great hiking adventure. This RV isn’t for everybody, and you’ll admit the storage sucks, but man is it easy to just pull over.
Truck camper
You’re a rugged mountain man with a sordid past just passing through town. At least that’s what people think when you pull up, until you step out and look like the shortstop for Average Joe’s.
Not much is known about your kind, and you like it that way. Adds a little comical mystery. The truth? You’re just easy to please.
Airstream
You’re in a league all your own. You’re cute. You’re hip. You either had a lot of money to buy new or you had some money stashed away for a renovation. We’re all very happy for you.
Standard travel trailer
You’re logical. Practical. You ain’t spending a ton of money. This RV suits all your needs and nothing more. You got the one with just enough storage and space to fit you, your kids and your pets. You want to spend as much time outside as possible, and this trailer is gonna make that happen for you, dang it.
Like the rest of the RVing community, you’re just looking for your little slice of freedom. Respectable, really.
Teardrop
Does a bear relieve himself in the woods? So do you. Seriously though, you’re just really into the simple life.
Fifth wheel
You want to RV with all the comforts of home but you can’t afford a luxury motorhome. BINGO! Fifth wheel! You brag about your RV kitchen every chance you get—and who can blame you? After all, you’ve got an island, a respectable fridge, and room for the Sam’s Club peanut butter in your pantry.
Toy hauler
You’re super into nature, and tearin’ it up. There’s nothing like taking the quad out in Moab and gettin’ it done, yanawimsayin? Then head on down to the motocross competition to watch your boy take those ruts like a champ. Or maybe you’re the motorcycle type and got the toy hauler to hold your pride and joy.
You head to campgrounds close to scenic highways. You love a good bonfire with some friends, good ol’ American beer, and nothing but the Classics blastin’ on the stereo in the background.
Skoolie
You’re tired of these money-hungry RV manufacturers with their shoddy craftsmanship—if you can even call it that. In fact, you’re pretty tired of a lot of things. No longer will you live by everyone’s standards except your own!
That’s why you decided to get the bus: the bus to freedom. It’s dependable, sturdy and full of possibility. Just like you. Maybe you’ll get plumbing for it, maybe you won’t. All you know is the open road is calling your name and you must go.
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##RVT1067
What? Nothing about the Class A’s?
Bob Class A was the first one. Just didn’t have a title.
Not all Class As are luxury motorhomes. There’s a world of difference between the luxury ones and the normal ones that are just Class Cs with more room and storage.
You left out Super C, a motorhome built on an over the road truck (International, Freightliner, etc.) I’d love to know what this type of RV says about us!
Not bad descriptions, and doesn’t step on any toes.
We could more than afford that big motorhome but love the value and space in our large mid bunk house 5th wheel. The 5th wheel is a reflection of our 40+ years of working and spending wisely. We still own our sticks & bricks home in the country with an RVport were we spend 2 months in late summer/ early fall and 2 months in spring. The travel the remaining 8 months, winter in Florida and summer in the Adirondacks. Most other 5th wheel owners (along the east coast) are like us. If the motorhome breaks down you’re without a home on the road. I can locate several diesel pickup trucks within miles of our stays. Not the same for big motorhomes. It simply makes so much more sense to separate the living quarters from the motor.
How about the Vintage RV? My wife and I love to travel in our classic 1977 GMC motorhome. We have people ask us about it most everywhere we stop.
GMCers.org
There is at least two classes of class A owners. The first is what is mentioned here and then the smaller more affordable class A’s
For those of you who full-time and have seriously considered the cost…if you have a luxury fifth wheel RV; you more than likely have a luxury high end truck…and the book values of the Truck and RV is more than likely equivalent to about a low to mid grade diesel pusher. Around 220k. The point ‘We can easily afford a class A; We just prefer having more room/storage, less maintenance, and less mechanical down time… compared to all motored RVs’
Be encouraged people!!! Some people look rich but, in reality they’re poor. Some people look poor, in reality they are extremely rich. As an RVer, you don’t know whose who, until you fellowship… and not everyone is amiable…most RVers are friendly but not all. In short, get the rig that suits your desires. High-end, low-end, just as long as you’re satisfied. Enjoy your RV.
Popups?
I own a 5th wheel, and you nailed it! lol
Looks like my Airstream, but I do not have the “seven year itch” to buy a new RV. Airstreams are built to travel, not sit in campsites for a month or more, Solar lights and some Flamingoes, would rather look at the stars and moon, not the television.
We are outside more than in. We love the simple life of living in a truck camper. We can go anywhere for a long period of time. Love it
About those “tent” people? They like to pee in the woods too.
Well I guess the guys and gals that just build their own are left out again. There are more than skoolies out there. These people are tired of the junk you get at a dealer and have the skills to do it better
Im a hybrid of the TT and the skoolie. We love our TTs. As soon as I get a new one home, I start the upgrades, repairs, modifications.
I disagree with the fifth wheel opinion. We love our fifth wheel because we can set up in a park and drive into town in our truck. We certainly don’t want a huge bus dragging a car behind. That’s just too much length to drive through small towns and switchback roads.
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
That dude with the humble travel trailer may park it at his paid off $2 million home. And that gal with her new 45′ diesel pusher may live in it and be in hock up to her eyebrows…
Read: “The Millionaire Next Door”
One of my favorite books.
Nice stereotype! Actually my brand new LUXURY 5th wheel, 2021, is almost paid off. It is also more expensive than many class A’s. AND I can afford a luxury class A but I don’t want to afford maintaining another engine, transmission, broken windshields, tires, registration and insurance. The latter is much cheaper on my 5th wheel.
I hope your cute little article was some sort of joke. I couldn’t tell because I couldn’t finish reading that crap.
Cute article but I don’t think it’s accurate. We owned a Tiffin Allegro Bus and traveled for 10 years in it. One day my husband said it’s time for a life change. So, we sold our 45’ Bus and bought a 39’ fifth wheel. We don’t travel as much so don’t need a motor, staying in one place for the summer, with the occasional week or two at the beach. We store the fifth wheel for the winter and go back home to AZ. We have a smaller trailer which we use for a few days of camping throughout the winter. We did not like the part in the article that said fifth wheelers could not afford a luxury RV…just a change in lifestyle. And yes we have a great island in our fifth wheel.
Cute descriptions. People don’t need to get riled up because of the stereotypes. C’mon, smile. We have a Super C and that does have plenty of storage in the basement. Full-timing since April 2020.
We traveled in our class A for over 15 years. Decided to switch to a class C full body paint and a large storage under the bedroom. This C is easier to drive and has a higher top end. So passing in the left lane is easier and safer. I can go in smaller areas. It’s 31’ and the class A was 38’. Should have owned a class C much earlier in life. Put a panhard bar on the rear suspension so towing is the same as the class A now. We wouldn’t go back to a Class A no matter what. The front seats swivel around for entertaining friends. The TV is not over the cab but instead it’s on the wall next to the booth. Great class C by Thor.
Pretty much rock-on. We could afford a much more expensive 5th wheel but chose a 25′ travel trailer with a murphy bed to save room and with this compact RV we can roam the countryside boondocking and travel long distance staying in it at RV parks for a few months with no discomfort. Made the right choice for us.
You left out Super Cs Liz! A whole different animal compared to regular Cs. Monster diesel and the strength to haul a tiny home (if you need more space, lol). OTR wannabes also “feel the power” when pulling on that airhorn cord!!!
How about having one of each while moving the RV classes and then back to down-size? I don’t think it identifies me. I selected the class of RV because I am a utilitarian.
After retirement I could have gone with a motorhome but went with a fifth wheel instead, just as a practical matter. Utility still appeals to me as does comfort and cost.
You didn’t really say anything about vans except it has a name (ours doesn’t) and you’ll never sell it.
You’re either on the bus or you’re off the bus–Ken Kesey
We have Chevy van home rigged out for us. We are former back packers where the sky was your roof and the ground was your bed. We feel life in the van is pure luxury especially on rainy or snowy .No set up time, relatively good gas mileage,can boon dock with ease.jon
You guys are so touchy and you missed the entire meaning of the article. It’s not about what you can afford, it’s about what other campers are thinking about you when you pull in. You can’t control what other people think, so stop trying 🙂
Thanks, Sharon. Plus, I think this was written “tongue-firmly-in-cheek.” Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
Thank you. You too! Keep up the great articles 🙂
Thank you, Sharon! Take care. 😀 –Diane
You “think” it was written tongue in cheek? Stereotyping is not usually regarded as a good thing especially in journalism.
Take a nap,
Exactly! everyone’s a little sensitive.
So wrong, we own a toy hauler and so far from what was written. You can not assume what people are like from their RV.
Way too much assumption going on here.
Remember the old Chevrolet commercial about looking at people’s shoes to determine what kind of car they would buy? They were all wrong.
I agree
Who would have ever thought rvers would be judged on their choices to get outdoors. First time I have ever read anything like this babble and clearly assumptions are sometimes distorted. Enjoy your toy hauler.
Yaaaaaaaawn. Whatever.
I agree with outlaw, there’s more out there than just skoolies. Living full time in a 33 travel trailer has taught us a lot. It’s 33 feet, not something I am comfortable pulling at different times because of weather etc. So we are adapting to a smaller unit. A 6 ft x 12 ft cargo conversion trailer.. Some may say it’s not a travel trailer. Well, it can be pulled anywhere. Doing the conversion myself, so will have everything we need and nothing we don’t. Something needs fixed, not a problem. I built it.. I can fix it..
What do people think when they see it pull in to a camp ground? Not sure yet. But if the last couple months is any indication. They won’t mind, they’ll be as curious as the people that stop by to see it now while it’s being built. And walk away saying “WE can do that” or “Why didn’t we think about that?”
RVtravel, let’s see what others create, make, build to camp in..
Camping and RV’ing doesn’t have to be about how much we spend..
Tongue-in-cheek, sure. But also a lot of truth about “first impressions.” Like many RVers, we have gone through half the RV types discussed in the article before settling on a Class C Sprinter very similar to the Class C photo in the article. We have always considered ourselves travelers, not campers, and the small, completely self-contained Class C allows us to spend a night anywhere with no setup or takedown required (in our mid-70s, we especially appreciate that feature). It also allows us to fit into every national-state-provincial park or forest campground in the US and Canada, unlike our fifth wheel. We are short enough to drive through, and park in, most cities without needing a toad. But, despite almost daily travel and current high fuel prices, the 12-15 mpg we get reduces our travel costs.
Could we spend an entire summer in it traveling to Canada and Alaska? Most certainly. Could we spend an entire winter snowbirding in it while parked in an RV resort? Nah!
Agree whole heartedly!
Rollin’ in a vintage class-a, that we keep as shiny as possible. We like camping, but want a bathroom seconds away from pulling over. That and we are cheap. 🙂
I got a Class B because it looks like the cabin of the sailboats I spent most of my adult life in. Too old to sail anymore, I still get the same vibe cruising down the highway (and don’t have to wear foul-weather gear when it rains).
Camper psyc profile assessments? Giggle…Time will tell if I get the camper I want for retirement or just a bottle of Geritol, box of depends, case of icy hot, and a bottle of pepto. Of course I don’t need any of those things at this time but the camper would be nice to have.
You forgot ‘Class A Gasser’.
You want the luxury of a 40+ft diesel pusher, but with kids, pets and that job waiting for you on Monday morning, it’s not practical. Models from Forest River, Thor and Winnebago all have different levels of amenities, but they all have the power, durability and flexibility to match almost every families needs.
My feelings exactly!
I’m with Spike! Yawn!
I would like to say more but I’m trying to be nicer… lately.
I guess we’ll always be a mystery. Our little class A is very basic and far from “luxury”. Class A has quite a bit of variety.
Good luck finding camping spots with someone’s brilliant idea of reservations for spots. If you do find a spot you’re surrounded by empty spots that the website says is taken. HORRIBLE IDEA!!
What does my Class A “RUV” say about me? Hmmmm? Retired from Cannabis industry, Bought new (2018),totally renovated at factory and haven’t had a lick of trouble with the coach that is, life, the road and we all have that relative ” Murphy ” who shows up at the most difficult times,and he has certainly reared his ugly head, F150 toad fire, but still on the road with 2021 Jeep toad enjoying my 11 mpg avg. especially through Northern California! Enjoy the road!
Yes 5th Wheels are cheaper, but they have a lot of advantages over a RV, in my opinion. But again, it’s all about lifestyle. I don’t judge anybody’s decision to buy/own a class c, class b, diesel pusher RV or just want to tent camp. I get a little tired about people who own 17 to 30+ sized units who complain about those who have larger units. What’s the problem here? We don’t know anything about our neighbors And/or why they’ve made certain life choices.. I don’t think it matters how we drive up to our particular campsite and how each of us manages our camping experience. I have a large trailer, but have tent camped for over 30 years of my life. I enjoy my trailer and enjoyed my previous experiences without.
Aren’t 5 Wheels RVs too?
Dang, not sure what people think of my “camper”. And, really & truly, I don’t care. I’ve had 4 bumper pull “real” camp trailers, a toy hauler & 3 cargo trailer conversions. I started small, went bigger & bigger & didn’t care for the towing experience. I am now back to a very small & old “real camp trailer”, but still prefer my 7X14 cargo trailer conversion as I can haul my electric tricycle in it. At 72, I need transportation that doesn’t involve my arthritic feet.
Cute. But, it doesn’t cover what anyone thinks about when I show up with my Classic 1976 20′ Swinger tow-along. And, its in perfect shape, self-contained and always ready to go anywhere….that is, anywhere that’ll accept an almost fifty year old small independent camper parked along the newer stuff!?
The article says more about the author than the generalized description of who owns what type of RV.
You left out those of us who have an older, well-loved class A. We either don’t have, or aren’t willing to spend the big bucks on a fancy new DP. Call us frugal, smart, and practical. We need the comfort of a walk around bed and love budget traveling to see this great country, often dry camping in BLM or FS areas. We keep our rig clean and well maintained, but don’t ooze $$$$.
100% Agreed!
Yes that’s us too.
Living in a 5th wheel has nothing to do with “longing ” for a class A. We opted for a tow, because if there is a malfunction of engine, we unhook, rent a car and have our personal papers/ items with us. No way would we have our home locked in a garage somewhere without access. 39 ft, 4 slides of amazing “home” is our 1st choice. We had a chance after selling our home, but weighed every detail. We chose an easy tow home. Very happy and the only thing I envy on the road is a well done schoolie.
A repeat from 2022. Still, Love it! Satire, sure. However, based on some of the comments Liz struck some nerves – – and isn’t that the point of satire?
I’d like to see Liz’s opinion about those of us that have two very different RVs – both of them at the same RV park! (one in storage, but ready to roll).
My step-dad and mom snowbirded in a truck camper…because he pulled a trailer with his motorbike in it. I guess that fits the “truck camper” image…
Hmm, …. Thank you, Liz! We opted for a “luxury” class A to get an escape door and lots of techie safety equipment in the hope of RVing longer, yet also safer. Guess we’ll see hpw it works out.