Most people believe that Class A motorhomes are the best RV option available. However, there are a number of reasons why you might want to avoid them.
What is a Class A Motorhome?
A Class A Motorhome is a diesel pusher engine RV. These types of RVs are the largest and most luxurious rigs on the market. They offer all of the amenities that you would find in a home, including a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area. Class A Motorhomes are typically used for extended vacations and long-term travel.
While Class A Motorhomes Have Their Cons – Here Are Some Pros To Consider
One of the biggest advantages of Class A motorhomes is the amount of space they offer. If you have a large family or enjoy entertaining guests, you’ll appreciate the extra square footage. These RVs also come with plenty of storage space for all your gear, so you can bring everything you need for your trip.
Another plus is that Class A motorhomes typically have more luxurious features than other types of RVs. If you want all the bells and whistles, this is the kind of RV for you.
The 9 Reasons You Should Avoid Class A Motorhomes
Motorhomes are often seen as a luxurious way to travel and see the country. However, there are several reasons why you might want to avoid class A motorhomes. They can be expensive, difficult to drive, and uncomfortable.
Here are 8 specific reasons why you should avoid class A motorhomes:
1. A Second Vehicle is Needed as a Daily Driver
Once you get to your campsite, it is impractical to drive your Class A into town to pick groceries or go sight-seeing. Therefore, if you want to get around, you will need a separate vehicle known as a “daily driver.”
Having an additional vehicle means another engine to maintain and more fuel to buy. On the plus side, your additional vehicle can be towed by your Class A. Most Class A owners buy a Jeep because they can be flat towed.
2. Class A Motorhomes are Not Cheap
There is no way around it this elephant in the room. You pay a hefty penny for the luxury items included with a Class A RVs. These types of RVs are often more expensive than most other types.
3. High Maintenance and Repair Costs
Speaking of expenses, you’ll find that the cost of Class A maintenance is often higher than that of other campers as well. For example, Class A RVs typically have 6 tires which should be replaced every 3-5 years. New tires for a Class A RV will cost between $200-$350 per tire, costing you $1200-$2100 every few years – just for tires!
4. The Engine Area and Living Area are Combined
Since the area in where you drive and living space are not separate in a Class A RV, it may not have the same “homey” feel of a towable RV. However, most Class As have driver and passenger seats that swivel to face the living area so they can add to your living space rather than detract from it.
5. Not Always a Great Option for Boondocking
Boondocking, also known as dry camping, is a great way to save money on your RV trip by finding a free place to camp. However, Class A motorhomes are not built for driving on bumpy back roads, so it can be tough to find a good boondocking spot if you are driving one of these babies.
While this might not be a problem for many who plan to only camp in private campgrounds with full hook-ups, others want to take advantage of free camping will find it more difficult to do so in a Class A motorhome.
6. Hard to Maneuver in Towns, Campgrounds, and at Gas Stations
Class A RVs are impractical for driving around towns. Even once you arrive at your campground, you will have to ensure the campsite will accommodate the size of your rig. When you need to fuel up, you’ll need to find a truck stop, or a gas station that has spots for truckers, because you will not fit a Class A RV into a spot made for a commuter vehicle.
7. Lack a Wide Selection of Floor Plans in Class A RVs
Due to their general design, there are usually a limited number of floor plans available for Class A motorhomes. This can be limiting for customers who have specific needs or wants in their rig. Believe it or not, towable RVs actually offer a significantly wider selection of floor plans.
8. Class As Have the Lowest Miles Per Gallon (MPG) Compared to Other RVs
When it comes to RVs, the lowest miles per gallon (MPG) can be found in class A motorhomes. These large rigs can range from 100-gallon tanks all the way up to 500-gallon tanks. That being said, class A motorhomes are not very fuel efficient. In fact, the average RV only gets around 8-10 MPG. So, if you’re looking for a driveable rig that’s going to save you money at the gas station, you might want to consider a Class B or a Class C motorhome instead.
8. It’s Harder to Heat and Cool Class A RVs
Class A motorhomes can be harder to heat or cool than other RVs. This is because the cab windows do not provide much in the way of insulation. They allow heat or cool air to escape, making it more difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the RV.
Should You Avoid Class A Motorhomes and Get a Different Type of Camper?
Class A RVs are not for everyone. They are expensive, difficult to drive, and require a lot of maintenance. If you are considering buying a Class A RV, be sure to do your research and talk to experienced RVers to help you choose the perfect RV for you.
Did We Miss Any Reasons to Avoid Class A RVs?
Let us know below if there are any reasons we missed or if there are any reasons above that aren’t a reason to avoid Class A RVs.
Happy RV Shopping!