The Advantages
Of A
Small Motorhome

We drive a small motorhome – a Class B (van size) camper. Pictured here, our 1990 Roadtrek offers everything we need in an RV in a very compact space.

If you like the idea of the frugal adventure RV lifestyle that I describe in this site, and you’re looking for an RV that best fits the bill to take you to the places I’m suggesting, then I recommend you look for a small motorhome.

Look for the best used RV you can afford, especially if this is your first RV purchase. You’ll find out as you use it, what your likes and dislikes are, so buying new is not an option until you’ve spent some time on the road. A new RV can also be very expensive and will depreciate fast after you drive it off the lot. A used RV will depreciate slowly.

If you're like some of our friends you may be asking how we can live in such a small space. The answer is, "We don't. We cook our meals in the RV and sleep in it but, unless it's raining, the great outdoors is our living room and dining room."

When looking for a small motorhome, you do have a few choices:

1. Class B (van-size camper)

2. Class B-plus (slightly wider van-size camper)

3. Pop-top van

4. Truck Camper

5. Small Class C (preferably under 27 feet)

Small motorhomes have become the fastest growing segment of the RV industry in recent years and with the recent hike in fuel prices this trend is bound to continue.

Increasingly popular, lightweight RVs that are towed - such as small trailers and tent trailers - might also work, but are not as suited to our style of travel which involves exploring some back roads.

Many people, including good friends of ours, pull a trailer and are able to access many of the same camping areas we do. However the overall length when combined with a vehicle, will prevent you from exploring many of the roads we take in our small motorhome. The solution of course is to un-hitch the trailer and explore the road by car or truck before bringing the trailer in.

The Frugal Advantage Of A Small Motorhome

1. Better fuel economy.

2. Can access narrow forest roads and other dirt roads on public lands to free dispersed camping areas.

3. Can “sneak-a-sleep” wherever overnight parking is allowed.

4. With a larger RV many people leave the RV behind and drive a tow vehicle to explore the area. With a small RV your home and food is always with you, so you can save on restaurant meals.

5. If, while exploring, you find a great overnight spot you can stay without having to backtrack to get your RV.

6. Since every storage area in an RV seems to get filled, the less storage space you have, the less "stuff" you bring or are tempted to buy en route. (We still always bring stuff that doesn't get used.)

7. Can be used as a primary or second vehicle when not traveling

8. With the recent escalation in fuel prices a small RV should hold its value better than a larger model.

1. Easy to drive and park

2. Allows you to explore what's down a narrow road without fearing that you may not be able to turn around.

3. If you find a great spot, your home is with you and you are free to spend as much time as you like.

4. You can be more spontaneous. Since all your gear is with you, if you find a wonderful hiking trail, camping area, or meet up with people, you can take advantage of opportunities without having to return to home base.

5. With less indoor space in a small motorhome, you're likely to spend more time outdoors, which after all, is the idea, isn't it?

Truck Camper
Pros:

• Most trucks have higher clearance and perhaps even 4-wheel-drive, to allow access to rougher roads and even more areas than any other small motorhome.

• You may already own a truck, and the financial outlay for the camper to add to it is much less than for a motorized RV.

• If you already own a truck, additional savings include not having to insure or pay for annual license fees on another motor vehicle.

• Some truck campers are made to fold down to a lower profile resulting in better fuel efficiency.

• The camper can be removed from the truck and left set-up at a campsite while you take the truck for a drive. (From our experience this is usually just tricky enough that it’s not a feature you would take advantage of very often.)

• When not traveling, you can remove the camper and have use of the truck as a primary or secondary vehicle.

• You can upgrade to a newer truck if you like but still keep the camper and just transfer it to the new truck.

Cons:

• When you are in the camper you don’t have access to the driver’s seat to drive away without going outdoors first...could be a safety and inclement weather issue.

• A truck camper is higher than B or C class RV so getting in and out of the camper will mean climbing more steps.

Class B, B-plus, or Pop-top Van
Pros:

• When not traveling it can be a primary or secondary vehicle with seating for 4 to 6 people.

• No wasted space. On most models the driver and passenger seats turn around to become part of your living space while camping.

• Some B-plus models offer a slide-out for additional space

• In an emergency you can get to the drivers seat from within the camper very easily and drive away from trouble.

• Most are built more aerodynamically so they get better gas mileage than either a truck with camper or a C-Class.

• Can be parked in any regular parking space that will accommodate a van or extended van.

• Easily becomes a second vehicle when not traveling. Some models look more like a conversion van than an RV.

Cons:

• Very compact space. Not much storage.

• The ceiling height and the bed may not be suitable for tall people.

• Sleeps fewer people than a C-Class or truck camper

• The bed has to be taken down in order to seat more than 2 for dinner.

• Generally more expensive to buy than a C-Class.

Small Class C
Pros:

• Most have a more spacious living area than either truck camper or B-Class.

• More space means more storage space.

• Slide-outs for additional space are available on some models.

• No wasted space. The driver and passenger seats become part of your living space when camping.

• In an emergency, you can get to the drivers seat from within the camper very easily and drive away from trouble.

Cons:

• Not very aerodynamic, so poor fuel economy.
  

• Always looks like an RV and generally more bulky so, when not traveling, is not as suitable as a primary or secondary vehicle.

The type of small motorhome you end up with may be determined as much by what is available in your price range as any decision you make based on preference. Any of the RV types described above will work fine. We've owned 2 Roadtreks (Class B) since we started traveling 8 years ago. Both were purchased because we found them at a reasonable price.

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