Why Are Class C Motorhomes So Expensive

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Travelling by a motorhome can be an incredible way of escaping everyday life and seeing the world.  And these days, people are even more eager to go on vacations that don’t involve airports or cruise ships.  Motorhomes are a sure way ticket to enjoy your vacations, but sometimes it can be tough to understand why they are so expensive, especially the Class C type.

Class C Motorhomes are more expensive than others on the market due to the high quality of the chassis, better gas consumption which gives them more miles to the gallon and is a higher standard of materials and components to build the motorhome.

In this article, we present all you need to know about Class C motorhomes; we explore the different types of motorhomes to help you find your best fit for your wonderland and walk you through why Class C is expensive. 

What Is A Class C Motorhome?

A Class C motorhome offers the beauty of an outdoor experience for families and friends. It can be full-size, compact, or super-sized, all in between the Class A and B, and can be distinguishable by their raised sleeping and sometimes storage areas that outspread over the RV cab.  It offers more flexibility, living space, and better gas mileage than Class A Motorhomes.

Class C motorhomes are mostly built on a full A sized cutaway van chassis, which makes it easy to manoeuvre and travel.

Merits Of A Class C Motorhome

Class C motorhomes are built with a number of amenities that make it stand out among its peers in the RV world. These strong suits mainly come from the fact that Class C is in between the luxurious Class A and the effective but less comfy Class B motorhomes.

In general, we have arranged the benefits of a Class C motorhome into the following categories: High sleeping capacity, easy navigation, safe construction, accessible living space, excellent gas mileage, and easy engine access. 

1. High Sleeping Capacity

Most times, a Class C motorhome will frequently have the highest sleeping capacity of any of the three Classes of motorhomes. This is because the bed over the driver is often utilized as an additional couch.

The advantage here is apparent in the event that you need additional sleeping space for your family; at that point, you might need to check out a Class C. Although recently, there have been a couple of Class A models that have been adding the over cab bed because of its value and prominence among Class C motorhomes.

For the most part, you are taking a gander at 6 to 8 individuals that can rest in a Class C motorhome. There are approaches to increase this, through floor plans with lofts or having couches that can double as beds.

2. Easy Navigation

Regarding navigating a motorhome, the size difference between a Class A and a Class C can be significant. Class A motorhomes can be 40 feet in length, though Class C motorhomes, by and large, are around 28 feet.

This twelve-foot difference can be outrageous as there isn’t much need to stress overturning corners at 28 feet. However, that is a different ball game at 40 feet. Other advantages to a Class C motorhome’s portability and mobility come with how low to the ground they are when compared to a Class A motorhome.

A motorhome with a more considerable height has an increased chance of falling when a whirlwind strikes them. These whirlwinds can frequently cause motorhome drivers to overcorrect and bring about accidents or the overturning of the vehicle.

3. Safe Construction

When people talk about Class C’s construction being safe, they often emphasize its short height. But that isn’t the only benefit to the safety of Class C motorhomes for passengers. 

Due to its low location, it allows ease of access to both entrance and exit doors, which can be challenging to work with when considering older passengers. Moreover, the building of the cockpit of Class C motorhomes has airbags while Class A’s do not have. As a result, you are much safer and protected in a Class C motorhome than a Class A motorhome in case of an accident.

4. Accessible Living Space

One of the displeasures of non-motorhome RVs such as movement trailers and fifth wheels is that the driver is secluded from the travellers and living space. That isn’t an issue in a Class C motorhome. A curtain often separates Class C motorhomes so that you can interact with people at the back of the motorhome. This implies that you can have somebody slip through the front seat to have some conversation with the driver.

Furthermore, you can get a meal set up in the back to the driver in front without stopping the motorhome.  This means you don’t need to stop for a mealtime each couple of hours; instead, the food can be brought to you, and you can continue driving.

5. Best Gas Mileage

The Class C motorhomes have much better gas mileage than Class A motorhomes due to the RV’s build and weight. This benefit has been improved by the likes of Class C+ motorhomes, which are often diesel-powered. This grants a more significant pull load as well as better fuel efficiency.  

6. Easy Engine Access

Many RVs have complex rigging set around their engine. This makes them really difficult to fix when knocked down. Sometimes, auto mechanics might not be willing to work on the RV. This is often the case with Class A motorhomes but not Class C. 

So Why Choose a Class C?

Class C has a few advantages over the Class A and B motorhomes. It can be categorized as the middle ground between the two. Class A’s fall into the vast, transport style category and can offer an extraordinary experience, yet take some practice to park or drive, while Class B’s are more similar to a customized family van and are appropriate for a couple of travellers. Most Class C’s are sufficiently spacious to house up to seven individuals. However, they are typically simpler to park and drive.

Reasons for choosing a Class C include:

  1. More sleeping capacity
  2. Easier route
  3. Simpler to drive in unfavourable climate
  4. Design closer to the ground for a more convenient entrance and exit
  5. Generally more secure because of the cockpit construction
  6. The living territory is accessible while the vehicle is moving.

Class C’s are genuinely easy to deal with and provide a comparative experience to driving a moving van or truck. Since this kind of motorhome has sufficient space for both sleeping capacity and individuals, it is a decent choice for camping trips and broadened vacations.

In the event that the RV is furnished with a bigger engine and substantial chassis, you can likewise tow a boat or even a second vehicle on your movements.

A typical Class C will be furnished with an oven and fridge, stockpiling tanks for water and waste, and eating territory, a restroom (includes a shower, sink, and lavatory), cupboards and storage compartments, and a few sleeping zones.

The TV in Class C will generally be mounted behind the cockpit or on the living zone, which is more secure than being mounted in the cockpit over the driver and traveller’s heads.

What Makes Class C Motorhomes Different from Other Motorhomes?

As we referenced, there are three Classes of Motorhomes. Class A, B, and C. Though they have some similar features but also dramatically differ in other features that make each Class stand out. In this section, we will be discussing the characteristics of each type.

Class A Motorhomes

This type of Motorhomes is constructed on heavy-duty frames. The frames are built on either a commercial truck/bus chassis or a specially designed vehicle chassis.

These frames utilize comparable construction designs to the vast 18 wheelers we see on the roadways and have bigger wheels intended to carry a heftier load. These vehicles can either run by gas or diesel and usually get 8-10 miles for each gallon.

Class A Motorhomes typically have at least two slide-outs that extend your living region and are known for great luxury and quality. They are spacious with enormous living spaces and huge loads of storage capacity.

Class A Motorhomes design ordinarily are intended to rest 2-4 individuals with a bedroom in the back of the coach and the couches in the living territory collapsing down into beds. In case you’re searching for a motorhome with high luxury, residential highlights from home, and huge loads of space, a Class A Motorhome is for you.

Class B Motorhomes

Class B Motorhomes look a lot like a van and, in fact, are regularly called van conversions or camper vans. Despite the fact that they have resemblances to a van, these vehicles are made tall enough for tall travellers to be able to stand normally inside the RV.

Inside a Class B Motorhome, you’ll discover a kitchen, living region, and a restroom. Though these conveniences are provided, they are exceptionally little and compact because of the length of the motorhome.

The whole restroom is basically the shower, called a wet shower to save on space. To lay it out plainly, it resembles having the restroom and sink within a huge shower.

Some Class B Motorhomes are constructed with slide-outs to give more space, yet these are generally just located on the more excessive and bigger Class B+ Motorhomes. Because these motorhomes are the smallest of the three Classes, they are the most affordable.

Class Bs get the best gas mileage out of the three and are certainly the simplest to drive. There is no compelling reason to tow a car behind you with its compact body.

You’ll see that a Class B Motorhome will have no issue parking within a standard carport. Despite the fact that they have no issue moving around during errands, the interior is exceptionally cramped, so there isn’t much space for storage capacity.

If you prefer the convenience and you wouldn’t fret over how much space you need to move around, at that point, a Class B or the more giant Class B + MotorHome very well could be the right RV for you.

Class C Motorhomes

As referenced before, Class C Motorhomes are the medium-sized motorhome, generally recognizable by the over-cab sleeping zone. This creates additional sleeping quarters and space for the living territory, kitchen, and a greater restroom than a Class B.

With this space’s entirety, Class C Motorhomes can easily accommodate between 4 to 8 individuals. Class C Motorhomes can likewise be used to tow a different car for getting things done and touring.

In the event that you don’t bring along an extra vehicle for travelling, moving in and out of town in a Class C Motorhome can be challenging and difficult. It’s typically harder to locate a bigger parking lot, and on the off chance that you go into a midtown region, parking is almost impossible.

Why Are Class C Motorhomes Expensive

Class C motorhomes not just continue to rule among motorhoming families, yet they are inclining increasingly more into the Class A domain regarding alternatives and luxury, which also speaks to why it’s now expensive.

The motorhome is expensive because they are in high demand and aren’t as mass-produced as Class A or B motorhomes. They are built on expensive chassis and often have higher-end components and materials, and are constructed by highly skilled personnel. They have good gas mileage and can be diesel or gas-powered.

In addition, Class C motorhomes are expensive because they are shorter in length, making them more manoeuvrable for getting in and out of tight places. More so, most designs have a toy haulier feature, making it easy to transport ATVs, bikes, or kayaks.

Furthermore, another reason for its high cost is its automotive standards. Class C RVs are held to high rigorous automotive standards as any other vehicle. They’ve been crash-tested, and the truck chassis is built and tested by the same high automotive standards as any other vehicle, including the rig’s actual living area.

For this reason, a lot of pressure is put on the engineering side of things for Class C rigs since they have to focus on creating a quality living space and at the same time circle back and adhere to automotive industry standards.

They have to consider how every bump-out, pop-up, and adjustments to the frame may change the crash test ratings.

Cost

The Price of a Class C RV begins at $50,000-$80,000 depending upon size (usually 16′- 26′). More so, the price also depends on features, storage capacity, better quality mini-appliances, or upgrades in upholstery, ground surface.

For instance, the 24′ 2011 Winnebago Access 24V lists at $69,000, with two queen-size beds, a restroom with a lavatory and separate shower; a choice of a convertible dinette or a couch bed; and a sink, fridge, microwave, and a three burner.

If you are looking for a luxury Class C motorhome, usually called the C+, you should be expecting to cough out between $85,000-$140,000 or more. Costs rely upon size (up to 36′) and choices like a bigger washroom, full-sized appliances, outside capacity, or a home theatre framework. The diesel-powered type is generally more costly than the gasoline models.