Class C motorhome sales have been steadily high for a while, especially in developed countries. Everyone loves to have RVs on their trips, as they can provide you with the benefits of home on the go. People are harder to please, so RV companies have also been upping their game.
There are a lot of new, innovative class C RVs that will blow your mind, but there are also those who nail the traditional design better than others. If you have yet to decide which class C motorhome you are going to buy, read below for our top 10 picks of best class C campers.
Contents
What is A Class C RV?
A class C motorhome is built with a cutaway chassis which is very popular in the US. A cutaway chassis can be referred to as an incomplete van but includes some heavier duty components than vans themselves.
The front structure is very similar to that of a van, having two seats, a dash, opening doors, and body sheet metal. The body of the cockpit ends right behind the drivers, and the whole car gets shipped to second stage manufacturers, or “body builders”. These body builders build the rest of the RVs body.
Different from the basic vans, cars like the class C RVs (most, if not all of them) are equipped with dual rear wheels, which can hold a lot more weight, and thus have greater GVWRs. Before we give you the 10 best class C RVs, let’s discuss some of the benefits and disadvantages for having a class C motorhome compared to other types of RVs.
Pros and Cons of A Class C?
Pros
Class C recreational vehicles are definitely the most abundant type of recreational vehicles anywhere nowadays. It makes you wonder, why is it so popular among the people?
Easily the most important reason is the maneuverability. Driving something like a class C motorhome will make you feel just like driving your everyday vehicle, since the front part is built just like a van after all. Type C RVs’ maneuverability resembles class B RVs.
Also, the size of this type of RVs is what you will love if you have a lot of cargo, which is a lot like class A RVs. It is a compromise of class A and class B RVs yet are the cheapest among these three classes of RVs. Having said that, we can clearly dictate the winner in terms of popularity.
Besides, compared to a camper or fifth wheel, a class C camper is motorized, so you don’t have to worry about the additional tools to attach the towing and towed vehicles.
Also, compared to tow vehicles + trailers of the same length, class C motorhomes have much more room for furniture and living amenities, which means a more comfortable camping experience.
There are a few more very distinctly significant traits of the class C RVs that surpass other types of RVs, you can check it out for yourself.
Cons
Of course, class C rigs have flaws. Then again, you can always find some in any kind of RVs out there.
The living space is small, so despite the manufacturers’ best efforts, the end products leave a lot to be desired. The more notable downsides to class C campers also include its size, its price being higher than that of towable trailers, the mpg is low, and the storage space is not up to par with most class As or travel trailers.
The bigger size means it is going to be harder to look for a suitable parking lot, lower mpg means more frequent stops at gas and diesel stations. Since it can’t be parked anywhere like a truck, it will limit access on some of the sites.
Also, the front cockpit makes a lot of noise, and the engine might make a rocky sound, so you aren’t getting the kind of peaceful driving experience that is offered by RVs of class A, class B or travel trailers.
10 Best Class C Motorhomes
1. Tiffin Wayfarer 25RW
Specifications:
- Overall height: 11 ft 4 in
- Overall width: 7ft 6 in
- Overall length: 25 ft 7 in
- Interior height: 6ft 8 in
- Gross weight: 11,030 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 5,000 lbs
Why we love it:
If you are looking for an RV that can take you anywhere and provide you with the best luxury of home, the Tiffin Wayfarer is the one compact class C camper for all your needs.
One of the top-rated class C RVs that has appeared in numerous rankings, this RV has the best build quality you can’t find anywhere. 25ft 8inches in length, has a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, Murphy bed, ample cabinetry, LP cooktop, 30” x38” shower and a rear bathroom.
Of course, this can be found in many other best class C motorhomes on this list, but none can surpass Wayfarer’s impressive LED lighting all over the place, LED TV, the sheer quality of its safety features or its multimedia system on the front cockpit which makes the Wayfarer nothing short of a luxury vehicle.
There are a lot more things that Tiffin has done right than wrong. Keep in mind that a downside to this Wayfarer is that it only comes with diesel engines. Still, this RV is definitely one of the best class C diesel motorhomes out there.
2. Jayco Melbourne 24L
Specifications:
- Overall height: 11ft 5 in
- Overall width: 8ft
- Overall length: 25 ft 2 in
- Interior height: 6ft 11 in
- Gross weight: 11,030 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 5,000 lbs
Why we love it:
The Jayco Melbourne is spacious, even though in terms of length, this RV is nowhere near average. It’s the floorplan design that makes the difference.
Spacious as it is, you are still getting all the features and accessories you need: 14’ power awning for shade and protection against the sun and heavy rain, the corner queen bed for 2, LED lights, a U-shaped dinette.
There is also a cab-over bunk that allows up to 1 more person to stay the night, but if you don’t like it, there is always the choice of a front entertainment center including a 32-inch LED HDTV with theater seating (you can convert the dinette into one).
The full bath is a must-have for everyone, and this small RV gives us a 24×32 shower! I must say this is quite impressive. As I said before, nothing is sacrificed, the galley has a convection microwave, an 8 cu ft refrigerator, suburban 2-burner, electric heater, countertop extension, you name it.
A series of overhead cabinets ensures that you will never run out of space to store your cargo. This is one of the best class C RVs to date.
3. Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R
Specifications:
- Overall height: 10ft (A), 11ft (B)
- Overall width: 8ft 5.5in
- Overall length: 23ft 10in
- Interior height: 6ft 10in
- Gross weight: 12,500 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity
Why we love it:
The winnebago Minnie Winnie is best for any family who wants to spend the weekends outside, in any weather. Minnie Winnie is offered from 23ft 10 inches to 32ft 9 inches, so you have many options for spaciousness. The reason Minnie Winnie is perfect for any weather lies in its maneuverability.
Drive smoothly with a traction control, electronic stability control, and defrosting mirrors. All models are built on either the Ford E-350 or Ford E-450 chassis, can tow up to 7,500 lbs. In the winter, the 20,000 BTU furnace coupled with a heat drainage system is a combination of comfort.
Despite its limited space to move around, the Minnie Winnie provides sleeping space for up to 5 people, the U-shaped dinette comfortably serves just as many people.
Similar to the Jayco Melbourne, the Minnie Winnie has a rear dry bath with a 23×34 shower, refrigerator, induction cooktop and a small wardrobe. As simple as it is, this RV is as beginner friendly as it gets.
4. Tiffin Allegro Bay 38AB
Specifications:
- Overall height: 13ft 2in
- Overall width: 8ft 5in
- Overall length: 39ft 4in
- Interior height: 6ft 10.5in
- Gross weight: 33,000 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 12,000 lbs
Why we love it:
The overall length of this RV instantly gives it away as a super C RV. This is probably the only super C on this list. Super C RVs are more powerful, more spacious, more luxurious, and most definitely much more expensive than regular class Cs.
This RV is sizable but has comfortably good maneuverability with the help of full-time traction control. The RV is built on Freightliner Custom Chassis. The vehicle also supports a manual release valve for rear air suspension.
Inside, there are many things to talk about, but all in all, these are the highlights: corner queen (optional king) bed, overhead bunk, spacious lavatory, and shower (separate), huge residential fridge, air coil sofa bed with lift TV, 3-burner stove top, handcrafted cabinetry, Truma AquaGo Comfort Instant water heater, booth dinette, 3 TVs (including exterior TV), lots of overhead cabinets.
There is nothing left to be desired when you buy this RV. With its 150 gallons freshwater tank, you can extend your stay until you get bored.
The only catch is that it is priced at MSRP $342,615! This must be one of the best RVs for permanent living for those who plan to go on a long trip outside the state.
5. Jayco Greyhawk Prestige 29MVP
Specifications:
- Overall height: 11ft 6in
- Overall width: 8ft 4in
- Overall length: 32ft 6in
- Interior height: 7ft
- Gross weight: 14,500 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 7,500 lbs
Why we love it:
The Greyhawk Prestige is a moderately large RV. Built on Ford E-450 chassis and having a 7.3L V8 350HP engine, it has enough torque to get you anywhere fast paced. This motorhome has room for up to 10 people to sleep in, as well as one large slide-out.
The toilet and shower are seperated, and the shower is really roomy at 30×36 inches.
Outside, you will have a 16ft awning for as much shade as you would want.
The dinette comes with a marble tabletop. A tri fold sofa for lounging, well-equipped galley with 3-burner stove top, double sink, a microwave on the top, 8 cu ft fridge and pantry excellent for moderate cooking is all available to make you feel at home.
The bedroom is totally separated from the main living space so you can comfortably fall asleep without any care at all.
When it gets cold, turn on the 30,000 BTU furnace and you will feel cozy right away. This is one of the best class C RVs for the winter.
6. Coachmen Freelander 31FS
Specifications:
- Overall height:10ft 11in
- Overall width: 8ft 4in
- Overall length: 31ft 9in
- Interior height: 6ft 11in
- Gross weight: 14,500 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 7,500 lbs
Why we love it:
The Coachmen Freelander is one of the best rated RVs out there by reviews of beginner RVers and experienced RVers alike. It is rated highly at 4.3 on RVInsider, for all the right reasons.
On the driver’s cabin, you will notice the Bilstein front shocks (available only for Ford chassis models) for superior handling, anti-skid safety features, heavy duty front and rear stabilizer bars to reduce tilting while cornering.
Coachmen Freelander is installed with queen/king-size (depends on floorplan) beds and large (57×95) cabover bunk and oversize dinettes.
For all the cooking enthusiasts out there, Freelander will provide a 3-burner, microwave, refrigerator, and a large section of pantry shelves.
The bathroom’s design is out of the ordinary, with two separate doors from the bedroom and from the galleyway into it.
In my opinion, the Freelander is currently one of the best class C motorhomes for the money.
7. Winnebago View 24V
Specifications:
- Overall height: 10ft 8in
- Overall width: 7ft 6.25in
- Overall length: 25ft 5in
- Interior height: 6ft 8in
- Gross weight: 11,030 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 5,000 lbs
Why we love it:
Another Winnebago on this list, Winnebago View is designed for the people’s needs, and has been one of the most reliable class C RVs that we found.
Winnebago Views are made on Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis, so rest assured of its quality handling on the road. Winnebago View comes in 3 different floorplans: you can choose either the Murphy+Bed, corner bed or rear twin bed flex bed system, any one of which sleeps up to four people.
You will find many standard features as well as some standout features walking through the entrance: the large 42×79 U-shaped dinette comes with additional footrest, sofa with pedestal table, cabover bunk on the right, pantry and refrigerator, two-burner induction and LP range cooktop, a double sink makes the galley kitchen sufficient for a little cooking here and there.
As you look further inside, the bathroom is right at the back, with a 24×32 shower to wash all that dirt after a long play day.
The wardrobe is placed a little bit inconveniently on the left-hand side as you first walk into the bathroom, but that is the most I can give you. Go to a dealer and find out for yourself.
8. Thor Compass 23TW
Specifications:
- Overall height: 11ft
- Overall width: 7ft 6in
- Overall length: 23ft 7in
- Interior height: 6ft 8in
- Gross weight: 11,000 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 5,000 lbs
Why we love it:
Thor Motor Coach has been giving customers what they want for quite some time, class C RVs that are suitable for both long term and short-term stays, as well as the budget.
The Thor Compass in particular costs $142,000 to buy, however, its size is on the smaller category.
Still, like many others on this list, the living space consists of a flip up queen bed (comes with a USB power charging center), 68inches long dream dinette, a fully equipped galley kitchen.
Besides, the built-in skylight is the highlight on all floorplans. Bathroom is rather tapered, but a 24 x 32 shower gets the job done.
The driving experience of this RV is no pushover. Ford safety systems, transit chassis 3.5L V6 310 HP EcoBoost turbo gas engine is ideal for adventure.
9. Forest River Forester 3251DSLE
Specifications:
- Overall height: 11ft 3in
- Overall width: 8ft 5in
- Overall length: 32ft 3in
- Interior height: 7ft
- Gross weight: 14,500 lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 5,000 lbs
Why we love it:
Keep in mind, the Forester is very affordable, starting at only $90,000, so definitely count this on your list of potential buys. It is rather cheap, but it certainly doesn’t feel cheap at all.
32ft 3inches is above average length at least, and what you are getting for this kind of price is out of this world. Just take a look at the floorplan and you will see what I mean: (from back to front) corner queen bed opposite ample wardrobe and drawers, kid’s sofa sleeper (with flip-down bunk), 24×36 shower inside full bathroom, separate sink and three-burner allows for more comfortable cooking, a 10 cu ft fridge, sofa, dinette, and finally, a 60×80 bunk over the cab.
Even though the Forester is not the most spacious, Forest River has done a good job organizing such a plethora of amenities inside it.
The best thing is that nothing is out of place or feels cheap at all. The wooden wardrobes and drawers, linen walls, clean marble countertops all add to the luxury of this RV.
10. Coachmen Leprechaun Premier 260DS
Specifications:
- Overall height: 10ft 11in
- Overall width: 8ft 4in
- Overall length: 27ft 5in
- Interior height: 6ft 11in
- Gross weight: 14,500lbs
- Trailer hitch capacity: 7,500 lbs
Why we love it:
Coachmen Leprechaun Premier is a weird name, but Coachmen isn’t making these RVs for fun. One of the first things you will notice is the ridiculously large awning, which spans the whole side length of the body. It is built on a Ford chassis just like its siblings.
One of the things that made this average sized coach popular is the 57 x 95 cabover (15 inches longer than queen size bed). The galley kitchen is ingeniously designed as well.
You can call it the wrap kitchen, where the moving space is unobscured by the kitchen itself, and there is always a flip down extension when you need it.
The 260DS has a unique feature, when you go into the bathroom, you will find a pullout shelf, where you can put additional accessories whenever you feel like going extra.
Other than that, everything else is standard.
Note that there are a lot of optional choices of upgrades readily available, and they make your life easier, so do consider spending extra bucks for them.
FAQs About Class C Motorhomes
1. What is the most reliable brand of Class C RV?
For this one I will have to pick Tiffin. Similar to its class A RVs, Tiffin offers the best quality class C RVs you will ever see. The Tiffin Motorhomes brand has been going strong for 40 years. This brand has earned a lot of positive reviews and overall recognition from its customers.
Tiffin is famous for its luxurious style and craftsmanship which stands out from the crowd. If you are willing to spend a little bit more money on a more reliable, better technically supported class C or class A (a new class B is now available as well), look no further than Tiffin Motorhomes. There are several honorable mentions, most notably Entegra, Winnebago and Jayco.
2. How long does a Class C RV last?
You can expect a class C to give you more than 200,000 miles of driving, which is comfortably average for all types of cars. With proper maintenance, some class C campers can last for as many as 300,000 miles (or more) in its effective lifetime.
The average person drives a little more than 14,000 miles per year, so a rough estimate will show that your class C can last for 14 to 21 years.
3. Which Class C RV is the most fuel efficient?
As we already discussed before, class C RVs aren’t known for their fuel efficiency. This is highly understandable. The smaller the unit, the better the miles per gallon of gas/diesel. This makes the class B RVs your best bet for keeping fuel expenses to a minimum. Class B RVs get 18-25 mpg, class C motorhomes get 14-18 mpg, class As get 7-13 mpg.
The best class Cs in terms of fuel efficiency includes the Winnebago Navion, Winnebago Vita, Winnebago View 24V, Toyota Dolphin, Forester MBS, etc. If you are looking for a class C RV with excellent fuel efficiency, then Winnebago is the way to go.
4. How much does a Class C motorhome cost?
Based on a lot of factors, such as age, make, model, size, prior damage, etc., you can get a class C RV anywhere from $12,000 to $150,000. The more expensive type of class C campers come in super Cs.
These motorhomes can cost from $150,000 to $600,000, however, they regularly charge from $250,000 to $300,000. Buying a motorhome in class C is always a major financial commitment, so choose wisely.
5. What is the longest Class C RV?
When it comes to choosing the best class C (or A or B or travel trailers), the exterior length of the RV is one of the most significant measurements yet regularly goes under the radar (since for the people, bigger is better).
Class C RVs average out at around 27-32’ long (but a class C motorhome can be anywhere from 21 to 41’ long), and it is suggested that the best maximum length for any RVs (or travel trailer+tow vehicle) is 32’, so that it will fit in many national parks and campgrounds with smaller sites (32’ is actually the average maximum length in most national parks).
The largest class C campers are usually around 35’. Then there is the super C type which mixes the luxuries of class A with the power of class C and can be as long as 40ft, a case in point the Newmar Super Star.
