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A
recreational vehicle (RV) is defined as
a vehicle that combines transportation and temporary
living accommodations for travel, recreation
and camping. RV's vary greatly in size and price.
At one end of the spectrum, we have folding
trailers that sell for a few thousand dollars
while at the other end we have luxurious motorhomes
that sell for a few hundred thousand dollars.
There are actually seven generally accepted
types of RVs and they can be classified in two
general categories, the "towable"
RV's (folding trailer, travel trailer, fifth-wheel,
truck campers) and the "motorized"
RV's (class-A, class-B and class-C motorhomes).
Here's more information about each one.
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A
Pop-Up trailer is the least expensive
RV. Also commonly referred to as a Folding Trailer or
a Camping Trailer. It is
a foldable (collapsible) unit that typically attempts
to approximate many of the conveniences of a basic
Travel Trailer while being of lower cost. Given
its size and weight, it can easily be towed by
a typical family car, even some compact cars.
The usual construction is a rectangular box on
a trailer, with a larger, expanding tent that
is attached to the box. Most modern models incorporate
a rigid roof and a lifting system to aid in setup.
Pop-Up trailers usually provide cooking facilities,
refrigeration or ice box, heating, fresh water
tank, waste water tank, faucet, sink, convertible/pull-out
beds, LP (propane) gas supply and a separate 100-125
volt electrical system. They can sleep up to 6
people depending on the model and the floor plan.
Prices range from $6,000 to $25,000. Popular units
sell for an average of $8,500. |
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The second type of RV is the Travel trailer.
These come in a variety of sizes from a small
bedroom on wheels to the equivalent of a "Class-A"
motorhome minus the engine and transmission. They
are built close to the ground so the overall height
is lower for the same internal height as a motorhome.
Travel trailers are anywhere from 10 to 35 feet
in length and must be pulled by a separate tow
vehicle. Note that those that are normally stationed
at a campground are called Park model trailers.
Note also that due to the weight of most travel
trailers, the tow vehicle must have a special
load distributing hitch and other special devices
designed to control the sway of the trailer because
the load is all behind the tow vehicle. To find
out more about towing trailers, visit our towing
tips page. Travel trailers
usually provide the following; cooking facilities,
refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, self-contained
toilet, shower, water tanks (fresh water, grey
water, black water), faucet(s), sink(s), LP (propane)
gas supply and a separate 100-125 volt electrical
system. They can sleep up to 10 people depending
on the model and floor plan. Prices range from
$15,000 to $100,000 and popular units sell for
an average of $23,000. |
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Now
comes the Fifth-wheel trailer! These
are similar to larger travel trailers but they
have an extension on the front of the box that
extends over the tow vehicle and a horizontal
plate that looks like a wheel (hence the name
"5th wheel") that rests on the tow
vehicle for support. This hitch arrangement
requires a special tow vehicle, usually a pickup
truck equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch (also
known as a gooseneck hitch). Fifth-wheel are
easier to tow since this hitch arrangement places
the trailer load in the center of the tow vehicle
instead of behind it. Fifth-wheel
trailers usually provide cooking facilities,
refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, self-contained
toilet, shower, water tanks (fresh water, grey
water, black water), faucet(s), sink(s), LP
(propane) gas supply and a separate 100-125
volt electrical system. They can sleep up to
6 people depending on the model and the floor
plan. Prices range from $20,000 to $140,000
and popular units sell for an average of $38,000.
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Truck
Campers,
sometimes referred to as pickup campers or slide-on campers,consist
of a camper body of various sizes that load into the bed of an unmodified pickup truck.
Usually the tailgate is removed and the camper unit
is clamped to the truck.
they can be loaded on and off a standard pickup
truck with relative ease, these products enjoy
considerable popularity among weekend RVers
who must use their truck for work during the
week. These campers usually provide cooking facilities,
refrigeration or ice box, heating, air conditioning,
self-contained toilet, fresh water tank, waste
water tank, faucet, sink, LP (propane) gas supply
and a separate 100-125 volt electrical system.
They can sleep 2 to 6 people depending on the
model. Prices range from $7,000 to $37,000.
Popular units sell for an average of $22,000.
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The
smallest motorized RV unit is the "Class-B
Motorhome".... also commonly known as
"Class-B Camper Van". They are the smallest
fully enclosed motorhome. They are constructed
on a van chassis with elevated roof lines but
no modifications to the length or width of the
original chassis. Gross vehicle weights are in
the 6,000 to 8,000 range with heights of 7 to
8 feet high and lengths of 17 to 19 feet. Van
Conversions usually provide cooking facilities,
refrigeration or ice box, heating, self-contained
toilet, fresh water tank, waste water tank, faucet,
sink, convertible/folding beds, LP (propane) gas
supply and 110 VAC & 12VDC electrical outlets.
They can sleep 2-4 people depending on the model.
Prices range from $50,000 to $105,000. Popular
units sell for an average of $85,000. |
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now, the second biggest RV, the "Class-C
Motorhome". These range in weight from
10,000 to 12,000 pounds (GVW) and anywhere from
20 feet (mini-motorhome) to 31 feet in length.
They are generally constructed on a larger van
chassis and their driver compartment is similar
to a van with a large box in the back. Class-C
Motorhomes units usually provide cooking facilities,
refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, self-contained
toilet, water tanks (fresh water, grey water,
black water), faucet(s), sink(s), LP (propane)
gas supply, a separate 100-125 volt electrical
system and a full array of appliances and entertainment
features. They can sleep up to 10 people depending
on the model and the floor plan. Prices range
from $60,000 to $180,000. Popular units sell for
an average of $95,000. |
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And
now, the current largest RV, the "Class-A
Motorhome". These units range in weight
from about 13,000 to 30,000 pounds (GVW) and anywhere
from 30 to 40 feet in overall length. They are
generally a box on wheels with a motor and all
the comforts of home inside. They are frequently
constructed on custom undercarriages or on a three
to ten ton truck chassis. These units usually
provide cooking facilities, refrigeration, heating,
air conditioning, self-contained toilet, water
tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water),
faucet(s), sink(s), LP (propane) gas supply, a
separate 100-125 volt electrical system and a
full array of appliances and entertainment features.
They can sleep up to 8 people depending on the
model and the floor plan. Prices range from $80,000
to $300,000. Popular units sell for an average
of $180,000. |
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