Class C Motorhomes: Benefits of Mid-sized Motorized RVs
You’ve thought about it, looked through your finances and made a plan. It’s time to purchase a new RV. Once you’ve committed to buying a new unit, the list of questions comes flooding in. Motorcoach or trailer? Which color scheme? How much storage do I need? How many beds do I want? The list can be overwhelming.
Here at Juniata Valley, we recommend most people choose a Class C motorhome. We prefer Class C’s because they’re mid-sized at a middle price point, they’re easier to drive, and they come with more flexibility.
Mid-sized Motorhome
Many people think you can’t get the luxuries of a Class A in a Class C. Although you have less space than a Class A, you have much more space than a Class B. The Class C is the perfect medium in motorhomes, the one Goldilocks would prefer!
Modern Class C motorhomes have many sleek, out of sight options for extra storage and sleeping space. This includes over-cab beds, convertible dinettes, cabin storage and more. Class C motorhomes offer many of the same coach amenities of a Class A as well, like a separated living room and a dry bath. Enjoy all these luxuries in a motorized vehicle with a Class C. No worries about how much your truck can tow, plus the option to bring your bikes, kayaks and motorcycles along in a cargo trailer.
Save Money
The money-saving aspect of a Class C motorhome is dual-sided. Class C’s cost less upfront and in the long run.
Class A motorhomes can cost you up to $2 million! Our preferred manufacturer here at Juniata, Winnebago, supplies Class A motorhomes around $300,000 to $400,000. On the other hand, the top-of-the-line Class C Winnebago motorhomes we have in stock run between $100,000 to $200,000. A much smaller price tag when both RVs reach about 30 feet in length.
Aside from initial purchase price, Class C motorhomes cost less in maintenance and upkeep. Being smaller and lighter on average, a Class C has a much better fuel efficiency. The cost of gas is even less when compared to Class A diesel pushers. Class C’s are, in general, much cheaper to maintain. Service costs for Class C motorhomes are less than Class A motorhomes, even when requesting similar services.
Drive Safer
While Class C’s can be more than 30 feet long, they’re shorter than Class A’s on average. Struggling with tight corners and fitting into parking spots are a nightmare of the past with Class C’s. Although being behind the wheel of a Class C can be daunting to any new RVer, it’s no doubt much less stressful than handling a 45-foot Class A. Class C motorhomes are also lower to the ground, and a lower center of gravity reduces the risk of toppling over.
Although no one wants to think about crashing their motorhome, the possibility of a wreck still hangs over your head. Although a Class A may seem safer, more like a bus than anything else, Class C’s are a lot safer for head-on collisions.
In an RV, rear collisions are generally pretty safe. It’s the front collisions, where the cab is, that you have to worry about. Class C motorhomes have a large hood and engine in front of the cab, unlike the flat-fronted Class A motorhomes. They also include crash boxes designed to take the impact of the collision instead of the drivers. Class C motorhomes also come with airbags, which are normally left out of a Class A because you sit so far away from the dash.
Camp Where You Want
The last major benefit of a Class C, although the list goes on, is the ability to maneuver on more roads and stay in more campgrounds. When planning your Class A route, you have to make sure not to pass under any low bridges or overpasses. You also have to make sure none of the roads are too tight, including the ones in the campground, and be confident you can make all the necessary tight turns. Class C’s are generally shorter, in both length and height, making trips easier to plan.
Many campgrounds also have length limits on their sites. It can be hard to find a place to stay in a Class A, especially if you’re looking to stay at government-sponsored sites. Most national and state parks can’t accommodate RVs more than 30 feet long. Choosing a Class C gives you more options, so you can stay at the campground you prefer.
With comfort, cost, safety and camp options in mind, Class C motorhomes are the clear winner for most RV shoppers. If you’re looking for a new motorhome or a new towable unit, Juniata Valley RV has plenty of options on the lot. If we don’t have the unit you’re looking for, we may be able to order it for you. Stop by any day of the week for a conversation with some of our knowledgeable staff members about choosing the right RV for your family.
