RV TYPES
The term "RV" is short for "Recreational Vehicle." Most people think RV refers only to motor homes. Rather, RV is a generic term that refers to both drivable units (or motor homes) as well as towable units. We have tried to make it easy for you to understand the various types of RVs below:
Motor Home - Class A
This type of RV is a motorized vehicle that looks similar to a tour bus or greyhound bus. Class A MHs do not typically sleep as many people as a class C MH. They also cost a bit more due to the enhanced suspension, wider chassis, overall amenities and generally better construction.
Motor Home - Class B / B+
A class B motor home is a vehicle that is actually built on a stock van chassis and body, but with a raised roof. These units are very small and manueverable - much like a standard van - but can hardly sleep more than two people comfortably. A class B+ vehicle is based upon the van chassis concept, but has a much wider body on it that makes it look less van-like and more like a class C motor home, but it's not. The B+ motor home does not have a bed above the cockpit, like the class C; you will usually find an entertainment center and storage instead.
Motor Home - Class C
This type of RV is a motorized vehicle that is similar to driving a large pickup truck, but with a wide body and a "cab over" space above the cockpit containing a large bed or entertainment center. A class C RV normally sleeps more people than a class A motor home.
Fifth Wheel
This type of RV is pulled behind a truck with a 5th wheel hitch installed in the bed of the pickup to be able to pull it. Another option for those with a gooseneck ball in the bed of their truck is to pull the FW using a gooseneck adaptor. FWs have a much taller ceiling height versus the typical travel trailer and they tend to pull easier since the weight is sitting right above the rear axle of the towing vehicle instead of on the bumper of the truck. The down side is you have a much taller trailer being pulled behind you.
Travel Trailer
This type of RV can be pulled behind a car, truck or SUV. This is pulled using either a ball, preferably using a 2"x2" class III receiver hitch mounted to the vehicle's frame. The class III hitch configuration is the best and most stable application versus a ball mounted on a bumper. A travel trailer has a lower ceiling height than a FW. I costs less and weighs less too. You're not giving up anything in amenities just overall cost and headroom.
Expandable or Hybrid Travel Trailer
An expandable or hybrid travel trailer has some features of a traditional travel trailer and a tent/popup camper. Hybrids are a fairly new item in the RV industry (since about 2003) and have become very popular due to their light weight and ability to sleep a large number of people in a relatively small space. A hybrid may still cost about as much as a regular travel trailer, but they are a nice option for people wanting a lot of RV without having to buy a large truck just to pull one.
Tent / Popup Camper
Tent / Popup RVs literally "POP UP" or open up using flexible walls and telescoping ceiling supports. Popup campers are popular for people who like to still have that "tent-like" camping experience without having to actually sleep on the ground. Popup campers can also have many amenities such as refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters, toilets, heated beds, water heaters, showers, stove tops and even the kitchen sink! Many people prefer popup campers because of their low profile and light weight while being towed. Popups can also be tucked away in a garage out of the way for those who live in neighborhoods with restrictions against RVs parked out front of their homes.