Generally, recreational vehicles can be broken down into two types: those you pull (towable), and those you drive (motorized). Let's begin with the first type.

TOWABLE RVs

Conventional Travel Trailer: Towed by means of a bumper or frame hitch attached to a towing vehicle, these units are typically from 12 feet to 35 feet in length. Today's travel trailers come with kitchens, toilets, sleeping, dining and living facilities, electric and water systems and modern appliances. Conventional travel trailers traditionally have been one of the most popular of the recreational vehicles purchased in America.

Park Model: Manufactured for seasonal or temporary living. Designed to be connected to utilities. Although units are transportable, they are usually used as a cottage or as a vacation or retirement home.

Fifth-Wheel: Constructed with a raised forward section that allows a bi-level floor plan. Equipped much the same as a conventional travel trailer. Usually, but not always, the forward section serves as the primary sleeping area. The unit is designed to be towed by a truck equipped with fifth-wheel towing capability.

Folding Camping Trailer: Manufactured as a lightweight unit with collapsible sidewalls. Sidewalls can be of either canvas or hard-wall construction. These relatively lightweight units, when set up, can provide full kitchen, dining, bathroom, and sleeping facilities.

Slide-on Camper: Although not designed to be towable, the slide on truck camper is included in this category because of its ability to be removed from its transporting truck by using camper jacks. A slide-on camper is loaded onto, or affixed to, the chassis of a pickup truck. Many have kitchen and bathroom facilities plus many of the amenities found on more expensive units.

MOTORIZED RVs

The second major type of recreational vehicle is the motorhome. This vehicle is built on, or is part of, a self-propelled chassis. Motorhomes provide kitchen, sleeping, and bathroom facilities conveniently accessible to the driver's area.

One important factor to consider when purchasing an RV is the need for accessibility to the interior of the unit while traveling. Motorhomes permit passenger movement throughout the RV. Towable travel trailers require stopping in order to enter. (By the way, riding in a travel trailer while traveling is prohibited.)

Class A Motorhome: Constructed on an especially designed motor vehicle chassis. Units usually offer the maximum number of standard and optional amenities of any RV group. Some units contain washers and dryers, dishwashers, and ice makers. Understandably, these units occupy the high end of the price spectrum.

Class B Motorhome: Modified by using a panel-type truck, manufacturers add a variety of standard and optional conveniences such as kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations. With the addition of a top extension, today's Class B Motorhome has adequate head room and storage facilities.

Class C Motorhome: The Class C motorhome ranks next to the Class A for standard and optional amenities. Depending on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the motorhome may be further called a mini, low profile or compact. The mini-motorhome is built on an automotive manufactured frame with an attached cab section of a GVWR of 6500 pounds or more and with an overall height of more than eight feet. A low profile unit has less than eight feet of height. The compact motorhome has a GVWR of less than 6500 pounds.

Van Conversion: Originally manufactured by an automaker, a traditional van is modified for transportation and recreational use. A van conversion is often the first-choice vehicle for first-time buyers. The primary purpose of a van conversion is to provide for luxurious daily travel. However, some are equipped with small sinks, ice boxes, and with convertible sofa beds.

The above listings and classifications should provide a general guide to the variety of recreational vehicles available for consideration and purchase.

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