The Class C motorhome is a self-contained motorhome built on an automotive-manufactured van frame. Look at the driver's portion of most Class Cs and you will see the front portion of a full-size van from one of the big three Detroit automakers. The living area is built behind and above the cab. The living quarters are basically a large box added behind the cab of the vehicle. The “box” extends over the cab of the van and is referred to as the cabover section. In most Class C floor plans, the cabover section functions as an overhead sleeping area. In some smaller Class Cs, this may be the main sleeping area, or in a larger rig with a bedroom it can function as additional sleeping space or storage. Some Class Cs forgo the sleeping space in the cabovers and opt to put in an entertainment center, closed storage, or some other use. If you are buying a new rig and don't mind waiting a bit, you should be able to get the configuration you want special-ordered if the perfect rig is not on the lot. Just be sure you take future circumstances into consideration — you may want to take grandchildren with you at some points and they will need a place to sleep.

Because it is an all-in-one motorhome, a Class C vehicle allows the passenger to move from the passenger seat into the living area, though this can be somewhat more difficult than in a Class A. In a Class C, the passenger will have to maneuver around the hump where the engine protrudes between the front seats. Depending on the vehicle make, there may also be a step up from the passenger seat to the living area, and there will be the obstacle of lower headroom in the van's cab.

CLASS C MOTORHOME

Class C motorhomes range in size from 20 to 28 feet on average, though you can find some that are shorter and some that are much longer. One or more slideouts are common on the higher priced RVs, with the most popular being two (one for the living area and one for the bedroom).

As with most of the all-in-one motorhomes, the Class C is generally easy to drive, especially if you have ever owned and driven a van or small truck. While you may be tempted to buy one of the longer Class C motorhomes, one over 28 to 30 feet in length may prove to be very unstable on the highway.

While it is very tempting to try to pack one of these rigs for a month on the road without restocking, that is not practical and can be dangerous. One of the most common causes of accidents is loss of control due to an overloaded RV. Don't be fooled by the amount of space you have available; follow the manufacturer's guidelines for weight-carrying capacities. Be sure to also follow the owner's manual for properly loading the RV, keeping the load evenly distributed.

CLASS C MOTORHOME FLOOR PLAN