Class A or Class C

[R1Kirby]

I am considering a newer motorhome but not sure if I'd like a class A or a class C. Before I start looking at floor plans, and styles, which is easier to drive or handle?

[HD4Mark]

We just moved up from a class C to an A. The C drove great, like a car and since the cab is so low feels like driving one. Couple of complaints though. I am a big guy and the "dog house" makes foot and leg room cramped. Also getting in and out of either seat to go into the coach can be a challenge since the cab is a step down from the back. The seats can't be spun around like in a class A to provide more seating and usable space.

The new to us class A drives great. It is a little intimidating sitting up so high and closer to the side but easy to get used to. Going from a front engine gas C to a rear diesel is a huge change. Way more leg room, your feet flat on the floor. Bigger more comfortable seats that swing around for seating when parked. Engine noise and heat on my right leg is gone.

In defense of the C though it was half the price new as we paid for the used A and served us well for five years. I am not familiar with front end A's so perhaps someone else can comment on them. It may boil down to what you can find in your price range as it did for us.

[TXiceman]

Best thing to do is to get to a dealer and drive both...take it for at least a 20 to 30 minute drive.

We have had 2 A's and one C. My preference is for the A class as it generally will have a heavier chassis and a higher weight carrying capacity. So I would prefer a small A over a large C.

However, for long term use, I prefer a 5er over a motorhome. Maintenance on a diesel pick up is less of a problem than with a motorhome. You do not have to find a large shop and you house does not go with the chassis to the shop.

Ken

[RovinOn]

R1, I have an 05 37' Class A, My second coach and love it!
I have driven both Class A and C, never owned a C though.
I do like sitting up higher and the extra space in the cab area. I would say that it handles well!
When I purchased this one I did look at a new 35 ClassC that was built on a Kodiak chassis, I was quite impressed but still decided on an A again.

Regards,
RovinOn

[Gary RVRoamer]

Quote:

In defense of the C though it was half the price new as we paid for the used A...

There is no price advantage in a C vs and A. An "A" and a "C" of the same size and powertrain will have about the same price. HD4Mark paid a lot more because he upgraded substantially in size (to a 40 footer) and powertrain (rear diesel) and probably got more amenities in that Vectra as well.

[chasfm11]

We rented twice (Class Cs). Because of breakdowns during both rentals, we ended up driving 4 different Class C vehicles a combined total of 7K miles. When we bought our Class A, I was initially intimidated and will admit that, at times, still am. I guess I was too green with RVs during the rentals to be concerned about downhill situations so part of my discomfort has come from greater knowledge of those situations.

Another factor for us in the handling of the Class A was the factory setup. Initially, we didn't know that our Class A had problems. After about 5K miles, we realized that it did and took steps to correct them. New shocks made a lot of difference but it was the anti-sway bars front and rear that really made it drive like a completely different vehicle.

My point is simple. Even if you drive several vehicles a half an hour each, you may not understand the handling difference unless all of the ones that you drive have been optimized for handling. Now that we have nearly 40K miles on the Class A (after we bought it), I can tell you that I think that it handles much better than the Class Cs but it has taken me quite a while to feel comfortable in saying that. Like anything, there are downsides. While it handles much better on the open roads, our recent two week vacation in Arkansas, where we were often on back roads, sometimes with significant hills and hairpin turns, a Class C might have worked better than our 100" wide Class A. It isn't always about ride comfort but about "pucker factor", especially when you meet a farm machine coming up the steepest, tightest hairpin on a two lane road and he is halfway on your side!

We took a different approach than you. We decided how we wanted to use an RV, figured out which would be best for that use and decided we would have to live with how it handled (or could be modified to handle.)

[TW]

We prefer the Class A's... you sit high and have this great VIEW......

We owned a couple of A's from 28 ft to 32
and in a business (MH Rental company) we drove plenty of C's.

TW

[GA Cajun]

We owned a 32' C for about a year and had the chance to move up to a 40' A. I think the C may have been a little easier to get used to because the A is so high and heavy. But it just takes a while. I love the A now and would probably not go back.

Something you might want to consider besides handling is noise. The C with the engine almost right beside you can get pretty loud, especially with lots of hills and downshifting to keep up to speed. Many times I could barely hear my wife. On second thought, maybe that was a good thing . Anyway, with the 40' DP we have now, I can have conversations with just about anyone in the coach.

Good luck with your decision. Either way you go, you'll likely be happy!

Cajun

[HD4Mark]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary] There is no price advantage in a C vs and A. An "A" and a "C" of the same size and powertrain will have about the same price. HD4Mark paid a lot more because he upgraded substantially in size (to a 40 footer) and powertrain (rear diesel) and probably got more amenities in that Vectra as well.

You are right Gary. I guess it didn't sound like I wanted it to. I meant that we loved the class C and it treated us well. Kind of comparing apples and oranges from one to the other but leg room and mobility inside wise from the C to an A for me would be a big difference.

[Batman_777]

class A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

[ghostrider]

We had a 29' class C for 3 1/2 years and enjoyed it. We now have a 35' class A gas coach. The funny thing is the class C did seem like it was not as big but the fact is the class C and the class A are the same width for the body and our class A is less than a foot taller. The view out of the class A is so much better and the ease of going back into the living area is worth the change. The front gas engine rigs do have more noise than the DP's and they do have a small doghouse area that keeps the floor from being completely flat between the front seats but it is no problem to get by and to us it is quieter than the class C.

The learning curve in driving is not that great, just learn where your corners are, know your height and don't rush into somthing if you are not comfortable with the decision.

We made the change and do not regret it.

[MutinyGuy]

We are in the process of purchasing a Class C, 2010 Winnebago View which is 24' long. We rented a 28' Class C on a Ford E450 chassis and getting out of those seats into the actual living space was a royal pain...I am 6'3" and it was painful to get into the back area. I was always banging my legs on the motor cover. The Winnebago View is built on the Sprinter chassis, which has a 3.0L Diesel engine, and the driver and passenger seats swivel. Much easier to get into the living area...almost "A" like.
We also wanted a smaller RV to start off with...if we ever go full time we would probably look into a larger Coach...time will tell.
Good luck with your decision.

Kind regards,

Jim

[Dunnpe]

We started with a 29b Class C and it was OK. As mentioned before the movement from the front seats to the rest of the coach is a pain, DW had real problems and if I had had her set in the front seat prior to purchasing it I wold not have gone with the "C'.

We now have a 33V Class A gasser and love it. The engine noise is minimal compared to the "C". The finish on the cabinets and the bathroom and shower is far better than the "C" was and the inside storage is remarkable. The big difference I love outside is the amount of basement storage the "A" has. The access doors to the basement storage is unbelievably larger. Driving the "A" is so much easier than the "C" ever was gong to be. I look forward to driving the "A" no matter where we go. It is just a bunch of fun being on the road with all the amenities of home. Love it, Love it, Love it..

[HD4Mark]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunnpe The big difference I love outside is the amount of basement storage the "A" has. The access doors to the basement storage is unbelievably larger.

Agreed! Check under a class C before buying to see if you can get a cooler underneath. Ours would only fit a really small one. The A can hold a small refrigerator