Community Forums

vagabondvb · 12-30-2016, 07:17 AM

Hi All,
So, might as well say up front that this is likely a dumb question...

Can someone help me understand the difference between Class B and Class C RVs? I think I'm set with Class A (the HUGE beauties that seem like a mansion compared to our little van

).
Ours is a Gulfstream Vista Cruiser (Sprinter chassis, 24 foot). I'm not exactly sure what class it falls into...

Thanks in advance!!!

RCCFleetwood · 12-30-2016, 07:24 AM

I believe the main differences are that a Class C is more of a "truck" frame, with a cab, and typically a bunk/bed over the cab area. A class B is a Van layout, no bunk over cab.

Dennis Dean · 12-30-2016, 07:28 AM

Not being technical and I am sure someone will have a better answer but basically Class B are built on a VAN chassis where as the Class C are on truck chassis. Class B are; I think, limited in weight and length too. Longest Class B I have seen is about 24 feet. Class C can be larger obviously as the new Super C's are 40 to 42 feet.

Polyian · 12-30-2016, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vagabondvb

Hi All,
So, might as well say up front that this is likely a dumb question...

Can someone help me understand the difference between Class B and Class C RVs? I think I'm set with Class A (the HUGE beauties that seem like a mansion compared to our little van

).
Ours is a Gulfstream Vista Cruiser (Sprinter chassis, 24 foot). I'm not exactly sure what class it falls into...

Thanks in advance!!!

I'll give it my best shot but you can Google for more...Your unit is as big as some Class C units but maybe a labelled as a B+...Class B's started out as Van Conversions, Class C's as trucks frames with the original cab, the seats etc are typically stock as they came from Ford, GM or in your case Mercedes. Most have a cab over bed or tv storage area.

Class A's start out on a stripped truck chassis with little more than the chassis, power train and steering wheel/dash and some vehicle wiring from the vehicle manufacturer, the bodies are constructed by the coach builder.

Congratulations on your new purchase and welcome to the fun.

affreeman · 12-30-2016, 07:37 AM

Class A: The RV manufacturer buys a chassis consisting of frame, engine, and steering wheel then they build the unit on top of that
Class B: The RV manufacturer buys a complete van and builds out the inside
Class C: The RV manufacturer buys a van chassis with just the cab, and builds the RV on the chassis behind the cab.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-30-2016, 07:43 AM

It's pretty simple. The "B" is a van body with the interior converted to living space. It may have a raised roof or other body mods, but it is still a van body. A "C" is a van cutaway or truck (cab-only) with a custom body added for RV living. While a typical "C" has a body extension over the top of the cab, that is not a necessary part of the distinction. A RV becomes a Class A if it has a chassis made specifically to carry a full RV or bus body and the body shell includes a driving area (cab) of its own.

Size is not the distinction, and there are or have been B's made from large commercial vans, C's made from little Toyota Dolphins and huge Class 8 trucks, and A's as short as 24 ft.