Class C vs. Travel Trailer: Which RV Is Best for You?

What is the perfect RV for you? 

To figure that out, you need to know a few things.

Class C RVs are the most commonly seen on the road. They balance size and maneuverability with interior space and features, with a great balance of pros and a few cons.

Travel trailers are very much the trailer version of Class C RVs, often having a similar size and feature set.

But what is the difference between the two types of RVs? Why would you choose one vs. another and which is the right RV for you?

Below, we’ll break down everything there is to know about Class C RVs, travel trailers, and the differences between each.

Class C vs. Travel Trailer: What Is the Difference?

A Class C RV is a (typically) mid-sized motorhome built on a truck chassis. 

We say typically because while most Class C RVs are mid-sized compared to other classes of RV, they come in a large variety of shapes and sizes. 

A travel trailer, on the other hand, is a mid-sized trailer-style RV.

They come in an even greater variety of sizes, ranging from as light as 1,000 lbs to 10,000 lbs.

Due to their similar sizing, they often have similar features. The main difference between a Class C RV and a travel trailer is that one is a motorhome that can drive itself (Class C) while a travel trailer requires towing.

Learn more about the different motorhome classes in our guide: 4 Motorhome Classes: What Class of RV Is Best for You?

Class C vs. Travel Trailer: Quick Comparison

So far, we’ve covered the key differences between Class C RVs and travel trailers.

However, there are more differences than simply one being a motorhome and the other being a trailer. 

Here is a quick comparison (see below for more details in the pros and cons section):

• Maintenance: Class C RVs require more ongoing maintenance due to having engine components. 
• Fuel costs: Pretty balanced here. Class C RVs tend to have similar MPG compared to the average truck used for towing.
• Value over time: Travel trailers tend to depreciate slower due to not having an engine, which is one of the main components that causes depreciation in a vehicle.
• Towing is a pain: Travel trailers can be a real pain to maneuver and park with, with issues of clearance and leveling being a constant job. With a Class C motorhome, you don’t have to worry about any of that and it’s easier to just pick up and go.
• Boondocking is easier with a motorhome: Speaking of towing, boondocking with a trailer can be more difficult due to having to ensure proper clearance when entering camp and leveling the trailer.
• More variety in travel trailers: If you have a solid tow vehicle already, a travel trailer is worth looking into for no other reason than the amount of variety in the number, sizes, and styles of travel trailers on the market. 

Travel Trailer: Pros and Cons

First, let’s dive into the pros and cons of travel trailers:

Pro: More styles and variety

Travel trailers offer a wider variety of styles and setups, from micro-sized to extra large to those nearly the size of fifth wheels.

In addition to that, with travel trailers being the most common type of trailer RV, you’ll find countless brands and models to choose from.

Dry baths, wet baths, more living space, king-sized bedrooms, etc. No matter what you’re looking for, chances are there is a travel trailer that fits your needs.

It’s worth noting that if you want a smaller vehicle, it would be better to compare a Class B camper van to a small travel trailer as opposed to a Class C RV.

Class B RVs are camper vans and the smallest type of RV available. You can buy them prebuilt by an RV manufacturer or purchase a van, strip it down to the van chassis, and either build it up from there or hire a custom camper company to do it for you.

Class B motorhomes are the easiest to maneuver and offer great customization options, but depending on how many passengers you have, you may feel a little cramped. 

On the flip side of that, if you’re looking into larger RVs then fifth wheel trailers are the way to go. With a 5th wheel, you get not only a much larger trailer but a unique hitch mechanism that makes towing easier. 

Similarly, toy haulers are worth looking into, which are trailers designed with a large back compartment fit for things like dirt bikes and dune buggies. 

Pro: Less maintenance

Travel trailers don’t have engines, which means no regular oil changes, other fluid replacements, or engine checkups. 

Over time, this can add up to quite a bit of money saved on the RV itself– especially for full-time RVers.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the load is being placed on your tow vehicle which will impact your tow vehicle’s costs, evening that cost savings out a good bit. 

Pro: Slower depreciation

Without an engine, a travel trailer doesn’t depreciate as quickly as a motorhome. This makes them great for reselling, especially if it’s within a few years of purchasing it new. 

Often, travel trailers can be resold for close to the original value within a year or two of their original purchase if maintained properly.

Con: Towing

Arguably the biggest con is that you need a pickup truck or similar tow vehicle for a travel trailer, unless you already have a tow vehicle. 

You’ll need a tow vehicle to transport your travel trailer, so if you don’t already have one it’s likely not worth the investment of a trailer and tow vehicle together. 

That will typically be significantly higher than purchasing a Class C RV alone. 

Con: Ease of travel

Connected to the topic of towing, a travel trailer is much harder to maneuver and travel with. 

Class C RVs have a balanced size, large but not so large that you can’t pull into the typical gas station and you don’t typically have to worry about clearance at campgrounds like with Class A RVs.

It does take some getting used to driving a large vehicle like a motorhome, but pulling a trailer can be much more difficult and inconvenient. 

Class C RV: Pros and Cons

Next, here are the pros and cons of Class C motorhomes:

Pro: Motorized (don’t need a tow vehicle)

Simple and straightforward, but needs to be mentioned: with a Class C motorhome, you don’t need a tow vehicle.

If you don’t already own a tow vehicle, this alone can be the deciding factor between getting a travel trailer or Class C. 

Pro: Easier to pick up and go

With a travel trailer, you need to hitch the trailer properly and level it again every time you get to camp.

With a motorhome like a Class C, all you need to do is jump in and go. No hitching and unhitching, no leveling, no hassle.

Class C RVs are large vehicles that aren’t the easiest to maneuver if you’ve only ever driven regular cars, but they don’t take much getting used to and aren’t nearly as difficult to maneuver as large Class A busses and the like.

Con: Higher maintenance costs and upkeep

Class C motorhomes need engine upkeep, from oil changes to regular engine checkups. This adds up over time and is a huge part of the cost of managing an RV.

However, it is important to note that with a travel trailer, you’ll similarly be adding miles onto your tow vehicle which will need servicing in much the same way. So, the cost savings isn’t as great as it might at first seem.

Con: Loses value faster

Class C RVs depreciate faster because they have engines, which means they’re harder to resell to recoup your full investment.

If you plan on purchasing an RV to use seasonally for a few years, a travel trailer may be a much better return on investment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to have a motorhome or travel trailer?

A motorhome offers greater maneuverability (with the exception of large Class A motorhomes) and simplicity when traveling as it doesn’t require you to tow anything, check for clearance, or level when setting up at camp, all things you have to do with a travel trailer.

A travel trailer is much easier to manage in terms of ongoing maintenance as it doesn’t have engine components. For that same reason, they also depreciate slower with travel trailers often being sold for a similar price as they were purchased a year or two later. 

Is a Class C RV better than a travel trailer?

Neither is better than the other, it mainly comes down to whether you want easier maneuverability and ease of travel (Class C motorhome) or if you’d prefer less maintenance and slower depreciation (travel trailer).

It’s also worth noting that you need a tow vehicle with a travel trailer, which could have a big impact on your decision if you don’t already.

In terms of space, both Class C RVs and travel trailers are roughly equal. Travel trailers vary much more in size but they can get very big, while Class Cs have almost as much variety. And if you want something really big, Super C RVs are a great option for both more space and a luxury experience similar to a Class A motorhome.