Motorhomes range from short and utilitarian to long and elaborate. They include a drivetrain and living quarters and have a range of length, floor plans and options. A motorhome is a complete living and traveling environment on wheels. Unlike trailers and fifth-wheel rigs, a motorhome is set up so that the driver shares the same space with his passengers in the living space of the coach.
Complete with drivetrain (engine, transmission, steering etc.) motorhomes are considered easier to drive than most other trailer rigs. They are the quintessential RV and have everything from the engine to an icemaker in one self-contained box.
The Low-Price Motorhomes (less than $50,000)
The least expensive new motorhome can be either utilitarian or fancy, but small. You can find well-equipped rigs in this price range, but seeing that length equals room, the interior space is smaller as the drive space eats into the living area. Low-end motorhomes offer livability features similar to low-priced trailers.
Mid-Priced Motorhomes ($50,000 to $150,000)
The mid-price range gets you a long, full equipped, roomy motorhome…more luxurious as the price moves upward.
High-Priced Motorhomes
Luxurious. These are the rigs of the rich and famous. These houses on wheels cost as much or more than a traditional house and can go without hookups for weeks on end.
Class A Motorhomes:
Class A Motorhomes are the largest and most expensive types. These models range from twenty-eight to forty-five feet in length and average from nine to ten feet high. These units come in various widths and some include slide out rooms. Motorhomes are generally a box on wheels and includes all of the comforts of home. The most expensive ones are often shaped like a bus and may in fact be a converted bus. They are the easiest full sized rig to drive.
Buses:
Buses and bus conversions are built as luxurious RVs. The bus models are the most stable and long-lived RV’s on the road. They are also the most expensive. If you want the biggest, most stable, and most customized rig available, you can buy a bus unit with everything from a center-island cook-top and gas range to a round king sized bed and full Jacuzzi spa.
Motorhome Advantages:
A motorhome is the easiest rig to drive. Upper-line models offer more
amenities and are more luxurious than any other trailer or fifth-wheel rig and are an all in one purchase, as you don’t need a special tow vehicle.
Motorhome Disadvantages:
The driving area takes up at least eight feet of the space and, when home based, this is pretty much wasted space. Because of the height of the rig, storage is often a problem. Motorhomes can be expensive, and don’t forget sales tax and registration fees. There is a fast erosion of the resale value and they are difficult to sell. A motorhome requires that you bring a tow vehicle along unless you want to take your house with you for side trips. If your motorhome breaks down you will need to make other living arrangements while repairs are being done. Motorhomes longer than twenty-two feet may run into restrictions when camping in private parks or national parks.
Source: The Rver’s Bible by Kim Baker and Sunny Baker
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