In our hunt for the ideal full-time travel camper, we have considered darn near every possibility shy of a covered wagon. Along the way, Class C RVs crossed our minds, and I have to say, we were quite tempted by a handful of them.
At the end of the day (spoiler alert), we decided against the Class C route, but that doesn’t mean they’re without merit. In fact, we could very much see ourselves in a Class C at some point in our lives–especially a 4x4 converted option from U-Joint Offroad!
Things to know:
Class C RVs are a fantastic option for couples in our position, but we ultimately decided against purchasing one for our full-time travels.
Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a camper. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!
Why we didn’t buy a Class C RV
We know several people, including some full-time travelers, who love their Class C RVs. To be honest, we get it–they have some compelling benefits that make them ideal for a lot of adventurers. In the name of full transparency, we almost reached out to a private seller regarding a 4x4 converted Class C but decided against it at the last moment.
In other words, we really like this class of RV. It just wasn’t quite right for us at the moment.
We bought a big old truck instead of an RV.
The benefits of Class C RVs
No one likes a negative Nelly (who is Nelly, anyway?), so we like to kick off these “why we didn’t buy X” blogs with the good stuff–what we like about a particular camper. Thankfully, it isn’t hard to find things to like about Class C RVs. They have a lot going for them, and they’re just about the perfect fit for some folks.
Self-contained. There’s no need to exit the living area to get to the driver’s seat, and that is a definite benefit when the weather is sour, or safety is a concern. There’s also just something appealing about an all-in-one RV unit.
Options, options, options. Several manufacturers produce Class C RVs, and most of them make multiple models. When choosing a chassis, engine, length, floorplan, and so on, you really are spoiled for choice.
Ample living space and a dedicated bathroom. As full-time workers, we will spend a lot of time in our camper. While we’re no strangers to small spaces and making do with a minimalist setup, more living space sounds like a huge benefit to us. Throw in an actual bathroom with walls and a door, and you have a pretty solid case for selecting a Class C!
Class C-ya-later - What stopped us from getting a Class C RV
For all the amazing attributes of Class C RVs, there are a few key characteristics holding them back–for our lifestyle, at least. If we close our eyes and envision life in a Class C, we could picture a happy and fulfilling adventure, but there are a few sticking points that would prevent us from doing some things we love.
We opted against a Class C RV for many of the same reasons we chose a small slide-in camper two years ago.
Can’t C you off-road
The interior space of a Class C is a benefit, but the exterior size is not. As people who want to get off the beaten path and explore forest roads and rougher terrain, the sheer mass of a Class C RV is a detriment. They also tend to be built for asphalt, sporting dinky tires and lackluster suspension.
That leaves us with two options for exploring the way we enjoy. Option A is to tow a secondary vehicle and utilize it for off-road adventures. Option B is to invest in a 4x4 conversion from a company like U-Joint Offroad to make the RV more capable. Both options are expensive and add complexity to the situation, especially when there are off-the-shelf alternatives.
We were driving downtown
Hopefully, you sang the line above to the tune of Copeland’s “Walking Downtown.” If not, I’ll forgive you; it’s an obscure reference.
Because Class C RVs are a single unit, what you see is what you get. You can’t set up camp and then take your truck into town. If you take a break from traveling, you are stuck using your Class C as your primary vehicle–yikes!
No more two-door Jeep life for us.
The solution to this is, of course, to tow a daily driver vehicle. Unfortunately, this adds length, complexity, and expense. We do not plan to have a secondary vehicle when we travel, so we would be accepting our Class C as our only option–that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Solving for X
All of these Class B/Class C conversations are beginning to feel like algebra. For every camper we rule out, we get closer to solving for X–that mystery RV that’s just right for us. That’s the hope, anyway.
While we won’t be purchasing a Class C RV, we are closing in on the perfect camper for our full-time travels starting in 2025. What we’ve learned throughout this process is that every option includes a bit of compromise, and we think we’ve pinpointed which compromises we’re okay with. That said, we’re still young and impressionable.
So, drop your guidance below. Whether you’ve been a weekend warrior for a decade or a full-timer for a month, we want to hear your stories, insights, and opinions. Give us your horror stories, highlights, and must-know tips. We’re here to learn, and there’s no better teacher than you–our tight-knit community of adventurers!