If you enjoy some of the comforts of home while exploring the great outdoors, RVs offer an affordable and reliable way to stay comfortable and get to your destination with ease.

Whether new or used, Class B motorhomes are self-contained and offer all the comforts of an RV without the hassles. Easier storage and drivability are two advantages of a camper van over an RV.

Cost is another plus – you not only save on fuel costs, but also on storage fees, as Class B vehicles can be easily parked at your home, apartment or office. You can cut costs even further by buying a used motorhome.

Many people don’t know the difference between a conversion van, a camper van, or a motor home. Knowing the differences can help you make good decisions when buying a conversion truck. The differences become important for practical reasons such as:

• Does my neighborhood community or city allow me to park my van at my home?
• Do I need a special driver’s license?

Campervans aren’t really motorhomes in the traditional sense, but they can offer many of the features of a motorhome. Confused? We can see some details to clarify the differences!

Note that there is no de facto industry definition: guidelines only. Let’s start with a basic Wikipedia definition of the terms Class A and Class B vehicles.

A class
Built on a commercial truck chassis, purpose-built motor vehicle chassis, or commercial bus chassis, a Class A motorhome resembles a bus in design and has a flat or upright front end and large windows. Equipped with the living space and conveniences found in a home, they can be driven or towed.

Class B motorhome

Built on a conventional van chassis, using the original bodywork or only minor extensions, camper vans can be fitted with a ‘pop-up’ roof that lifts up during camping or with a fixed roof, either shared with the commercial van that forms the base of the vehicle (commonly a “high roof” model), or as part of a custom body. A motorhome is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transportation and sleeping accommodation. Also, to qualify as a Class B motorhome, the van must have integrated sleeping, eating, and bathroom facilities (including properly mounted gray and fresh water holding tanks).

Now that we have a basic visual difference (size and driven/towed), let’s look at other factors that vary between Class A motorhomes and Class B vans.

Characteristic

Class A motorhomes (RVs) contain virtually any feature the owner desires. Interior design is limited only by your imagination and your wallet. On the other hand, motorhomes are smaller and therefore somewhat limited, but not as much as you might think.

For example, Class B vehicles typically have a kitchenette with a refrigerator (often powered by a choice of gas, battery, or electricity) and a two-burner gas stove and grill. They typically have dual-voltage lighting that can run on a dedicated battery or AC power, supplied at a campsite via a patch cord.

Many people who are interested in buying a Class B are surprised to discover that they include a water heater, heating and air conditioning, a toilet and even an internal shower.

Some camper vans are almost indistinguishable from a conversion van, but contain the full complement of RV luxuries: stove, refrigerator, microwave, hot/cold water, shower, TV, gas heat, air conditioning.

Driving a camper van versus an RV

Ease of driving is one of the main reasons people prefer to buy a Class B pickup truck over a Class A RV. Even the smallest RVs are larger than motorhomes and therefore easier to drive. ride. For example, maneuvering a van is much less difficult than a bus, which for most people would require a fair amount of practice and a really big empty parking lot.

Converting a bus-sized vehicle requires a completely different set of principles than pickup trucks!

Other driving force (pardon the pun) to buy a Class B truck is to drive it without worrying about the hassles associated with obtaining a special driver’s license like a CDL. Although most RVs can be driven with a regular driver’s license, some states require a special license for large RVs.

These great trucks are well known for getting superior mileage, which is a concern for most people considering the ever-increasing prices of gasoline and diesel. Having to fill up the tank less often makes a big difference when taking those longer trips.

Parking and maintenance issues

The Class B can usually be repaired at any auto shop, so you don’t have the expense or inconvenience of taking it to a specialized truck or RV shop. They also allow owners with mechanical knowledge to work on the vehicle without the need for a paid professional.

You can park your motorhome anywhere you can park your car. Homeowners associations and city ordinances that prevent owners from parking RVs on the street have no restrictions against motorhomes because they are classified as vans and not RVs.

There are no storage fees associated with owning a motorhome because there are no regulations that prevent you from parking a motorhome in your driveway or in front of your house.

The term motorhome is sometimes used interchangeably with camper van, but the former can also be a much larger vehicle than a camper van and is meant to be more luxurious, while the latter is more concerned with ease of movement, comfort of driving and low cost while also providing the conveniences and comfort of an RV.

Go where you want to go; stay where you want to stay and leave payment behind.