Class B and Class C RVs are two of the more nimble motorhome types available to RVers, easy to learn and great for exploring. Understanding the difference between a Class B vs Class C RV will help you choose which makes more sense for you and your family. These motorhome types offer smaller, easier options than Class A motorhomes, and today we will explore the comparable benefits and drawbacks of each.
What Is a Class B RV?
A Class B RV is the smallest and most maneuverable motorhome and ranges from about 18 to 25 feet long. Often called a camper van or sprinter van, it is typically built on a van chassis like the RAM ProMaster, Ford Transit, or Mercedes Sprinter. Some common features you’ll find on most but not all camper vans include a wet bath, a pop up roof tent, and convertible sleeping/dining/garage areas.
What Is a Class C RV?
A Class C RV is typically built on a truck chassis like the Ford F-350 or Chevy 3500 or larger. It ranges from 22 to over 33 feet long and is commonly recognized by the additional sleeping area above the cab, which is why it’s also known as a cabover camper. Class C campers can vary dramatically in length, floorplan layout, towing capacity, interior amenities, and exterior features. Unlike camper vans, you’ll also find toy hauler Class C RV floorplans.
Class B vs Class C RVs: What They Have in Common
Class B and Class C RVs share the same important benefit you’ll get with a Class A RV: the ability to camp without a tow vehicle. They also allow you to park and access the living, dining, and sleeping areas without going outside, which is especially convenient when you need a quick bathroom break or need to pull over to rest.
Class B and C campers feature interior floorplans with a full kitchen or kitchenette, a wet or dry bathroom, dining space, and sleeping areas. Additionally, these motorhome types come with gas or diesel engines, allowing you to choose your preference.
Class C vs Class B RVs: How They Differ
While Class C and B RVs are drivable and offer many similar interior features, they have some key differences. Let’s explore each comparable feature to help you determine which is most convenient for you. We’ll even declare a winner for each category.
Interior Living Space Winner: Class C
Almost all Class C campers will offer more interior living space than camper vans. You won’t find many Class B RVs with slide-outs to increase that living space unless you’re looking at Class B+ campers.
Because Class C motorhomes are longer, they offer more spacious dining areas, living rooms with theater seating or sleeper sofas, entertainment centers, and dedicated bedrooms for privacy when family camping.
Off-Grid Capability Winner: Class B
While some Class C (and Super C RVs)hold their own on dirt roads, camper vans often have added ground clearance, larger tires, upgraded suspension, and other construction features to handle unmaintained roads.
Industry leaders in battery charging systems and solar capability also add their innovations to Class B camper vans more than to Class C RVs. Winnebago’s Power Max system, seen most recently at the 2024 Florida RV SuperShow, is a great example.
Sleeping Capacity Winner: Class C
Most Class B campers can only sleep two people, with the largest offering a maximum sleeping capacity of four. On the other hand, Class C motorhomes generally sleep at least four adults, and there are many Class C RVs that sleep eight people or more.
The cabover bunk at the front of the Class C design gives this RV type an obvious sleeping capacity advantage. Comparatively, a Class B generally needs a pop up roof tent to comfortably sleep more than two people. Combined with a convertible dinette, a primary bedroom that usually houses a full or queen bed, bunks, and sometimes a sleeper sofa, it’s easy to see why Class C RVs win this sleeping capacity debate.
Parking and Campsite Selection Winner: Class B
While Class C campers aren’t as hard to drive and won’t restrict your campsite selection like many other RV types, Class B campers are the easiest RV to drive and park. Many van owners get away with overnight stays in areas where other RVs wouldn’t fit. Additionally, finding a space in a crowded parking lot and navigating busy gas stations will generally be easier with a camper van.
Plenty of campgrounds have site lengths to accommodate larger Class C motorhomes, and cabover campers are certainly easier to park and maneuver than some of the largest towable RVs out there as well, so this is still an advantage for Class Cs, but Class B RVs are the clear winner in this category.
Exterior Storage Winner: Tie
It’s rare to find Class B campers with storage compartments accessible from the outside. For this reason, Class C campers take the win when it comes to enclosed exterior storage.
However, many Class B campers come equipped with roof racks, bike racks mounted to the rear door, and hitch receivers for installing additional cargo carriers. You’ll find hitch receivers on Class C campers, too, but it’s rare to find roof racks or rear-mounted bike racks on them (with the exception of the new Thor Eddie Bauer 22EB). So, when you compare these two types of exterior storage, this debate is a push.
Towing Capacity Winner: Class C
Coming back to hitch receivers, a Class C camper is the definitive choice if you want to tow a secondary vehicle or trailer. While Class B RVs have hitch receivers, their towing capacities are generally much lower than even the smallest Class C motorhomes.
Price Winner (MSRP): Make/Model Dependent
We’re down to the nitty-gritty in this category. The average cost of Class C and Class B campers typically ranges from $75,000 to $150,000. The final cost depends on make, model, trim, features, and other variables.
You can certainly find high-end campers in both categories that cost more than $150,000. Conversely, you’ll find used units for less than $75,000 once engine mileage and other factors are accounted for.
Until you compare specific makes and models, price isn’t a massive differentiating factor for these two RV types. That said, if you compare Class B vs Class C motorhomes by cost per square foot, you’re paying more for a smaller camper with a Class B.
Resale Value Winner: Make/Model and Maintenance Dependent
Browse the internet for RV resale value for Class B vs Class C RVs, and you’ll find many differing opinions. My take is that resale value will be determined more by your RV’s make and model and, perhaps more importantly, how much you use it and how well you maintain it.
The Good Sam RV Valuator is a great tool for checking any RV’s resale value. But your final offer when selling or trading in your RV will depend on the potential buyer’s evaluation of factors like mileage, maintenance records, interior and exterior damage, and more.
Class C RV vs Class B: Which Is Right For You?
Finding the right Class B or C RV for you depends on how you prioritize the factors above. But it also comes down to how you view the top RV manufacturers, which floorplans suit your family’s needs, and which interior or exterior features you can’t live without. That’s why we’ve added resources below to help you further refine your search criteria so you can tell an RV sales representative exactly what you’re looking for next time you visit your local Camping World!
Enjoy these additional resources to find your ideal motorhome:
What questions do you have about choosing a Class B or Class C RV? Tell us in the comments below!
