Class C motor homes sit on a chassis that is basically the same as the one found on a van or pickup truck. Many RVers consider this a safer construction than the larger ones used in Class A motor homes, particularly in the cockpit area which long has been a safety concern.
Because Class C motor homes are usually smaller, they get better gas mileage than Class A models. There has been a trend, however, toward building some Class C motor homes on a large truck chassis, making them nearly as big as Class A homes; in such models, the gas savings would be negligible.
The typical Class C motor home, being smaller than a Class A model, has better handling. It it easier to turn, stop or park in tight spots in which a Class A motor home might not fit. On the other hand, Class A models do offer better visibility of the road than Class C homes.
Those who choose to go with Class A homes most often do so because of their size and the creature comforts they offer; they are basically small houses on wheel with many of the amenities found in a standard home. Smaller Class C homes usually have more cramped quarters, with some of the luxuries downsized or not available at all.
Class A motor homes cost more than Class C models, and they are also more expensive to run. Class A homes usually cost between 50 cents to one dollar a mile to operate during their first few years of ownership; those who find that cost prohibitive may instead opt for a less expensive Class C model.
