Choosing the Right RV Type for Your Snowbird Lifestyle

Are you the kind of person who loves to travel south for the winter and beat the cold? If so, you fit into a very large population of people often called snowbirds. While not all snowbirds head south in an RV, quite a few people do.

If you’re living the snowbird lifestyle and not in an RV, then you might be interested in buying an RV, but what type of RV do you get?

Well, let’s take a look at the different types of RVs, and hopefully, we can help you find the type of RV that’s right for you.

Types of RVs

The types of RVs are generally divided up into two distinct categories. There are motorhomes and towable RVs. The difference is probably pretty obvious. Motorhomes are an RV that has a motor and can be driven. Towable RVs are trailers that require a separate tow vehicle. Let’s take a look at the different types of motorhomes and towables.

Motorhomes

Motorhomes generally fit into three classes: Class A, Class C, and Class B. Class A is the biggest, Class C is the second larges, and Class B is the smallest.

Class A Motorhomes

Class A motorhomes are built on large bus or truck chassis. They offer a lot of space and many are luxurious models with all the luxuries of home. This makes them an enticing package for anyone who plans to spend long periods of time traveling.

Class C Motorhomes

Class C motorhomes are built on commercial truck and van chassis and feature a sleeping area the sits over the cab of the vehicle. These can vary considerably in length but usually aren’t quite as large as Class A motorhomes. They’re also usually a bit less expensive and less luxurious. They’re still a great option for snowbirds who need plenty of space.

Class B Motorhomes

Class B motorhomes are essentially regular full-size vans that have been converted or transformed by an up fitter or RV manufacturer to offer all the comforts of a camper. Their small size makes them easily maneuverable and a good choice for someone who likes to camp off the beaten path or move from campsite to campsite often.

Towables

When it comes to towables, there are more options. There are fifth-wheels, travel trailers, expandable trailers, pop-ups, and small campers, like teardrop campers.

Fifth-Wheels

Fifth-wheel RVs are one of the larger styles of towable RVs. They are defined by their unique hitch which attaches to the tow vehicle (a large pickup truck) to a mechanism in the bed of the truck. This makes them very stable when towing down the road. Fifth-wheels offer a wide variety of floorplans and plenty of space.

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are simply an RV in a trailer form that attaches to a tow vehicle via a standard tow hitch. Travel trailers can vary widely in length and weight. This means you can often find a travel trailer that can be pulled by the vehicle you already own. This makes them enticing to some snowbirds.

Expandable Trailers

The expandable trailer design blends the idea of a pop-up with a travel trailer. Basically, you get a travel trailer with expandable areas that feature tent-like roof and walls. These areas are commonly used for sleeping. This design allows for a compact unit when towing that cam be expanded out once you get to your destination.

Pop-Ups

You probably know about pop-up campers. Pop-ups offer a little more protection than a tent and some of the amenities of a travel trailer in a small and affordable package. They’re perfect for weekend camping and shorter trips but lack many of the amenities and features that other options have.

Small Campers

Last but not least, there are small campers. These come in all shapes and sizes. You’ve probably seen teardrop campers, and other small campers before. Some of them are better suited to snowbirds than others. Their common feature is their light weight and small overall size. This means you can tow them with almost any vehicle.

What Kind of Snowbird Will You Be?

Finding the right type of RV from the ones listed above all comes down to the type of snowbird you will be. If you’re of the mind to just find someplace warm to park next to some friends or family, then something like a Class A motorhome might be perfect for you.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to go out and explore the area you’re staying in, a towable RV with a separate vehicle that you can drive around might be the right choice.

Sit down and really think about how you plan to spend the winter months. If you’re the kind of person who wants to live the RV resort life and stay at the campground and partake in all that the facilities have to offer then get an RV that you know will have more space and let you have the comforts of home.

If you’re going to be moving a lot and taking frequent trips, something smaller, more maneuverable, and easier to handle on the road might be a better choice. You can also be in the middle. It’s all up to you. The best part about being a snowbird is that you get to decide which lifestyle is right for you and then live it.

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Where is your favorite place to escape the cold and 'snowbird' to? Tell us in the comments!

See you on the road!