Choosing a recreational vehicle seems like a fairly straightforward task to the uninitiated — at least, until they actually begin the search. With so many available options and features, finding the right model to suit your needs can be a daunting task indeed.
Motor homes are grouped into three classes: Class A, Class B and Class C. The first option, a Class A motor home, is a bus-type motor home with a boxy design. RV bodies built onto a van-style chassis are called Class B motor homes; the Class C variety is an RV body on a truck chassis with the cab of the truck sticking out from the front of the structure.
For beginners, the Class C is a great starter motor home; they typically have many great features for a relatively low cost, and are a good introduction into the world of recreational vehicles. For the most avid and devoted RV fans, however, the Class A coach is the preferred option; the increased space and amenities, not to mention the view from the front window are all motivating factors even before the question of fuel and power come into play. Class A coaches allow the buyer to choose between gasoline and diesel engines, which is a very important aspect of the decision-making process, due to the increased fuel economy and performance of diesel models.
Many Class A coaches are referred to as “diesel pushers” because of the powerful diesel-powered rear engine similar to those used in eighteen-wheeler trucks. For lower-air-density travel, such as through desert areas or high-altitude mountain ranges, the sheer power of diesel engines make them the ideal choice for recreational vehicles.