Hello! I am a young, potential RVer trying to figure out my best option. I imagine myself living the full time RV life within two years (hopefully less!) but I am conflicted about whether to get a class A, B, or C. It will be just my dog and myself, so personal space isn't the MOST important issue. I am an explorer who loves to hike in secluded places, and I love driving old dirt roads. I would miss having a small car that can veer off the beaten path, so to speak. 

Well.. most any vehicle can do dirt roads..  it's more a matter, of how off-roading do you want to go?  Do you want to go down roads that require a 4x4?  If so, than very few RVs are capable of that. Are you wanting to be able to manuvuer kingpin turns, twisty windy mountain roads and not worry about trees and such?  Then avoid RVs over about 25'. 

Well.. most any vehicle can do dirt roads..  it's more a matter, of how off-roading do you want to go?  Do you want to go down roads that require a 4x4?  If so, than very few RVs are capable of that. Are you wanting to be able to manuvuer kingpin turns, twisty windy mountain roads and not worry about trees and such?  Then avoid RVs over about 25'. 

I went with the Class A, but I am still an executive for the moment and need the storage and office space. One of the consensuses I kept hearing was best you can afford and biggest, as few folks say their rig is too large when full timing. I figure, if it ends up being more than I need, I can downsize easier and cheaper than upsizing. Also, I was worried about driving the A too, as I hadn't driven anything bigger than a 28' box moving van style truck. I will say, it takes some adjustment and I would highly recommend at least one of the better instructional videos, but it isn't that hard and the post 2000 models actually seem to turn better than the 30+ feet Class Cs I test drove. Just have to get used to absolutely no nose/hood.Hang out at some dealerships/lots/shows with lots of options, we all have different needs and more importantly I think for full timing, likes, that we need to try to accommodate. Find what suits you best. If it can't go absolutely everywhere, wellnthere are 4x4 toads, dirt/atv motorcycles, scooters and tons of mountain bike options. Sometimes it's a compromise, but in the end, we can always find a solution.

I agree with the posts above but would just add one thing...don't be too concerned about driving a class A with a toad.  It's VERY simple!!  The biggest mistake folks make is forgetting the length of their rig and trying to cut corners.  Get you whatever rig you feel comfortable with and then learn how to drive it!  Take it to an empty parking lot and practice with it.  You'll be surprised how easy it is.

How about a smaller 4x4 w/the torque to tow small a travel trailer. Electrical brake systems help prevent the caboose from shoving you into oblivion should you have to stop suddenly.

This is all good advice, thank you!

We went w/ a class A just because we wanted doggie & 2 cats to ride comfortably with us.

 

In retrospect I would have gone w/ a smaller rig. We went 40-foot and have camped in alot of "out there" locations including boondocking. The driving has not been a problem but some of the campsites have been a squeeze and some state parks we couldn't even fit (e.g. alot of CA parks have 30-35-foot size limits).

 

If you do decide to go for class A I'd recommend a smaller size with the biggest engine you can find...that'll make for better driving and easier towing (you can easily find a good tow w/ off-roading capability).

 

And echoing the others...go to a dealer and look at ALL options. That'll give you a better idea of what's availible.