Driving around an RV is probably something that you should try at least once in your life. This is most especially if you’re a traveler who likes to always be on the move.
However, finding the right RV according to your needs is not as simple as it sounds. You need to choose the specific class, RV type, size, features, and other necessary factors to ensure that you will be able to make the most out of your vehicle.
Now, if you want the best when it comes to traveling and staying on the road for a long time, a Class A RV is definitely the answer. It’s at the top of the ranks when it comes to having a luxurious and spacious overall structure. The problem is it won’t be for everyone, specifically those that aren’t a fan of excessively large RVs or those with limited parking spaces.
This is where a small Class A RV comes in. This has the same luxurious feel as regular Class A RVs but is delivered in a smaller size. If you want to know more about what this is and if it will fit your needs, then read on to the following sections.
Small Class A RVs: How Small Do They Get?
Currently, the smallest Class A RV model comes up to 25.6 inches in length and about 12 inches in height. This is the Thor Axis 24.1 Motorhome, so you can look into it if the size is your main priority. We’ll also go through this model in the following sections.
On a more average scale, expect the whole line of a small Class A motorhome to range around 25 inches up to 30 inches. Sometimes, RVs extending up to 31.5 inches is also considered as a short Class A motorhome, but it won’t always be the case. You need to depend on your needs and requirements for this matter.
To set your expectations, there is really little to no chance at all to find a unit that’s smaller than this since Class A RVs are generally on the bigger side of the RV size spectrum. You may turn to Class B and Class C RVs if you want an even smaller vehicle, but note that you won’t usually get the prestigious and feature-filled structure that a Class A has.
Benefits of a Small Class A RV:
Owning the best Class A motorhome will actually open your traveling journey to a lot of benefits. Below are the top three pros you can expect:
Convenience:
Because of the more luxurious and functional layout of Class A RVs no matter the size, you can expect a convenient ride throughout the time you’re traveling. You won’t have to deal with issues like lack of facilities, hassle driving sessions, unsafe passenger conditions, and likes.
Higher Compatibility with State Parks and Camping Sites:
Most state parks and camping sites have an average RV size limit of 30 inches. That said, opting for a small Class A motorhome instead of the regular one will allow you to explore and stay in more parks. You won’t need to continuously look for a site that allows larger RVs, which can take a lot of time if you’re in unfamiliar cities.
Better Gas Mileage:
Since your class A RV is smaller in size, you can expect its engine to have better gas mileage. This means that it will be able to use less gas despite running on long-mile destinations. Similarly, it also means being able to save more money to save in the long run.
5 Best Small Class A RVs:
It can be hard to choose the best small Class A RV because of the many choices in the market. To help you with this, we have prepared the top 5 smallest Class A motorhome with the best quality in the following list:
1. Thor Axis 24.1:
As of 2022, the still smallest reported Class A RV is the Thor Axis 24.1. Length-wise, its dimensions come up to only 25.6 inches. It also stands at around 11 inches in terms of height, which is significantly shorter compared to the common small Class A RVs in the market.
This motorhome has all the essentials. It consists of a bunk bed, twin beds in the bedroom, and a sofa bed in the living room. This means that, approximately, this can accommodate five people at most inside. It also has facilities like a fully-functioning bathroom, which is extendable, a kitchen, and a closet. It also has two more couches by the TV-equipped living room.
To make it even better, the brand will allow buyers to customize their own interior design through a bespoke home collection. It mainly features a modern farmhouse theme.
As for the maximum weight capacity, the Thor Axis 24.1 can hold up to 6,000lbs. This is apart from the towing capacity of 8,000lbs. Its engine runs on a 7.3L V8 system from Ford Chassis.
Currently priced at $147,900, you will be able to access pros like better accessibility, numerous interior options, and having a fully-equipped small Class A RV.
2. Jayco Alante 26X:
With a height of 12.4 inches and a total length of 28.5 inches, the Jayco Alante 26X makes a good choice for those who want a more balanced short Class A motorhome. Out of all the models in this list, you can expect this to be the most functional in terms of the interior layout.
For reference, the model has a bedroom, living room, kitchen, dinette, and bathroom. The bedroom offers a very prestigious queen bed. The fully-equipped bathroom will also be accessed through the same space. The kitchen already has all the tools and cooking equipment that you’ll need, fridge, stove, and sinks included. The dinette has a rather simple design and takes up little yet still workable space for eating and other tasks. The main selling point is in the extendable living room, consisting of slide-outs, a sofa, two single-seat couches, and a TV. Several storage spaces are also incorporated in the design.
Just like the Thor Axis 24.1, you can customize the interior design of your Jayco Alante 26X. It has a max cargo capacity of 7,000lbs and towing capacity of 5,000lbs. It also runs on a 6.8L Triton engine. Get this unit for a starting price of $100,000.
3. Winnebago Sunstar 29V:
The Winnebago Sunstar 29V is on the larger side of small Class A RVs. It measures 30 inches in length and 12.3 inches in height. If you have more extensive space requirements for the category, then this will definitely be one of your most viable options since it can handle up to 9 people inside.
The interior layout of the RV model is more focused on entertainment, but you can still expect it to have the essential rooms. It’s equipped with a luxurious queen bed and an excessive amount of space despite being considered small.
Most of its features, like the dinette and loft bed, are drop-down so that you can utilize your space use depending on your needs. Its main advantage is the built-in entertainment center consisting of a surround speaker and a 39-inch television. Style-wise, you’ll be glad to know that the flooring is wholly made of vinyl.
Both the weight and towing capacity of the Sunstar 29V comes up to 5,000lbs, so that you may find this as one of its weak points. This is most especially since the previous smaller units can handle more. As for the engine, this uses a 7.3L V8 engine, all for an SRP of $176,822.
4. Forest River FR3:
If you want to stick to longer small Class A RVs, the Forest River FR3 is probably waving at you. It has a length of 31.8 inches and a height of 12.5 inches. This may not be the best choice for entering strict RV camping sites, but it will definitely be an ideal choice for those who want to travel with more people and on a longer distance.
The interior design has notable vinyl flooring throughout the whole area. It has the basics, specifically the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dinette, and living room. Because it has a king-sized bed, bunk bed, and sofa bed, all in one, you can expect this to be able to accommodate up to 8 people. The kitchen is equipped with a microwave, apart from the usual refrigerator and stove. It also has two televisions and a bespoke entertainment center.
Both the towing and weight capacity comes up to 5,000lbs maximum. The engine runs on a 350HP V8 engine. The overall gas capacity will depend on the model’s variation but expect it to range from 24.5 to 50 gallons. At present, this has an SRP starting at around $100,000.
5. Fleetwood RV Flair 28A:
To end our list, we have the Fleetwood RV Flair 28A. It has a length of 29.3 inches and a height of 12.4 inches. This is a rather balanced small Class A motorhome, so expect it to be able to accommodate six people at most.
When it comes to the interior design and offers, expect a bedroom that consists of a king-sized bed, a fully-functional bathroom, a kitchen with a reliable fridge, and an extendable living room area. Some of its features, specifically the dinette and additional sofa, are drop-down to value its space-saving quality. There is also another drop-down queen-sized bed, which is probably one of its key advantages. Its pros don’t stop with that yet, since it also has a wide-spaced basement for all your stuff.
The max weight capacity of the Flair 28A comes up to 5,000lbs, and a towing capacity of 8,000lbs, which are actually already good because of the balanced specs. It uses a 7.3L engine from Triton and an impressive 350 horsepower.
Overall, you should get this if you want to get a little bit of everything, from functionality space, up to wide-ranged accommodation. It’s currently available for around $98,400, one of the most affordable.
Important Features to Look For in a Small Class A RV:
Note that when choosing a good small Class A RV, you shouldn’t just settle for whatever the shortest Class A RV is. You also need to take several factors into account to ensure that you’ll be getting the best value for your money.
That said, here are the things that you should take into account:
Size:
At the top of our priority list is the size. Generally, short Class A RVs will range from 25 to 30 inches, sometimes even 1 to 2 inches more, depending on the brand. Now, no length, height, or size is bad, but there are definitely dimensions that may not suit your requirements.
For reference, if you plan on taking your RV to national parks and sites, then stick to a maximum size of 30 inches. Make sure that the model you’re looking at won’t exceed this size. This is if you want to easily enter the said locations.
If your goal is to simply have more accessible parking spaces, then you can feel free to extend your hunt to 31 to 32 inches RVs. Even so, keep in mind that the smaller, the better in this case.
Features:
Class A RVs will already have all the basic facilities that you’ll need, including a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and likes. Hence, what you need to focus on are the built-in features in and out of the unit.
Does it come with entertainment devices, utility tools, safety attachments, etc.? Look for things that can make it stand out in terms of aesthetics and functionality. In that way, you can guarantee that investing your money in a Class A RV will be worth it.
Engine System:
Although small Class A RVs are sure to have better gas mileage, they will still be on a case-to-case basis depending on what engine system will be used. If you don’t know a lot about this subject, then bringing a technician on the day of canvassing short Class A motorhomes and purchasing will help a lot.
Price:
Although small Class A RVs are more budget-friendly compare to regular-sized Class A motorhomes, they still won’t be cheap. You will be making an investment worth thousands, so you should take a close look at a unit’s price before deciding if it’s the one.
Instead of looking for the most affordable, look for the one that will give you the most value for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you want to understand short Class A RVs better, here are some of the frequently asked questions that may come in handy:
- Are These Small Motorhomes Too Small For You?
If you’re traveling with more than ten people and you’re looking into the 26-inches range of short Class A motorhomes, then there’s a big possibility that it will be too small for you. If this is the case, then you may want to amp up the sizing to about 30 inches or fully turn to regular-sized Class A RVs.
Even then, note that there is no definite answer to the question. You still need to consider specific factors like your planned destinations and activities, the total number of people that will be in the RV, and how much stuff you plan on bringing.
- How Do You Know If You Should Get a Small Class A RV?
You should get a small Class A RV if you want to get all the luxurious offers of a Class A motorhome but in a significantly smaller size. It will also fit your needs if you want to be able to enter camping sites and other public parks with ease. Simply said, you should opt for the said RV type if your priorities revolve around accessibility, convenience, and functionality.
If you’re traveling with a smaller group of people, that is, around 5 to 7 people, then a short Class A motorhome will also be a good option. This is an evidently better alternative compared to Classes B and C RVs.
- What Is the Price Range of Short Class A Motorhomes?
In terms of short Class A motorhomes, you should expect the average price range to start from $30,000 up to $60,000 at most.
You may be able to find lower prices if you browse through secondhand listings. At the same time, expect that you may incur higher costs if you’re committed to buying and investing in a brand new small Class A RV. The latter is most especially true if you’re looking at high-end brands like Newmar, Tiffin, and Airstream. If this is the case, then you should expect prices to start at $100,000, at the very least.
Conclusion:
A short Class A RV will be perfect for travelers who want to have the best class of RV possible but without the large structure. It will give you access to luxurious small Class A motorhomes ranging from around 25 to 30 inches.
The smallest that you can get is 25.6in. Sizes larger than this won’t be considered a mini Class A RV anymore.
As long as you choose the best small Class A RV for your needs, expect that you’ll be able to get benefits like being allowed on more camping sites and parks, convenient traveling, and budget-friendly prices.
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