By Liz Wilcox
So you live in an RV … but have you ever thought about what your RV says about you? Like, what’s the impression you give when you pull up to the campground?
Well, look no further my friend. The Virtual Campground is here to tell you all about how people are judging you from their camping chairs.
Luxury motorhome
You want to go camping – you just want to do it in style. And who’s to say you can’t watch TV and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature at the same time? Just because you live in an RV doesn’t mean you have to be one of those tiny homes hippies!
Class B
Can we all just agree to call this a van? So you RV in a van, but yes, we’ll admit it’s a sweet van. It’s got a name and you’re never gonna sell it, no way. Would people stop asking?! (Man, that’s annoying!)
Class B+
You’re old and you want a simple life, but you’d also like some room for your Shih Tzu.
Moving on.
Class C
You’re either a family with small kids on vacation or a couple looking for your next great hiking adventure. This RV isn’t for everybody, and you’ll admit the storage sucks, but man is it easy to just pull over.
Truck camper
You’re a rugged mountain man with a sordid past just passing through town. At least that’s what people think when you pull up, until you step out and look like the shortstop for Average Joe’s.
Not much is known about your kind, and you like it that way. Adds a little comical mystery. The truth? You’re just easy to please.
Airstream
You’re in a league all your own. You’re cute. You’re hip. You either had a lot of money to buy new or you had some money stashed away for a renovation. We’re all very happy for you.
Standard travel trailer
You’re logical. Practical. You ain’t spending a ton of money. This RV suits all your needs and nothing more. You got the one with just enough storage and space to fit you, your kids and your pets. You want to spend as much time outside as possible, and this trailer is gonna make that happen for you, dang it.
Like the rest of the RVing community, you’re just looking for your little slice of freedom. Respectable, really.
Tear drop
Does a bear relieve himself in the woods? So do you. Seriously though, you’re just really into the simple life.
5th wheel
You want to RV with all the comforts of home but you can’t afford a luxury motorhome. BINGO! 5th wheel! You brag about your RV kitchen every chance you get – and who can blame you? After all, you’ve got an island, a respectable fridge, and room for the Sam’s Club peanut butter in your pantry.
Toy hauler
You’re super into nature, and tearin’ it up. There’s nothing like taking the quad out in Moab and gettin’ it done, yanawimsayin? Then head on down to the motocross competition to watch your boy take those ruts like a champ. Or maybe you’re the motorcycle type and got the toy hauler to hold your pride and joy.
You head to campgrounds close to scenic highways. You love a good bonfire with some friends, good ole American beer, and nothing but the Classics blastin’ on the stereo in the background.
Skoolie
You’re tired of these money-hungry RV manufacturers with their shoddy craftsmanship – if you can even call it that. In fact, you’re pretty tired of a lot of things. No longer will you live by everyone’s standards except your own!
That’s why you decided to get the bus: the bus to freedom. It’s dependable, sturdy and full of possibility. Just like you. Maybe you’ll get plumbing for it, maybe you won’t. All you know is the open road is calling your name and you must go.
Check out my free e-book 101 RV Renovation Tips for tips on how to renovate your entire rig, fix water damage, and maximize storage space! Just click here. And don’t miss The Virtual Campground website for RVing tips, tricks, interviews, humor and more.
##RVT905
My my, my, people take it all so seriously. I don’t care if you have a flatbed truck with a 4 man tent on the back, if it works for you, then good… The whole purpose for me is to get out there and travel, and discover what this great country has to offer. If you boondock, moochdock, stay in a RV park or an exclusive RV resort, it makes no difference as long as you are deriving pleasure from it. Why are so many so defensive, live your life and allow others to live theirs…….
OK Here’s my deal. We used to own a 5er with a 3/4 ton pu, but got rid of ’em. We now have a one ton pick up with an Arctic Fox TC that has a slide out, plenty of room! The reason is… we tow our pontoon boat and love to be on the lakes! Oh, I can tow a boat with a Class C you say? Try to launch a boat backing down a long, steep boat ramp with one…LOL. I usually have the back wheels of my truck in the water.
Put a hitch on the front and push it in.
Hey Liz, what about us who still enjoy popup trailers and easy towable trailers? We are invisible to the RV crowd as well as the folks at RV Travel.
This is a just a fun entertaining article! Don’t take it as an insult of your rig choice folks! We own the Luxury Class A Diesel type but we have noticed more rv parks lately don’t allow truck campers, tents or popups. I don’t understand why? We are all paying customers!
They’re trying to keep their image up as a luxury park instead of a campground
ANYONE whom THINKS 5th wheel owners can’t afford a bus, or class A… Never bought a pick up truck, and set up to pull a 5th wheel. talk about price? 60-80K for the AVERAGE 5th wheel, and at least another 4-50 K for a 3/4 ton pick up, or near 60K for a one ton.. and that does not include the hitch, some does not include the brake system needed to pull 5th wheel. You can buy a class A 40′, but a good 7 ‘ is just front seating area. you buy a 40′ 5th wheel, and you have at least 37-38 feet of living space, not counting the extra room with having 3+ slides. In my oppion, most people whom I have meet that own Class A’ have there nose stuck so high in the air, there missing the flowers to smell. The rest of us, are enjoying the sites, and adventures in each others stories.
You are right on the cost of a fifth wheel and truck costing more than some Class A’s that is why we choose a A and hubby was tired of towing a pull type and driving a big truck. Not all Class A owners are snobs, we are not! We get the feeling that no one wants anyone to talk to them we say Hi to everyone we pass when walking or sitting outside and very few say a word back! Back in the 70’s and 80’s everyone talked to other campers. What’s changed? Happy Camping & Safe Travels to you!
Your comment about class A owners is sad. It says a lot about you and/or the people that you have met driving Class A’s. I hope for all of our sake your opinion and or the people that you meet changes because it says so much about us as a society or you as an individual. I truly wish you the best. I am not saying that you are wrong or right. I guess it’s just the way life is……
Why is everyone so sensitive these days? Sitting around looking for something to be offended over. Lighten up you’ll be so much happier.
Hey “Just me,” why are you so defensive? Are you one of those that thinks everything is about “Just me?” Get outside and take a breath of fresh air and relax. By the way, it’s “they’re,” not “there.”
Whenever two different human beings come together there is always gonna be two opinions. The article was great and fun. As long as I can drive , walk and get to the campsite imma happy camper and I might look once and no more than twice at yours because I’m to busy enjoying my van my wife company and the fact that I’m blessed enough to be out camping. Have fun ya’ll and save the arguments and complaints for when you must head home !! See ya on the highways and biways !!!
So many adds are ok it’s free but they covered the first couple of paragraphs
You left out the “POP UP” . Sorry to say that’s what I’m limited to with my mini van towing capacity of only 2,000 lbs max
The very best is an low mileage Ambulance from a small town fire dept. I bought a diesel with 80,000 miles, Horton body, always inside, no rust everything works perfectly, power everything, more storage than I need, new tires & batteries for $2000 with one of the best diesel engines. A $200,000 unit for 1% of new & it looks a year old or less. Hardly any work to convert. All wired, plumbed, front & rear heat & air, insulated, wired. Couldn’t be happier!
Thanks for the “clue” I needed ! My Wife will hate the idea at first , but hey , I talked her into my 20 year old Corvette and she loves that….now !
lol. Very good light hearted reading.
Right on spot with the rv description. We love our kitchen with the island and pantry.
Did the ‘B’ for 4 years….40,000 miles
Did the ‘C’ for 6 years….50,000 miles
Have the 28′ ‘A for 5 years’ with 3 slides……25,000 miles
Camping is now enjoyable…less hassle for old people.
You missed the SUPER C Class. My 2015 Dynamax DX3-37RB is built on a TRUE HDT (Heavy Duty Truck) cab chassis (a Freightliner M2 Business Class 7 HDT). If I don’t start an anvil collection, I’ll NEVER be overweight! The 350HP Cummins ISL9 diesel puller means I always have power to spare. I searched for four years to find this floorplan (which has since been “improved”). In the five years I’ve owned it, I have not seen a better floorplan. NOTHING IMPORTANT moves. The two slide outs each have a 110VAC edison outlet and some LED lights. The hot and cold water lines, drain lines, propane lines, residential fridge, residential convection~microwave and stacking washer~dryer ALL “stay put”. I can get up from the front seats and walk back having FULL ACCESS to the living~dining area, sink, cooktop, fridge, mid-ship half bath with both slides IN. I have full access to the electric service panel. If I want to shower, I roll out of bed on the aft side (two drawers are blocked with the bedroom slide retracted so, my clean underwear and socks are kept in the top drawer). The safety factor a TRUE Super C provides is off the scale. With the engine up front, service is a snap. There ARE Super C “wanna~bees”. These are usually built on Class 4 or Class 5 Pick ups or contractor vans (think F450, E450, F550, Dodge / GMC 5500 series). As a solo, I have boondocked for 10 days before needing to find hookups.
PS: I have a 20,000 pound towing capacity with a 3000 pound tongue weight rating 🙂
What about Super C’s? Her thoughts are obviously for entertainment purposes which is fine as long as you take it in the spirit in which it is presented.
Chill everyone… I think the article is cute, kind of a compilation of thoughts, more satire than facts. Don’t be so sensitive.
I read a post on FB yesterday from a lady who was chatted up by a guy online. When she told him she lived in a RV (or camper don’t remember the term) at the beach….CRICKETS. Apparently he was a S&B snob!
I saw that too! And yes, this is all for jokes my friends.
I camp in a Rav 4. There wasn’t a word about car camping! No… I am most certainly not homeless. This is my choice of camping! I don’t care what others think of new!
Absolutely right on!!!! You didn’t include pop-ups, probably because they aren’t widely used for full timing. When we had our pop-up we found a segment of the RV community who went around getting the inside of their nose sunburned more than usual when we showed up. We ignored ’em and enjoyed our family time anyway!
Pop-up:
You’re a weekend warrior. Isn’t that cute? Wait what?
You full-time in that? Wow! What’s that like?
Seriously, we really want to know. You’re like the migratory butterfly that we know comes through our hometown every year but we hardly ever see it.
Come out, come out, wherever you are!
When we migrated from a tent it was to a new 1990 Coleman pop-up. It was so full of amenities that we felt as if we were living the high-life. To this day, and after 1 TT and 3 5W, we still talk about the fun we had and places we went in our Coleman. Found the same attitude then but never let it slow us down. Enjoy making memories.
We feel the same way about our first RV. It was a 20′ Starcraft Antiqua expandable and we just loved it. Moving our 44′ 5th wheel around is just not as charming. Happy Trails!!
We have a 1990 Chinook Concourse that is in pristine condition. We get thumbs up from sunup to sundown everywhere we go. Plus it sounds pretty good to.
Love it Rick. Those are a thing to behold!
We live in a used 2005 Dutchstar Diesel MH. Not quite a luxury unit but very nice.
We’ve seen many big 5th wheels a huge trucks that cost thousands more than our unit. I consider those luxury Rvs.
As long as were camping that’s all that matters. We live staying at COE and State Parks because we see every type of unit imaginable.
I love a good Dutchstar! Those are great units. I also love the variety at COEs!
Ha! We live in a 33′ Class A which seems to be classified as a luxury motorhome, which is pretty far from what ours is. We renovated the interior to fit our needs and taste, including a composting toilet-ripped out the bedroom TV and have watched 4 movies in 4.5 years on the one in the LR which has coats and/or backpacks hanging in front of it most of the time, we have solar so we can boondock (that and state parks are our preferred sites) and seek out nature and art in about equal measure. We visit cities and indulge in what they have to offer and stay out in nature because we prefer it to parking in a place where people are trying to impress each other with bigger and fancier. And what we have found is that very often what the camper looks like has little to do with what its owners are like.
I’m sorry but I find the article contributing to the judgey atmosphere that seems to be infecting our country. If you don’t like mold, clean it up. If it doesn’t bother you then don’t.
I think this article was in jest with a tongue in cheek humor. No one really identifies with 100% with the descriptions.
The RV shown as a Class B/B+ is a Rialta. They are built on a cutaway chassis so technically they are a class C not a van. Of course there is no such thing as a B+ except in the marketing minds of RV sales people…
B+ sounds better than C-
Here’s what I see when a rig pulls in.
Is it just normal road dirty, and not actually filthy, perhaps with mold growing on it? Is it delipidated, with obvious damage? Does it have plastic or plywood holding it together? Window air cons sticking out a window, instead of factory air conditioning?
Or does it look well kept, along with the tow vehicle (if any)? We all expect road dirt and bugs, but pride of ownership shines through that. Our motorhome is a 2003 – but doesn’t look it, and it’s maintained.
I don’t care what you RV in or what year it is, if you take care of it and have some pride. Can’t abide trashed out rigs falling apart with owners not even scrubbing off mold, moss, and mildew.
Guess what Darrel? Some of us couldn’t care less what you think about our rigs. Yea mine has mold on it, if you don’t like it you can scrub it off. I personally don’t care.
I agree Darrel. I don’t care to camp next to someone who lets their rv look like crap. If they don’t take any pride in their rv chances are they don’t care about their campsite and their activities and how it affects their neighbors.
Just where does she get her information. We have a class C and don’t fit in her description at all. Have had motorcycle with trailer and tent, truck and camper, travel trailer, class a and one a class c Her statement doesn’t cover us at all
I just get my information from the masses. It seems like you an exception to the rule, my dear Johnm. Didn’t mean to offend. This is all meant in good fun.
Get a grip, folks. Most of you are probably old enough to have heard the term “tongue in cheek”? This is how Liz frequently writes and, quite frankly, we find it refreshing. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
To me the whole point of an R**V** is motion. A new view and front yard each week. Nothing wrong with a park trailer as cheap housing, but if it has wheels, I’m not parking for months or years. I bought my trailer used and banged up, and my kids have banged it up more. When I pull in, it says we actually use our CAMPer.
Yesterday included taking my 35′ TT about 45 miles of single lane mountain roads where you usually stop for opposing traffic, trim a few trees, and crawl over boulders left under the road… over two hours for those bucolic miles.
Love it, Wolfe.
My wife and I have a hybrid travel trailer. And we have it on a seasonal site and enjoy the hell out of it. We have friends there who have BIG 5th wheels and don’t even own a truck to pull them! We do take our trailer off site during the season to camp out of state and have a great time doing it! When we get back from our trip our friends seem to be a little jealous to hear all about the fun we had.
I know that they have there sites set up as a weekend summer place and they love it. My wife and I are happy to just keep it simple and enjoy our time just being outside and sitting around a campfire at night and forgetting all the stuff that went on during our week!
All I have to say is: If your outside camping you are on the right track!! No matter what you have!
Agreed! This is all meant in good fun. 🙂
Thanks!
It’s quite Simple: When Wife and I go out with our 5th Wheel, We Look Good!
The Truck and RV are Washed and Waxed, clean and shiny, looking almost Brand New.
We turn heads when we are driving down the road and also when pulling into the Campground. Sitting outside in the evening, awning out and enjoying the fresh air, many people walk by and complement our Rig and even some stop to chat awhile and ask all the questions about the Rig. Truly camping like it should be, Quiet, Peaceful and Relaxing.
Too bad, this attitude can’t be generated among more people in not only the RV community, but the US as well.
Just my 3 cents worth.
You all take Care.
Agree 100 percent. Pride of ownership, taking care of what you RV in.
Right on Jeff! I can’t stand driving a bug covered windshield on our class A. Pride of ownership. We worked hard to retire this way! God bless!