What is the Difference Between an RV and a Motorhome?
When most people think of RV’s, they usually think of a recreational vehicle. Someone might think that an RV is a vehicle with a bed, kitchenette and bathroom inside. A motorhome on the other hand is different from an RV. It has all those features, but it also has a living room, dinette set and sofa. So what is the difference between the two?
Trailers can be pulled by any vehicle with sufficient towing capacity, such as a pickup truck or SUV. Other types of trailers cannot be pulled by these types of vehicles because their weight exceeds the maximum towing capacity for these types of vehicles.
RVs are built on a chassis known as a "Truck Camper".
Section 1: Understanding the Difference
An RV is a recreational vehicle. It has all the amenities that are commonly found in a small home, but it is not a full-time residence. If you are building a full-time residence in a trailer, then you will need to purchase a standard travel trailer.
Section 2: RV Basics
RV stands for Recreational Vehicle. A motorhome is referred to as a Trailer RV. We’ve been building RV's for nearly 30 years, and we wanted to write this post so we could clear up some confusion. The reader base is growing daily, and we’re seeing a lot of questions in our Facebook groups and through our blog.
What does an RV-5a "house" look like? A traditional single-wide is a trailer, but some people build a house-style RV to live in. They’ll start with an RV chassis, add a bed in the center, and an overhead loft.
Why Choose an RV
One of the best parts about having a motorhome rather than a trailer is the parking experience. A motorhome is a more comfortable, relaxing experience than a trailer. All you do is drop the motorhome in the corner and you're good to go. There is also an elevated view point that allows you to see much of the landscape and you won't be forced to watch from the ground.
Another advantage is that motorhomes have additional storage in the rear of the RV. It is great to be able to have all your storage organized for you. There's also less hassles when it comes to dismantling the trailer in the driveway. As long as you have all of your tools in one spot, you'll never be interrupted by having to find your jack or wrench that you need for certain chores.
Motorhomes and RVs
RV:
One of the many uses of the word "rv" is the recreational vehicle. It has come to mean any type of recreational vehicle that is used to go on a trip. The body is what typically stays in one place, while the mechanical parts are what travels to different destinations. RVs typically have a kitchen, a dinette, a bedroom and bathroom.
Motorhome:
Motorhomes also has some of the same features as an RV. The motorhome, on the other hand, also has a living room, a dinette, a bathroom and sometimes even a full kitchen.
These are some of the major differences between a RV and a motorhome.
Types of RVs
RV:
According to nacra.org, there are a few different types of RV that you can take on a trip. These types are known as travel trailers, fifth wheels, and mobile homes.
Advantages of a motorhome
A motorhome does not have to be pulled by a pickup or SUV. Some of the advantages of a motorhome include:
Convenience: Having a separate living and sleeping areas means you can enjoy a much more comfortable and relaxing vacation. You can also take a short car trip to a nearby destination and back, or even travel as far as an airport or local destination and take the train or bus back.
Space: RV's are bigger and heavier than trailers. You can actually get a full size bed, sofa, dinette set and a very comfortable toilet. With these amenities, you can actually live in an RV!
Mobility: When you have all of your amenities in a motorhome, you can basically go wherever you want and can also travel the country in a matter of hours.
Disadvantages of a motorhome
Motorhomes do not have a hitch or hitch adjustment like RVs. So, when you want to tote a load to a campground you will have to find a truck to tow it. You can ask friends and family to help you by towing the motorhome to the campsite. They would have to tow it very slowly because motorhomes are very heavy and can be dangerous to tow. It is okay to hire a few friends for a small fee to tow it to a campground.
A motorhome does not have any type of cab for the driver. So, if you are towing a motorhome, you will have to get in and out of the motorhome by walking around in the front and back of the motorhome. This might be a problem for someone who is short.
In the USA, it is illegal to transport a motorhome on a regular basis with the same license plate number.
Advantages of an RV
• Storage space inside the RV can be a lot larger and more affordable than that of a trailer. Â This makes storing bulky items, such as furniture, much easier.
• Carrying all the belongings that make you feel comfortable and are easy to use is much easier with an RV than a trailer.
• With the RV, you can have a bedroom, a kitchenette, a bathroom, a sitting room, a dining area, a living room, a dinette and the bathroom.
• If you prefer the outdoors to indoors, an RV can also make for a great camping experience. Â Although some trailers can be used for camping, their size and weight makes camping difficult.
Disadvantages of an RV
• When being towed, an RV can weigh around 5,000 to 9,000 pounds, depending on its make and model.
Disadvantage of an RV
RVs, when first starting off, can be very expensive because there is a good bit of upfront cost. The biggest drawbacks to an RV are that they are very big and the space inside is very small. To make up for the small amount of space, RV manufacturers often install amenities such as a fridge, stove, microwave and small counter top.
Motorhomes, on the other hand, are smaller and more compact. Often, motorhomes can be squeezed into a much smaller space. They usually have smaller bathrooms, kitchenettes, etc. They also have a higher seating capacity. An RV can hold about six people in most cases while a motorhome can hold ten or more people.
Advantages of an RV
Being able to sleep, work and entertain yourself while traveling anywhere in the country, which is very rare for RVs.
Conclusion
A good RV’s only purpose is to be a place to go on vacations. They offer a place for you to sleep, eat and play.
A motorhome is built for towing with bigger vehicles, but they are still a recreational vehicle. They can be pulled by just about any type of vehicle, including trucks.
Whatever the type of RV you go with, it's important to make sure that it is affordable. Sometimes RV’s can be very expensive, which is not something you should have to worry about if you're going on a vacation. If you go with the right RV, you won't need to worry about finances. So, find out what you want in an RV before you start looking.