Match the rig to the trips you actually take, then match the campsite to the rig. A Class B van fits a national park road and parks in a town; a 35 ft fifth wheel needs a pull-through site, 50 amp service, and a plan for every fuel stop. The expensive mistakes are almost always mismatches between rig size and campsite type, not failures of the vehicle.
The five rig types
| Type | Length | Sleeps | Towing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A motorhome | 26–45 ft | 4–8 | None (flat tow) | Long stays, families, full-time |
| Class B van | 17–22 ft | 2 | None | Touring, stealth camping, two people |
| Class C motorhome | 21–33 ft | 4–6 | Optional | Families, national parks |
| Travel trailer | 16–35 ft | 2–6 | Half-ton to one-ton truck | Basecamp, unhook and drive |
| Fifth wheel | 27–42 ft | 4–8 | One-ton truck | Long stays, residential comfort |
| Pop-up / truck camper | 8–20 ft | 2–4 | Small truck or SUV | Weekend trips, easy storage |
A travel trailer is the most flexible compromise: unhook at camp and drive the truck into town. A Class B is the most nimble and the least comfortable in rain for more than two people.
Hookups: 30 amp versus 50 amp
| Service | Voltage | Max draw | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15/20 amp household | 120 V | 15–20 A | Charger, lights, laptop |
| 30 amp | 120 V | 30 A (3,600 W) | One air conditioner, microwave |
| 50 amp | 240 V | 50 A (12,000 W) | Two ACs, electric water heater, induction |
Most 30 amp rigs need an adapter for a 50 amp pedestal (dogbone), and most 50 amp rigs can run on 30 amp with load management: one AC, no microwave while the AC runs. Carrying both a 50-to-30 dogbone and a 30-to-15 adapter covers nearly every pedestal.
Water and sewer are separate: a fresh water hose (white), a grey/black drain hose (black), and a pressure regulator. A water pressure regulator is the cheapest insurance in RV camping — some parks run 80 psi and split fittings.
Tanks: capacity and the order of operations
| Tank | Typical capacity | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | 20–100 gal | Fill at the campground, not on the road |
| Grey water | 20–60 gal | Fills fastest; showers and dishes |
| Black water | 15–45 gal | Empty when 2/3 full, never dry |
| Propane | 20–40 lb | 1 lb ≈ 21,600 BTU |
Dump black first, then grey — the grey rinse clears the hose. Never open the black valve with the hose connected unless the valve is closed at the other end. Use a clear elbow so you can see when the flow stops.
Budget: the numbers people miss
| Item | Annual cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | $400–1,200 | Higher for full-time |
| Storage | $0–1,800 | $75–150/month outdoors |
| Maintenance | $500–1,500 | Tires every 5–7 years |
| Fuel | $0.15–0.35/mile | 8–12 mpg typical |
| Campground fees | $25–80/night | Full hookup |
| Depreciation | 10–20%/year | The largest cost for new rigs |
A used rig bought outright is usually cheaper than a new one financed over ten years. Budget the tires and the roof reseal before the upgrades.
Season: winter changes the routine
- Freezing nights: drain the fresh lines, or keep the furnace on and the cabinet doors open.
- Winterizing: blow out the lines with 30 psi or fill with non-toxic antifreeze; bypass the water heater.
- Storage: cover the tires, leave vents cracked, and remove food.
- Summer: shade the fridge vent; an absorption fridge loses 20–30 °F of cooling in direct sun.
Hookup checklist at arrival
- Level side to side, then front to back; chock the wheels.
- Connect power, check the pedestal breaker first.
- Water with a regulator and a filter.
- Sewer hose with a downhill run and a support.
- Open the propane slowly; check the detector.
- Photograph the pedestal meter if the park charges by usage.
The next step after your first trip
The next step is not an upgrade; it is a shakedown. Camp one night within an hour of home, use every system — water, power, tanks, heat — and write down what failed. That list is your purchase plan for the season.
Where to go next
For the black tank procedure in detail, see the black tank guide; for power systems, the electricity and solar guide; for booking, the reservation guide.