13 Affordable RVs for First-Time Owners

Are you looking to travel the country on a budget? Consider investing in an affordable RV, such as a small motorhome or travel trailer. You might think RVs are too expensive, but that’s not always the case!

While larger RVs like Class A motorhomes and fifth-wheel campers can cost a fortune, there are many budget-friendly options available. These include smaller Class C motorhomes, travel trailers, and Class B motorhomes, also known as camper vans.

These affordable RVs provide a cost-effective way to travel, eliminating the need for pricey hotels or Airbnbs. Plus, you’ll have the comforts of home with you on the road!

1. Class C Motorhomes: Gulf Stream Conquest

If you’re looking for a Class C motorhome that’s all about functionality and affordability, the Gulf Stream Conquest is the way to go. The Conquest is a no-frills motorhome designed for families, individuals, and couples who want to go on outdoor adventures without breaking the bank.

You can choose from over 14 different floor plans, each one offering a bathroom, kitchen, dining and living area, and sleeping space for up to six people. Every Gulf Stream Conquest also comes with a furnace and air conditioning, a power awning, the option to install solar panels, and many other features, all at a starting price of under $75,000.

2. Forest River Forester

Moving up slightly to starting price points of $75,000 on the dot, you have the Forest River Forester. With multiple floor plans to choose from, the Forester is a happy medium between the Gulf Stream Conquest and the Quantum SE. It’s slightly more luxurious and has more amenities than the Conquest, but not to the extent of Thor.

The Forest River Forester features a master bedroom with a queen bed, a full bathroom and kitchen, and a dining/living space with an entertainment center. There’s also ample storage space with each floor plan, and the option to add theater seats and an outdoor TV if you and your family enjoy a good movie night.

3. Chateau by Thor Motor Coach

The Chateau is another more affordable line of RVs from Thor Motor Coach. With roughly the same starting price as the Quantum SE, the Chateau class is built on a Ford chassis that is designed to offer a smooth and comfortable riding experience. It also features exterior LED lighting, a power awning, and a pull-out compact kitchen complete with a small grill, fridge, and TV.

Moving indoors, you’ll find a built-in wi-fi router and TV antenna so that you can stream movies or work from home no matter where you are. As with all Thor motorhomes, the Chateau has a luxurious interior complete with leather couches, a convertible dinette, and a master bedroom. It’s the perfect RV for a married couple of an entire family, as there are several floor plans to choose from.

4. Coachman Freelander

The Coachmen Freelander is another excellent option if you want a Class C motorhome that combines comfort, luxury, and affordability. With several different floor plans and RV lengths to choose from, every Freelander features a bathroom, a full kitchen, and multiple slide-outs to increase your living space.

You can also choose between having a master bedroom with a queen bed or king bed, and every model comes with a washer and dryer hookup. If you’re traveling with the whole family, there’s also an overhead bunk, a convertible dinette, and larger RVs will also have a pull-out sofa.

5. Class B Motorhomes: Rize by Thor Motor Coach

In addition to having some of the best Class C motorhomes, Thor Motor Coach also produces one of the best budget-friendly camper van – the Rize. The Rize is also perfect if you’re buying your first RV, as it’s small, easy to maneuver, and it offers a driving experience unlike any other. Camper vans like the Rize are also much easier to set up and break down than typical motorhomes and travel trailers.

The Rize is built on a RAM Promaster chassis and offers sleeping space for one to two people. It’s perfect for young couples looking for adventure, or for lone travelers who live on the go. It features a small kitchen with a stovetop, microwave, mini fridge, a sleeper sofa, and an optional rooftop tent sleeping area. The Rize also features a wet bath for convenience!

6. Coachman Nova

While the Coachman Nova has a slightly higher starting price than the Thor Rize, it’s also slightly bigger, which means more living space. Included in this living space, you’ll find a multi-purpose dinette set/couch/bed that’s perfect for one to two people. There’s also a wet bath featuring a shower and cassette toilet.

When you step inside the Coachman Nova, you don’t feel like you’re stepping into a camper van. From the custom cabinets on the floor and ceiling to the small kitchen that includes a stove and mini-fridge, the Nova is built for comfort and adventure. It also includes a roof rack and hitch for extra storage and towing, as well as a powered awning offering shade on sunny days.

7. Pleasure-Way Tofino

If you’re looking for a camper van that provides luxury on a budget, the Pleasure-Way Tofino is an excellent choice. Pleasure-Way offers a number of camper van options, but the Tofino is their most affordable RV, with a starting price of $90,000. One thing that sets the Tofino apart from most competitors is their rooftop bunk, which is perfect for sleeping or star-gazing.

The Tofino also features a dinette/sofa that converts into a queen-sized bed, making it great for couples or a small family. The rear hatch opens wide to a small garage/storage area, which also doubles as living space when you’re not using it for storage. On the cozier side of things, this camper van features custom cabinetry, a wet bath, laminate kitchen countertops, and much more!

8. Winnebago Solis Pocket

If you have a little more room in your budget but still want an affordable Class B camper van, consider the Winnebago Solis Pocket. The Solis Pocket is Winnebago’s smallest camper van, but it’s also their most versatile. It features a rear Murphy platform bed that folds up for storage and living space when not in use, as well as an indoor/outdoor combo kitchen.

The Winnebago Solis Pocket is also ideal if your RV travel includes off-roading or boondocking. The Solis Pocket is one of the most lightweight models available, and it sits on a strong, durable Ram chassis. The rooftop racks, towing hitch, generous holding tanks, and optional solar panels only add to its off-roading abilities. No matter where you want to go, this rig will help you live your best van life!

9. Travel Trailers: Coleman Lantern

The Coleman Lantern is an affordable travel trailer that has everything you need to stay safe and comfortable on the road. It features a lightweight design, making it easy to tow with most SUVs, vans, or small trucks. The Coleman Lantern was built for small families with small budgets who have a thirst for the great outdoors.

It includes a queen-sized bed for mom and dad, as well as bunk beds in the back for the kids. The dining room table also converts into an extra sleeping area if necessary. While the Coleman Lantern doesn’t go all out on luxury amenities, it does include a full bathroom and kitchen, complete with a two-burner cooktop, a small refrigerator, and an electric fireplace.

10. Coachmen Clipper

The Coachmen Clipper is very similar to the Coleman Lantern in terms of layout, design, and starting price. Both units cost less than $20,000 new and are some of the most lightweight and towable RVs on the market. The Coachmen Clipper comes in two floor plans, both offering a small kitchen, dry bathroom, rear bunk beds, and a sleeping area in the front of the rig.

As one of the more affordable RVs on the market, the Clipper doesn’t offer much in the way of amenities and storage space. However, it does include overhead cabinets on the inside and several small storage hatches on the outside, which is enough for most small families.

11. Forest River Salem

The Forest River Salem is one of the top small travel trailers available. The layout is perfect for two people, as it features a master bedroom with a queen-size bed and closet space. If necessary, however, there’s a sofa in the living room that converts into a bed if you’re traveling with kids or another couple. There’s also a surprisingly large bathroom in the rear that features a linen closet.

The full-size refrigerator and surprising amount of storage space are also great perks. What really sets the Forest River Salem apart, however, is all the optional upgrades you can add. These include a powered awning, a larger fridge, and a side-mount air conditioner for optimal comfort.

12. Jay Flight by Jayco

The Jayco Jay Flight is one of the most popular and most affordable RVs you’ll see on your RV adventures. No matter where you stay, there’s sure to be at least one of these little guys close by. As with the Forest River Salem, the Jayco Jay Flight is perfect for couples, as it boasts a master bedroom with a full bathroom, queen size bed, and closet.

However, if necessary, the jack-knife sofa and dinette table both convert into beds, offering space for up to four additional people. The galley kitchen is another great feature, as it offers everything you need to cook, meal prep, and store food. The 16′ powered awning, tankless water heater, furnace, and air conditioner are also nice touches that add comfort and convenience.

13. Silver Lake by East to West

East to West is one of the newer travel trailer brands available, and they’re taking the industry by storm. While many of their rigs are larger and more luxurious, they do offer the Silver Lake, which is their economy model. The Silver Lake is one of the only travel trailers that features a queen-size Murphy Bed, which means there’s extra living and storage space when the bed isn’t in use.

At the rear of the camper, you’ll find a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and wardrobe closet. If you enjoy occasional movie nights, there’s also a comfortable booth dinette that converts into a bed or couch, depending on your needs. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the size of the galley kitchen and the amount of storage space this rig offers, all at a starting price of less than $20,000!