What are the Dimensions of an RV? Tips & Examples

When buying a new RV, you’ll be paying attention to tons of various features. You’ll look at things like sleeping capacity, kitchen appliances, and tank sizes, but what about the dimensions of the RV itself?

Everything from the RV length to the average width can make a significant difference in your next journey. So, before buying a new rig, it helps to know the average RV dimensions so you can plan accordingly. With that in mind, let’s break down the reasons why these dimensions matter and what the average ones are for different classes.

Why Do Your RV Dimensions Matter? 

If you haven’t driven a motorhome or towed a travel trailer before, you may not understand how different it is from driving a car. Basically, with a car or truck, you can maneuver pretty easily and find parking without any problems. Unfortunately, even with small class B motorhome models, you may struggle a bit at first.

Here are the top reasons why you need to pay attention to your RV’s size and weight.

Living Space

As a rule, a larger class RV will have more living space than a smaller rig. So, if you buy a class A motorhome, you’ll have more amenities and sleeping locations than a smaller class B.

One factor to pay attention to is the difference between exterior dimensions and interior ones. For example, the exterior length may be 30 feet, but inside it’s only 28. The discrepancy occurs because of the thickness of the walls and the length of external add-ons like ladders or bike racks.

If you’re concerned about your RV width, you can alleviate this problem by using slide outs. These sections slide out of the main section so you have more room to move around. However, RVs with slide-outs are typically more expensive.

Overhead Clearance

One of the most common issues you’ll encounter when driving an RV is the overhead clearance. Some large motorhomes can be upwards of 12 or 13 feet high, meaning you need to worry about elements like low bridges and trees.

Fortunately, because RVing is such a massive industry these days, you can download various apps to tell you about potential clearance obstacles on your route. This way, you can plan your trip accordingly and avoid these hazards before damaging or destroying your RV.

Also, depending on where you camp, you might have to worry about trees and other brush. You don’t want a low-hanging branch to knock off your satellite dish or A/C unit. Making matters worse is that these conditions won’t necessarily show up on an app since they’re looking for man-made obstacles.

Road Conditions

When we talk about road conditions, we’re referring to elements like tight corners, small side streets, and narrow lanes. When the average length of an RV is around 26 feet, making these turns can be really tricky, if not impossible.

Wider RVs can also be an issue when driving down side streets. For example, you may accidentally knock out some side view mirrors, creating an insurance headache for both you and the owners of the other vehicles.

Turns and narrow roads are an even bigger hassle when towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel RV. Since your total length will be much longer than a motorhome, you have to be extra careful when maneuvering. In some cases, you might get stuck in a bad spot with no way to get out.

Parking

Trying to get into a parking spot can be a big deal when driving a big motorhome or lengthy RV trailer. If you’re only parking at RV parks, you can often pull into your spot, making the experience smoother and easier. However, if you need to get into a smaller location, you’ll have to be intimately aware of your RV dimensions. Otherwise, you may cause secondary damage without realizing it.

State and Federal Regulations

Finally, driving an RV means you have to pay attention to various local laws regarding vehicle sizes. For example, you might encounter rules with length restrictions and width restrictions. As a general rule, the maximum length for any vehicle is around 30 feet, and the maximum height is 13.5 feet.

Standard freeway lanes are 10 feet wide, so if your rig is wider than that, you’ll have to apply for special permits before hitting the road.

Fortunately, RV manufacturers know these restrictions and build their motorhomes accordingly. If you are going to get in trouble, it will likely be when towing a massive fifth-wheel trailer. Since these models can be extra wide and long, you might have to check with your local laws to see if they’re street legal.

Class A Motorhome Dimensions

The largest motorhome class is Class A, and these rigs can often reach up to 30 feet long and 9.5 feet wide. While these rigs are comfortable for long trips, they may be difficult to manage when navigating down side streets and off-road campsites.

Here’s a breakdown of the average length, width, and height of Class A motorhomes.

• Height – 11 to 13 feet
• Width – 8 to 8.5 feet
• Length – 25 to 45 feet

As you’ll notice, the maximum length varies the most because there are no federal restrictions on vehicle length. However, if you get a longer RV, you probably don’t want to tow anything behind it since it will be harder to drive and maneuver when you’re not on the freeway.

When talking about the motorhome height, the actual number may include elements like A/C units, roof racks, and antennas. So, you can mitigate most clearance obstacles by taking these pieces down before heading out on the road.

Class A Motorhome Examples

No matter what, if you’re traveling in a class A motorhome, you’ll have plenty of interior space to accommodate you and your travelers. Here are some examples that run the gamut from “compact” class As to massive rigs that will dominate the road.

Thor Axis

Thor Motor Coach is well known for making high-quality class A motorhome models. The Axis is one of the smallest in their fleet, measuring at 25.5 feet long, seven feet wide, and 11 feet high. The Axis specifically is also good for off-roading because it comes with a powerful engine and a relatively tall clearance.

Entegra Cornerstone 45B

On the upper end of the spectrum, the Entegra Cornerstone is the longest class A motorhome you can buy. at 45 feet long and 13 feet high, this rig is a behemoth that will get noticed wherever you go. However, this kind of motorhome length also means you can’t turn very well, and backing up is a somewhat complicated process.

Tiffin Allegro Bus 45 OPP

Entegra doesn’t have a monopoly on extra-long class A motorhomes. The Tiffin Allegro is also a monster vehicle with a 45-foot length, 8.4-foot width, and 13.25 feet height. As you can imagine, RVs like this have lots of storage space and plenty of room for you and your travel companions to move around. These rigs also often use a king-size bed instead of a queen.

Class B Motorhome Dimensions

Class B motorhomes are also called camper vans because they’re often built into a van chassis. Although these rigs are the smallest of the three classes, they’re still often taller and longer than your average car, SUV, or truck. That said, if you’re looking for more agility and maneuverability, class B rigs are the best option. Here’s what you can expect as far as the average length, height, and width.

• Height – 9 to 11 feet
• Width – 8 feet
• Length – 17 to 23 feet

One thing you won’t have to worry too much about is making tight turns since class B RVs are the skinniest of the bunch. Also, if you buy a shorter rig, you should be able to clear most fast food drive-thru lines, making it easier to get food while you’re on the road.

Class B Motorhome Examples

Since a class B motorhome is the smallest rig you can buy, you can find some pretty compact models on the market. However, if you’re really trying to save space, you could retrofit a minivan to house a bed and some amenities so you can live on the road without buying an expensive RV.

Here are some of our favorite examples of class B motorhomes.

Winnebago Revel

Typically, when you think of a Winnebago, you imagine a massive class A RV. However, the Revel is much more compact and modest, with a length of 19.5 feet and a width of 7.1 feet. Since this RV is built into a Mercedes chassis, it’s about 10 feet tall.

Airstream Interstate

Airstream is synonymous with travel trailers, but the company also makes motorhomes for your convenience. The interstate is the longest class B RV you can buy, measuring 24.5 feet long, 9.8 feet high, and 6.8 feet at the widest point. Oddly enough, even as the biggest class B rig, it still only sleeps two comfortably.

Winnebago ERA

It’s kind of odd to see a company known for such grand Class A motorhomes to have two class B models featured. However, the ERA is one of the biggest camper vans you can buy at 24.25 feet long, 6.35 feet wide, and 9.67 feet tall.

Class C Motorhome Dimensions

Typically, Class C motorhomes are defined by their pickup truck cab and sleeping area above it. While some models don’t have this feature, the vast majority of them do. Class C rigs are right in the middle between B and A models, making them a bit more accommodating without being too large and cumbersome.

Class C motorhomes are often ideal for families or couples who like to have some room to stretch when camping overnight.

• Height – 10 feet
• Width – 8 to 8.5 feet
• Length – 22 to 44 feet

As you’ll notice, there’s not much of a difference between a class C motorhome and a class A rig. Both options have similar dimensions, so you might have to pay closer attention to clearance issues and tight turns. However, class C RVs typically aren’t as tall as class As, so you shouldn’t have to avoid low bridges and other obstacles.

Class C Motorhome Examples

While the average class C motorhome has a cabover portion with a bed, not all of these models come with the same amenities. Regardless, class C RVs are often suitable for families of four, so you should all be pretty comfortable no matter which model you choose. Here are some of our favorites.

Winnebago Outlook

Since the Winnebago brand is practically synonymous with RVs, it makes sense that it would have some of the best average RV lengths and heights. In this case, the Outlook is just over 24 feet long, 10 feet high, and 8.5 feet wide.

Coachmen Freelander

Although this motorhome is about the same length as the Outlook, it’s almost a foot taller, so you can move around a bit more easily inside. The dimensions of this rig are 24.25 feet long, 8.35 feet wide, and 10.8 feet tall.

Oddly enough, the Freelander comes with multiple floorplans and chassis options, so you can buy the 31MB version, which is the longest class C motorhome on the market. The 31MB’s dimensions are 32.8 feet long, 10.8 feet high, and 8.5 feet wide.

Travel Trailer Dimensions

Travel trailers are the most diverse option for towable RVs because they run the gamut from compact designs to massive rigs. Because there are so many models to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming when trying to select the best option. However, with so many selections, you’re sure to find something that can accommodate your needs.

On the small end, the average RV length for a travel trailer is about 12 to 15 feet. On the large end, they can reach up to 30 feet or so. Here’s a breakdown of the wide range of dimensions you could find with these trailers:

• Height – 7 to 12 feet
• Width – 7 to 8.5 feet
• Length – 12 to 32 feet

Travel Trailer Examples

Because travel trailers can vary so much in their maximum length, width, and height, it’s hard to put too many examples on a single list. On the small end, we like the Airstream Bambi, which measures 16 feet long, eight feet wide, and 9.25 feet tall.

On the larger end of the spectrum, you can find monsters like the Jayco Eagle 334DROK, which is over 41 feet long, 12 feet high, and 8.5 feet wide.

Toy Hauler Dimensions

Toy hauler trailers are unique because they have a built-in “garage” space to house your various “toys.” So, if you want to bring your dirt bike, ATV, kayak, or other equipment on your next trip, a toy hauler is a must.

As with a travel trailer, these units can vary widely in length and height. On the upper end of the spectrum, you can find trailers that are just over 13 feet tall and 48 feet long. On the shorter end, some toy haulers are less than 20 feet long and eight feet high.

• Height – 7.5 to 13.5 feet
• Width – 8 to 8.5 feet
• Length – 17 to 48 feet

As you’ll notice across all RV types and models, the width often stays about the same. Toy haulers generally don’t get skinnier than eight feet because they need room to store various items and secondary vehicles.

Another benefit of using a toy hauler is that you can convert the rear door into a deck, giving you extra room to move around without increasing the overall dimensions of your RV.

Toy Hauler Examples

You would think that toy haulers would generally be larger than a travel trailer, but these models can also cover both compact and massive rigs. The smallest toy hauler is the Forest River No Boundaries NB10.6, which measures just 13 feet, 10 inches long. It’s height is seven feet, nine inches, and the width is seven feet, seven inches.

On the large end, the Grand Design Momentum 30G is one of the biggest toy haulers with a 20-foot garage. The overall length is 35 feet, with a height of 12.33 feet and a width of 8.42 feet.

Fifth Wheel Dimensions

Fifth wheel trailers are the largest RV class you can find, with some models regularly reaching 40 feet long. On the one hand, having such a massive rig means you’ll have many different amenities inside. On the other hand, it’s much harder to turn and navigate, especially when driving on side streets or narrow roads.

Nonetheless, most fifth-wheels don’t exceed maximum length restrictions, although some models may be a bit longer because some states allow longer trailers. Overall, if you’re getting a rig that bumps against the upper limits of different size restrictions, you should plan your trip accordingly.

• Height – 8 to 12 feet
• Width – 8 to 8.5 feet
• Length – 22 to 45 feet

Another point to consider when towing a fifth-wheel is that its height will be slightly taller when in transit than when parked. The nature of these RVs mean you have to tow them with a pickup truck because of the front section. So, when the RV is mounted, the truck bed will add a few extra inches.

Fifth Wheel Examples

Since fifth-wheels are already so massive, even the smaller versions are often bigger than most class A motorhomes. Something like the Coachmen Chaparral Lite still is 29 feet long, eight feet wide, and almost 12 feet tall.

If you’re looking for a monster rig, you can opt for something like the Grand Design Solitude 380FL, which is 42 feet long, 13.5 feet tall, and 8.4 feet wide. Depending on where you’re driving, you might have to worry about various vehicle restrictions because this rig is so massive.