The Best Small Class C RVs for Living and Traveling

If you’re in the market for a small Class C RV, you might be finding the options seem endless. With online searches, you have access to hundreds of thousands of models at your fingertips. Even visiting an RV show can feel immensely intimidating.

Whether you’re looking at new or used small motorhomes, the search can get overwhelming quickly. 

We know what’s important to small Class C RV buyers and we’ve rounded up the top options available right now.

Everyone has different needs from their rig, but this list is a great place to learn about small motorhomes and start your search for the best RV for fulltime living. 

The Best Small Class C RVs for sale

Here are our favorite Class C RVs for sale right. Take a look and see what you think!

Winnebago Navion

• Starting at: $159,826
• Length: 25’ 5
• Sleeps: 4
• GCWR: 15,250 lbs

There’s a reason “Winnebago” has become almost synonymous with “motorhome.” They’re the pros.

They’ve been making RVs and travel trailers for the better part of a century, and have consistently impressed buyers with their thoughtful options and reliability.

While they’re not exactly design innovators, their tried and trusted builds should land them a spot near the top of almost any buyer’s list. 

The Navion small Class C RV is no exception. Winnebago offers this model in 3 floor plans, each designed to maximize space for different types of travelers.

For off-the-grid nomads who love going out boondocking, the solar and tank upgrade can be a game-changer. If tank size is a big deterrent to getting a small Class C RV, those add-ons could eliminate that factor completely. 

Winnebago Vita

• Starting at: $125,171 
• Length: 24’ 7”
• Sleeps: 4-6
• GCWR: 15,250 lbs

Though the Vita is slightly shorter in length than the Navion, you’ll hardly notice the difference from inside. Voted “Best of Show” by both RV News and RV Pro, the Vita small Class C RV boasts the largest galley, the largest bed, and the largest holding tanks in its class.

It also comes with many features included that are anything but standard. That includes a 200-watt solar system, panoramic galley windows, and customizable storage cabinets.

This best small Class C RV goes beyond best in class, breaking ground in a class of its own.

Gulfstream Conquest

• Length: 24’ 1” – 32’ 8”
• Sleeps: 4-6

The Gulfstream Conquest small Class C RV comes in 15 unique floorplans across a wide range of lengths and sizes. It’s available using the Ford350 or Ford450 chassis, which is reliable and fuel-efficient.

Standard features include a welded aluminum frame, laminated steel frame floor, double-door refrigerator, 6-gallon water heater and a shower skylight in the bathroom.

There are also a lot of add-ons in this small RV, including an RV air conditioner, power leveling jacks and a deluxe comfort plus mattress.

With the flexibility in space, these small Class C RVs are perfect for small groups or families.

Whether you’re looking for a large living area, a spacious kitchen, or a luxurious bedroom oasis, there is a Conquest layout suited for you.

Thor Chateau

• Starting at: $88,800
• Length: 24’ – 31’ 3”
• Sleeps: 4-8
• GCWR: up to 22,000 lbs

Another best small Class C model with a ton of range, the Thor Chateau comes in 14 layouts boasting a huge spectrum of functionality. Their large, thoughtful kitchens were designed with budget-conscious families in mind, and offer the space needed for frequent cookers.

All the Chateau floor plans come with bunk beds, a washer and dryer and plenty of seating options for full-time living or frequent RV travel.

This small class C RV boasts soft leather chairs and coaches, a dinette that converts into a bed for extra guests and a deluxe master bedroom with a variety of bed options. The bunkhouse model is great for kids or guests.

Thoreau’s thoughtful design extends to conveniences implemented throughout the space, like popup electrical outlets and multipurpose, convertible features. 

Coachman Leprechaun

Length: 24’ – 32’ 11”

Sleeps: 4-8

GCWR: up to 22,000 lbs

Coachman’s Leprechaun line has been alive for almost 50 years, that’s a lot of time to get things right.

Coachman claims their Leprechaun line is a “better” Class C RV. That means better standard features like backup cameras and 50-gallon freshwater tanks, better safety features, and upgraded interiors. 

The spacious galley has all the amenities you’d find at home, from a microwave, to a stainless steel fridge and a recessed, 3-burner range with a cover.

Choose between a variety of bed options, from queen-size to murphy, and browse a wide variety of layouts.

An extra bonus with this small Class C RV is it’s built with certified green construction, which is also rot-resistant and delamination resistant.

Toyota Dolphin

• Length: Starting at 21’
• Sleeps: 2-4

The Toyota Dolphin is a recently rediscovered line of Toyota RVs. Their tiny size puts them into the micro RV category, making them ultra-portable, fuel-efficient, and drivable.

With some floorplans at just 21’, these truly stretch the boundaries of small Class C RVs, but with the over-cab bed, travelers find them much more spacious than Class B RVs of similar lengths.

If you want a hyper-mobile rig for solo or couple traveling, the Toyota Dolphin might be exactly what you’re looking for. 

Forester MBS

• Length: 24’ 8” – 24’ 11”
• Sleeps: 4-6
• GCWR: 15,250 lbs

The Forester MBS is designed for efficiency. Just glancing at the exterior, you can see that it was built to be aerodynamic, something you’ll see reflected at the gas station.

This does cut into the over-cab section many small Class C RV buyers prioritize. While it can still be used as a bunk, you can also opt to turn this space into an entertainment section.

You can choose between 14 floor plans and 3 different types of chassis’ when going with this Class C RV.

All Forester models are also “Certified Green” by TRA Certification, making this a great, ethical choice for your RV. 

Sunseeker LE

• Length: 23’ 10” – 32’ 3”
• Sleeps: 4-6
• GCWR: Up to 22,000 lbs

Another Forest River classic, the Sunseeker small Class C RV is a bit more versatile than the Forester MBS. The split-level design adds a ton of headroom to the living area, making the overall space feel massive.

Choose between a Chevy or a Ford chassis for this RV, which offers a spacious kitchen and living area.

Many of their layouts dedicate lots of space to a grand, master bedroom area, something many travelers prioritize after a long day out hiking or exploring. 

Fleetwood Jamboree

Length: 30’

Fleetwood rethought what a small Class C RV should be with the Jamboree. They claim that this model breaks the mold and redefines the category through innovative amenities.

Amenities like a king-sized bed or an 11 cu. ft. fridge.

If you find yourself drawn to the features of Class A RVs, but want the smaller size of a Class C, this line could be perfect for you. 

Fleetwood stopped making the Jamboree, but you can still find the RVs for sale used.

Fleetwood Pulse

• Length: 25’ 2”
• Sleeps: 4-6
• GCWR: 15,250 lbs

The Fleetwood Pulse small Class C RV fits a whole lot of features into a pretty small package. With smooth lines and a classic, clean design, Fleetwood manages to make this small and simple space feel surprisingly luxurious.

Both floorplans include a spacious separate bedroom, a small-but-smart kitchen with a large fridge, and an enclosed dry bath. 

Like the Jamboree, Fleetwood is no longer making new Pulses, but you can find them used on RV trader websites.

Lazy Daze

• Starting at: $97,250
• Length: 24’ – 31’
• GCWR: Up to 22,000 lbs

Lazy Daze is a lesser-known RV maker that’s become incredibly popular.

Their 6 Class C RV layouts couldn’t be more different and feature some really innovative design choices and convertible, multipurpose furniture like large entertainment spaces that double as bedrooms.

That thoughtful design makes it possible to squeeze more amenities into its small interior. While they’ve managed to pack in a whole lot, the smart layouts feel anything but cramped. 

Click here to see photos of the Lazy Daze Class C motorhome.

What is a Class C RV?

If you’re new to the world of RVs, you might be experiencing information overload. There’s a whole language of terms and distinctions that can feel foreign and confusing.

One of the most important terms is how we describe the main three types of motorhomes: Class A, Class B, or Class C. 

Class A RVs are the rockstar rigs. They’re the big, boxy RVs always parked outside of concert venues, but they carry more than celebrities.

These are the largest and most luxurious (read: expensive) type of RV, but most buyers don’t need or want to travel with that much luggage and opt for a smaller motorhome.

On the flip side, Class B RVs are the smallest of the lot. These are van-style small motorhomes (some are simply converted vans) and tend to include minimal amenities.

Class B’s are the most affordable and maneuverable option, but most people want a bit more space than they can offer.

That brings us to Class C. These are the classic family vacation RV, with a telltale over-cab section that’s typically used as an additional sleeping area.

This style of RV comes in the largest range of sizes and tends to attract most buyers with a wide range of options in style, size, design, layout, and more.

In this article, we’ll be specifically looking at small Class C RVs. 

Pros and cons of small Class C RVs

Buyers today are looking at smaller motorhomes than have been popular in the past. There are a lot of reasons for this shift, but you should also be aware of the cons to small motorhomes. 

Pros:

Maneuverability.

The smaller your RV is, the more places it will be able to fit. Lower clearance means accessibility to more areas, and shorter length means more possibilities for campsites, parking spots, hairpin turns, and more. 

Efficiency.

RVs are notorious gas guzzlers, but small Class RVs can be surprisingly efficient. In general, the smaller and lighter your rig is, the easier it will be to haul. The efficiency of the actual engine is still a huge variable, but small Class C RVs tend to be much more fuel-efficient than their larger counterparts. 

Cost.

With motorhomes, you pay for every square inch of space you buy. That means smaller Class C RVs tend to have much lower upfront costs. This doesn’t just affect the sticker price, things like insurance, storage, and campsite fees all tend to shrink with a smaller rig. 

Driveability.

If you’re a pro at towing or driving giant rigs, this factor may not matter too much to you. But if the thought of driving anything over 25 feet gives you anxiety, a smaller RV might be a good option. It’s also good to consider where you’ll need to take it. If you know you’ll have to drive your RV through a major city, certain lengths might not be feasible. 

Cons

Tank size.

Smaller RVs also have smaller black water holding tanks. This isn’t a big issue if you’re a weekend traveler or if you plan to hook up every night. But if you’re hoping to stay off-grid for large spans of time or just don’t see yourself emptying and refilling your tanks too frequently, the small tanks on small Class C motorhomes might be too limiting for you.

Space.

This is a tough one because it’s hard to know what is too little or too much space until you’re in it. Some people struggle with the small size of smaller RVs, while other travelers love the cozy togetherness that small space brings.

The best option is to actually get in one. Visit an RV show or rent one for the weekend and see how you feel in the space, if it’s too much, you’ll regret it, but if it’s too little, you might find yourself feeling cramped. It’s a tough sweet spot to hit but if you do, you’ll be thrilled.

Q&A about Class C Rvs

Conclusion on the Best Small Class C RVs

Small Class C RVs offer big benefits and surprisingly sumptuous features.

No matter what type of space you prefer or the type of travel you want to use it for, there is a small motorhome perfect for you. 

Hopefully, this article has helped you gain some insight into your search. If you still have questions, ask! Let us know what else you’d like to hear about in the comments. 

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