Class C RVs vary widely in size. In fact, in our post and video answering the question “What is a Super C RV?”, we showed you one of the largest types of Class C RV on the market. Today we’re looking at a much smaller RV in the same class – the Class C RV under 30 feet.
These rigs are very popular with singles, couples, and small families, and with good reason. Let’s take a look!
What is a Class C RV?
Class C RVs are a class of motorhome, with “motorhome” being the term used to describe an RV where the engine, drivetrain, and living space are all one unit. This is different from a travel trailer or 5th wheel, which are also RVs but are towed by a separate vehicle. Motorhome = “drivable”, while a travel trailer or 5th wheel = “towable.”
There are three general classes of motorhomes – A, B, and C, with a few variations (Class B+ for example). Oddly enough, the Class C RV is the middle child of motorhomes. Class A rigs are the big brother, and Class B camper vans are the smallest. We’re not sure why they’re not in alphabetical order by size (wouldn’t that make sense?!?!)… if WE’D named them, they would be! LOL!
So, generally, a class C motorhome tends to offer less space than most Class A rigs and considerably more space than a Class B rig. We say “generally” because there are some small Class A motorhomes as seen in our post on 5 small Class A motorhomes, and some very large Class C motorhomes.
You can often distinguish a Class C rig by the overhang that sticks out over the driver’s area, which most often has a bed in it. A Class C RV is built with a cab or cutaway chassis. So, the front takes on the appearance of a van while the house offers more living space and more storage.
The arrow points to the overhang (also referred to as the “cab-over”) that is characteristic of the Class C RV. This area has traditionally housed a bed, though many modern Class C RV manufacturers offer the option of an entertainment center being housed in this location.
Class C RVs vary significantly in size within the classification, running anywhere from 21 feet to 41 feet in length.
What Are the Advantages of Class C RVs?
Class C RVs are generally very family-friendly. They tend to have the space to sleep several people, with belted seats for an entire family as well. And Class C rigs generally tend to offer more space for the money than either Class A or Class B RVs.
The smaller Class C rigs (especially 30’ and under) are small and easy to handle. They’re often so easy to maneuver that you may not need to tow a separate car with you for exploring beyond the campground. That’s yet another potential cost-benefit of a small Class C rig.
Class C RVs are also built on well-proven platforms — Ford and Mercedes chassis are common. That means there are lots of service locations available just about anywhere (Fords especially).
What Are the Disadvantages of Class C RVs?
Many Class C RVs have a dated appearance (though many of the Mercedes and Sprinter-based Class C rigs are more modern and sleek than older designs).
The placement of the engine at the front of a Class C RV tends to make it both louder and hotter when driving, especially when compared with a Class A diesel pusher.
Some Class C RVs also tend to have mediocre fuel economy, and their chassis/engine combination may be strained by the additional weight of the RV.
Compared with many towables and Class A motorhomes, Class C rigs often have limited exterior storage. And, finally, they tend to be less luxurious than Class A motorhomes, diesel pushers in particular.
Popular Class C RVs Under 30 Feet Long
With all of that said, let’s take a look at some of the most popular Class C RVs under 30 feet long!
Minnie Winnie 26T
At a tidy 28′ 6″ in length, this model of Minnie Winnie falls safely short of our 30′ maximum target. The 2022 Minnie Winnie 26T is equipped with a 7.3 litre Ford V8 chassis, safety enhanced for 2022. This popular touring coach has two slide-outs, a large U-shaped dining/lounge area, an L-shaped galley, a sofa bed, an over-the-cab (overhead) bed, and a walk-around queen-sized bed.
The Minnie Winnie 26T has adaptive cruise control which uses radar & camera technology to set your cruise speed and the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. When traffic ahead slows, your RV automatically slows as well, and when traffic speed increases, your speed and distance resume.
Safety features include active distance alert (to maintain the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you), forward collision warning (for sensing a potential collision), brake assist sensitivity, lane departure warning, driver alert (making you aware of signs of driver fatigue), automatic emergency braking, electronic stability control, traction control, and more.
The Minnie Winnie 26T has a 55-gallon fuel capacity, 44-gallon fresh water capacity, 41-gallon gray water capacity, 35-gallon black water capacity, a 76-pound LP capacity, and a 6-gallon water heater with electronic ignition.
It sleeps 6 people and has 2 slides.
The 26T is equipped with a 4,000 Watt Cummins-Onan MicroQuiet generator and a slew of amenities including HWH automatic hydraulic leveling jacks, dual pane thermo-insulated windows, and an amazing infotainment system that includes SiriusXM satellite radio. A factory-installed 7,500 lb tow package with standard 7-pin electrical connector ensures you can safely bring a towed vehicle along on your trip.
The private full rear (dry) bath, with 23” x 34” shower, and bedroom make this a great little rig for couples and families alike.
Prices start at $144,182.
Forest River Sunseeker MBS
This is the Forest River Sunseeker MBS 2400T. The “MBS” indicates the Mercedes version. Forest River also makes a Sunseeker on the Ford Sprinter chassis. (Photo credit: Forest River)
Forest River’s Sunseeker MBS is built on a Mercedes chassis. The Sunseeker is cool for lots of reasons, not the least of which is its “Certified Green” status courtesy of the independent certification company, TRA Certification, Inc…. meaning that the Sunseeker is verified as being filled with eco-friendly components.
Sunseeker’s unique split-level design gives you maximum headroom in the living area, while still offering pass-through storage on every floorplan.
We like that this rig comes with backup and side-view cameras with overhead rear view mirror monitors, and a Winegard Air 360+ antenna with Gateway 4G WiFi capability. Not a bad start!
Both Sunseeker models are equipped with a 26-gallon fuel capacity, 56-pound LP tank, 35-gallon fresh water tank, and 32-gallon gray and black water tanks.
Model 2400B of the Sunseeker offers a U-shaped convertible dinette (a theatre seat option is available), an overhead bunk, and a queen-sized bed in the rear as well as a full (dry) bath with a 24” x 32” shower.
Model 2400T has a spacious bathroom that uses the entire back of the rig, an overhead bed, a murphy style sofa that becomes a queen-sized bed, and seatbelted power theatre seats.
Prices start at around $135,500.
Coachmen Cross Trail 26XG
The Coachmen Cross Trail 26XG, built on the Ford chassis with a high-performance engine at the ready, is also a certified Green coach (this is becoming a trend!).
One of the neat things about this rig is its gear-carrying capacity. You can slide lots of gear right into the pass-through storage area of the Cross Trail 26XG, and there’s an interesting storage garage in the rear of the rig for travelers who have lots of adventure gear to bring along. This vertical space is large enough to store bicycles, for example.
The fuel capacity of the 26XG is 55 gallons, and it’s got a 50-gallon fresh water tank and gray and black water tanks with a capacity of 31 gallons each.
As boondockers, we took particular note of the 400 amp-hour AGM battery (no maintenance or worrying about corroded battery terminals) which can be upgraded to a whopping 800 amp-hour lithium battery (larger than our 600 amp-hour Xantrex e-Gen setup!) for excellent off-grid use. Factory-installed dual 250A alternators ensure both house and chassis batteries remain charged while driving!
With the over-the-cab bed, the sofa, conversion of the lounge sofa, and rear queen bed, a family can be comfortable in this Class C RV under 30 feet.
The Coachmen Cross Trail 26XG starts at $126,848.
Winnebago View 24D
We’re fans of European styling and the Winnebago View 24D doesn’t disappoint on this count.
The sleek exterior styling of the View 24D, in fact, gives a similar appearance to the Class B+ RV we rented in New Zealand, though it’s considerably larger and a bit less aerodynamic.
The Winnebago View 24D just doesn’t have that familiar boxy look traditionally associated with Class C RVs, though it still has a fairly spacious interior, courtesy of a 36-inch deep slide.
Built on the Sprinter chassis and powered by a Mercedes diesel engine, the View 24D is just 6 inches shy of 26 feet long (the shortest option on our list today). But the interior height is a roomy 6’8” which is fantastic for us taller guys.
The fresh water tank has a capacity of 30 gallons, while the gray and black tanks each have a 41-gallon capacity. The LP tank holds about 50 pounds of propane, and the fuel tank has a capacity of 24.5 gallons.
This is the floor plan of the Winnebago View 24D. The U-shaped dinette can be replaced with theatre seating as an option. (Photo credit: Winnebago)
The Winnebago View 24D sleeps four people comfortably with a 49” x 75” cab-over bunk and a 60” x 75” sofa/murphy bed. A U-shaped dinette (another sleeping area) is standard, but theatre seating is available as an option. A full dry bath is situated at the rear of the RV.
The avid boondockers in us quickly noted the two 100-watt solar panels that come standard with the Winnebago View 24D along with a 3,600W Cummins-Onan MicroQuiet LP generator.
We’re seeing the starting price on the 2022 View 24D coming in at around $195,000.
Entegra Odyssey 25R
The Entegra Odyssey is powered by a Ford E-450 gas engine and has a few models under 30 feet in length. This model, the 25R, has an outside kitchen and TV, a cab-over bunk, a queen bedroom, and a full dry bath at the rear of the RV.
There’s also a 50” interior television which is – well – at least big and maybe even overwhelming in the space. We’d have to see the layout in person to say for sure, but families who enjoy watching movies together on rainy days/nights will surely appreciate it.
We like the size of the shower at 30” x 36”, whereas many Class C RVs of this size are limited to 24” x 32” showers.
The interior is very nicely laid out and well-appointed, especially with the 68” leather theatre sofa as an option.
Entegra’s E-Z DRIVE™ system with computer-balanced driveshaft, standard front & rear stabilizer bars, Hellwig® helper springs, and rubber isolation body mounts are likely to make driving this Class C RV enjoyable.
The Entegra Odyssey 25R is 28’8” long and has an interior height of 7 feet (84″) which is notable.
The fuel tank capacity is 55 gallons, while the fresh water tank has a capacity of 47 gallons. Holding tanks are heated for cold-weather camping, with the gray tank having a capacity of 41 gallons and the black tank’s capacity coming in at 32 gallons.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price on the Entegra Odyssey 25R is $131,735.
Tiffin Wayfarer 25 JW
As RVers who work full time in our RV, we took notice of some neat features of the Tiffin Wayfarer 25JW, not the least of which is a couple of workstations. One is created from a pull-out table and the other from an area that houses a flip-up entertainment center. A couple of folding chairs are stored under the sofa-to-murphy bed – a thoughtful touch. We can see this double workstation capability being helpful to RVers who need to work remotely while on the road.
We’re also fans of the Truma AquaGo Comfort Plus on-demand RV water heater that comes standard in the 25JW, and the large 30” x 36” shower in the full dry bath located at the rear of the rig.
Tiffin is a brand with a reputation for luxury, and the Wayfarer 25JW appears to be no exception with its premium furnishings and handcrafted cabinets, solid-surface kitchen and bathroom countertops, and top-grade linoleum flooring.
The Tiffin Wayfarer, with its luxurious interior, is a great example of the fantastic options available in Class C RVs under 30 feet. (Photo credit: Tiffin Motorhomes)
These are beautifully-appointed RVs, though the sleeping capacity is best suited to a couple or a family with one or two small children. (The queen murphy sofa/bed is 60” x 74”, and the overhead cab bed is 78” x 49”.) Singles or couples may opt to forego the cab-over bed in exchange for an overhead entertainment center.
The 25’8” long Tiffin Wayfarer 25JW is built on a Mercedes-Benz 3500 XD Sprinter chassis with a diesel engine. It has a 24.5-gallon fuel capacity, a 25-gallon fresh water tank, 36-gallon gray tank, and a 28-gallon black tank.
The 25JW is equipped with a Spyder Multiplex coach control system, a 3.2kw diesel generator, a hydraulic leveling system, and a 2000W pure sine wave inverter.
MSRP on the Tiffin Wayfarer 25JW is right around $195,000.
Jayco Greyhawk 27U
This is the Jayco Greyhawk 27U, one of several excellent options for RVers looking for a Class C RV under 30 feet long. (Photo credit: Jayco)
This RV just barely made the cut for this post on Class C RVs under 30 feet due to its length of 29’11”.
The Greyhawk 27U from Jayco is built on Ford’s E-450 and is powered by a gas engine.
This is a very nice RV for families, thanks to the multiple seating and sleeping options offered in this model. Not only do the dinette and jackknife sofa make great sleeping quarters, but there’s also a cab-over bunk (or you can choose the option of an entertainment center there, instead, if you don’t need that much sleeping space).
In the rear of the RV, we’re impressed to find a king-sized bed (on a slide) with a large wardrobe. That’s not common in and RV of this size. Across the hall is a full dry bath with a sizeable (30” x 36”) shower.
The Greyhawk 27U has a 55-gallon fuel capacity, a 42-gallon fresh water capacity, a 31-gallon gray tank, and a 41-gallon black tank.
It can be yours for a cool $152,198.
Have You Traveled in a Class C RV Under 30 Feet?
If you’ve traveled in a Class C RV under 30 feet, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the experience. How did the size and layout suit your family’s needs? How was the ride? Shoot us the details in the comments section below!
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Mark
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
I purchased a 2018 Winnebago Navion 24D new in 2018. I retired in 2022 and moved into my Navion full time. As a single retiree I have plenty of room. I have storage areas that are not even utilized. I am very happy with the full time RVer life. However, that statement has to be qualified by the fact I purchased the unit from CampingWorld, who did pretty much anything they could to make my experience with them as frustrating as possible. Including three years to get the generator working properly. I have since added 825 watts of solar to the roof, replacing the 200 watt flat panels that deteriorated after 4 years. I also now have 525 amp hours of lithium-ion batteries. I no longer worry about checking my power several times a day, or draining batteries below 50% (had to replace the AGM's 4 times in 4 years). I virtually never have to plug in. The original refrigerator/freezer just does not keep food frozen, no matter how full it is or how many frozen bottles of water I keep in it, so that's still a disappointment. Now, onto the Mercedes chassis. I don't think I'll ever buy another motorhome on a Mercedes. The frustration level is very high. I have not found a Mercedes dealer that I have walked away from, happy with the service I received. As I write this I'm waiting for Mercedes to answer more questions and solve more problems. On a retiree's income, owning a Mercedes can be stressful on the body and the pocket book. The only plus side is that I do average 14 MPG with the diesel engine.
Stephen Mendel
Tuesday 13th of June 2023
We looked for a few years and finally bought a 2022 Thor Tiburon FB. 25'8" on Mercedes chassis. First RV. We're a couple with a small dog. We've now had the rig about 10 months, mostly long weekends, one two week trip. Rig suits us to a T. Our only quibble is that we can't lower the murphy bed without extending the slide which makes quick overnight stops in rest areas or parking lots problematic. Otherwise, drives like a dream, very maneuverable, decent mileage (diesel, 18-24 mpg) Very happy with purchase.
Al Martin
Tuesday 16th of May 2023
im in the market for a maximun 26ft e450 class c front entertainment (dinette & oposing sofa, with a small rear double bed similar to minnie winne 25b, but streamlined sporty and not so boxy??? am i asking to much?? love my BT Cruiser 5230, need a rear bed with overhead bunk........any ideas...... Al
Lynne
Tuesday 14th of June 2022
Our Sunseeker 28DS fits us perfectly. Walk around queen bed, plenty of closet room in bedroom, and the best part is the outdoor kitchen! My husband has made a few improvements, such as window awnings, new residential fridge to name a couple. And has good outside storage!
Greg Cummings
Tuesday 14th of June 2022
The sprinter base RVs you talk about both have limited OCCC. I think it should be noted that you can barely fit yourself in with food and water and be safe to drive.