How RV Class Terminology Evolved: From "House Cars" to Class A, B, and C

[OldWEB]

From a 1908 Popular Mechanics issue, I assume a RH drive also?

https://books.google.com.mx/books/content?id=J303AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA182&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&bul=1&sig=ACfU3U1YNWnPU8pbAqUmrBaNbVcdfpnE1g&ci=7%2C9%2C984%2C1543&edge=0

 

[uchu]

Not even a fair question. Class A, B, C...all post relatively modern terminology (maybe from the 1970s on?).

Back at the time of that publication, trucks would just be longer and heavier versions of the same template of smaller motorized vehicles.

That's why they called it "caravan car" in that article.

 

[Larry N.]

Not even a fair question. Class A, B, C...all post relatively modern terminology (maybe from the 1970s on?).

The rig below, that I bought new in 1973, though it would be called a class C today, was called a mini-motorhome back then, so the A-B-C terminology is much newer than that.

 

[IBTripping]

Love the accurate term "House Cars" in the article.

 

[Big_John]

My father did two Class-C's the last 20+ years of his life. His thinking was.... I love that I can drive, stop and open a door like a Pickup and be out of the the RV. He loved Class'C's for that reason and that is one of the big reasons I purchased one as well.

 

[DonTom]

. I love that I can drive, stop and open a door like a Pickup and be out of the the RV.

I too find that to be a nice advantage of my old junky Class C with three doors over my much newer Class A, which only has one door.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Love the accurate term "House Cars" in the article.

California and a few other states still use that term in their DMV classifications and regulations. Basically any vehicle that has house-like living quarters.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The modern Class (or Type) A/B/C terminology is defined by the RVIA and based on the chassis type and body construction. It's been around for many decades but the RV marketing people have coined other terms as well, e.g. Mini-motorhome and B+ or the more generic coach.

A Class A is built on a chassis custom designed to incorporate a full, house-like body that includes the driving position. A Class C uses a production truck or van chassis & cab but adds a custom house-like body behind the cab. A Class B is van chassis that retains the van cab & body but modifies it to provide living space & amenities.
That old caravan car would be a Class C by those definitions.

 

[Isaac-1]

Here in Louisiana motorhomes are typically registered as a "private bus"