From a 1908 Popular Mechanics issue, I assume a RH drive also?
How RV Class Terminology Evolved: From "House Cars" to Class A, B, and C
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Members explored the origins and evolution of RV classifications, noting that the familiar Class A, B, and C terminology is a relatively modern development, dating back to the 1970s or later. Early RVs, such as those featured in a 1908 Popular Mechanics article, were referred to as "caravan cars" or "house cars," and the distinctions we use today did not exist. Several RVers shared personal experiences, including one who bought a "mini-motorhome" in 1973—what would now be called a Class...
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uchu
Senior Member
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.
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.
Senior Member
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
Senior Member
Love the accurate term "House Cars" in the article.
Big_John
Advanced Member
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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
Senior Member
RV LIFE Pro
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
MR
Site Team
RV LIFE Pro
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
MR
Site Team
RV LIFE Pro
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.
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
Senior Member
Here in Louisiana motorhomes are typically registered as a "private bus"
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