RV vs. Motor Coach: Which Is Better?

“Homes on wheels” come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This is why selecting the right rig can be a bit daunting. There’s also a lot of different terms too. You’ve probably wondered, RV vs. Motor Coach: which is better?

A motor coach is a type of RV but is a larger, luxury Class A RV. It comes with many advantages over smaller motorhomes and towable RVs. It has more amenities, better sleeping arrangements, and is able to accommodate more people.

There are different types of RVs, such as motor coaches, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, truck campers, and pop-up trailers.

Each type has its pros and cons. Each type also fits certain people and budgets. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best quality motorhomes, the worst RV brands, the travel trailers that last the longest, and similar issues around choosing the best RVs.

Let the fun begin…

rv vs motorcoach lg

What is the difference between a motor coach and an RV?

A motor coach, sometimes called a coach, is a large Class A style bus and is completely self-contained. Other types of RVs include Class C, Class B, and towables such as a travel trailer or fifth wheel.

All motor coaches and motorhomes are RVs, but not all RVs are motor coaches.

An RV is essentially a motorhome (motorcoach) or a trailer with built-in amenities of a home or one that’s being towed. Motorcoaches are not towed. They are motorized units equipped with beds, a kitchen, restrooms, etc.

And a motor coach is going to be larger than most RVs, more like a tour bus used by popular bands.

Motorcoaches are almost always more expensive than trailers because they are self-contained motorized units that offer the ambiance and comfort of home even while you are on wheels.

They are usually long and spacious, although many fifth wheels can be too.

There is usually a sleeping space that can accommodate 2 to 8 passengers. And, you can use these comforts even while it’s being driven.

If it were a trailer, you’d have to park first before your partner can use the restroom!

I devoted a recent article of mine to explore the difference in some depth. I explained that an RV is any type of recreational vehicle, including those with motors and that it also includes non-motorized ones.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Here is a breakdown of the differences of all the main RV types

Type of RV Average Length How Many It Sleeps Price Range
Motor Coach 40 feet 6-12 people $200,000 to $500,000
Class A RV 33 feet 6-8 people $125,000 to $250,000
Class B RV 20 feet 2-3 people $100,000 to $200,000
Class C RV 28 feet 4-7 people $35,000 to $50,000
Fifth Wheel 32 feet 5-10 people $75,000 and $100,000
Travel Trailer 20 feet 2-5 people $11,000 and $35,000

What are the best quality motorhomes?

American Eagle 45K, Coachmen Concord, Dynamax, Holiday Rambler, Leisure Travel, and Newmar offer some of the most upscale motorhomes in the market. They perform well on the road and are stylish and durable.

Many of these brands also offer more options such as more space, more gadgets and have integrated the latest technology to make life easier for RVers.

Below is a list of some of the best quality motorhomes and the brands behind them.

  1. American Eagle 45K
  2. Coachmen Concord Class C
  3. Dynamax Europa 31SS
  4. Holiday Rambler Nautica 35MS
  5. Newmar The Bay Star
  6. Thor The Palazzo 33. 6
  7. Winnebago The Solix 59PX

Let’s check out one or two of these motorhomes.

Holiday Rambler Nautica MS

From the outside, it’s got a compact and alluring look. It’s even more beautiful when you step inside. It has an entertainment center, patio-side dinette, and a full-featured residential galley.

There’s a large wardrobe and a spacious master bedroom. The Nautica 35MS is the largest in its class. It’s built on the all-new Delta Chassis. It’s a gorgeous blend of state-of-the-art engineering and beauty.

Newmar Bay Star

Newmar Bay Star is a Class A motorhome. This is what I own.

So, it’s upscale and spacious. The interior is so beautiful, and it’s got a “presidential” feel to it. There are many different floor plans, including at least 1 with bunk beds.

High-quality cabinets, drawers that auto-close, flatscreen TVs that are on “televators” that can raise or lower down into a fixture are just a few of the better features.

It’s powered by a 7.3-liter V 8 and is built on Ford’s new F-series chassis.

What are the worst RV brands?

As a general rule, the RV brands that hold their value the worst or get the most criticisms on RV forums include:

  • Fleetwood
  • Coachmen
  • Winnebago
  • Thor
  • Forest River

But the reality is that it depends on how deep you dig. You’d find folks complaining about even some of the best brands.

Airstream is probably the only exception.

It’s vital to note that brands have many models, so it’s good to pay attention to the particular model one’s considering and do a deep dive on it and not just dismiss it simply because some folks have complained about the brand.

Let’s pick a brand and check out examples of what folks aren’t really happy about.

Here are some details based on forum posts from a wide variety of RV owners.

Fleetwood

  • The battery is not as efficient as it should while charging
  • The wall and the fake leather upholstery peels
  • The placement of switches and control panels are awkward and so hard to reach
  • The leveling jack breaks

You’ve heard of Class B RVs, and you’re wondering if they’re worth it.

That’s what I addressed in a recent article of mine. In it, I showed that because of their small size, they are great if you have no plan to live full time in them and only plan to travel with 1-2 people at a time.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What travel trailers last the longest?

Jayco, Winnebago, and Airstream are some of the best travel trailer brands that last the longest. These manufacturers focus on functionality, durability, and longevity, and they have been in the business for decades.

Some relatively new brands are equally durable.

Below is a list of 12 of the best brands:

  1. Airstream Flying Cloud  
  2. Winnebago Minnie Winnie 
  3. Dutchmen Aerolite  
  4. Coleman Light series 
  5. Happier Adaptiv Camper van
  6. Starcraft Mossy Oak 
  7. Jayco Feather 
  8. Forest River Alpha Wolf
  9. Prime Time 
  10.  Palomino travel 
  11.  Avenger 
  12.  Flagstaff E-Pro travel

Let’s find out why the Winnebago Minnie Winnie Travel Trailer is one of the longer-lasting brands out there.

Then, in the next section, we’ll check out the Airstream.

The Winnebago brand is one of the most well-known and respected brands in the RV world. Its RVs are designed with attention to detail and are made for the long haul.

They are very strong.

The company tests its prototypes, raw materials, finished parts, and completed trailers to ensure that its products are of high quality, perform very well, are durable, and long-lasting.

Say you’re thinking of a Class A motorhome or a travel trailer: which one’s better?

Luckily, that’s what I explored in a recent article of mine. I said that Class A Motorhomes are great for families who travel often, while travel trailers are good for smaller families who do weekend getaways.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What type of RV holds its value best?

Class C and B RVs hold their value the best. Class A RVs depreciate much faster, as do travel trailers. But Airstream trailers hold their value well. The type of RV that loses the most value are pop-up campers.

Then, if we’re talking brands, Airstream, Jayco, and Winnebago hold their value best. They have been manufacturing RVs for decades and offer top-of-the-line products.

It’s important to factor in what you want from a rig in choosing any of these top brands.

If you’d like one with a lot of space, perhaps because you’ve got 3 kids, there’s no point buying a rig that’s only ideal for two people, right? So, you’d need to dig a bit deep to know the features of each.

I’d go for an Airstream any day. To know how well-made and durable it is, consider that 75% of Airstreams made in 1931 are still in use.

That’s 80 years afterward! And there’s always a long waiting list of folks ready to buy them second-hand when they are available. They are usually sold in hours or days after they’re available for sale.

So you’d like to live in an RV?

That’s exactly what I wrote about in a recent article of mine where I explained that it’s best to get yourself Class A for traveling and a fifth wheel for longer stays at campgrounds. And to plan to buy a new one in January or a late model that is 1-2 years old.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In the article, we looked at the difference between an RV and a motorcoach. A motorcoach is an RV, but not all RVs are motor coaches.

We learned about the best quality motorhomes and the worst brand of RVs. We also checked out the travel trailers that last the longest and what type of RV holds its value best.


Photos that require attribution:

Prevost H3-45 by Jason Lawrence and RV by David Ashleydale are licensed under CC2.0 and were cropped, edited, color adjusted, merged, and had a text overlay added and a graphic background added.

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