Our Top Picks For Small Class C RVs
Class C RVs under 30 feet are the perfect size for many RVers. This size of RV is small enough to be nimble and easy to drive. However, a small Class C RV is big enough to give you all the amenities and storage you need.
If you are looking for a well-made Class C RV that is under 30 feet, here are four models that should definitely be on your radar.
While the 2023 models are often stunning in their amenities and design, you won’t want to overlook lightly used models either. They are all well made, well appointed, and built on a Ford E-450 or a diesel Mercedes chassis.
These RVs are really a marvel of design in both floor plans and functionality. They can easily get you into state parks or grocery store parking lots, yet still be livable enough to live in full-time if that’s what you want to do.
On a side note: The Ford chassis will give you a higher cargo carrying and towing capacity, while the Mercedes chassis will give you less cargo carrying and towing capacity but much better fuel economy.
Winnebago View
The Winnebago View is a 25.6-foot luxury RV built on a diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. It comes in three different floor plans that sleep up to four people comfortably.
Each floor plan features an amazing amount of storage coupled with all the amenities one needs to live comfortably. The View’s nimble design and 16 MPG fuel economy make it a favorite for both recreational and full-time RVers.
Top features
- Dry bath in all models
- Well-ventilated overhead bunk
- Well-designed floor plans
- Good fuel economy
- Comfortable seating arrangements
- Functional kitchens
- Lots of inside and outside storage
- Solar system including two solar panels on the roof
- Substantial entry door design
Price
The MSRP of a 2023 Winnebago View starts at $196,152.
Winnebago Minnie Winnie
Another of our favorite small Class C RVs comes from Winnebago. The versatile Minnie Winnie comes in six different floor plans that sleep between five and eight people comfortably.
Length ranges between 24.5 feet and 32 feet, depending on the floor plan. However, the 26T is longest floor plan in the under 30 feet category.
Winnebago lets you choose between a Ford E 350 chassis and a more powerful (and fuel-eating) Ford E-450 chassis. Either way, expect fuel economy to range between 8 MPG and 12 MPG (if the wind is blowing the right way).
Whatever the floor plan, the Minnie Winnie’s layouts, massive storage, and carrying capacities make it a favorite with both recreational and full-time RVers. Smaller Minnie Winnies are still nimble enough to drive easily and get into almost any campsite/parking lot.
Top features
- A floorplan to suit everyone
- Ample kitchen space
- Pull-out pantry
- Oven and convection/microwave
- Dry baths
- Overhead bunk rated for 750 lbs
- U-shaped dinette
- Lots of storage
- 4500 lbs of carrying capacity
- Comfortable furniture
- Easy to drive
- Side and backup cameras
- 10-year warranty on roof
Price
The MSRP of the Winnebago Minnie Winnie starts at $136,075 for the 24.5 foot 22R floor plan.
Jayco Redhawk
The Jayco Redhawk seems to get mixed reviews from owners on RVInsider.com. However, some years of this model get better reviews than others. If you are in the market for a used small Class C RV, you may want to have a look at what people are saying about different model years before you start shopping. That being said, Jayco seems to be genuinely concerned about the quality of its RVs.
After customers and dealers voiced concerns about RV quality, Jayco actually did something to fix the problem. Jayco wanted to ensure that their RVs were delivered only after being thoroughly inspected for deficiencies.
In 2019, Jayco began setting up pre-delivery inspection facilities. As of November 2022, Jayco has five pre-delivery inspection facilities. Now, Jayco inspects every RV before it’s delivered to a dealer. Hopefully, other manufacturers will follow Jayco’s lead.
With all that being said, the Jayco Redhawk is on our list of favorites for small Class C RVs. The Redhawk is a small, budget-priced Class C RV that has many of the features of more expensive RVs. Its compact size makes it nimble enough to drive around, but the five versatile floor plans have lots of living space and storage room.
The Redhawk is built on a powerful Ford E-450 chassis that should have no problem navigating mountain passes. The Class C RV can sleep between five and seven people in its 26-32 foot floor plans.
Top features
- Good value for the price
- Electric fireplace
- 750 lb over-the-cab bunk weight capacity
- Light, modern design colors that make it seem spacious
- Comfortable swivel front seats add more seating
- Loads of storage
- 4000-watt generator
- Hardwood cabinet doors and drawers
- Back-up and side-view cameras
- LED smart TV
- Spacious dry bath
Price
The MSRP for a 2023 Jayco Redhawk starts at $145,043.
Unity by Leisure Travel Vans
Leisure Travel Vans is a Canadian company that is well known for its luxurious, feature-packed Class B motorhomes. However, something you may not know is that Leisure also makes a Class C motorhome called the Unity.
Like every other Leisure van, the Unity is packed with uniquely amazing features that make the most of its 25-foot length. The Unity is built on a fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz chassis. The cockpit area is appointed with every comfort that you’d expect in a Mercedes chassis, such as comfortable heated seats, a large LED touch screen, etc.
With a sleeping capacity of two to four people, the Unity Class C is more of a couple’s RV than a family RV. In place of a bunk over the cab, you get plenty of storage.
You’ll also find a lot of exterior storage cabinets too. The dining table converts into theater seating, so you can watch a large TV that emerges from a countertop across from it. When it’s time to eat or do work, the same seats convert into dining chairs. Both front seats swivel to provide added seating when necessary.
Top features
- Great use of space
- Pull-out pantry
- Spacious dry bathroom
- Lots of storage
- Included solar package
- Functional kitchen area
- Murphy bed
- Convertible, multi-functional chairs
Price
The MSRP of a Leisure Travel Vans Unity Class C RV currently starts at $172,070.
See what other RVers are saying
Forums such as iRV2.com and blog sites like RV LIFE, Do It Yourself RV, and Camper Report provide all the information you need to enjoy your RV. You’ll also find brand-specific information on additional forums like Air Forums, Forest River Forums, and Jayco Owners Forum.
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Coach House and the Tiffin Wayfer should be there.!
how about the jayco melbourne prestige? I walked through one the other day and it was real nice!!
I absolutely love my 2014 Thor Four Winds built on a Ford E-450. She’s just 25ft and I can take her anywhere! Perfect size for 2 people, but can sleep 6. I can use it without opening the slide out during bad weather. Has ample storage. Good gas mileage, affordable, easy to work on and maintain. She looks great even at her age.
Gotcha. We have a 2014 Thor Chateau and feel the same. Easy, uncomplicated travel. We love it.
What’s the deal with the B Touring Cruiser from Gulfstream?
The “B+” units on the Ford Transit chassis are also great units, with EcoBoost power and AWD. Primarily a couples coach, they drive great and park almost anywhere. Give them a look if you’re thinking of a small “C”.
Flawed list without the tiffin wayfarer 25RW
We bought a Tiffin Wayfarer 2021. It is simply the best looking small C class machine in our opinion. But it was horribly built. It had 11 recalls including…a recall for the hitch, a recall for the wheel wheel, a recall for the tire pressure stems, recalls for other items.
The hitch, as an example, separated from the chassis on towing for several parties. The swivel captain’s chair – the driver’s seat – was recalled because if the chair was fully rotated, it would inadvertently cut a cable and cause electrical issues (in theory). That took 3 months to resolve and in the meantime, was not able to drive the unit. Then, on delivery, we had a punch list of 30+ problems including: The cable liner from the rear view cameras were pinched in their routing and would randomly cut off (leaving you with no side cameras either). The wheel well liners broke off (due a cheap screw that was too shallow) and then scraped on the tire which basically vaporized the plastic which then turned into black soot in the shower stall. I could go on.
We sold it with less than 20,000 miles.
The Tiffin Wayfarer is truly the best looking Smaller C class. The quality of the paint job was outstanding. That being said, their engineering is simply inadequate. Our model initially placed the ONAN generator directly under the twin bed on the passenger side. The next year it was moved further front to near the drivers compartment – reason being sleeping over the generator was like those motel beds in the 60’s where you put a quarter in a slot and had the bed shake. I love the family idea of the Tiffins, they seemed like just super people. The quality of the product for 2020-2021 was literally a disaster for us and several colleagues
That being said, we hope they remedy this situation. It’s a great product in concept.
I own a class C and none are worth the price even mine, the loans kill with the high interest rates
It’s a simple loan do a print out and see what your payments are, which is interest and principal at the beginning of the loan. If you can make another principle on it, only you save all that interest on your next payment after you get down around 50% of the loan it reverses which will cut your interest rates down less than half over the years and save a lot of money.
Any motorhome built on a MB chassis is very expensive to fix and maintain. Steer clear!!!
Incorrect….. Do your homework.. Unlike most vehicle, MB is designed to be “maintained” for the long term, not just driven until they break. Most people in the US don’t understand true maintenance….just “buy em and drive em”.. This from a 4 time sprinter owner, two in commercial service with plus’s 350k on each…
yep. i will check to Ford that my mechanic can work on without breaking the bank…
Renegade Vienna should be on your list. Top quality and priced below the View.
Better check the OCCC…. They are heavy with limited true cargo capacity….