Longest RV Length List (Biggest You Can Buy)

With the trend of raising families on the open road, people are looking for bigger RVs to fit their tiny home needs. What is the longest RV length you can buy?

You know your growing family will need a super-sized RV if you hit the highway and live a nomadic lifestyle. While the thrill of seeing all this great nation has to offer clamors in your brain, the practical side wonders if an RV will provide enough space. The kids will need room to stretch and play, and the adults will need their privacy from time to time. The last thing you want is to shell out thousands of dollars on an RV just to find that nobody enjoys the adventures of recreational vehicles as much as you do.

The largest RV you can purchase are Class A motorhomes that top out around 45 feet in length. Many states have statutes that limit the maximum length to 45’ or less, along with speed limitations. RV owners should always check with their state to ensure their purchase is compliant.

Celebrities and rock stars have been living out of motorhomes for years, enjoying the comforts these rolling mansions offer, but now more and more families are following suit. Whether owning an RV that extends to a second story or widens to add additional sleeping quarters, these RVs are versatile and luxurious. But before you take the plunge and dive into a mobile lifestyle, you want to explore some recent ways RVs are becoming filled with all sorts of amenities designed to bring your home to the open road.

This article will explore some of the largest RVs you can purchase. While a large RV or camping trailer might not be for everyone, there is a lot to be said for going large and in charge when shifting your life from the 9-5 to a life behind the wheel.

‍What are the Classes of RVs that a Person Can Buy?

Generally, self-contained RVs are placed into three categories; Class A, B, or C.

The Big Boy - Class A Motorhome

Class A RVs look like large charter buses rather than the campers our parents used to drive. They are often equipped with extensions and wideouts designed to maximize the living area of occupants. The characteristics of Class A are:

The Class A motorhome is a lot like having a home on wheels. Many have upscale amenities like extending bedrooms, carports, and utilities like washers/dryers and dishwashers. Manufacturers have found ways to increase the area when an RV is parked by extending sections or rooftops and then through a series of hydraulics, condensing the amount of space to make travel down the road easier.

The drawback to these giant RVs centers around maneuverability. The larger the RV, the more difficult the mass of metal becomes, which means if you are not used to driving a city bus, you should probably not buy one of these beasts. (However, many families have taken to hiring professional drivers).

In addition, larger RVs will have hookup limitations or be limited to the size of the campsite they can fit into. Generally, they can be much more expensive to operate because their larger weight and mass produce less mpg, horsepower, or even towing capability.

Some examples of Class A RVs that manufacturers presently offer are -

Entegra Cornerstone 45B

This large RV is equipped better than most luxury homes. With marble accents, plenty of space and storage, and all the amenities, this RV will provide all kinds of comforts. The RV has an L-shaped sofa, luxury bath, central vacuum, stackable washer and dryer, and a fireplace. The RV comes with a 2-year warranty on workmanship and 3-year roadside assistance. The motor is diesel-powered, so you can expect to pay more for fuel. The price tag for this unit isn’t cheap. The suggested manufacturer's price is $600,000. For more information on building your layout or checking on pricing, check out the manufacturer's website @ entergracoach.com

Newmar Kountry Star

This RV has received great reviews from both RV sites, like RV insider and Jalopnik.com. While the RV comes in various configurations, it is equipped with an extra large LED screen television, office area, and large bedroom suite. The exterior paint (our favorite is black with white accents) just screams rock star. The interior paint colors are softer and more luxurious. The powerplant is diesel, and I love that the driver’s seat swivels to offer additional seating for the living area. The MSRP floats around $395,000. For more information about the Kountry Star and to check on pricing, see the manufacturer’s website @ newmarcorp.com

Winnebago Vista

The Vista is a gas-powered Class A motorhome built for the open road and families on a budget. The full-size slide-out allows for additional living space, and this RV is not as fancy as others on the market, but it still has plenty to offer. Winnebago has been making RVs for decades, so there is also that to consider. With large windows, the RV sleeps five (which is more than enough for most families). It offers a nice kitchen and dining area, and both seats up front offer great comfort for both the driver and a navigator. Here’s the best part - The MSRP is around $188,000. For more information on floor designs and features, see the manufacturer's website at winnebago.com

Smaller and Easier for Beginners - Class B

A class B RV varies in length from 19 - 22 feet, including the engine and forward seating issues. These vehicles look like old-fashioned campers or vans, with sleeping quarters above the cab or in the forward portion of the van space.

Class B motorhomes are much easier to maneuver and are small enough to fit in a camping space. Some contain bathrooms and kitchens, while some do not. Many of these units do not have extensions or pullouts and are highly sought after by nomadic adventurers who love the ease of movement.

Here is an example of a smaller Class B RV -

Winnebago Solis

This RV looks like a conversion van on steroids, and I love it. It has a rooftop extension that sleeps two, and there is a solar panel option for power (I love staying off the grid). The dining area is fine, has an exterior hand-washing station and cassette toilet, which means you can dump it into most public restrooms. It has a small hot-water tank for showers in the morning, although the tank is only a couple of gallons. The MSRP is affordable and, depending on your chosen unit, $114,000 - $150,000. For more information regarding the specs - check the manufacturer's website at winnebago.com

A Mid-Size that Fits - Class C

While Class B refers to smaller RVs, Class C covers everything else. These units are generally 26 - 35 feet long (depending on who you ask).

Many class C motorhomes have truck cabs attached to living areas. The residential area can have extensions and pullouts which maximize living quarters. While some Class C RVs can tow vehicles behind the RV, some are not rated for the additional weight. RV owners should consult their dealers' or their owners' manuals for exact specifications.

Here is an example of Class C RV -

Tiffin Wayfarer

Built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, this RV has a lot of luxury. The RV has won numerous accolades from review sites and offers the amenities that often come with larger Class C homes. It has the basics, a slide-out sleep area with a 60 x 80 murphy bed, kitchen, and restroom facilities offering a toilet, sink, and small shower area. Because it isn’t too long, it is maneuverable into most campsites and comes with a 5-year/100k mile powertrain warranty. The MSRP is around $185,000, depending on the configuration. For more information on color schemes and amenities, see the manufacturer’s website @ tiffinmotorhomes.com

What is the Longest Class A Motorhome?

Some of the largest RVs and live-in trailers are owned by celebrities, including John Legend, Brad Pitt, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, and Kevin Hart. For a detailed look with pictures at some of impressive and outrageously equipped RVs, check out the list on HGTV.com.

What is the Largest Trailer a Person Can Buy?

The largest trailer a person can purchase for recreational use is the fifth wheel. The hitch mechanism of a fifth-wheel trailer extends over the truck's bed, and the length for these recreational vehicles is up to 40 feet. Some fifth-wheel trailers have extensions and pop-ups which can extend the living quarters in much the same way as a motorhome. (However, several celebrities have custom-built fifth-wheel trailers that are the size of a semi-truck and must be pulled with the big rig.

Does The Length of my RV include a Tow Vehicle?

Depending on the state, it usually does not refer to the RV and the tow vehicle. Most states extend the length of an RV and a towed vehicle to no more than 65 feet. For an excellent review of each state and its particular limits, see the blog on fifthwheelst.com.

Special Note - while many RV owners tow a vehicle for excursions and trips away from the RV park they are using for home base, a towed vehicle will affect the performance of a motorhome with less mpg, decreased horsepower, and torque.

Will I Have Trouble Finding a Camping Spot with a Class A RV?

You might have trouble finding a camping spot if you drive an excessively long RV. For example, many national parks have restrictions on the length of motorhomes that can even enter their park during the day (90% allow an RV up to 35 feet). Knowing the guidelines before you travel to your destination). For an excellent summary of the size restrictions for each national park, see cruiseamerica.com.

There are several options should you need to find them. Many of the destinations of national parks that do not allow large Class A RVs will have dedicated RV parks close by. These parks are privately owned and maintained and vary in rental fees. Most national park information desks can provide you with numbers to the local campgrounds so that you can check on availability and make reservations. While many RV parks have special slots designed toward the front of their campgrounds for larger RVs, these spots can fill up quickly and are always in high demand. Most RV parks are designed to handle vehicles 16 - 25 feet in length, which would put the camper is a Class C type.

Other options for overnight parking include truck stops, Wal-Marts (be sure to ask the manager about overnight parking), churches, or local parks. Always be mindful of city ordinances that might prohibit the size and type of RV allowed.

Rest areas are generally not an option for RV parking. Most rest areas do not allow anyone (car or otherwise) to park and sleep overnight. Others will allow only a certain amount of time. So, if you are looking for a base camp to park your RV and shoot out from there to explore, you can scratch the local rest area off your list.