When it comes to buying an RV, everyone wants to get the best rig with amazing quality, great functional design, and top utility for the best price. And if you want to try before you buy – check out this guided search to find the right RV for you.
When it comes to which RV manufacturers and models are on top, we’ve done the research for you!
From small RVs to one-of-a-kind rigs, this Outdoorsy list narrows down the 10 best RVs for the money by class. If you’re not sure what RV class you want, check out our Big Guide to RV Classes.
Try Before You Buy: RVs For Rent Near You
Class A RVs (the big guys)
Winner: Newmar Bay Star Sport
Newmar continues to produce high-quality RVs and is one of the most reputable manufacturers on the market. The Bay Star Sport is an excellent choice for a lower-priced RV that still has some luxury touches. The Bay Star Sport comes standard with a Ford V10 gas engine and is built on the strong Ford F-53 chassis. You can never go wrong when you purchase a Newmar.
Runner up: Tiffin Open Road Allegro
Tiffin is hardly second-string in the Class A market, so a close second in our choice for the best Class A for your money is the reliable, Tiffin Open-Road Allegro. Tiffin is typically known for its diesel pusher rigs, but the Open Road Allegro is a popular choice for a gas engine rig. Like the Newmar, the Open Road Allegro comes standard with a Ford chassis and a Ford V10 gas engine, and the interior has plenty of innovative technology.
Class B RVs (the campervan)
Winner: Leisure Travel Vans Serenity
The Leisure Van Serenity is a solid B+. No, we’re not talking about the company’s grade, we’re talking about a van with a little bit of something extra. The Serenity boasts a curved fiberglass body construction and a solid Mercedes-Sprinter Cab chassis. This van has a fiberglass shower and a ceramic toilet (that means no wet bath)! Choose the Serenity to rock #vanlife in comfort!
Runner up: GTRV Conversions
GTRV makes a budget RV that is truly custom. It’s as simple as this: get yourself a van, and I mean any van, and take it to a GTRV shop. They will convert it to a Class B RV for about two-thirds of what you could get if you bought one from a certified dealer. It’s a great way to create one of the cheap RVs without having to do the conversions yourself!
Class C RVs (the not-as-big guys)
Winner: Lazy Daze
Lazy Daze sadly had to close their doors in July of 2022, but that doesn’t mean that the loyal following they’ve built since 1956 has slowed down. An affordable RV that never skimped on quality, Lazy Daze used a Ford-450 chassis. Lazy Daze opened in California in 1956 and was the brainchild of two shop teachers who started building campervans as a hobby. Their side hustle transformed into a movement of some of the best-built and most affordable Class Cs on the market. While they’ll be sorely missed, you can still find high-quality used Lazy Daze RVs on the market.
Runner up: Gulf Stream Coach Conquest
This RV manufacturer has been in business since 1983. The Class C Conquest RV is known industry-wide for innovation, quality, and above all, value. Gulf Stream allows you to pick from over fifteen Conquest floor plans so that you can choose a small Class C RV or one with a bit more room. You have plenty of options to choose from!
Check out what Must See Tech has to say about affordable Class C RVs!
Fifth-wheel RVs (the big towables)
Winner: New Horizons Summit
New Horizons makes custom-built fifth wheels for full-time living or casual campers. The construction allows RVers to feel comfortable year-long, and the rig is handcrafted, so you know your quality isn’t cutting corners. The Summit model has many different floor plans to choose from, and because you are ordering factory-direct, you will get exactly what you want.
Runner up: Grand Design Reflection
If you are searching for luxury and value, then the Grand Design Reflection is the model for you. The Reflection offers upgrades like many top-of-the-line fifth wheels while still maintaining a lower base-value price. The Grand Design Reflection continues to rate best-in-class, so check out this affordable fiver to jump-start your RVing adventure.
Travel trailers (the small towables)
Winner: nuCamp RV T@B 400
Teardrop trailers are some of the market’s most purchased tiny towables. The T@B 400 is a teardrop trailer outfitted with a designated bed area, dining area, wet bath, and kitchen galley. This 400 is the big sister to nuCamp’s popular T@B 320, but the larger size of the T@B 400 allows couples more room to move indoors with similar ease of towing. Like all nuCamp products, owners will get upscale craftsmanship, top-notch customer service, and a towable that maintains its value.
Runner up: Casita Spirit
All of the Casita trailers are lightweight, affordable, and easy to pull. The RV brand’s Spirit model has two sleeping areas and a nice large picture window. The trailer can be towed by many cars, crossovers, and SUVs. For a quick weekend getaway, there is no better RV for the money than a Spirit.
Custom builds (build it your way)
Custom-built RVs are gaining popularity, and owners can build an RV from the ground up, or completely refurbish a retro RV into a looks-like-new rig. Depending on the Class of RV you desire, there is a custom build for you.
Conversion vans are all the rage, so our showcase represents so many nomads’ #vanlife dreams.
Winner: Van Life Customs
If you dream it, they can build it. Well, almost. Van Life Customs builds customized Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, and Mercedes Sprinter camper van conversions for customers and gives unique twists to each creation. Off-road, boondock, or travel through national parks…the possibilities are virtually limitless with a Van Life Customs creation.
Try Before You Buy: RVs For Rent Near You
Still looking for more affordable RVs?
This site will help you find the right RV for you.
Check out Minds Eye Design’s roundup for campers you can get for under $10k!
