A Guide to Great Motor Homes for Adventurous Retirees

With numerous classes and price points to choose from, your choice will likely depend on your budget — and your destination.

A Guide to Great Motor Homes for Adventurous Retirees

Hitting the open road with nothing but time on your hands is one of the ultimate dreams of retirement.

Thankfully there’s a vast range of motor homes out there, from the luxurious and expensive Class A models (think big-sized vehicles) to the compact and practical Class B vans (think camper vans) to the affordable and spacious trailers and fifth wheels. And then there are Class C RVs, which are somewhere between As and Bs in price and amenities.

Regardless of which style you desire, there are important things to consider when buying a motor home that depend on how you plan to use it. Will you be living in this vehicle full time? If so, you might want something that better resembles an actual home. Classes C and A are better for this, as are trailers or fifth wheels. Class B options are certainly livable, but they do not offer the space of their larger counterparts.

We want to give readers a sense of the options in each category instead of focusing solely on one class over the other, so we looked for options from the most affordable to the most luxurious and everything in between. This should give you a sense of what to expect in terms of the price and what's inside and outside the vehicle.

Section One

Coachmen Mirada 35OS

MSRP: $151,000

Length: 36 feet 10 inches

Class: A

It’s hard to go wrong with Coachmen’s Mirada series, with the 35OS a top option. This massive home on wheels has theater-style seating in front of a 50-inch TV, a king-size bed and optional washer/dryer units and a bunk over the driver’s seat to create more sleeping space. There are four TVs total, including one outside under the power-operated awning.

The 35OS is also designed to be a smooth ride, with the driver aided by side cameras and a rear monitor for backing up.

Coachmen Mirada 35OS Interior

American Coach Dream

MSRP: $552,000

Length: 43 to 45 feet

Class: A

Aptly named, this RV from American Coach is in a class of its own. The Dream’s spacious interior features two full-size couches and a 49-inch pop-up TV. There’s a half-bathroom in the main space and a full one in the bedroom. One model also comes with bunk beds in the rear between the bedroom and full bath. Elegant and practical, this is the definition of luxe road-tripping.

American Coach Dream Interior

Newmar Canyon Star

MSRP: $172,000

Length: 35 to 39 feet

Class: A

Newmar appears to have thought of everything for a stylish, high-end experience in its Canyon Star. There’s even a model that includes a patio set-up in the rear with a small dry bar and TV. Inside, the Canyon Star is more spacious than most studio apartments. It’s customizable down to the type of wood for the cabinetry, and buyers can add a hide-a-bed, a bunk over the driver/passenger area for more sleeping space and a washer/dryer combo.

Newmar Canyon Star Interior

Fleetwood Discovery LXE

MSRP: $362,000

Length: 40 to 44 feet

Class: A

Fleetwood makes several different types of RV, but nothing compares to the Discovery LXE series. These well-appointed machines are gorgeous inside and out. Different models offer different sleeping arrangements, and a tech upgrade gets you a 160-watt solar panel and a collision-avoidance system. There’s a TV on the exterior under an awning for outdoor viewing, and the floors are heated.

Fleetwood Discovery LXE Interior

NeXus RV Bentley Diamond

MSRP: $332,000

Length: 40 feet

Class: A

NeXus RV has created one of the snazziest motor homes on the market for first-class travel. The longer of the two Diamond series models even comes with two full bathrooms and a washer/dryer. The Bentley Diamond’s handsomely appointed interior features a sofa/bunk area and two plush recliners for theater seating. Gourmands will love the three-burner range and microwave-convection oven.

NeXus RV Bentley Diamond Interior

Section Two

5 Mars Inspiration X

MSRP: $108,000

Length: 21 feet

Class: B

The Quebec company 5 Mars is known for turning regular old vans into functional homes on wheels, and there’s a lot to love in the small package that is the Inspiration X. Unlike many camper vans, this one has a full bathroom in addition to the sleeping and kitchen spaces. There’s even an outside shower option with a full privacy curtain, and plenty of storage throughout for a longer road trip.

5 Mars Inspiration X Interior

Hymer Aktiv 2.0

MSRP: $102,000

Length: 20 feet 9 inches

Class: B

There’s a lot more than meets the eye with this Hymer model, which is longer than the Aktiv and thus allows for more storage space and a king-size mattress with a power sofa in the rear. That means there’s more space in the Aktiv 2.0 to lounge around when you’re not sleeping. The bathroom is extremely compact, but it does have a shower option.

Hymer Aktiv 2.0 Interior

Pleasure-Way Tofino

MSRP: $70,000

Length: 17 feet 9 inches

Class: B

The extended top makes Pleasure-Way’s Tofino a great option for maximizing space in a small package, and adding a solar option will dial up the dual lithium-ion battery bank that provides juice for all the electronic equipment. The interior is spacious with a kitchen set-up, fold-down sofa bed and collapsible table. The only drawback, especially at this price point, is the lack of a bathroom.

Pleasure-Way Tofino Interior

Section Three

Coach House Platinum III 250

MSRP: $160,000

Length: 25 feet 6 inches

Class: C

The Platinum III 250 is new to the Coach House lineup and features a more powerful engine than other models while retaining the one-piece fiberglass shell that makes these motor homes so desirable. The two model options are the same except one has a power sofa up front and the other features a convertible dinette. The rear has two twin-size beds and a spacious bathroom. And there’s an optional upgrade to add a 170-watt solar panel.

Coach House Platinum III 250 Interior

Renegade Veracruz

MSRP: $213,000

Length: 35 feet

Class: C

Renegade put a lot of effort into creating this home away from home with many of the same features as more expensive models. Highlights of the Veracruz include the swing-down television in front of the bunk over the driver-passenger seats, a large shower, two sofas and a private rear bedroom with a king-size bed. The interior is equipped with LED lighting and two panels can be added for 320 watts of solar energy.

Renegade Veracruz Interior

Winnebago Vita

MSRP: $120,000

Length: 24 feet 7 inches

Class: C

Winnebago is known for its high-quality Mercedes-Benz chassis, and the Vita combines this premium build with an affordable price tag. The interior is sparse but snazzy, offering everything for a comfortable road trip. There’s a full bathroom set up in the rear with a queen bed next to it, and a bunk over the driver-passenger seats. The dinette booth also converts to a bed. The 2019 Vita won Best of Show from both RV News and RV Pro.

Winnebago Vita Interior

Section Four

Airstream Classic

MSRP: $153,000 to $168,000

Length: 30 to 33 feet

Class: Trailer

Few things are as unmistakable as an Airstream trailer, and the Classic model delivers comfort, style and functionality. There’s a reason these trailers have become so iconic. The interior is plenty roomy for full-time living, with a bedroom, full bathroom, kitchen and ample lounging space. And unlike many motorhomes or trailers, this model features a full over with burners instead of burners and a convection microwave. It even includes theater seating and space for a 60-inch TV.

Airstream Classic Interior

Highland Ridge Silverstar Lite

MSRP: $37,000

Length: 26 to 28 feet

Class: Trailer

Price and versatility have made this Highland Ridge RV model one of the most popular on the road. In fact, it’s so light that it can easily be towed by a pickup or SUV. And while affordable, Highland didn’t skimp on the Silverstar Lite’s interior and special features. And the pop-out sides add welcome additional space. Several versions of the Silverstar Lite even include a gourmet kitchen with an island.

Highland Ridge Silverstar Lite Interior

SylvanSport Vast

MSRP: $46,000

Length: 21 feet 6 inches

Class: Trailer

This is a brand-new entry into the motor home world, and it’s amazing what SylvanSport was able to do with a limited amount of space. The Vast, which comes in three different configurations, seamlessly moves from the interior to the outdoors, with a kitchen that slides out for exterior use, stackable queen-size beds and a full bathroom with enough space that you don’t feel cramped. Vast was voted the best RV of 2019 at the inaugural RVX trade show.

SylvanSport Vast Interior

Starcraft Telluride 338MBH

MSRP: $52,000

Length: 37 feet

Class: Trailer

The beauty of this fifth wheel from Starcraft is that there are four separate pop-out spaces that make the interior much roomier. This means there are two bedrooms and a bathroom with Jack-and-Jill doors, and enough space to sleep up to eight people. The dining and kitchen space in the Telluride 338MBH is huge, with a wall-length sofa and kitchen island that provides more room for prep.