Buyer’s Guide: Short and Sweet
What’s big enough for a couch and kitchen, small enough to park in the driveway?
Image Caption:
Photo Credit: Dynamax
Dynamax Isata 3 Series
First-Class Class C
So you want living and cooking space in a ride that’s compact? A Class C motorhome is typically your huckleberry. Dynamax is known for its super luxe Super Cs, honking leisure liners built on commercial-truck chassis that your HOA is definitely going to notice.
But the brand brings an eye for detail to its high-end, Sprinter-bodied Isatas. Both 3 Series models come in at 24′ 7″, with three-burner gas ranges and full residential fridges, along with the option of reclining theater seats in place of a dinette. They’re easy on the eyes, too, thanks to Dynamax’s signature hand-painted exteriors. MSRP starts at $193,128 for 2024 models.
Pro: Nicely appointed. Super efficient use of space.
Con: Rather spendy—this is not a starter rig.
Photo Credit: Thor Industries
Thor Axis 24.1
Big Little Coach
A Class A you can conceivably store at home? At 25′ 8″, Thor’s Axis is shorter than, say, an SUV towing a teardrop, but it sleeps five with a lift from the fold-out sofa in a roomy slide-out living room.
The kitchen’s a little less luxe than the Dynamax—two-burner cooktop, laminate counters, junior fridge—but this is the smallest Class A on the market, and you can find last year’s models priced to sell. MSRP starts at $169,350 for 2024 models.
Pro: Ford E-Series chassis drives like a van. No campsite too small.
Con: Some counterintuitive floor-planning (you’ll get used to the fridge in the hallway).
Photo Credit: Dutchmen
Dutchmen Eddie Bauer Signature 23RB
Eddie Set Go
Plenty of trailers have generous, glammed-out living areas on modest footprints. Consider the smallest entry in Dutchmen’s new Eddie Bauer Signature Series. At 26′ 10″, it has a slide-out living area with a 6-foot sofa, a 40-inch flat screen, and a small electric fireplace.
The kitchen doesn’t skimp on cabinets or stainless steel fixtures, including a deep farm-style sink with a high-rise faucet. Details throughout, like barn wood flooring and plaid trim, nod to the collab with the OG outdoorsy brand. MSRP starts at $45,633 for 2024 models.
Pro: Doesn’t break the bank. Lots of clever storage.
Con: You’ll be needing a truck or SUV to tow it, naturally
This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.
