New RVs: Five Classy C’s

The popularity of Class C motorhomes has taken a nice upward trend in the past several years as a new generation of boomers, millennials, and Gen-Z campers took to the roads exploring the country in these easy-driving, nicely equipped RVs instead of spending money flying to their destinations or staying in motels and hotels.

Another reason to check out a Class C motorhome is they can be just as fuel-efficient (12–18 mpg) as a heavy-duty pickup towing a 25-to-30-foot travel trailer because most Class C’s are built on Ford, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, and RAM cab-chassis medium-duty truck platforms with gas or turbodiesel engines.

Like a pickup, the driver’s compartment in a Class C is a familiar environment so it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel, and a Class C’s smaller size compared to a Class A motorhome makes it easier to maneuver wherever the road leads.

RV manufacturers of Class C’s are always working hard to provide more floorplans, features, and interior design options that appeal to a broad range of RV buyers’ tastes and needs. Here are five Class C’s that caught our attention because they will make RV life on the road very comfortable.

Winnebago EKKO 22A

Winnebago’s 23-foot, all-wheel-drive EKKO 22A is unlike any other gas-powered Class C motorhome on the road. According to the company, it’s not only the smallest, it’s also the best one for exploring all those roads less traveled. It’s built on the Ford Transit AWD chassis with the powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6.

This little coach is ready for year-round backroads exploration with its tanks and water lines inside the coach above the floor; extensive all-season insulation in the roof, walls, and floor; dual-pane acrylic windows; multiple insulated exterior compartments; 50-gallon freshwater tank; and a nifty rear gear storage area that can be accessed from the outside. Inside is a full galley, wet bath with cassette toilet, and the exclusive WinnSleep system that turns the two rear twin beds into one queen bed. If more sleeping space is needed, get the optional Froli loft pop-top. MSRP: $188,017

Forest River Sunseeker 2400T MBS

Sunseeker’s 2400T MBS (Mercedes-Benz) turbodiesel-powered, full-wall slide Class C was a very popular model when it debuted last year, and the 2023 model is even better with upgraded appliances. What makes this floorplan appealing is the full bath across the rear of the coach with a big shower and a nice vanity set.

The driver-side wall slide holds both the twin power recliners and the sofa that converts into a queen-size bed. On the camp side is the entertainment center with hidden storage behind the TV, a roomy clothes closet, and a 10.7-cubic-foot 12-volt fridge. The galley is a bit more basic with a two-burner propane cooktop (1.3-cubic-foot convection microwave underneath) and a deep stainless sink built into the solid-surface countertop.

Cooling is easily handled by a 15,000-Btu ducted roof-air system, while heat comes from a 30,000-Btu furnace. The Mercedes also comes with a handy 3.6 kW generator for off-grid camping, along with a 35-gallon freshwater tank and 32-gallon black and gray tanks. MSRP: $129,000

East to West Entrada 2600DS

The 2023 Entrada 2600DS from East To West is a very classy and comfortable Class C. This floorplan, one of five in the line, features a rear bedroom and bathroom, plus two opposing slides, a combination that provides a tremendous amount of countertop space for a coach measuring just under 30 feet in length. The Granite Peak interior gives it a bright, fresh, and clean look, and with safety features such as side view and backup cameras being standard, it’s one of the safest Class C’s on the market. It’s also a workhorse.

The Entrada 2600DS is built on the Ford E-450 chassis powered by the 300-hp 7.3-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic. Tow capacity is 7,500 pounds (as part of the Luxury package) with well over 2,000 pounds of cargo carrying capacity. This completely laminated coach is built to last with 2-inch side walls, Azdel composite backing, Rotocast storage compartments, DiFlex II TPO roof, and a one-piece molded fiberglass front cap. MSRP: $108,780

Thor Quantum PQ31

Thor Motorcoach has nine different brands under the Class C umbrella, and the brand-new PQ31 model in the Quantum line is a standout among them all. This roomy 32-foot, 7-inch coach features a split bathroom leading into a rear bedroom with a north-south queen bed and dual wardrobes.

The PQ31 has a well-appointed kitchen with a 30-inch over-the-range convection microwave, several seating, and decor options, plus a pullout exterior grill and exterior 32-inch TV for added outdoor enjoyment.

The floorplan, based on a medium-duty Ford gas chassis, provides the elbow room, abundant storage, and multiple seating/sleeping combinations that RVing couples and families will find quite appealing. Need to bring along your car, boat, or other trailer? The 8,000-pound-rated hitch can handle those with ease. MSRP: $172,950

Jayco Seneca XT

One of the largest, plushest, best setup RVs for exploring America’s byways is the new Jayco Seneca XT. This Super C is built on Ford’s 4×4 F-550 (34-foot, 3-inch 32U floorplan) or F-600 (37-foot, 4-inch 35L floorplan) chassis powered by the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel. Both models include a premium 2-inch front suspension lift from BDS and a super heavy-duty off-road bumper.

The larger 35L sleeps five and utilizes a triple-slide arrangement that places the split bathroom amidships, a stacked washer/dryer and fireplace set up in the bedroom, and a 38-by-70-inch dinette in the curbside slide. It also places the two-burner cooktop in the same slide as the 60-inch trifold sofa, with the prep counter and sink against the wall that separates the living area from the bathroom.

Dry camping and long-distance travel are not an issue with an 18-cubic-foot residential fridge/freezer, 6 kW diesel Onan generator, 60 gallons of freshwater, 30-gallon gray and black tanks, and 66 gallons between dual fuel tanks. Two A/C systems and a 30,000-Btu furnace keep the interior comfy year-round.

The Seneca XT is one of the best handling and smoothest riding in this class because it’s equipped with heavy-duty anti-sway bars, Hellwig Helper Springs, and custom Koni shocks. The interior decor in the XT is first-class, as is the vast array of onboard electronics and safety features. MSRP: $340,350