A recreational vehicle, or RV, is a vehicle or trailer equipped for temporary living while travelling or camping. It combines transportation, accommodation and household systems in one package, which makes it flexible but more complicated to choose than a car or a hotel room.
The most useful buying principle is to choose an RV for the trips you will actually take most often. An enormous fifth wheel may be excellent for a seasonal campsite but frustrating for frequent moves, and a camper van may be ideal for touring but cramped for a family spending a rainy week indoors.
What an RV can include
- Sleeping accommodations
- A kitchen and refrigerator
- A toilet and shower
- Heating and air conditioning
- Freshwater and wastewater storage
- Batteries, electrical outlets and charging equipment
- Dining and living areas
- Storage for clothing, food, outdoor equipment and recreational gear
Some RVs are little more than a comfortable bed on wheels. Others have residential refrigerators, multiple bedrooms, washers and dryers, large showers, fireplaces and substantial electrical systems.
The three main groups
| Group | How it moves | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| Motorized RVs | Have their own engine | Class A, Class B and Class C motorhomes |
| Towable RVs | Pulled by another vehicle | Travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, tent and folding trailers, teardrops |
| Carried or mostly stationary | Carried in a truck bed or placed for extended stays | Truck campers, destination trailers, park models |
Motorized or towable?
| Motorized | Towable | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase cost | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Engine and drivetrain | Yours to maintain | None; the tow vehicle handles it |
| Day trips from camp | Need a second vehicle or to break camp | Unhitch and use the tow vehicle |
| Setup at the campsite | Often quicker | Hitching, levelling and unhitching |
| Driving skill | Size and length | Towing, reversing and weight distribution |
How to use this guide
Start with all RV types compared for the big picture, then open the page for each type that interests you. Each type page covers size, weight, price, the benefits and trade-offs, what to check before you buy and what matters in Canada.
Common questions
What is the difference between an RV and a camper?
In everyday use the words overlap. "RV" covers motorhomes and towables alike, while "camper" often means a trailer or a truck camper. This guide uses RV for all of them.
What are the main types of RV?
Motorized RVs (Class A, B and C motorhomes), towable RVs (travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, tent trailers and teardrops), and carried or mostly stationary units (truck campers, destination trailers and park models).
Do Class A, B and C refer to licence classes?
No. They are motorhome body styles. Driver's licence requirements depend on weight, brakes and the province.