Looking for the best small class A RVs to navigate the great outdoors without feeling like you’re maneuvering a city bus?
I’ve personally tested a range of class A motorhomes to discover which models offer the perfect balance of comfort, functionality, and drivability.
Through my hands-on experience with each vehicle, the standout performer was undoubtedly the Jayco Precept 29V Class A Motorhome.
Its manageable size, coupled with its luxury amenities and robust engineering, makes it an ideal choice for those venturing into the world of RVs or seeking a nimble motorhome that doesn’t compromise on style or substance.
Whether you’re a solo adventurer or a family looking to create unforgettable memories, understanding the nuances between different models can significantly impact your RV buying decision and overall travel experience.
Based on my experience, the top class A motorhomes are:
- Jayco Precept 29V Class A Motorhome: Best overall; combines luxury with maneuverability.
- Winnebago Sunstar 29V Class A Motorhome: Great for families; spacious and reliable.
- Coachmen RV Pursuit Precision 27DS Class A Gas Motorhome: Excellent choice for first-time owners; easy to handle and well-equipped.
- Fleetwood RV Flair 28A Class A Motorhome: Best for long trips; offers comfort and storage.
- Thor Motor Coach Axis 24.1 Class A Motorhome: Top pick for versatility; compact yet spacious.
- Winnebago Intent 26M Class A Motorhome: Ideal for those seeking a modern interior and innovative features.
- Jayco RV Alante 26X Class A Motorhome: Perfect for couples; combines efficiency with luxury.
- Forest River FR3 29DS Class A Motorhome: Offers the best value; spacious, with excellent amenities.
What Is A Class A RV?
A Class A RV is a motorized style of RV built on a commercial bus or truck chassis and the largest and often the most luxurious of all drivable RVs or motorhomes, coming in both gas and diesel engines. They can range from 21 feet to as much as 45 feet long, often sleep between six to ten people and start at around $85,000.
When it comes to the overall length, there are certain states, like Wisconsin that have regulations regarding whether or not you need to have a special driver’s license endorsement to operate one.
Many Class A Motorhomes have a power-retractable slide-out section. They stay neatly tucked into the frame of the RV when you are driving down the road.
When you get to your campsite and you start setting up the slides can be deployed.
This increases the interior floor space while also helping to provide room for things like larger master bedrooms, expanding the kitchen and living room areas.
8 Awesome Small Class A RVs We Could Find
The Class A Motorhome segment is impressively deep with a lot of good options to consider. When it comes to finding “Small” Class A Motorhomes we tried to stick to models that are under 30-feet.
Not only does is this size wheelbase easier to handle, but most states will also allow you to drive one legally, without having to get a special driver’s license endorsement.
Yet 30-feet is still large enough to come with all the amenities and creature comforts most people prioritize when they invest a Class A Motorhome.
If you think a 40ft class As are too big for your family, here are the 8 great small Class A RVs under 30ft long for picks and find out what sets them apart:
1. Jayco Precept 29V Class A Motorhome
The Jayco Precept 29V has a single slide-out section, which might seem a little sparse on paper.
Especially when you consider that most of the competitors have 2, 3, or even five.
Yet when you take a closer look, the slide-out section spans the entire length of the claa A motorhome. This really maximizes the interior space, and creature comforts.
There’s a master suite with a king-size bed in the rear. It has tons of wardrobe space, as well as a cabinet-style entertainment center.
It’s parked right next to the spacious bathroom with its large shower, vanity, and flushing toilet.
The kitchen is nicely laid out with a 12-cubit foot refrigerator, a three-burner stove, and an overhead microwave.
There’s even a dual basin sink. While there is a fair amount of overhead storage, the pantry is a little bit on the small side.
In the front, there’s a 36-inch TV integrated with the dinette table, as well as a convertible sofa.
There’s also a large drop-down over the cab bunk bed. This means on paper, the 2020 Jayco Precept 29V can sleep up to 8 people. Though a family of four or five is more realistic.
It’s also worth noting that the exterior of this small Class A Motorhome is impressive.
There’s a 23-foot awning to give you a sort-of back porch feeling with an outdoor entertainment center. It also comes with an outdoor kitchen area in the standard package.
This is nice for times when you don’t want the heat of cooking supper to compete with the 28,500 BTU air conditioner on a hot day.
2. Winnebago Sunstar 29V Class A Motorhome
The Winnebago Sunstar 29V is another impressive small class A RV model in Winnebago’s successful line of motorhomes.
Here again, we see the single large slide-out section to maximize the interior space, though Winnebago adds some special touches to the floorplan layout of the Sunstar 29V to really make it feel roomy.
The master suite is in the rear of the short class A motorhome and has a queen-size bed. This frees up a lot of floor space to walk around with elbow room to get dressed.
It also makes space for his and her storage as well as a giant wardrobe, with hookups to add a TV entertainment center.
The bathroom is right outside the master suite’s tandem sliding door. It features a large shower, a sink, and a flushing toilet.
It shares the plumbing system with the kitchen’s dual basin sink. The kitchen also has a three-burner stove, and a mid-size electric, residential refrigerator. Dual pantries also help maximize the kitchen storage capacity.
3. Coachmen RV Pursuit Precision 27DS Class A Gas Motorhome
The Coachmen Pursuit Precision 27DS has two power slide-out sections, which really helps expand the floor plan in a way that makes this small Class A Motorhome feel like it’s truly a home on wheels.
It has a lot of the creature comforts you expect in a vehicle that’s very nimble on the road.
The rear master suite in the Coachmen Pursuit Precision 27DS is built into one of the slide-out sections.
This makes room for a king-size bed and a wall-mounted 32-inch LED flatscreen TV.
Though you could argue that the king-size bed eats up so much floor space, that there isn’t necessarily a lot of room for walking around and dressing.
The door also comes very close to the corner of the mattress, which might make it hard sometimes to fix the bed.
Though these are a common tradeoff for putting a king-size bed in a Class A RV under 30-feet.
In contrast, the kitchen and open concept living room are wide open, with plenty of floor space for people to walk past each other.
It has a three-burner stove with a built-in oven, a large single-basin sink, and a durable mid-size RV absorption refrigerator.
The layout of the living room and dinette in the 2020 Coachmen Pursuit Precision 27DS is also very thoughtful.
With a lot of small Class A motorhomes, the viewing angle of the TV screen is usually biased toward one area.
Here the dinette is built into the front slide-out section and there’s a 40-inch flat screen TV mounted into the wall.
A sofa bed or optional theater seating area sits opposite the screen. It’s also viewable from the swivel passenger seat.
This arrangement means that 7 people can comfortably watch TV at the same time, which you can rarely say with the competition.
Stepping up another notch, there’s also a 32-inch LED flatscreen TV mounted on the exterior of the 2020 Coachmen Pursuit Precision 27DS.
This third TV lets pretty much everyone in the family watch what they want in one place or another. It’s also a great way to catch the game while sitting around the firepit.
4. Fleetwood RV Flair 28A Class A Motorhome
The Fleetwood RV Flair 28A small Class A is incredibly nimble on the road, yet also powerful. With it’s 8,000-pound towing capacity, you can capably tow most mid-size SUVs with you on your RV adventure.
It’s a great way to keep a runabout vehicle on-hand, without having to break camp every time you need to run to the store.
Here again, you see the king-size bed built into the rear slide-out section of the 2020 Fleetwood Flair 28A small Class motorhome.
It’s built with a sliding door that closes off both the master bedroom and the bathroom for a little added privacy.
The dinette and kitchen are built into the 2020 Fleetwood RV Flair 28A’s front slide-out section.
It includes a three-burner stove, with an oven as well as an overhead microwave, and a dual basin sink.
Opposite the refrigerator, you’ll find a large electric residential refrigerator.
The dinette has a 39-inch LED flatscreen TV built into the sidewall for optimum viewing from the opposing jack knife sofa.
It’s worth noting that the residential electric refrigerator and the relatively small 37-gallon gray water storage tank aren’t ideal for a lot of RV boondocking adventures.
The 2020 Fleetwood Flair 28A Class A RV is arguably built for life in an RV park or a campground with water and wastewater resources available.
5. Thor Motor Coach Axis 24.1 Class A Motorhome
The Thor Motor Coach Axis 24.1 is relatively small for a Class A Motorhome. Measuring in at just 25.5 feet and a 15.67-foot wheelbase, on an E450 chassis it is exceptionally nimble for a Class A motorhome.
This means it’s a great choice for a tight campsite and smaller RV park slabs.
The rear sleeping quarters of the 2019 Thor Motor Coach Axis 24.1 is versatile.
If you want, you can set it up with a pair of twin beds, or combine the sleeping space into one California king size bed.
There’s even a 32-inch LED flatscreen TV mounted on one wall to let you watch a movie in bed.
As you might expect the bathroom and the kitchen are compact, but not too small as to feel cramped.
In the front, a 68-inch sofa is built into the 2019 Thor Motor Coach Axis 24.1’s single slide-out section.
It sits opposite the 32-inch LED TV and the entryway. There’s also an exterior 32-inch TV to let you watch a movie or catch up on the news while sitting outside.
There’s even a 32-inch LED flatscreen TV mounted on one wall to let you watch a movie in bed.
As you might expect the bathroom and the kitchen are compact, but not too small as to feel cramped.
In the front, a 68-inch sofa is built into the 2019 Thor Motor Coach Axis 24.1’s single slide-out section.
It sits opposite the 32-inch LED TV and the entryway. There’s also an exterior 32-inch TV to let you watch a movie or catch up on the news while sitting outside.
6. Winnebago Intent 26M Class A Motorhome
Winnebago Intent 26M is another relatively small Class A RV that’s nimble on the road while making the most out of the available interior space.
This is thanks in large part to the clever engineering in the dual slide-out sections that not only maximize the floor space but make the most use of the seating space, storage, and the master bedroom.
The master bedroom in the rear of the 2019 Winnebago Intent 26M has a queen-size bed, with his and her nightstands.
There’s also a huge wardrobe as well as another closet with a flatscreen TV.
Stepping out of the master bedroom via a folding door, you find a separate bathroom with a toilet and sink on one side and a small, but useful shower stall. This means one person can take a shower, without taking up the lavatory facilities.
The kitchen and main living area are combined in an open concept.
The residential electric refrigerator and the spacious dinette are tucked neatly into the second slide-out section.
The captain’s chairs swivel to create a living room feel. There’s even an overhead loft bed that’s the perfect place for a teenager to sleep and keep their private things.
7. Jayco RV Alante 26X Class A Motorhome
The Jayco Alante 26X has a slide-out section on each side, which in and of itself makes for a nice presentation during set up.
Though this isn’t the full extent of its bells and whistles. The exterior also includes a 13-foot awning as well as an outside entertainment center, which is great for times when you want to watch your favorite TV show, but you don’t necessarily want to go into the motorhome to do it.
The rear of the 2020 Jayco Alante 26X Class A RV houses the master bedroom with a queen-size bed, and option TV upgrade package.
It also holds a full bath with a 26 x 40-inch shower stall. The kitchen and living room area are combined with a lot of seating in the dinette and the sofa. Both are nicely positioned to face the 39-inch flatscreen TV.
8. Forest River FR3 29DS Class A Motorhome
The Forest River FR3 29DS small Class A RV was designed for families where everyone needs a little sleeping space all to their own.
It’s one of those rare RVs where the number of people it sleeps on paper is the number of people it sleeps in real life.
The rear master bedroom has a king-size bed installed into the large slide-out section.
This means you can have a giant sleeping space without sacrificing too much floor space.
There’s also a large wardrobe closet with plenty of space for two people to keep their clothes and other personal items.
There are also hookups for a LED flatscreen TV for times when you want to relax in bed and watch a movie.
Right outside the master bedroom door, you will find the bathroom to the right and a large pantry and refrigerator to the left.
There’s a lot of storage here for the kitchen, without having to take up a lot of square footage in the galley itself.
The dinette area in the 2019 Forest River FR3 29DS includes hookups for a flat-screen TV.
Across from the dinette area is a very comfortable jack knife sofa with a pair of footstools.
It’s a great lounging area for hanging out and chatting with the swiveling captain’s chairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Class A Motorhomes Get Good Gas Mileage?
Since they are often built on a commercial bus chassis or commercial truck chassis, class A motorhomes are large and heavy.
As you can imagine this does significantly impact their average miles per gallon.
Depending on whether it has a gasoline or diesel engine you can expect to get around 8 to 10 miles to the gallon.
Do I Need A Special Driver’s License To Drive A Class A RV?
The answer to this depends on your state. Most states the requirements for a special driver’s license endorsement are based on the gross vehicle weight rating of the RV.
Though in some states like Wisconsin, the length of the RV may also be a factor where anything longer than 45-feet requires a Class B Driver’s License Endorsement.
In most states though, weight is the primary determiners. For example in the state of Minnesota, and the District of Columbia you will need a Class B Commercial Driver’s License to legally operate a vehicle weighing 26,000-pounds or more.
Conclusion
There are a lot of really great motorhomes on the market today. Recent improvements in material selection and manufacturing technology have made them lighter, more nimble, and easier to drive than ever before.
Particularly when we’re talking about small Class A motorhomes under 30-feet. With a Class A motorhome, you are still getting the luxury you want in a home away from home.
Choosing the best small Class A Motorhome for you and your family will depend a little bit on how you want to use it.
If you need a lot of sleeping space for multiple children and traveling companions, then the Jayco – Alante 26X or the 2020 Winnebago – Sunstar 29V might be the best small Class A motorhome for you.
If you’re the type of person who likes to boondock camping off the grid for days at a time, then the Coachmen Pursuit Precision 27DS might be the best small motorhome for you.
It has fresh water and wastewater storage tanks to support you for days without having to resupply.
There certainly are a lot of great options out there in the motorhome niche. Chances are the best small Class A motorhome for you is somewhere on this list.
