How to Choose the Best RV Chassis for Your Needs

Every good home needs a good foundation — and your home on wheels is no exception! The chassis of an RV determines not only how structurally sound the RV is, but how it’s shaped and what it’s capable of. When you’re searching for your perfect RV, it’s important to keep the chassis in mind.   
  
In this post, we’ll be looking at the different chassis types and how to pick the best RV chassis for you — and why you may find it at Lippert!   
 

1. What is an RV Chassis?   
2. What Does Choosing an RV Chassis Really Mean?   
3. Considerations for Choosing an RV Chassis 
4. About Lippert Chassis

Let’s start by explaining exactly what an RV chassis is. The RV chassis refers to the frame that the rest of the RV rests upon. Along with the metal structure itself, it includes components such as the axles, suspension, tires, engine (if applicable), holding tanks, etc.   
  
Much like how an animal’s skeleton can give you an idea of its abilities, an RV chassis can tell you how an RV is shaped and what it’s best used for.  

Travel trailer chassis are built for versatility. Designed to be towed by a bumper hitch, they come in a wide range of sizes — from lightweight, compact builds to larger models with multiple slide-outs. Lippert’s travel trailer chassis are engineered for strength and flexibility, giving adventurers the freedom to tow with confidence.

5th wheel chassis are known for their extended overhang design, which connects to a pickup truck via a 5th wheel hitch in the truck bed. This setup improves stability and turning radius for larger, heavier trailers. Lippert 5th wheel chassis are trusted for their durability and ability to handle the demands of long-term travel.

Motorhome chassis integrate the engine, frame, and drivetrain into a single structure, offering a fully drivable RV experience. Whether it’s a van-style class B, a cab-over class C, or a bus-style class A, Lippert motorhome chassis provide the solid foundation and performance needed for comfortable, road-ready living.

Chances are that you won’t be specifically buying an RV chassis — you’ll be buying an RV with a certain chassis type. You won’t be purchasing them separately (unless you’re building your own, which we wouldn’t recommend doing without professional experience or help).   
  
Let’s take a look at some of the most common RV types with unique chassis.  

• Class A Motorhome: These large vehicles resemble charter buses. Class A motorhome chassis are very sturdy, as they need to support RVs with wide, luxurious living spaces.   
• Class B Motorhome: Otherwise known as a camper van, their compact living space rests on a van chassis.   
• Class C Motorhome: These distinctively shaped structures typically rest on truck chassis. They are recognizable for their sleeping/storage area resting above the vehicle’s cab.  
• Travel Trailer: These trailers’ chassis attach to their tow vehicles via a hitch on the bumper.  
• 5th Wheel Trailer: Due to these trailers’ unique shape, their chassis stretch up so the pin box can attach to the 5th wheel hitch installed in the tow vehicle’s bed.   

Here’s a visual reference to go by for the different RV types: 

Now that you know the different types of RV chassis, the next step is determining the best RV chassis for you. There are several factors you will need to consider if you want an RV that best meets your needs. Let’s go through some of the big ones!   

RVs – and their chassis types – can be divided into two basic types: towable trailers or drivable motorhomes. Travel trailers, 5th wheels, and other types of trailers must be towed by another vehicle from place to place.   
  
Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes, in contrast, can be driven under their own power. As such, their chassis include engines and are stronger in order to support the structure’s often greater weight.   
  
Which type is best for you really depends on your preferences. Do you want to avoid the hassle of hitching up your home-away-from-home whenever you want to roll out? Get a motorhome. Would you rather leave your RV at the campsite while you use your vehicle to check out local attractions? A towable trailer might be a better fit.   

Another very important thing to consider is how big your RV will be. Your RV’s size will determine how easy it is to drive and park, how much living and storage space you’ll have, what vehicles can tow it (if towable), where you can store it, etc.   
  
While the exact size will depend on the individual model, each RV or motorhome chassis type has a typical range for their weight, length, and height.   

Weight: 13,000 to 30,000 pounds  
Length: 25 to 45 feet  
Height: 12 to 14 feet  

Weight: 4,000 to 11,000 pounds  
Length: 17 to 25 feet  
Height: 7 to 10 feet  

Weight: 10,000 to 13,000 pounds  
Length: 20 to 35 feet  
Height: 10 to 12 feet  

Weight: 1,100 to 12,000 pounds  
Length: 8 to 40 feet  
Height: 10 to 12.5 feet  

Weight: 7,000 to 20,000 pounds  
Length: 22 to 45 feet  
Height: 11 to 13.5 feet  
  
Note: Regardless of what type of RV you get, remember to never exceed its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The GVWR is the maximum amount of weight your RV can safely support, including cargo and passengers, and exceeding it places dangerous pressure on the RV’s chassis. If you want your chassis to last, treat it well!   

On a related note, you should think about how many people will be traveling with you in your RV. The more friends or family members you have, the larger your RV will need to be.  
  
While the exact needs of you and your fellow travelers depend on your preferences, the general rule is:  

• Individuals and Couples: Class B motorhome or small travel trailer  
• Groups of Three: Class C motorhome or medium-sized travel trailer  
• Groups of Four: Medium-sized Class A motorhome, class c motorhome, 5th wheel trailer, or large travel trailer  
• Groups of Five or More: Class A motorhome or 5th wheel trailer  

One of the most important factors to consider when selecting an RV is what you plan to do with it. Where you’re going and how often you’re on the road can have a big impact on your RV, so you want to pick a chassis type that’s well-suited for your adventures.   

These motorhomes are perfect for those planning to live in their RV for long periods of time (or even full-time). Their greater size and number of amenities mean they’re very comfortable to live in, and their chassis are sturdy enough for many miles of highway. Perhaps their biggest weakness is that they don’t do very well in rough terrain, especially off-road.   

Given their smaller size, these RVs are better for weekend getaways than long-term living. They make up for their limited living space with their agile maneuverability, as they are decidedly easier to drive and park than their larger counterparts. Of the motorized RVs, they are also some of the best for navigating rough terrain due to their lighter frames.   

These RVs are often described as the middle ground between Class A and Class B motorhomes, and this is reflected in this category. They have more maneuverability than Class A motorhomes, but more space and luxuries than Class B motorhomes. If you go on fairly regular trips with your family, these are a good option.   

Due to the diverse scope of available travel trailers, chances are that you can find at least one that suits your needs. For every small, agile but sparsely furnished travel trailer, there is a larger, more luxurious model.   
  
They also give you the benefit of being able to detach your tow vehicle from your RV, allowing you to leave it at the campsite while you explore elsewhere. There are even travel trailers specifically designed for off-road adventures, with special wheels, high clearance, and upgraded suspension.   

These trailers generally offer a more spacious alternative to travel trailers; this comes with both more luxuries and less maneuverability. They are great for long-term living and cross-country adventures, but their unique design makes it difficult for them to safely navigate rough terrain.   

Much like cars, different RVs consume different amounts of fuel. If you only want to spend a certain amount of money on gas, you should consider your RV’s average miles per gallon (MPG). The higher your MPG, the longer your tank will last between refuels.   

• Class A Motorhome: 5 to 15 MPG  
• Class B Motorhome: 10 to 25 MPG  
• Class C Motorhome: 10 to 25 MPG  

The fuel economy for towable trailers is a little harder to generalize, since it depends on both the RV and the tow vehicle. However, due to their greater size, 5th wheel and larger travel trailers will have a bigger impact on your MPG than a smaller travel trailer.   
  
Note: While your RV’s chassis type can have an impact on your fuel economy, it is far from the only factor. Other factors include but are not limited to:   

• RV weight  
• Driving speed  
• RV aerodynamics  
• Type of fuel   
• Weather   
• Terrain  

One of the most important parts of an RV chassis is the suspension — components that connect the axles with the rest of the frame, absorbing any jolts from uneven roads and granting you better control over your RV.   
  
While the type of suspension an RV uses depends on the individual model, some are more common in certain chassis types. Let’s go through a few of them.  

Commonly used in: Travel and 5th wheel trailers  
  
As one of the most common suspension systems, leaf springs consist of a stack of slim pieces of metal (i.e. the “leaves”) bound together. This stack bends with the road, absorbing the bumps.   
  
Leaf springs are widely available due to their popularity, and their simple design makes them cheap and easy to maintain. However, they are not the most advanced suspension system out there, so you might still feel some jolts.   

Commonly used in: Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes (some 5th wheel trailers have started using them)  
  
Another common suspension system, coil springs consist of heavy-duty metal springs that contract and relax to absorb any vibrations.   
  
Like leaf springs, coil springs are cheap and easily available, but they also offer a comparatively quieter, more comfortable ride. Unfortunately, they do tend to have a lower load capacity and are a little harder to perform maintenance on.   

Commonly used in: Travel trailers (that use rubber in the axles instead of springs)   
  
Torsion bars consist of a steel bar that twists to absorb any sudden movements of the wheel.   
  
This type of suspension avoids much of the wear and tear that comes from metal components rubbing together, and tends to be especially good for RVs with low centers of gravity. They can be rather expensive though.   

Commonly used in: Class A motorhomes  
  
One of the more deluxe suspension options, air systems use a cylindrical chamber of air to absorb any impacts between the wheels and the RV’s frame.   
  
Air systems are some of the smoothest suspension systems out there, giving you an incredibly comfortable ride. That comfort, however, comes with a far bigger price tag.   

If you have a motorized RV, you may wish to bring a secondary vehicle with you, so you don’t have to drive your motorhome everywhere. Or maybe you have some toys you’d like to bring that don’t quite fit in the RV’s interior. In that case, you will want to know what your motorhome’s towing capacity is. Depending on what you plan on towing, this will affect the type of RV chassis you will need.  
  
While the exact towing capacity depends on the model, here are some basic ranges you can reference:   

Towing Capacity: 5,000 to 20,000 pounds  
What You Can Tow: Cars, trailers, boats, horse trailers  

Towing Capacity: 3,500 to 5,000 pounds  
What You Can Tow: Small cars, small trailers  

Towing Capacity: 3,500 to 8,000 pounds  
What You Can Tow: Small to medium cars, small to medium trailers  

Different people have different ideas of what a good RV trip involves; some people want a comfy home-away-from-home to return to at the end of the day, while others look forward to roughing it over the weekend.   
  
As such, it’s a good idea to check what amenities will be included in your RV before you buy. While it depends on the individual model, some RV chassis types tend to be more extravagant than others.   

These RV types tend to be the largest, offering the most sleeping spots (up to 8 or 10) and spacious living quarters. They have lots of storage space and larger water tanks, and can come with multiple slide-outs.   
  
Their potential amenities tend to be more deluxe as well, including but not limited to: upgraded flooring/furniture, a bathroom-and-a-half, reclining or theater seats, various household appliances, smart TVs, etc.   

Class C motorhomes have a decent amount of living space and an average-sized water tank. They usually come with a bedroom, a bathroom with a shower, and a kitchen area with a stove, fridge, and other such appliances.  
  
Given the variety of travel trailers, different models can have wildly different available amenities. That said, they usually have at least a sleeping area, bathroom, and kitchen area.   

Given their limited size, Class B motorhomes tend to have the fewest amenities. They only have sleeping spots for two to four people, very small kitchen spaces, and if they do have bathrooms, they’ll be wet baths (a bathroom containing a toilet, showerhead, and fold-down sink where everything can get wet).   

Finally, let’s talk about one of the biggest contributing factors to picking an RV — the price tag. Certain RV chassis types tend to be more expensive than others, so it’s important to keep that in mind. You don’t want to set your heart on a specific RV only to find out you can’t afford it!   
  
While the exact price depends on the individual model, typical price ranges for RV chassis are as follows:   

• Class A Motorhome: $95,000 to $500,000  
• Class B Motorhome: $60,000 to $200,000  
• Class C Motorhome: $75,000 to $150,000   
• Travel Trailer: $14,000 to $65,000 
• 5th Wheel Trailer: $40,000 to $130,000  

In summary, motorized RVs tend to cost more than towable trailers. Class A motorhomes cost far more than Class B and C motorhomes, and 5th wheel trailers cost more than travel trailers on average. Make sure to consider these prices and what’s in your wallet!  

Lippert has forged itself into a leader as an RV chassis manufacturer, producing superior chassis with robust steel and expert craftsmanship. We construct the entire chassis from axle to crossbeam, ensuring a thoroughly connected frame, and therefore smooth driving experiences for RV owners.   

To produce the best RV chassis possible, we employ state-of-the-art design and a rigorous testing process. Cutting-edge technology is utilized throughout the building process, including our advanced e-coating, which provides thorough protection from corrosion and the elements.   
  
We also provide comprehensive training for our welders and engineers, improving their skills while ensuring the best quality work possible. And should you need help performing maintenance, we offer resources to make sure your motorhome chassis stays in great shape for the miles to come.