According to our research -
- Bus-shaped Class A motorhomes weigh 16,000-30,000 pounds.
- Class B Van-type motorhomes typically weigh 4,000-14,000 pounds.
- Class C motorhomes (larger than Class B's) usually weigh 12,000 to 20,000 pounds.
Dry Weight v.s. Weight with Full Tanks and/or Gear in a Motorhome
Dry weight is the weight of a vehicle without any passengers, consumables, or cargo. When it comes to RV's, dry weight is calculated with empty tanks. So, once you fill-up the tanks with water, that's additional weight to your RV, even before you load it up with gear and passengers.
Recreational vehicles usually come with three tanks that can be found on the underside of the RV. The three most common tanks are freshwater, greywater, and black water tanks. The freshwater tank stores the RV's drinking water supply, when not hooked up to a City Water source. The gray water tank holds the used water from the shower and sinks. Many older RV's will not have a gray water tank. Finally, the black water tank contains used water from your toilet (basically, sewage). If an RV does not have a gray tank, then all dirty water is sent into the black water tank.
The contents of these tanks are not taken into consideration when discussing a motorhome's dry weight. In larger rigs, these tanks can hold quite a large volume of fluid and may contribute significantly to the final weight.
Floorplans matter
If you have your heart set on a particular motorhome model and are looking to find out its weight, pay attention to the floorplan. Most RV models come with a variety of floorplans to choose from. The floorplan you choose can affect the dry weight of your motorhome too. That's because some floorplans have more furniture and appliances than others.
How much does Class A motorhome weigh?
Shaped like a huge greyhound bus, Class A motorhomes are the largest of all motorhomes and so the also weigh the most, on average.
Most Class A motorhomes weigh between 16,000 and 30,000 pounds. The weight will be significantly larger or smaller for different models and makes.
Class A motorhomes are also the longest ones. The majority of the Class A motorhomes have lengths that range from twenty-one feet up to forty-five feet. Class A motorhomes are around thirty-three feet long on average and are around ten feet high on average. Class A motorhomes have an average width of 9.5 feet. They typically need a bigger than average garage for storage. A garage would need an average height of at least fourteen feet or more and length that is bigger than forty-five feet.
Class A's are like houses on wheels. They can be simple or complex. Some include luxuries like washer and dryers, king-size beds, and mobile garages that can hold a car. They often have slide-ins that increase the motorhome's volume and overall weight.
Examples of Class A motorhomes and how much they weigh
We've gathered some examples for you from various makers and checked their weight for common floorplans.
Newmar Bay Star Sport 2020
The lightest floorplan (2702) has a weight of 18,000 lbs. and the heaviest (3315) has a weight of 22,000 lbs. Similar to a nice house, the 2020 Bay Star Sport has a frame of 16 inches on the center and it is covered by a BriteTEK™ roof with walkable decking.
Thor Motor Coach Windsport 2020 29M model
The lightest floorplan (29M) has a weight of 18,000 lbs. and the heaviest (35M) has a weight of 23,000 lbs. This model has captain's chairs, a coffee table, and a sofa bed for overnight guests. The model has enough seating for eight people to visit in the living and kitchen area.
Thor A.C.E 27.2 Bunk model 2020
The lightest floorplan (27.2) has a weight of 16,000 lbs. and the heaviest (33.1) has a weight of 23,000 lbs. This model includes all the standard kitchen amenities. Also, you can watch the 40" LED TV while relaxing after a long day.
How much does a Class B Motorhome Weigh?
Also known as van conversions, Class B motorhomes are the smallest of the three Classes so it makes sense that their weight is also the lowest of the Classes.
Most Class B motorhomes weigh between 4,000 and 14,000 pounds. They are the size of a large full-size van and are as high and wide as one. Usually designed for two people, these motorhomes can accommodate up to four and even six people, depending on the specific model and floorplan.
The biggest disadvantage of owning a Class B motorhome is that you do not get as much space. Also, there are fewer luxuries in Class B motorhomes compared to Class A's and C's. However, Class B benefits include that they get good fuel economy, can stay off the grid, come in a 4x4 option, can fit in most parking spots, and they are relatively easy to drive.
Examples of Class B motorhomes and how much they weigh
Let's take a look at some of the popular Class B models out there.
Winnebago Travato 59G 2020 model
All of the Travato's floorplans come at the same weight of 11,500 lbs. This model is based on the powerful, fuel-efficient Ram ProMaster® chassis. The Travato has been one of the leaders of the camper van revolution since it was launched in 2014.
2020 23TW Thor Compass
The lightest floorplan (23TW) has a weight of 10,360 lbs. and the heaviest (24SX) has a weight of 11,030 lbs. This model is easy to park, and the transmission in manual mode is very helpful when going down steep inclines. Also, the AC easily handles the hottest summer heat.
Leisure Travel Serenity 2020 model
Every floorplan has a weight of 11,030 lbs. This model will allow you to tour the countryside and spend your nights resting on the high-quality, full-size bed. You will also enjoy being able to completely clean your own shower after a long day of travel.
How much does a Class C Motorhome Weigh?
Class C motorhomes are often shorter in length when compared to Class A motorhomes. They are built on the chassis of a pickup truck and typically have an additional sleeping area above the driver's cab.
The weight range of a class C motorhome is 12,000 to 20,000 pounds. Class C motorhomes come in a range of lengths but are typically around twenty-eight feet long. On average, they are nine feet in width and are ten feet high on average.
Class C's typically have a separate bathroom area while Class B's typically do not. Class Cs are a good fit for those who want a motorhome that is smaller and less pricey than a Class A but considers a camper van to be too small for them.
Examples of Class C motorhomes and how much they weigh
Finally, let's take a look at a few Class C motorhomes and what kind of weight range they have.
2020 Coachmen Leprechaun
The lightest floorplan (210QB) has a weight of 14,200 lbs. and the heaviest (319MB) has a weight of 22,000 lbs. You will like the expansive list of standard equipment such as back-up cameras, power awning, and fifty gallons of freshwater.
2020 Thor Chateau 22B
The lightest floorplan (22B) has a weight of 18,500 lbs. and the heaviest (31Y) has a weight of 22,000 lbs. This model has a welded tubular aluminum roof and a decent sidewall cage construction. It also has plenty of exterior storage, a one-piece fiberglass front cap, and a power awning with LED lights.
2020 Jayco Redhawk SE
All of the floorplans that we found for this model had a weight of 14,200 lbs. You will experience quality and comfort throughout as Jayco uses the most advanced construction techniques. You will also like the easy to care for ball-bearing drawer guides, linoleum flooring, and seat belts in all of the seating areas too.
Final Words
Water will cost you ~8.3 pounds per gallon. 100 gallons weigh close to 830 pounds.
Diesel will cost you ~7.3 pounds per gallon. 100 gallons weigh close to 730 pounds.
Gas will cost you ~6.3 pounds per gallon. 20 gallons will weigh 126 pounds.
Average the number of people out according to size
~4′ ~ 80 pounds.
~5′ ~110 pounds.
~5.5′ ~125 – 135 pounds.
~6′ ~180 to 220 pounds.
Class A Pusher Motorhomes Specifications will typically state around 1000 pounds per foot. e.g. a 45 foot motorhome specification will usually state around 45000 pounds.
We appreciate the information, Harry!
Yes, anything added costs some weight. Sometimes we forgot how heavy all the liquids are. I stumbled upon a site that calculates the loads I put on my motorhome and checks the overall weight. I am not sure it would close-enough estimate or not but it was interesting.