Top 10 Bang-for-Your-Buck RVs

Team OutdoorsyJune 28, 2022

Top 10 Bang-for-Your-Buck RVs

When it comes to buying an RV, everyone wants to get the best rig with amazing quality, great functional design, and top utility for the best price.

So which RV manufacturers and models are on top? We’ve done the research for you!

From small RVs to one-of-a-kind rigs, this Outdoorsy list narrows down the 10 best RVs for the money by class. If you’re not sure what RV class you want, check out our Big Guide to RV Classes.


Class A RVs (the big guys)

Newmar Bay Star Sport

Winner: Newmar Bay Star Sport

Newmar continues to produce high-quality RVs and is one of the most reputable manufacturers on the market. The Bay Star Sport is an excellent choice for a lower-priced RV that still has some luxury touches. The Bay Star Sport comes standard with a Ford V10 gas engine and is built on the strong Ford F-53 chassis. You can never go wrong when you purchase a Newmar.

Tiffin Open Road Allegro

Runner up: Tiffin Open Road Allegro

Tiffin is hardly second-string in the Class A market, so a close second in our choice for the best Class A for your money is the reliable, Tiffin Open-Road Allegro. Typically, Tiffin is known for its diesel pusher rigs, but the Open Road Allegro is a popular choice for a gas engine rig. Like the Newmar, the Open Road Allegro comes standard with a Ford chassis and a Ford V10 gas engine, and the interior has plenty of innovative technology.


Class B RVs (the campervan)

Leisure Travel Vans Serenity motorhome

Winner: Leisure Travel Vans Serenity

The Leisure Van Serenity is a solid B+. No, we’re not talking about the company’s grade, we’re talking about a van with a little bit of something extra. The Serenity boasts a curved fiberglass body construction and a solid Mercedes-Sprinter Cab chassis. This van has a fiberglass shower and a ceramic toilet (that means no wet bath)! Choose the Serenity to rock #vanlife in comfort!  

GTRV conversion Ford chassis

Runner up: GTRV Conversions 

GTRV makes a budget RV that is truly custom. It’s as simple as this: get yourself a van, and I mean any van, and take it to a GTRV shop. They will convert it to a Class B RV for about two-thirds of what you could get if you bought one from a certified dealer. It’s a great way to create one of the cheap RVs without having to do the conversions yourself!


Class C RVs (the not-as-big guys)

Lazy Daze Class C

Winner: Lazy Daze

You may have to travel to California for this RV manufacturer, but the savings might be worth it. A cheap RV that doesn’t skimp on quality, Lazy Daze uses a Ford-450 chassis. They build in-house, so with no middle man, you go right to the factory and pick up your Class C and drive it home. In business since 1956, which alone is a testament to their quality and durability, you won’t find a better bang-for-the-buck deal on a Class C motorhome.

Golf Stream Conquest

Runner up: Gulf Stream Coach Conquest

This RV manufacturer has been in business since 1983. The Class C Conquest RV is known industry-wide for innovation, quality, and above all, value. Gulf Stream allows you to pick from over fifteen Conquest floor plans so that you can choose a small Class C RV or one with a bit more room. You have plenty of options to choose from!

Check out what Must See Tech has to say about affordable Class C RVs!


Fifth-wheel RVs (the big towables)

New Horizons Summit

Winner: New Horizons Summit

New Horizons makes custom-built fifth wheels for full-time living or casual campers. The construction allows RVers to feel comfortable year-long, and the rig is handcrafted, so you know your quality isn’t cutting corners. The Summit model has many different floor plans to choose from, and because you are ordering factory-direct, you will get exactly what you want.

Reflection 5th Wheel Exterior Web

Runner up: Grand Design Reflection

If you are searching for luxury and value, then the Grand Design Reflection is the model for you. The Reflection offers upgrades like many top-of-the-line fifth wheels while still maintaining a lower base-value price. The Grand Design Reflection continues to rate best-in-class, so check out this affordable fiver to jump-start your RVing adventure.


 Travel trailers (the small towables)

NuCamp T@B 400

Winner: nuCamp RV T@B 400

Teardrop trailers are some of the market’s most purchased tiny towables. The T@B 400 is a teardrop trailer outfitted with a designated bed area, dining area, wet bath, and kitchen galley. This 400 is the big sister to nuCamp’s popular T@B 320, but the larger size of the T@B 400 allows couples more room to move indoors with similar ease of towing. Like all nuCamp products, owners will get upscale craftsmanship, top-notch customer service, and a towable that maintains its value.

Casita Spirit

Runner up: Casita Spirit

All of the Casita trailers are lightweight, affordable, and easy to pull. The RV brand’s Spirit model had two sleeping areas and a nice large picture window. The trailer can be towed by many cars, crossovers, and SUVs. For a quick weekend getaway, there is no better RV for the money than a Spirit.

Custom builds (build it your way)

Custom-built RVs are gaining popularity, and owners can build an RV from the ground up, or completely refurbish a retro RV into a looks-like-new rig. Depending on the Class of RV you desire, there is a custom build for you.

Conversion vans are all the rage, so our showcase represents so many nomads’ #vanlife dreams.

Van Life Customs

Winner: Van Life Customs

If you dream it, they can build it. Well, almost. Van Life Customs builds customized Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, and Mercedes Sprinter camper van conversions for customers and gives unique twists to each creation. Off-road, boondock, or travel through national parks…the possibilities are virtually limitless with a Van Life Customs creation.

Once you build it, you can list it on Outdoorsy!

Still looking for more affordable RVs?

Check out Minds Eye Design’s roundup for campers you can get for under $10k!

Team Outdoorsy, Outdoorsy Author


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