Go First Class in a Luxury RV

Luxury can mean different things to different people, but generally when we think about what makes an experience luxurious, it’s about quality, design, and comfort. It’s about something that’s easy and doesn’t stress us out. It’s relaxing! And there’s no reason you can’t have a luxurious experience in an RV.

The old adage “you get what you pay for” holds true for the RV industry. What you initially invest in your motorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer largely dictates the quality of the construction and the finishes; the more you spend, the better they tend to be. So, when you’re considering the sticker price on that shiny new RV, you’ll also want to think about how much time and money you’re going to have to invest fixing things down the road. If you’d prefer to spend your weekends camping rather than doing DIY repairs or towing your rig to the shop, you should consider investing in a luxury RV. You may spend a bit more up front, but you won’t regret the quality you get in return.

The First Class Price Tag
There’s another old adage that says “it only costs a little more to go first class.” Luxury RVs are usually priced anywhere from $100,000 to more than $3 million, depending on the type, brand, style and features.

Class A’s are the luxury cruisers of the road. Gas powered or diesel pushers (because the engine is in the rear of the unit) are, on average, 29-45 feet long and typically have multiple slide outs. Many units come prepped for a washer and dryer, among other amenities appealing to full-timers. You’ll need at least $100,000 to get into a high-end Class A. Brands like Newell Coach and Newmar will set you back upwards of $700,000.

Bus conversions, like those from Prevost and Marathon are the richer cousins of the Class A. With these luxury motorhomes, you’re getting into rarefied million dollar air. These are the types of recreational vehicles you’ll often see at luxury motorcoach resorts – because at forty-five feet long, they don’t fit in a national park campground.

Class C motorhomes are smaller and easier to maneuver than Class A’s, typically ranging from 21-41 feet long. A luxurious Class C costs between $100,000 -$200,000. This may seem like the perfect sightseeing vehicle, but you’ll still want to tow a car behind this motorhome – tearing down your campsite every time you want to go exploring is a pain.

Super C’s are usually built on a truck chassis, like a Freightliner. They have better towing capacity and are larger than a Class C, but with prices ranging from $150,000-$600,000, they’re just as expensive as a class A.

When you think of Class B’s, otherwise known as camper vans, you may not immediately think of luxury. Small spaces and wet baths aren’t for everyone. But for those who love #vanlife, you can find luxury models with high-end finishes. A luxury Class B van can run $200,000.

Luxury 5th Wheels typically provide more amenities than you could ever need in an RV. Top of the line floor plans can have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, fireplaces, a kitchen island, a built-in vacuum, an entertainment center, a dishwasher, an oversized pantry – all luxuries of home or a high-end Class A. But the reality is, unless you’re living in your RV full time, or have a large family, a lot of these features are overkill. They’re certainly luxurious, but if you’ll be spending most of your time exploring the area outside your RV do you really need a 50” TV with a sound bar?

There are a few luxury travel trailers on the market, typically made by smaller manufacturers like Bowlus. The Bowlus Terra Firma and Endless Highways models are the gold standard for luxury travel trailers. At 26-feet long, the well-appointed interiors of a Bowlus provide you and your guests with a luxurious camping experience in an easy to maneuver, lightweight travel trailer. Models start at $215,000.

Luxury RV Interiors
Not much has changed in RV interior design in the last several decades unless you’re looking at the luxury RV segment, where industry disruptors like Bowlus are shaking things up. The first thing you’ll notice is that the interior design of many luxury RVs goes beyond the industry standard wood veneers. Every Bowlus, for example, has real birch wood on the walls and ceiling, and stainless steel countertops in the kitchen and bathroom. Our hotel style bathroom even has teak seating and flooring in the shower. These quality materials add luxury, but without the additional weight that comes with things like solid surface countertops; that means you can tow a Bowlus with your mid-size SUV, not a large pickup truck.

Luxury RVs also offer something other than the “camper brown” color palette that is popular with many cookie cutter RV manufacturers. Because luxury RVs tend to be hand crafted rather than sent down an assembly line, there’s room for customization. We offer two distinctive Bespoke Customization Programs for the Endless Highways Performance Edition. Our customers can work with our design team to select from an industry leading fifty-six million possible combinations. This means you can personalize your trailer, not just settle for the factory standard.

You’ll also notice that the furniture in a luxury RV is a much higher quality than you’d find in your standard coach or trailer. The couches and chairs are covered in durable, yet luxurious fabrics (ours are hand stitched), the dinette is sturdy, the mattress on the bed won’t cause nightmares, and the linens are the same quality that you’d find in a five-star hotel. Luxury RVs are all about quality craftsmanship and providing a premium RV living experience.

Lots of natural light is another hallmark of luxury RV interior design. Large windows bring the outside in, making the interior of your RV feel bigger. Bowlus has large windows along both sides of our luxury travel trailers, plus our unique skylights in the living area allow you to take in the blue sky during the day and the stars at night. Compare this to some lower-end RVs that have just a few windows, which makes it feel like you’re camping in a cave.

Benefits of Purchasing a Luxury RV
There are many benefits to investing in a luxury RV. Here are just a few.

• • • With their higher quality construction and custom interior design, these units are built to last a lifetime. For many of our customers, their Bowlus has become a treasured family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation.
    • Many luxury RV resorts restrict the types and age of the units allowed in their parks. A top of the line RV may be your ticket into these exclusive resorts!
    • Luxury RVs often are solar prepped or come with a solar package. While you probably won’t find many bus conversions or Class A’s boondocking, you certainly could go glamping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in a luxury travel trailer. With Bowlus’ optional solar panels, you’ll be able to relax in nature, with all the first class comforts of home.