Hi-diddly-ho, neighborino! It’s true what they say: size DOES matter. Maybe not as once thought, but in the world of RVing, the size of your rig defines the adventure.
Enter the industry’s smallest Class A RV’s. These little beauties prove that top-shelf luxury comes in all different-sized packages!
Class A’s are the opulent behemoths of the RV space. Stacked with high-end features, plenty of amenities, and well-designed interiors with enough living space to house a small local community, there’s no better way than a Class A to camp in style!
However, there are two major drawbacks to Class A RVs:
- The price
- The size (which hurts maneuverability, gas mileage, etc.)
The answer? Small Class A RV’s.
If you want all the wins without so many drawbacks, these miniature mega-heroes provide a solution!
But what can you expect from these nifty Nellies? Which are the best small Class A motorhomes for the price?? And what on Earth will fit my personal niche of nomadic road-faring???
Fear not, the answers are below! If you want to RV properly, you need the best information. And at RV Properly, whether you drive a Class C, B, A, or anything else…
You only get grade-A knowledge!
6 World’s Smallest Class A RV’s
- Thor Axis 24.1 [Best Maneuverability]
- Thor Vegas 24.1 [Best Versatility]
- Winnebago Intent 26M [Best for Families]
- Jayco Alante 26X [Best for Weekend Warriors]
- Safari Trek 2480 Pathmaker [Best for Remote Adventures]
- Entegra Coach Vision 27A [Best Luxury]
The 6 Smallest Class A RVs in Review: A Luxurious Class of Their Own
Whether it’s for an extended road trip or a weekend getaway, these motorhomes offer the answer. With all kinds of tricks, user-friendly features, and must-have essentials of the RVlife integrated into their design, they make damn good use of the limited room they have. Honestly, they give larger model Class As a run for their money.
So, yes—great things come in compact packages! If you’re after a small but seriously awesome Class A RV, here’s the breakdown of the six best bangs for your buck.
Best Maneuverability
1. Thor Axis 24.1
- Length: 25′ 8″
- Height: 11′
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
Maneuverability is the name of the game! Clocking in at just over 25 feet, the Thor Axis is a RV built for Class A luxury living without the usual bulk.
With its shorter length and compact design, the Thor Axis is equipped to handle tight turns and narrow roads like a pro. This hybridization makes it the perfect choice for winding national parks and city streets alike.
On the specs side, the Axis’s V8 Ford engine powers this rig with surprising grace. Not even a steep incline will induce the same level of sluggishness so problematic within the Class A market.
But not just satisfied with a lotta juice in the caboose, the Axis’s interior packs a punch too! (More than you might expect from a motorhome this size, in fact.)
With a drop-down overhead bunk, convertible twin beds in the rear bedroom (which merge into a king), and a pull-out sofa, the sleeping arrangements are flexible enough to accommodate up to five people comfortably. It’s ideal for families or groups of friends or maybe even befriending a wayward hitchhiker in your travels.
But not just satisfied with modern design alone, Thor has gone and injected modern technology into the rig. The Axis’s Rapid Camp+ multiplex wiring control system gives you fully integrated control of the RV’s workings from the comfort of an app alongside the central control panel. This includes an array of the Axis’s systems, such as:
- Lighting
- HVAC
- Awnings and slides
- The generator
- And more!
Truthfully, if you’re after maneuverability and drivability, not many Class As outshine the Thor Axis. At this level of compactness, the biggest drawback is that you might find storage a touch limited for extended trips. Anybody going cross-country in the Axis may want to consider some clever RV storage ideas and solutions to squeeze a little more junk into the trunk.
But then, let’s be honest… Trading a little storage space for unbeatable maneuverability WITH a spacious interior is a net positive! Ultimately, if you’re looking for a well-rounded Class A RV that merges high-end features, comfort, and agility, the Thor Axis 24.1 is the crowning champ.
Best Versatility
2. Thor Vegas 24.1
- Length: 25′ 6″
- Height: 11′
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
The God of Storms delivers again! Can you blame them though? Thor Motor Coach is widely considered one of the best RV brands around.
Truthfully, the Axis and Vegas are different more in matters of nuance than full-scale mechanics. They both have very similar floorplans while sleeping up to five humans, but the difference is in the how.
The Axis prioritizes maneuverability with its superior chassis and categorization as a Recreational Utility Vehicle. The Vegas, conversely, sacrifices some drivability for a more seamless and intuitive internal setup that prioritizes space and comfort.
The convertible twin beds, drop-down bunk, and pull-out sofa bed are all on display here. HOWEVER, subtle design improvements make the flow and comfort of the space homier and more straightforward.
Otherwise, it’s functionally and mechanically much the same as the Axis. All the amenities carry over, plus it’s the same fierce engine, steadfast chassis, and all-around awesomeness hood. Even the Rapid Camp+ system is here!
So really, between these two, it’s a small but key selection. An easier and more flexible driving experience, or an easier and more flexible living experience. OR if you’re a big family with a lot of rugrats needing naptime, we have the next option…
Best for Families
3. Winnebago Intent 26M
- Length: 26′ 10″
- Height: 12′
- Sleeping Capacity: 7
Big families, here is the smaller-statured beast for you. The Winnebago Intent 26M excels for larger crews with its ample space and thoughtful design choices. At nearly 27 feet, it’s one of the longer options in the compact Class A category, lending to its roomier feel.
The big draw here is that yummy sleeping capacity. Specifically, this looks like…
- A queen-sized bed in the rear
- A powered loft bed above the cab
- A jackknife sofa
- And a convertible dinette
For a grand total of seven happy campers!
Moreover, I’m a fan of the open and practical layout. The two slide-outs that expand the living area combo-ed with the additional exterior kitchen is a delicious touch. This gives larger families a lot of flexibility with their glamping style, particularly when considered alongside the well-equipped kitchen inside the motorhome. Cooking quick and hearty meals in your RV just became easier than ever!
On the downside, it’s noticeably longer than the previous Thor rigs. This does hurt its maneuverability in tighter situations. But if you travel in larger groups, that’s just the price you pay for sound sleeps!
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a family-friendly motorhome IN the compact Class A category, Winnebago is a fantastic choice. It’s an RV that blends comfort, spaciousness, and features together wonderfully while providing a safe but compact home-on-the-go.
Best for Weekend Warriors
4. Jayco Alante 26X
- Length: 28′ 5″
- Height: 12′ 5″
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
But you know what none of those last three RVs prioritized? Set-up and pack-down.
That’s where this RV swoops in as the low-effort camper for any casual RVers next adventure. The Alante blends drivability and comfort with an intuitive camping process. While you can definitely travel comfortably in it long-term, it’s a great pick for weekend getaways.
Primarily, the Alante 26X boasts an innovative electric auto-leveling system. With this, you can park and level your RV in no time to maximize those campsite capers.
Plus, further boosting its casual-friendly status, the cockpit is super driver-friendly too! It comes complete with a touchscreen infotainment system and an onboard backup camera to further simplify navigation and setup. (Thus saving you money on buying a backup camera for your RV, which you most definitely need in ANY Class A.)
All of this solidifies the Jayco Alante as a go-to for casual RVers. Families and couples alike will find the sleeping arrangements very flexible. (Though it’s a dedicated queen bed rather than convertible twins). Meanwhile, the compact nature of the RV still allows for relatively beginner-friendly driving.
There aren’t many drawbacks either! If you’re not a short-termer, it’s worth considering whether this is too compact for longer trips. I say that for small reasons rather than any major deficits. For example, while the kitchen is well equipped for a weekend trip, it might be a touch on the smaller side for any cross-country expeditions.
But there are other RV options out there for cross-country adventures. This motorhome is for short-term shenanigans. In the compact Class A category, there ain’t many options that will outdo the Alante. If you’re yet to dedicate yourself to full-time nomad-ing but still enjoy the cheeky escapes, then this is the Class A for you!
Best for Remote Adventures
5. Safari Trek 2480 Pathmaker
- Length: 26′
- Height: 11′ 6″
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
Rugged off-road travels require a rugged and resilient rig. That’s where the Safari Trek Pathmaker comes in! If you’re the kind of RVer who prefers the road less traveled, this compact Class A RV is the perfect choice to have those adventures without sacrificing comfort. There’s a handful of reasons for this too…’
Firstly, the Pathmaker features heavy-duty suspension tailored for remote adventures and all their bumpy roads. Secondly, it also boasts a beefed-up chassis which offers better ground clearance than most Class A RV’s. If you’ve spent any time off the beaten track, you know that high clearance is 100% crucial.
Almost as short as the Vegas and Axis, the Pathmaker is also a nimble Nelly! It’s able to handle those skinnier and sketchier unsealed roads with relative ease and WITHOUT sacrificing comfort.
The interior floorplan is thoughtfully designed for longer stays in remote regions too. For this, the Pathmaker features…
- A retractable drop-down queen bed
- Plus a convertible dinette
- A large triple-tank water system
- And robust electronics
It’s this quality construction and all the additional amenities and systems that lend to the Pathmaker’s placement as a brilliant boondocker-mobile. What is boondocking? Have you been wondering what the fuss is all about? Grab yourself a Pathmaker, go hit up some national parks, and go off-grid—see for yourself!
The downside to all this off-road capability is some limitations in space. The Pathamker sleeps one less human than most compact Class A’s at this size. The storage space is more limited too due to the RV’s focus on size-meets-off-grid-efficiency.
But, really, this RV is for the adventures–not for the gremlins! Leave the kiddos at home with their favorite toys and suit up for a romantic rendezvous out in the sticks. If pushing boundaries and exploration from the comfort of a Class A sounds like your jam, then pump up the Pathmaker!
Best Luxury
6. Entegra Coach Vision 27A
- Length: 29′ 11″
- Height: 12′ 5″
- Sleeping Capacity: 6
The Entegra is the luxurious long-boy of the list. It almost exits the compact Class A category but still barely makes the cut by a couple of inches. If you want something still considered a small Class A motorhome without sacrificing the opulence of a proverbial traveling mansion, the Entegra is the sweet spot for you.
This luxury starts with the ride itself. This is all thanks to Entegra’s signature EZ-Drive Elite system. Featuring a computer-balanced driveshaft and heavy-duty front stabilizer bars, the result is smoother driving with less road vibration for comfier long hauls.
But inside, luxury only gets more luxurious! The Vision 27A exudes comfort. The living area is outfitted with theater seating, a fireplace, and an LED TV, making it perfect for the high-end meets open-road lifestyle.
The kitchen is pretty grand too, perfect for whipping up gourmet meals as easy as it is back home. It boasts solid-surface countertops, a residential-sized top-of-the-line RV refrigerator, and a three-burner stovetop. Top this off with a king-size bed in the rear and additional sleeping options for up to four people, and you’re guaranteed to be sleeping in ultimate comfort.
The trade-off is clear though. The Vision is both the largest and most expensive motorhome on this list. While this is a more “affordable” RV from Entegra’s lineup, it’s still a luxury travel vehicle. It’s bigger, heavier, more expensive, harder to handle, and only barely qualifies as having a “smaller footprint”.
But Class A’s aren’t for speeding through windy mountain roads. If you want that, get a campervan! For everybody else with disposable income and a pull to slower and sexier long-life RVing, the Vision is the best choice. Without breaching that 30-foot range, the Vision remains a smaller Class A RV that delivers an unparalleled level of luxury on the road.
Conclusion
Small but seriously powerful. And not even that small! At the end of the day, size is all relative.
However, as far as the smallest Class A RVs go, these six are undeniable leaders of the pack. They feature swathes of high-end features that house all the humans–whether it’s a full family or cute couple–very comfortably. And, as they’re all under the 30-foot range, they all still maintain a relative level of economic efficiency.
Choose your niche. Choose your fighter! And suit up for the road ahead.
Only you know your style and what suits your travels. If in doubt, consider exploring more options from different classes of motorhomes, like Class Cs or Bs.
But whatever you do, practice your parking! Even when compact, Class A’s are no joke. They require skill, practice, a lot of TLC, and some cash to splash too.
But, man, waking up to iconic sunrises from a king-size bed with an on-board fireplace… It might not be what the OG nomads had in store for us…
But you can’t say they wouldn’t be right there alongside us in their road-worthy van-sions if they had the choice. After all, home is where you lay your head.
So do it in style. 😉
