8 Best Small Class A RVs to Seriously Consider

Love the Class A look and feel, but not the big bus size? Well, finding a small Class A RV is easier than you may think. There are several under 30 feet long that are perfect for individuals, couples, or families. They check all the boxes of a larger Class A in a smaller, more manageable package. 

We’ve highlighted seven of the best options on the market. Keep reading to find out why seeing the country through one of their big front windows is the makings of a great road trip. 

What Is a Class A RV?

A Class A RV is a motorhome that is recognizable by the large windshield in front and bus-like appearance. This differs from their closest cousin, the Class C motorhome, which has a cab-over design. The Class A RV is built on a commercial bus or truck chassis, and its driving area sits above the front wheels versus behind them.

Because of their generally large chassis, Class A RVs are frequently some of the largest RVs on the road at lengths of up to 45 feet long. However, small Class A RVs are also popular due to their maneuverability and meeting campsite size restrictions that their big brothers often lack.

Small Class A RVs: How Small Do They Get? 

You may think you need a Class C to get a motorhome under 30 feet, but you can find a gas-powered Class A from 25’ 6” to 32’ 2” long. The smallest on the market are the Thor Axis 24.1 and Vegas 24.1. Both models measure in at 25’ 6” bumper to bumper. 

A small Class A RV typically has more clearance too. The Thor Axis 24.1, for example, has an exterior height of 11’ to the top of the air conditioner. Some larger Class A models can be up to 14’ tall.

Benefits of Small Class A RVs

The benefits of small Class A RVs are numerous. For one, they can be comfortable and efficient at the same time. You also get the look and features of a larger rig while gaining the ability to go more places. 

Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway or fitting into some National Park sites may not be possible with an RV longer than 30 feet. A small Class A motorhome gives you more places to park, better gas mileage, and a more comfortable ride overall.

8 Best Small Class A RVs

If you’ve researched the benefits of having a small Class A RV and are ready to shop, you might have option paralysis. There are so many rigs to choose from! Here are some of our favorites.

1. Thor Axis 24.1

The Thor Axis 24.1 is the shortest Class A on our list. Its exterior is 25’ 8” long and 11’ high. Its GVWR is 12,500lbs. It may appear small on paper, but it has plenty of elbow room and storage space. There are two twin beds in the rear, a bunk over the cab, and a sofa bed on the living slide-out. 

Its full bath is on the smaller side, but the double doors open it up when you need extra room. Additionally, one feature we like is the Home Collection™ interior option for those who want a more modern farmhouse decor.

Thor classifies the Axis as an RUV™ (recreational utility vehicle). This means it is compact and leaves an overall smaller footprint than a large RV. Even though it’s small, it still has a cargo carry capacity of 6,000 pounds and sleeps five people. 

It has a hitch weight rating of 8,000 pounds, although its GCWR only allows for up to 18,500 which is only 6,000lbs more than it’s GVWR, so you’ll have to keep an eye on your weights. It’s build on Ford® E-Series Chassis with a 7.3L V8 engine using a TorqShift® 6-Speed Automatic with Overdrive Transmission.

Favorite Features: The modern farmhouse decor option. Length of RV for parking access and driveability.

2. Fleetwood Flair 28A 

The Fleetwood Flair 28A has an exterior of 29’ 3” long and 12’ 4” high. It has two slide-outs and lots of seating and sleeping space. If you travel with up to six people, this small Class A RV is a great option. 

The master bedroom in the rear has a king-size bed and full bath. There’s a sofa sleeper in the living area, a dinette drop-down bed, and a queen-size drop-down bed over the cab. The kitchen also has ample space and a residential fridge. 

The Flair sits on a Ford F-53 motorhome chassis with a 7.3L Triton V8 engine, 350 HP with 486 pounds of torque. This means it has 5,000 pounds cargo carrying capacity and a hitch weight rating of 8,000 pounds. Plus, it has 70 cubic feet of exterior basement storage.

Favorite Features: Tons of seating and sleeps up to six people. Seventy cubic feet of exterior basement storage.

3. Thor Vegas 25.6

Thor’s Vegas 25.6 is only a foot longer than the Thor Axis 24.1, but its mega slide-out gives it a lot more interior space. The Thor Vegas 25.6 has an exterior length of 26’ 6” and a height of 11”. 

It has a queen-size flip-up bed in the rear with cushioned seating when you flip up the mattress. It has a dinette and drop-down bunk over the cab. 

The wardrobe space in this Vegas is expansive, and the full bath is a decent size with a 32” x 32” shower. If interior storage space is one of your priorities, this RV is worth checking out.

The Thor Vegas 25.6 has a Ford® E-Series Chassis with a 7.3L V8 engine, so it’s powerful. It only has a sleeping capacity of four people, but the cargo carry capacity is 7,500 pounds. If you travel full-time or for long periods, the extra cargo capacity is a huge benefit. This small Class A RV’s hitch weight rating is 8,000 pounds.

Favorite Features: A large amount of wardrobe space. 7,500 pounds of cargo-carrying capacity.

4. Winnebago Intent 28Y

The Winnebago Intent 28Y is 28’ 11” long and has an exterior height of 12’. It has three slide-outs – one in the rear bedroom, one for the dinette, and one for the kitchen on the opposing side. 

The layout on this small Class A RV makes excellent use of every inch. For sleeping, it has a queen bed, a dinette drop-down bed, and a loft bed over the cab. Moreover, the kitchen features an L-shaped counter and a residential fridge. The hallway from the kitchen to the bedroom has a sliding door, allowing even more room to move. 

Winnebago also offers a light interior decor that makes a small space look and feel bigger than it is.

The Winnebago Intent 28Y sits on a Ford F53 Chassis with a 7.3L PFI V8 engine. It also features a hitch weight capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum tongue weight of 500 pounds. All of these features lend themselves to a 5,000-pound cargo-carrying capacity. Don’t worry about sleeping on an incline either because Winnebago also equips the Intent with automatic hydraulic leveling jacks.

Favorite Features: The spacious kitchen with an L-shaped counter. Automatic hydraulic leveling jacks.

5. Jayco Alante 26X

The Jayco Alante 26X checks many boxes for an exterior of 28’5” long and 12’4” tall. With a sleeping capacity of five people, it has two slide-outs. 

The master bedroom has a queen bed and full bath, while the living area includes a dinette with a drop-down bed and the option of a sofa bed or theater seating. The dinette and sofa also sit on a slide-out, making for a lot of extra legroom throughout the motorhome. 

A drop-down bed over the cab is also an optional feature. On top of it all, Jayco offers light and modern interior options, and the cabinet doors are hardwood.

Jayco’s Alante 26X has a Ford F53 Chassis with a 6.8L Triton EFI V10 engine. Its cargo carrying capacity is 7,000 pounds, and the rear hitch weight is 5,000 pounds. 

Favorite Features: The living room slide-out for extra space and hardwood cabinet doors.

6. Winnebago Sunstar 29V

The Winnebago Sunstar 29V is 30’ long and has an exterior height of 12’ 3”. Thus, it can sleep nine people and has one mega slide out on the driver’s side. If you’re lucky enough to get the rear bedroom, you’ll have a queen bed and plenty of wardrobe space.

In this small Class A RV, you’ll have your choice of places to sleep with a drop-down dinette, an optional loft bed above the cab, or an optional sleeper-sofa. If you decide you don’t want the sleeper-sofa, you can choose theater seating instead. 

The Sunstar 29V has residential vinyl flooring throughout. In addition, it has an outdoor entertainment center with a 39” HDTV and speakers. 

Like many options on this list, the Sunstar 29V rests on a Ford F53 Chassis and has a 7.3L PFI V8 engine with a 5,000-pound cargo-carrying capacity, a hitch weight of 5,000 pounds, and automatic hydraulic leveling jacks. 

Favorite Features: The residential vinyl flooring and the outdoor entertainment center.

7. Jayco Precept 29V

Jayco’s Precept 29V is similar to the Winnebago Sunstar 29V in that it has a mega slide, creating a much larger living area, but the Jayco is about two feet longer. The Jayco Precept 29V has an exterior length of 32’ 2” and a height of 12’ 7”. 

It sleeps up to six people and has a king bed in the rear bedroom. The dinette has a drop-down bed, and it comes with a sofa bed. A drop-down bunk over the cab is also an option. The full bath has the most counter space we’ve seen in an RV this size. Plus, the Precept 29V has an exterior kitchen and entertainment center.

The Jayco Precept 29V sits on a Ford F53 Chassis with a 6.8L Triton EFI V10 engine. It has 5,500 pounds of cargo-carrying capacity and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Automatic hydraulic leveling jacks come standard on the Precept.

Favorite Features: The large bathroom and the outdoor kitchen.

8. Winnebago Vista 29V

The Winnebago Vista 29V measures 30′ long even and is 12’1″ tall. Despite being a small Class A RV motorhome, this little guy has a primary king bed and sleeps five with the sofabed and dinette table bed conversions. It has a dry bathroom and a full kitchen which sits on the full-wall slide-out on the driver’s side.

GVWR is 18,000lbs and GCWR is 23,000lbs. It has a capacity for 76 pounds of propane, 71 gallons of fresh water, 40 gallons of black, and 61 gallons of gray. It’s built on the Ford^® F53 Chassis with 7.3L PFI V8 engine, TorqShift™ 6-speed automatic transmission w/tow/haul with 5,000lb trailer hitch max capacity.

Favorite features: While we generally aren’t personally fans of full-wall slide-outs, this small Class A RV might actually be the right place to use one. One that slide is out, you might forget you’re in a motorhome that’s only 30 feet long.

Is a Small Class A RV in Your Future?

We hope this list helps you find a small Class A RV that fits your needs. Each listed RV has features that we didn’t cover, so further research the most eye-catching models.

Here’s the bottom line: It’s possible to get the luxury of a Class A RV in a small, efficient, and comfortable package. Which will you choose?

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