
Travel
Choosing Your RV: Class A vs. Class C Motorhomes
When looking to purchase or rent an RV, there are numerous factors to take into account. Selecting the ideal model for you is key for having a great journey on the road.
When making this decision, you should carefully take into account your needs, travel plans and budget. Class A and Class C motorhomes are two popular choices.

Class A Motorhomes
When shopping for a motorhome, size matters. Class A RVs tend to be the largest and most luxurious options on the market – depending on who makes them you can expect to pay up to $3 million for one!
These vehicles are built on commercial bus or truck chassis, making them highly durable and equipped to withstand difficult travel conditions. These vehicles cater mainly to those who enjoy travelling extensively without giving up home comforts.
Class A RVs come in a range of sizes, from 26 feet to 45 feet. Typically, they sleep 2-8 adults and feature slide-out rooms for extra living space.
Some models even feature a kitchen area that extends from the dining room, perfect for accommodating large groups of family or friends on road trips. This space usually comes equipped with either a stovetop or oven so you can cook meals while on the go instead of stopping at a restaurant.
These units often come with refrigerators, microwaves and washers and dryers for added convenience. Furthermore, you’ll get more storage space than many other RV types – meaning you have room to pack all the essentials for your trip.
Another prominent feature of these RVs is their over-cab bunk beds, which provide a sleeping area for drivers and passengers while traveling. These beds are standard equipment in Class C motorhomes and you can typically find them in most models.
Class C RVs may not have all of the amenities of Class A motorhomes, but they are easier to drive and more maneuverable than their larger counterparts. Plus, they get better gas mileage and can be parked conveniently in urban environments.
Finally, Class C motorhomes tend to be shorter than other RV types, which can be advantageous in certain circumstances. For instance, National Parks and US Forest Service campgrounds often have length restrictions which could prove an issue for owners of Class A motorhomes.
If you enjoy traveling in an RV but would like to bring along another vehicle for everyday errands or more adventurous outings, a Class C motorhome may be just what the doctor ordered! These vehicles are easy to tow with a toad, so bring along your favorite car and take advantage of even more adventures!
Class C Motorhomes
If you’re looking to go camping with a group or need extra room on vacation, a Class C motorhome might be your perfect RV. It has more flexibility than its Class A counterpart but still provides enough room to sleep several people and plenty of storage inside.
These vehicles typically feature a driving cab and living area in the back, which can be folded out or converted to additional sleeping space. Some models also feature slideouts which further increase floor space.
Class C motorhomes typically measure between 20 and 28 feet long, though some have longer wheelbases for added stability when traveling. A longer wheelbase may be beneficial when traveling on the highway, but may not be ideal for off-roading or boondocking.
Many Class C RVs are well-built, making them a great investment. Many come equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and features like exterior TV entertainment areas or outdoor kitchens.
Class Cs typically boast better fuel economy than travel trailers and tend to be more stable on the road, especially in rough terrain. Unfortunately, they’re more costly than class B RVs and may require higher maintenance costs as well.
These vehicles are much simpler to drive than larger RVs, making them ideal for new RVers. Since they’re smaller and have more in common with a standard commuter vehicle, they feel more natural to operate and manage.
Class C RVs range in width from 7.5 feet to 8 feet, and some models can be as tall as nine feet depending on what’s atop. These RVs can comfortably accommodate more passengers than Class Bs and most can be towed with any SUV or truck.
Families with children or large groups of friends looking to explore new places together will find them ideal. Furthermore, those seeking a comfortable and spacious RV that fits in almost any parking lot or campground will also find them to be an excellent option.

Toads
Toads are amphibians closely related to frogs that typically live on land but have evolved in order to survive in more dry environments like ponds and streams. Their bodies tend to be round, their noses blunt, and they usually walk rather than hop when moving about.
Toads belong to the order Anura. North America boasts approximately two dozen species of toads, all classified under the family Bufonidae.
Most toads are tan, brown or gray in color to blend in with soil, fallen leaves and rocks. They have bumps on their skin that don’t look like warts; these are called paratoid glands and they produce toxins which protect toads from predators.
Their eyes are set far apart, enabling them to see behind and around without needing to turn their heads. Furthermore, they possess a third eyelid which aids in underwater vision.
Frogs and toads both possess nictitating membranes, which keep their eyes moist when not submerged in water. This is important as frogs need to breathe through their skin more than toads do; thus, this mechanism helps ensure their eyes remain moist during dry spells.
Toads don’t need to live near water to survive; they can thrive in drier land environments like woodlands, gardens and fields.
They breed once a year, usually between March and July depending on where they live. Males arrive early on the breeding grounds ahead of females and establish territories in shallow wetlands, ponds or slow-moving rivers.
Once males have secured a breeding territory, they begin calling to attract females. After some courtship, the males mate with one or more females within their breeding territory.
Female water turtles lay their eggs in a pond or stream, and tadpoles emerge from the water at three to six days old. Depending on species, these juvenile toads mature into adult toads within two to three years after emerging from the water.
Toads are common throughout many countries, but they are becoming increasingly threatened in Australia due to pollution, agricultural pesticides and land drainage. Their habitat is shrinking due to pollution, agricultural pesticides and land drainage; this makes them especially vulnerable during their spring migration when they travel over one kilometre back to their pond to breed. As a result, toad patrols are organized across many areas around Australia to protect these amphibians.
Fuel Types
Diesel-powered RVs typically get better gas mileage than their gasoline-powered counterparts, which can add up to significant savings over time. Furthermore, diesel motorhomes typically have a higher resale value than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
One way to increase fuel economy in your RV is by driving slowly. Accelerating quickly causes the engine to use more gas than expected, leading to higher costs in the long run; taking slower routes on long highways and local roads will save you money in the long run.
Additionally, planning ahead of time can reduce your overall mileage. Doing so reduces the amount of miles you travel, meaning less fuel consumed in the process.
The size of your motorhome also affects its fuel consumption, as larger vehicles consume more gas than smaller ones. A 40-ft Class A motorhome uses 18-29 litres/100 km (7-8 mpg), while a 22-ft Class C gets 16-23 litres/100 km (12-18 mpg).
Turbocharged engines offer greater fuel economy when driven carefully, and depending on the model and driving style, can reduce consumption between 1%-3%.
To prevent engine knock, always use the correct gas type for your RV and octane level. Most often, this is 89 octanes; however, some premium gases exist as well; they have a higher octane level than regular and are resistant to self-detonation when compressed.
It is essential to be aware that gasoline with higher levels of ethanol can cause engine issues. This is because ethanol-mixed gasoline has a lower octane level than pure gas.
Lower octane levels can cause engine knocking, damaging the fuel system and components of your RV’s engine. On the other hand, using high octane fuel helps shield your RV’s engine.
If you want to maximize your gas mileage, look for a motorhome that features direct fuel injection. This technology enhances combustion of the gas and makes it simpler to regulate how much is used.

0 comments