The words “motorhome” and “compact” might not seem like they’d go together, but you’d be surprised! More and more, motorhome manufacturers have shrunk the RVs they produce. Which is the smallest?
The current smallest compact motorhome is the Chausson X550, which measures 19 feet, nine inches long. It’s a cross between an RV and a van, yet it’s neither. Despite its diminutive size, the X550 has a full bathroom.
If you’re shopping around for a teeny-tiny RV, you won’t want to miss this article. I’ll tell you all about the X550 and recommend some other compact motorhomes.
Let’s get started!
Introducing the Chausson X550, the Smallest Compact Motorhome
When it comes to small motorhomes, most tiny options on the market measure about 21 feet long. That is still plenty tiny, but motorhomes get smaller still if you know where to look.
As of this writing, the smallest compact motorhome around is the Chausson X550.
Chausson might not be one of those RV brands that jump right out to you, and that’s because they’re not as well-known as say, Jayco or Forest River. The Chausson brand is based in France, which also limits its popularity.
Here’s some background info. Chausson was founded more than 40 years ago (the company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2020). In that time, they’ve manufactured 50,000 RVs.
The X550 is one of them and among the most beloved. It’s not quite a motorhome, nor is it quite a van, but it has the traits of both. Measuring 19 feet, nine inches long, the X550 fits so much inside that you almost won’t believe it.
The vehicle has a kitchen with a counter complete with a sink and a small two-burner stovetop, seasonal storage, and a bathroom with a shower.
Let’s take a deeper look into the multitude of features included with this great RV.
Upscale Décor Throughout
The Chausson X550 is simply dripping with luxury. The gearshift and steering wheel are encased with leather, the cab has swivel seats that are height-adjustable and feature double armrests, and the vehicle boasts a luxury entrance door.
The luxury door includes a central locking cell and cab and has an appealing window.
That’s not all! You can select from exclusive fabrics and furniture for the compact motorhome, use a backlit entrance mirror, enjoy a premium mattress main berth, sit on the ambiance cushions, marvel at the exclusive exterior decorations, create the right mood with atmosphere LED lighting, and drink in the sights from the panoramic skylight.
TV Bracket
Who doesn’t want to watch the tube during downtime in their RV? If you’re connected to a reliable source of electricity, you can bring one of the creature comforts of home with you no matter where you go on your adventures.
The X550 includes a television mounting bracket to secure your TV when driving over bumps or making sharp turns.
De-Icing Rear Mirrors
Do you camp even into the winter? If so, then you know what a headache it is when your mirrors and windows ice up. The X550 has de-icing rear mirrors so you can always see behind you. Bye-bye, blind spots!
Exceptional Driving Features
Everything about driving the X550 is designed to be smooth and seamless.
You have the Traction+ feature for driving with confidence. Cruise control with a speed limiter prevents you from driving over the limit when cruise control is enabled.
Although you hope you won’t use them, the driver and passenger swivel seats also have airbags. A preset reversing camera also gives you peace of mind when behind the wheel.
Prewired for Solar
If you’re into solar panels, the X550 comes prewired for solar installation. You can then use the sun to charge your motorhome and provide electricity, which is just awesome.
Powerful Engine
The 140 HP engine the X550 comes equipped with is a beast. Even though you won’t use it to its full extent since you’ll have traffic laws to follow, just knowing what your RV’s engine can do is an epic feeling.
The engine will purr like a cat and roar like a lion.
Alloy Wheels
Further making the X550 such a compact motorhome is its 16-inch wheels. Each of those wheels is constructed of a durable, flexible alloy.
Watertight
Chausson only manufactures its RVs with the kind of water tightness that all motorhomes need. The manufacturer so believes in the quality of its water tightness that it guarantees it for seven years after you buy your motorhome.
Exceptional Illumination
You won’t struggle to see when enjoying life in your RV in the X550, as the vehicle has all the LED lighting you could ever want. That includes pure LED cell lighting throughout the interior, additional LED lighting, and the aforementioned atmosphere lighting.
Three Pack Options
Do you want to add more to your Chausson motorhome? You can order the X550 with one of three optional packs.
The Pack Connect includes a reversing camera, Bluetooth DAB radio with a steering wheel control and touchscreen, and prewired cab radio speakers.
The second pack is the Pack Arctic, which includes underfloor heating, reinforced fuel heating, outside cabin curtains, refrigerator grill covers, and a heated and insulated wastewater tank.
Thirdly, you might be interested in the Pack Accessory. This pack includes a berth dining area, wraparound cab blinds, double AGM batteries, exterior lighting, solar panels, and an awning.
There are yet more features still of the Chausson X550 to explore, including:
- Door actuator
- USB ports
- Coded front bumper
- Flyscreen door
- Cab seat covers and cushions
- Fog lamps
- Double-locking windows
- Dining area converts into an extra bed
- Manual cab air conditioning
- Digitally programmed heating
- Black front cab grill
- Wooden shower duckboard
5 Other Small Motorhomes on the Market
It’s always good to have options. Although the following motorhomes aren’t quite as small as the Chausson X550, they’re still compact motorhomes in their own right and deserve your consideration.
1. Winnebago Ekko
Referring to itself as an “off-grid” Class C motorhome, the Winnebago Ekko should be right up your alley if you want a small RV.
Let’s go over some specs, shall we? The Ekko measures 23 feet long with an exterior height of 10 feet, six inches; an exterior width of seven feet, 2.5 inches; and exterior storage totaling 65.3 cubic feet. The RV’s awning is 13 feet.
The interior height of the Ekko is six feet, eight inches, and its interior width is six feet, nine inches.
The vehicle includes a 50-gallon freshwater tank, continuous water heating, a 51-gallon graywater tank, and a 40-gallon LP tank. Its fuel capacity is 31 gallons.
This motorhome sleeps four and weighs 15,000 pounds.
The only floorplan is the 22A, which features two 32-inch by 76-inch twin beds separated by a sizable nightstand. The beds feature wardrobe and drawer storage under the bed. One bed has a gear garage underneath, and the other has a 60-inch by 80-inch flex bed.
The full kitchen boasts a refrigerator, a counter with a two-burner stove and sink, and an adjustable galley worktable that swivels.
The bathroom has a 24-inch by 30-inch shower and a pivoting lavatory wall. You can add a TV in the front of the vehicle between the driver and passenger seats, and the living area has a fold-down table.
2. Forest River Sunseeker LE 2250SLE
If you’re shopping for a small compact motorhome from a brand you already know and love, try the Forest River Sunseeker.
The LE 2250SLE floor plan measures 24 feet, four inches long, with an exterior width of 101 inches; an exterior height of 11 feet, three inches; and an awning of 14 feet.
The vehicle weighs 20,000 pounds with a 35-gallon freshwater tank, a 27-gallon blackwater tank, a 32-gallon graywater tank, and a 57-gallon fuel tank.
This Sunseeker floor plan features a 60-inch by 80-inch queen-sized bed with a wedge mattress, bedroom TV prep, a 24-inch by 32-inch shower, a toilet, a medicine cabinet, and pantry storage.
The kitchen area has a 12-volt fridge, a stovetop with a convection microwave, a flip-up countertop, and a dinette.
The 60-inch by 80-inch bunk boasts a 12-volt television. All this is built on a Chevrolet 3500 chassis!
3. Unity Leisure
A Class C motorhome offering six floor plans, the Unity Leisure is built on a 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis.
The Unity Leisure is 25 feet, one inch long with a width of seven feet, 11 inches and a height of 10 feet, six inches. The interior height is six feet, five inches, so this motorhome is plenty roomy.
Weighing a lightweight 11,030 pounds, the vehicle features a 170-inch wheelbase, a 25.6-gallon freshwater tank, a 35-gallon graywater tank, a 30.6-gallon blackwater tank, a 24.5-gallon fuel capacity, and a 15.8-gallon propane tank.
The Unity Leisure boasts lots of exterior and interior storage (including integrated cubbies and pull-out pantries), a residential-style bathroom with a 34-inch by 34-inch shower, and FENIX matte surfaces spread across the interior.
Here are more features you’ll enjoy in this compact motorhome:
- Corian solid surface kitchen countertops
- High-quality cabinetry finishes
- Ultrafabrics upholstery
- Premium finishes
- Auto-generator start
- 2,000-watt Pure Sine Wave inverter for powering 120-volt devices
- Optional lithium batteries
- Truma AquaGo Comfort Plus water heater
- Truma VarioHeat heating and Truma Aventa air conditioning
- Ducted 15,000-BTU AC
- Vacuum bonding throughout
- Leisure Lounge system with power footrests and reclining chairs
- Murphy beds
- Roller shades
- Stainless steel galley sink
4. Phoenix USA RV Cruiser 2100
For another teeny-tiny motorhome, try the Cruiser 2100 from Phoenix USA RV.
Measuring 21 feet, seven inches long, its exterior height is 10 feet, one inch; and its exterior width is 93 inches. The vehicle features an interior height of six feet, four inches.
Weighing 22,000 pounds, the Cruiser 2100 includes a 31-gallon freshwater tank, a 25.5-gallon wastewater tank, a 35-gallon graywater tank, a 42-gallon LP gas tank, and a 55-gallon fuel capacity.
Built on an E-450 chassis, the vehicle comes equipped with a 7.3-liter, V-8 engine, dual LT225/75R16E tires, four-wheel ABS disk brakes, six-speed automatic drive, a 138-inch wheelbase, and an axle ratio of 4.56.
5. Airstream Interstate 24GT
The Airstream Interstate 24GT, although expensive (what Airstream isn’t?), is a top-selling compact Class B RV, so I had to include it on this list. Its interior height is six feet, 2.25 inches, and its interior width is five feet, 10 inches.
Using a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Extended chassis, the Interstate 24GT features a Mercedes-Benz three-liter V6 Turbo Diesel engine that can achieve 188 HP and 325 pounds of torque.
The vehicle features seven-speed automatic transmission with an axle ratio of 3.92, a 170-inch wheelbase, and an 18+ extended highway MPG. The 15,250-pound motorhome is 24 feet, six inches long; nine feet, seven inches tall; and six feet, 7.5 inches long.
The Interstate 24GT has a 23-gallon freshwater tank, a 24-gallon graywater tank, an 11-gallon blackwater tank, a 14.6-gallon LPG tank, and a 24.5-gallon fuel tank.
This compact motorhome for two has a powered sofa that converts into a rear bed. A workstation in the driver’s area features a television, an overhead reading light, USB charging ports, and swivel seating.
With its European stylings, the onboard bathroom includes a toilet, shower, and sink in an attractive package.
Here are yet more features included with your purchase:
- Two HDTVs
- Ultraleather seats
- 1.2-cubic-foot drawer microwave
- Rear camera monitor
- Solar panels
- Storage compartments
- Matte laminate cabinetry
Conclusion
The smallest compact motorhome on the market at current is the Chausson X550, which is just shy of 20 feet long.
This appealing RV is part motorhome, part van, and all luxe. You can enjoy amenities such as a full bathroom, convertible beds, and ample kitchen space in a teeny-tiny package.
Of course, Chausson isn’t the only RV manufacturer paving the way for smaller motorhomes. From brands like Airstream to Forest River, small models abound. Somehow, these ingenious floor plans fit all the amenities and features you need for a comfortable life on the road without all the bulk.
You’ll enjoy easier parking, driving, and camping in a motorhome like this!