24 foot Class B Questions

mlts22 wrote:
...The downside of cassettes is that for one person, a 20 gallon tank can last a long time, while a cassette might last a day or two at most...

Wow, you must go a lot! I have had a porta potti last an entire 10 day trip, traveling alone. And no, I was not using the rest areas or CG toilets very much.

Lynne paid $1200 for front brakes?? That sounds incredibly high. Are van brakes really that expensive?

Lynn, I understand what you (and most everyone else) are saying but...the van is 13 years old! We will just keep gently using it. I do drive it almost every day around town to do errands.

We are on our knees and our fingers are crossed!

Lynne Jayzee
If your batteries are not holding a charge when your RV is parked and power is shut off to unit, then it might suggest new batteries. Do you have a generator?If you are parked with no shore power and are allowed to start your generator it should charge up the batteries,if they are any good, but slower than if you drove the vehicle and had the alternator from the truck charging the batteries while you are on the road. I am not sure how long it would take to charge the batteries if your vehicle was stationary with the engine running. I can charge my depleted single house battery in about an hour via the generator although some argue that is not possible. Where i live it is mild in winter so I just leave the battery in the vehicle, make sure power is shut off to RV and attach a small solar panel which trickle charges it. If in a cold climate better to remove the battery(ies) and keep in the garage or basement,preferably plugged into a trickle charger. With any luck you may be ok on the trip but if you have NO generator then you might have to run the engine enough to charge up the batteries.As for the engine ie truck battery it should be started occasionally in winter if you are leaving it in the vehicle. A battery can ``freeze`` up in very cold weather if left too long unused. Water levels in house batteries need to be checked too as a low cell can cause battery failure. Hope this helps a little.

jirai
Exactly my sentiments.In fact, my 06 Pleasureway Plateau TS(07 build), has just about everthing the 2013 has and in fact, I prefer my TV/VCR set up at the back.But my fridge -- I believe-- is smaller.

Marilyn, I think you'd be crazy to trade in your "pre-owned" unit for someone else's.

I remember being at one of the rallies and telling someone (probably "I am Canadian " John) that I really wish I could buy a new Class B. He said that I should just buy a used one, and I said "I already have one of those." Ha! Why trade your problems for some other ones?

On the plus side, my refrigerator was kickin' butt on a camping trip this past weekend. I had it on the number 3 setting and it hovered around 34 degrees. I was lovin' it!

You know I feel good about my rig when I've planned a camping trip in a few weeks on a lakeside site without any hook ups. My biggest concern is the batteries. I know that I need new ones. Just don't want to get them before the winter...that would be stupid, since I can't be plugged in at the storage facility.

- LJZ
Hello World!
2002/2003 Pleasure-Way Excel-TS

I hope that we can keep using our van. It has everything we want in a van. Dual tires in rear and a kind size bed that is pretty comfy. We can stand up straight. And now we have a new refrigerator, too!

Hopefully the end is in sight, repair-wise.

It's nice to hear that others also are driving older units.

I have a 2006 Leisure Travel Free Spirit. It has 80,000 miles. We lost a tire recently due to a bad belt, but it was my fault due to under-inflation. I put all new pads and rotors, new shocks and struts all around. New galley faucet and my water pump has a slow leak.

The cost to replace with a new one is about $100,000 or more. The new ones are beautiful, but the layouts and technology are not that much different. In light of that, the repairs are a bargain.

Sorry about your costs. Unfortunately, tires should be basically replaced at 5 or 6 years even if tread is great.Rubber gets hard and tire can fail.I had it happen with a dualie tire. House batteries last only so long depending on useage and other factors. It is really a service item that is not unusual. Brakes are also service item so not uncommon event. If your vehicle is reliable otherwise and you are happy with it, you are correct to note that "these expenses are making me a little bit crazy,but they are'nt enough to justify the expense of a new rv". Absolutely. It seems many Rvers keep their B Rvs long term and keep up maintenance which is cheaper than a new one if it costs you a grand or two a year,really! Happy rving...

AL

GizmosMom wrote:
Does anyone else have an older van that they keep pouring money into?

Back to the original topic...

I've been starting to feel the same way about my 2002/2003 Pleasure-Way Excel.

I had to replace the front brakes in 2011 at a cost of $1200. Last year was uneventful, but this year I finally decided to have my leaky black tank fixed. It was the best $150.00 ever spent.

About 2 months ago, the van started vibrating like crazy at speeds over 60mph. I stopped at a Ford dealer on my way to Lake Norman because I just couldn't take it anymore. It was scary. It turned out that the belt was broken in my rear, passenger side tire. They suggested replacing both rear tires to the tune of $420.00. The tread on those tires looked practically new (they were 5 years old with maybe 20K miles). I was told that the tire could've blown at any minute, so I'm grateful to have avoided a potential disaster.

My hot water heater temperature/pressure relief valve started leaking while on that same outing to Lake Norman. That was a $100.00 repair.

I need to replace my 2 coach batteries soon, and that should set me back another $300.00 or so. I'm waiting until next spring for that.

These expenses are making me a little bit crazy, but they aren't enough to justify the expense of a new RV.

- LJZ

Interesting perspective.Booster. I understand the point re having one side with floor to ceiling cupboards,a bathroom and such, on the drivers side. But DW view is not from a DRIVER's perspective rather a conseptual viewpoint. If one looks into the Sprinter and sees a solid set of 'cabinetry' on the drivers side then one has to look at the other side which has a kitchen which is next to the sliding door, a place to view OUT and to pass OUT cocktails,snacks,and stuff. Also, as noted, having the galley on the passenger side means a direct connection outside to the awning when out and all the outside activities--which you dont have when the galley is on the drivers side.I do note that the galley in the Sprinters ie mine, is narrow and a bit claustrophobic & narrow in the aisle but one gets used to it. But, from a driver's viewpoint, one can see straight back and out the rear window using the rear view mirror. The bathroom in our unit is a decent size unlike, I regret having to say, the bathroom in a 190, or especially a 170 which in these cases requires showering in the hallway. I DO like the Roadtreks but I had only considered a Roadtrek 210 for that reason especially and others. But the 210 is 22 ft and I got a 22 ft Sprinter and it had other factors, at highter cost, but diesel and MB chassis--a big plus. As you note:"...to each their own".
2. Re Davydd's perspective,I concur. I am not seeing any great advantage over Sprinters so far. The new 4 cyl diesels that would compare roughly to the I-5 we have, do not compare with the V6 diesel in torque terms. We shall see.
PS: I am a gourmet cook(26 yrs) and I cook a lot inside AND outside. When I am cooking breakfast outside, I call out to my sous chef,Shirley, who passes the implements,cutlery,eggs,sausages etc and, my bourbon(before dinner) out the sliding door where I cook outside often under the awning. With the gallery, I repeat, on the driver's side, the task is a real pain. Sorry.
Cheers
AL