I am retiring in a couple of years and am thinking about buying a class b rv. I am single so I will be traveling alone or with a couple of friends. I would like to get something easy to drive and able to park on the street if necessary. I was looking at the ones 20'-23'. My top picks so far are the Rialta, CS Adventurous, Era or Travato, and Airstream. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I owned a 1999 Rialta (a class C by the way) with the VW VR6 and it was a joy to drive. Would be ok for a single. We had the FD model with twin beds. The Engine was top notch and got close to 20 mpg. I hated the bathroom/shower combo. It made no sense to have to run a pump while showering to drain it. The drain would clog and create a mess. I had trouble finding tires for it. There were three VW dealers in town and none would work on it. I had to find a local service center to service the engine/tranny/etc.Good luck in your search.

Welcome to the forum. Two years will give you some good research time. B vans are truly great for ease of driving and parking almost anywhere, with excellent fuel economy as you already know. We've had one for more than three years and a lot of miles, and couldn't be happier.I think vans are great for one or two people.Floor plans vary a lot. If you want to bring one friend at a time, look for two seats only up front, which will give you more living space in the back versus a three or four-seater. You can find twin bed options if you don't want to share a bed. Ours came (used) with twins, which can be converted to a larger bed by inserting two table panels.If you think you will seriously travel often with two friends, you might want something bigger like a small class C. In a van, you'll have to be sure you have the extra seat belt, possibly on the rear seating area - not all vans have them. Sleeping for three adults is iffy in a van, comfort-wise and space-wise for everybody's stuff. Some people bring tents for sleeping area for extra passengers beyond the first two.Different strokes for different folks, of course, when it comes to layout. I like for the bathroom to be on driver's side and galley on passenger side next to the sliding door. That way you are facing your outdoor "living room" when working in the kitchen. This layout often also gives a window and counter where you place groceries, put plates of food, etc. as you come and go from your "living room" on the sliding door side.I am also a fan of having the refrigerator and microwave at mid/eye level rather than below the counter, to avoid stooping down when you are searching the frig. I also prefer a fully enclosed bathroom/shower rather than aisle shower floor plans.I like lighter color woodwork; and an open layout where you can walk into your van and see straight through to the back (versus a lot of hanging cupboards that can create a sort of cave to the back.)If you can, have a screen for the sliding door - some makers now include this built in, or you can attach one with Velcro. Some vans also have back door screen setups.All of the above is subjective, just one happy B person's input.

By the way, another thing to keep in mind when adding a third person is the limited tank capacity for both fresh and waste water in any van. It just means you have to take on water and dump your black and gray water holding tanks more often.Not a huge deal for short trips like weekenders, but something to keep in mind if you are traveling for two weeks or longer with three people. A small Class C probably will have a bit bigger tanks and somewhat more storage space.

X2 A smaller Class C will give additional room for that third passenger, and more tank (FW, gray, black) capacity. If you go for a Class B, hard to beat a Pleasure Way, Great West, Leisure Travel, or Roadtrek. I lean towards Pleasure Way, their workmanship is top notch, but get one with a floor plan that works for you. Do lots of looking at the different makes/madels before making your final decision......we bought used and were very happy with the PW Excel. Sold it last summer and moved up to a small Class C (23 ft) for a little more room, better shower, better bed, etc. The biggest drawback has been the fuel mileage, 10-11 mpg vs. the 14-15 mpg we got with the PW.

First, I'd not consider the Rialta because parts are becoming harder to find and service depots that can fix those are also disappearing. Instead, consider a Winnebago Trend which is about the same size as a Rialta, but on the ProMaster chassis. As an added bonus, the Winnebago Trend offers floorplans that sleep six (two on the corner queen, two on the drop-down, and two on the dinette below.

Class b rv suggestions | Good Sam Community

jjrai
Explorer
Feb 07, 2014
If you are in Florida, I suggest you visit Sunshine State RV. They are a used dealer and focus on Bs. They let you test drive and have a good reputation. Very soft sell, too. They helped us decide what to buy. We ended up buying used directly from an owner we found on RVTrader.com. Their web site is well done and can give you an idea of prices. They publish a price and generally do not discount much from that price.
trukeeper
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
At the last RV show I attended (about a month ago) asked several dealers why they did not have any more Class B's on display. Their answer? Without exception, every vendor replied (paraphrased) "Why should we? We sell every class B we get out hands on.. no need to drag them to a show..."
NCWriter
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
Jim makes a good point about the Class B selection at many RV shows. Some have only one or two makers represented, unfortunately. I saw one brand at the first RV show we attended, and the interior turned me totally off class Bs for a long while until a much better one turned up for sale in my town.

It's useful to browse various manufacturers' websites, also websites for dealers close to you, and the site for a big outfit like PPL MotorHomes in Texas to get an idea of floor plans and prices. I ordered a lot of B brochures back in 2009 when we started looking.

As far as fuel mileage per gallon, you'll find a range in class Bs from about 12 mpg for gas engines up to 22 - 25 or so for some diesels. Obvious variables are how fast you drive, how much weight you are carrying, whether you tow something, etc.
Shearwater
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
The Sportsmobile site has a list of used sportsmobiles at www.sportsmobile.com

This will give you an idea of used prices and also has a lot of general info on Class B options and layouts.
Handbasket
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
You'll likely be disappointed in any RV show's offerings in B's and small C's. They are rarely present in any numbers, usually not at all. Expect to get some / a lot of sales pressure to buy _now_, from what's on show, regardless of your wants/needs. Don't give in to the "bright/shiny/want it/ got to have it now-itis" illness.

I dunno where you're located, but internet research to find 'nearby' B dealers will likely be more productive. Go to the major B makers' sites, click on the 'Find a Dealer' button. You may have to travel several hundred miles several times in different directions to see a good selection. I have 4 RV dealers of various sizes within 50 miles. I still had to go about 150 miles to see any B's at all when I started out, and that was only two brands.

Also, you're going to need to narrow down your search, at least in one respect. There's a vast difference in both price and ownership experience between a well-used Rialta and a new or nearly-so Era. Newish is pricey. Older used is maybe better owned by someone with at least some DIY repair skills.

Personally, after 2 B's and the present small C, I lean toward Chevy Express-based B's. They consistently drive very well, can be serviced or repaired anywhere, have gasoline generators, and don't carry the big upcharge of a diesel.

Jim, "My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm always right."
Capeteacher
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. For the most part I will be traveling alone. On occasion I may have my friend and her grandson traveling with me. He will still be under 10 when I finally buy an RV. I am going to an RV show in AC next weekend to do some research.
drsolo
Nomad
Feb 06, 2014
Get the B you want for you that has adequate seating for friends. Then have friends provide their own sleeping quarters, tents, little pull along camper like teardrops or popups. There are also now lots of campsites with "cabins" that friends could rent too. It really isnt a big hardship to use camp showering/bathroom facilities. My "B" is a converted conversion van that sleeps one (me) and I am now getting a teardrop for my husband who is no longer happy with his tent. I appreciate the good gas mileage, ease of driving and parking anywhere when I am alone.
AsheGuy
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
I agree with the others if you are really ever going to travel with two others that a class B is probably not the best choice. The class B we have works for three (I have done it twice with two teenage grandsons each time for 6-week trips to Alaska), but I am 5'6" and they were of similar size. Our model has a third bed up front that I used, they used the back bed. But it would not work for three "full size" adults. :) For me, it works fine. And we found that we had enough storage for three.
Sailordive
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
If you can not find a plan that fits you and are looking at new, you can always have Sportsmobile build one to you specifications.
mlts22
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
First, I'd not consider the Rialta because parts are becoming harder to find and service depots that can fix those are also disappearing. Instead, consider a Winnebago Trend which is about the same size as a Rialta, but on the ProMaster chassis. As an added bonus, the Winnebago Trend offers floorplans that sleep six (two on the corner queen, two on the drop-down, and two on the dinette below.