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shysher's avatar
shysher
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013

Class B van for college student

This weekend my son expressed an interest in possibly trading his sedan in for a class B van. This is due to impending attendance in college and is attempting to keep his expenses down but be very mobile at the same time.

I have done a search of Craigslists between southern Indiana/Kentucky area and eastern Oklahoma which is where he plans to attend if everything shakes out. So far I have not found any class B's...and he has no interest in class A or C's nor any in travel trailers or 5th wheels as he does not want to purchase a pickup truck at this point.

Since he has been the only child in our home since birth (his half-brothers lived with their mom), the small space is not an issue with him.

So...does anyone have suggestions besides Craigslist or eBay? He would even be interested in a conversion that is ready to use if possible. The biggest factor at this point is a unit that is as inexpensive as possible.
Class B

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  • Hawk7's avatar
    Hawk7
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    I read an article a few months ago where College students are using conversion vans or class b as dorms instead of actually staying in the dorms. They purchase a parking pass and use the van as a place to live. Way cheaper then a dorm or apartment. There is no need to use the cafeteria either since you can shower, cook and sleep in the van. Might work out fine in warmer climates but winter could get a bit cold!
  • lfloom's avatar
    lfloom
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    Being at college - he should have plenty of places to have a shower or get a hot meal. But, does he know where he will park the thing?
  • drsolo's avatar
    drsolo
    Nomad
    Oct 06, 2013
    shysher wrote:
    This weekend my son expressed an interest in possibly trading his sedan in for a class B van. This is due to impending attendance in college and is attempting to keep his expenses down but be very mobile at the same time.
    I have done a search of Craigslists between southern Indiana/Kentucky area and eastern Oklahoma which is where he plans to attend if everything shakes out. So far I have not found any class B's.
    So...does anyone have suggestions besides Craigslist or eBay? He would even be interested in a conversion that is ready to use if possible. The biggest factor at this point is a unit that is as inexpensive as possible.


    I found my 1992 GMC conversion van with rooftop heater/AC and electrical plug in on Craigs list nov.2011. It had less than 100k miles and I paid 5K. There is a search engine that I use. click here Craigs doesnt get good returns using "class B" so use other specific terms. Actual "B" RVs are quite expensive especially if the "RV" part is functional like the generator, etc. Conversion vans are much cheaper and can be converted rather easily. A small frig inside, a heater, an LG air conditioner on an extension cord out the window. Other than Craigs I would look online at RV places. Remind him that he needs to both get the "van" part checked out by a mechanic AND get the RV functional parts checked out by an RV place. I think a B or B like conversion van is perfect for commuting back and forth and for short camping trips as well. Do have him take a look at my website for how I have "converted" my conversion van.
  • Islandman's avatar
    Islandman
    Explorer II
    Oct 06, 2013
    Check rvt.com for used units, also lots of used RV's at Camping World locations which can be accessed from this RVNet forum.
  • shysher's avatar
    shysher
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    I made an attempt to convince him to buy a small travel trailer but he is not interested in that route. The class B is the only type of motorized RV he is remotely interested in and nothing in the towables right now. I will keep on looking and hope that something shows up.
  • DesertHawk's avatar
    DesertHawk
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    I would suggest for him to consider a small Travel Trailer, some on the lines of a Scamp or a Casita or a FunFinder which could be towed by a sedan or a van.

    Might be more to choose from & perhaps less expensive than a B Class.

    TT could be left at an RV park & have a vehicle to get around in.

    If planning on stealth camping in the "B" without using a park. There is a lot of hassle in having a shower, water, & a toilet to use in any RV, perhaps a little more in a "B".

    Likewise, going with a conversions van, one would have to have a place to shower, etc.

    I believe I'd go with a small trailer.

    Eastern OK can get some cold weather to take into consideration.

    Might check at RV dealerships, they are having a lot of sells about this time of the year.

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