Forum Discussion

marc515's avatar
marc515
Explorer
Feb 07, 2013

Do any of you guys camp in a "B"?

From what I've been reading about "B"'s, most folks them use them for travel.

While I would like to get a "B" for us to travel the US, we aslo like to go to campgrounds throughout the summer; usually we spend a week in the campground.

The main drawback I've seen with a "B" is a lack of screens to include the main door screen, which means you must keep the door closed or end up with bugs inside the camper. Now I see some of the larger and more expensive Sprinter platforms have screen doors, but what about the less expensive models built on the Chevy model.

So what do you guys do for screens, and screen doors?

Thank you

37 Replies

  • We camp & travel, up to about eight or nine weeks at a time, usually staying in one location from one to seven days. This winter, we've been doing our version of snowbirding, staying in various Florida locations a few days here, a few there.

    Our previously-owned van came with a screen to fit inside the sliding door using Velcro. We leave it on there all the time. It has sand sewn into the lower hem as a weight to hold it down and a magnet patch to hold the two overlapping "doors" closed.

    I bought some Skeeter Beaters made for a Sprinter - online - for the front driver and passenger side windows - they attach by magnets sewn in and work very well.

    A reasonably handy person could make these screens. One of these years, we'll make a screen for back doors, maybe. The van also came from the converter with a total of six tilt-out small screened windows for ventilation, plus the roof hatch and Fantastic Fan.

    We rarely use the AC, never at night for sleeping. On rare occasions, we'll use a little 12-volt circulating fan.

    If I were shopping for a new van, I would look at the Great West ones with built in screen door. I noticed that Leisure's newest model has copied this great idea.
  • We have a '06 RT 170 that came with screen doors for the bouble back an a single for the main side door.It's proved to do a great job.
  • We have 5 screened windows that can be opened plus a fantastic fan on the roof. That provides a lot of air circulation. As others have stated, there are aftermarket or DIY options for screens for the doors.
  • We don't use our B for travel - only camping. There are a couple of companies that make screens especially for the Class B motorhome. One of them is Skreenz. But, we don't have them installed on our unit.
  • Unless I'm driving around my hometown I'm driving to or from a campsite. We have screens on our windows but no screen door. We can open a couple of windows and use fans, otherwise we turn on the A/C. Most of the time the Florida weather dictates the need for A/C. We had thought about screens for the Driver and passenger doors held in place with magnetic strips but never got around to making them. I think we camped in the "B" for over two months a few times while fishing in Florida. You must really be particular when packing for an extended stay. What first seems to be a necessity will sometimes turn into a "Why did we bring that" type item. :)
  • We think that traveling the US in a Class B is an ideal choice. These vehicles are great for travel, they can go and park almost anywhere. Although they are small (which really has some advantages) it hasn't impacted our extended stays in campgrounds or even just dry camping.
    You are correct about the lack of a screen door on the sliding door of the typical Sprinter Van conversion. Advanced RV in Ohio is going to retrofit our vehicle for a screen door in May and we are very much looking forward to that.
    If you have a Facebook account to can check out our Winnebago ERA page which chronicles our travels at:
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winnebago-ERA/169426809735667
  • Yes we tend to camp a week or more at a time.

    My B has the double rear doors. I used the hook side of Velcro around the door frame (located just inside the closed door) in 2-3 in. lengths. Discovered long lengths tended to contract and make humps. Also had to trim the Velcro's width. Discovered Velcro glue not good in heat. Used Shoe Glue as a additional adhesive.
    Netting was bought at the local fabric store and is wide enough to cover the full opening. Had a fancy name but was basically a strong fine black mesh. The netting sticks to the hook Velcro. All I did was roughly trim it to shape. Very compact, easy to store but it can be left in place. Total cost probably about$20-$30.

    I haven't tried to do anything with the side door. I did make screens for both front door windows using the same mesh netting and rubber magnetic strips bought at Home Depot. Works great.