Forum Discussion

Zig220's avatar
Zig220
Explorer
Sep 13, 2016

HELP! Can I Have This Set-Up With A Class B ???

Our family is about to dive into the world of "Full Timers" and after a lot of discussion, we think that our best set up would be to have a Class B (approx 22') towing a travel trailer (17" - 23" range). We have been looking at Class B RV's in the 22' range like Gulf Stream B TOURING CRUISER and R-Vision TRAIL LITE. Basically models in the early 2000's are all we can currently afford and they all seem to have either the Vortec V-8 or Ford Titan V-10. So, my question before we start looking at purchasing is, will a Class B RV like the ones mentioned above pull a typical travel trailer around 23' long? Will it be able to pull up mountain highways like in Colorado and also handle the braking going down the mountains? Thanks for any input you can provide!!!!

9 Replies

  • In today's world at 2025 now I'd recommend rethinking the purpose or need for two individual trailers? How about a hybrid style campers that can sleep two adults on queen to king size slide out beds on both ends plus sleeping arrangements for up to 4 others in between via sofas and bench beds. Anyway maybe an older but really well kept Ford/Pickup 250 to 350 would be a wiser move. Plus it sounds like you were wanting to haul more than two people so a double cab would let you while the class B+ models often restrict the use of seat belts in the coach to just two and sometimes not that. Anyway the pickup also provides a vehicle to drive about easier than the Mini Motor home. Depending on your state of residence you may get big breaks on registration/license fees on older RV's and Pickups too. Also look into the larger SUV's if you need more seating room and some are easier to drive and park than the Pickups also may provide a bit more storage area if that's another need. I wouldn't dream of trying to haul a 20+ foot camper behind my 22 foot Trail-lite and considering the weight of most trailers that size plus personal belongings and other living gear for daily life and weight of people probably would not work out or be too much for the B+. I love a tiny RV that's pretty light weight about 17" long in the 2,000 with full but very small bathroom. Dinette or two sofas make into a bed so sleeps only 2 to 3 people. This probably could be pulled in theory but I still would not do that. There is already too much being asked of the truck body hauling the B+ and it's weight alone. Yes you do see B+ hauling small cars or small boats but their length is much shorter too and it does count. Hope you worked out your situation and came up with a good fit for you and your people. (I spent 6 years figuring out what type of RV would work into my life so I understand it takes some time for some of us to consider different types of RV and I wasn't a full timer. Just decided I needed to upgrade from 50 years of tent camping to an RV which if I were asked to leave due to wild fires or other emergencies I could just start up the engine and leave. I've had to leave 6 out of 9 times over the past 10 years early due to wildfire conditions including two fires near enough to drop large ash covering my tents and gear. One even had burning embers in the ash. The ranger stopped around 2 that day and I only had the tent to drop as everything else had been packed. He said you can stay I am and I said now wouldn't that be foolish if you came through at 3 in the morning telling me I had 5 minutes to get out due to those two fires connecting together and threatening this area. I would feel really foolish plus have no choice but to abandon my camp and all it's gear. I finished packing and pulled out to home. We also often get a lot of wild fire smog from other areas that can cause you to leave too. Time to find a better way. MT you can license an RV if 11 years old for one fee once and never need to pay again. A vehicle is far more expensive. Also you may need to store both a vehicle plus a camper or RV. After thinkng I wanted a light weight small camper but not too small I realized I'd need a vehicle too and double the insurance and double the license fees every year for the vehicle and then storage? Our 3 car garage is full with just two vehicles already. Our RAV4 could not pull the light weight camper or I would have gone with that. In the end an older B or B+ was a far better choice with 500 a year for insurance and a one time fee under 300 for the license and registration fee. Now only one item to store and though it will not fit any of our garage doors due to height we've got an area on our small acreage that we can cover with a canvas tarp made for it and we cover the tires year round when parked here too. So what I thought I wanted early on was not rght at all for our life style. So think ahead and apply reality thinking and that includes where do you park and the fees for parking year round? And of course if you have two you often have to pay for two. Will you use a single year round park or will you travel part or full time? The cost of parking fees can be as high or higher than rents on an apartment or house in some cases a lot higher. A lot of folk think they can go nomad and live the free life. As in no park fees or campsites. The reallity is usually a lot more expensive or free means no water hook ups or electric. No laundry facilities or help with showers if your camper has little to none but a toilet. I myself camp most often in a free campsite with no water or electric but has a great public chemical toilet kept clean by hosts or summer rangers. It's a private location but a limit of 15 days  out of every 30. Start a file and note book dedicated to real costs and real plans on your life style and what you really need or want both. Good luck everyone who's new to RV life! It can be a long learning curve.

    • way2roll's avatar
      way2roll
      Navigator III

      While I am sure your lengthy response may have value, you're responding to a post that's almost a decade old.

  • Thanks everyone for your replies!!!! Very much appreciated. I think the most important point brought up that we never thought about was the need to have two campsites when staying in a campground. So, I guess back to the board room and try to decide on another combination. Thanks again!!!
  • Zig220 wrote:
    Our family is about to dive into the world of "Full Timers" and after a lot of discussion, we think that our best set up would be to have a Class B (approx 22') towing a travel trailer (17" - 23" range). We have been looking at Class B RV's in the 22' range like Gulf Stream B TOURING CRUISER and R-Vision TRAIL LITE. Basically models in the early 2000's are all we can currently afford and they all seem to have either the Vortec V-8 or Ford Titan V-10. So, my question before we start looking at purchasing is, will a Class B RV like the ones mentioned above pull a typical travel trailer around 23' long? Will it be able to pull up mountain highways like in Colorado and also handle the braking going down the mountains? Thanks for any input you can provide!!!!
    As has already been stated, it might be difficult to find a "true" Class B that would be able to pull much of a "travel trailer". We own one of those you mention a R-Vision Trail-Lite. Our Trail-Lite (that happens to be a Class C) weiths 9,100 lbs ready to roll. It is rated for a maximum of 12,300 lbs (GVWR) for the motorhome. The maximum weight for the motorhome and trailer is 16,000 lbs (GCVWR). So, in theory, I could pull a 6,900 lb trailer (9,100 + 6,900 = 16,000). The problem is my hitch is rated for 350 lbs tongue weight and maximum of 3,500 total weight. That might not get you much of a camping trailer. You could pull a Pop-Up trailer for sleeping accomodations.

    We did own a Palomino that may have been possible.
  • I'd worry about the B's transmission capability for such a load, especially if you're considering mountainous driving. That doesn't include other concerns about braking, engine temps, etc. Motorhomes in general (B's and C's) just don't have the ability for big loads after you've included passengers, cargo, fuel, etc. You could maybe pull a tent trailer with no problems but bigger stuff will probably not work out too well.
  • Zig220 wrote:
    Our family is about to dive into the world of "Full Timers" and after a lot of discussion, we think that our best set up would be to have a Class B (approx 22') towing a travel trailer (17" - 23" range). We have been looking at Class B RV's in the 22' range like Gulf Stream B TOURING CRUISER and R-Vision TRAIL LITE. Basically models in the early 2000's are all we can currently afford and they all seem to have either the Vortec V-8 or Ford Titan V-10. So, my question before we start looking at purchasing is, will a Class B RV like the ones mentioned above pull a typical travel trailer around 23' long? Will it be able to pull up mountain highways like in Colorado and also handle the braking going down the mountains? Thanks for any input you can provide!!!!


    Those are both small Class C's. Many owners over on that forum.
  • years back I was considering doing the same and found one unit that had a 10,000 lb. hitch and about 7-8000 lbs of available capacity. think it was a 2100 model of ?? but I doubt a 23 footer would work.
    might have better luck with a TC instead.
    bumpy
  • Not only the towing capacity but the maximum gross weight allowed for the Class B.
    A lot of RV's have been built with no reserve for a large trailer being towed as far as the gross weight of the towing vehicle.
  • A couple of issues come to mind with the setup:

    You need to determine the towing capacity of the Class B you want and the weight of the TT you plan to get. This is the only way you'll know if the Class B has the capacity to tow the TT safely.

    Campgrounds usually only allow one RV per campsite. You'll need to find two sites together which can be difficult during busy season.

    I don't know your family dynamics. If I planned to travel with a family I would consider a toyhauler type trailer either bumper pull or 5th wheel. The garage area will carry all the extras and provides a flexible space once you are at a campsite. Bedroom, class room, entertainment area, dining area,....etc.

    For a tow vehicle a suburban/navigator or full size van for the bumper pull. For the 5th wheel a CrewCab Dually truck or regular cab pickup and car/minivan driven separately to provide space for everyone.