I'm thinking about trading in my 32'A for a 20-22'BI've looks and searched but just can't find something that fits out needs. Was hoping maybe someone could help.We will mostly be traveling to a destination and renting a home or hotel room. We are 2 travelers and don't need more that 2 seats up front and a bed/seats in the back. bathroom, minimal cooking, and we like/need wardrobe space. So many B's I look at have 3-4 seats in the front, that is a waste of space for us. We would like it to park easily when traveling together. I would use it for myself at hobby events and camp in it and require a week of generator usage. I need to tow up to 5000# to my hobby events.So, I'm thinking:Gas engine and genny so I can run the genny off the main fuel tank. Propane genny is out because of limited fuel.If I had to get diesel powered and propane genny, I could bring along a Honda genny to my hobby events.So far all I can come up with is:Roadtrek 190 Popular (gas!,has 3rd seat upfront, maybe remove it?)Airstream Lounge Dual Wardrobe (nice but,this is available no where)Pleasure Way Plateau FL (my favorite layout, diesel....ok)ideas?thanks!

I am really happy with my 2006 Pleasure Way Lexor TD.on a Chev 3500 chassis, 6.0L 305 HP.5000# towing capacity, 500# tongue weight2 swivel seats up front2 benches in the back make to a "queen-ish" bed...about 72" on the pass side, 76" long on the drivers side.takes shore power or onan gas genny ( these can be loud), 2 way fridge ( LPG AC, DC)LPG hot water heater and furnaceHas a head, 2 sinks ( head/galley) 2 burners ( LPG- 10 gallons) carries about 27 gallons fresh water...11 gal black, 27 gal grey.Has aisle shower ( we don;t use) has outdoor shower- cleaning fish and washing off bootsA/C & microwave take either shore power or gennyreally happy with the chev chassis and the PW build qualitythis is really easy to drive, gets about 16 mpg at 65 MPH.My wife has "soloed" a week at a time to California no problems.Of interest, Culver City doesn;t allow any vehicles over 21 feet street parking ( day or night), we are just under that.interior space...hanging closet behind driver's seat, 3 x over heads in the rear. some drawers under the rear seatssuggest that youtube has great videos from dealers, manufacturers and owners of many models, easy to picture yourself.IF you are tall, that takes out most of the "sideways sleeper" modelsthe PW and Roadtrek are both Canadian Built and have great reps for customer service- the RT Pop 3rd seat can come out but you'll be hard pressed to use that space at the 3rd door- that becomes the main entry when docked.I find the RT's tend to have more cabinet space ( esp over the feet when in bed) BUT I find the layout claustro. the PW is far more "open".I saw units with "power rear sofa beds"- my take...weight- they are heavy, complicated and little storage available underneath...and conversion to bed requires tetrising a bunch of odd shaped cushions into place.Mike

thanks for the suggestion!unfortunately the new Lexor only has 2000# towing so the Dodge frame is out :(I really would like to buy new.mkguitar wrote:I am really happy with my 2006 Pleasure Way Lexor TD.on a Chev 3500 chassis, 6.0L 305 HP.5000# towing capacity2 swivel seats up front2 benches in the back make to a "queen-ish" bed...about 72" on the pass side, 76" long on the drivers side.takes shore power or onan gas genny ( these can be loud), 2 way fridge ( LPG AC, DC)LPG hot water heater and furnaceHas a head, 2 sinks ( head/galley) 2 burners ( LPG) carries about 30 gallons fresh water...10 gal black, 20 gal grey.Has aisle shower ( we don;t use) has outdoor shower- cleaning fish and washing off bootsA/C & microwave take either shore power or gennyreally happy with the chev chassis and the PW build qualitythis is really easy to drive, gets about 16 mpg at 65 MPH.My wife has "soloed" a week at a time to California no problems.Of interest, Culver City doesn;t allow any vehicles over 21 feet street parking ( day or night), we are just under that.interior space...hanging closet behind driver's seat, 3 x over heads in the rear. some drawers under the rear seatssuggest that youtube has great videos from dealers, manufacturers and owners of many models, easy to picture yourself.IF you are tall, that takes out most of the "sideways sleeper" modelsMike

So far all I can come up with is:Roadtrek 190 Popular (gas!,has 3rd seat upfront, maybe remove it?) . . .Roadtrek has an option on the 190 Popular where they remove the second row of captains chairs and give you a somewhat larger "permanent bathroom".

We have an 04 Roadtrek Popular on the Chevy chassis. The third seat was removed at the factory and a closet/pantry installed in it's place. Don't know how the two of us would travel without it. We like the idea of the permanent bathroom; however, would not like giving up space for it. We tend to use campground facilities whenever available and reserve the small bath arrangement for middle of the night requirements. Best wishes on your search for your perfect B.

mught look at liesure travel van also high quality and ours has been great.

help deciding on Class B | Good Sam Community

buta4
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
wildtoad wrote:
Don't know about your budget, but there are places that will custom build.

X2.

Sportsmobile for one. Sprinter diesel with dual alternators to charge the batts. Solar panel. Wabasto water heater and furnace, diesel or electric cooktop. NO propane.

Can design your own interior as you choose or pick standard layouts. Plus, all standard and options price lists are on their web site.

That's what I would choose after me personal research for my "dream" class B as it has less "fluff" and more "guts".

Oh, and 4X4 drive as a 2015 Sprinter option.

NO, I am not employed by Sportsmobile touting their wares, LOL.
roam1
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Handbasket wrote:
Be sure to read all the fine print on the rated towing capacity. IIRC, in the early 2000's RT Chevy brochures gave a figure that (noted in the fine print) was based on driver only, nearly empty tanks (including gas), no factory options (generator, awning), and no cargo. I suspect other B makers may do the same.

Jim

I saw some fine print like that.
On my last RV buy, I took the test drive to the CAT Scale and weighed it, will have to do that again on my next RV selection to.
Handbasket
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Be sure to read all the fine print on the rated towing capacity. IIRC, in the early 2000's RT Chevy brochures gave a figure that (noted in the fine print) was based on driver only, nearly empty tanks (including gas), no factory options (generator, awning), and no cargo. I suspect other B makers may do the same.

Jim
401nailhead
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Check the new Roadtrek Zion and the Winnebago Travato for gas powered vans. Dodge ProMaster is front wheel drive and reports indicate that the Fiat version of this van is one of the most popular delivery vans in Europe. I'd get one of these in a minute if my budget allowed. Also, I've seen videos of MB Sprinter models with dry bath (i.e. with separate shower stall)and even a pullout with murphy bed. These are real luxury versions.
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
yes, new B's are expensive! I have about $80K trade in value so I'm off to a good start!

Unless prices have gone up a lot in the last 2 years, you should be able to get a new Roadtrek 190 Popular configured with just 2 captains chairs for somewhere in the low 80s. The comparable Pleasureway model is probably priced similarly.
roam1
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
yes, new B's are expensive! I have about $80K trade in value so I'm off to a good start! I'm leaning toward a gasser so I'm in the ballpark. PW makes a nice rig. I like the Chevy Lexor and the Plateau FL, big difference in price! leaning to the gasser!

Fastpaddler wrote:
roam1

Welcome to blog. if you would really like to buy "new", the first thing is to decide on your purchase budget. New B vans of any type can be pricey. If you are mainly using it to travel from here to there with a stop or two enroute that's one thing but if you decide to do more camping like many of us do, then you need to get the best layout as possible. On my 06(07build) Pleasureway Plateau I have the electric couch/bed at back which is very versatile. You can carry 3 passengers back there and 2 up front. It has, and all newer models too, a reasonably sized wet bathroom. A new one is pricey. The new PW Lexor on Dodge chassis with v6 is also quite good and is cheaper than Sprinters but hasn't the tow rating you may require. You can buy used but that involves other aspects such as condition of the vehicle. Good luck
AL
Fastpaddler
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
roam1

Welcome to blog. if you would really like to buy "new", the first thing is to decide on your purchase budget. New B vans of any type can be pricey. If you are mainly using it to travel from here to there with a stop or two enroute that's one thing but if you decide to do more camping like many of us do, then you need to get the best layout as possible. On my 06(07build) Pleasureway Plateau I have the electric couch/bed at back which is very versatile. You can carry 3 passengers back there and 2 up front. It has, and all newer models too, a reasonably sized wet bathroom. A new one is pricey. The new PW Lexor on Dodge chassis with v6 is also quite good and is cheaper than Sprinters but hasn't the tow rating you may require. You can buy used but that involves other aspects such as condition of the vehicle. Good luck
AL
roam1
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
midnightsadie wrote:
call factory see if they have a locator list. they should know if your flr plan is out there on some bodies lot.

good idea!
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2015
call factory see if they have a locator list. they should know if your flr plan is out there on some bodies lot.
roam1
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
SkiMore wrote:
What is tongue weight of your trailer? Make sure it won't be an issue with the Class B (especially if you have some full tanks).

definitely!
the Chevy 3500 and Benz 3500 chassis seem to have good tongue & tow numbers