Forum Discussion

wbwood's avatar
wbwood
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015

Howdy

Howdy folks. Never really came into the Class B side of things before. But my wife and I have been toying with the idea of one. Currently we have a Class C. It's a 2013 31' model that is almost 33' long. Before that, we have a 2010 31' TT, pulled with an F250 crew cab. As you can see, we are looking at pairing down smaller each time. We are tryign the grasp the "Less Stuff More Freedom" idea. Sorry Mark (Happily Houseless on YouTube) for using your phrase. We like the idea of the maneuverability of the Class B over the Class C. We don't need a whole lot of room. We aren't looking at full timing, at least right now. lol We do still have a teenager that we need to consider (next 4 or 5 years) when it comes to looking at them for sleeping arrangements. She actually prefers to sleep on the sofa of our Class C versus the over the cab bed. We would be looking a new one more than likely. We've been checking them out on line. WE like the Pleasure Ways, Roadtrek, Travatos, and other similar type. We have not actually set foot in any and hopefully will do that this weekend. To at least feel how small it would be. Our style of camping right now only has us in the camper while driving, sleeping, watching tv or inclimate weather for the most part. We do like to get out and about. Not sure if this is feasible or not, but we have toyed with the idea of getting a trailer (maybe eclosed, not huge) to put our toys in or on. Maybe a golf cart, bikes, kayaks on top. Outdoor gear inside it. Can unhook and leave at campsite when we need to go somewhere.

Love to hear some thoughts, ideas and suggestions.
Class B
  • stan909's avatar
    stan909
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    The Travato 59g or tge Winnebago ERA are currently your only options. Sterling motorhomes supposedly has a van with a bunk over the back bed but their still getting their act together. Sportsmobile will build custom rigs but cannot beat the 59g in price and conveniences.
  • Islandman's avatar
    Islandman
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    You mightg also think about getting a used shorter Class C, say 23-24 ft long, which will give you a little more inside space than a Class B. We're quite happy with our 23 foot Coach House which we got a good deal on, they are very well made. Before that we had a Pleasure-Way Excel which was excellent quality, but the bathroom was much smaller than a Class C and the cooking area was a little smaller too. There are some real buys on five year old high-end Class C's that are like new and have low mileage too.
  • bkroczak's avatar
    bkroczak
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    I'm not sure why these are the only options. People have towed all kinds of trailers and even cars with their Roadtreks. And quite a few of the Roadtreks have a bed that unfolds across the front seats.

    I recommend you follow the https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/roadtrek/conversations/messages Yahoo newsgroup which is very active. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/pwclassbvans/info (for Pleasure Way) not so active in my experience.

    And there are very active facebook groups also: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RoadtrekEnthusiasts/ (which is actually for all Class B enthusiasts), https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtrek/,

    Ask your questions there and you'll get lots of enthusiastic advice...
  • davepcpowernet's avatar
    davepcpowernet
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    We have essentially done what you are contemplating. Be aware that a B is fine for two people, but a mite crowded for three. The third person bed, at least for the Roadtrek, is sort of a make-do. Take a look at the models and have your daughter try out the bed. It's narrow and probably a little firm. There are a lot of adaptations and compromises that need to be made going from a "large" RV to a small B. A lot less "stuff", limited space to move around but compare that to the advantage of parking, fuel mileage, and taking advantage of all the latest technology. A trailer or hitch box on the rear adds room, but lessens the choices for parking or sightseeing. We decided to live with what would fit inside in the drawers and shelves. Ordering new can be frustrating for the wait time, but Roadtrek was 7 weeks, Pleasure Way is much longer, some say it has taken most of a year. Our travels are similar, but we also intend to stop at a motel once or twice a week to shower, wash clothes and perhaps enjoy stretching out (grin). We usually would eat breakfast and a light supper in with a midday "dinner" at a restaurant, which also allows us to enjoy local cuisine. This certainly helps with the food storage and shopping.
  • drsolo's avatar
    drsolo
    Nomad
    Apr 29, 2015
    My converted conversion van, my RVan is my (B)ase unit when I travel and it is set up for just for me and the dogs. I got a teardrop for when my husband goes along on summer trips. And I just got a 15' TT to put on my winter campsite in Florida for anyone who wants to come for a visit. The beauty of having a B plus a trailer of some kind is the physical separation of people plus the flexibility when traveling.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    You asked for thoughts.

    1.Don't buy from CW based on your past experience.

    2.Don't buy an extended warranty. The overall posts here say that it is waste of money.

    3. Get EVERYTHING in writing before transferring any money.

    Good luck with your search.
  • AsheGuy's avatar
    AsheGuy
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    There are options, but probably more so with used Class B's than new. Our 2005 Leisure Travel Vans Free Spirit 210B 3S model easily sleeps three (hence the 3S in the model number) but finding one used would be a real issue.

    The 3rd seat in front is probably the most useful of those in Class B's with an extra bed up front. I have slept on it for 6-week trips twice when I took two different sets of teenage grandsons to Alaska. They slept in the back on the main bed and I slept in front.

    And related to Class B space, it's certainly doable with three but not everyone would probably find it their thing. In our view the space trade off is good one for the increased maneuverability.
  • LadyRVer's avatar
    LadyRVer
    Explorer II
    Apr 30, 2015
    The Pleasure Way we had recently only had a 10 gallon black tank. The Grey was also very small. Just something to consider in a B type.
  • NoVa_RT's avatar
    NoVa_RT
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    A lot depends on how you plan to use a Class B, and what your tolerance is for the downsides. The easy driving, parking & good gas mileage comes at a cost. Class B owners feel the trade-offs are worth it, but not many regularly travel with 3, and a full-size teenager may be a challenge. I think you'd probably have to limit yourself to the models that have a second drop-down bed above the cab area. The models that try to make a bed out of the front seats appear to be more suitable for small kids, according to the comments here. But some folks may be more accepting of such arrangements. If you are mostly "living out" of the RV, rather than "living in" it, it could work, but as much as I like my own Class B, I have some doubt that I would choose it if I was regularly doing 3-person trips.
  • wbwood's avatar
    wbwood
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    stan909 wrote:
    The Travato 59g or tge Winnebago ERA are currently your only options. Sterling motorhomes supposedly has a van with a bunk over the back bed but their still getting their act together. Sportsmobile will build custom rigs but cannot beat the 59g in price and conveniences.


    No, there are some other options that will sleep 3. I know for a fact that Roadtrek has it where you can transform the captain seats into a single bed. I believe there might be some Pleasureway models or model as well.

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