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DandD2015's avatar
DandD2015
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015

ISO guidance, info about class B

Good evening all!

My wife and I are starting to look at motorhomes for our many trips. We were hoping to get some input and opinions about some choices that might be available to us from seasoned veterans.

Our background---we're both in our fifties, still working, and don't intend to retire for at least ten years. We have a 90 lb chocolate lab.

Once or twice a month we take the Subaru Outback and go exploring. At least once a month we get a hotel and spend Saturday night at our destination. Other times we might just visit little towns and look at the old architecture, cemeteries, festivals, historical markers, and other points of interest---but we don't stay overnight.

The big problem is the dog. It can be hard to find a hotel that will accept one and if we can't take her, we end up paying a sitter. But dogs aren't allowed in museums, restaurants, etc. so if we take her along, we're committing to a totally “outdoor” weekend.

So our thought was, what if we bought a small camper, something that would drive like a car instead of a bus? Maybe we could leave the dog in the camper, with the AC running, while we have supper or do other things, then come back and get her for some outdoor time etc. We have seen some Roadtreks on line, for instance, and they seem to be along the lines of what we want. We'd want halfway decent economy because we're always on the go. We would want a toilet, shower, and reasonably comfortable bed. We might overnight in the Wal Mart parking lot, or we might get a basic hookup in a park. But we wouldn't stay long and Monday, we'd be back at work.

Being city (Dallas) dwellers, we don't have a lot of room to park/store it, either. In that sense too a Roadtrek or similar seems like a good fit.

We realize too that depreciation is a big issue with motorhomes. We'd like to get into something used and would go to maybe $25K. I wonder if that's too little, if we'd end up buying something that would be forever breaking down or if we might luck into something.

What's the best way to find a good pre-loved class b? Any websites or other resources you can suggest, like parks etc.? What would you look for, avoid, etc.? It's the beginning of the learning curve for us, so whatever advice we can get we'll appreciate!

Thanks in advance, D&D

27 Replies

  • We had two dogs and a 17 foot Class B Horizon for many years. Then, we had a 1996 Roadtrek 190P for many years. One dog was about 35 pounds, the other about 55 pounds. Then we had a Roadtrek 210P for many years and a 50 pound dog. So, it is doable.

    With that said, in our opinion, leaving our precious pets in an unattended RV with the AC running is not something that should be done. You say you live in Dallas, we live in Oklahoma City. In our parts of the country, temps can get well over 120 in minutes inside a van camper/Class B. If something happens to the AC (like the generator quitting), your doggie is in serious trouble in minutes.

    SO, we just leave ours in the motorhome ONLY in weather that is OK with the windows open and the exhaust fan running. That means fall, winter and spring in Texas/Oklahoma and surrounding environs.

    As to the size and cost, Pleasure Ways and Roadtreks as well as some older Leisure Vans and others would fit your needs. I am going to make two suggestions to you:

    1. Starting this Thursday, September 17 through Sunday is the Dallas RV fall show and sale at the Merchandise Mart complex. Lots of fun and a great place to learn about different options available. Being new units, they will be expensive but you can see the difference in sizes and types of RVs up close and personal. Take a look: http://www.southwestrvsupershow.com/#southwest-rv-supershow-2015

    2. Next, PPL is a huge consignor of used motorhomes and has lots of Bs. Headquartered down the road from you in Houston, they also have a consignment lot in New Braunfels and a new one in Cleburne. We sold a unit through them last year and they did a fine job and really enjoy a good reputation. They know their okree. Peek at their inventory and see what you think.

    http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/

    Hope this helps. Incidentally, I often just drive down to Dallas from OKC to spend the day at the RV show. Cheap entertainment for an Okie.

    Paul
  • I have a '95 Roadtrek that I bought 1 year ago. It had been owned by a family in KY prior to being sold to my neighbor. He found out the bed is only 5'11" and he is 6'3". After one trip I bought it. It had 86,000 miles on a Dodge 318 and now has about 93,000. I have used it in town and gotten a little over 15 mpg on that. On a 2600 mile trip in June I got 17.5 mpg for the trip. It does not use any oil so far and it has been very enjoyable. The only problem with any B is the size of the tanks will be limiting your shower ability. Full hookups would alleviate that problem. I have not had full hookups yet on the Roadtrek. On my previous '03 Mountain Aire I never needed hookups because the tanks were large enough for a good week with showers every day for both of us.
    I paid $12,000 for mine and it was a good expense. The tires were only 2 years old. I took it to a friend from Church who has a service garage and he checked everything over. He did adjust the rear brakes because the adjuster was frozen. I got all the records since new showing everything that had been done and where.
  • Look for a good used low mileage Pleasure-Way Excel model, they are a little wider than their other series and will still get you 13-15 mpg. You will want one equipped with a generator too. We had an Excel and traveled very nicely with our big golden retriever who sat on the floor between the seats when we were driving; had a rug and foam for her so it would be more comfortable. Your budget seems to be in the ballpark, go look at some before you make a decision though.
  • There is a website for dog friendly sites click here and soon came to realize 95% of campsites are pet friendly. But this website also gives dog friendly motels and other spots. With our dogs we have used various methods to go places without them. One campsite had a doggy day camp onsite. There is nearly always dog day care between campsite and point of interest. We left our RVan plugged in for AC (our dogs dont bark when left alone) and took a shuttle to a POI. I had a remote start and alarm system installed so the RVan runs without the key being in the ignition since many places dont allow vehicles to run with the key inside. This has been used for shopping and restaurants. The key chain controller shows if the engine is running, how much time is left and the temperature inside the vehicle while within 100 feet or so of the vehicle. Another option is a TT or teardrop that can be left plugged in at the campsite. Of all the options doggy day care is optimal at or near the POI for peace of mind and a barking dog.
    To get a B in good condition just takes time and a lot of searching on the internet and at local RV places. I will say that I prefer dealers who have done all the checkups (and are required to disclose problems) and who are realistic in pricing (price guide like NADA online) is a benefit over owner/sellers where it is buyer beware.
  • we have a Chev van based pleasure-way somewhat similar to the roadtreks you've seen. ours is 20' long and std width ( not a "wide body")

    we are 2 and 85 pound dog.

    our model has only the 2 seats up front which swivel- that allows the galley and cabinetry to be a little "less" congested than some other builds.
    the rear is 2 couches which can be used as 2 singles or the bolsters fill the center for a queen-ish. we both fit, dog in the middle and she also has a bed up front between the seats

    if you are tall don;t even look at sideways sleepers- nevermind the climb over to use the can at night

    we do not use the tables- trays in the lap are easier

    interior is just about 6'2" high


    expect most units to have AC/DC and propane which will power hot water,furnace, stove, fridge etc

    some will have an onboard genny ( which could power the house ac while parked- but I wouldn;t rely on that when hot)-

    most will also have a powered roof vent/fan which can work well to keep a parked van near ambient temps ( runs on the DC power)I know that our white van parked in direct sun will stay close to ambient temps with the fan running.


    we never use the shower...we do have an outside shower- so if we are somewhere remote enough that there are not showers...we can use that. also good for muddy boots, dog wash and cleaning fish.

    easy to park and drive- heavy ( 8800#) tall and slow to get rolling...but a great way to go.

    while you can "camp" anywhere we prefer to use campgrounds with AC power and use their showers etc.
    good sam has an app ( also "rvparky) and koa...look at online or in person campgrounds so you know what to expect- look for "campgrounds" not permanent residents in trailers


    most B's will have a TV antenna and a new flat screen is cheap and under $200- digital ready and may even have a USB port ( which is what we use to store movies etc)- older units may have older tv's which need converter boxes etc


    when visiting family we often camp in the driveway and run an extension cord to the garage. easier than worrying about our dog eating their cat.


    we came to this from tent-camping and rented a campervan in Ireland last year- we enjoyed that so much we started shopping the used market when we got home.

    kick some tires go see some units, youtube videos from dealers can be really good at showing features and how interior space is used

    roadtrek and pleasure-way have info on older models on the website


    I prefer GM, so we skewed towards the chev 3500 ( 15 MPG) there are also older Ford and Dodge units out there

    as for shopping- az has no tax on private party sales so a 10% saving staying away from teh dealer....craigslist has plenty listings
    roadtrekchapter.org has classifieds too

    our budget was about $65K...we ended up totally happy spending less than 1/2 of that on a 2006 model ( Pleasure-Way Lexor TD) w 80,000 miles.

    we've added 20K to that.
    so far we have done a month loop up to Ontario and a double handful of trips to California and Northern AZ. we keep the van kinda ready to go and the night before will turn on the fridge- and in the morning will stow the food.prep time is minimal...I even keep a weeks clothing stored in there



    learning the energy, water and waste systems is a bit of a curve but it's not rocket surgery.
    Youtube helps

    Mike
  • A fan will not cool the air, it will only help recirculate it. A fan can never make a room cooler than the outside ambient temp. (An example: If you have a fan in an enclosed room, that room will actually get hotter because of the heat the fan motor puts off.)
    A fan evaporates moisture, which make humans feel cooler. Since a dog sweats through their nose, and paws it does very little to make them feel cooler. The only way a fan will help a dog, except for recirculating the air, is for it to blow right on their nose, and even then it is a poor solution.
    There are several things that can help cool a dog, but a fan is probably the poorest.
    If you doubt any of this please Google it.
  • I used to leave my dog in the van with a fan running with windows open. At 95+f
    after an hour it would be in the area of 80. She was small and well behaved and in a little carrier, but 1 hour was all I thought she should be left alone.
    Also all Motel 6s allow a pet.
    john 'I am Canadian'