We just got back from a 3 week trip, our longest by far with our small B+. (2005 Trail Lite 23')We think we will go south for 6 weeks later this winter.It's a challenge in the small space but we are getting a lot better at it. We have reduced our packings, and have picked up compact equipment and supplies. The good: -Super easy to drive, shop, maneuver, park.-11.5 MPG at 65 MPH on cruise control. Slightly better off cruise.-Pretty decent interior storageThe not so good for a long outing:-Skimpy exterior storage-No dedicated beds-No separate living & sleeping areas, in case of sleep issues.-Lounging/reading/TV viewing positions not that comfy/ergonomic.In summertime, we can spend a lot of time outside. So the small cabin doesn't matter much. But in the winter months, the early darkness means we are inside the RV a lot more. Comfort matters.Overall we really like having a small MH. We are seriously thinking about upgrading to a small C with at least one slide, and dedicated sleeping area(s). The last gripe in my list above is the hardest one to solve in any of the small C's we've looked at. They just don't have comfy seating for sitting around. You're either at the dinette, or laying on a bed. (We insist on a dinette, so that usually means no sofa.) One exception we've seen was the swiveling Mercedes cab seats in a Solera. They are nice for lounging.We might just stick with the TL. Devil known vs. devil unknown. If we do upgrade, there are two small Sunseekers that we like. We'd get them on the Chevy chassis. They both have queen beds, plus the OH bunk. They seem to be extremely space efficient and meet all our needs, save for the lounging. Swivel seats are offered on the Ford versions, but for the Chevy it requires a DIY aftermarket solution. All assuming there is room for the swiveled seat to be useful.

Have you looked at the Winnebago via? At 25 feet with dedicated bed it doesn't look too bad. Were B people, but that one has caught my eye a little, mainly the "P" series. It has the Diesel in it which should get better mileage than my 360.

When we thought we would give Ftiming a go back in WINTER ’07 in the TL, found out it id quite uncomfortable at near freezing temps in GA, NC, TN, MS, and even LA (January). Drafty, inside moisture buildup, little and non-ergo space as you noted, and short days. I would advise you bring that 5er down south for 6 weeks. Maybe trade 5er for a 17 ft HiLo trailer repurposed as a towable living room for TL.Could try and get creative w/ a comfortable sofa-to-twin bed piece to sub for your uncozy wide dinette, and have a nice dinette table that mounts in the now wider aisle. Place table up closer to the front so as to leave it up all day.

you could step up to a leisure travel van. freedom II serenity ,we spend two months in ours and still love each other and our mpg is around 20mpg .has a small diesel engine .big bed and lot of room.

AK49er wrote:Have you looked at the Winnebago via? At 25 feet with dedicated bed it doesn't look too bad. Were B people, but that one has caught my eye a little, mainly the "P" series. It has the Diesel in it which should get better mileage than my 360.Yes, we have looked at them. They are quite nice. If you are interested in a more affordable price point, I'd suggest you also look at the new Forest River Axis. It's a lot like a Via, but on a gas Ford chassis. We saw one at a dealer, and it's pretty neat. Not exactly what we are looking for, but still neat.

burlmart wrote:When we thought we would give Ftiming a go back in WINTER ’07 in the TL, found out it id quite uncomfortable at near freezing temps in GA, NC, TN, MS, and even LA (January). Drafty, inside moisture buildup, little and non-ergo space as you noted, and short days. I would advise you bring that 5er down south for 6 weeks. Maybe trade 5er for a 17 ft HiLo trailer repurposed as a towable living room for TL.Could try and get creative w/ a comfortable sofa-to-twin bed piece to sub for your uncozy wide dinette, and have a nice dinette table that mounts in the now wider aisle. Place table up closer to the front so as to leave it up all day.We used our fiver last year for our winter trip. It was obviously much more comfy. We still have it, although we want to sell it in the spring. So I guess you can say our plans for the next trip are fluid.In the past I had given quite a bit of thought to towing some kind of extra living room as you say. Then I decided we'd tow a car. I have a towable car but haven't bought anything to do it yet. I have to say, we enjoyed not towing anything on this trip. It's just so easy to get around in that case.

Longer term in a small B+ | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

Snowman9000
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
burlmart wrote:
Where's the COMFY living area in those sunseekers?

There isn't, really. You can't get a dinette and a sofa in a unit shorter than 30 feet (real length), it seems. One exception is the View/Navion M, which is an awesome living space if you don't mind sleeping on the sofa's air mattress. Another exception might be a Lazy Daze.

We looked at a used BT Cruiser with opposing sofas and a slideout. I liked it, DW didn't. That might have been due to the condition as much as anything though. Our TL is in great shape, and we can't go backwards on that.

On the SS, we could substitute a sofa for the dinette. But we don't think we'd like that. Tough call though.

My plan would be to get a passenger seat swivel. That's at least one comfy reading chair. And, the dinette is not as cramped as the one in the TL. With the addition of a cushion behind you, it's fairly comfy to sit sideways on the dinette cushion in the SS, using the seat back and table as armrests. On the TL, it's not, because the dinette is smaller.

Then there are the two large beds on the SS's. I mean, overall, they answer many of our objections.

As to outside storage, yes, it's no comparison.
burlmart
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
Where's the COMFY living area in those sunseekers?

The 2300 will surely gave more outside storage unser the bed if it is like the rigs from CW
Snowman9000
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
We are very interested in these two Sunseekers. The 2250 is a relative bargain at under $50K from RVDirect. The 2300 has many more features and upgrades, and although slideless, is more money. The corner queen is easier than you'd think for the inside person to get out of, due to the wide opening. Making the beds is not an issue for us. Due to the TL, we have become used to homemade versions of the bed sack.

Either unit would be a considerable upgrade over our TL in every way except counter space, where the TL is better. Here they are:

2250 LE

And 2300
Snowman9000
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
Dale, we had a hitch carrier with aluminum box on this trip. I had the box already, so only had to buy the carrier. I got a HaulMaster one from Harbor Freight for less than $100 on sale.

It carried a lot of bulky but lightweight goodies. If we towed a car, the car could haul the same stuff. Our did drag a few times. We were careful but it's an issue.
Scottiemom
Nomad
Nov 22, 2013
We spent 2 1/2 months in our 213 going to and from Alaska this summer. Loved it for all the reasons you mentioned. We did buy an aluminum trunk to go on the back. Went to Elkhart Hitch and had them build a hitch for it as DH wanted it up higher in order to clear in tight places. He put all his tools and "dirty" stuff, like sewer hoses, etc., in there.

For lounging after supper or sometimes in the afternoon, we would put the dinette down. Terry could nap on the sofa and I'm short enough to nap on the dinette.

Sleeping area remains a challenge for us with my bad back. But the air mattress helps.

We decided to keep "MinnieMee" and do some future traveling on the east coast. Would like something with a dedicated bed, but are willing to stick with her for awhile.

Dale
Snowman9000
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
burlmart wrote:
When we thought we would give Ftiming a go back in WINTER ’07 in the TL, found out it id quite uncomfortable at near freezing temps in GA, NC, TN, MS, and even LA (January). Drafty, inside moisture buildup, little and non-ergo space as you noted, and short days. I would advise you bring that 5er down south for 6 weeks. Maybe trade 5er for a 17 ft HiLo trailer repurposed as a towable living room for TL.

Could try and get creative w/ a comfortable sofa-to-twin bed piece to sub for your uncozy wide dinette, and have a nice dinette table that mounts in the now wider aisle. Place table up closer to the front so as to leave it up all day.

We used our fiver last year for our winter trip. It was obviously much more comfy. We still have it, although we want to sell it in the spring. So I guess you can say our plans for the next trip are fluid.

In the past I had given quite a bit of thought to towing some kind of extra living room as you say. Then I decided we'd tow a car. I have a towable car but haven't bought anything to do it yet. I have to say, we enjoyed not towing anything on this trip. It's just so easy to get around in that case.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
AK49er wrote:
Have you looked at the Winnebago via? At 25 feet with dedicated bed it doesn't look too bad. Were B people, but that one has caught my eye a little, mainly the "P" series. It has the Diesel in it which should get better mileage than my 360.

Yes, we have looked at them. They are quite nice. If you are interested in a more affordable price point, I'd suggest you also look at the new Forest River Axis. It's a lot like a Via, but on a gas Ford chassis. We saw one at a dealer, and it's pretty neat. Not exactly what we are looking for, but still neat.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2013
you could step up to a leisure travel van. freedom II serenity ,we spend two months in ours and still love each other and our mpg is around 20mpg .has a small diesel engine .big bed and lot of room.
burlmart
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
When we thought we would give Ftiming a go back in WINTER ’07 in the TL, found out it id quite uncomfortable at near freezing temps in GA, NC, TN, MS, and even LA (January). Drafty, inside moisture buildup, little and non-ergo space as you noted, and short days. I would advise you bring that 5er down south for 6 weeks. Maybe trade 5er for a 17 ft HiLo trailer repurposed as a towable living room for TL.

Could try and get creative w/ a comfortable sofa-to-twin bed piece to sub for your uncozy wide dinette, and have a nice dinette table that mounts in the now wider aisle. Place table up closer to the front so as to leave it up all day.
AK49er
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
Have you looked at the Winnebago via? At 25 feet with dedicated bed it doesn't look too bad. Were B people, but that one has caught my eye a little, mainly the "P" series. It has the Diesel in it which should get better mileage than my 360.

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Longer term in a small B+

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