Hello All!I've been reading as much as I can about the available Class B motorhomes, and for the type of traveling I want to do, it's the best choice. I'm 52, and recently traveled 6427 miles in 4 weeks, solo, in my 2000 Mercury Mountaineer SUV. 2/3 of the nights were on an Aerobed mattress in the back of the SUV. I discovered that it was so cold in the mornings, and there was so little room, that I would wait until 9:30 or 10 am to get up, because I was cold! All the other RV folks were rolling by 9, and I wasted a lot of time because I had so little room. Here is my partially completed travelogue, if anyone is interested: 6427 Miles in 4 weeks!So, from now on, I'm traveling in an RV. I thought about a trailer, but I like to brake quickly and park at interesting sites along the way...I travel with no set plans, and just stop at what looks interesting. I'm not much of a parker, so gas mileage and small size are important.From what I've seen of the available gasoline powered Class B's, the 98-2003 Xplorer and the Pleasure-Way units look most appealing, due the private bathrooms. I am a certified master auto mechanic from a long time ago, and I hate diesels, so I will only own gasoline-powered rigs, so the MB diesels are out for me. I may want to tow a small enclosed toy trailer at some point, so I'll need to have Rear Wheel Drive.I have no children, and will be traveling with my future wife, who is very comfortable in small spaces. She wanted to camp with me in the back of the Mountaineer! What I'd like to ask the group: Xplorer 230 XLWT, Pleasure-Way, or ??? What are some opinions? I'm leaning toward the dual rear tires of the 98-03 Xplorer, as more stable and safer in case of a blowout.Ideas? Prices???Thanks!GerardSan Diego

There's a lot of good info on buying a used B in the FAQ's here. The one thing I'd emphasize is the importance of the do-it-yourself test drive. Both Fords and Dodge Ram Vans have garnered their share of complaints about handling & tracking. Some are curable, some less so. Do be aware that the Xplorer on the Dodge has 3rd party rear duals; they're _not_ Dodge OEM. I think they consist of an adapter bolted on the original lugs & wheel, with a second outer wheel bolted to the adapter.Jim, "Never trust an atom. They make up everything."

Greetings, Gerald and to your future wife who by your own account is flexible with restricted space for camping--always a good trait. As you are a master mechanic you can easily manage the Pleasure-way Excel TD/TS B class. While PW is not making them anymore they have a strong following on this site. The Excel has the wider body to the PW Plateau TS diesel which we have which provides a wider galley pass-through space. Since you are buying a used one you need to be aware of the problem I experienced previously with different track from the front and the rear. By using wheel spacers and a rear stablizer you can deal with that. I found the E350 Ford chassis good but it wandered a lot on the road. While you dont like the diesel , the MB Sprinter chassis is amazingly stable with ESP and has a good front end system. It is important to have the history of the RV you are buying and you, with your experience can deal with that ok. The internals ie furnace,aircon,battery(ies),LP Genset,stove,microwave,tv,stereo and bathroom functions with the demand heater are worth having examined. For you, I think a 2010 or later PW Excel would be fine. PW cabinetry, fit and finish are first rate which means not much in the way of rattles,squeaks and so on. The gas engines mostly 5.4 V8s or V10 are excellent and 4 speed txn with tow haul. Other brands such as Greatwestvan , Leisuretravel van, & Roadtrek are good too. You will likely want the bigger wet bath like we have. I am 6ft 1 inch 190 lbs(Viking) originally and I have no problem showering/shaving etc in our PW Plateau. We do love the 5 inline diesel and it is SO economical.Best wishes and happy shopping.ALMerry Christmas Too.

Handbasket wrote:There's a lot of good info on buying a used B in the FAQ's here. The one thing I'd emphasize is the importance of the do-it-yourself test drive. Both Fords and Dodge Ram Vans have garnered their share of complaints about handling & tracking. Some are curable, some less so. Do be aware that the Xplorer on the Dodge has 3rd party rear duals; they're _not_ Dodge OEM. I think they consist of an adapter bolted on the original lugs & wheel, with a second outer wheel bolted to the adapter.Jim, "Never trust an atom. They make up everything."Thank you for the information, especially about the aftermarket rear duals. Does that make it to where there are different wheels on front versus rear? If they use the same axle, then there is no rated load difference, correct?The Xplorers appear to have better ground clearance than some others. Is that just my imagination, or is it true? I may want to travel on some dirt roads...not rock-crawling, but on some easy trails that a regular car would be seen on...are some Class B's extra low, and have difficulty on even gravel roads?Gerard

I'll vouch for the durability and fit/finish of the PW Class B's. We had a 2001 PW Excel on a Dodge chassis which is their wide-body series; had no problems whatsoever, steered well, got 15mpg at highway speeds, and was comfortable. We switched to Class C for a little more interior room, but now suffer from poorer fuel mileage. I no nothing about the Xplorer RV's, they were popular in the 80's and 90's I believe. You won't go wrong with an older Class B Pleasure-Way, say 2000-2005 vintage.

Hi we bought a used 06 PW Excel this last summer on a ford. I put rear wheel spacers, rear sway bar androadmaster sway control suspension on the back. The van now drives and handles very well. This is my 3rd class B one was a sprinter. This is by far the best quality workmanship and use of space for a B. It is a gasser and with the added modifications we are more than pleased and plan on keeping it for many years.PW has a owners group which are very helpful on problems of the unit. Good luck and enjoy .

Looking for Xplorer or Pleasure-Way Used Gasoline

25 Replies

torinoscj429
Explorer
Apr 23, 2016
Neverhappy wrote:
torinoscj429 wrote:
Still running well!

My wife and I have put 22,000 miles on our Xplorer in 2 years, and we love it! Last summer, we went from California to Ohio and back, took 4 weeks. What an awesome rig!

Gerard

Your car trip was most interesting to read, did you document your explorer trips ? Would love to see some pics !

Thank you for the compliment! We took much of the same route as the car trip from 2 years prior, but with my lovely wife, it was much more fun! Yes, I was thinking of a travelogue for the motorhome trips as well. We take a LOT of photos when we travel!

Gerard
Neverhappy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2016
torinoscj429 wrote:
Still running well!

My wife and I have put 22,000 miles on our Xplorer in 2 years, and we love it! Last summer, we went from California to Ohio and back, took 4 weeks. What an awesome rig!

Gerard

Your car trip was most interesting to read, did you document your explorer trips ? Would love to see some pics !
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Looks very good in the photos. Just from reading various thread here, my impression is that Xplorer owners are pretty pleased with their choice.
torinoscj429
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Still running well!

My wife and I have put 22,000 miles on our Xplorer in 2 years, and we love it! Last summer, we went from California to Ohio and back, took 4 weeks. What an awesome rig!

Gerard
torinoscj429
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014
torinoscj429 wrote:
Hello All!

I've been reading as much as I can about the available Class B motorhomes, and for the type of traveling I want to do, it's the best choice. I'm 52, and recently traveled 6427 miles in 4 weeks, solo, in my 2000 Mercury Mountaineer SUV. 2/3 of the nights were on an Aerobed mattress in the back of the SUV. I discovered that it was so cold in the mornings, and there was so little room, that I would wait until 9:30 or 10 am to get up, because I was cold! All the other RV folks were rolling by 9, and I wasted a lot of time because I had so little room. Here is my partially completed travelogue, if anyone is interested: 6427 Miles in 4 weeks!

So, from now on, I'm traveling in an RV. I thought about a trailer, but I like to brake quickly and park at interesting sites along the way...I travel with no set plans, and just stop at what looks interesting. I'm not much of a parker, so gas mileage and small size are important.
From what I've seen of the available gasoline powered Class B's, the 98-2003 Xplorer and the Pleasure-Way units look most appealing, due the private bathrooms. I am a certified master auto mechanic from a long time ago, and I hate diesels, so I will only own gasoline-powered rigs, so the MB diesels are out for me. I may want to tow a small enclosed toy trailer at some point, so I'll need to have Rear Wheel Drive.
I have no children, and will be traveling with my future wife, who is very comfortable in small spaces. She wanted to camp with me in the back of the Mountaineer!
What I'd like to ask the group: Xplorer 230 XLWT, Pleasure-Way, or ??? What are some opinions? I'm leaning toward the dual rear tires of the 98-03 Xplorer, as more stable and safer in case of a blowout.
Ideas? Prices???
Thanks!
Gerard
San Diego

Following up here, I found a 1999 Xplorer 230XLWT on Craigslist, near Sacramento. After fixing some minor problems, my girlfriend and I took it on a week's vacation in March, from San Diego, to Las Vegas, Monument Valley, Arches National Park, Zion, and all around. We love this motorhome! We are looking forward to many more adventures!

Gerard
steveh27
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
I have a 1997 Xplorer 230-xl, the last year before rear dualies, & love it. Have had it since 2000. It's in great shape & I will never sell it. It's taken me all over. I also added the rear wheel extenders. It came w rear air bags.

XLW = wide body.

XLWT = wide body w twin beds.

Steve
Book
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
Owned 3 XPLORERS……. going back to 1976……. My favorite by far was the 2002 XLW with rear bed and front sofa……. Loved the ride with dullies……. Do not think any Class B back then can compare…. the slide out storage was unbelievable…… insulation , fit and finish was superb……. drove the wide body across the country many times….. traded in with 110,000 miles for a Roadtrek 210 …… tried for 2 years to find a low milage Xplorer replacement
(2003- last year)……. (5 years and 100,900 miles) and traded Roadtrek in for 2013 Winnebago ERA -A …….Loving the ERA…...
mepboat
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
Gotta stick my 2 cents in here. This last February we got our 2010 PW Excel with a V10. We are completely thrilled. We agree with the other listed reply about the outside shower being placed on the drivers side. Keeps the puddles out of the way of your enjoyment under the awning. Just remember to put a towel out to dry up your feet and brush off the sand. After all we are the "Keys Traveler" and live in the sand here in Florida year round. OK back to the PW. Interior fit and finish is GREAT. Galley is lighted well with all the basics and accessible. Bed is also GREAT. When fully extended it is HUGE !!!!We sleep with heads to the back door so it is easy to get up and not bother the other person. It also is easy to view the flat screen and enjoy the surround sound. The head, bathroom, is restrictive. Being 6' and over 200 lbs. I find that leaving the door open with one foot outside is easier to use the sink for brushing teeth, etc. Of course for the more personal moments the door does close easily for privacy but don't try to turn around too quickly, its a little tough. We do enjoy the ride and keep the air pressure up in the tires and the air suspension. So far no complaints in that category. We have put about 10,000 miles on our PW so far and have monitored the fuel closely. Happily we report that we are getting 14.7 - 15.3 MPG. That about rounds it out for us. Good luck with your decision. What works for one will not always be the answer for another. "B" happy, "B" safe and Go RVing.
jjrai
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
I agree on the layout of the Explorer. They have ice flood plans. The RV mechanics are mostly the same between models. If something needs tone changed,it will likely be an upgrade. We love our propane refrigerator. Very efficient and uses very little electricity
SkiMore
Explorer II
Dec 27, 2013
I think you will be warmer if you replace the air mattress. I've read that foam is much better in the cold. Checkout posts for DIY campers.