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.
AL
Merry Christmas Too.
