Missing our camper

Thank you for a the helpful advice. It will take some study time to figure out the best fit for us. For sure we will look for a used camper van and it will have to fit in our condo driveway for some of the time in the summer. We half time WI and FL. Miss the easy travel with our dog and camping. Any more advice is welcome.

When you search the market for camper vans, you will mostly find Class B motorhomes built to a more luxurious standard, from RoadTrek, PleasureWay, Great West, Airstream, and more recently Winnebago. Some of these will be built as two person homes, others as family travel vehicles with kitchen and bathroom facilities.

For something closer to the camper van side of the spectrum, look for the Pleasureway Traverse, which was built on Ford's E-150 van, until the E-series was discontinued. This had a small kitchen area and a rear seat that folded into a bed, with a second bed in the pop-top, on the pattern of the campers that were build on the VW Type 2 van for many years by Westfalia in Europe and Sportmobile in the U.S.

Most camper-like of current Class B builds by major manufacturers would be Winnebago's Travato, on Ram Promaster 20-foot high-top van. But that one is only slightly less expensive than a Class B built on Sprinter or Transit, and it hasn't been around long enough to be a bargain used.

Or you could look for a VW camper van. First generation of the Type 2 has become a collector car (especially the camper) and will be expensive if fully restored. Market for the second generation is still enthusiast but moving towards collector prices. Most popular today is third generation, called Vanagon (or T3) which has not become collectable in a big way and is more competent on today's highways than earlier Transporters, and sell for $30,000-40,000 in usable condition. Most recent VW Camper was a Westfalia build on the T4 van, sold in this country as the Winnebago Camper Van, 1999 through 2003, prices about the same as the Vanagon.

Next up, Daimler-Benz bought Westfalia, and had them build a Westfalia camper on the Sprinter platform. This was a lot more like a luxury B motorhome with some overhead sleeping space than a basic camper. This one was sold in the U.S. as the Airstream Westfalia, briefly. This are rare, in high demand, priced accordingly, i.e. you might find one 12 years old for $50-60,000, not that much less than what it cost new.

Sportmobile is the biggest builder of custom-built B motorhomes and camper vans, what you find in the used market will depend on what each original buyer wanted. They will build on a van you bring to them, but they discourage this as false economy, on the premise that putting a lot of money into a (usually high mileage) used commercial van will get you a camper that you will not use for very long. That of course depends on how you use it, how many more miles are in your RV plan.

There are many smaller builders of camping vans, as well as builders of fittings to build into or even slip into full size vans. When shopping for used vans I often come across examples converted into mobile offices, equipment labs, and the occasional camper. These will often be no brand name on the conversion.

If you would DIY, consider that $20K can get you an Chevy Express 3500 that is 3-5 years old, 40,000 to 80,000 miles. Drop to $15K and you are looking at 150,000 miles typically, same age range. Under $10K and you will find 150,000 to 200,000 miles, but 7 to 16 years old. Commercial vans particularly, if purchased, will be run until the first owner considers them worn out, whether that takes three years or 15 years. If leased, they often come off lease 3-5 years and leases will have 50,000 to 80,000 mile mileage caps. If they were originally well cared for, you can expect 200,000 miles from a late model Express or an E-Series Ford.

There's a whole subculture out there of converted vans. I'm in the process of converting a Transit mid-roof (I can stand upright; Ed at 6'3" has to duck a little) into a minimalist camper. But once you discover the forums, you'll also find people who have used units for sale, too. My favorite hangout is the www.fordtransitusaforum.com - there's an entire section devoted to conversions. The only problem you might find with a used conversion is that people build them to fit specific needs (stuff that a factory-built B can't do) like hauling mountain bikes or surfboards, etc.

We wanted to build our own, because we DON'T need many of the amenities offered as "standard" on the pricey Class B's - and we will still need to utilize our van as a cargo van on occasion.

There's also companies like Sportsmobile, for example, that will build to your specs

On edit: despite the dour warnings posted about lack of height and space - getting MPGs in the mid-teens and being able to negotiate narrow twisty streets and park just about anywhere, are some of the advantages to being compact ;-) And in MY case, my "cargo van" is allowed to be parked in our condo driveway. An RV has 24 hours allowed for loading/unloading. And the total cost of our converted, brand new (2015) van will be less than $40k

Search everyday. I did and got mine for $2200 via an estate sale. Most people say they got a good deal but never post how much they paid so there you go. See picture in my profile.

Inexpensive can be had.

To the OP, Class Bs are wonderful if you don't require a pricey rolling condo with fireplace, washer-dryer, multiple bedrooms, etc. As a former Casita-owner, you sound like a good candidate accustomed to smaller space advantages. We still miss ours and will no doubt buy another one in the future.

They are more expensive than people expect, but they are much more custom-fitted, often with more durable quality materials, and have stronger resale value than most RVs do, too, so you'll probably get a return on the other end. We did.

Easier to find both new and used now that many more models are being produced. You could do some preliminary online searches to see what some of the big dealers like Lichtsinn RV in Iowa or PPL in Houston carry.

Some vans have raised roofs or lowered floors to allow more head room, while others like the Sprinters are entirely fitted into the existing steel frame. You won't have multiple exterior storage compartments, and storage is at a premium inside, too. However, the interior nautical-style compartments are well-planned and there's often a hanging locker.

Typically have shore power for 120, some have solar options. You'll find variations on small enclosed bathroom layouts, some with wet shower. Usually will have a galley with sink, propane cooktop, small three-way fridge, and microwave oven. Bed styles may be fixed twins, corner beds, or sofas that convert to a bed. Front cockpit seats may or may not swivel around to provide seating facing the living space when you are parked. You'll have fairly small fresh water and holding tanks, but can probably go three to five days depending on variables. Many have propane generators, propane/electric water heater, propane furnace. One or two house batteries. 12-volt outlets to use for fans etc when dry camping.

You'll find gas and diesel models made in the US and Canada. All get better fuel economy than most other category RVs. The T1N Mercedes/Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter diesel RVs (produced up to about 2007) get great mileage, later Sprinters get very good mileage. More recent entries into the RV conversion market are on Ford Transit, Chevy Express and Ram Promaster chassis.

Some names if searching for Class B RVs (in no particular order) are Pleasureway, Leisure Travel Vans (no longer selling new), Great West, Roadtrek, Coach House (made in Florida), Advanced RV, Airstream Interstate, Winnebago, and Sportsmobile which makes custom vans.

Good luck with that he has been posting like that for 14 years.
For the OP. Read the FAQ's at the top of the B home page. Even though there dated they still offer some good info.

rockhillmanor wrote:
You can buy a Class C for ten times less than a Class B which is just a converted van. Low ceilings and no space. Your Casita had more living space than a Class B van conversion! :C

It would be more helpful to the OP if you left out the hyperbole. :)

donn0128 wrote:
...If your looking for a class B, you will find cost way out of practical range.

X2 on cost.
For whatever reason the Class B's are VERY high priced. Used ones are no different. Do a search you will be shocked at the prices for used. Even the homemade converted ones.

You can buy a Class C for ten times less than a Class B which is just a converted van. Low ceilings and no space. Your Casita had more living space than a Class B van conversion! :C

Build one. If your the least bit handy building a small van conversion is not hard. Finding a good used van might be. If your looking for a class B, you will find cost way out of practical range.