Need some common sense.

bobcat66 wrote:
Consider the Winnebago ERA 70C...a clone of the Free Spirit SS.

The Winnebago ERA 70C is 16" longer than the LTV Free Spirit SS and is thousands of $s less. If you like the FS SS you will love the 70C.

http://tinyurl.com/p4ldpzw

The Flexsteel tumble bed is easy to operate both up and down and very comfortable as either a couch or as a bed.

More interior storage and longer galley than the Free Spirit SS.

45 gal fresh water

Looked at a 70C a few weeks ago and going back again to spend more time in one. Just don't know if a B is for us but will find out.

I know for sure that even though we both are not big by any means the wife will not go for a wet bath but is willing to consider the 70C with it's dry bath. Campground showers are not an option.

Thanks I will absolutely do that.

Get a Prius and a tent if you want to save gas.

Consider the Winnebago ERA 70C...a clone of the Free Spirit SS.

The Winnebago ERA 70C is 16" longer than the LTV Free Spirit SS and is thousands of $s less. If you like the FS SS you will love the 70C.

http://tinyurl.com/p4ldpzw

The Flexsteel tumble bed is easy to operate both up and down and very comfortable as either a couch or as a bed.

More interior storage and longer galley than the Free Spirit SS.

45 gal fresh water

Looked at a 70C a few weeks ago and going back again to spend more time in one. Just don't know if a B is for us but will find out.

I know for sure that even though we both are not big by any means the wife will not go for a wet bath but is willing to consider the 70C with it's dry bath. Campground showers are not an option.

I'd recommend skipping a "true Class B" completely.

Go for a short and narrow Class C without slides. Look for no longer than 22-23 feet and no wider than 96 inches. You'll can get "all the comforts of home" in this configuration with nearly all of the drivability and gas mileage of a cramped Class B.

Phoenix Cruiser makes an excellent model that fits this criteria and there are others. A Class C like this can even be bought with four wheel drive if your hubby wants real macho!

Good Luck.

hotbyte wrote:

Roy&Lynne wrote:
...I'm opting for one with a slide

Compare closely the models that offer "with slide" and "without slide" as options. With slide will provide more open space but it will cost something - interior storage, exterior storage, sofa/dinette size, driver seating space, etc.

There is also the compromise between using (including sleeping) and not using some features while slide is in. For example, if you "wallydock" often and can't open a sleeper sofa with slide in, you might have an issue.

Just look closely at what is given up to obtain the slide. Personally, I'd prefer a slide but when as we look I keep the compromises in mind.

Yup x10!

When you go to look at them MAKE the salesman pull any and all slides IN. And don't stand for the "the unit does not have a battery in it" baloney. Make them get a battery to show you what it's like when the slide is in.

I looked at RV's with slides in the beginning until I found that 'many' when the slides are in you can't access the bathroom, bedroom closet, sink, etc.

Some with multiple slides you can't even get back to ANY of the MH without pulling them out. Which means when you stop at a rest stop, road side attraction or shopping etc. you can't use the MH for all the reasons you bought it unless you deploy all the slides.:R

Also.....sit on the toilet of all the RV's you look at BEFORE you buy and see if you can close the door. Yup I didn't on my first RV and found out on my first trip out with it, if you were over 5 foot tall you couldn't close the door while on the pot! :B

Roy&Lynne wrote:
...I'm opting for one with a slide

Compare closely the models that offer "with slide" and "without slide" as options. With slide will provide more open space but it will cost something - interior storage, exterior storage, sofa/dinette size, driver seating space, etc.

There is also the compromise between using (including sleeping) and not using some features while slide is in. For example, if you "wallydock" often and can't open a sleeper sofa with slide in, you might have an issue.

Just look closely at what is given up to obtain the slide. Personally, I'd prefer a slide but when as we look I keep the compromises in mind.

Thanks guys and I know about TIGHT, we just crossed country and back in our Honda Civic, on the road 6 weeks and its just good that we are friends or might be in divorce court about now. I have talked to a lot of folks who have traveled extensively in a B+ and they all loved it. I'm opting for one with a slide

rockhillmanor wrote:
I have a 31 ft V-10 and I get 11 mpg. Got 12 a couple of times but that was before I stared towing.

I serious try to keep it at 55 mph which seems to be her sweet spot for mpg, going any faster than that only gets you to your destination just minutes earlier and with a how lot of sucking gas IMHO unnecessarily.

Sounds like you drive downhill, both ways :) :) :)

We have been "window shopping" a downsize as well but are waiting on son to finish college. We have a 30' (31.5 bumper to bumper) class C now. We do not use a toad because of towing the boat and would like a little more maneuverability in driving & launching boat. We looked at several B's and each had (or lacked) a feature that disinterested us such as too small of a fridge, too small of a bath, sliding entry door (Sprinter B door was a real turn off for DW for some reason). Next, we looked to the 21' to 25' B+ and C rigs and think that is what we will end up with. The Sunseeker 2250/2300 and Phoenix Cruiser 2100/2350/2400 are at the top now. The Axis/Vegas is also on the list. The small Sprinter class A's would be on list also except for price.

A B is a van, the size of a van, not matter how you look at it with a narrowly resembling a real bathroom in it. They are great for a couple weekend camping. But a 6 month trip with family? I think you will be very unhappy. Money spent on a trip that no one had fun on. All for the sake of 1 or 2 more mpg?

I have a 31 ft V-10 and I get 11 mpg. Got 12 a couple of times but that was before I stared towing.

I serious try to keep it at 55 mph which seems to be her sweet spot for mpg, going any faster than that only gets you to your destination just minutes earlier and with a how lot of sucking gas IMHO unnecessarily.

Keeping your C And not having new RV payments is IMHO priceless. Sounds like you would be adding payments$ for a new RV 'just' for a 6 month trip? And then it will sit while you are paying on the new one?