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Fletcher500's avatar
Fletcher500
Explorer
May 21, 2017

Newbie - Considering a B

Hello,

My wife and I have been spending about 100 nights per year on our boat the past 6 years, but back backs and knees are making it more difficult.

We want to transition to a camper RV for day (beach mostly), weekend, and a couple longer trips each year including cross country.

This would be mainly for my wife and I, but our adult kids may join us on occasion, so 1-2 people 95% of the time, but up to 4 people on rare occasions.

Still researching, but I think I have narrowed it down to a Sprinter (Roadtrek, Airstream, etc) but we may do a custom job. I would consider not having a shower if we go the custom route to free up space for the second sleeping area as noted in my question below.

The B plus/C (Lesiure Serenity and Unity for example) also look nice for the space, but I am concerned about parking in so-cal if I park in a beach lot with other cars, or pull in to a shopping center for example.

A couple questions:

1. Do the B plus/C models take up more than one standard parking space? IE, do you need to straddle two parking spaces?

2. Does a B fit nicely in a standard parking space and allow you to get out, and not have the driver next to you bang their door against your rig?

3. Does anyone know of a B, Sprinter camper van (custom or production) that has a rear sleeping area, and an area forward that can be converted to a sleeping area (similar to the Leisure/Serenity) for example? IE, two beds to sleep 4.

4. Any other advice is appreciated.

Bill
Class B

20 Replies

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  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    Fletcher500 wrote:

    The rear bed will be a folder. I envision the forward bed being a modular deal where the table drops, and cushions are re arranged to make a small bed.
    I realize it will be tight, but wondering if any one has seen this configuration of beds on either a production or custom ? I have not.


    you are describing the travato 59G
    bumpy
  • buta4's avatar
    buta4
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    I suggest looking at a Sportsmobile Class B. Check out their site --- lots of info on their Sprinter chassis class B's.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 21, 2017
    You should focus on what you need for the 95 percent of the time and work around the other 5 percent when necessary.

    As the "kids" are adults, I would eliminate the requirement to sleep them in the RV. If they come along, they can pitch a tent, or drive themselves and sleep in their vehicle, or get themselves an RV.

    That will open up your options a lot.
  • pasusan's avatar
    pasusan
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    Fletcher500 wrote:
    It would be the long body similar to the Airstream, Road Treks, etc. It appears to me these fit inside typical parking spaces and no major issues with having other drivers give you door dings?


    We have a Roadtrek 170 for this reason - we can actually fit in a parking spot. Anything longer will take up 2 spots - the one behind also. My advice would be to take a few for a test drive - do some tight turning and some parking.

    Good luck!

    Oh - and as far as resale - we paid more for our 13 year old B than we paid for our fist home. :E
  • Fletcher500's avatar
    Fletcher500
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    It would be the long body similar to the Airstream, Road Treks, etc. It appears to me these fit inside typical parking spaces and no major issues with having other drivers give you door dings?

    I have spent many hours on the web looking at various models, floor plans, specs, etc. I will eventually go see them in person, but trying to avoid sales people until I have more details as to which direction to go.

    The rear bed will be a folder. I envision the forward bed being a modular deal where the table drops, and cushions are re arranged to make a small bed.

    I realize it will be tight, but wondering if any one has seen this configuration of beds on either a production or custom ? I have not.

    I am not overly concerned about re-sale, I just want to get a layout that works. With that said, I have a shower on my current boat that I have used a grand total of 0 times over the past 7 years. I always shower outside with some soap after a swim, or go the marina dock. With that said, I am not sure I want to give space up for a head. Is this reasonable based on others experience?

    Shearwater wrote:
    Parking - It depends on the B body you get. B's can be as short as 17' or as long as 24'(longest Mercedes Sprinter body). Check www.sportsmobile.com or manufacturers websites for size info. The widest is probably the Chevy. How long and wide are your legal parking spaces? You can probably rule out B+ and C RV's.

    Accommodations - There are B vans made that will sleep 3 or 4 but there is a heavy price to be paid in terms of space for other features. The websites of B makers should show floorplans - look at those. Probably the best approach would be rear bunk beds that can be folded up. Sportsmobile and Advanced RV will build your van to suit. Check with them about bunk beds.

    Probably you best option is to get a van that fits two and tow an Airliner or other small popup when there are more.
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    May 21, 2017
    Re parking in a "normal" car spot: the only things, IMO, that can be parked in one slot in a busy parking lot, are the narrower truck campers; and Class Bs (built within a factory van body). All the others are too long and too wide. Even our truck camper was too long, but when backed into a space where the overhang had some room, we did fine.

    The Sportsmobile website has tons of floorplans to ponder :-)
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    no shower, not even a wet bath, kiss resale goodbye.
    a winnebago Travata 59G possibly could sleep 3.
    bumpy
  • Shearwater's avatar
    Shearwater
    Explorer
    May 21, 2017
    Parking - It depends on the B body you get. B's can be as short as 17' or as long as 24'(longest Mercedes Sprinter body). Check www.sportsmobile.com or manufacturers websites for size info. The widest is probably the Chevy. How long and wide are your legal parking spaces? You can probably rule out B+ and C RV's.

    Accommodations - There are B vans made that will sleep 3 or 4 but there is a heavy price to be paid in terms of space for other features. The websites of B makers should show floorplans - look at those. Probably the best approach would be rear bunk beds that can be folded up. Sportsmobile and Advanced RV will build your van to suit. Check with them about bunk beds.

    Probably you best option is to get a van that fits two and tow an Airliner or other small popup when there are more.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 21, 2017
    "IE, do you need to straddle two parking spaces?"

    Straddling will cost you a $150 to $200 ticket. Our beach cities are experts at parking enforcement. My Tahoe doesn't fit n many beach parking spaces...your B won't. Consider riding the metro light rail and parking far away.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    May 21, 2017
    Which of your two posts do you want us to reply to? Welcome to the forums.

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