Small C or longer B+?

nwade wrote:
Thanks everyone, for all the info!

• Whether a 26' RV is markedly different than a 24' RV when it comes to finding parking spots during road-trips, maneuvering in National Parks, hauling a trailer, etc.
  
• Or whether grey tank size matters more than black tank size (see the Phoenix Cruiser 2100 vs. 2350 - they swap the capacities of grey & black tanks between the two models; which I find odd as I'd think you would always want a bigger gray tank).
  
• Whether a "Class C" (with a cab-over section) is really noticeably harder to drive in winds than a "B+" model with a more streamlined upper section.
  
• Does a crowned "B+" style roof really make a huge difference in maintenance/leaks in the long term? Or does a well-built Class C (like the Minnie Winnie 22R) still hold up pretty well despite its corner seams?
  

Thanks again,

--Noel

In normal tourist/sightseeing situations, you won't have much difference between 24ft and 26ft. Where that difference is going to matter is when you're (or your friend is) headed down small unfamiliar rural roads with the flyer trailer trying to reach your glider. But at that point, both lengths may very well be "too long" to be able to turn around, maneuver, etc.

Grey and black tank size isn't a "this is better". Most people figure out quickly how to adjust water usage/dumping to make their combination work. With a larger black tank, you might end up using a dish pan in the kitchen sink for doing dishes, and then dump that water into the toilet. With a larger grey tank, you may end up doing teethbrushing, handwashing, etc., in the kitchen sink rather than in the bathroom. I have 20gal tanks for each - I do all food stuff in the kitchen and all teethbrushing/handwashing/etc., in the bathroom. My tanks fill up equally throughout the trip. It really depends on your personal usage - but regardless, you can make the tanks work for you by making simple adjustments.

The cabover, IMHO, doesn't really make that much difference with driving. The wind really is a problem when it blows across the freeway - and in that situation, either RV is going to be affected by it. The cabover may get more resistance in a head wind, but it's not that noticeable and isn't going to be that much more of a gas hog.

Basically speaking, the more corner seams, window seams, room seams, etc., the more chance of leaks. A B+ reduces potential leaks by reducing the number of seams. BUT, that doesn't make a C a bad choice. It's all about compromise and preventative maintenance. The most common cause of RV leaks that I have noticed on this forum is "owner lack of attention". Most times when a bad leak happens, the owner will state something like "I put it in storage last fall and when I came to pull it out, it's got serious water damage". In these instances, a few visits to the RV over that winter season - right after the first rains, and again after big rainfalls - could have stopped the leak before it did serious damage. A simple re-caulking once every few years could have prevented the leak in the first place.

In your situation, leaving it out in the sun for several months, then leaving it in heavy rain for several months, you're going to have a greater chance of leaks - regardless of the type you buy. You will need to find ways to minimize the potential for damage (covering it when it's not in use, etc.) and to maintain it's good condition (re-caulking every one to two years, etc.). As someone involved with gliders, you understand the importance of preventative maintenance and pre-flight checks - those are just as important with an RV, and with those, you can have a long time enjoying your class C RV - slacking on those things and you'll likely wish you had bought a B+.

Buy the RV that works best for you (storage, space, size), and be a pro-active RV owner, maintain it and do as much protection as possible, and you'll be fine either way you buy.