Studying the B+ market

Take a look at Phoenix Cruiser. They offer a few models in your range on either a Ford or Sprinter chassis. They'll also work with you with minor layout modifications and accessories. We're on our 3rd because we like their operation, exemplary customer service and quality.
No, I do not work for them.

In examining the Winnebago View M, I like the fact that the bathroom is in the back. I like that here is a dinette instead of a table in front of the sofa for eating. I also like the placement of th TV which allows one to view it from the sofa, the dinette, or either of the swivel-around cockpit seats. I'm not yet sure I would like he fact that the mattress in the sofa bed is an air mattress. I haven't tried it, but I have a suspicion that it may be a little to squishy. And since there's only the two of us, I think I'd rather have storage in plac of the overhead sleeping area. Of course all these opinions could change if we were able torrent one of these things for s few days to try it out.

I recall venting on RV.net a few tears ago about how slow to 'get with it' Class C builders were, in particular w/r front swivel seats in the smaller B+ rigs.

Seems that has finally changed, and now much more optimal living spaces are being designed.

How hard would it be for me to convert my two cab seats to swivel? 2005 Chevy Express cab.

Why not rent one and see how it works for you.

PSW wrote:
We have been looking at a small C or B+ to replace our Class B now that we are retired and can spend more time traveling. We have gone through the analysis of diesel vs gas. Most of the really cool models are now Sprinter and some Sprinter only.

No Sprinter for us! We live in Oklahoma City. There is one Sprinter authortized warranty service in town and that is common. In our entire state, there are only two: Tulsa and OKC.

In New Mexico only in Albuquerque. In Colorado, only in Denver. In Kansas none. And so on. What happens if you break down half way between Albuquerque and Oklahoma City? 275 mile tow? One thing I have concluded: virtually every county seat has a Ford or Chevy place, so we are sticking with gas. And those we have talked to about Sprinters all love them and are apparently willing to pay ten grand more new for the privilege, have limited service available and pay through the nose for the name on the badge both at the time of sale and over the years for service. That old Ford V10 may be a little long in the tooth, but it is one proven engine. Its virtues and foibles are well known.

The Ford V10 isn't long in the tooth. Now the van they put it in.......

I'm the schmuck that does the RV periodic service and the Sprinter is easier to work on than the Ford. I didn't pay for a badge. I paid for a van the does a better job for us.

We have been looking at a small C or B+ to replace our Class B now that we are retired and can spend more time traveling. We have gone through the analysis of diesel vs gas. Most of the really cool models are now Sprinter and some Sprinter only.

No Sprinter for us! We live in Oklahoma City. There is one Sprinter authortized warranty service in town and that is common. In our entire state, there are only two: Tulsa and OKC.

In New Mexico only in Albuquerque. In Colorado, only in Denver. In Kansas none. And so on. What happens if you break down half way between Albuquerque and Oklahoma City? 275 mile tow? One thing I have concluded: virtually every county seat has a Ford or Chevy place, so we are sticking with gas. And those we have talked to about Sprinters all love them and are apparently willing to pay ten grand more new for the privilege, have limited service available and pay through the nose for the name on the badge both at the time of sale and over the years for service. That old Ford V10 may be a little long in the tooth, but it is one proven engine. Its virtues and foibles are well known.

pgustaf249 wrote:
As we study the market I'm also learning new terminology and abbreviations. WHat is OTOH? What is "genset"?

On The Other Hand

A genset is an abbreviation for a portable "generator set".

Snowman9000 wrote:
We have done a lot of thinking and research on this subject. We own our first small MH, a Chevy gas 23' B+. The tradeoffs we go back and forth on are:

-cab comfort: As Dazuki said, the Sprinters are much better. The Chevys are better in passenger legroom than the Fords, but that might be the only difference, I'm just not sure.

-MPG: the Sprinters win hands down. Although, gas B+'s often do get double digit MPG because their over-cab bodywork is aerodynamically decent. Our little B+ does 11.x at 65, and it seems I can get 1 more MPG for each 5 MPH reduction below that. So that's not that bad IMO. Fords might get 1 MPG less than ours, from what I read. I'm talking about streamlined B+'s, though. Not regular C's which will probably drop another 1 MPG at least.

Gas vs diesel otherwise: There is something to what Supercharged said. We have towed with a diesel truck. There have been times I tracked spilled fuel (already present) into the truck. I have slipped in the spilled fuel, but fortunately not fallen down. Those diesel lanes at truckstops are flat out a mess. Our cure for that was to just go to roomy regular stations, not truckstops. And with a smaller B+, you can fit almost anywhere.

Diesel is more expensive, wiping out some of the savings. Noise/vibration is not an issue, especially with a Sprinter! Sprinter service is more expensive. Sprinter service is considerably more scarce. Sprinters typically come with an LP generator, which bothers some people because the LP tank is quite small. OTOH LP is very cheap compared to gas or diesel, if you don't mind stopping to fill it up to keep the genset fed.

Construction: hopefully Ron Dittmer will stop by and post his message on that. I personally am not bothered by a rubber roof, but some are. I do want a molded cap over the cab though, for sure.

Costs: Obviously vary according to chassis and construction. Forest River seems to be making real good MHs with the best quality/dollar ratio, strictly IMO of course.

To us, layout or floorplan is the biggest thing by far. Currently we do not have a dedicated bed. We'd love to have one, and that's what a lot of people discover. But we want a small MH, and we also want some elbow room inside. You have to compromise somewhere. Right now we have only one of the three: small. :)

Some more great info. What a blessing you folks are!

AS we study the market I'm also learning new terminology and abbreviations. WHat is OTOH? What is "genset"?

We have done a lot of thinking and research on this subject. We own our first small MH, a Chevy gas 23' B+. The tradeoffs we go back and forth on are:

-cab comfort: As Dazuki said, the Sprinters are much better. The Chevys are better in passenger legroom than the Fords, but that might be the only difference, I'm just not sure.

-MPG: the Sprinters win hands down. Although, gas B+'s often do get double digit MPG because their over-cab bodywork is aerodynamically decent. Our little B+ does 11.x at 65, and it seems I can get 1 more MPG for each 5 MPH reduction below that. So that's not that bad IMO. Fords might get 1 MPG less than ours, from what I read. I'm talking about streamlined B+'s, though. Not regular C's which will probably drop another 1 MPG at least.

Gas vs diesel otherwise: There is something to what Supercharged said. We have towed with a diesel truck. There have been times I tracked spilled fuel (already present) into the truck. I have slipped in the spilled fuel, but fortunately not fallen down. Those diesel lanes at truckstops are flat out a mess. Our cure for that was to just go to roomy regular stations, not truckstops. And with a smaller B+, you can fit almost anywhere.

Diesel is more expensive, wiping out some of the savings. Noise/vibration is not an issue, especially with a Sprinter! Sprinter service is more expensive. Sprinter service is considerably more scarce. Sprinters typically come with an LP generator, which bothers some people because the LP tank is quite small. OTOH LP is very cheap compared to gas or diesel, if you don't mind stopping to fill it up to keep the genset fed.

Construction: hopefully Ron Dittmer will stop by and post his message on that. I personally am not bothered by a rubber roof, but some are. I do want a molded cap over the cab though, for sure.

Costs: Obviously vary according to chassis and construction. Forest River seems to be making real good MHs with the best quality/dollar ratio, strictly IMO of course.

To us, layout or floorplan is the biggest thing by far. Currently we do not have a dedicated bed. We'd love to have one, and that's what a lot of people discover. But we want a small MH, and we also want some elbow room inside. You have to compromise somewhere. Right now we have only one of the three: small. :)

wildtoad wrote:
Go to the Winnebago website and compare the Aspect to the View. Besides floor plans and cost, take a good look at the specifications page in regards to tank capacities, storage space, and towing capacity. Make sure all of these meet your needs.

...and when the wheeling/dealing starts you want about 25% off MSRP.