Why Does B+ Cost More Than Std. C?

bagman wrote:
The chassis, usually the Ford E-450 cost the same and the width & height on a B+ is typically 3-5 inches less, so why the higher purchase price? Bags.

They are 10 mph faster, and get 3 mpg more on the road.

A few weeks ago, I went with a friend and compared a C to a B+ (Winnebago Minnie Winnie to a View and a Forest River Solera.)

What you are paying for is the nicer interior, the front-facing skylight that is part of the fiberglass so it doesn't leak, granite countertops, sink and stove that are flush with the counter, inverter, and other items.

This is a personal preference. Some want the shiny veneers of B+ models. Other people just don't find it worth the added price tag.

It doesn't always cost more. You could once find less expensive B+ models (R-Vision and Gulfstream made them) and you can find higher price C's.

What you are probably comparing are prices of C's built for rental and entry price markets with B+ models targeted to folks who are thinking about downsizing from luxurious larger A's.

Manufacturers of low cost B+ designs essentially lost their customers to the manufacturers selling more expensive, more luxuriously fitted models.

Chuck depends on who's B+ you are looking at. In 2003 a R-Vision 213 B-Plus (actual name) when we took the plant tour in Warsaw Indiana sold for right at $40K, I don't believe at the time you could buy a new R-Vision C for $10K less, maybe about the same price. We in April 2012 we paid $25K for our 2004 213 B+ 8700 miles on the odometer that was built in 2003. It was purchased for a planned Alaska trip in 2013 and worked great. Our B+ is "21 feet long" but measures closer to 23', has storage and TV over the cab in the 1 piece fiberglass cap. This kind of construction is all I would accept after seeing numerous C's cab-overs that were delaminated or rotted out, due to the corner joining system, windows and clearance lights. The down side on the 213 is the lack of a standard set up bed. We are on the lookout for a similar 25' B+ with a corner bed.

I have owned Class Bs, Class Cs and the misnomer Class B+. B+ is a marketing/trade name and not recognized by RVIA. A "B+" is a Class C pure and simple. The folks on the Class B forum get real jumpy when anyone refers to B+....too jumpy IMO. Most folks don't know the insignificant differences and don't care. Bs have a cult like ownership and those that have them love them. We loved our three Bs and fully understand the feeling. They are wonderful touring vehicles more than camping vehicles and they work well for singles and couples, not large families.

Now, it costs a ton to make a B because you do it on a much more intensive manufacturing basis. It is a modification of a van and that modification is much more customized than several Ford 450 or 350 chassis going down a production line. Everything in a B has to be redesigned for the extended, lowered and raised van it started from and most of the van is left intact. Thus the structural integrity is often superior to a C.

"B+" is simply a C that has no bed over the driver's area, really. It has storage and an entertainment center up there and is more shallow, thus allowing the front nose cone to be shaped and not a sloped box. Often, this design is carried through with shaped sides and rear panels, whereas most conventional Cs are straight panels and much easier/less expensive to manufacture.

Finally, some of the "B+" manufacturers offer a pretty high end product. Carriage House, BornFree, Phoenix Cruiser are examples. This style may be also used by the larger manufacturers as well.

Some of these makers are really custom manufacturers. For example, we own a Phoenix Cruiser. They are factory direct only. You can modify, choose, add or subtract, upgrade whatever you want. We bought ours used (one year old) and the guy had gone to the factory, had custom entertainment systems installed, upgraded cherry wood, wooden floors, ultraleather seating and a bunch of other stuff. You want it, they will make it for you.

That is the reason they cost more.

Paul

midnightsadie wrote:
mostly people will pay it,

There you go! Supply and demand.

From what I have seen on the Winnebago line of B+ (B Plus) they are a more deluxe unit than the standard class Cs. Dick

When we were looking for our RV we found that our Aspect was built to a higher standard of quality than the average Class C. The fit and finish was better as were many of the components. That said, there were also some Class Cs we saw that were built to a comparable quality standard and priced because of it. We bought ours used so we didn't pay the high depreciation on a new rig.

Its not that they have or are willing to pay more, its pretty much as Islander says. B+ usually are more streamlined and have more fiberglass moulding in the finished product. Generally thought to be a little more upscale and the accoutrements are generally the same as a class c but the interiors are more or less more refined. Also the B+ has some of the contour sides that a flat slab C does not allow for. Mileage will be about the same overall just really dont have the people capacity that the C does. As noted mainly for 2 with occasional extra person. I bought our Aspect because we dont need a bed over the cab and I didn't want the wind sail over the cab as I knew mileage would not be all that great to begin with. Plus there are fewer chances of rattles, leaks with the fiberglass moulded end cap. I think there are some advantages with a C that the B+ doesn't have with outside storage the biggest. B+ have little storage boxes and outs does not have really anything under the rear bed. A slide is part of the issue but most c's have a storage area there for the spare etc. Just have to be selective with what you want to take pick up along the way.

I suspect that most so-called "B+" units are better finished inside and have more/nicer furnishings and features than many C motorhomes. It also has to do with marketing and target audience: many class C motorhomes are aimed at families, who are on somewhat of a budget, while B+ ones are aimed at couples or retired persons who (they believe) have more disposable income.

The shorter version—customers are willing to pay more for a B+, so they charge more.