Advice...I'm thinking of moving to class B

[limbery]

I've had several small TTs in the past, largest was a 22' airstream...I'm retired and always liked the idea of a small camper van and briefly owned a dodge illusion pop top...which is a minivan...it was much too small so I got rid of it and bought a 20' TT with a slide...great if it's just me but my wife has mentioned that she'd like to do a three or four week winter tour of the US west coast and maybe over to Palm Springs... This means I may be able to trade up to what I've kind of leaned towards all along...something like one of those high top Mercedes class Bs... What should I be looking for if I want roominess, a good shower/ bathroom, front and rear sleeping...of course as small exterior footprint as possible ( I know, with interior the size of a class A), and what are the possibilities of towing a small car behind? (Best types of small cars and tow methods here). I also should mention that I have a farly steep sloped driveway where this thing would be parked, which works ok for my TT, but was wondering the most practical leveling systems for a van....ramps? Thanks for any advice and I hope I've explained my requirements adequately. Oh, and cost isn't a big factor....

[DaCrema]

After I narrowed down the search to three or four models I went to an RV the RV show in Hershey PA. What made the show nice was the large number of people going in and out of the RV. I sat in a chair with a book and watched how the people looking at the RVs moved around inside. I did not leave until I was in the RV while 4 to 5 others were looking through it at the same time. This gave me an idea of what it would be like when our family and/or friends were with us. It also allowed me to rule our some RV that were high on the list. Not that they were defective but there were little things I would have would have started to bother me with time.

John
NELD 68

PS: I second the LD Mid Bath floor plan

[ClassBGirl]

http://www.leisurevans.com/unity/floorplans.html#anchor

Leisure Travel Vans "Unity" made in Winkler, Manitoba has several new floor plans for 2014 plus one with the Murphy Bed and a large bathroom/shower area. We have the 2012 Triple E Regency GT 24 MB which is similar floor plan that we love, but they just discontinued making it to keep the Class B's moving off the assembly line. Their Class B's are so popular they can't keep up other wise. Great company with a quality RV. We have had no problems.

[wbwood]

I wouldn't expect "roominess" if looking at a sprinter based Class B. Enough room, yes, but nothing "roomy". Especially if you expect to stay somewhere around 20' or so.

[Fastpaddler]

limbery wrote:

sky_free wrote:
Save yourself a lot of trouble and possibly money and rent a similar sized unit before you make a buying decision. I'm sure it would work fine for 2 people, but you may be disappointed after the roominess of a trailer with slide. There is no reason you can't do a 3 or 4 week tour of the US west coast with a small TT. Of course new toys are FUN and there is no replacement for that, so if you gotta have it then go for it!

Gee we're thinking that our existing TT would be too small, and would probably like the convenience of being able to use the rear part while driving with the motor home... I was thinking that at least the 24 ft.size of the C would have similar room of out TT, which is effectively only 18 ft...

I suggest the OP check out the Leisure Travel Vans. The Free Spirit SS is really nice. They have one model rv with rear bathroom and murphy bed etc. Lots of cupboards and room for your stuff.
Al
I downsized from Winnebago Aspect to Pleasure-way Plateau TS. No problem: my wife and pedigree pooch Holly are happy campers!! Good luck

[PghBob]

We have a 27 foot Lazy Daze mid-bath, Class C. They also make a few 24 foot models. I think ours lines up well with your criteria. We often travel with our 2 adult children, so there are four of us. The floor plan allows us to essentially divide the rig into front and rear. The bath is nice with a shower separate from the toilet and sink. Lots of room for meds, first aid kit, etc. Excellent build quality, but pricey compared to other Class Cs. A number of Lazy Daze owners tow, usually small cars like a Honda Fit, or Subaru Forester (manual shift only). LDs are factory (Montclair Cal.) direct sales only and must be ordered, unless you find a used one. www.lazydaze.com There are very active owners' groups in Cal. and would welcome your visit at one of their gatherings.

Best wishes on your search.

Bob
North East Lazy Daze Club #69

[Bobbo]

No one has addressed the towed car issue. If you can drive a manual transmission, I strongly recommend a Subaru. All Subaru standards can be towed, but beware, no automatic transmission Subaru can be towed, even on a dolly.

Easy pre-towing checklist: Car in neutral, brake off, turn key 1 click to unlock steering and GO. No distance restrictions. No speed restrictions.

The Honda CRV is probably the most towed car, with the possible exception of a Jeep, but requires a procedure that involves starting the car and running through gears every so many miles. The Honda Fit can be towed, but requires the same procedure as the CRV.

[sky_free]

limbery wrote:

sky_free wrote:
Save yourself a lot of trouble and possibly money and rent a similar sized unit before you make a buying decision. I'm sure it would work fine for 2 people, but you may be disappointed after the roominess of a trailer with slide. There is no reason you can't do a 3 or 4 week tour of the US west coast with a small TT. Of course new toys are FUN and there is no replacement for that, so if you gotta have it then go for it!

Gee we're thinking that our existing TT would be too small, and would probably like the convenience of being able to use the rear part while driving with the motor home... I was thinking that at least the 24 ft.size of the C would have similar room of out TT, which is effectively only 18 ft...

Width will probably be important then, so make sure you get something that is a full 96" wide. A lot of the smaller units are around 90", and it makes a big difference. As Gene said, 24' of C is not the same amount of space that you get in a 24' trailer due to the cab. I feel like you lose about 4' so it should be roughly equivalent to what you have now, but not larger. You'll probably have to go to at least 27' for that. If it was me and money was no object I would look at something like a Triple E Regency GT. I would rather deal with the 5' more length than the 5' less space inside.

The main point of my post was to suggest that you rent a 24' C if possible and try it out first, which will instantly reveal what you like and don't like.

[Gene_in_NE]

limbery wrote:
...Gee we're thinking that our existing TT would be too small, and would probably like the convenience of being able to use the rear part while driving with the motor home... I was thinking that at least the 24 ft.size of the C would have similar room of out TT, which is effectively only 18 ft...

The 24 foot size in the Class C may have less than 18 ft effectively. The size on a Class B or C usually is bumper to bumper. 😉

[dicknellen]

Check out Canadian made Pleasure-Way they also have a B+. Dick

[limbery]

sky_free wrote:
Save yourself a lot of trouble and possibly money and rent a similar sized unit before you make a buying decision. I'm sure it would work fine for 2 people, but you may be disappointed after the roominess of a trailer with slide. There is no reason you can't do a 3 or 4 week tour of the US west coast with a small TT. Of course new toys are FUN and there is no replacement for that, so if you gotta have it then go for it!

Gee we're thinking that our existing TT would be too small, and would probably like the convenience of being able to use the rear part while driving with the motor home... I was thinking that at least the 24 ft.size of the C would have similar room of out TT, which is effectively only 18 ft...

[sky_free]

Save yourself a lot of trouble and possibly money and rent a similar sized unit before you make a buying decision. I'm sure it would work fine for 2 people, but you may be disappointed after the roominess of a trailer with slide. There is no reason you can't do a 3 or 4 week tour of the US west coast with a small TT. Of course new toys are FUN and there is no replacement for that, so if you gotta have it then go for it!

[My_Roadtrek]

Moved to Class C at op's request.

[limbery]

My Roadtrek wrote:
Which are Class C's.
If you want me to move your post over there let me know.

I see what you mean...especially regarding two sleeping areas... Please move the posts to the class C section...

[My_Roadtrek]

Which are Class C's.
If you want me to move your post over there let me know.