Advice on purchasing a used class B

[lucytravel12]

We bought a 1987 Falcon a few years ago. We've loved traveling in it, but we're really too old for the bed above the cab and want some modern amenities. We're looking for a replacement. Less than 10 years old, with either 2 twin beds or at least a queen size. A bathroom I can shower in (I hate campground showers). Any suggestions? Also, are there any sites where I can find advice on how to "inspect" a used camper? Thanks, Lucy

[lucytravel12]

Thanks for all the great responses!
We stayed in a 2009 ERA last night, and we did find it had some poor quality issues. Mostly we didn't like the water discharge system - way to hard to reach; same with the fresh water intake. The bed wasn't great either. LOVED the ride though. Does anyone know when Pleasureway started using the Mercedes Diesel?
Lucy (still looking...)

[pickerel_cove]

If the bed is a convertible bed, notice whether the bed folds completely flat. Some like the Winnebagos are contoured and the dips are in the wrong place for our necks so we have to sleep upside down with feet toward the back. We have to leave the bed made up due to the memory foam and other extras that we added in to make it comfortable.

[Bordercollie]

Before you buy a class B, simulate using "convertible features, at a dealer then compare to a Class C. Some people like a short Class C and less comfortable sleeping accommodations, we prefer a 27 foot Class C with rear bedroom and RV queen bed. Class B van conversions have some advantages. Take your time and explore the many options.

[steveh27]

If you can find an Xplorer (made in Michigan by the inventor of motorhomes) buy it. I have a 1997 Xplorer 230XL with a wet bath that I use at least 30 times a year. In 1998 they made them wider, 230XLW, with rear tandem wheels. Xplorer was the premium Class B others tried to copy. They were discontinued in the early 2000's so a used one is rare. Mine will never leave me.

[Gene_in_NE]

lucytravel12 wrote:
We bought a 1987 Falcon a few years ago. We've loved traveling in it, but we're really too old for the bed above the cab and want some modern amenities. We're looking for a replacement. Less than 10 years old, with either 2 twin beds or at least a queen size. A bathroom I can shower in (I hate campground showers). Any suggestions? Also, are there any sites where I can find advice on how to "inspect" a used camper? Thanks, Lucy

Probably the best dealer in the country is between 250 and 300 miles West of you. Van City in St. Louis has a number of small motorhomes including used ones.

[Sebtown]

The space in our Sprinter is actually smaller than the master bathroom in our house and we have no problems living in the Spinter for weeks at a time. Your results might vary! Buy the van that fits your wants and needs. You will know the right one, for right now, when it presents itself.

[Heapie]

Lucy,

You have to dig out the information on used class Bs. I did it for more than a year. Reading and reading the internet. I narrowed it down to Roadtrek, the largest group and used Class B rvs out there. I next did research and found what used Class Bs were worth based on year, model, and millage. Then I had to find a used one in New England. I would not buy it unless I could see it, and drive it.

I finally found one by luck, and then my wife started having health problems, then I had to move her to one floor living, then, then, so I have not used it as much as I wished.

There is no one answer. You have to create the questions and find the answers yourself.

Good luck,

Heapie

[omjones]

Re small space... I figured that the living space in my B is about the same size as the bathroom in my house.
john 'I am Canadian'

[My_Roadtrek]

Your Chinook Concourse is a small Class C. They were very well made, but different construction than a Class B that started as a van.

[DandD2015]

lucytravel12 wrote:
We're looking at the ERA, but have also looked at the Chinook, or another B+. Anyone have opinions on the pros and cons of those styles?

We just got our 2006 Chinook Concourse. It's the first we've ever owned of any class or type, so we don't have much to compare it to. Also, we've had it out just once because the Texas flooding precluded its use this weekend.

I don't know which features were standard but...

1) It has a small safe for valuables. Really!
2) Built in central vac...wow! Actually with such tight aisles, that's a very nice feature to have.
3) Build quality is really good IMO.
4) Has wet bath, fan, in back, behind closed door. Feels a lot like an airplane restroom but at least it's a fiberglass enclosure. And there's a sink and medicine cabinet in there.
5) Bed...eh, not optimal placement.
A) First night we slept on the futon-like couch together...it was ok but small. This couch is manual, not power, by the way.
B) Second night wife slept on the dinette side and I took the couch. Dinette side is hard, she said, and it's shorter.
C) Solution we'll combine the two, sleep sideways with legs on dinette side. We plan to leave dinette that way, not set up/take down constantly. But one of us will have to climb over the other to get to the toilet.

Seems to have adequate storage. V10 averaged a little better than 10 mpg. Has nice snap in curtains for privacy.

Overall I think it will be great for weekends. I don't think I'd want to live in it for six months at a time or anything, though.

Cons? Not easy getting from the front seats to the back, especially from the passenger side. Also, front seats don't swivel to face rear.

Pro/Con? I'm not sure...other entry is at back bumper. If you like to back in, maybe you'd block that exit. Also, it's a dually. I read somewhere that it gives a firmer grip on the road but then, you're replacing more tires and I imagine it increases rolling resistance, drops mpg.

We looked at a few Roadtreks and the Chinook feels bigger.

When we were still shopping I liked some of the Sprinter type units, thought the layouts were nice. The wife said she wouldn't drive one (though she will drive the Chinook), that they feel too top heavy and would be unstable in the wind.

[drsolo]

The class B and like mine, an RVan, are WAAAAAY ahead of the tiny house movement. I got around 50 square feet, altho it is only for me and 2 small dogs. OTOH, our house is 2324 sqft in 3 layers, has 4 brms and a nearly finished apartment in the basement. It is way to big for us. I lived in the RVan for 3 months in Florida, much of it spent outside of course. Because of the RVan experience I have actually downsized where I live in the house in the city and am getting rid of more and more "stuff" much like tiny homers have to do before they make the move. I am using the "take a picture of it for memory and then move it out" technique.

[AsheGuy]

mrshowtime3 wrote:
We always thought we wanted a B until we saw a bunch of them at the Hershey show. Was surprised how tiny they felt, and we expected tiny. Dont know how 2 people do the 59G or something that size. And many of the wet baths are just borderline unusable and we are 5'8"

To each his own. That's what makes the world go around, as they say.

Our license plate pretty much sums up a Class B RV. But we love our Class B and would make the same choice again. They are not for everyone obviously.

We Class B owners were just ahead of the Tiny House fad. 🙂

[mrshowtime3]

We always thought we wanted a B until we saw a bunch of them at the Hershey show. Was surprised how tiny they felt, and we expected tiny. Dont know how 2 people do the 59G or something that size. And many of the wet baths are just borderline unusable and we are 5'8"

[coolmom42]

The newer Roadtreks have wet baths, not in the aisle.

[DougE]

There seem to be a bunch of Majestic Leisure Craft Tourer II for sale at reasonable prices. Do you have any comments about them?