Forum Discussion

davebaker's avatar
davebaker
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014

Advice wanted for buying a B+ by travelling Aussie.

I’m an Australian semi-retiree looking to buy a motor home in January 2015 to use on and off over a couple of years in the USA…my son lives in NY and a mate lives in Wyoming where I will garage the MH between trips from Oz. My challenge is how to buy one from this distance? Do I look at Private or dealer? I’d like to reduce time /costs spent looking for one so maybe that means a dealer? Are there areas where there are lots of dealers? I’d appreciate any guidance.
I’m thinking that I might bring it back to Australia (which means I’d need to get a rear entry, to reduce conversion costs for importing into Australia). I’m interested in a compact B+ class, something around 21’. I’ve driven a 25 footer in Australia and think that’s a little bigger than I need…and, given the fuel consumption, unnecessarily expensive in running costs. I want to keep the costs below $15,000 for a 2000 + year model.
I've driven around the South in a car rental and it was great travelling...looking for more. beaut experiences
Class C
  • Sooboy's avatar
    Sooboy
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    I have nothing to gain by providing this reference, so please no flames! :B

    in 2011, my wife and I were looking for a Jayco Embark and late that year purchased from Evan at Terrytown RV in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We knew what we wanted and were essentially shopping based on price. Met Evan and got the best experience you can ask for. He knew the ropes to import into Canada, so that part also went well. He represents a lot of brands and I know he's shipped units to Australia, so maybe he can help you as well:


    Evan Shepard
    Sales Consultant
    Terrytown / RV World of Michigan
    evan@terrytownrv.com
    Mobile: 616.890.8397
  • ron_dittmer's avatar
    ron_dittmer
    Explorer II
    Apr 23, 2014
    A rear entry B+ is going to limit your choices tremendously. If you could tolerate a right-side entry, then I'd suggest a Starflyte or one of the shorter Telstars. If you had more money to work with, I'd add a Phoenix Cruiser model 2100. That is a very sweet tiny rig with big motor home features & capacities in a tiny package. They are most often sold with a slide out, but I favor them without one.
  • tonyandkaren's avatar
    tonyandkaren
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    Rear entry RVs are not very common so you'll have to do some searching on your own. Bs are fairly easy to find but if you want a B+ you'll have fewer choices. PPL Motor Homes , a consignment lot in Texas, is one place to look - http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classc/class-c-motorhomes.php

    Try Lazydays too - http://www.lazydays.com/RVShop/SearchResults

    Two class B+ with rear doors are Trail-Lite Model 211-S - http://www.chooseyouritem.com/rvs/files/20361000/20361333.html

    and Born Free Built for Two - http://www.bornfreervclub.org/bulletin_board/viewtopic.php?t=4176&sid=acf9f27c1434d634df33ab60abf22336
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Apr 23, 2014
    look at these leisure travel vans leisurevans.com ours is great and resale is the best.ours is the freedom II serenity
  • davebaker's avatar
    davebaker
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    Thanks for the advice. The Chinooks look like a nice unit but I'm looking for around 21'. The budget is a little flexible for the right unit if I can actually find it!
  • kknowlton's avatar
    kknowlton
    Explorer II
    Apr 23, 2014
    Well, it won't fit the budget bill, but a decent 18' B+ with rear entry is made by Chinook. Not sure how they are doing these days (they've gone out of business several times, then been resurrected, over the years) and their RVs are relatively expensive. Nice little units. We had a used one for a while, back in the early 80s. There aren't many of them around so finding a used one isn't something you can count on.

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