B+ motorhomes

[Daniel_C_]

I just bought a Trail Lite B+ 211s with 8.1 Chevy
engine. This is my fifth motorhome (others range
from an old 20' Vagabond, and three Winnegagos, from 19 to 32'. This vehicle is fantastic. I am
using it as a mobile office (and sneaking in a fun
journey from time to time). It gets about 9.5mpg
and I believe I could pull a bus behind it if I wanted! I paid low $40's which is about what I had expected to pay for a five or six year old Chinook with a nicer interior, but fewer features
(slide). I am delighted thus far.

[Gene_in_NE]

burlmart - Thanks for the report on the laptop. Was thinking of doing the exact same thing. You are still thinking about it - because of wires and size? Nice thing about the laptop is that you can take it along to the campground laundry mat, picnic bench etc. Amazing that the whip antennae works as well as the "bat wing" with power boost. I am thinking of also getting a Wi-Max card (like Verizon or Sprint) to be able to access the internet through cell towers. And...you are right about the "fisheye" - I am accustomed to mine. That is right, I forgot about how high the RV-360 seems.

Palm Springs Paul - Welcome to the forum. There have been a number of postings on this "Class C" forum about the Winnebago View or the Avion. Some of the postings on the Gulfstream have been in the "Conversion Van" forum. Gulfstream has made both the Class B and C. Do a search on levelers limited to the Class B forum. We have not had a need for levelers on our Class C-. Have been able to park reasonably level as we are not 35' long nor 8' wide.

[Palm_Springs_Pa]

I've owned an A Class (Fleetwood Fiesta) and an older Fleetwood C class. I'm now considering a B+ class and was looking at the Gulfstream Mini and the Winnebago View... does anyone have any experience with either one of them?

Also, I've had auto-levelers on my A and C class....they don't seem to be an option on any B+....do you need them?


Thanks for your help.

[burlmart]

Hello All

A while back I looked at the directional vent, but concluded that a) there really isn’t much of an odor problem – perhaps a random once-in-a-while occurrence that seems to just go away, and b) the 360 degree vent is about 12” tall, which may be asking for trouble w/ low tree limbs.

We have the fish eye on the rear bath window and we always tie the door open so Martha can see w/ the inside rear view mirror.

We’ve recently taken the B+ on two nice but short trips to Bogue Chitto, MS and Dauphin Island, AL.

First trips w/ no big TV – a bit more wood-to-wood squeaky sound at slow speeds on rough surfaces (that heavy set held the woodwork down a bit), but it all seems better at crusing speeds, especially on bumps where that big set used to do a bit of dancing!

The 24” TV is currently being supplanted by a new 15.4” Gateway laptop w/ a Pinnacle HD Pro Stick USB TV Tuner. Gateway let me get Windows XP instead of Vista, so my home PC and laptop have same operating systems. But for a real Wow factor, the big screen iMacs are really stunning, though I would have too much 'new and different' to deal with with an Apple.

The computer is placed close in front of us as we sit on the sofa, so I can still see it, and we do not strain our necks looking up (the four dogs seem oblivious to the whole electronic thing, being worn out from the longer walks afforded by my new titanium/ceramic hip joints!)

The thinking on use of a PC for TV versus a separate LCD TV is still not set in stone, though the minimalist in me likes a one gadget does all approach. The $140 USB NTSC/ATSC tuner works surprisingly well (though the software is quirky) and with its little whip antenna, it pulled in 7 analog and 19 digital stations in AL – that is 19 more chances at something worth viewing than we had w/ the NTSC only set. My thinking about digital tuners being a must-have for RVers was confirmed - the main network stations broadcast in both analog and digital, but if you are close enough to get the digital, it is CLEAR. BTW, as a test, the batwing antenna got the same snowy 7 analog and only 10 digital stations!

Will see if the setting-up of wires and computer gets old - one nice thing of the PC is that it compactly stores away w/ the screen closed versus a LCD TV that we would likewise have to set-up and store away.

The April Good Sam's 'Highways' magazine has an article on Class B and B+ RVs.

[cheeze1]

Thanks Erip, I have the same question as Gene.
Gene, you are right, I almost bought them because of the sale.

[Gene_in_NE]

cheese1 - Try putting a "fish eye" on that back window. I certainly like looking out my rear door/window. I frequently pull a small trailer and, by looking over my shoulder, can back it anywhere I want to.

erip - When you covered your vent with the "T", which way do you turn the "T"? Are the holes side to side or front to back? I believe Camping World has the RV-360 which is the directional vent for $23.99. The $10 ones were a few years back.

[erip]

cheeze1.. i just used the pvc t joints.. i leave my rv in my driveway .. never had a problem with "visitors" either camping or at home... i got the idea for the pvc t joints from someone on here in the cvc forum.. he even had a link to pictures.. i tried to find the link for you but was unable. if you can find the directional vents for 10 bucks, i'd go for it.. never saw them for anywhere near that price.

[cheeze1]

Thanks Gene. I would have to hold my bathroom door open, then keep the blinds up to see out my back window, but then all I would see would be scenery or the grill of a big truck! Maybe I will remove mine.
For 10 bucks it would be worth getting the directional one. Still waiting for erip's response. 🙂
Btw, did anyone see RV2007 on one of the Discovery(?) channels? They showed a coach with a smaller flat screen tv that was mounted in a cabinet door. It was like a sandwich,I estimate the door was about 4" thick.

[Gene_in_NE]

cheeze1 - Got my special mirror from a place here in Omaha called "Jones Automotive". They have a website. Was not cheap, I believe around $350 installed. You can find some that work the same in the JC Whitney catalog (item # MK278981) for around $229.99 plus labor. On our unit, the mirror actually works as we have a glass in our rear door so I can see rearward.

As to the plumbing vent caps, I think mine is just a hood. I was also thinking of the directional swivel type. At one RV show they had a special for like $10 /each.

[rcwaz]

Wayne,
There isn't much outside storage on the 293TS. The smaller models actually have more storage because they use the area under the bed. I know I am going to have to be extremely frugal when it comes to packing things on board. Look on the Holiday Rambler web site for the Augusta 293TS and you'll get a good idea of the limited storage. The big door in the rear shown on the picture can't be more than 18 to 20 inches deep. Only big enough for the small grill and lawn chairs.
RCWaz

[Wayne_Dohnal]

rcwaz, or anybody else, can you tell me how much outside storage the 293TS has? There aren't any dealers close to me that have one to look at. Thanks.

[cheeze1]

erip, I need more details. Did you mean a T fitting? What about baffles to keep out 'friends"?

[erip]

If you are talking about replacing the black and gray tank vent caps with the swivel type caps think twice about. Here's a tip i picked up that saved me ton/s of money. I was having an odor problem from my tanks. Instead of the $40.00 each swivel caps, it was suggested that i used PVC t pipe. the cost about 2.99 each and do a great job.

[rcwaz]

Jarvomatic
It's interesting that you just moved out of a big fifth wheel. I have almost done the same! I'm hoping my 36 ft CarriLite sells before my TrailLite 293TS is delivered. We had the fifth wheel, truck and a Big Foot truck camper until the February RV show. We enjoyed the truck camper when it was just the two of us movin' down the highway. We enjoyed the fifth wheel when we brought the kids and grandkids and entertained our RVin' friends. There had to be an in between. The 293TS has three slides, is shorter in height, and appears to be easier to drive than any motor home I've had. It's so hard to figure out what type of RV lifestyle you'd be happiest with. I hope this is it. I just can't figure out what I'm going to do with all the stuff I took out of the fifth wheel. Delivery is supposed to be in 2 to 3 weeks. Anyone need 200 ft of extra water hose?

BTW, Gene from NE, thanks for the welcome.

RCWaz

[cheeze1]

Gene, that seems like a great idea! Where did you get it? I've been thinking about removing mine just because I am not sure it does anything. Anyone agree?
In addition, while cleaning snow off my rv roof last week, I broke/cracked the bathroom exhaust fan cap and both plumbing drain caps. Luckily I was a mile away from the parts place owned by the dealer I rent my space from, and replaced the fan cap right away. I held off on the other 2 because I was wondering about those 'cyclone' and other directional/swivel type caps. Anyone try them?

[Gene_in_NE]

Not any real serious question, but have any of you replaced your inside rear view mirror with an after market mirror? We replaced ours with one that shows the outdoor temperature, a directional compass, and has two map lights. I have found this to be indispensable. I usually have good orientation except when driving in mountainous areas after dark. That compass sure comes in handy. The outdoor temperature often provides an advance notice on whether to turn on the A/C or the heater. And...the map lights keep the glare off the windshield when a map needs to be read.