Can't get the idea out of my head..

[07blacktruck]

I have a 37' class A now but that is used more for the grandkids than for me. I've been watching the sales on the class B's and really like what I see. Kinda silly to have a MH as big as a house for one or two people. I particularly like the looks of the Airstream models. My only real issue would be are they capable to haul a trailer with a bike or two (car trailer) and other fun items? Any experiences with them you all care to share? Good choice or suck it up and keep using the motorhome? I would be using it for extended trips. Any thoughts on living in it for some time? Doable or not? After years of this type of work, I'm used to minimalistic existence for the most part.
Just looking for thoughts or experiences here.
Stay safe out there.
Ken

[07blacktruck]

TexasVet01 wrote:
Ken,
My wife and I had a 1998 RoadTrek Class B that we traveled in for several years. We put 108,000 miles on it and never had any major problems. I replaced the coach A/C once, water pump once and pulled the Onan Genset to re-adjust the idle control.

The only 'problem' I had was the shower setup. The shower floor was the main floor of the coach. After the shower, the floor needed to be dried and any carpets put back in place. Everything was damp (even with the exhaust fan running).

When we took our embroidery business on the road full time, we sold the stick and brick and traded the RT for a 39' Jayco Seneca Class C with 3 slide outs. We now have the power to pull the 24' car hauler trailer and plenty of room with a nice shower.

Lew

Thanks Lew
I can see there are definitely some tradeoffs with a Class B unit but the idea of being to park in other spots and away from the crowd make it awfully intriguing to me. I don't mind using the campground showers if they are available and would pretty much only use the shower in the MH for times when there is no other available. I'm still looking and thinking here. The taller models with headroom to stand up and an overhead bed are great from what I see. I hope the business is doing well and you are enjoying the days out there.
Thanks for the reply.
Stay safe out there...
Ken

[TexasVet01]

Ken,
My wife and I had a 1998 RoadTrek Class B that we traveled in for several years. We put 108,000 miles on it and never had any major problems. I replaced the coach A/C once, water pump once and pulled the Onan Genset to re-adjust the idle control.

The only 'problem' I had was the shower setup. The shower floor was the main floor of the coach. After the shower, the floor needed to be dried and any carpets put back in place. Everything was damp (even with the exhaust fan running).

When we took our embroidery business on the road full time, we sold the stick and brick and traded the RT for a 39' Jayco Seneca Class C with 3 slide outs. We now have the power to pull the 24' car hauler trailer and plenty of room with a nice shower.

Lew

[07blacktruck]

Great responses here every one of them. I can see the distinct advantages of the smaller size when traveling. I like the idea of a smallish type of car trailer for the bike(s) or other items. Been looking at stuff online (is there any other way from here?) and even though the new B's on the Sprinter chassis looks good, they are sort of blurring the lines somewhere. The size and cost of them make them in the area of a newer small Class A's. They have some great amenities to be sure but I already have a Class A and now the goal is to downsize a bit. I'm still intrigued by the Airstream and a couple of others with the overhead bed space. Really like the idea of the MH being van sized with no additions except going up. I'm a loyal GM guy(or was before they took the bailout) but I really like the looks of the Ford vans. Any preferences out there or recommendations? The Dodges were good but I don't think they're even in the market anymore but I would still consider one if the deal was what I want.
I do appreciate the comments from all here. It's a great way to learn from people who actually have and use them and not hear rhetoric from a salesman.
Thanks all...
Stay safe out there...
Ken

[PSW]

Today my wife and I drove a hundred miles to look at a particular travel trailer. It is 26 feet long, 7 1'2 feet wide and weighs only 4200 pounds. We carefully analyzed the storage room in the trailer inside and out. Incredibly, we concluded we had more useful
storage in our Roadtrek! Particularly since we would have to carry a generator to recharge our batteries because we like to boondock a lot. The advantage of the trailer, obviously, is a full bed, dry bath and a sofa thus giving more room to move around in.

We just got back from two weeks boondocking in our RT and have been of the mind to buy a trailer and spend a month or so in the summer in a cooler clime. When we look at the quality of construction of any trailer and most Class Cs compared to our Roadtrek, we just elect for less space and keep on Beeing.

Many people find a hitch storage container a great advantage in a B. After two weeks we came home with stuff still in the frig and enough clean clothes for another ten days. We have had three Bs and two Cs and cannot seem to learn, others have noted, you really don't need all the stuff you carry.

[retraite]

crasster wrote:
There are many class b's capable of towing toads - even boats/popups and other heavy things. They should all be able to handle a small utility trailer with some bikes and other stuff in them.

With over 30,000 miles on our PW Lexor, we tow a small, single axle, utility trailer about 90% of the time. Motorcycle inside, bicycles inside, canoe on top, etc., etc., etc. Very handy and we don't consider it a hindrance.

Our trailer is usually about 3,200 lbs, loaded. BUT, we were very careful to PROPERLY equip our PW to handle it - and we slow down.

It works for us.

Cheers.

[Kimbopolo]

I didn't buy my B for the shower facilities. :)Or kitchen space either.

You can't beat being able to go just about anywhere. And you'll really appreciate the choice when it's time to make a U-turn.

But I like traveling light and staying on the move so my RT suits me perfectly.

[crasster]

There are many class b's capable of towing toads - even boats/popups and other heavy things. They should all be able to handle a small utility trailer with some bikes and other stuff in them.

[07blacktruck]

I would probably tend to use the facilities at a campground if I were parked there. Some people have an aversion to using "public" showers but after a career in the military and a few civilian tours here and other garden spots of the world, it's not a big deal to me. Had many showers in far less inviting places I'm sure. Long as I can splash a bit of water around to do the job, I'm good. I'm more interesting in the overall advantages of the smaller size to travel in. I will keep reading and looking at them on here. Still seems a good idea. Having a trailer for some trips to take the bike and I really like the idea of the tent for "guest" quarters. Good idea for sure. Seems a small trailer for the toys and extra living space is a good idea to me. As far as the small space in the overhead goes, I remember back in the day when we had much smaller sleepers on the trucks I used to drive. That's all changed now but I still remember. Never been in the overhead bed on an AS but it looks cool and maybe that's the kid in me wanting to sleep up there. Ah well, it is supposed to be an adventure.
Stay safe all.
Ken

[Fastpaddler]

We have 2006(2007 build) Pleasureway Plateau TS. Our previous RV was a 2005 Winnebago Aspect. The scale down in size hasnt been a problem. We always shower in it--I am 6ft1inch 190 lbs and not cramped in there or sitting on toilet either to shower. These B models are usually well configured to utilize space whereas some C's and A's are bigger but waste space. People cook outside anyway and dont just sit in the RV questioning how small it is. Our B can tow up to 5000 lbs--depending on Gross Vehicle weight with toys aboard. Users on this B blog site will all agree that the B size gives flexibility of use without need for a tow vehicle which can be a real pain! Try one out as noted first then research the market, making sure vehicle has a full history, if not new.
GOod luck
AL

[CrusinSusan]

I have showered in a B, but it was the rental which was a side bath (ie: toilet oriented in a N-to-S position and showering meant sitting on the toilet, rather than standing up.) I did it to test that experience, and I won't do that again. In the rigs that have the shower in the aisle, well, I think it's the sort of thing I would use, but not happily so. I can't imagine how one wouldn't have the curtain brushing/sticking against their wet body. In campground I imagine I'd used their shower facilities, but I can't say for sure yet.

Either way, it's a matter of individual tastes. I met one couple in a RT 210 who showered *TOGETHER*, at once, in the aisle shower, to save on water (really, that was TMI for me, frankly!)

So, take that for what it's worth. Get inside some that are on the lots...close the door/curtain and see how you feel in there. But frankly, no one will ever rave about a B bathroom. lol

And more power to you if you can sleep in one of those overhead beds...made me claustrophobic when I climbed into one to test it. Felt rather like a slice of meat in a sandwich. I prefer double twin rear beds.

As for guests, I knew a Ber who used his tent as guest quarters. Just set it up for the company to sleep in.

Good luck and enjoy the hunt! I think you're going about it right, starting with the net and forums.

[07blacktruck]

CrusinSusan wrote:
Out there on the net somewhere is a blog of a couple living full time in a B.

My suggestion is to rent one first...that's what I did before I finally deciding instead on a Winnebago View (a C), but I was looking to live full time in the rig, and renting the B convinced me that aB just wasn't going to do it for me as a full-timer. They are expensive to rent, but it's a wise investment.

I'm about to buy a B now though, after leaving full-timing. I'm sooo psyched myself.

But do rent one if you plan to stay out for months.

Oh. And tow ratings differ, but seems to me that most of the Bs could manage a two-bike trailer. Personally, I plan leaving my tent camping gear in the B permanently...but I have tiny, backpacking gear, not family-style stuff.

Sage advice I'm sure. I've got a few more months to go before I would pull the trigger on this. Have to wait until I'm back to really get a look at some. For now it's all internet searches and forum threads to get some answers. Not really concerned with the space or lack of that. I tend to like the idea of it not being a production when you want to go somewhere. I guess too many years of a nomadic lifestyle that makes me tend to pick up and go when the urge strikes. I'm more caring about the functionality of it all. Can a normal sized person actually take a shower in one or use the toilet? I rather like the overhead bed in the Airstream model. Probably wouldn't be entertaining too many guests at one time but it would be nice to be able to carry and sleep up to four people. Still gotta consider the grandkids. I took them on their first trip in the motorhome. Would love to be able to get into the smaller places with one of these for some camping and events in the Midwest.
I appreciate the responses here and hope to get some more.
Stay safe out there.
Ken

[CrusinSusan]

Out there on the net somewhere is a blog of a couple living full time in a B.

My suggestion is to rent one first...that's what I did before I finally deciding instead on a Winnebago View (a C), but I was looking to live full time in the rig, and renting the B convinced me that aB just wasn't going to do it for me as a full-timer. They are expensive to rent, but it's a wise investment.

I'm about to buy a B now though, after leaving full-timing. I'm sooo psyched myself.

But do rent one if you plan to stay out for months.

Oh. And tow ratings differ, but seems to me that most of the Bs could manage a two-bike trailer. Personally, I plan leaving my tent camping gear in the B permanently...but I have tiny, backpacking gear, not family-style stuff.

[drsolo]

NCWriter wrote:
We have met other class B owners who tow a small utility trailer for their bikes and other odds & ends behind their Airstream Sprinter. Others use racks on the back.

I have to admit that one of the biggest attractions for me of the B is fast set-up and departure, like a car, and I perceive that towing would slow down that agility for our frequent short stops while touring.

We've been spending more than two months at a time on our long annual trips and have been comfortable with extended life in a small space. The simplicity and lack of too much stuff to drag you down is fun for us.

I am the one with the RVan (name is Arvin or Arwen?) and basically it is ready to go when the frig and larder is stocked and it is gassed up. The rest of the time it is innocently parked on the street in front of our city house with its parking permit as a "car". As the neighbors found out when they got a $30 parking ticket on a rented U-haul left out front over night, nothing over 20' can park on the street, or get a parking permit. Arwen sits out front beckoning me to "trip out". At one point I bought a tiny motorcycle trailer, but never used it and got a hitch mount carrier instead. One of them holds 4 bikes or a big cargo bag and 2 bikes. After I ripped everything out of Arwen and rebuilt the inside to accommodate all the stuff I want there was only room for me (Arwen). My husband is claustrophobic anyway and has a largish tent that he uses. After I wake up I can be on the road in 10 minutes.

I too like the simplicity of not having a lot of stuff. Meals are simple like yogurt, veggies, salads, sandwiches. I dont eat "out or take out" either. It isnt for everyone, but I rarely think "oh shoot I should have packed x,y,or z. If I do, I put it on the list for the next trip.

[JanTx]

what exactly is "stealth" camping,, other than boondocking? just wondered!

thanks!

J