Class B RVing. What to Expect..

[Ran]

Having experienced virtually every type of RV over the years (Class A, Class C, TT, FW, toyhaulers, and tents), our new Class B (2015 Roadtrek 190 Popular) is a first for us. Whether its pulling a car or motorcycle trailer, or having a tow vehicle, we've always had alternate transportation once we've arrived at our destination. We're super excited about having such a nimble vehicle (we recently sold our 3rd Class A DP), but we're also wondering what we'll experience that we haven't already thought of.

Having said all that,I guess my question is this: What advice would you experienced Class B travelers give to we first time Class B'ers?..

Should we have a 'Campsite Occupied' sign so our site will be there when we return?

Will we struggle with storage?

How about sleeping in our Roadtrek? Comfortable?

Is the shower practical enough to use, or will we likely seek out campground facilities?

Are we likely to swivel the cockpit seats around, or is that one of those things that's possible, but rarely done?

At any rate, as LONG time RVers, my wife and I are quite familiar with 'the road,' but we're wondering what veteran Class B users have to say in terms of tips, and things we should come to expect from our new venture.

Thank you in advance!


Randy

[bee_46]

Traveled for 9 weeks in our Class B Pleasure Way to Alaska and back this summer. We add a StowAway storage bin to the back for additional storage and travel with a minimum other supplies as it is only 2 of us. Somehow we always end up with too many clothes though. We always turn the passenger seat as it makes getting in the side door easier and gives us a convenient place to sit to put shoes on and off, etc.

We keep our beds as twin beds and also use them as our couches as well. I find our beds comfortable and never had trouble sleeping in the 9 weeks. We don't use the shower and don't use the toilet for solid waste. We use the campground bathrooms for that.

We don't have anything to mark our site and have never had a problem losing our site, but we generally stay in commercial campgrounds the assign sites. We in our site we only hook up water and electric so unhooking to sight see is quick and easy. We only hook up the sewer to dump the holding tanks.

We have only a couple of items that we have to "batten down" when we travel so there is not much to move off the beds when we settle for the day.

Hope you enjoy your new "home".

[Davydd]

NoVa RT wrote:

After an unpleasant experience in a hosted state park last year I purchased a large, but collapsible orange cone and printed "occupied" on the side. When collapsed the cone measures 1"x18"x18". I haven't had anyone take my space since!

Putting your name on the cone may make it less likely that someone will steal it.

Not so to that too. Our name was on our cone in 1-1/2" high letters and it was not removable. Here is a clue. Never, never, leave anything out at a private campground and drive off that has seasonal or full time RVs. Those people become scavengers. It makes no difference even if it is a high buck campground.

The stolen cone. Our name in the same lettering was on the opposite side and it was etched and grooved into the plastic.

[NoVa_RT]

After an unpleasant experience in a hosted state park last year I purchased a large, but collapsible orange cone and printed "occupied" on the side. When collapsed the cone measures 1"x18"x18". I haven't had anyone take my space since!

Putting your name on the cone may make it less likely that someone will steal it.

[garmp]

We've never had an issue with site stealing. We camp out of a B. Our B is for sleeping and shelter during sever weather. If we plan to spend more than one night at a given site, one of the first things out is our kitchen/camp box, then the light/power pole, followed by coolers and other assorted camp stuff. The camp box holds all our utensils, cups, bowls, spices and virtually everything needed for cooking. We do all of our cooking outside. The light/power pole uses the shore power and bring it to the picnic table and provides light and a handy power source when needed. Having these things established on the picnic table is a clear sign that the site is taken. Besides we always have the payment stub/receipt.
If we are one nighting it, nothing is taken out. Coffee pot is at the ready, but inside. Just our experiences.

[Davydd]

Sebtown wrote:
After an unpleasant experience in a hosted state park last year I purchased a large, but collapsible orange cone and printed "occupied" on the side. When collapsed the cone measures 1"x18"x18". I haven't had anyone take my space since!

Just wait. They will. If they don't take your site they may well take your cone. I know. 🙂

[goreds2]

You will have people stop by and ask if it is for sale and even say if you DID want to sale it, how much would you want?

[stan909]

Don't most campsites have a post where you display your payment stub? It gives departure date on it. I guess for insurance you could take a picture of the stub on the post with your phone in case of hanky panky.

[mkguitar]

After reading some of these post, I think I'll amend my cone with a sign that says- "gone for groceries" or something like that.

I've read posts about "occupied" campsite signs which were merely being held for the weekend rush.

Mike

[Sebtown]

After an unpleasant experience in a hosted state park last year I purchased a large, but collapsible orange cone and printed "occupied" on the side. When collapsed the cone measures 1"x18"x18". I haven't had anyone take my space since!

[drsolo]

I would think one of those green garden stakes with a pvc sleeve on it that says "occupied" might be easy and easily stored.

[Gjac]

The two problems that I encountered when camping with my Class B is un level campsites and using a "site occupied sign" in NF campgrounds that were first come first served CGs that did not have a campground host. Twice someone camped in my site that I paid for but removed the sign or sign blew away. After that I set up a small tent in CG's with not hosts.

[Ran]

Thanks again for all the advice, folks. 🙂

[mycopsycho]

I use e-bags (medium) for clothing organization. Makes it easy to find things in the long storage compartments at the rear on either side.

I travel with the sofa reclined (better visibility out the rear doors) and sleep twin bed mode using a sleeping bag. It's easy enough to raise the sofa if I want to relax at night and watch TV.

I swivel the front passenger captain chair and use the slide out table (one "leaf" only). The slide out table also is handy for food prep giving me extra "counter" surface. Opening both leaves of the slide out table blocks access to the front chairs and is just badly designed. I may remove the fold out leaf at some time in the future.

AllStays app is invaluable. I haven't looked at a hardcopy campground guide in years. I drive to SE Alaska every other summer or so and have never gone wrong with AllStays.

I'm still trying to figure out the best utilization of space for storage but I agree with other posters who recommend getting things down to the bare necessities. For my trip to Alaska this summer I'm going to get a Stowaway2 hitch storage box to carry extras for a month and a half on the road.

[garmp]

obgraham was right on with the "Multi-use" statement. A "B" requires some re-thinking and anything and everything should be multi-use if it is to be taken. Space is king so give thought as to what you need, what you want, and what you'd like to take. This is what make camping camping a "trip" so to speak. Enjoy the trip!