Class C as a Daily Driver?

[cruz-in]

Hi,

Anyone use a Class C (maybe a Mercedes or Transit) RV as a daily driver? Considering one as our "second" car and interested in opinions on the pros/cons of use in this way.

Of course it will be used for camping road trips also...

Thanks

[Dusty_R]

About 1075-76 I worked on building a new apartment building for seniors citizens. Next door was a Jr. High School, I was amazed at how many parents were dropping off and picking up their children driving R.Vs.

[toedtoes]

bukhrn wrote:
I'm having a problem with the reasoning of this, my big question is WHY, unless you can only afford one vehicle ? :h

If there are two of you working and you have different commutes, then that would mean 3 vehicles (2 daily drivers and the RV). Using the RV as a daily driver would save a lot of money for that 3rd vehicle.

[bukhrn]

I'm having a problem with the reasoning of this, my big question is WHY, unless you can only afford one vehicle ? :h

[Bordercollie]

I know that you don't want a Class B/van conversion but we owned a 1972 Family Wagon bubble top Dodge B-300 van conversion. It was the most versatile camper/tourer ,grocery getter, cargo carrier, day at the park, hobby and local event support vehicle we have ever owned. It was very basic, 2-burner stove, porta-potty room, sink with water pump, and basic sleeping on rearranged gaucho style dinette cushions. A Road Trek would be too cramped and not adaptable for cargo hauling but a nice compromise as a daily driver/camper, except for the high prices.

[Mich_F]

I used a 22' class C on a Chevrolet G 30 chassis as a daily driver, for almost 10 years. I only had to drive 2 miles to work. I could go pretty much anywhere a crew cab, long bed dually could go, other than the height difference.

A number of years later I had a 24'er, that I used for about a year, as a daily driver.

[PartyOf_Five]

I use our 32' C every couple weeks for work duty (it's our third "car"), and it's fine as long as I find four parking spots together. At 7mpg, it's not a compact car, but gas is relatively cheap and it's an easy way to keep fluids, tires, and everything moving. My commute is twenty minutes of suburban driving; don't think I'd use it for much more. I toyed with the idea of buying a cheap beater as someone said, or even using uber five days a week, but ended up buying a $3000 car that serves more purposes, had good resale, and is very reliable.

[ron_dittmer]

My wife drove THIS stick shift class-C for over 5 years until we were able to afford an additional vehicle. Being a stay-at-home Mom, she used it for everything. She got real good at driving it around town.

[path1]

If you're still working, don't eat lunch in it.

So nice and comfortable...you'll fall asleep and wander back to work about 2:30.

And forget about drive thrus. Banks and fast food

[photobug]

Had to use mine for about a week when I blew the engine on my normal car and the starter went out on the van. Wasn't a fun experience since I normally had to go through a security gate then into inside parking. RV wouldn't fit into a normal spot so security wouldn't let me park it in my normal area. Ended up parking it across the street in a "vacant" lot, then using my bike to get into work. At 8mpg it wouldn't be my first choice. For long term, it would be cheaper to buy an inexpensive throw away car and drive it until it blows up, then get another one. Know lots of people that did that. On the other hand, I now use it as a base for some photography jobs, works great for that assuming I can find a place to park it.

[toedtoes]

Unless you have to deal with low overhangs, the size should be fine. I would look at the mileage in comparison to your current vehicle and see if it's much different.

As for driving it daily, I don't think it will be a problem - the engine is the same in many daily driven vehicles (e.g., commercial companies use sprinters for delivery service). Unless you're driving on really rough roads, it shouldn't hurt the house.

I use my clipper as a 2nd vehicle and have driven it to work often with no problem. And as an added benefit, you have a nice place to take a nap, fix a homemade lunch, etc. My coworker and I made breakfast one morning in my clipper - it was a nice treat.

[Dragonfly]

We considered a small Class C for a daily driver. Yes the gas would be more expensive but so is having another car with gas, insurance, maintenance etc.

We then transitioned into thinking about a hefty truck with a drop in camper. That way, when not on the road, the camper could be left behind. And, when traveling, the camper could be dropped freeing the truck to travel into areas a C or the truck with a drop in couldn't go. Logistically the drop in camper seems to work best but of course it is smaller, doesn't have direct access between the driver seat and back etc. Tough choice.

Then we got lucky and got a great deal on a 4x4 Provan pictured in the signature. It has the best of both worlds but you have to get lucky on a used one since they are ridiculously expensive new.

We will probably still add a small, high mileage car for fear of future sky high gas prices even though the Provan has the footprint of an F-350 and would probably work as a daily driver. I don't know what we would have done if the Provan didn't come along.

PS: One last item to consider. Using a very expensive camper as a daily driver shortens it's life. So, is it better to have a small car to minimize mileage on the expensive camper or is the savings of not having a car worth the extra wear. Again, a drop in camper solves that. Just leave the camper at home when not traveling. But yes, the drop in vs a traditional C issues come into play.

Like everything else. For every plus one choice has, it has a negative that the others don't. Good luck in your decision.

[midnightsadie]

our,s a MB could be used as a daily driver , gets great mpg. about 25ft long. but a honda crv works better for us, and were in the country .

[rjstractor]

cruz-in wrote:
Question was geared to the Transit and Mercedes based Class C's. I do get confused as sometimes they are called a B+. The nomenclature appears in consistent.

B+ is a made-up marketing term. It's a class C without a front overhang.

I would think the Transit or Sprinter based Cs would make ok daily drivers, since like you said they aren't much bigger than your crewcab F250. Operating costs would be a little higher but that may or may not be a concern. About the only places you might have trouble would be parking garages or drive thrus, but not living in the city that's probably not an issue for you.

[cruz-in]

A little more info. We do not live in a city. So no driving down narrow streets or anything like that. Nope not asking about a Class B. Question was geared to the Transit and Mercedes based Class C's. I do get confused as sometimes they are called a B+. The nomenclature appears in consistent.

They are only a tad longer than my current 2nd vehicle, a Dual Cab F250.