Class C owner looking to downsize

[sherck]

Hello
I have a 31' class c that at this point seems to be too big for my needs now, we are a small family,wife, daughter and a vizla dog, but I would like to have 4 seats so I come here to get some help.
I want to drive this rv more often than the time it seats under the cart port, most of the camping we do is at state parks and newer campgrounds with hook ups, we pull a boat and do alot of mountain biking but we dont take the RV off roading but sometimes I go on dirt roads, nothing that requires 4x4, here is what I'm thinking:
I'm looking to downsize to a something like a Roadtrek 190 versatile on a chavy chassis from 1996 to 2002 years.
The 1996 year I like the 190 versatile or the 210 popular,  older body style, from '97-'02 they all look similar.
1) what other class B look similar to the roadtrek?
2) for roadtrek owners, does the older models have a higher ground clearance or they just look higher? I know the '96 hight is 8' 4" and some of the newer ones are 8' 6" overall hight and looking at pictures the older model still looks higher  me.
Option 2 would be a '97 or newer Chinook and I know this one looks more like my class C but smaller, I'm not sure if I would drive it as much in town as I would the roadtrek.
Thanks

[sherck]

After some browsing I think that a Chinnok would really work as far as downsizing from my class C, I looked a bunch of pics and floor plans, for camping and traveling it has everything we need, the only problem I see with this unit is that it'll probably sit there as much as my current C, the Chinook still a good size RV for a daily driver.
So I'm really debating on the size if I want to drive it more often, on the weekends to the local bike races and park outings and so on.
For that I think the roadtrek would be more of a daily driver but I want a ford chassis so here are the other options:
Airstream 19b
Coachmen
Falcon
They don't look as stealthy as the roadtreks but it has a for chassis.
I'm still doing my homework and I'll try to see as many RVs at the local dealers before I pull the trigger on anything.
Open for any sugestions, Thanks

[Handbasket]

sherck, the 1st gen 210's Onan sits at the level of the original floor, behind the rear rear axle, but pretty well forward of the rear bumper. The rearward grilled opening that Blaino shows in his drawings is the Onan. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27574062/page/2.cfm

Jim, "This program was brought to you by a series of unfortunate events."

[stan909]

Another advantage to a short C is the overhead bunk is great for stowing chairs and other bigger items.

[Islandman]

Think you'd be happy with a 22-24 ft. Chinook, they are well made Class C's and will be easier to handle than your current Class C. We had a PW Excel and moved up to a 23 ft Class C Coach House and are enjoying the extra room it offers, compared to a B. Since you're used to the room, I think you'dbe better off sticking with that size rather than being crowded in a B. Check out used B's and C's and see how you feel before making a final decision

[stan909]

2009 RT. Chevy with 4" lift. Chevy vans lifted are a little rare but Fords have a whole huge following at Sportsmobileforum.com

[francheska]

How about a front trailer hitch for loading and unloading the boat into the lake. Just my 2 cents.

[sherck]

my class C is on a ford chassis with the V10, that is why I'm looking at '97 or newer Chinooks because I like how the V10 pulls my boat, the Chinnok Baja looks sweet but those are hard to find and they might be too expensive.
What about a lift kit on a Roadtrek, like the ones on a overland van?

@handbasket where is the Onan located on a RT 210?

looking at the PDF on the 1996 standard engine on the chevy is 7000 Lbs tow weight, Is that right or am I looking at it wrong?

[rmasonschneider]

Our travel buddy/couple has a RT210 and I have a 97 Chinook concourse. I've considered the RT 210 before downsizing from a 04 Winnebago 33' class C but went with the Chinook for the following reasons.
slightly more room
slightly bigger wet bath
towing capacity
same length
I liked the full fiberglass body of Chinook

Both units are quality built and cruise very well. Since tolerance and use of space is such a subjective issue i'll just assume you know the difference between them. I'm most certain the Chinook wouldn't have any trouble pulling your boat you got there.

Good luck and if you have any questions, ask away.

[Jim_Shoe]

As a single Rver, my first one was a Dodge RoadTrek. Don't remember the model. I think it was 2003 year. Everything did double duty. Dinette/Bed, Kitchen area/Shower, Closet/Toilet. But the bed was not quite long enough for my 6 foot frame even if I slept diagonally. The shower left water on the floor and the shower curtain stuck to me on all sides. Half height reefer. The last straw was a recall on the drive shaft. But it was still under warranty. I took it to the RoadTrek dealer. It was a Dodge problem, not RoadTrek. So I took it to a Dodge dealer. They'd fix it under warranty, but the water tank was below the drive shaft and they wouldn't pay to have it removed and reattached. So I paid. Then I traded for a 2004 Fleetwood 'C'. BTW, the RT was still too long to fit in a single metered parking space on the street and too tall to park in a parking garage.

[Handbasket]

Sherck, my older '99/'00 RT Dodge had a totally exposed water tank & suction line, as well as waste tanks. My '01/'02 RT Chevy had part of its water (10 gallons?) and black tankage in the heatable interior.

And yes, Onans don't swim well... 😉

From what you say, your family is a pretty good fit for a B, if your daughter is adaptable to a less-than-ideal bed (I slept on 2-3 folded quilts on the floor at grandma's even as 15 year old).

But your boat looks like it may put most B's close to / over max CGVW rating. I'd check that carefully.

Jim, "All's fair in love and eBay."

[Bob_N_]

From the looks of the boat in your signature picture, you will need to check the tow capacity of most B campers. You may very well exceed the weight limit. Also, Handbasket's suggestion for a trailer tongue extension is very valid.

[sherck]

@Mlts22 usually 2 but there are times when the wife wants to go.

@handbasket You bring up good points that I didn't think about like the boat launching, and what is this cold weather water capability? We pretty much need a place to sleep and get us where we're going, we spend most of the time on the lake or riding the bikes. And if we go with a group of people we all cook outside. I used to do all this in my ram with a shell an a carpet kit before I got my class C.
Thanks for the comments and I'm open to more suggestions pros and cons about the RTs

[Handbasket]

There were a few RT 190's made on the 19' Chevy G-30, but in the age range you're talking about, there are far more on the Dodge. It has a bit more ground clearance, but still has vulnerable waste plumbing under it. The shorter wheelbase helps a bit there. But it has no cold weather water capability like the later ('02 & up) Express-based Chevy 190's. Some Dodges have driving/handling issues (BTDT); be sure to read the 'test drive' part of the FAQ's here. The Chevy Express RT's of that era drive fine, but sit pretty low and have a longer wheelbase. I've owned one of each. I much preferred the Chevy, but it had its limitations on rough roads. I did spend a fair amount of time of forest service gravel roads with no ill effects, tho'.

Sleeping three is very possible in either a Popular or Versatile, as long as the third person is not too large and is young & limber. The second-row seat makes into a bed, tho' not a very comfortable one. Some memory foam would improve that, I think.

Even a 190 has enough room for a family of three, if you're active and don't tend to 'couch potato' it during the day. The old 21' G-30 based 210 is fairly rare.

One issue may be boat launching. With the Onan under the floor behind the rear axle on all the 190's, it's vulnerable to dunking. I'd want either a hitch extension or a front hitch, either just for launching and retrieving. The 210 has the Onan above the floor.

HTH. I think you'll use the B a lot more than a large C. It can even be a daily drive, or a local festival or "go to the kid's ballgame" hangout.

Jim, "I hate it when you offer someone a sincere compliment on their mustache, and suddenly she's not your friend any more."

[mlts22]

How many people are you taking camping? Almost all "B"s sleep two full sized adults at most.