Class C without boondocking amenities

I deal with many people that are doing the same or similar to what you want to do, most are looking for a RV hybrid to go on expeditions and they don't want the full RV experience.

From my experience to vary just a little from the norm costs way more than it is worth.Had a guy that had a chance to buy a nice little RV for $25,000 he passed as it had too much for what he wanted. So he built one himself when all was said and done for buying the chassis, in labor to build, parts and time wasted for trying to get insurance/ license and registration figured that he was into it for over $80,000. If he had to do it again he would have bought the RV and been happy. Then there is trying to sell it, there was a nice truck camper close to me that was in amazing shape the only issue for many was the guy that had it built asked for no bathroom to be installed as he never uses bathrooms in the RV, well nobody wanted it like that and the cost to add a bathroom was insane. Likewise a guy here had a trailer built with no bathroom or kitchen sink (so no water system). When he went to sell it nobody wanted it he had it for a couple years then ended up giving it away as it sold for such a low price.

If you buy an RV and don't want the fridge to be cold, don't turn it on. If you don't want a hot water tank use the bypass. Easier than removing or trying to add if you decide to use it.

Myself I like the extras even in a Walmart parking lot!

Giggity,

As you by now know ... A) satellite access, or B) cellular system access at 4G speeds with very high data caps ... are your only choices for getting the mobile Internet access that it sounds like you want (including video streaming). Either A) or B) represents the ultimate and expensive way to go and a lot of us RV'ers would like one or the other.

When traveling in our RV we have opted for a limited version of choice B), as we only purchase a monthly 4G speed data amount we can afford that allows for plenty of daily WEB surfing but no video streaming. We use Verizon for the best coverage in the most places most of the time - their competitors' TV adds notwithstanding. We use a Verizon Jetpack for our 4G Internet access when traveling and purchase 10GB of data per month for it - that more than meets our web surfing needs without video streaming. We do not have a "plan or contract" with Verizon for the Jetpack so that we can purchase a month-by-month data amount for it on trip by trip basis.

One can even mount a cellular band antenna on the RV roof and connect it via cable to a 12 volt cellular band transceiver inside the coach to boost the signal when not close enough to population centers or main travel routes.

Wannabango wrote:
I'm considering getting a Minnie Winnie 22R to travel around the country while working remotely. It's the smallest class C that Winnebago makes while still having plenty of room for a single guy. I like the idea of getting a Winnebago because they're so highly regarded by the community. I'll stay at my destination for at least a month or so at a time. I don't need the propane system, I can easily get by without it when I'm on the road. It just seems like a waste to have a propane system and all of those propane appliances that I don't really need. Is there an alternative that better suits my needs?

There are always alternatives, given enough money. You could get a custom build done or you could simply remove anything you don't want after purchase and replace those items with more storage or ?.

But, you'll spend substantially more money and end up with something you'll probably never be able to sell for a reasonable price.

Unless there is a real pressing need, I'd just not use what you don't want to use but leave it intact.

Wannabango wrote:
Ron, it looks like the Minnie Winnie 22R fits most of your criteria. I'll be sure to refer to your post in the future if I decide to go ahead with this. Thanks!

LifeInsideJack, video streaming is one of the most demanding things I and most people do. It sounds like you're all set up!

I haven't found a better way to get the internet service we need without a wire to the coach. Cellular is a gimmick, wireless doesn't carry the bandwidth and other options seem very expensive.

Our blog outlines the remodel project we have just completed. We took an average motorhome and turned it into a house we can live in. Everything is there, from purchase to parking here at Casa de Mobl. I always encourage folks to check that out because if you find a decent starting point, you can create the very place you want.

Cheers,

Ron, it looks like the Minnie Winnie 22R fits most of your criteria. I'll be sure to refer to your post in the future if I decide to go ahead with this. Thanks!

LifeInsideJack, video streaming is one of the most demanding things I and most people do. It sounds like you're all set up!

Wannabango wrote:

LifeInsideJack wrote:
WiFi is the 2nd largest issue in our desire to move about the country freely. Both of us are students attending University online. From watching lectures to working on group assignments via Skype we require access.

This place has a contract with the local cable company to provide TV with the space. However, data is on you. So, in the back under my desk sits the router that is connected to the coax that plugs into the post in the back corner.

As for my take on the propane ... even with 3-250w solar panels up there, we still use propane for the regular stuff. Since we don't move for weeks at a time I have a 2nd 10lb bottle connected to the coach. This way I can take that and fill it without having to unsettle things.

I hear what you want. It just doesn't exist yet. But when it does I'll buy it.

It sounds like you have what I want. You're getting internet from the local cable company, right?

Yes. Spectrum. $49.95 a month and we stream Netflix without issue.

It's different living in an RV Park. When you live left of center you find yourself surrounded by other people left of center. However, for us the payoff is excellent.

Wannabango,

I couldn't get through all the replies so maybe I am adding some redundant information.

It sounds like you are a "Saver", trying to live as frugal as possible. After a while on the road, you will conclude that you can save a lot more money with a fully equipped motorhome and stay in free or almost free places, rather than buy something stripped and rely on destination facilities.

We owned THIS 17.5' STRIPPED DOWN RIG for 24 years. We vacationed with 2 kids most years. It was a hard-shell tent on wheels with some storage. We used a portable grill, a camp stove, and a cooler. We froze during cold nights and sweated in the heat. It was great for the type of vacationing we did back then.

But 10 years ago, we upgraded to THIS 23.5' FULLY EQUIPPED RIG. We quickly learned of saving a lot of money by staying in free or almost free places without facilities. A refilling of the on-board propane tank is very VERY affordable, and if you don't use the furnace much, one tank full will last about 3 weeks considering two adults. It's nice to have hot water, cook conveniently regardless of the weather, and the fridge works extremely well on propane. You will save money being able to buy the right food at the right time and price, and store it properly.

I highly recommend you buy a good condition, fully equipped, used rig.

As you already know, a big challenge will be consistently found, reliable, high speed, affordable internet.

Now.....When buying a rig, keep the following in-mind.
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New, used, or well used, when shopping for a conventional class B+ or C, the most important consideration is how it is constructed. This post outlines construction methods which are most affordable and methods that cost more, but are built to hold up much better to the elements and also the punishment of the road.

Some motor home manufactures offer different levels of quality through their various model lines. Instead of providing a list of brands to consider, it is best to identify what "Better" is.

When shopping for a motor home, don't get distracted with what I call "Eye Candy" or "Square Footage". You want to pay close attention to how the house is constructed. Water infiltration is the number one killer of motor homes, rotting them away long before anything is worn out. Once water gets inside, it is like termites. By the time you realize there is a problem, a lot of damage has already occurred. Also consider that mold & mildew can grow inside the walls which then you have a health hazard. My advise focuses on identifying a reliably well sealed motor home.

#1 BEST (Very Expensive, Can Be 1.5 times the cost of Second Best)
NO structural seam work. The brand Coach House is a fine example. It is seamless, made from a mold. The only places where water can leak is cutouts for windows, entry door, roof-top vents & a/c unit, storage compartments & maintenance access, all of which are in areas of very low stress. Because they have a seamless shell, these motor homes have a limited selection of sizes.

#2 SECOND BEST
Common, Affordable, & comes in Many Sizes so this is my main focus
I own an example of this type. My Rig Here manufactured by Phoenix USA.
Made in sections, but assembled in a way that greatly reduces the threat of water damage. Here are the good things you want to look for.

a) Structural Seams Away From Corners
When a motor home is driven, the house bounces, resonates, shakes, and leans countless times, representing a series of extended continuous earthquakes. Corner seams see greater stresses than seams located elsewhere. Corner seams are more easily split, especially when the caulk gets brittle with age & exposure to the sun. One extremely bad bump in the road can instantly breach a corner seam. Seams hold up much better when they are brought in from the corners in lesser stressed areas.

b) A Seamless Over-The-Van Front Cap
A huge bed above the van’s roof is the most vulnerable area of a motor home. No matter how well they are made, that long frontal over-hang resonates when the RV is driven. It is common for seams to split there, most troublesome with age & exposure to the elements. HERE is a more recent example, one of many I have read. The small front aerodynamic cap of a B+ design HERE eliminates the overhang which eliminates most of the resonation, along with most seam work.

There are a few conventional “C” Designs (big over-van bed) where that area is seamless. If you absolutely must have that huge bed, then look for a seamless bucket-like design. Born Free offers a seamless bucket design as seen in This Model. The Itasca Navion Here is another fine example. Some manufactures as of late offer a partial bucket design with fewer seams located in less-stressed areas. Some manufacture models like the Minnie Winnie and the Nexus Phantom utilize a compromising partial bucket design, making it a better choice compared to a fully seamed cab-over bed.

If you plan to accommodate more than 2 people, having that large extra cab-over bed will be extremely useful.

c) A Crowned Roof
Rain and snow melt runs off a crowned roof. A flat roof will sag over time, then water puddles around heavy roof-top items like the a/c unit. Water eventually finds it's way inside after gaskets & caulk have degraded from age, sun, and change in seasons.

d) Rolled-Over-The-Edge seamless Fiberglass Roof Sheathing
A single sheet of fiberglass as shown HERE that rolls over the right & left sides of the roof, down to the wall. The overlapping of fiberglass to the wall provides a good water seal and the fiberglass sheathing holds up better than roofs made of sheet rubber or thin plastic called TPO, which require more attention to keep your RV well protected.

e) A Five Sided Rear Wall Cap
A five sided back wall moves the seams around to the sides to areas of much less stress as seen HERE. The rear wall resembles a shallow rectangular cooking pan standing on it's side. Like the example, some rear wall sections are constructed with an integrated spare tire compartment and rear storage compartment. Not only are they convenience features, but that rear wall/cap offers a solid double-wall for exceptional strength which is more resistant to flexing the adjoining seam work.

Don't be fooled. There are a select few manufactures who add rear wall sectional styling pieces over an entry level rear corner seam design which gives the appearance of a 5-sided pan design. You can easily tell by noting the sections & seams between them and the flat back wall that remains exposed.

Bigger Will Be Weaker
The size & floor plan you select MUST FIRST meet your needs before this consideration.
The bigger the house, the weaker the structure will be. Consider two cardboard boxes made from the exact same corrugated material. The smaller box would naturally be stronger. It will be more resistant to bending, twisting, and other types of flexing. So if you are on the fence between models, the smaller one will be your stronger choice.

Potentially Troublesome Construction
Entry level motor homes are made with seams in corners and finished off with trim, including the massive cab-over bed. Their roof is flat and finished with rubber or TPO. They are most affordable, and come in all sizes. HERE is one such example. If considering this construction type, keep in-mind they require more regular care with bi-annual inspections. Plan to use a caulking gun now and then. When buying a used one, consider that you really don't know how well the previous owner maintained it. Buying new or used, that construction method will be counting on you to be a good non-neglectful owner.

There are also the rare exception of the Lazy Daze which has seam work in the corners, but the substructure and sealing method is of the highest quality that it holds up like a seamless body. It's excellent sectional construction methods are not commonly found in other brands. I am no expert on this, but I'd give it a #1.5 Almost Like Best

About The Chassis
The most popular is the Ford E-Series with the V10 engine. The Sprinter diesel is a popular alternative to the E350 in the smaller sizes. Also within this past year is the recent introduction of the Ford Transit. The GM chassis is not popular, but is a very good choice for the right application. Any of these chassis made since 1998 are real good, new or used. If you plan to tow a car or heavy trailer, be aware that the Sprinter & Transit will be least powered. People who tow with them naturally take it slower.

If considering a current-day “small” class B+ or C motor home, here is a comparison between the two current main contenders, the Sprinter with the V6 diesel engine and the Ford E350 with the V10 gasoline engine.

Advantages Of The Mercedes Sprinter With Diesel Engine
- Offers a 35%-50% improvement in fuel economy over the Ford-V10, when both are loaded and driven identically.
- More ergonomic driver compartment with more leg room.
- Comfort continues with a car-like feel & quiet ride.
- A grander view out the windshield
- Made by Mercedes which people are attracted to.

Advantages Of The Ford E350 with V10 Engine
- Given identical motor homes both brand and model, the Ford is around $13,000 MSRP cheaper
- The Ford V10 engine has 50% more horse power and torque
- The Ford E350 chassis handles 1430 pounds more weight.
- The E350 is able to tow a heavier load.
- The E350 rear axle is significantly wider which translates to better stability.
- In most places traveled, gasoline costs less than diesel fuel
- The Sprinter diesel has limited mechanical service shops around North America
- The Sprinter diesel is typically outfitted with a propane generator. Propane is a critical fuel for RV operations, and generally needs to be rationed when dry camping.
- This Next Point Is Debatable But Still Worth Noting....The V6 Sprinter diesel engine is not allowed to idle for extended periods. This limitation is detrimental when you need a/c but there are generator restrictions or you are dangerously low on propane, or you have a mechanical failure with the generator or roof a/c. The Ford V10 can safely idle for hours on end, heating, cooling, and battery charging, all valuable if you have a baby, pets, or health/respiratory issues.

You decide what your priorities are, and pick the appropriate chassis. There are some really sweet motor homes being built exclusively on the Sprinter chassis, such as the Winnebago Via, View and View Profile. Others like Phoenix USA build their model 2350 and 2400 on both the Sprinter and Ford E350. They will even build it on the heaviest duty E450 upon request for a nominal fee. People who request an E450 for a small motor home, tow heavier things like for example, a multi-horse trailer. You can even special order a E350 & E450 4x4.

There is so much cool stuff offered in recent years on the Sprinter and most recently on the new Ford Transit.

The Ford Transit Chassis
This chassis has the potential to dominate the class B+ & C motor home market in the smaller sizes. According to Ford's website, the Transit DRW chassis is offered in the 156", and 178" wheel base, and is rated as high as 10,360 GVWR. Ford offers a motor home package specific for the RV industry. It's diesel engine compares to the Sprinter in power and fuel economy, but is more affordable and is easily serviced at Ford service centers, just like the E350/E450. The cab has a much lower stance than the Sprinter making it much more friendly to get into and out from for people in their later years. It's more like a mini-van rather than a standard van. The Transit's lower cab also offers roomier over-head bunks that are easier to access.

The Dodge Promaster 3500 Cut-Away Chassis
This front wheel drive chassis is another recent entry in the RV industry. I am concerned over it's lack of load capability as reflected with single free-wheeling rear wheels. I have been reading posts written by new Promaster RV owners stating they are over-weight with just two people, some personal effects and food. They say they can't carry water and never a 3rd person. I would not be comfortable with such a limited load range in a B+ or C. This chassis does seem ideal for the straight "B" motor home market.

The Chevy 3500/4500 Chassis
Unfortunately this chassis is not more popular, primarily because GM sort-of gave up on competing with the Ford E350/E450. It offers more interior comfort than the Ford, but not as much as the Sprinter. It's power & weight ratings are a little less than their Ford counter-parts making them a great chassis for all but the heaviest of class Cs. They are also a little better on fuel consumption. One thing to keep in-mind, if you are counting inches in storing your rig, the Chevy is a little longer than the Ford by a number of inches which was critical for us with our garage as seen HERE with our Ford 2007 E350 rig. That could be the reason why the Chevy has a little more interior driver/passenger leg room.

Engine Power Ratings of Ford, MB-Sprinter, Chevy, and Dodge
Ford E350/E450 - 6.8L-V10, 305hp, 420ft
Ford Transit Diesel - 3.2L-I5, 185hp, 350ft
Mercedes Sprinter Diesel - 3.0L-V6, 188hp, 325ft
Chevy 3500/4500 - 6.0L-V8, 323hp, 373ft
Dodge Promaster - 3.6L-V6 (GVW only 9,300 pounds)

JT wrote:
You've received a lot of practical counsel from experienced RVers. I suggest that you might want to do additional research on *all aspects* of fulltime RVing before pulling the trigger on what could be construed as an "unworkable" plan.

You might also want to subscribe to Technomadia's "Mobile Internet" site; the information there may help you to fill in a lot of blanks and make realistic choices. :)

https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/

From rvmobileinternet.com:

"Subscribe directly to Cable or DSL internet from your RV site. If you're willing to stay in one place for a while, this can be a great option to get fast and unlimited internet. Seek out RV parks and mobile home parks that cater to seasonal and long term stays. They won't likely advertise this feature, but if they offer cable TV at the site, then sometimes you can just call the cable company and have them come out and hook-up cable internet too with a rented cable modem."

I'll try calling more places to see if I can get a better idea of how rare it is get a setup with local internet.

LifeInsideJack wrote:
WiFi is the 2nd largest issue in our desire to move about the country freely. Both of us are students attending University online. From watching lectures to working on group assignments via Skype we require access.

This place has a contract with the local cable company to provide TV with the space. However, data is on you. So, in the back under my desk sits the router that is connected to the coax that plugs into the post in the back corner.

As for my take on the propane ... even with 3-250w solar panels up there, we still use propane for the regular stuff. Since we don't move for weeks at a time I have a 2nd 10lb bottle connected to the coach. This way I can take that and fill it without having to unsettle things.

I hear what you want. It just doesn't exist yet. But when it does I'll buy it.

It sounds like you have what I want. You're getting internet from the local cable company, right?

WiFi is the 2nd largest issue in our desire to move about the country freely. Both of us are students attending University online. From watching lectures to working on group assignments via Skype we require access.

This place has a contract with the local cable company to provide TV with the space. However, data is on you. So, in the back under my desk sits the router that is connected to the coax that plugs into the post in the back corner.

As for my take on the propane ... even with 3-250w solar panels up there, we still use propane for the regular stuff. Since we don't move for weeks at a time I have a 2nd 10lb bottle connected to the coach. This way I can take that and fill it without having to unsettle things.

I hear what you want. It just doesn't exist yet. But when it does I'll buy it.