Does a 22 foot B+ fit in a regular parking spot?

[vacuumbed]

Hey guys,
I thought about going to a B+ from a regular B van and was wondering if it would fit in a regular parking spot like at the grocery store... I'm looking at a Gulfstream BTouring.

Thanks in advance.

[roam1]

great thread! I am trying to make the same decision and considering a BTCruiser

guess I need to do some research on Gulf Stream

[vacuumbed]

I think I'm going to stick with my 90 Coachmen B van until I finish restoring my 1997 Airstream B190.

I have been reading bad reviews about the quality of the Gulfstream BT Cruiser. I saw a 2005 Chinook Concourse that I liked but they want $41,500 for it and I just can't justify that. I paid $40,000 for my class A diesel pusher. :B

Thanks again for your help guys.

[Jbrowland]

No. It won't fit. Park it in the back and take up as many spaces as you like of course.

I drive a Mini Cooper and for some reason people with big vehicles seem to think it is okay to fit in their space and some of mine because my car is smaller. It's annoying when someone else makes their problem mine as well. 😉

[Lumpty]

I have a 102" wide 24' Class C on a 158" wheelbase E450 chassis. I've parked it just about anywhere, including an undersized 9'x16' parking space as shown below; just takes backing in and hanging the rear over the grass:

[rvit]

Mine is 22' and 90" wide and we can park just about anywhere. We take it right into the heart of the cities and can always find a space. Most spaces are 96" wide and when I pull my mirrors in I'm legal.

[tpi]

I have 24' 99 inch wide C and parking is rarely an issue. I park in the outskirts of the suburban lot and pull through two spots. In most cases even a 22' would need a little extra. It's no big deal. In small towns, I'll often park on street a block or two off the main drag.

One thing that really pays is to be willing to scout out parking and be willing to walk a bit. I've found this most necessary in busy beach towns. A few blocks back and the parking can be more favorable.

I have not attempted to park in downtown LA, SF or other very large urban centers.

[Just_Jeff]

Toedtoes mentioned it, but I wanted to call it out. You can get many Bs, Cs, and just big trucks into a normal spot by backing the rear end way out over a perimeter spot. We had a 31.5' Class C (in my sig), and it would fit into some single spots if I could back the overhang over the grass.

Just check carefully before you back b/c sometimes there will be obstacles that aren't easy to see. E.g., there's a lot here where the ground slopes away from the curb, but in the most convenient parking spot there's an electric transformer a few feet back that sticks up just a little higher than the curb. Painted green, it's almost hidden in the dark if your lights aren't shining on it.

And don't forget to check the roof area when backing. As a newbie, I was so concerned with making sure I was clear to the rear that I didn't notice how a tree off to the side had limbs sticking out far enough to hit me on the side, way up high near the roof. Didn't cause any damage, but I got lucky.

[toedtoes]

Mine is 20.5 feet bumper to bumper and 7 ft wide. I have found that I can fit in most of the "larger" parking spaces without issue. When I can, I will find an empty spot at the top of a T intersection - that way I can easily back into the spot and pull out straight when I leave. If the length is a bit tight, I can back up a bit further so the rear end slightly overhangs the shrubbery.

I rarely ever try to park right up front - too much traffic, pedestrians, etc. to worry about while backing up (either to get in or out of the space). But I haven't had any real problems being able to park.

[fortytwo]

No! To long, and to wide. Price you pay for space and comfort. Your parking options get progressively limited as you move from Class B to DP with Toad.

[burlmart]

mlts22 wrote:
This is a good thread, as my biggest complaint about my rig setup is that it is too big for just hopping in and going to another town for a weekend. I have a lot of notes on a class "B" Transit build, but a truck camper or a short "C" is a decent alternative.

seems like driving a typical 4000 lb suv a few hundred miles for a weekend get away is one thing, but even the smallest option listed - a 19' long, 7' wide, 9' ft tall, 8000 lb van with 80 psi tires - is just not gonna give the same carefree experience.

[Matt_Colie]

vacuumbed wrote:
Hey guys,
I thought about going to a B+ from a regular B van and was wondering if it would fit in a regular parking spot like at the grocery store... I'm looking at a Gulfstream BTouring.

Thanks in advance.

Our dear old coach has an 8' wide body plus mirrors and is 23 feet long. We very seldom have any problem in open lots. We often park in the outer lot so our dog does not feel she has to stand guard. On occasion, I have parallel parked it at the curb and been inside (just) the lines, but that is not common.

Matt

[mlts22]

This is a good thread, as my biggest complaint about my rig setup is that it is too big for just hopping in and going to another town for a weekend. I have a lot of notes on a class "B" Transit build, but a truck camper or a short "C" is a decent alternative.

[Neecies]

vacuumbed wrote:
Thanks for writing me everyone, sounds like the B+ is very doable and easy to drive. Believe it or not, I can take my B van through certain fast food drive thru's. I think this is one option I will lose with a B+.

True on all counts. Like others, we usually park on the emptier perimeter and take up two spaces well-situated for backing up when we leave, not so much for width but to angle across them to tuck in more length. And yes, most drive-thrus are out. But hey, more exercise!

[Bordercollie]

We started with an old army tent, bought VW Westphalia camper conversion with two little kids, then bought a new 1972 Dodge Maxi-Van "Family Wagon" bubble top conversion ( rudimentary amenities but easy to park and most versatile vehicle ever owned). Not knowing any better, we made hundreds of local camping trips and a number of cross country tours. Later we bought an old used 23 foot class C money pot and after that a new 27 foot Tioga 26Q.I have often thought that I'd like something like a Road Trek again, but converting this into that and submarine-like elbow room, along with aging and arthritis along with high cost disuaded us. Our 2004 Tioga 26Q with rear bedroom and huge storage compartment seems to be the best compromise for us despite some parking problems and my walking difficulties.