Full timing for summer

[terrynjulia03]

Hi all, I’ve been a member on here for years but sold our TT about 4 years ago and haven’t been on since. We’ve gone from tent to pop up to HTT. We were looking at going Class C or A in retirement but things change. Just for background. Anyways here’s my current idea.
I’m looking at possibly getting a Class B. Basically a conversion Van and looking for something that at least has a couch that folds down to a bed, although just a bed would work also. However rather new to this class so no idea what to even look for. I did a google search and there’s new ones that cost more than a class C and def nothing close to what I need. It’ll just be myself and a dog and cat and taking a 6 month break just to drive around the country and staying in campgrounds or truck stops. Looking at a budget of 1200-1500 a month. My question is this doable and secondly, that 12-15 would be already having said vehicle and that’s just monthly expenses for food and some nights in a campground and seeing some sights so don’t factor in a rental or payment on it or anything, what should I be looking at?
Local area has a GMC conversion van I believe a 99 that has a couch/bed at the rear and 2 chairs in front of it with a older TV and DVD player kinda in the center console area, and than obviously driver and passenger seat in front. The 2 “middle” seats I might remove one of them for more space but it didn’t come with even a microwave. Unsure on if it had a small fridge or not. And it was 4K which I think is pretty reasonable. Do these come with say a small 2 burner stove, mini fridge and microwave? None are super necessary was just wondering where to start. Not looking to spend more than 10k and even under 5 is best.

Any of this realistic? Or places to start looking? TIA

[JimBollman]

The used C will get you more space for the dollar but the right B will do everything you want and can be parked almost anywhere. Many Bs are 20' or less and have all the features you want. True Bs are only as wide as a van. So called B+ campers are really just small Cs. If you wanted a full bathroom with shower you might have to go over 20'. Ours is 19' long and 8.5' high. At 6' I can stand up in most of it, has twin coaches that make a roughly queen size bed, with one person you could just use one coach either open or closed. Has a one burner stove, a small frig, microwave, sink and porta-poty.

We recently bought it used to replace our small popup 8' truck camper because the wife has bad knees and was having trouble with over cab bunk. We loved the truck camper for the same reason we bought a B it could be parked almost anywhere. If you're not afraid of an older B you can find one in your price range. Newer you will need more money.

[magnusfide]

pianotuna wrote:
A 26 class c may be a better choice from a financial point of view.

I agree. Considering the fact that you hope to have a C in retirement, get a good one now and take care of it. That way you won't lose money in reselling a B. Most Bs with a bed are 24 feet. Why not go with a 21 - 26 foot C? They cost about the same to run.

There's a number of good Cs on the market that would meet your specs. Check out Phoenix Cruisers and Coachmen Leprechauns. The Leprechauns have a Chevy chassis available. Another option would be a used Gulfstream 22 foot BT Cruiser like this one.

Here's a 21 foot Phoenix Cruiser.

Coachmen Leprechauns start at 24 foot lengths, the same length as the B with the features you're wanting.

[bsinmich]

After my wife died I got my 19' Roadtrek after my cleaning lady and her husband took it out for their first night of camping. He is 6'4" and the bed is 5'11". I sold my Mountain Aire to get the RT and am happy with 17mpg. I have 30 gal of fresh water, toilet, shower, water heater, furnace, frig, generator, AC, stove microwave aka jewelry chest, and a TV. I have not used the shower yet but everything else works great. It is a '95 and I paid $12K 4 years ago. My only repair was an alternator a couple years ago and I will buy tires this summer. With the dropped floor there is stand-up room.

[pianotuna]

A 26 class c may be a better choice from a financial point of view.

[pasusan]

Hi - I'm a bit confused at what you're looking for. First you say all you need is a bed, but later you talk about a stove, microwave and fridge. I don't think you'll find any of those three items in a regular conversion van. You might find an older real class B that does have those things and it would sure be easier to live with. Also you could get a regular conversion van and then build into it what you want.

Good luck!

[2chiefsRus]

anytime anyone asks how much it costs to travel in any type of RV, I ask how much does it cost you to live in a house? basically how much do you spend now and how will that change? Things like property taxes, homeowner's insurance go away but are replaced by more fuel costs and at least some campground costs. Look at the other stuff you already pay for like food and entertainment will that go up or down? Don't forget to keep a rainy day fund if that $4K unit needs some repairs.

some people can live on next to nothing while others "need" at least $2K a month to just "survive".