Help a newbie choose

[wwfloyd]

Greetings,

I'm looking at getting a used B, for me and my dog, to use for some road trips, and sometimes daily driver. One thing I want seems to make the search extra difficult: I'd like to have a clear aisle all the way to the back door(s), so that I could slide in the longest kayak possible, on its side. I haven't seen a B in person, to measure, yet, but, I expect there's potentially room for a 14-foot kayak, with a clear aisle. I would appreciate tips on what models to keep an eye out for.

And, another, related question... I have noted that a lot of the Coachmen/Falcon/Airstream type units place a toilet back by the doors, often on a pedestal (presumably the holding tank), which blocks the aisle. So, I wonder -- if a person was willing to do without the installed toilet (and use a camp toilet and/or campground toilets), can these be removed relatively easily? Or, better, removed, and the shower potentially replaced with one that has the toilet IN the shower?

Thanks much!

Edit: Well, I have been to a couple of RV shows in the past 10 years; I just haven't seen any Bs since deciding I want one. Nor have I seen any of the candidate older models. I don't live where there's much browsing available.

[wwfloyd]

Yesterday, I discovered the van interior design templates at Sportsmobile. Having access to measurements helped confirm that an idea I had a month ago, could actually be done.

This would not suit the taste of most, but, that's what a custom job is all about: I would remove the passenger seat, and lean a kayak against the wall, extending into the passenger footwell. Yes, the boat would be in the way of the side cargo door, when transported. BUT, 2/3 of it would be inside a base cabinet, with storage cabinets above, and, it would not be underfoot for general use of the van's interior. I might arrange a jump seat for rare passengers, similar to what parcel delivery trucks often have.

There would be a 36-inch bunk that flips up, for use of the shower pan below. The rest would be more normal.

I'd be looking for something like this hightop Ford extended 'merican van (overpriced at $11,498, even with the low miles), for the project.

Yes, I would enjoy the project, and I do pretty decent work. But, I'm still looking at manufactured Bs, which would involve a lot less work, and could be put to work right away, likely at a higher expenditure. Which way I go may depend on what opportunities present themselves.

[Handbasket]

Some, repeat _some_, Dodge and Ford B's have a less-then-sterling reputation for driving qualities. Be sure to read the section on the importance of a personal test drive in the FAQ's on the opening page of the B forum. Some can be cured or improved with effort & $$$; some much less so. An ill-handling B is a tiring handful to drive. BTDT.

Jim, "How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb? One, to change it from *your* light bulb to *her* light bulb."

[wwfloyd]

Sheesh, if this 1998 AMERICAN CRUISER FORD XR-2N1 was on the East coast, I'd be mighty tempted to buy it. The Buy It Now of $16,800 seems good. Too good? Fly-and-drive is not a great idea, since meandering TO the West coast with my dog is part of the idea.

Feel free to critique the unit as to features and price -- or the make, itself; it could help sharpen my sense of B-ing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-AMERICAN-CRUISER-class-B-rv-CAMPER-66K-SHOWER-GENERATOR-BED-NEW-BIG-TIR...

[Handbasket]

I'm thinking (not sure) you'll have problems fitting a 14' kayak into a 19' B. It'll also beat up the interior wood work unless you use a lot of padding and care when putting it in and out.

But I have seen a 1st generation Roadtrek 210 (the one based on the older 21' G-30 extended long wheelbase van) that had fully separate twin beds inside the rear doors that would probably have enough length. They're not easy to find, tho', and may require extensive 'reconditioning'. The van's amenities would be pretty much inaccessible with the 'yak on board, too. I think I'd go with a 19' B and a trailer.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

[NCWriter]

wwfloyd wrote:
I like the Sprinters as an RV platform. I worry about costs of keeping them serviced, especially since I can do most of my own work on gas-powered, domestic vehicles.

Yes, it would be nice to limit the outlay to 4 figures, and, it looks like there are some nice, older ones in that range.

If your budget is under $10,000, you may be better off looking for a basic empty van long enough for your kayak (not an RV) in good condition and doing the conversion yourself with some simple elements.

[wwfloyd]

Ah, thanks. I do see that some of those floorplans could work.

arm wrote:
I have a 1996 RT 190P and often put long 2x6 etc. straight in the rear door. It is about 15 - 16 feet of open space. Go the the Roadtrek web site and at the top right hand side select previous model years. Check out the floor plans on the older units most in the 1995 to 1999 or so which do not have the rear seat crossways. I would expect that checking the older Pleasureway and other "B" sites may also show a floor plan to slide in a kayak.

[jjrai]

Put it on the roof or something. You can't have a big piece of plastic dominating your living arrangements!

[arm]

I have a 1996 RT 190P and often put long 2x6 etc. straight in the rear door. It is about 15 - 16 feet of open space. Go the the Roadtrek web site and at the top right hand side select previous model years. Check out the floor plans on the older units most in the 1995 to 1999 or so which do not have the rear seat crossways. I would expect that checking the older Pleasureway and other "B" sites may also show a floor plan to slide in a kayak.

[garmp]

Sportsmobile also offers a huge variety of floor plans that may help you with your design. They are also very good people to work with and will do as much or as little as you want. Their workmanship is unsurpassed, as is the quality of components. You could have them put in just the penthouse top, if that's an interest, the toilet and do the rest your self. Or any combination there of.
Hope this helps.

[mlts22]

I don't think you can find one used, but Sportsmobile has a Sprinter van floor plan that has two facing futons that can be lifted up to provide enough space to slide in a kayak.

One can also buy a lightweight trailer (Yakima Rackandroll) that is made to handle a 14' kayak, but easily fold away in a garage when not in use.

[OKPETE]

Consider buying a malone kayak trailer, easy one person load/unload and you can carry additional gear. One person can hitch / unhitched and move around.

[wwfloyd]

That's a good observation, which I have considered. As a daily driver, no problem getting the boat to a local launch. For regional destination trips, I'd slide the kayak out for the actual camping... lock it up, if necessary. I recently spend 4 nights in a tent at a paddling destination, where the B would have been sweet. For cross-country trips, I'd probably leave the kayak at home, and look forward to doing occasional rentals.

Kimbopolo wrote:
It seems the challenge is not in finding a B that can contain the kayak but where do you store it when you're sleeping? Or when you want to make lunch, take a coffee break? It would be impossible for me to move around my Roadtrek with anything that large taking up such limited space. I can't even see this working with a small C.

[Kimbopolo]

It seems the challenge is not in finding a B that can contain the kayak but where do you store it when you're sleeping? Or when you want to make lunch, take a coffee break? It would be impossible for me to move around my Roadtrek with anything that large taking up such limited space. I can't even see this working with a small C.

[1775]

wwfloyd wrote:
Thank you. I have been watching Craigslist, RVtrader and Ebay. I'll look at Sunshine States. I had meant to ask about other reputable and worthwhile listings. There are dozens of RV listing sites, but, most look old, incompetent, or like scams, etc.

So far, I think all of the Road Treks and Pleasure Ways I've seen in photos had either a sofa(bed) cross wise near the back, or had a night stand fixture between twin beds.

Speaking of Road Treks, how do the showers in some of them work? A floor plan drawing I saw made it look like a temporary setup, in the aisle.

jjrai wrote:
We have a 2006 with the sofa bed. If that were reconfigured or removed (we have thought about it) you could slide a kayak in no problem. In fact, you can just put it in right over the sofa. Our bath is behind the drivers seat and would not be in the way. In fact, most Road Treks, Airstreams, Pleasure Ways and Leisure Travels have baths that will not be in you're way. Check out the numerous pictures you will find on sites like RVtrader and Sunshine State RVs.

The shower in Roadtreks are either an aisle shower or a compartment shower/toilet with a door. You will find the aisle shower in older Roadtreks and many newer Roadtreks - depending on the model the compartment bathroom is an option or standard. The aisle shower and toilet are in a large closet. The toilet sits in the base of the closet with plenty of room to sit down on it or stand in front of it. Above the toilet is a shower head with hose and curtain arrangement that loops around into the aisle. There is a plate in the floor in the aisle that covers a drain. The shower curtain completely closes off the area around it and the floor is made so that all of the water will move to the trough and drain. A quick squeegee and wipe with a microtowel and it is dry. With the compartment or "permanent" bath you have a typical RV bathroom on a smaller scale with one room toilet that includes a sink and space to stand to shower. This cuts down on storage that is in the Roadtreks with the aisle shower.

As to a 14 foot kayak inside a Roadtrek - not going to happen. The non-power bed Roadtreks do have an aisle that goes all the way to the back up to a platform in front of the cargo doors. Even if you could get it in over the platform and down into the aisle, you will no longer have access to the kitchen or either style bathroom or any way to walk from front to back. Roadtrek owners do carry kayaks - there are special racks that fit on the side of the roof to carry the kayak outside.

Space is extremely limited inside any B. You could carry something from point x to point y but don't plan on using the interior for its intended purpose without removing what you are carrying.

You would likely do better with a larger RV class or a toy hauler trailer with space for large "toys" in the rear and living up front.