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Papa_O
Explorer
Explorer
This is my first post on this forum, or any other one for that matter. My wife and I will both be retired as of this December. I would like nothing more, than to buy a class B motorhome, and set sail. My wife needs a little more convincing. I am working on that.

I have been researching for last several months, to the point that I think analysis paralysis has set in. I am hoping that by following along here I am able to gain some insight.

One note, although I have focused on class Bs, my mind keeps wandering back to the Leisure Travel Vans Serenity. However, since we would be tourists rather than campers, and because I would like to go stealth most of the time, I think it is not the best choice.

Anyway, in closing I look forward to learning from this group.
27 REPLIES 27

bsinmich
Explorer
Explorer
There is a huge difference in capabilities by size. I have a 38' Mountain Aire Class A and a Roadtrek 19 versatile. The A has large tanks for water and waste water so I can stay a week or more with no problems. The 12 gal in the 19' makes for more trips to the dump and water hookups. I will be parting with one but I am not real sure of which one. They both have advantages.
1999 Damon Challenger 310 Ford

Fastpaddler
Explorer
Explorer
rvit wrote:
22 feet is an important number. You don't need to be stealthy if you are legal. We just spent the entire day at Hampton Beach, one of the busiest summer spots in New England, in a very noticed Pleasure Way Pursuit. We parked 20 feet from the sand, closer than the folks who rented the beachfront rooms across the street, right in the heart of the action. We were there for 16 hours ($2 Hr.) Two parking enforcement officers confirmed that we were legal and told us that they throw RVs just inches longer than us out of there every day (We were right on the lines).

The point is we have done this repeatedly with great success and it is the length that makes it possible. A 24' Sprinter would have been ticketed or towed.

Our advice is buy which ever one you like but remember that number. RVing changes as soon as you exceed it.


Very true. Size matters. One other factor for us was that when travelling in some cities here you cannot park on the street(at all) if you have dualies.Our single axle/wheels was fine and no tickets.
Turning circle increases with length so important to realize the length influences where you can park in tight space locations.
AL

Neecies
Explorer
Explorer
rvit wrote:
22 feet is an important number. You don't need to be stealthy if you are legal. We just spent the entire day at Hampton Beach, one of the busiest summer spots in New England, in a very noticed Pleasure Way Pursuit. We parked 20 feet from the sand, closer than the folks who rented the beachfront rooms across the street, right in the heart of the action. We were there for 16 hours ($2 Hr.) Two parking enforcement officers confirmed that we were legal and told us that they throw RVs just inches longer than us out of there every day (We were right on the lines).

The point is we have done this repeatedly with great success and it is the length that makes it possible. A 24' Sprinter would have been ticketed or towed.

Our advice is buy which ever one you like but remember that number. RVing changes as soon as you exceed it.


How did they measure your Sprinter? Our 06 was 21 ft 9 inches, but our new one is more like 23 feet if you include the spare tire carrier. Only time we've been measured was for ferry fees, but our day in your shoes is probably coming. Just wondering whether they measure footprint or the whole carcass. ๐Ÿ™‚

Neecies
Explorer
Explorer
Papa O,

Regarding making the bed every day, at home we *never* make our bed because during the day we roam the rest of the house and ignore it. But on the road we make our bed each day, at least on the days we move from one place to another, and it's done in a jiffy. We just stand up, stuff 2 comforters, 2 sheets and 2 pillows in the overhead cabinet, and it's done!

I might mention that in our case, we have a Pleasureway TS. We lower the sofa and then sleep on it like it's twin beds so that either of us can easily step out into the aisle to use the loo during the night. This ends up being fairly similar to the configuration we saw in the one Airstream Interstate we've been in, though I would say the Interstate had even longer beds--good if you're tall, but the gain in bed length costs you in galley (the Airstream fridge was like a hotel mini-bar's) and storage. For us, at 5'7" and 5'9", the Pleasureway won on storage.

We nixed the Winnebago and Road Treks from consideration because of the three chair configuration.

But yes to what others said about standing/sitting/imagining yourself living in one. All these issues are so personal, only you can decide what's going to work for you. For us, the Pleasureway was the first one we saw that was, literally, a car we could live in. We need a lot more comfort than we did when we both dreamed of owning a VW Pop-top camper eons ago, but we still want to fit into small spaces and camp next to rivers. With this, we can. And we get 22 mpg!

All that said, I too am interested in what you mean by 'stealth'. Can you elaborate?

cjscotty
Explorer
Explorer
bobojay5 wrote:
We really like our '13 Winnebago ERA 70A with the permanent rear bed(s). Only issue you mention is not a dry bath, although for a "B", it has one of the bigger showers.
If you look around, you might be able to find a new or gently used '14 with the less flashy graphics. Much stealthier than the pre '14's. Price right at $80k for new with used of course lower....


As I see you have an Era, do you think $87,999 is high for a new 2015 Era 70X? Here did you state $80? Are there any rattles, does the back drive hard (just read that somewhere). We had just driven a Winnebago Navion B+, a Leisure Travel B and assumed it would drive as nice as those. (They did not have an Era in stock). The other dealership by us that has one wants money down to drive it. Just read someone mentioning rattles and the back driving rough but think this was on an older model. One of the reasons we are trading our B+ is we want no more rattles and want a really smooth peaceful ride. Thanks! Any more thoughts on the pluses and minuses would be great. Thought I had seen a site dedicated to Era's but now can't find.

4kyyote
Explorer
Explorer
I found a RT Versatile 190 2002 used. It fits for myself and my small dog. Some state parks have length restrictions. This will fit anywhere I can drive @ 19'. It has 4 seats, the back 2 which I plan to remove to use that area for extra storage as I will be living full-time out/in it.
I'll keep rear bed down full-time. It has on board Onan generator which runs off the gas tank. It depends on how much space you think you'll need. Mostly you'll only be sleeping in it or on rainy days, in it. All my cooking is done outside when ever possible, hence portable grill. I have a sea eagle SE9 that I can use on any water that doesn't allow motors. Deflated, it packs up nice, but need the SE8 as the SE9 is a tad too big for just me. Two people will need to realize they will need to live really close! So have hobbies or things to do away from each other.

rvit
Explorer
Explorer
22 feet is an important number. You don't need to be stealthy if you are legal. We just spent the entire day at Hampton Beach, one of the busiest summer spots in New England, in a very noticed Pleasure Way Pursuit. We parked 20 feet from the sand, closer than the folks who rented the beachfront rooms across the street, right in the heart of the action. We were there for 16 hours ($2 Hr.) Two parking enforcement officers confirmed that we were legal and told us that they throw RVs just inches longer than us out of there every day (We were right on the lines).

The point is we have done this repeatedly with great success and it is the length that makes it possible. A 24' Sprinter would have been ticketed or towed.

Our advice is buy which ever one you like but remember that number. RVing changes as soon as you exceed it.

Fastpaddler
Explorer
Explorer
Papa O
Our Pleasureway Plateau TS has rear electric fold down bed and unit is under 22ft. Many on this site have Sprinters and diesels are easy on fuel. Ours has wet bath but works for us as I am 6ft 1inch and 190 lbs with no trouble showering daily. We dont use public facilities if we can avoid it. At 24 ft you would have a big turning circle than I have so parking and turning in tight areas is a factor to consider. Good luck shopping/. If you have a specific question re a rv brand just ask us and somebody will have an opinion.
cheers
Al

drsolo
Nomad
Nomad
....Speaking of stealth, here is an Advanced RV B

Base MSRP: $169,343

A little rich for my blood.
Ingrid and Dan Retired teachers from Milwaukee, WI
1992 GMC Vandura conversion

NoVa_RT
Explorer
Explorer
Any RV purchase involves trade-offs. The ease of driving and being able to park in my driveway without blocking another vehicle were important factors in my going with a Class B. Most of our travels are shorter trips, and some are solo since my wife is still working. We're more "touring" than "camping" at this stage, and might well have made another choice if we were going to stay some place for weeks at a time.

Small differences can matter. I chose the RT 190 with the larger "permanent" bath that also has the aisle shower option. That replaced the second row of Captain's Chairs, but we didn't have much use for them. Going to a RV show and seeing the various floor plans can help, although the online info is a good start. The choice between a B and a small C is a close call for some, and there is no right or wrong, it's all about how the trade-offs work for you.
2013 RT 190-Popular

AirstreamExt15
Explorer
Explorer
My husband and I are total newbies as we started researching for class B rvs since November 2014. We decided on class B for the type of " touring" travels in the future when husband decides to retire. Six months of research and we decided on Airstream Interstate Ext 2015 for the extra space. Like you, we like the clean and "stealth" look and Airstream has no decals on its body. We drove it home from a dealer in Ohio to Michigan. A little nervous in the beginning but sooner ,it drove almost like our long Escalade except for wider turns. The bathroom is tight for for a six foot man but okay okay for me. It's a wet toilet but I figure it gets cleaned up every after shower. We looked at Leisure Way, Wenebago ,Roadtrek Era , and expect to pay more for Airstream. Good luck on your search

wincrasher65
Explorer
Explorer
That is like the holy grail of stealth camping. No set plans, great destination, comfortable stay and no issues. Love it.
2016 Winnebago Travato 59K, 2017 Allegro 32SA
Follow my blog: www.wincrasher.blogspot.com
Our Facebook group is: Class B Camper Vans

Davydd
Explorer
Explorer
Speaking of stealth, here is an Advanced RV video of a customer with a stealthy B who parked on the Chelsea District streets of New York City for three days and slept in his van.

Advanced RV Andiamo
Davydd
2021 Advanced RV 144 WB 2500 Class B
2015 Advanced RV Ocean One Class B

avanti
Explorer
Explorer
I don't think we are talking about trying to fool anybody. Obviously, anyone who looks carefully enough will recognize any RV for what it is. For me, "stealth" is about two things: (1) aesthetics, and (2) not attracting attention. The simple fact is that anything you can do to not shout "RV" will reduce the likelihood that anyone will even ask themselves "is that a vehicle that doesn't belong here?".