Customizing new RVs?

[rvnoob]

Hi folks

So I've been doing tons of online research (but still haven't set foot in a RV since 1970-something). Right now I think we're leaning more toward Class B. It will be cramped, but it's just 2 of us. We just need a bed and a bathroom, most cooking would be done outside and I imagine if we ever took more family along, we'd probably see about renting a small trailer for them to sleep in or make them rough it in tents. We're thinking Class B will be easier to drive and we like the idea of being able to park it in more "normal" places.

Anyway, one problem we're having with all of the classes is none of them are laid out how we want. Do dealers do any kind of upgrades for you when you buy them? Or do you have to do them yourself, and void any kind of warranty you might have had?

For example, we're looking at the floor plan for the Winnebago Era 70X. Also the Airstream that was laid out in a similar way, with the 2 front seats that spin around so you have 4 seats in the front part of the coach, around a little pedestal table. Since it's just the 2 of us, we think we'd have more room if we could rip out that 2nd row of seats, to make room for a little doggie bed behind the driver's seat, and have a kind of walkway where you get in and out of the side door easier without that 2nd seat on the passenger side blocking the path.

I figured I could probably do it myself with my trusty socket wrench, but I don't want to leave a gaping hole in the floorboards. We're looking at new stuff, but would also like to try and find something used that's just a few years old to save a bit.. are these updates that a dealer could do for us? or do we have to find a company that specializes in customizing RVs?

[Roy_Lynne]

Check this out
I think the Winnebago does have two optional floor plans, one with the 4 chairs and one without.
We have looked at just about every Class B there is and if you can find one with a slide, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of room.

[tatest]

Sportsmobile builds to your needs, and is generally not as expensive as buying one of the luxury trim Bs and then modifying it. But it would not be as inexpensive as starting with a cargo van, especially a good used van, and doing it yourself. There are a number of sources for the kinds of equipment going into conversion vans, and if you can't do cabinet work yourself, you can usually find a cabinet maker locally. Or see what from Ikea can be modified.

For cost purposes, it is important to figure out whether your goal is to have a motorhome, or a camping van. There is a big difference in initial cost. Not many B builders do camping vans. But if you want a bathroom, you are looking at a motorhome build, because of the supporting infrastucture, water and waste tanks, water heaters, electrical systems to power RV appliances, etc.

For a more basic B, look at the one Winnebago is building on the Ram Promaster. Not as luxurious as ERA, RoadTrek, Airstream, or most Pleasureway Bs, but still a lot more to it than a camping van.

For a commercial build of a camping van, look at the VW campers over the years, Westfalia and Sportmobile version, and Pleasureway's Traverse. Price gap between these and motorhome-like Bs has been $20k to $50K, over the years. Difference is being designed to support camping lifestyles versus design to be a complete, very small house on wheels.

[rvnoob]

Hmm... I dunno about the citation sprinter, but actually looking around the Thor site I think their class A "RUV"s might be just what we're looking for. Really digging the floor plan with the big L sofa in back. We were kind of hoping to have a permanent bed though, but looks great otherwise. I'll have to show that one to the boss and see what she thinks 🙂

[Johno02]

You can get a gently used class A for less than a custom B if you look around a bit.

[rockhillmanor]

Give a look at the Sprinter line B's. Might be hard finding a used one but these are great little RV's. Lot more room than the B's on the van chassis. Quite a few of my sporting event buddies own them. I came real close to buying one.
http://citation-sprinter.com/

[buta4]

obgraham wrote:
Advanced RV builds to your desires. All you need is cash!

As does Sportsmobile.

[Snowman9000]

Take a look at Sportsmobile:

http://www.sportsmobile.com/

[rvnoob]

rockhillmanor wrote:
If you decide on a B and after awhile more of the family wants to come with you can always pick up a nice used pop up trailer and pull it behind you. Many of those have showers and toilets.

Yes that's what we were thinking. I have 3 young nephews that I'd like to take camping, but I doubt their parents will want to come too. I think they'd rather have a break 🙂 so we could rent a small trailer for if we did that.

[rvnoob]

We're not planning to buy until spring, and also planning to rent one first to see how we like it. Right now we're just looking around online, checking out floor plans and different brands. We're not going to be full timing, it's mostly just going to be used for a few long weekends a year, and I'd be using it to go to game conventions for my side biz and "boondock" in the parking lot for a night or 2, or stay at nearby campgrounds and drive there and back, rather than staying in hotels that are really expensive during the conventions. So I also was thinking class B because I'm guessing it will get better gas mileage in general? And the conventions are another reason I'd like to be able to blend in more.

I was looking at the smaller Class C's (or B+?) but we also kind of worry about having too many seams that could spring a leak some day. If it was a full van it would be like all 1 piece. Or does that not really matter? We were also looking into smaller Class A's like the new Winnebago brave, but were thinking that a B would be easier to get serviced.. like we could just take it to any mercedes dealership? I do kind of like the Winnebago Trend though, that has the bed that drops down that we'd have for if we ever had company.

So we don't really need anything too big. Mostly looking for small and easy & fun to drive, I doubt we'd be traveling more than a days ride anywhere so I don't think we need massive tanks to boondock for weeks on end 🙂

[rockhillmanor]

If you decide on a B and after awhile more of the family wants to come with you can always pick up a nice used pop up trailer and pull it behind you. Many of those have showers and toilets.

[valhalla360]

All things are possible...with enough cash.

What you describe doesn't sound too difficult. Now if you want to move the kitchen or bathroom, that can get complicated as the plumbing often controls placement of features.

You may want to clarify what you mean by Class B. Some of the smaller ones are little more than a full size van but there are some larger ones that are essentially a Class C without the overhead bunk.

Obviously, if you really need to be able to park in tight spots, a smaller unit can be helpful but in most areas of the USA, parking is just not that critical. You may have to park a little further out but most lots can easily accomodate a decent size motorhome.

Once on the road, driving is no more diffcult pretty much regardless of size. You may want to take a few test drives to get a feel for it.

[wildtoad]

Before you lock-in to a B you need to consider how you plan to use it, how much stuff you "Must Have" on your trips and where you will put it. Are the holding tanks sufficient for your camping needs, and also make sure you can deal with the limited bathroom configurations. And go get in one....

You can find many of the advantages of a B in Sprinter based small streamlined Class C's and or what some market as B+'s. More space, more options, more tanks capacity with very similar driving ease.

I'm not trying to steer you away from your thoughts, if it does fit your desires. Good luck in your hunt.

[rvnoob]

I don't think we can afford a total custom RV. We just want to be able to do some tweaks without having it look like I did it myself 🙂

[obgraham]

Advanced RV builds to your desires. All you need is cash!