Class B or Van Camper Needs Feedback

[PJRACER]

I don't know if this forum caters at all to class B type van campers - - - but we are in the process of down-sizing----no we are not selling our diesel truck or travel trailer, but we are new owners of a Roadtrek Class B Its a Dodge chassis with a 318V8 engine and a 4 speed w/OD tranny. Can anybody give us a hint on how we have to handle the packing of this 1991 vehicle should be loaded for a 3 or 4 week trip. I realize the Mrs. can't throw the 4 bedroom house into it like she tries to do with the travel trailer- - -but we could use all the advise you can dish out on how to economize on the planning for a month long trip. Further more - - - this vehicle has 79,500 miles on the 318 engine- - -what kind of a motor is it (history) and can we expect better fuel mileage than we get on the diesel truck which is around 10 mpg pulling the trailer. Tell us everything you know and have heard about these B type vans that think they are motor homes. Thanks for your attention

[PJRACER]

I don't know if this forum caters at all to class B type van campers - - - but we are in the process of down-sizing----no we are not selling our diesel truck or travel trailer, but we are new owners of a Roadtrek Class B Its a Dodge chassis with a 318V8 engine and a 4 speed w/OD tranny. Can anybody give us a hint on how we have to handle the packing of this 1991 vehicle should be loaded for a 3 or 4 week trip. I realize the Mrs. can't throw the 4 bedroom house into it like she tries to do with the travel trailer- - -but we could use all the advise you can dish out on how to economize on the planning for a month long trip. Further more - - - this vehicle has 79,500 miles on the 318 engine- - -what kind of a motor is it (history) and can we expect better fuel mileage than we get on the diesel truck which is around 10 mpg pulling the trailer. Tell us everything you know and have heard about these B type vans that think they are motor homes. Thanks for your attention

[Hamie]

RV.net has a very good Class B section.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I'm not sure anybody can help you with this - we each have our own version of "must haves" and our own idea of what needs to be readily available and what can be squirreled away is a remote space.

As you surmise, packing a Class B takes some extra forethought and it is quite likely you will have to do without some things you carried before. It will take a few trips to figure it out. The best thing would be a short trip before you attempt the 3-4 week one, to test out what works best for you.

[PJRACER]

Thanks - - - - Thanks I really appreciate anybodys input about B Van Camper - - I understand this is also a FMCA qualified type of unit----so that could be an advantage -- we paid for it and picked it up today--and are now trying to figure most everything out and using our imagination on what should go where. Looks like we will do the twin bed thing and kind of keep the isle open for storage of what ever--maybe the dog cage where they both sleep at night or a small cooler or ???? <Maybe get one of those wire looking (powder coated with rails) things that go on the trailer hitch receiver for cooler and chairs and the like---the stowaway2 storage units are way too expensive. Keep the ideas coming