Community Forums

pwf16129 · 09-20-2012, 07:09 PM

after owning my class c for two years things took a big change and will need to make a couple 3500 mile trips each year as my daughter and granddaughter are moving to Maine from Arkansas.
so we will be going up there at least twice a year,so i'm thinking a class b would be more affordable the missus hates flying and loves camping so a way to let her travel and be comfortable
my budget will allow for a late 90's to early 2000ish unit what i am wondering is about what fuel mileage to expect if driven 65 mph or so and does any one pull a small car or need to.
are the showers and toilet facilities good enough or would we need to plan on using the ones at camp grounds most of the time.
the wife really likes our c but she won't drive it on a trip but would a b as she has owned vans in the past so she could help share the driving.
any input would be welcomed
thanks frank

jmugsshow · 09-22-2012, 09:19 AM

Frank,
I don't have all the answers and some will have to be answered by the needs of the missus and yourself. Look around at some of the B units.

We wanted a bedroom and more shower/toilet space, as well as more livable space.For us the trade off of fuel for living space was worth it.

Good luck .

garmp · 09-26-2012, 03:45 PM

As jmugs says, depends on what you are willing to live with or without. My DW & I have been van campers for years, and finally got our B (a Sportsmobile to be exact). We have sofa that opens to a full size bed (and very comfortable at that), a micro-wave and the penthouse top. Other than that it's a cooler, electric heater, electric skillet, porta-pottie and lawn chairs. We do have a trailer hitch, though we don't tow, and use it for the scooter rack I designed & built. Our small electric (Wally World $190.00) scooter is great for back and forth to the shower, to get ice, etc. Most all state parks are fine for us and the Corp Parks are always the best when not camped in Missouri.

This is just our lifestyle and enjoyment. Hope this opinion helps.

RanCarr · 09-27-2012, 02:42 AM

We started with a Class-B Dodge Xplorer and found it too cramped. Too tight. After a 1000 mile trip and a week in it, we were getting claustrophobic. There didn't seem to be enough room for two people and their clothing, toiletries etc. The tanks are smaller than a Class-C, A or a TT so have to be dumped more often. I don't think I could ever go back to a Class-B except maybe for weekend camping. We didn't do 65 mph and there were mountains, so can't give you the MPG. Any pets you may have will only add to the cramped feeling.

jmugsshow · 09-27-2012, 07:43 AM

Hey there RanCarr....

Your siggy says RVing with one husband. What did you do with the rest of them?? :-D

Bowser · 09-27-2012, 04:47 PM

For comfortable transportation I don't think you can beat a Class B. Now, when you've stopped things change.

If you plan on staying in it full time I imagine a Class B would be uncomfortable. However, if you're going to use it as a bedroom and do most of your living in the "main house", I think you'd enjoy the privacy and closeness to the rest of the family.
And don't underestimate the convenience of being able to park a Class B in a normal space.

But as for getting there and back, and simply sleeping while there, a Class B will do it nicely. If you have money to burn, well, that's different.

pwf16129 · 09-29-2012, 07:41 PM

we will use a b as a car for trips to make the wife more comfortable she can't set for long periods, the toilet and shower are mostly for stops along the way she prefers the showers at the camp grounds to the one in my c anyway.
we are pretty basic people we mostly sleep in our camper and spend the rest of our time outdoors preferring to cook outside and enjoy nature.
we aren't to comfortable with most motels now days so having a bed we know is a big plus,.
so if we can get 15-16 miles per gallon it would pay for it's self in our mind our past non camper van was carburetored and got about 13 mpg so i'm thinking a later model fuel injected with overdrive should do better if driven easy.
thanks for the help so far i just love this forum helps me to make more educated decisions

George Schweikle · 10-01-2012, 10:17 AM

The cab section of a class C is actually a van, so the front of your rig is no larger than a class B. Consider an easy strategy to get your wife used to driving your current RV. Maybe get her to drive your rig around a parking lot for a while, just to get used to the mirrors, then only ask her to drive when your trip route is on relatively uncrowded highway. Start her with short stints, and take over as you get near populated areas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwf16129

...the wife really likes our c but she won't drive it on a trip but would a b as she has owned vans in the past so she could help share the driving.
any input would be welcomed
thanks frank

Cubey · 10-06-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RanCarr

We started with a Class-B Dodge Xplorer and found it too cramped. Too tight. After a 1000 mile trip and a week in it, we were getting claustrophobic. There didn't seem to be enough room for two people and their clothing, toiletries etc.

Which is what I have. I admit it's cramped but I am going to be full timing in it solo... so it's not so much of an issue.

I doubt I'd want less than a Class C or maybe a B+ (with wider sides than a regular b) if I had to share the space. I'd honestly probably want a 20+ ft trailer/5th wheel, a large C or a Class A.

TdogKing · 10-07-2012, 01:28 PM

We've owned a Class A for over 30 years and last year added a Class B to the stable. My Hobby is Photography and its always bothered me to be traveling down the road and see something that 'caught' my eye and not be able to pull over, turn around etc. We bought a Pleasure Way Excel TS and absolutely love it. We went coast to coast and averaged about 13 mpg. Its so easy to drive and now I can turn around and park anywhere I choose....anywhere. Yeah its small but it has everything my Class A has except a oven, even a King Size bed ! For traveling/sighting seeing economically I don't think nothing is better. Next May we are taking it to Alaska for a couple months. I can park in the front at Walmart, make lunch, use the bathroom, take a shower...or whatever !

wildtoad · 10-07-2012, 01:47 PM

I owned a Winnebago Rialta which is a actually a C but many still call it a B. It drove great, could take it anywhere, got wonderful gas mileage. Not much sitting area - something to consider on those cold rainy days. Holding tanks were mostly small and actually had to use a pump to drain the shower into the gray tank. The bathroom was the pits. Had an pullman style sink, had to pull the walls out and hang a shower curtain to take a shower. Did I mention having to pump the water out. Well the pump would clog...

I'm sure there are B's out there that have a better setup than this, but try one out before jumping.

Gas mileage is better in a B but how much? I'd really do the math on how much you will be paying for that increased gas mileage versus what you will be giving up in living space. I'd like to have the mileage of a sprinter based rv but refuse to give up the space, bathroom, storage capacity of my small A. Been there.

pwf16129 · 11-16-2012, 07:21 PM

well i found my compromise i bought a 1984 fiesta raised roof gmc will stick a new engine in it and have the trans rebuilt do a little renovating and see if we like but i'm keeping my class c for a couple of years just in case this b doesn't work out.
got it very reasonable and will do the work my self we decided we will make our first trip in our c and then by the time we are ready for our second trip i will have the b ready.
i'm thinking a small trailer to go behind the b will be in order so we can haul all the stuff we seem to need.
thanks for the input