Newbie question: split bath in a B+

[Pgustaf249]

We're new to the RV scene and a long time away from making our first purchase. In learning about RVs and deciding which type of RV and which features in that RV might fit our anticipated lifestyle we've decided on a couple of things: (1) a short one around 25 (+/-) feet s our preferred length as both of us have experience hating to drive long school busses. (2) we would like one where the shower is separate from the toilet, as we prefer not to have to wait on someone to finish a shower when the pain hits.

So with the above two preferences in mind, which RVs out there should we examine?

[gggplaya]

Originally Posted by Pgustaf249

We're new to the RV scene and a long time away from making our first purchase. In learning about RVs and deciding which type of RV and which features in that RV might fit our anticipated lifestyle we've decided on a couple of things: (1) a short one around 25 (+/-) feet s our preferred length as both of us have experience hating to drive long school busses. (2) we would like one where the shower is separate from the toilet, as we prefer not to have to wait on someone to finish a shower when the pain hits.

So with the above two preferences in mind, which RVs out there should we examine?

The feature you're talking about is called a "dry bath". That's hard to find in a class B, but generally available in most class C's. Class B's are generally shorter, slim VANS. Easier to maneuver in cities and towns. Some companies have created a class B+ which is in the size you're talking about, but you might as well get a class C at that point. There is some overlap between class B and Class C.

In class C, they are usually DRW(Dual Rear Wheels, duallies), so they are a little wider, but have more comfot and larger bathrooms. They do make short class C's, like down to 19feet, but most class C manufacturers start at 23feet.

19ft coachmen freelander:
RV Sales - Campers Sales - Road Bear RV USA

Then, they have some class A style like the winnebago VIA which are really easy to drive 25foot rv's.

You didn't mention a price range, new or used??

If you are looking to save money and doing a ton of driving, personally i like the sprinter based rv's which get upwards of 20mpg on the highway. Winnebago/Itasca makes them and they are called the View. Winnebago just started a new model this year called the Trend and Travato. They are expected to get about 16mpg on the highway. They are based on a new chassis that just came out this year put out by dodge.

If you plan on driving, then stopping at each destination for weeks on end. Then a gasser is probably more economical.

If you only plan on camping a few times a year sporatically, then also a gasser would save you money.

[IamJerryP]

Originally Posted by gggplaya

19ft coachmen freelander:
RV Sales - Campers Sales - Road Bear RV USA
.

Thanks for posting that, what a nice looking little rig

[rsrogers4]

Originally Posted by Pgustaf249

which RVs out there should we examine?

Here are all the production Class B's with dry baths that I've been able to find:

Leisure Travel Vans Free Spirit SS

Winnebago 2015 ERA 70C

Coach House Arriva

The above Class B's are all built inside a complete van (Mercedes Benz Sprinter), and therefore are no longer or wider than the base van.

There are also lots of small Class C's (what the marketing people like to call Class B+) with dry bathrooms. These small Class C's are built on a cutaway chassis (often also a cutaway Mercedes Benz Sprinter, but also on Ford E-350). The small Class C's can be the same length as van would have been on the chassis, or typically longer, and they're always wider. The Small Class C's may or may not include slides for extra interior room. Good examples of these small Class C's include:

Coach House Platinum II 241XL

Pleasure-Way Prestige

Thor Citation

Even though these are technically small Class C's, because they don't have a cabover bed, many marketing people and dealers call them "Class B+" to distinguish them from cabover beds. You can probably safely talk about the small Class C's here in this Class B forum section. To see a Class C with a cabover, see this Born Free:

Born Free Freedom

The advantage of a cabover is that you get a dedicated sleeping area (that you don't have to make up each night and take down each morning) in a smaller size; the disadvantage is you have to climb up a ladder to get into bed, and some people feel claustrophobic in the cab-over area.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask additional questions. There are a huge number of options out there!

[IamJerryP]

Originally Posted by rsrogers4

. To see a Class C with a cabover, see this Born Free:

Born Free Freedom!

Thanks for sharing the Born Free
Just checked their site, very impressive RV.
The front lounge is close to what I have been looking for.
I have been searching for something with facing sofas.

[rsrogers4]

Originally Posted by IamJerryP

Thanks for sharing the Born Free

Agree--the Born Free units are great. From everything I've read and learned, the four best quality Class C manufacturers are Born Free, Coach House, Lazy Daze, and Pleasure-Way. Their floor plans all have pros and cons.

I think the brand new Born Free Jewell is pretty interesting, as is the brand new Pleasure-Way Plateau XL.

[Pgustaf249]

Did I hear correctly that Ford was going to quit making the E series of vehicles? If so, this newbie is wondering about the wisdom of including an RV built on that chassis. Am a concerned over nothing?

[rsrogers4]

I am not an expert, but I think Ford is just discontinuing the E series vans (to be replaced by the new Transit) but they'll still make the E series trucks (which the Class C manufacturers use). Either way, there are so many E series trucks out there in the world that there will be parts and support for many years to come.

[gggplaya]

Originally Posted by Pgustaf249

Did I hear correctly that Ford was going to quit making the E series of vehicles? If so, this newbie is wondering about the wisdom of including an RV built on that chassis. Am a concerned over nothing?

They made the E series for so long with so little changes that i wouldn't worry about parts in the future. The engines are the same as they used in their pickup trucks, and the chassis has been around forever. Doesn't matter what chassis you get, they all break something eventually. Having parts in the future 10,15, 20 years from now is what matters. The E series will still have more parts available then any of the emerging platforms today.

The problem with the E series is that it's a dinosaur. New platforms have much better steering geometry and turn much tighter and get better fuel mileage. If you are buying brand new today, i would think about how long you plan on keeping it and the initial price of it. The new transit van/chassis cab replacing the E series will come with a 5 cylinder diesel engine. Plus they have sprinter chassis cabs out as well, which have 6 cylinder diesels.