In Search of New Class B RV

[Theo_Navy]

Folks, we are in search of a new Class B RV. We have done our due diligence in our research to include a scrub of the iRV2 site. We are currently in Key West with our Super C and have chatted with many of the Class B residents at our campsite. There are so many options (as are across the RV industry) but we value this sites opinions. We have owned a Fifth wheel, a gas puller, a diesel pusher and now this Super C (which is absolutely fantastic!). But recently we both have retired and are ready to downsize and move about the country much more freely. If money is of no object (which it is but play along), what do you think? Winnebago Boldt? Travato? Coachmen Galleria? Etc? This Super C is hitting the market when we return home in March. Time is not critical and we really want this purchase to be our last. 4X4, power systems, drivability, efficiency and durability highlight our immediate wants....notice I did not say storage? We intend our purchasing a small trailer to join us across our nation's land! Thank you. Go Navy! God Bless America!

[kenandterry]

You probably think it’s too far away but……a number of very large RV shows are scheduled for Florida in the next few months.

Just Google “florida rv shows 2023 for details

Check out the real McCoy in person.

Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Ocala……

[SergioP]

Check out www.Modvans.com, Leisure Travel vans, Pleasureway, Sportsmobile.

When have Winnebago or Coachmen built a quality rv? For that matter none of the big manufactures build with quality control in mind.

[pasdad1]

I would check out Grech RV for sure. They also make 4x4 models. YouTube’er “LivinRVIsion” has been living in one for over 6 months now full-time.

[tnrver]

i'd look at Sportsmobile.

[Dagney]

Originally Posted by SergioP

Check out www.Modvans.com, Leisure Travel vans, Pleasureway, Sportsmobile.

When have Winnebago or Coachmen built a quality rv? For that matter none of the big manufactures build with quality control in mind.

Ha! I have been researching vans for several months now. Winnebago, Itasca, Tiffin, Thor, and a couple others have been summarily dismissed due to the crappy quality and poor customer service I've read about here, and personally seen in person. I HAVE narrowed choices down to literally the companies you mentioned, plus a couple others. I like LTV, PW, Sportsmobile, Embassy, Colorado Campervan, Outside Van, Titan, and Storyteller.

[Dagney]

Holy smokes just checked out Mod Vans website and you tube videos. They are nice!

[SergioP]

Originally Posted by Dagney

Holy smokes just checked out Mod Vans website and you tube videos. They are nice!

Not sure how far away you live from Mod Vans to make trip to visit them. At least they are in California, but it is a big state…

They had a road trip scheduled to go to Georgia last month but canceled. They were going to stop in Austin Texas and I was going to make a day trip to see the van in person. Maybe next time.

[NLOVNIT]

You mentioned purchasing a "small trailer" to join you. Be sure the Class B you are looking for has the capacity to safely control one. You may be very surprised at the lack of towing capacity once the B is full of your gear & you two.

[Rocky ARV]

Without any doubt or hesitation, the best "B" would be from Advanced RV in Willoughby Ohio. Best in how equipped, fit & finish, materials used, warranty, factory support. Price is through the roof, but you get what you pay for. There is a 2-year wait for a new one built to your specifications, but several pre-owned units are available now. https://advanced-rv.com/

[SergioP]

Originally Posted by Rocky ARV

Without any doubt or hesitation, the best "B" would be from Advanced RV in Willoughby Ohio. Best in how equipped, fit & finish, materials used, warranty, factory support. Price is through the roof, but you get what you pay for. There is a 2-year wait for a new one built to your specifications, but several pre-owned units are available now. https://advanced-rv.com/

No doubt they build super top quality B’s. But like you said the price is shocking.

[Rocinante440]

You may also find a similarly high-quality unit from George at Humble Road, but I suspect his prices are similarly impressive. Every van is custom designed, every one built by hand. They're beautiful inside, and thoughtfully made.

Storyteller seems to be coming on strong as a smaller shop, so they may be worth investigating if you don't care whether the van has a wet bath. If you're good using porta-potty stored under a bench you can also sleep on, their campers might be just the right van for you. We insist on a wet bath with a sink in our van, so we're at the other end of that continuum.

Panoramic RV out of Canada seems to be building a very nice class B in the Ram ProMaster chassis, but it's my understanding that the waiting time is in excess of several years. Maybe that time will shorten as the RV market softens with the Fed raising interest rates again every few months.

There are probably other similarly high-quality, smaller, less famous, custom van upfitters out there who are not members of RVIAA. Membership in RVIAA doesn't guarantee quality by any means, but it does put them into a class of RV producers that insurance companies have probably heard of. So, it may be important to check with your insurance company before committing. Assuming you ask your insurance company to cover it, would they only insure the value of an empty cargo van, or would they insure it as an RV at the higher built-out value? I'm no whiz on this, but I keep running across the concern from "internet experts," so I'm guessing it's worth nailing that issue down before writing a check.

Of the major name brands, PleasureWay is the one that keeps drawing my attention. I'm sure they aren't perfect either, but they seem to do a pretty nice job.

Airstream has been owned by Thor for a long time, but in recent years Thor's poor quality has clearly been rubbing off on Airstream. Winnebago is a beast in the Class B market, but it only offers a one-year warranty on the RV work. There's a reason for that.

[Sbad0cko]

I'm interested to know how people feel about PleasureWay too.

[Mr.Mark]

Originally Posted by Sbad0cko

I'm interested to know how people feel about PleasureWay too.

Hi Sbad0cko, I read a lot about Class-B's before I made my purchase. The Pleasure Way product kept floating to the top with the quality of workmanship and they have the longest warranty in the industry (on their build).

I have had my 2021.5 PW Plateau FL for 20 months and almost 15,000 miles. The only warranty item I've had is a stripped screw in one of the kitchen drawer latches.... it was taken care of at the dealer. Otherwise, smooth sailing on the PW side.

I've had a soft start put on the A/C unit and I bought the White Top Adventures upper shelf above the driver/passenger area..... it's perfect! I also had ceramic tinting put on the windshield and the driver and passenger windows.

The MB chassis has been fine but I've had several recalls done.

Safe travels and good luck on your search.

Mark