Community Forums

breeves2245 · 03-23-2023, 12:14 PM

Knocking around the buying a Class B. Any suggestions on focusing on the usually manufacturers vs custom build?

Punkinhead · 03-23-2023, 01:46 PM

Custom builders are typically much more expensive so I'd only do it if I were buying my 2nd or 3rd class B and had strong opinions of what I wanted based on real experience. You can tour or rent factory built vans to get an idea of what would best fit your style but nothing compares to living with one for a couple years.

Mr.Mark · 03-24-2023, 09:50 AM

I agree with Punkinhead, a 2nd or 3rd unit would make sense for a custom build. I had a custom class-A built but I had rented 2 class A's and then bought my first class A in 2007 (2008 unit). After keeping it for 7.5 yrs., I felt I knew exactly what I wanted in a coach. I was happy with my custom build and kept it 6.5 yrs. and 63,000 miles.

When it was time to downsize, I researched class B's and Pleasure Way kept popping to the top for quality and workmanship. And, it's the only class-B manufacturer to offer a 5 yr. warranty on their 'build-out' that I'm aware of.

Also, I felt PW hit all the buttons within reason (solar, lithium batteries, spyder controls, high quality materials, Truma heat and hot water, etc.).

I think if I were to have a custom class-B built, I probably would go to Advanced RV.

Safe travels,
Mark

Rocinante440 · 03-24-2023, 11:13 AM

Advanced RV makes some beautiful units, but definitely show up with a nice fat wallet. Their custom work doesn't come cheap.

Boxster1971 · 03-24-2023, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante440

Advanced RV makes some beautiful units, but definitely show up with a nice fat wallet. Their custom work doesn't come cheap.

Agree - ARV builds are now averaging $450-$500K - Yikes!

Also looked at Nomadik Custom, Outside Van and a few others. Once you go custom and want everything to be the best it gets expensive, and they are all in that price range.

You can get cheaper custom builds, but they won't have all the features of the major brand factory spec builds.

The biggest advantage I saw with custom builds is the build quality is much better than the typical factory builds. Things like treating the opening cut into the van shell to prevent future corrosion are just typically not done on factory builds.

My 10-year-old Airstream Interstate is starting to show corrosion under paint around all the opening that Airstream cut into the side of van shell.

Mr.Mark · 03-25-2023, 10:44 AM

Boxster1971 (Mike).... that is a good point about treating the metal where the 'up-fitter' cuts into the van.

That is exactly what Pleasure Way does on their builds. There is are Youtube video's covering a factory tour on the complete build of their products. It's a four part series that is pretty detailed.

Safe travels,
Mark

Boxster1971 · 03-25-2023, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Mark

Boxster1971 (Mike).... that is a good point about treating the metal where the 'up-fitter' cuts into the van.

That is exactly what Pleasure Way does on their builds. There is are Youtube video's covering a factory tour on the complete build of their products. It's a four part series that is pretty detailed.

Safe travels,
Mark

Thanks - I'm watching the videos of tour now. Wow they sure cut a lot of openings in the van body. Glad to see Neil is back on his Ultramobilty YouTube channel.

I hope they are getting some of those plastic body part painted from the factory as it is now an option. I'm impressed by their tank hanger system. I've always liked the Pleasure Way vans. But they have not yet offered a propane free model.

Airstream finally took the leap to all electric with their new Volta and Truma Combi 6DE, E1 option.

Danny969 · 03-26-2023, 06:05 PM

You're getting bad info. I had a pleasureway Lexor, sold it and then had one custom built. The cost to build is comparable (and often times less) to buying a fully optioned van from one of the manufacturers. The cost to build can vary significantly depending on who you use and what you put into it, but you should get a better product. I liked my Lexor, but wanted four seasons insulation, a slightly different layout and a fully electric coach. Pleasureway makes a good product and I believe they now insulate them better. My only real beef with them is that only offer a paltry 200 amp lithium pack. Like others suggested, buy one of the manufacturer vans first and live with it for a while before having one custom built. You just don't know what you want until you live with one for a while. I'd suggest getting a lightly used OnTour or Lexor.

Boxster1971 · 03-26-2023, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny969

You're getting bad info. I had a pleasureway Lexor, sold it and then had one custom built. The cost to build is comparable (and often times less) to buying a fully optioned van from one of the manufacturers. The cost to build can vary significantly depending on who you use and what you put into it, but you should get a better product. I liked my Lexor, but wanted four seasons insulation, a slightly different layout and a fully electric coach. Pleasureway makes a good product and I believe they now insulate them better. My only real beef with them is that only offer a paltry 200 amp lithium pack. Like others suggested, buy one of the manufacturer vans first and live with it for a while before having one custom built. You just don't know what you want until you live with one for a while. I'd suggest getting a lightly used OnTour or Lexor.

Give me a real example of a custom builder that can match the features and cost of a Pleasureway Ascent.

Danny969 · 03-26-2023, 07:47 PM

My van: 13.5Kw lithium NMC battery pack, 2nd alternator, 3600w inverter, solar, 48v AC, webasto heater, isotherm water heater, isotherm fridge, convection MW, induction cooktop, stainless steel walled bathroom, custom built baltic birch cabinetry, upgraded suspension, black rhino wheels, glass all around with insulated blinds, spray foam insulation, etc. Paid $155K including the van. I'm pretty sure the Ascent clocks in around that and isn't nearly as capable.

Mr.Mark · 03-26-2023, 11:15 PM

Danny, what van did you up-fit? Ram? Sprinter? Ford?

Mark

Rocinante440 · 03-27-2023, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny969

My van: 13.5Kw lithium NMC battery pack, 2nd alternator, 3600w inverter, solar, 48v AC, webasto heater, isotherm water heater, isotherm fridge, convection MW, induction cooktop, stainless steel walled bathroom, custom built baltic birch cabinetry, upgraded suspension, black rhino wheels, glass all around with insulated blinds, spray foam insulation, etc. Paid $155K including the van. I'm pretty sure the Ascent clocks in around that and isn't nearly as capable.

Well, that certainly sounds competitive. Who's your upfitter, and what was the platform?

Danny969 · 03-27-2023, 12:50 PM

I upfitted a 2020 RAM Promaster 3500 extended. If you go with a sprinter you'll pay about 15-20K more for the platform. I interviewed about a dozen different builders. Some glazed over when they heard the specs I wanted and they were all over the place on what they would and wouldn't do. Of the few that I did get a quote from, the price was plus or minus 10K. I ended up going with a company called Paved to Pines in Saskatchewan of all places. They seemed to get what I wanted. In regards to Advanced RV, they make an awesome product, but I don't know how they get all the way up to $300K+. Capability-wise, it's not better than my van, at least not $150K better. You can get an extraordinarily beautiful/capable custom built van for under $200K from most builders.

Boxster1971 · 03-28-2023, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny969

My van: 13.5Kw lithium NMC battery pack, 2nd alternator, 3600w inverter, solar, 48v AC, webasto heater, isotherm water heater, isotherm fridge, convection MW, induction cooktop, stainless steel walled bathroom, custom built baltic birch cabinetry, upgraded suspension, black rhino wheels, glass all around with insulated blinds, spray foam insulation, etc. Paid $155K including the van. I'm pretty sure the Ascent clocks in around that and isn't nearly as capable.

OK - that sounds good for the electrical systems. What about the water and waste systems?