I've gone from two Class As, both 43' towing a jeep, to a 2021 Airstream Interstate 24GT and I've been on the road for two months and the space has not been an issue. I'd gladly trade it for the flexibility I now have to park just about anywhere. Pump-out/water takes about fifteen minutes if that, propane about the same. I'm having a lot more fun than I did with the Class A that was so much work. I love driving up to any grocery store, loading up and sometimes stealth camping anywhere I can park. They are very expensive per cubic foot of use, but they are very efficient. The As got about 4MPG and I'm getting around 16.
There are a lot of couples that want to travel and the B class fits the bill. No problems parking, driving, storing. Room for two. Different strokes for different folks.
@@samog777 Some folks don’t mind living in an efficiency apartment. Others are not happy in anything other than a 2,000 square foot 2 bedroom. It’s up to each individual. Tell you what though. If you’re not a minimalist, there will be regrets.
I agree. We are definitely not minimalists. Our house is pretty big, but we aren't planning on living in the RV. I love the design of the class B and the ease of driving and parking it. Our kids are grown so it's just the two of us and it works fine for us.
We bought our Winnebago Travato 59K Class B van in June 2020. It’s the two of us and our big golden retriever. We are minimalists and enjoy taking off on day trips, weekenders as well as longer trips. Hikes and biking and back road trips. Yes there are pro and con. So far, We have a system and it works- been married 42 years so we are used to the give and take. It is also our daily driver (which is a plus for seniors like us that have busy bladders! ) The down side is yes the smaller tanks. But the gas mileage is super! This is our first RV! We may end up going a bit bigger when I retire next year so we can winter in a sunny place. I don’t see us being in our van for more than 2-3 weeks at a time. Love your channel!
It's a two person vehicle, that's what it is. Yes, we take less stuff with us when we travel, and that's the point. If we sometimes need extra space, we'll just stay in a hotel. You don't buy one of these to live and camp inside, but it's for an adventure excursion. You live out of a Class B. If you wanted the inside space, buy a Class A. These vehicles are spontaneous, you can definitely keep it in your driveway and go anytime. That's what's fantastic about this platform. It can also act as your emergency vehicle in case of a problem; while you wouldn't want to live in it, for a while you could. Fuel is the most expensive long term thing you put in your vehicle and 18-20 MPG is a really big deal. Again, if I want more space, I'll just stay home. There's nothing spontaneous about a Class A motorhome. I suppose some people can park them at home, if they have the space, but, not everyone has this ability to do that. Yes, on a square foot basis, these units are very expensive, I absolutely agree. However, if you look at a lot of Class B's, you will notice that the build quality on the inside is very nicely done, cabinets and layout is superb, there's no wasted space on a Class B and everything is within easy reach.
I had a 30 foot and it was nice for the room, but for other reasons it was a pain. You need to tow a car it’s harder to get service. I like the Travato lithium battery package with two single beds and the bathroom in the back. It’s all open nothing obstructs the van like other ones
GRECH RV - Class B STRADA -ION is battery and you can skip these worries and care/maintenance of the generator. Its a huge peace of mind. We love ours.
I have a 2017 Midwest Automotive Designs Weekender MD4 and absolutely love it! We bought it because it has 4 captain chairs so we can take our parents and Grandchildren on long trips. Having 2 TV'S with 4 Bluetooth headphones is awesome. This model seats 7 but really only sleeps 2. We did sleep 4 adults using the front captain chairs as recliners. I carry a fullsize keyboard and a small pa everywhere we travel. Sometimes a saxophone. We spent 3 months traveling from California to Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Mt Rushmore, Yosemiye and Glacier. There is height and lenght restrictions at Glacier so we had to rent a car to go all the way in. We boondocked all but 4 days. All in all I love my class B. 18 miles per gallon is not too shabby either.
We finally settled for a class B after the kids grew up and its just the two of us having own a class C and TT. One thing you didn't mention that is important to us is the stealthy look of the RV. We ended taking off the decals on our pleasure way to make it look pretty plain as we boondock a lot . We really appreciate the ability to pretty much park anywhere we want and willing to sacrifice space for that advantage. With gas getting over $4 gallon here in California it make some difference
Also it’s good because you don’t need to tow a car, but I would only buy the Pravada with single beds because there are no obstructions and it looks large
Cost and freedom. We picked up our Coachhouse for 10k with 100 k on it. We’ve been coast to coast. It’s just my wife and I and there’s no place we can’t go. It doesn’t have a generator, yet, but we don’t boondock. We use it for recreation and have no intention to make it a full time lifestyle. It’s older and the number of little stuff that needs repair is ongoing but that was to be expected. Getting around after checking in is rolling up the awning, unplug electric and go into town to enjoy the sites. Come back, plug in, level up, and walk the paths or the beach or the lake, or watch the sunset. Life is good in a “B”. Children are who we go to see, and they have the pets, we have each other. French press coffee every morning,
Class Bs are the ones for me! I want to go out in Nature so it needs to be good in rough terrain. I don't want a TV or microwave. Good basic kitchen, and bath and rest/sleeping space and really good insulation of the body of the vehicle. The Class B is made for people like me!
We use our Class B to get us from point A to point B, we do not use it to live out of. It's great for our cross country runs (we live in NH) and quick trips to Yellow Stone and other NP's. Weekend, last minute, get-a-way, trip to Harvests Hosts or quick overnight visits to relatives are all great uses of Class B's. Never owned an A or C, however have had several
This 62 year old Jersey girl has a National Park edition Travato GL and I absolutely love it. No generator, just the Volta power system with 3600 watt inverter that charges on shore power or when driving. The G floor plan has dedicated dinette area with bench and swivel cab seats. The dinette converts to a second bed. The main bed is a Murphy style that, when up, gives access to garage area. The main reason I chose a van was the ease to drive and park. My hobby is landscape photography, so my goal with this van is to travel the US and Canada in search of the shots on my bucket list (and to visit local breweries). As a solo traveler, don’t have too much of an issue with storage, sometimes you just need to be creative. For example, since the external cubby for sewer hose is too small for sewer hose with an elbow, I use that compartment to store patio rug and hang a “Trasharoo” off the bike rack to store sewer hose. Cons with the van are small tank size and challenges for winter camping (can’t use water tank, cold-soaked lithium batteries). My current challenge is getting my 92 lb fur baby accustomed to the van. Wish me luck! P.S. your comment about dealerships not wanting to service camper vans is spot on. I have yet to find a Ram BusinessLink dealership in or around Ocean county that will service the van.
Sounds like you have the perfect RV for you. Great for traveling around the country, but a 92 lb. pup with you. Wow! Do you get any room in the bed? 😂 - MJ
My wife and I have had our 2009 Leisure Travel Class B for 6 years now and we absolutely love it. But this pros and cons video is very important. A work mate and his wife wanted to get a Class B and when he went out shopping with his wife he knew right then and there that they were too big for it. They are compact, but for my wife and I it is perfect. I am 5' 11" about 225lbs. It's all about trade offs. We take our two cats with us and that is definitely an impact (litter box and place to sleep). All in all it works for us, but it is not for everyone. Thanks for this informative video!
We have a 21-foot Travato G. It’s 18 mos old. It’s too big. I want to downsize to a 17 1/2 foot Solis Pocket. Easy to drive, easy to park. Easy Peezy. We’re travelers and campers. We don’t live in it; it’s a big fancy tent. Just the basics - well insulated and warm is what I care about. And we are 75 & 81.
@@nnezeyoung Yes, a year ago and we got a Solis Pocket. So much simpler and less complicated, less to go wrong. But we're still working on organizing and becoming minimalists.
Thanks for a good review of luxury road travel. Meanwhile around 4-5 billion people live on the ground, in huts, no electricity, no medical, basic living. We Americans have it so good.
We tried a Winnebago ERA built on a Sprinter chassis. Kept it only 9 months and then took the big depreciation loss getting rid of it. Today we could probably not have taken a loss. For the two of us it was okay. We paid extra to have a car towed behind us so not an issue when we wanted to explore. Biggest problem was we bought into the Sprinter diesel hype. Nothing but trouble for us and dealerships that could repair the Sprinter are very limited. If you have a breakdown outside a major metro you could really have a problem. We had to crawl 100miles with a fuel problem to get to a dealer that could service and we were in a metro area. Another issue with the high top Sprinter van was white knuckle driving if there was even a slight breeze or driving on two lane highways with oncoming trucks. We went back to a towable trailer and pickup. Maybe we could have lasted longer in Ram or Ford based gas van without the mechanical anxiety but we’ve been there and done that and will stick to our easy to tow trailer.
How great it is to be able to go in a B where the big RV's can't even dream of going.... When it's 4x4 we can easily explore the outdoors, live with nature, even enjoy going back to basics. And, the truth is, they are not always that expensive. We can enjoy building them ourselves, economically. In a B we can easily get to know the whole wide world by traveling around it... even on a sparing budget.
I’m not sure why you’d want a kitchen and bathroom in this size. I had a VW Eurovan Westfalia with pop-top for bed but none of that extra mini-kitchen stuff. Just a folding table, grill, portable burner etc and set that up outside! Use the campground bath and shower. Why waste half your space for mini kitchen/bath/shower? Keep it simple but this size is awesome. You can drive out anytime and park downtown! 👌🏼
Lots of reasons for a bathroom in a Class B. Ever travel in remote areas? Some of the areas we've visited in western US states are pretty sparsely populated and restrooms are often few and far between. Ever get stuck behind a major crash on an interstate with nowhere to exit for several hours? Have any medical conditions that might make having a bathroom on board very beneficial? We boondock about 5 to 6 days a week, spending a day or two a week in a campground. The rest of the week we're on the road and the onboard bathroom is a major plus. We don't cook in our RV other than using the microwave for frozen dinners, pizza, etc., but it's nice to have a kitchen if we want to make use of it. If you just park in and hang out around campgrounds you may not need a bathroom or a kitchen, otherwise they are nice to have and perhaps even a necessity.
Four things have always turned us off on Class B Vans. The price, sliding door, wet bath and confined living space with no storage. We have camped for years in Class A, Class C, Travel Trailers, Tent Campers and Truck campers our next purchase will be a Leisure Travel Van Class B+ with a single slide out. Love their new Wonder MBL floor plan built on the AWD Ford Transit.Will be able to take us into any park we want to go.
Like many of you guys, we have experienced several RV, 2- Pop ups, 3-trailers, and one Class B+. However, now at 72 years old we are considering a Class B used as a Daily Driver. We live in the Mid West and because it will be my Daily Driver, AWD maybe in a good option. The only chassis we are thinking about is the MB Sprinter in either Gas/Diesel Engine or the Ford Transit. I like the better serviceability of the Transit, i.e. more dealers, there aren't near as many Sprinter Dealers.
I have a class B Mercedes Diesel and I use as my everyday vehicle. But now I realize$$ that diesel engines don’t do well with short distance commuting. My fuel and exhaust got plugged.
We have been RVing for 35 years now and have owned a variety of conveyances, including 2 American Coach diesel pushers and a Leisure Travel Van Class B... actually owned one of the American Dreams and the LTV concurrently. From my perspective, nothing beats the feel of going down the road in a nice diesel pusher... until you want to get into a smaller RV site, a National Park, or a parking lot. I was not in favor of getting a Class B when my wife started pushing for one (in 2002)... "I'm not giving up my big coach for one of those little things," was my argument. She came back with, "Along with, not in place of." I thought traveling in the LTV would be a giant step down; turns out, the traveling was great and we actually went more places for shorter durations in the Class B. The next year, we built a vacation home on the southern coast, sold the diesel pusher, but kept the Class B. That worked for us until we retired 3 years later and went boat cruising. Back on land, my wife wanted another RV. We bought a very nice 5th wheel, eventually downsized to a Winnebago Aspect Class C - definitely easier to travel with. And now, we are considering downsizing once again to a Class B. While some do it, a Class B would not be my idea of a good full-timing conveyance, but it is perfect for traveling, especially if you aren't staying in one place for an extended time. I used to joke that the Class B had all the amenities of a nice Class A, but... you could reach them from the driver's compartment. ;-) We don't need a big hallway to walk up and down (which is what most Class As offer), and we don't need to take everything we own along with us (we have a comfortable home for all that). Different RVs for different uses. I sensed a bit of condescension in your video, especially you two squeezing into the snug space in that model that has a center bath and kitchen (there are other floorplans that feel more open). At some point, your traveling may change (we have traveled by motorcycle, van, motorhome, diesel pusher coaches, Class B van, toy hauler, 5th wheel, Class C motorhome, sailboat, power cruiser, and private plane) - there is no one BEST conveyance, only what best suits you at a particular point in your life. Living large is more about attitude than any particular vehicle. Your mention of *some* Class Bs have a generator, shows a lack of reseach. Many of the current generation Class Bs have lithium-ion batteries that can do the job of a generator and are easily charged by an auxiliary alternator on the engine, shore power, and some help from solar. If you were to be somewhere overnight in your 37' motorhome without a plug-in, would you be able to run your air conditioner without turning on the generator? Some current Class Bs can comfortably do just that. Those without the lithium package would need a generator (which all but the most basic have) to run that a/c, just like most larger Class A coaches. Different capabilities for different uses.
@@EndlessRVing We are currently in a "sleek" Class C, considering another Class B. Situations change. Equally glad you know what currently works for you. Best wishes.
I bought a new regency XALTA In 2019. It has a 170 inch wheelbase. It fits nicely in my driveway beside my jeep. I keep it plugged into my garage and the inverter/charger keeps my battery bank fully charged at 13.7 V. I added a smart lithium ion battery with a Bluetooth connection and I can monitor the charge state from inside my house with my iPhone. I do not have to pay for RV storage which is a big plus. It’s a Mercedes and it handles nicely!
We've had trailers and a class c. In Florida the heat and humidity damaged them all. It's just the two of us now and add to that the fact that we love the Oregon Coast (and the west in general), but we won't travel more than 4 weeks at a time, it made sense to get a "B" van. It will last longer in this humidity and it's great for the high percentage of driving time we do. Plus we're not big on cooking when traveling. Also, we'll get to use it throughout the year in Florida for trips to the Keys or to Disney and no storage fees as we can keep it in the driveway. Also we don't have any pets at this time so a B is best for us. 8 months plus to order a 144 inch van stinks but it'll be worth it for us!
I just got rid of my 31 foot RV that guzzels fuel. I went to about 12 national parks in last 2 months, and marveled at the class c rigs. I was driving my SUV that I had been towing, but the ease of driving and no probs parking, I knew I needed something else. I would still have a motorhome if I entertained alot, or had a large family I felt responsible, but that is not the case. Class B is the way to go.
We got a class B because I have mobility issues. Had a TT and the hitch, weight distribution bars, stability control bar, and leveling just became too much. Would not take it out unless we would be staying somewhere for a week, the hassle was just not worth it. With the class B we usually do not hook up anything for an overnight stay unless we need A/C and then we plug in. Just move around the sight until it feels fairly level and we are done. We have levelers if needed but so far have not used them. The simplicity is worth the lack of space as far as we are concerned. It is certainly not for everyone but suits our needs for now.
Class B's are a lot more spontaneous.... you can literally drive them anywhere and we've never found a situation where we couldn't park the vehicle.... I completely agree....a trailer is much more complicated.....I used to have a tear drop trailer and even dealing with that was a PITA.
We are in the same position! We are planning on using our Class B as a Daily Driver. When you consider the total cost, Maintenance/Insurance/Depreciation/Storage/Hard to use-so you don't go/ Harder to find a space/etc etc, the Class B look very good.
@@bigpapaporsche1 Pat, I know people who intend to use their Class B's as daily drivers, but, keep in mind that this is more easily accomplished if you have a gasoline engine coach...I don't know what you have, but, diesel engines need more highway driving...stop and go driving in the city with diesels is not a good idea.... you certainly can do it, but, they are really meant for road trips... Plus, even though I love the performance and mileage from the diesel, I would probably not purchase one again. They require more TLC and maintenance than a gas engine. Otherwise, yes, drive safely and enjoy your RV.... it's certainly economical to have the RV as a "2nd car". Plus, Class B's are the most popular and desired RVs out there now for their handling the fuel economy. I would only strongly recommend that you have a tire pressure monitoring system.... they are not expensive and will greatly add to your security and safety. ----Mark
Pros: Size Cons: Size 😂 I have a Class B because I'm solo and definitely minimalist. Having that small footprint lets me go places that other RVs can't, such as down tighter roads further off the beaten path, or even things like parking in a normal spot at any location and blending in as just another cargo van instead of a big RV taking up a bunch of space and sticking out like a sore thumb. More gas mileage and less worries of towing/maneuvering for sure!
As a solo traveler, I love my Airstream Interstate. However if I had a partner, you really have to love that person because I sometimes struggle some days with my Chihuahua mix. I have had lots of different RVs from Class A to Class Cs , travel trailers, pop ups and truck campers, not to mention tenting. All the pluses you note and the cons are right on. Different rigs meet our needs at different times in our lives. There is not one perfect rig that will meet everyone’s needs for a lifetime.
We don’t overnight in ours. We use it to travel back and forth from Utah to Arizona. Traveling with small children, it’s great. We don’t have to stop every 20 miles for a bathroom or snack. For us, seating area with seatbelts was more important than a dedicated sleeping space. We are all on the thin, short side so we have plenty of space for what we use it for, but we wouldn’t want to camp in it. We could, but not comfortably.
Get the Travato 59kl it’s all open with two single beds so you don’t have to climb over each other and the bathroom is in the back and you can run the air conditioning on the batteries for eight hours. So that’s great for people have dogs and would like to go out for a while when they park somewhere and not worry about the dogs
Picture this, I can park in NYC and stealth camp months at a time -- parallel parking near museums and Central Park; not fiction, fact. Yet has all the amenities -- converted toilet so don't need to worry about dumping black tank. Also, class B really should not need generator, 4 lithiums with under hood generator and solar -- done. Yes I have a 19' Roadrek. Oh yes, and lastly, it fits nicely on my driveway and HOA don't mind. Trying doing that with class C or A.
Also run hoses w/ water in then and put on the roof.they heat up and just full them up with caps. But I love the air shocks for old people to get in and out of the van with the dogs.thanks
We had a Class B for a while. I can count on one hand how many times we actually camped in it. We used it when our daughter was in college for "parents weekend", but mostly for mooch-docking. Another down side is you can't take a towed so, if you need groceries, you have to pack everything up to go to the store.
Actually you can pull the hookups pretty fast. No big deal. Our Class C rental was easy to unhook up. Class B should be easier. And it is possible to tow something with some Class Bs.
They are also good for people who live up north and have winter homes in the south. You can travel down I-95 in comfort and you don't have to worry about catching anything in a hotel. You can also fit in any restaurant parking lot. But, I am like you. We won't be trading our class A for one anytime in the near future.
We would love to have something like this. Talk about the ultimate road trip unit. Easy to get around in and can park it almost anywhere. Definitely not something I would live in but would have no regrets taking it out on the road for 2-3 months at a time. Maybe if we win the lottery someday! LOL
"Class B Remorse" I can speak from experience. We thought we were ready for the van life researched for a year on what we wanted and finally pulled the trigger last June and spared no expense getting full electric unit (Lithium) 120k sale price! Anyway, we did a person to person 2 months later to mitigate the loss and still lost 20k! (in 2 months) and no we didn't get ripped off, we bought the cheapest price we could find in america and had it shipped 1000 miles to do so. All this to say to anyone reading, make sure you rent one and experience the van life before you lose 20k yourself! We have a C now and again ready to upgrade! Buy an A first!
I have a class B rented for May, just to see if its the right fit for us. We are both over 60 but she is small so it might work. We tried a class C first and it was okay, but had driving issues like a bad alignment. I don't want a class A as I am more for boondocking than going to an RV resort.
@@johnm1585 John M, yeah the C's are all notorious for needing suspension upgrades. I have already installed sumo springs, and hellwig sway bars front and rear and a Bilstein steering stabilizer and it has helped alot. Still doesn't drive like a SUV but more along the lines of what you would expect. I still need to do the alignment which is supposed to help alot also. Good luck with your rental, and smart choice in doing so first! B's are not horrible, I could have made it work, it was more the wife that couldn't manage the tight quarter.
I am over 70 and built a conversion.?? Great for short trips, last was 12 days visiting family and friends. Slept in it the entire trip. 11 states 2500 miles 16 mpg. At our age, without a toilet is not a problem since rest areas are frequent. In the past had 23’ gas class A and last was 40’ Diesel pusher. Drove 50,000+ miles and loved it. Just not practical now.
Have a Grech Turismo. Love it. We are more urban explorers and campers at night. Only ones to find a parking space in downtown Lake Geneva Wi. Also places like South Haven MI and Saugatuck. No stress. Just normal parallel parking at 19.5 ft. Sure would like more space but the adventure would totally change. With ion batteries we really can camp at Walmart or anywhere. Dont really need advanced planning to any great degree. Just driving charges the batteries.
I had a class B on a Chevy van platform before the Class Bs became popular when I was single. I put over 100,000 miles on it and used it to travel the country, work remote, and skiing. My van was $50K in the early 2000s, which was alot for me. I got every penny out of it. I can't imagine paying what they cost today for the Class B experience. Even as a single person, that tight space will wear on your nerves after a while. I can't tell you how many times I hit my head! I believe from what I experienced that no matter how fancy it is you will always feel like you're camping in a van.
Yes, it's insane what people are paying for them these days. Some people love them and it works for them, but I would go nuts with the space. lol Thanks Mark! - MJ
We us a R.T. Pop - 200. It's an aging 1999 but works for the two of us to go camping. We've been all over MI and took a 2 week trip to TN, the SMNP and SC. I'd say they are great if you are more of a "on the move" type of person or couple. Its crowded with two not a lot of moving around area. We have two twin beds in the back which we never convert to the table. D/P seats swivel around to a fold out table for small meals, a place for the laptop or cards. But we spend more time outdoors and really just use it to sleep. It does have pretty good storage for it's size with three outdoor bays. It has a shower which probably has never been used as you have to shower in the hallway. We use the parks facilities for that. As far as going FT or extended use I would go with a Newmar! :). But it is easy to drive. If you can drive a car you got this. And no you don't get use to hiding your head!
Wife and I picked up a Thor Scope 18M, and we're quite pleased with it. As others posted, it just looks like a van to most people, and it doesn't put off that "RV vibe." Really wanted a modern VW camper bus, but sadly those are available mostly only in Europe, so the Class B is a nice alternative. We've no intention of living in it, unless of course the economy crashes hard or the nation collapses - in which case that's the least of our concerns. :D
I’ve been living in a class b in NYC for years. Me and my dog. It’s convenient cuz you can park anywhere even in a sense city. But no storage is a pain as is no dedicated full time bed. Saves a lot in rent though.
Class B for me! I’ll be traveling solo, no pets, and mostly visiting state and national parks. I like the minimalist life so a class B suits me better. My dream rig is the Pleasure Way Plateau TS which has a much more open feel, great kitchen space, and a pretty nice bathroom for a class B. I think the aisle is a little wider than the van you were in. I also live in a townhouse and can’t park a rig in my driveway and will need to store it in a lot. A smaller rig will have cheaper storage fees. Quite a few of the towns in my area do not allow RVs to be parked in driveways. One other pro you didn’t mention is that a class B can be a second car. Some retired couples go down to one car and use the van as a second car when needed.
@@joycem2795 Hi Joyce, absolutely no problems with 3-way fridge. I actually like it as I have several options depending on how I am camping. I haven’t camped at high altitudes yet but for mid altitudes to low, it has been great.
There is no breakdown or setup unless you are in a trailer park. These are used mostly outside of trailer parks. That is the big draw. You can go for days on end without connections to anything... but if you have to be in a park, to breakdown ... unplug the power & remove water hose. Done. No jacks, hitches, levelling, towing, etc. All the stuff you enjoy not doing.... and with a 4x4 you can go places no trailer can go...
The cost of a Class A Rv is probably more than a B after tagging insurance fuel cost and Rv park rentals....way more.....you have to consider all the cost not just the buying price......you have to use the unit.....
I live solo full time in my 25ft Class C Winnebago and I have to say that, for me, it's too big. I am just waiting for some stock to free up and then will sell my Class C and buy a Class B. As you say, we are all different and want/need different things😊
Class bs have 4 seats which is safe for children, but if you plan on being full time or in it for several years, then it's too small. I also like the idea that it would be easier the drive, park, hide speed up
Believe me that I have no desire to drive anything larger than a class B on the back roads here in Turkey and Europe and it seems everything interesting is at the end of a narrow road. With just the two of us the size is fine with our bicycles hanging on the back. Prices here in Turkey for anything local built are far more attractive than the grossly overpriced units you mention available in the US. The cost of living in Turkey is far cheaper (no 15$ per hour for common labor). My wife did the complete design taking into account what we want. Most class B types we see are meant to drive to the beach or lake for day or two - picnic vehicles. We will be on the road for the summer (4 months this trip).
Great for tailgating combo with weekend getaways boondocking! Another idea is for touring cities where you could park in closer. Anything more would be good for singe traveler.
I agree with you ,not for everyone and that price is crazy high if buying new. I’m thinking however if you could find lightly used for lower cost these vehicles will hold up better and retain a higher resale value than a used gas class A. Or C.
Sounds like you are indoor people. Maybe you should consider buying a full size home and settling down. For me it is a place to sleep, shower, and relieve myself. The rest of the day I spend outside, including cooking.
We have a home and always will have a home. Our motorhome is our home on wheels. Although we do love the outdoors we also love space indoors. Thanks for watching and the comment
I'm a single male Lil dog guy so this is perfect for my dog and I kool I be buying one in July for living on the road I'm retired so I want to see few places before I hit the dirt lol thanks for the video very informative take care 🙂 God bless ya
Well done - very balanced and cracked me up that Izzy gets to be the good cop ;-) I'd also give a big plus on Class B for maintainability and associated total cost of ownership. IMO Class B (and smaller Class C) are great for those who like travelling on the move more frequently - for those who want to hang out for longer periods, full timers, etc, you can't beat the Class A, trailers, fifth wheeler, toy hauler, etc.
My dream is a Gulfstream BT Cruiser 5210. I don't need a lot of space and there are only 2 of us. We don't live in it and we travel light. so space is not a problem. I am happy to have at least one burner stove, full size bed and a dry bath..It will not cost over $100,000 either. est I could park it i=on my driveway.
Did you look at a storyteller overland? We love ours and not having the dedicated bathroom gives you so much more usable space. We are young with small a small child and we like to get out and be adventurous, hence why we bought an adventure rig.
I dont own a class B but that is the only size I would want. Maybe a B+ but no more than that. I want to be able to park in a standard parking place. And for 2 people that want to use it to travel, no stay in a park all week but visit, this is the better option. As for the storage space, I dont think people actually realise how much useless stuff they are carrying with them. Another comment, there are some class B that are way better in terms of space management than the one displayed here.
Great review and I agree about all the cons, storage is a big issue with me, that’s why I’m leaning toward the Winnebago Solis PX with the pop top for my nieces or the Travato 59G. I can create a fixed bed, lots of storage underneath and since I’m only 5 foot 3, size 10 ( damn pandemic lol), the smaller space isn’t an issue for me.
Watch you guys a lot. Thanks. I would like one of these for travel, but to use a motel or airbnb at destinations. My wife is not very interested in camping as mosquitoes love her to the max, but not more than I do.. She and I, after 43 years, are still very modest and private, especially in the bath. I am considering a large Transit van for travel with separate tiny bed and bath areas for each of us. Not concerned about the kitchen size, just coffee and microwaves, needed plus coolers. Any suggestions or comments are very welcome. I just like not feeling vulnerable at my older age. Thank you for your videos. I'm 78.
They’re selling like hot cakes. Many must like them. No storage even with an HOA. You can use it as a daily driver. No problem with traffic. You have your bathroom with you.
Thanks for another great share and video! For me, it would be great solo, and having a Class C was too much... Sadly your cons hit it right on... TOO expensive now that it has caught on.. The one shown is way over-priced.. almost better to buy the smallest Class A. All the best to both of you and thank you for sharing! Safe travels and Cheers :)
The best ones would be the ones with the bathroom in the back. That would leave it more open in the rest of the van. You probably could get one dog in there but then of course you will have to live outside The majority of the time. A rainy day would B a little claustrophobic!
One solution is to use an outside shelter like the Clam, available in several sizes. The other benefit of course is it expands you living space in all weather. If you have a roof rack you can store it up there along with your other stuff. Thats out plan.
I wish you could load it on the auto train.I have a 1984 tropic traveler van and couldn’t wait to put it in a Auto Train.try air shocks or an adjustable roof top like a vw has to pop up. Help us out! Please
I'm 5'1" single female wannabe traveler with 1 dog. Will need the drivable class. I like the thought of fitting in parking and places I drive to. How can I get a van that's a bit more homey and personalized? Not so sterile looking? How can this one be customized without adding too much weight? So much to learn. Mahalo🌺.
Dealers in my area have not been able to get Class B's for sometime. That's why they're suggesting you buy something else. They need to sell what they have. Just sayin
I am struggling to decide what to buy B or C.... I like the convenience of being able to park where ever easily and the ease to drive.... however the extra space in a class C is nice too. UGGH! I can't decide.
We are Class A peeps all the way. Last year we had the opportunity to shop some of the high end class bs. We were in the coach about 2 minutes and my lovely said to me " we would kill our selves in this"! No substitute for 40 ft and slides! At the msrp and even the sale price of these rigs , you could own a superb 36-40 coach. Just takes a bit of shopping! Thomyt
We have had huge motorhomes but have reached an age not comfortable driving them. So I want to try a Class B still be able to travel with my own bathroom and bed. These are important issues to me at time especially. No it is not for you.
I think IZZY is stressing out just thinking of being in that class B with pets. I think you should rent one for a weekend and video Izzy trying to keep the inside clean. HAHA
I have a home at home and a Storyteller Beast (Class B) when I want to get on the road and go places to be at those places not in a RV. Not to mention I can can get to all the places. I respect both walks of lives but when I travel it's not to stay in the RV for sure.
I like them in theory... (We investigated the possibility of just using it as a commuter (4-5 hrs) per trip one way...) but can’t justify cost when you can get class c and a for less!!
If you need space to be happy. This is great. If you are ok with having to make a bed Literally MAKE a bed. This is fine. For most people this will get real small real fast
Just getting started in researching. Looks like a class A is a must for us. Question for you. Husband and I want to live and travel full time when we retire and sell our home in the US. We need a class A diesel I think because we need to tow a tesla model 3 on a car trailer which is total about 4900 pounds of car and a 15 foot car trailer you had in another video is around 1300 pounds. Based on that, what is the most affordable class A motor home that could tow that amount of car and trailer? Thanks for your valuable videos! Just needing some recommendations on what rvs to be looking into.
Thanks for your information with both the Pros and Cons about class B vans. I agree the footage cost in a class B is very very expensive. I am 5'-2" and I need this class B size to travel as this is one of my important Pro to have. I have traveled in a Chevy and GMC vans but not with all luxury items. I don't think I will have any problems inside the wet bath and sleeping within the width of the couch. I also want to say I have enjoyed watching your other videos.
NEVER BUY AN RV AT ANY SHOW, ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA AND FROM RVONE. YOU CANNOT CANCEL OR MAKE CHANGES TO DEAL AFTER 3/THREE DAYS... YOU WILL BE STUCK WITH YOUR PURCHASE. I'M STUCK WITH A SHOW DEMO.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 84 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องศึก vs เมืองไทย"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3kuzsAIDf1c/mqdefault.jpg)
Be sure to check out our special ERV Insiders! - th-cam.com/channels/okX6YIQymfsKSJvqo9dGEQ.htmljoin
I've gone from two Class As, both 43' towing a jeep, to a 2021 Airstream Interstate 24GT and I've been on the road for two months and the space has not been an issue. I'd gladly trade it for the flexibility I now have to park just about anywhere. Pump-out/water takes about fifteen minutes if that, propane about the same. I'm having a lot more fun than I did with the Class A that was so much work. I love driving up to any grocery store, loading up and sometimes stealth camping anywhere I can park. They are very expensive per cubic foot of use, but they are very efficient. The As got about 4MPG and I'm getting around 16.
There are a lot of couples that want to travel and the B class fits the bill. No problems parking, driving, storing. Room for two. Different strokes for different folks.
We agree. Thanks for watching.
Izzy
Can one person live in o e of these?
@@samog777 Some folks don’t mind living in an efficiency apartment. Others are not happy in anything other than a 2,000 square foot 2 bedroom. It’s up to each individual.
Tell you what though. If you’re not a minimalist, there will be regrets.
I agree. We are definitely not minimalists. Our house is pretty big, but we aren't planning on living in the RV. I love the design of the class B and the ease of driving and parking it. Our kids are grown so it's just the two of us and it works fine for us.
We bought our Winnebago Travato 59K Class B van in June 2020. It’s the two of us and our big golden retriever. We are minimalists and enjoy taking off on day trips, weekenders as well as longer trips. Hikes and biking and back road trips. Yes there are pro and con. So far, We have a system and it works- been married 42 years so we are used to the give and take. It is also our daily driver (which is a plus for seniors like us that have busy bladders! ) The down side is yes the smaller tanks. But the gas mileage is super! This is our first RV! We may end up going a bit bigger when I retire next year so we can winter in a sunny place. I don’t see us being in our van for more than 2-3 weeks at a time. Love your channel!
Thanks for sharing you experience.
Izzy
It's a two person vehicle, that's what it is. Yes, we take less stuff with us when we travel, and that's the point.
If we sometimes need extra space, we'll just stay in a hotel. You don't buy one of these to live and camp inside, but it's for an adventure excursion. You live out of a Class B. If you wanted the inside space, buy a Class A.
These vehicles are spontaneous, you can definitely keep it in your driveway and go anytime. That's what's fantastic about this platform. It can also act as your emergency vehicle in case of a problem; while you wouldn't want to live in it, for a while you could.
Fuel is the most expensive long term thing you put in your vehicle and 18-20 MPG is a really big deal. Again, if I want more space, I'll just stay home.
There's nothing spontaneous about a Class A motorhome. I suppose some people can park them at home, if they have the space, but, not everyone has this ability to do that.
Yes, on a square foot basis, these units are very expensive, I absolutely agree. However, if you look at a lot of Class B's, you will notice that the build quality on the inside is very nicely done, cabinets and layout is superb, there's no wasted space on a Class B and everything is within easy reach.
I had a 30 foot and it was nice for the room, but for other reasons it was a pain. You need to tow a car it’s harder to get service. I like the Travato lithium battery package with two single beds and the bathroom in the back. It’s all open nothing obstructs the van like other ones
GRECH RV - Class B STRADA -ION is battery and you can skip these worries and care/maintenance of the generator. Its a huge peace of mind. We love ours.
I have a 2017 Midwest Automotive Designs Weekender MD4 and absolutely love it! We bought it because it has 4 captain chairs so we can take our parents and Grandchildren on long trips. Having 2 TV'S with 4 Bluetooth headphones is awesome. This model seats 7 but really only sleeps 2. We did sleep 4 adults using the front captain chairs as recliners. I carry a fullsize keyboard and a small pa everywhere we travel. Sometimes a saxophone. We spent 3 months traveling from California to Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Mt Rushmore, Yosemiye and Glacier. There is height and lenght restrictions at Glacier so we had to rent a car to go all the way in.
We boondocked all but 4 days. All in all I love my class B. 18 miles per gallon is not too shabby either.
We finally settled for a class B after the kids grew up and its just the two of us having own a class C and TT. One thing you didn't mention that is important to us is the stealthy look of the RV. We ended taking off the decals on our pleasure way to make it look pretty plain as we boondock a lot . We really appreciate the ability to pretty much park anywhere we want and willing to sacrifice space for that advantage. With gas getting over $4 gallon here in California it make some difference
Thanks for sharing
Also it’s good because you don’t need to tow a car, but I would only buy the Pravada with single beds because there are no obstructions and it looks large
Cost and freedom. We picked up our Coachhouse for 10k with 100 k on it. We’ve been coast to coast. It’s just my wife and I and there’s no place we can’t go. It doesn’t have a generator, yet, but we don’t boondock. We use it for recreation and have no intention to make it a full time lifestyle. It’s older and the number of little stuff that needs repair is ongoing but that was to be expected. Getting around after checking in is rolling up the awning, unplug electric and go into town to enjoy the sites. Come back, plug in, level up, and walk the paths or the beach or the lake, or watch the sunset. Life is good in a “B”. Children are who we go to see, and they have the pets, we have each other. French press coffee every morning,
Class Bs are the ones for me! I want to go out in Nature so it needs to be good in rough terrain. I don't want a TV or microwave. Good basic kitchen, and bath and rest/sleeping space and really good insulation of the body of the vehicle. The Class B is made for people like me!
This analysis proves that the ClassB is personal preference. I think the pluses are more convincing than the cons.
We use our Class B to get us from point A to point B, we do not use it to live out of. It's great for our cross country runs (we live in NH) and quick trips to Yellow Stone and other NP's. Weekend, last minute, get-a-way, trip to Harvests Hosts or quick overnight visits to relatives are all great uses of Class B's. Never owned an A or C, however have had several
That's awesome it works for you. Thanks for sharing! - MJ
This 62 year old Jersey girl has a National Park edition Travato GL and I absolutely love it. No generator, just the Volta power system with 3600 watt inverter that charges on shore power or when driving. The G floor plan has dedicated dinette area with bench and swivel cab seats. The dinette converts to a second bed. The main bed is a Murphy style that, when up, gives access to garage area. The main reason I chose a van was the ease to drive and park. My hobby is landscape photography, so my goal with this van is to travel the US and Canada in search of the shots on my bucket list (and to visit local breweries). As a solo traveler, don’t have too much of an issue with storage, sometimes you just need to be creative. For example, since the external cubby for sewer hose is too small for sewer hose with an elbow, I use that compartment to store patio rug and hang a “Trasharoo” off the bike rack to store sewer hose. Cons with the van are small tank size and challenges for winter camping (can’t use water tank, cold-soaked lithium batteries). My current challenge is getting my 92 lb fur baby accustomed to the van. Wish me luck!
P.S. your comment about dealerships not wanting to service camper vans is spot on. I have yet to find a Ram BusinessLink dealership in or around Ocean county that will service the van.
Sounds like you have the perfect RV for you. Great for traveling around the country, but a 92 lb. pup with you. Wow! Do you get any room in the bed? 😂 - MJ
@@EndlessRVing ...well, it’s not like I have any room on the queen sized bed in my sticks and bricks!
My wife and I have had our 2009 Leisure Travel Class B for 6 years now and we absolutely love it. But this pros and cons video is very important. A work mate and his wife wanted to get a Class B and when he went out shopping with his wife he knew right then and there that they were too big for it. They are compact, but for my wife and I it is perfect. I am 5' 11" about 225lbs. It's all about trade offs. We take our two cats with us and that is definitely an impact (litter box and place to sleep). All in all it works for us, but it is not for everyone. Thanks for this informative video!
We have a 21-foot Travato G. It’s 18 mos old. It’s too big. I want to downsize to a 17 1/2 foot Solis Pocket. Easy to drive, easy to park. Easy Peezy. We’re travelers and campers. We don’t live in it; it’s a big fancy tent. Just the basics - well insulated and warm is what I care about. And we are 75 & 81.
Did you sell your Travato yet?
@@nnezeyoung Yes, a year ago and we got a Solis Pocket. So much simpler and less complicated, less to go wrong. But we're still working on organizing and becoming minimalists.
@@TrishBenedict aaa- happy exploring. Travato is my dream RV
Thanks for a good review of luxury road travel. Meanwhile around 4-5 billion people live on the ground, in huts, no electricity, no medical, basic living. We Americans have it so good.
We tried a Winnebago ERA built on a Sprinter chassis. Kept it only 9 months and then took the big depreciation loss getting rid of it. Today we could probably not have taken a loss.
For the two of us it was okay. We paid extra to have a car towed behind us so not an issue when we wanted to explore.
Biggest problem was we bought into the Sprinter diesel hype. Nothing but trouble for us and dealerships that could repair the Sprinter are very limited. If you have a breakdown outside a major metro you could really have a problem. We had to crawl 100miles with a fuel problem to get to a dealer that could service and we were in a metro area.
Another issue with the high top Sprinter van was white knuckle driving if there was even a slight breeze or driving on two lane highways with oncoming trucks.
We went back to a towable trailer and pickup. Maybe we could have lasted longer in Ram or Ford based gas van without the mechanical anxiety but we’ve been there and done that and will stick to our easy to tow trailer.
How great it is to be able to go in a B where the big RV's can't even dream of going.... When it's 4x4 we can easily explore the outdoors, live with nature, even enjoy going back to basics. And, the truth is, they are not always that expensive. We can enjoy building them ourselves, economically. In a B we can easily get to know the whole wide world by traveling around it... even on a sparing budget.
I’m not sure why you’d want a kitchen and bathroom in this size. I had a VW Eurovan Westfalia with pop-top for bed but none of that extra mini-kitchen stuff. Just a folding table, grill, portable burner etc and set that up outside! Use the campground bath and shower. Why waste half your space for mini kitchen/bath/shower? Keep it simple but this size is awesome. You can drive out anytime and park downtown! 👌🏼
Lots of reasons for a bathroom in a Class B. Ever travel in remote areas? Some of the areas we've visited in western US states are pretty sparsely populated and restrooms are often few and far between. Ever get stuck behind a major crash on an interstate with nowhere to exit for several hours? Have any medical conditions that might make having a bathroom on board very beneficial? We boondock about 5 to 6 days a week, spending a day or two a week in a campground. The rest of the week we're on the road and the onboard bathroom is a major plus.
We don't cook in our RV other than using the microwave for frozen dinners, pizza, etc., but it's nice to have a kitchen if we want to make use of it.
If you just park in and hang out around campgrounds you may not need a bathroom or a kitchen, otherwise they are nice to have and perhaps even a necessity.
Four things have always turned us off on Class B Vans. The price, sliding door, wet bath and confined living space with no storage. We have camped for years in Class A, Class C, Travel Trailers, Tent Campers and Truck campers our next purchase will be a Leisure Travel Van Class B+ with a single slide out. Love their new Wonder MBL floor plan built on the AWD Ford Transit.Will be able to take us into any park we want to go.
Like many of you guys, we have experienced several RV, 2- Pop ups, 3-trailers, and one Class B+. However, now at 72 years old we are considering a Class B used as a Daily Driver. We live in the Mid West and because it will be my Daily Driver, AWD maybe in a good option.
The only chassis we are thinking about is the MB Sprinter in either Gas/Diesel Engine or the Ford Transit. I like the better serviceability of the Transit, i.e. more dealers, there aren't near as many Sprinter Dealers.
I have a class B Mercedes Diesel and I use as my everyday vehicle. But now I realize$$ that diesel engines don’t do well with short distance commuting. My fuel and exhaust got plugged.
We have been RVing for 35 years now and have owned a variety of conveyances, including 2 American Coach diesel pushers and a Leisure Travel Van Class B... actually owned one of the American Dreams and the LTV concurrently. From my perspective, nothing beats the feel of going down the road in a nice diesel pusher... until you want to get into a smaller RV site, a National Park, or a parking lot. I was not in favor of getting a Class B when my wife started pushing for one (in 2002)... "I'm not giving up my big coach for one of those little things," was my argument. She came back with, "Along with, not in place of." I thought traveling in the LTV would be a giant step down; turns out, the traveling was great and we actually went more places for shorter durations in the Class B. The next year, we built a vacation home on the southern coast, sold the diesel pusher, but kept the Class B. That worked for us until we retired 3 years later and went boat cruising.
Back on land, my wife wanted another RV. We bought a very nice 5th wheel, eventually downsized to a Winnebago Aspect Class C - definitely easier to travel with. And now, we are considering downsizing once again to a Class B. While some do it, a Class B would not be my idea of a good full-timing conveyance, but it is perfect for traveling, especially if you aren't staying in one place for an extended time.
I used to joke that the Class B had all the amenities of a nice Class A, but... you could reach them from the driver's compartment. ;-) We don't need a big hallway to walk up and down (which is what most Class As offer), and we don't need to take everything we own along with us (we have a comfortable home for all that). Different RVs for different uses.
I sensed a bit of condescension in your video, especially you two squeezing into the snug space in that model that has a center bath and kitchen (there are other floorplans that feel more open). At some point, your traveling may change (we have traveled by motorcycle, van, motorhome, diesel pusher coaches, Class B van, toy hauler, 5th wheel, Class C motorhome, sailboat, power cruiser, and private plane) - there is no one BEST conveyance, only what best suits you at a particular point in your life. Living large is more about attitude than any particular vehicle. Your mention of *some* Class Bs have a generator, shows a lack of reseach. Many of the current generation Class Bs have lithium-ion batteries that can do the job of a generator and are easily charged by an auxiliary alternator on the engine, shore power, and some help from solar. If you were to be somewhere overnight in your 37' motorhome without a plug-in, would you be able to run your air conditioner without turning on the generator? Some current Class Bs can comfortably do just that. Those without the lithium package would need a generator (which all but the most basic have) to run that a/c, just like most larger Class A coaches. Different capabilities for different uses.
Glad you like your class B. We have been in them, camped in them. It’s not for us.
Safe travels
@@EndlessRVing We are currently in a "sleek" Class C, considering another Class B. Situations change. Equally glad you know what currently works for you. Best wishes.
I bought a new regency XALTA In 2019. It has a 170 inch wheelbase. It fits nicely in my driveway beside my jeep. I keep it plugged into my garage and the inverter/charger keeps my battery bank fully charged at 13.7 V. I added a smart lithium ion battery with a Bluetooth connection and I can monitor the charge state
from inside my house with my iPhone. I do not have to pay for RV storage which is a big plus. It’s a Mercedes and it handles nicely!
We've had trailers and a class c. In Florida the heat and humidity damaged them all. It's just the two of us now and add to that the fact that we love the Oregon Coast (and the west in general), but we won't travel more than 4 weeks at a time, it made sense to get a "B" van. It will last longer in this humidity and it's great for the high percentage of driving time we do. Plus we're not big on cooking when traveling. Also, we'll get to use it throughout the year in Florida for trips to the Keys or to Disney and no storage fees as we can keep it in the driveway. Also we don't have any pets at this time so a B is best for us. 8 months plus to order a 144 inch van stinks but it'll be worth it for us!
Awesome thanks for sharing
Izzy
Size matters, class B all the way. Single traveler’s outside of trailer parks! Class B’s are for TRAVEL
Thanks for sharing Joann
I just got rid of my 31 foot RV that guzzels fuel. I went to about 12 national parks in last 2 months, and marveled at the class c rigs. I was driving my SUV that I had been towing, but the ease of driving and no probs parking, I knew I needed something else. I would still have a motorhome if I entertained alot, or had a large family I felt responsible, but that is not the case. Class B is the way to go.
THanks for sharing
We bought the Midwest Passage and the space is something you quickly adapt to. We use the outdoor shower and never use the wet bath
The two extra captains chairs with the three point seat belt is why we went with a Class B, plus we don’t have a CDL.
We got a class B because I have mobility issues. Had a TT and the hitch, weight distribution bars, stability control bar, and leveling just became too much. Would not take it out unless we would be staying somewhere for a week, the hassle was just not worth it. With the class B we usually do not hook up anything for an overnight stay unless we need A/C and then we plug in. Just move around the sight until it feels fairly level and we are done. We have levelers if needed but so far have not used them. The simplicity is worth the lack of space as far as we are concerned. It is certainly not for everyone but suits our needs for now.
Great!
~ I appreciate your comment as I'm on the same mindset as you. Although I don't have one yet, I'm watching & learning & planning.
Class B's are a lot more spontaneous.... you can literally drive them anywhere and we've never found a situation where we couldn't park the vehicle.... I completely agree....a trailer is much more complicated.....I used to have a tear drop trailer and even dealing with that was a PITA.
We are in the same position! We are planning on using our Class B as a Daily Driver. When you consider the total cost, Maintenance/Insurance/Depreciation/Storage/Hard to use-so you don't go/ Harder to find a space/etc etc, the Class B look very good.
@@bigpapaporsche1 Pat, I know people who intend to use their Class B's as daily drivers, but, keep in mind that this is more easily accomplished if you have a gasoline engine coach...I don't know what you have, but, diesel engines need more highway driving...stop and go driving in the city with diesels is not a good idea.... you certainly can do it, but, they are really meant for road trips...
Plus, even though I love the performance and mileage from the diesel, I would probably not purchase one again. They require more TLC and maintenance than a gas engine.
Otherwise, yes, drive safely and enjoy your RV.... it's certainly economical to have the RV as a "2nd car".
Plus, Class B's are the most popular and desired RVs out there now for their handling the fuel economy.
I would only strongly recommend that you have a tire pressure monitoring system.... they are not expensive and will greatly add to your security and safety.
----Mark
Pros: Size Cons: Size 😂 I have a Class B because I'm solo and definitely minimalist. Having that small footprint lets me go places that other RVs can't, such as down tighter roads further off the beaten path, or even things like parking in a normal spot at any location and blending in as just another cargo van instead of a big RV taking up a bunch of space and sticking out like a sore thumb. More gas mileage and less worries of towing/maneuvering for sure!
Thanks for sharing
Izzy
As a solo traveler, I love my Airstream Interstate. However if I had a partner, you really have to love that person because I sometimes struggle some days with my Chihuahua mix. I have had lots of different RVs from Class A to Class Cs , travel trailers, pop ups and truck campers, not to mention tenting. All the pluses you note and the cons are right on. Different rigs meet our needs at different times in our lives. There is not one perfect rig that will meet everyone’s needs for a lifetime.
We don’t overnight in ours. We use it to travel back and forth from Utah to Arizona. Traveling with small children, it’s great. We don’t have to stop every 20 miles for a bathroom or snack. For us, seating area with seatbelts was more important than a dedicated sleeping space. We are all on the thin, short side so we have plenty of space for what we use it for, but we wouldn’t want to camp in it. We could, but not comfortably.
Glad it works for you! Thanks for sharing. - MJ
Get the Travato 59kl it’s all open with two single beds so you don’t have to climb over each other and the bathroom is in the back and you can run the air conditioning on the batteries for eight hours. So that’s great for people have dogs and would like to go out for a while when they park somewhere and not worry about the dogs
Picture this, I can park in NYC and stealth camp months at a time -- parallel parking near museums and Central Park; not fiction, fact. Yet has all the amenities -- converted toilet so don't need to worry about dumping black tank. Also, class B really should not need generator, 4 lithiums with under hood generator and solar -- done. Yes I have a 19' Roadrek. Oh yes, and lastly, it fits nicely on my driveway and HOA don't mind. Trying doing that with class C or A.
We live close to NYC and have 0 desire to even go to the city never mind camp there.
Thanks for sharing.
Also run hoses w/ water in then and put on the roof.they heat up and just full them up with caps. But I love the air shocks for old people to get in and out of the van with the dogs.thanks
We had a Class B for a while. I can count on one hand how many times we actually camped in it. We used it when our daughter was in college for "parents weekend", but mostly for mooch-docking. Another down side is you can't take a towed so, if you need groceries, you have to pack everything up to go to the store.
Yep, exactly. Thanks Roy. - MJ
Actually you can pull the hookups pretty fast. No big deal. Our Class C rental was easy to unhook up. Class B should be easier. And it is possible to tow something with some Class Bs.
They are also good for people who live up north and have winter homes in the south. You can travel down I-95 in comfort and you don't have to worry about catching anything in a hotel. You can also fit in any restaurant parking lot. But, I am like you. We won't be trading our class A for one anytime in the near future.
Great point. Thanks Adrian! - MJ
We would love to have something like this. Talk about the ultimate road trip unit. Easy to get around in and can park it almost anywhere. Definitely not something I would live in but would have no regrets taking it out on the road for 2-3 months at a time. Maybe if we win the lottery someday! LOL
I agree about short trips. 2-3 months may be a little too much for us though. 😂 - MJ
They are perfect for that! :).
"Class B Remorse" I can speak from experience. We thought we were ready for the van life researched for a year on what we wanted and finally pulled the trigger last June and spared no expense getting full electric unit (Lithium) 120k sale price! Anyway, we did a person to person 2 months later to mitigate the loss and still lost 20k! (in 2 months) and no we didn't get ripped off, we bought the cheapest price we could find in america and had it shipped 1000 miles to do so. All this to say to anyone reading, make sure you rent one and experience the van life before you lose 20k yourself! We have a C now and again ready to upgrade! Buy an A first!
Thanks for sharing Matthew. Glad you got what you like now.
Izzy
I have a class B rented for May, just to see if its the right fit for us. We are both over 60 but she is small so it might work. We tried a class C first and it was okay, but had driving issues like a bad alignment. I don't want a class A as I am more for boondocking than going to an RV resort.
@@johnm1585 John M, yeah the C's are all notorious for needing suspension upgrades. I have already installed sumo springs, and hellwig sway bars front and rear and a Bilstein steering stabilizer and it has helped alot. Still doesn't drive like a SUV but more along the lines of what you would expect. I still need to do the alignment which is supposed to help alot also. Good luck with your rental, and smart choice in doing so first! B's are not horrible, I could have made it work, it was more the wife that couldn't manage the tight quarter.
Yeah. Check. Out. A. Small. Class. A......
Thats. My. Pick.......thor. Atlas....classy......but. Maybe. Winnobago. Might. Make. It. On. A. Ford. Or. Gmc. Chasis.....i. Dont. Like. Rams. Marcades........i. Think. Winnebago. Makes. A. Class. A......thank. You......jan. From. Texas...
I am over 70 and built a conversion.?? Great for short trips, last was 12 days visiting family and friends. Slept in it the entire trip. 11 states 2500 miles 16 mpg. At our age, without a toilet is not a problem since rest areas are frequent. In the past had 23’ gas class A and last was 40’ Diesel pusher. Drove 50,000+ miles and loved it. Just not practical now.
That's awesome - glad it worked for you! - MJ
Have a Grech Turismo. Love it. We are more urban explorers and campers at night. Only ones to find a parking space in downtown Lake Geneva Wi. Also places like South Haven MI and Saugatuck. No stress. Just normal parallel parking at 19.5 ft. Sure would like more space but the adventure would totally change. With ion batteries we really can camp at Walmart or anywhere. Dont really need advanced planning to any great degree. Just driving charges the batteries.
Fyi. Live in an hoa community. No one complains when on my driveway.
I had a class B on a Chevy van platform before the Class Bs became popular when I was single. I put over 100,000 miles on it and used it to travel the country, work remote, and skiing. My van was $50K in the early 2000s, which was alot for me. I got every penny out of it. I can't imagine paying what they cost today for the Class B experience. Even as a single person, that tight space will wear on your nerves after a while. I can't tell you how many times I hit my head! I believe from what I experienced that no matter how fancy it is you will always feel like you're camping in a van.
Yes, it's insane what people are paying for them these days. Some people love them and it works for them, but I would go nuts with the space. lol Thanks Mark! - MJ
We us a R.T. Pop - 200. It's an aging 1999 but works for the two of us to go camping. We've been all over MI and took a 2 week trip to TN, the SMNP and SC. I'd say they are great if you are more of a "on the move" type of person or couple. Its crowded with two not a lot of moving around area. We have two twin beds in the back which we never convert to the table. D/P seats swivel around to a fold out table for small meals, a place for the laptop or cards. But we spend more time outdoors and really just use it to sleep. It does have pretty good storage for it's size with three outdoor bays. It has a shower which probably has never been used as you have to shower in the hallway. We use the parks facilities for that. As far as going FT or extended use I would go with a Newmar! :). But it is easy to drive. If you can drive a car you got this. And no you don't get use to hiding your head!
Cool. Thanks a lot for sharing Tim! - MJ
Wife and I picked up a Thor Scope 18M, and we're quite pleased with it. As others posted, it just looks like a van to most people, and it doesn't put off that "RV vibe." Really wanted a modern VW camper bus, but sadly those are available mostly only in Europe, so the Class B is a nice alternative. We've no intention of living in it, unless of course the economy crashes hard or the nation collapses - in which case that's the least of our concerns. :D
I’ve been living in a class b in NYC for years. Me and my dog. It’s convenient cuz you can park anywhere even in a sense city. But no storage is a pain as is no dedicated full time bed. Saves a lot in rent though.
Class B for me! I’ll be traveling solo, no pets, and mostly visiting state and national parks. I like the minimalist life so a class B suits me better. My dream rig is the Pleasure Way Plateau TS which has a much more open feel, great kitchen space, and a pretty nice bathroom for a class B. I think the aisle is a little wider than the van you were in. I also live in a townhouse and can’t park a rig in my driveway and will need to store it in a lot. A smaller rig will have cheaper storage fees. Quite a few of the towns in my area do not allow RVs to be parked in driveways. One other pro you didn’t mention is that a class B can be a second car. Some retired couples go down to one car and use the van as a second car when needed.
Sounds like a Class B is perfect for you. Thanks for watching.
Izzy
I have a Pleasure Way Plateau TS. It is a dream to drive and live in. Keep looking and don’t give up. Class Bs rock!
@@dianefusco6967 Cool!
@@dianefusco6967 Do you have any problems with the 3-way refrigerator?
@@joycem2795 Hi Joyce, absolutely no problems with 3-way fridge. I actually like it as I have several options depending on how I am camping. I haven’t camped at high altitudes yet but for mid altitudes to low, it has been great.
There is no breakdown or setup unless you are in a trailer park. These are used mostly outside of trailer parks. That is the big draw. You can go for days on end without connections to anything... but if you have to be in a park, to breakdown ... unplug the power & remove water hose. Done. No jacks, hitches, levelling, towing, etc. All the stuff you enjoy not doing.... and with a 4x4 you can go places no trailer can go...
Thanks for sharing
Thanks. In your opinion should I get a New or used Ram 159 Van for conversion ?
The cost of a Class A Rv is probably more than a B after tagging insurance fuel cost and Rv park rentals....way more.....you have to consider all the cost not just the buying price......you have to use the unit.....
Excellent review. Thanks. Boils down to needs, wants, and cash. They say the Class B's cost more due to minimalization.
I live solo full time in my 25ft Class C Winnebago and I have to say that, for me, it's too big. I am just waiting for some stock to free up and then will sell my Class C and buy a Class B. As you say, we are all different and want/need different things😊
Yep whatever works best for you. Thanks for sharing
Izzy
Class bs have 4 seats which is safe for children, but if you plan on being full time or in it for several years, then it's too small. I also like the idea that it would be easier the drive, park, hide speed up
I’m glad you ventured into class B’s and that your reviews include all types.
Thanks Joan
Izzy
Believe me that I have no desire to drive anything larger than a class B on the back roads here in Turkey and Europe and it seems everything interesting is at the end of a narrow road. With just the two of us the size is fine with our bicycles hanging on the back. Prices here in Turkey for anything local built are far more attractive than the grossly overpriced units you mention available in the US. The cost of living in Turkey is far cheaper (no 15$ per hour for common labor). My wife did the complete design taking into account what we want. Most class B types we see are meant to drive to the beach or lake for day or two - picnic vehicles. We will be on the road for the summer (4 months this trip).
Thanks for sharing Russ
We are in our seventies and we love ours!!❤
Great for tailgating combo with weekend getaways boondocking! Another idea is for touring cities where you could park in closer. Anything more would be good for singe traveler.
All depends what your needs are. Thanks for watching
Izzy
Once again you have produced another great video! I really loved the pros and cons!
Thank you
I agree with you ,not for everyone and that price is crazy high if buying new. I’m thinking however if you could find lightly used for lower cost these vehicles will hold up better and retain a higher resale value than a used gas class A. Or C.
Thanks Brian! - MJ
Sounds like you are indoor people. Maybe you should consider buying a full size home and settling down. For me it is a place to sleep, shower, and relieve myself. The rest of the day I spend outside, including cooking.
We have a home and always will have a home. Our motorhome is our home on wheels. Although we do love the outdoors we also love space indoors. Thanks for watching and the comment
I'm a single male Lil dog guy so this is perfect for my dog and I kool I be buying one in July for living on the road I'm retired so I want to see few places before I hit the dirt lol thanks for the video very informative take care 🙂 God bless ya
Good luck!👍
I agree with your analysis and verdict entirely, very accurate
Well done - very balanced and cracked me up that Izzy gets to be the good cop ;-) I'd also give a big plus on Class B for maintainability and associated total cost of ownership. IMO Class B (and smaller Class C) are great for those who like travelling on the move more frequently - for those who want to hang out for longer periods, full timers, etc, you can't beat the Class A, trailers, fifth wheeler, toy hauler, etc.
We agree. Just to damn small for us. 😀Thanks for watching.
Izzy
My dream is a Gulfstream BT Cruiser 5210. I don't need a lot of space and there are only 2 of us. We don't live in it and we travel light. so space is not a problem. I am happy to have at least one burner stove, full size bed and a dry bath..It will not cost over $100,000 either.
est I could park it i=on my driveway.
Did you look at a storyteller overland? We love ours and not having the dedicated bathroom gives you so much more usable space. We are young with small a small child and we like to get out and be adventurous, hence why we bought an adventure rig.
No we have not thanks for sharing
I dont own a class B but that is the only size I would want. Maybe a B+ but no more than that. I want to be able to park in a standard parking place. And for 2 people that want to use it to travel, no stay in a park all week but visit, this is the better option. As for the storage space, I dont think people actually realise how much useless stuff they are carrying with them. Another comment, there are some class B that are way better in terms of space management than the one displayed here.
Great review and I agree about all the cons, storage is a big issue with me, that’s why I’m leaning toward the Winnebago Solis PX with the pop top for my nieces or the Travato 59G. I can create a fixed bed, lots of storage underneath and since I’m only 5 foot 3, size 10 ( damn pandemic lol), the smaller space isn’t an issue for me.
Saw a couple today with a class b had a giant schnauzer that I had never heard of. It had to be tight with a 100 lb. dog.
You could put a storage container on the top of the van and something may be on the doors
Watch you guys a lot. Thanks. I would like one of these for travel, but to use a motel or airbnb at destinations. My wife is not very interested in camping as mosquitoes love her to the max, but not more than I do.. She and I, after 43 years, are still very modest and private, especially in the bath. I am considering a large Transit van for travel with separate tiny bed and bath areas for each of us. Not concerned about the kitchen size, just coffee and microwaves, needed plus coolers. Any suggestions or comments are very welcome. I just like not feeling vulnerable at my older age. Thank you for your videos. I'm 78.
They’re selling like hot cakes. Many must like them. No storage even with an HOA. You can use it as a daily driver. No problem with traffic. You have your bathroom with you.
Yep, they are pretty popular for sure. Thanks for checking out the video. - MJ
Don’t you think another pro should be general maintenance and since there are no slide out also less things to break. Thoughts?
Of course! We did a video on that as well. th-cam.com/video/Ozjz4blyr8M/w-d-xo.html
Class B something we have talked about like the ideal getting around easy. But just a little small maybe if there was a nice slide. Nice slide.
Yes, B+ is something we would consider for a national park trip or something. Thanks for watching the video Denny! - MJ
Solo traveler love Class B because I need easy
Thanks for another great share and video! For me, it would be great solo, and having a Class C was too much... Sadly your cons hit it right on... TOO expensive now that it has caught on.. The one shown is way over-priced.. almost better to buy the smallest Class A. All the best to both of you and thank you for sharing! Safe travels and Cheers :)
The best ones would be the ones with the bathroom in the back. That would leave it more open in the rest of the van. You probably could get one dog in there but then of course you will have to live outside The majority of the time. A rainy day would B a little claustrophobic!
Oh definitely claustrophobic! lol Thanks for checking out the video Karen. - MJ
One solution is to use an outside shelter like the Clam, available in several sizes. The other benefit of course is it expands you living space in all weather. If you have a roof rack you can store it up there along with your other stuff. Thats out plan.
I wish you could load it on the auto train.I have a 1984 tropic traveler van and couldn’t wait to put it in a Auto Train.try air shocks or an adjustable roof top like a vw has to pop up. Help us out! Please
Oh and I’m 70 years old and sure could use a bathtub for me and my Maltese dogs.help us out. Please
Class B just isn't my thing but I LOVE the editing in some of the latest videos!!!!!
Thanks for noticing!!
Izzy
I like space. I agree with your decision to buy a Class A.
Yes, we need our space. Thanks Brad! - MJ
I'm 5'1" single female wannabe traveler with 1 dog. Will need the drivable class. I like the thought of fitting in parking and places I drive to.
How can I get a van that's a bit more homey and personalized? Not so sterile looking? How can this one be customized without adding too much weight? So much to learn. Mahalo🌺.
Take a look at these. Very nice units.
th-cam.com/video/3N-_E0RYnqg/w-d-xo.html
Dealers in my area have not been able to get Class B's for sometime. That's why they're suggesting you buy something else. They need to sell what they have. Just sayin
Thanks for your comment. 👍 - MJ
I am struggling to decide what to buy B or C.... I like the convenience of being able to park where ever easily and the ease to drive.... however the extra space in a class C is nice too. UGGH! I can't decide.
If you need the space C is probably the better choice.
We are Class A peeps all the way. Last year we had the opportunity to shop some of the high end class bs. We were in the coach about 2 minutes and my lovely said to me " we would kill our selves in this"! No substitute for 40 ft and slides! At the msrp and even the sale price of these rigs , you could own a superb 36-40 coach. Just takes a bit of shopping! Thomyt
We agree. Not an RB for us. Thanks for watching.
Izzy
M.J. is beautiful, she reminds me of Actress Lake Bell, Boston legal. Great job with the review... I'm sticking with Class C
Thanks! Didn't know who that is so I looked her up. I'll take it! 😂 Thanks for watching. - MJ
So essentially everything comes down to size. Almost every one of your cons had to do with size limitations...
We have had huge motorhomes but have reached an age not comfortable driving them. So I want to try a Class B still be able to travel with my own bathroom and bed. These are important issues to me at time especially. No it is not for you.
Thanks for watching and the comment Brenda
I like the class b van
We been living in a trailer truck for two yrs so far and no issues so a Class B will be a up grade lol
LOL Good luck to you Jay! - MJ
They are nice, way too small for me. Good tour, you two do a great job showing us the different models.
Yes, wayyy too small for us as well. Glad you enjoyed it William! - MJ
I think IZZY is stressing out just thinking of being in that class B with pets. I think you should rent one for a weekend and video Izzy trying to keep the inside clean. HAHA
No way we would be in one with dogs!’
Thanks for watching Michael
Izzy
Now THAT would be funny! Lol - MJ
I have a home at home and a Storyteller Beast (Class B) when I want to get on the road and go places to be at those places not in a RV. Not to mention I can can get to all the places. I respect both walks of lives but when I travel it's not to stay in the RV for sure.
Thanks for sharing Todd. Safe travels. - MJ
I like them in theory... (We investigated the possibility of just using it as a commuter (4-5 hrs) per trip one way...) but can’t justify cost when you can get class c and a for less!!
We agree. Thanks for watching Joe
Izzy
If you need space to be happy. This is great. If you are ok with having to make a bed Literally MAKE a bed. This is fine. For most people this will get real small real fast
Yep. Thanks Mac! - MJ
I’m looking for a daily driver. A van I can drive running errands and that I can take off to the beach for a couple of days without much hassle
Thanks for watching
All depends on what you want, what’s important to you?
we agree
Just getting started in researching. Looks like a class A is a must for us. Question for you. Husband and I want to live and travel full time when we retire and sell our home in the US. We need a class A diesel I think because we need to tow a tesla model 3 on a car trailer which is total about 4900 pounds of car and a 15 foot car trailer you had in another video is around 1300 pounds. Based on that, what is the most affordable class A motor home that could tow that amount of car and trailer? Thanks for your valuable videos! Just needing some recommendations on what rvs to be looking into.
Our advice is to not base your purchase on what is most affordable, but what truly works best for you. Good luck in your search.
Cost is the main reason
Thanks for your information with both the Pros and Cons about class B vans. I agree the footage cost in a class B is very very expensive. I am 5'-2" and I need this class B size to travel as this is one of my important Pro to have. I have traveled in a Chevy and GMC vans but not with all luxury items. I don't think I will have any problems inside the wet bath and sleeping within the width of the couch. I also want to say I have enjoyed watching your other videos.
Thanks for watching!
NEVER BUY AN RV AT ANY SHOW, ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA AND FROM RVONE. YOU CANNOT CANCEL OR MAKE CHANGES TO DEAL AFTER 3/THREE DAYS... YOU WILL BE STUCK WITH YOUR PURCHASE. I'M STUCK WITH A SHOW DEMO.
Sorry to here. We did several videos on buying RV’s for newbies. Check them out.
Izzy
I lost 87k in value just over 4 years on the Grech rv
Wow very informative. Seeing both of you standing in the isle way, hallway whatever it looked very cramp.
They are pretty tight inside. Some love them but they are just not for us.
Thanks for watching
Izzy