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RE: The new Dodge van?
By the way I owned two Fiat Spiders in the 1980's. One new, one used both beautiful and both mechanical money pits. Some really strange engineering in the cooling system, if the thermostat failed to open the hot water would not get to the cooling fan so the fan wouldn't come on either and the car heated up very fast. Screwed up an engine badly, quickly. Jun to drive when working.
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OllieBe
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11/25/09 04:15pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: The new Dodge van?
There was a Fiat Conversion van in the parking lot at Arches National Park one day in early October. At first glance I thought it was a Sprinter conversion. Talked to owners. The Fiat diesel van had been converted in Germany to a Class B. They had ought it in Germany and shipped it to the east coast. Had traveled east and west and to Alaska in it. Were on their way to Mexico, Central and South America. Talked about averaging around 30mpg?? After this planned 2 year trip will ship it back to their home in Germany. They liked it a lot and it looked great.
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OllieBe
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11/25/09 04:08pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Best Sprinter conversion?
You may or may not decide to get a Sprinter based B, but to reject the Sprinter for lack of power without driving it would be a mistake. After 27000 miles in lots of situations I know a Sprinter 2500 based B has plenty of power for all occasions. Somehow good engineering, torque, etc. make raw horsepower numbers very misleading. They are still made by MB, still sold and serviced and my warranty honored at those Dodge Chrysler dealers who carrry cargo vans. Nothing has changed in my experience.
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OllieBe
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07/26/09 07:57pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Sacrifice-able Items In Your 'B'
I would try to eliminate everything on top. The antenna is going when I am sure that it would leave no problem areas. The bathroom vent should be in the window, etc, but the air conditioner, while seldom used might be necessary for the dog. The awning will probably come off, would definitely not be on a new one. This is sort of for stealth as I have removed the most flashy stripes from the side.
Inside, the Tv/dvd makes a good occasional movie screen so is still there. The microwave could go, but hasn't. The table is seldom used, but takes little space while in the closet. I would not want to lose stove, refrig, sink and running water in kitchen. If I were starting over would go with a porta potty, no black water tank and no enclosed bath.
This sort of results from speculating about how I would convert a short wheelbase Sprinter if I could afford to start over.
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OllieBe
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06/16/09 06:58pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Electric Sofa sleeping comfort?
In my 2006 PW Plateau the electric sofa is extremely comfortable and so versatile. Last trip I was mostly alone and slept cross wise on the flat sofa in a Travasak. Then we used it as two twins. I think a lot about what I would (or will) change next time. Will definitely keep the rear sofa and probably the twin bed capability. It is brilliant, three passengers, comfortable sleeping for a couple either cross wise as a double, or as a king or two single beds. And a rather tight dining area if the table is set up.
My next B will probably be on a 144" WB sprinter. The space reduction will not come from the rear sofa/ottoman arrangement. It makes the rest work.
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OllieBe
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05/28/09 09:37pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: theoretically I want a class b rv but
A B will go anywhere except into your garage or into a parking garge downtown with a 7' roof. Most B's are over 8' and some 9'++. I park my Plateau in downtown on the street. Not every parallel parking spot will work, sometimes diagonal spots seem a little short. More of a nuisance to the person parked next to me than to me. Occasionally corners are a little tight due to the longer wheel base. but I regularly drive in cities. Just requires a bit more care than a car.
Only you can figure out if the space and "niceness" of C's and B's is worth the extra size, weight, cumbersome driving, etc. To winter in Arizona and park in the driveway the rest of the year, maybe. My B. is a great road trip vehicle. It has everything except space, and has enough of that. More than a car, less than a house.
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OllieBe
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04/30/09 07:44pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: B's with dual rear wheels
Had tires rotated on my Plateau Friday at a Dodge dealer, when I asked the cost for rotation they asked if it had dual rear wheels. Was pleased at the $20 for the 2500, but didn't ask how much more for duals. Probably not a very big part of the extra cost.
More stability in cross winds would be nice. Worth the extra cost on those days when you need it, ie, Interstate 25 in Colorado during a high west wind. But would not have kept the A/C shroud from blowing off and the antenna from bending over. Still the 2500 stayed on the road.
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OllieBe
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04/19/09 12:34pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Thinking about buying Roadtrek 200P Chevy any advice?
My mistake, early years, maybe 2001, 2002 or so did not have air bags for either driver or passenger seat
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OllieBe
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04/14/09 08:17pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Thinking about buying Roadtrek 200P Chevy any advice?
If it makes any difference, I don't think this cab chassis had passenger seat belts.
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OllieBe
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04/13/09 08:35pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Sprinter ?s
Just back from 6 weeks and 5500 miles in my 5 cylinder 2005 chassis, 2006 PW Plateau. Still a great motorhome on a great chassis. The A/C shroud blew off in a cross wind gust on I-25, but the vehicle stayed on the road. I was careless twice and let the water system freeze over night, no damage and thawed when the weather warmed.
Windshield developed a progressive hairline crack and had to be replaced. Used the furnace a lot and never worried about propane. Wish the water tank gauges were more accurate, but problem not unique to PW. Drove over 9,500 foot passes with a little snow and ice, no problems. Plenty of power and very good braking and handling. Felt bad for the Class A drivers.
The 5 cylinder is fine in all ways,lots of power and pick up,, have quit measuring mpg, but know it is over twenty. Would definitely go with a Sprinter based RV again. Would probably also like the 6 cylinder.
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OllieBe
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04/12/09 08:34pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Queen Mine, Bisbee, AZ.
Thanks Roger, I stayed at Queen Mine RV Park in April 2006 and found it very clean and convenient. My back door overlooked the Queen Mine Pit. Coffee shop,, library, cafes, etc were all a short walk away. Had not decided whether to go back there during my spring trip SW, your post may have helped me decide to go there first.
I didn't go in the mine, worked in a couple when young and haven't been back underground, but really liked Bisbee and the convenience of a downtown RV park.
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OllieBe
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01/31/09 12:01pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Class "B" shower functionality
IMHO enclosed baths in at least regular width B's(Plateau, Lexor, 190, etc) are more about marketing than real function. Might be different in the wide body Excel, RT 210, etc.
The enclosed bath provides the illusion for privacy, but one leg in the aisle for drying or other functions is neither private nor very graceful for either the outside or inside observer.
Aisle showers with TWO doors seem to me to provde better space and privacy.
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OllieBe
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01/01/09 03:17pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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