matherj
Vulcan Alberta Canada
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Joined: 04/04/2004
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I'm beginning to look for a (used) class B, having sold my 2002 Itasca Sunrise 30 foot class A. Before I launch into the excruciating task of analyzing every web site to find floor plans, prices and reliability, I expect some of you have already been through that. Can I ask you to share your information?
Which floor plans make the best sense?
Which brands have better reliabilty?
What's the essential difference between models (e.g. PW Lexor vs TD)?
Where's the best place to get pricing information?
Looking forward to your information.
Used to be a Sunrise 2002 30W, now I'm smaller
Vulcan Ab Canada
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arkynova
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Joined: 01/04/2004
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The "best" is really the one that suits your needs well, provides good reliability and has acceptable operating costs. My small 'Safari Condo' is really just a VW Westphalia-type of camper van built on a North American chassis (GMC Safari). At 16', it is probably too small for many looking for a class B, but suits us well. We tend to use the outside space more than the inside. Most of our cooking is alfresco, we use campground showers and spend most of the day outside with hiking and cycling. Our 'B' is a place to sleep comfortably, store food, clothing and gear, and a place of refuge in really bad`weather. It is very economical to operate and in the short time we have had the vehicle it has performed well.
At the upper end of the class 'B' world are the Sprinter-based conversions and the GM and Ford 3/4 ton and 1 ton chassis conversions. Reliability in this type of vehicle has three components: the vehicle itself, the conversion quality and the various third party components such as the refer, furnace etc. The latter seem to be pretty standard across all rv's.
It might assist you to get more complete answers if you described the kind of use that you anticipate. The following questions come to mind:
Do you wish full inside amenities? Do you plan cold weather use? What are your space requirements? What level of appointments and luxury are you looking for?
And of course, price enters into the equation as well.
Best wishes with your search,
David
Novs Scotia
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Bob Taylor
Jacksonville, Florida
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Joined: 11/29/2004
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I have to vote for the Roadtrek 190. The construction quality is great and it seems to have all the conveniences one could ask for in a small unit. My major requirement was being able to avoid the anti-RV deed restrictions and still have something that my wife would enjoy.
Bob Taylor
2004/5 Roadtrek Chevy 190 Popular
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Jim&Carolyn
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
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Joined: 05/01/2003
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Dave has pretty much said it all but since you are downsizing you might not want anything that doesn't have a private bathroom. The Sprinter, being a new model, might be hard to find used. You also might consider a B+ unit which would give you more living space.
I would recommend the PW Excel if you can't find a Sprinter based unit. PW has an excellent base of users on the web with many helpful hints and a great factory tech rep is always at your service.
Jim Tewell
Currently: Looking
Formerly: 2006 Roadtrek 210 Popular & 2002 Pleasureway Excel TS
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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One of the best ways to see a sampling of what's in your price range is to go to www.rvtraderonline.com, and limit your search to class B's, and by price. I'd start with no geographical limits, so you can see what all the different models look like. Be prepared for sticker shock, if you've not priced B's before, but this is asking price, not necessarily selling price.
When you find an interesting one, go to the NADA site to get fairly good information on the actual pricing.
Roadtrek 170's and 190's are good if you want something with a low profile that doesn't really look like an RV. The 170 is about the smallest fully-equipped RV you can find, tho' a bit small for some couples. The 190 has a bit more room. The Versatiles have 4 front seats and a slightly smaller sleeping area than the Populars, which have three front seats. The new 210's are more obviously RV's, and have some more interior room. Main options on all are awning, 2nd house battery, and generator; there's more cabinet space available at the expense of seats. Some find the aisle shower awkward, mostly because they don't actually have experience using it.
And yes, we'll really need more information on your uses before you'll get really meaningful recommendations.
HTH!
Jim, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall,
What the @%&# happened?"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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ARcruiser
Benton, AR USA
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Joined: 12/19/2001
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Which floor plans make the best sense?
For how many people?
Which brands have better reliabilty?
...better than what? GreatWest, GTRV, Leisure Travel, Pleasure-Way, Roadtrek, Sportsmobile, and Xplorer are all very much more reliable than a Yugo.
What's the essential difference between models (e.g. PW Lexor vs TD)?
A Lexor is a model of Pleasure-Way that is not a widebody. A TD is a floorplan offered by Pleasure-Way in both the Lexor and Excel models. Nobody here is gonna give you a rundown of every model and floorplan by every manufacturer.
Where's the best place to get pricing information?
new or used? - - Manufacturer web sites, rvtraderonline.com, NADA, ebay....
I'm really not trying to be a wiseacre, but you gotta give us a little more to work with.
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matherj
Vulcan Alberta Canada
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Joined: 04/04/2004
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Say, you guys are good! You're right, I do need to give you more information:
How many people? My wife and I, and a small dog, for trips from 3 days to a maximum of about a month. Don't need a second runaround vehicle for regular use, so this is pretty well just a holidays
Colder weather trips for sure: I would hope to take the unit out for winter skiing to the mountains near here (I live near Banff Alberta), but most colder weather would be in the spring and fall - near frezing but not frozen. I expect there has been an arctic package available on these units?
Amenities: Coming from an A, I would want a toilet for sure, shower preferred, reasonable kitchen and fridge, probably a generator is a good thing (your opinions and experience?)
Space inside? Well, not sure what is needed. I guess a way to sit and eat without lap balancing; ability to sit comfortably to read or relax; sleeping arrangements that are comfortable and reasonably sized.
Luxry level? Not really important, but some things are nice to have: I can add appliances like microwave and coffee maker if I want them, and I can upgrade the cushions and upholstery. But are there things you have particularly appreciated (or missed)?
One deal that's coming up is ex rental fleet vehicles: Pleasureway and Vanguard (Kodiak). Anyone have experience with ex-rentals?
Your comments are very helpful!
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Artic packages aren't readily available; you'll need to do some research to determine what models have winter-capable water & waste systems (see the Roadtrek website; the 2002 & maybe later C190 P & V's are, somewhat). I _think_ there are some others, but I'm not sure what brands and models.
Or you could use plug-in tank and line heaters; a not-too-good alternative that would require constant fiddling unless done just right by a lucky owner, and a likely power hog.
It's not a good idea to simply assume that you can just add appliances; most B's are already pretty dang full inside already; it takes some ingenuity. But most will have small microwaves, propane cooktops, and some have coffee-makers. Ovens are rare, AFAIK. I carry a toaster oven occasionally, but at the sacrifice of some storage space.
Also, almost all B's rely on 'convertable' space. The driving area becomes the living room whan parked, by pivoting the seats; the 'bedroom' may double as the dining area. RT uses the aisle for the shower. This varies from brand to brand, and to some extent depends on your space needs.
If you've used the gemnerator on pevious RV's, you'll want one on your B. Nice to be able to run the microwave or house A/C when hook-ups aren't available. That doesn't change.
And now I'll go B'ing for the afternoon.... or longer  .
Jim, "Authentic redhead: Keep out of direct sunlight."
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ARcruiser
Benton, AR USA
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Joined: 12/19/2001
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I like the twin beds in the rear (makes a king) floorplan best for two people. We loved our van with that floorplan, and just about everybody builds a model with that layout.
We always get the generator, but it's a LOT hotter down here - and ability to run a/c is a must.
We really like Pleasure-Way the best. But, I'd consider a 190 Roadtrek on Chevy chassis in a heartbeat. The P'Way Excel will have an enclosed wet bath. The P'Way Lexor and RT 190 both have aisle showers, but look less like motorhomes and more like conversion vans... very stealthy.
Winter capability is gonna be a BIG problem. I know that P'Way used to run their uninsulated water lines under the body on our Dodges, and assume they still do on the newer models... so no winter use at all of the fresh water system since the tank and lines are exposed.
Roadtrek has limited winter capability as Jim mentioned, due to a split tank arrangement that has some of the fresh water inside and some outside. Antifreeze would be required in the holding tanks, of course.
Our last rig, the American Cruiser was winter capable due to the entire fresh water tank being inside, and all lines were run in the body and walls - not underneath or exposed....
but I believe most Class B's are like Pleasure-Way - fresh water tank and water lines are exposed.
I shoot for NADA "low retail" or less on my purchases. Wholesale is usually 10% to 15% below low retail, so somewhere in between is pretty fair for all concerned, IMO.
Good Luck!
2 Big Cruisers, The Little Man, and Bailey / ARcruiser's Class B's (the first 8)
Rig #8 Under Construction! / Here's the Project Thread - I'm actually working on it again!
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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One further relevant though, from when I was driving around this afternoon (dang, it was pretty !)....
Most of the designs are pretty well the same from year to year, changing only in detail. If you find a model that you're interested in someplace like rvtraderonline, it's worth visiting that manufacturer's website to do a bit of research. You'd still have to comfirm that the important-to-you bits of current info do indeed apply to the prior model you're looking at, but it's a good start.
Or check the names of units in our sigs, and google up the manufacturers' website (or go to Rodger's web page for a listing). Look at a bunch of current models, and decide which ones appeal to you. Then start researching how far back that model or?detail goes.
Jim, "If you drink, don't park. Accidents cause people."
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