Advice on Class B's

[Colliemom]

Well, after reading, looking, visiting dealers, figuring out how I want to use it, I think a Class B would be the best bet for me right now. Whether or not I buy a used (new is definitly out unless I mortgage the house!) or buy a van and have it cnverted over (have a high top installed, I can do some of the interior work myself). There are a number of you out there who have Class B's. Just wondered what your experiences have been. Anything I should look for, know about etc... I"m not trying to start a flaming war about ny brand is better than yours, just general linfo. One person and two dogs, right now three will be primary users.

[cat]

Hi Sue,
I have a '06 Pleasureway class B, I bought it used last year. I'm a small person and the B is just the right size for me to handle. I decided on the PW because of the enclosed bathroom, that was the deciding factor among all the other B's.
It is easy to drive, although, it isn't like driving a car because it is a high profile vehicle and I try not to drive when it is windy.
Since not many B owner's "tow" if you want to sightsee, you just unhook and go. I consider myself a traveler vs camper (staying at a campsite for a number of days).
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Happy Hunting,
carol

[mtngal]

Hi Sue, I have a 03 Roadtrek 190 on a 3500 Chevy Express chassis and I LOVE IT!

This one has the four seats. I got that because I often have DD, DGD, sister, nephews with me. Those seats take up space. The models without extra seating have more living room. I think the 190s might be kind of tight for you with the big dogs. The 200 series is a bit bigger. I would love one of those in the future.

As for driving, it's a dream. I drive it all over Austin. The only place I don't park is downtown. In fact, the visibility is better in my van than many small cars and people are really nice about letting me in and out of lanes.

I keep my bed made up all the time. Never use it as a dinette. There's tons of storage. Nice cross breeze ventilation with windows open. It's pure pleasure for me.

What I did was watch all the internet sites. Got to know the models, asking prices etc. Craigs list is good for looking and/or buying AFTER much research. I looked at probably 5 rigs before finding mine.

Finally, however honest the seller seems, however clean the rig looks, however much you love it.....get an independent inspection before purchasing.

I'm sending you a pm so watch for it, ok?

[Pooker]

I'll take on your other suggestion: buying a van and converting it. Toward the end of my Dad's life he was no longer able to get in and out of his beloved truck camper. My hubby, Dad, and I searched every ad for a van with an expanded top and found one that had been used for rough camping. It had a sofa (back dropped down to make the bed) and ice box, but not much else. However, it had good head room and the mechanics were good.

DH and I refurbished the whole inside for Dad (with his critical input, of course). At the very back, where the double van doors are, we put a porta-potty on one side and a small closet across from it. An accordian pleated door closed it off. We found an RV supply place and bought a small sink, faucet with pump, plastic water jug/tank to put underneath with small counters on each side. We tucked small cabinets in wherever we could and had a shelf for micro and a counter top 2-burner stovetop. These were lined up along the curb side. On the street side we left the sofa (good storage underneath) and got a 3-way frig to go between the sofa and toilet. Built a shelf over it for a t.v. A removable folding table hooked on the side sliding van door and we installed the same ledge-type fixture outside (not on the slider) so he could have a table outdoors, too. Two small folding camp chairs completed the deal. He loved it almost as much as his old camper! Oh, yes, I found some terry cloth mallard duck design fabric and made curtains all around for privacy. Didn't cost a bundle either, especially if you have a second hand RV supply place within 100 miles.

Pooker

[Liz]

I've had both an 18' Roadtrek, '99 and now a 20' Ford Pleasureway, '02. I loved the RT and it was perfect for just me. But, I often travel with my SIL or a friend, so switched because I wanted twin beds, and an enclosed bathroom. I was looking for either a RT or PW....just happened to find the PW first. My dream B would be the RT 210 that I saw at the Tampa RV show.

[LegalLady]

I too am widowed. I sold our TT and looked hard to find my 2007 Roadtrek 210 Popular. I love it. I wanted the extra width of a 210 (I'm not a small person) and an enclosed bath. I have two twin beds and I leave mine made up all the time. The dog has the other one. It makes me happy just to get in and drive it and I've actually enjoyed learning how to do all the system stuff myself! That was always DH's job so it's quite something that I want to know how to do that stuff myself.

[Liz]

Hijack! Hi, Leslie....good to see you posting...it's been awhile. Let's gtg this summer in NH.

[Pooker]

Hijack 2: Hi LegalLady - missed you!

Pooker

[fairlady1600]

I just purchased a 2002 Rialta FD. I live in NJ and had a hard time finding alot of Class B's for sale locally. I drove about 150 miles to an RV dealership and I looked at the Itasca, Navion, the itasca on the VW chasis and I managed to see a trashed Rialta QD. I spent about 2 months looking on all RV sites and I thought the Pleasureway and the Great West would be good choices. I like the sprinter chassis and I have been concerned about the gas milage. I also had a budget of $40k. I found a Great West in Michigan that had been a rental unit for about 40k but it had 4 seats which I think would take up more space then I wanted to spare.

I found a 3 Rialta's which were FD (full bed), 2 were in California and one was in Michigan. I spoke with the salesman at Rialta Heaven and he had 2 both with 25k miles or more and he wanted $40k and the other dealer had the 2002 with only 7400 miles. It had originally been listed for $38k but it had been reduced to $35,900, I asked him his losest price and he told me 33,800. I hired a inspection company to inspect the vehicle in Sacremento, which cost me $200. They called me to say that mechanically the vehicle was in "like new" condition and that the owner of the inspection service was interested if I didn't buy it.

I wired a $1000 deposit and made arrangements to fiy to California with my ex. The Rialta is very comfortable but there have been some issures that I am repairing and upgrading at the moment. I think with installing a gps and soundsystem and flatscreen and backup camera and repairs to the airconditioning and 12 volt charger. I will still be within my budget and have a like new vehicle. I would have preferred to look it over personally but I really couldn't find what I wanted here on the east coast. I like that I generally get 165.5 miles per gallon which hopefully will help me stay within budget as I travel.


Pat

[Liz]

I just purchased a 2002 Rialta FD. ... I like that I generally get 165.5 miles per gallon which hopefully will help me stay within budget as I travel.

Pat

Congratulations on your RV find....smart shopping! (I know diesels get good mileage, but wondering if you meant 16.5 mpg?, which is still pretty good.)

[fairlady1600]

16.5 mpg.... good catch... and it takes regular gas!

[deborah12060]

Hi Pat,

When you purchased your rig, did you send that $1000.00 deposit to a private individual or was it a dealership?
What if your inspection hadn't panned out as it did. Would you have gotten that deposit back?

How did you then get your rig? Fly down and get it?

DD

[Colliemom]

Well, after meeting with my financial advisor, going over things, talking facts and figures etc. I decided that a Class B is out for now. Let's just say my income will be cut some per month and if I have to make payments, it will be more. So I decided to pass on this part for now. Still looking at a small TT or the van. I need a set of wheels to drive everyday anyway, so the van may be the way to go.

[Bethers]

Are you only looking new? Otherwise, why would it be out? They all have used in various price ranges. I would have to win the lottery to buy new! I bought a 1999 Class C in 2005 - which makes mine now on it's 11th year. And still going strong.

[Colliemom]

Yes Beth, I am looking at used. But at the moment, used Class B's in Michigan seem to be very hard to come by. I've been working off Camping World's web site (even outstate), Craigslist etc., but so far if I have found any, they are really older models (70-early 90's) with lots of miles on them already. But since I have to replace my current truck, I need some money for that even if I buy it out, and doing both right now, is going to put a strain on my budget. We all know that MH's do need to have some repairs from time to time, as well as the usual gas and oil etc. and I decided to wait till next year when I retire, start SS and start making my plans to head west after that before I commit to a MH. Instinct is telling me to take care of my personal wheels first and go from there. At present time I can much more afford a small TT. But I'm going to keep looking. Problem is right now that a lot of the mre reasonable priced MH's are sold already. But I'm sure there will be more coming in as season gets into high gear. May even find a aClass C that I like yet. Onward and upward.