Class B/B+ Advice Needed

[AdventureArchitect]

I am new to Motor Homes/RV's and could use some advice on narrowing my search. I would like to buy a Class B/B+ for camping and road trips. Anything from light off roading camping trips on the weekend, to week long trips to another state to see family. I would possibly even live in it, or at least park it at my house and sleep in it (discreetly of course)!

Ideally it would have the following features:

• Dry Bath (separate shower)
  Good Ground Clearance (or option to add a lift kit or bigger tires)
  Discreet (so I can sleep in it within city limits as needed)
  Decent gas mileage
  Older model (budget is a major concern! I am thinking around 30K)
  Decent Kitchen (bigger fridge, some counter space, 1-2 stove burners)
  Seats and Sleeps 2
  King (or Queen) bed

This RV looks amazing, but is way out of my price range: https://www.lamesarv.com/inventory/c...au-ts/mt171066 (2019 Pleasure Way PLATEAU TS XL - MT171066)

My friend also recommended researching the RoadTrek Agile SS.

Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated!

[mkguitar]

My advice is to look at as many models as you can- lamesa has a couple of locations in AZ also check craigslist for private sales and "consignment lots" I've seen some of those near sun city and apache junction.

the more you see the more you can determine which features matter and which don't

gas or diesel ?

domestic or import ( think about parts and supply lines, service at a dealer vs any shop [ I have a chev] )

are you ok with a "bed" made up of a sofa and a tetris of cushions ? or a dedicated bed which may be more comfortable

if you are tall, no sideways sleepers

we don't use our shower- we find we are either in a campground and use theirs ( we are paying for it after all) or in the boonies and use the outdoor shower. no need to get the inside of the van dank. most B's have an outdoor shower wand


clearance- you may see the 4wd sprinters like the Revel...hauling around an extra 800# of running gear only makes sense if you use it, they are also short wheel base.
We take our Chev on fire roads on the Rim and apache trail some- bad washboard makes it feel like the cabinetry is gonna fall to the floor. so takes some judgement.
4wd, lift, tires all work against MPG which is one of the prime advantages of a B


'stealth' depends where you go, some cities require permits based on length, height or how long you are there. when we go to visit MiL in santa monica we are under length and nobody has checked the height ...we are only there for a day or 2. and don't count on a great night sleep on the street. a walmart, casino or similar may be a good option, we use these lots when moving on the interstate ( rvparky app helps you find a place)


energy management becomes a whole new part-time job. you'll have to learn how the LP gas does the work for the furnace, hot water heater and most efficient fridge cooling.
an older van is likely to have a single deep cycle battery - converting to led lights will help ( we can go about 6 days off grid with ours)
Some get into upgrading with solar panels and lithium batteries- can be an expensive outlay but if you need it, you need it


get out there and kick some tires, see which models appear to work for you

we probably looked at 30 ~40 RV's and when we saw the right one we know it.
we also watch sales videos on youtube where the often large sales person demonstrates the features - watch how easily ( or not) they try to move around the cabin


happy hunting, mike

[folivier]

A friend has a Pleasure Way like you listed and it is a beautiful B+ that packs quite a bit more in a bit more outside design. But that design takes away the stealth factor. Unless you put a Wonder Bread wrap on it!

[BillsPaseo]

If stealth is a top priority, you need to look at class B, not B+. Any cutaway chassis RV will be very obviously an RV.

But in a B, you will have a hard time finding one with a dry bath. There are a few out there, but they come with compromises elsewhere, there is only so much space to work with.

Also for stealth you will want to avoid exterior options like ladders, bike racks, and awnings. The more it just looks like a delivery or contractor van, the better.

[booster]

I think stealth is a somewhat non existent thing these days, except for maybe with non RV savvy type home associations.


There are so many plain vans out there now for camping that anyplace you try to stay that has no overnight or camping rules is almost certain to recognize what is going on. Of course, this doesn't address the issue of if you should even try to stay were you aren't wanted


The B+, really a class C, shown will not be as easy to drive or get stellar mileage or be able to park as many places easily. It is also in what many would call the "problem years" for MB emissions controls issues.


Extra space is nice, but it comes with a lot of downsides, too.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by AdventureArchitect

I am new to Motor Homes/RV's and could use some advice on narrowing my search. I would like to buy a Class B/B+ for camping and road trips. Anything from light off roading camping trips on the weekend, to week long trips to another state to see family. I would possibly even live in it, or at least park it at my house and sleep in it (discreetly of course)!

Ideally it would have the following features:

• Dry Bath (separate shower)
  Good Ground Clearance (or option to add a lift kit or bigger tires)
  Discreet (so I can sleep in it within city limits as needed)
  Decent gas mileage
  Older model (budget is a major concern! I am thinking around 30K)
  Decent Kitchen (bigger fridge, some counter space, 1-2 stove burners)
  Seats and Sleeps 2
  King (or Queen) bed

This RV looks amazing, but is way out of my price range: https://www.lamesarv.com/inventory/c...au-ts/mt171066 (2019 Pleasure Way PLATEAU TS XL - MT171066)

My friend also recommended researching the RoadTrek Agile SS.

Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated!

OK, I suggest going to RVTrader and checking out what $30K will buy you.

Maybe input something like:

zip code and nationwide
b and c motorhomes
price, maybe 25-35K
length, max maybe 25' or whatever

No Agille SS is going to show up.

Have fun shopping.

Bud

[mkguitar]

AZ these are under 40k:


https://prescott.craigslist.org/rvs/...494786385.html


* Pleasure Way uses TD for twin dual beds, where the center section can be filled and TS for a sofa/bed conversion.
this is a widebody on a Ford




https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/r...495791325.html


** note a Road Trek Versatile model is usually a sideways sleeper ( how tall?) the Popular model is usually a fore/aft sleeper.
the 2 extra seats can be pulled and an armoire put in


https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/r...500716276.html


Sportmobile: a quality pop top conversion- stealth, great MPG and low profile, lower center of gravity


https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/r...504757241.html


older Roadtrek Popular




the mechanical inspection part you want a vehicle mechanic, the RV stuff someone who knows how all those systems work.


there are some "self conversions" advertised- worth looking at pics if only to note mistakes ( 1 van has no insulation in the roof)

[wmorrisw]

I was suggested looking into a Explorer XLW.
They no longer are manufactured. The last year they did was in 2002. The are manufactured on a Dodge Ram frame. They use large wheels and tires and have dual in the rear. Under 22' long and it has a shorter wheelbase. There are different footprints. Ours is a power folding bench that converts to a Queen size bed. It has everything that a class B could have And one thing you seldom see is an extended heights side doors. They are hard to find but they are out there. We found our 2001 a few years back and it only had 20,000 miles on it.

[Doneworking]

I have owned four Bs and two "B+" rigs over a period of more years than I want to admit.

I second Bud's comments in his post above.

A B+ is really a C. It simply has no bed over the cab and is a bit more aerodynamic. Very few are on a Chevy chassis and most are Ford trucks. Most Fords will have a V10 engine and get true gas mileage of 9 or 10 mpg in my experience.

"B+" will have a large, probably two door refrigerator and a stove which may be two or three burners and some will have an oven. In the price range you want to achieve I suspect you will find you will find more recent models of B+s than Bs. Bs are a hot commodity right now.

Remember, everything in an RV is a compromise whether it is a 17 foot van or a forty foot Class A. It is a matter of what you are willing to give up.

Here is a youtube that shows the unit we bought new back in 2003:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2JpvoQEMwg

That will give you an idea of small B+ and the older ones are still around in many different configurations, years and price ranges.

As far as true Bs are concerned this forum can give you lots of information. We found over the years that often less is more and for one or two people, most folks can learn to get by fine in a B. That bigger kitchen, dry bath and width is more liveable in a B+ but they are harder to drive, park etc. Stealth? Others can comment, I can not because I never worried about it where we mostly go.

Our 2007 Roadtrek 210B on a Chevy chassis is, overall, the best rig we ever owned. We bought it new and have it in the garage at our home today (9 foot garage door).

By the way, our Roadtrek has more cubic feet of useable storage than our B+ had and is MUCH easier for this guy to drive.

Remember: a "B+" is a truck and a B is a van. Lot of difference in ride, fuel costs, ease of driving, etc.

[RVclassB4me]

We bought a brand new RT SS Agile last year (2019 Sprinter chassis, the “house part” was completed by Road Trek 08/2021). So it was made by the new Rapido company. So the new two year bumper to bumper unlimited mileage warranty applies (no longer the 6 year unlimited mileage warranty with the old bankrupt company).

It’s just the right size for one or two persons. Anymore people it will be too crowded.

It is the perfect size and economy on diesel (17 mpg if going 80+ mph, 22+ mpg if going leisurely at 55 mph).

Wet bath though. This is ok since my wife still prefers hotels when we arrive at our destinations unless we are in the wild middle of nowhere.

It has full lithium ion battery banks (400 amps) with solar and a built in under the hood second high capacity alternator (generator).

If we had to it all over again we would probably go with a “4 seasons class B” as our RT SS Agile is not a 4 seasons bc ALL water tanks are exposed outside underneath and all water lines are exposed too.

It does have the “stealth factor” bc of its side sculpted panels hiding all the electrical and water connections. So far our HOA’s (we travel between two homes in different states) had not bothered us (we have parked in our driveways for a week at a time).

Price-wise it’s pricey, but it is what it is. We’ve test drove extensively the RAM and the Transit models and those just do not do it for us.

Pics of when we picked up at the dealership and we parked at the airport and flew out. We later returned to retrieve it later.

[jeana]

Originally Posted by AdventureArchitect

I am new to Motor Homes/RV's and could use some advice on narrowing my search. I would like to buy a Class B/B+ for camping and road trips. Anything from light off roading camping trips on the weekend, to week long trips to another state to see family. I would possibly even live in it, or at least park it at my house and sleep in it (discreetly of course)!

Ideally it would have the following features:

• Dry Bath (separate shower)
  Good Ground Clearance (or option to add a lift kit or bigger tires)
  Discreet (so I can sleep in it within city limits as needed)
  Decent gas mileage
  Older model (budget is a major concern! I am thinking around 30K)
  Decent Kitchen (bigger fridge, some counter space, 1-2 stove burners)
  Seats and Sleeps 2
  King (or Queen) bed

This RV looks amazing, but is way out of my price range: https://www.lamesarv.com/inventory/c...au-ts/mt171066 (2019 Pleasure Way PLATEAU TS XL - MT171066)

My friend also recommended researching the RoadTrek Agile SS.

Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated!

We got a 1997 Xplorer( no E) last yr that was impeccably cared for 30,000 miles All RVs will have lights or hooks or something that do not suit you No shower is needed really They come up infrequnelty Go look at lots as people say, and think about floor plans and how you will really use it Can you read in bed Is cooking really important etc Any privacy for each of you? For instance one quirk was a strange too high round table We just took it out And took out the third seat, and carry a folding table