Class B campervans - summary of current models

[markopolo]

There's a Class B out there for everyone!

No doubt we all have our favorites - I sure do - but choice is so important. A neighbor expressed an interest in a getting a new Class B and I gave them a list of all the manufacturer websites to look at to get an idea of what is available. That's the starting point - know what is available.

In compiling this list it was very interesting to find that solar options are available with just about every manufacturer now. Only 2 or 3 out of 15 don't mention solar. In the past that was limited to the less well known builders and well known custom builders like Sportsmobile.

[tmshih]

I just noticed Evergreen Recreational Vehicles has updated their Imperial Sprinter Van with photos, floorplans, and specs. No explanation for the fiberglass roof hump though.

http://www.goevergreenrv.com/page/376/Imperial

[markopolo]

The Evergreen Imperial is interesting and obviously targeted at the Class B market even though the description would technically put it in the Class C category (cutaway chassis with added body).

Designed in concert with Andy Mauck of Mauck Specialty Vehicles, the Imperial is based on an 11,030-pound GVWR Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cutaway chassis with a body 10 inches wider than most Sprinter-based B’s on the market. The body itself incorporates a one-piece radius fiberglass roof and walls with huge panoramic windows on either side. Link: http://www.rvbusiness.com/2015/01/to...ial-class-b-2/

There's more discussion here about it: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...hp?f=11&t=3369

Owners will hang out in B forums I bet. Aside from the technical distinction it has little in common with typical Class C's and lots in common with Class B's.

[markopolo]

Summary of current Class B campervan models grouped by van platform:

Ford Transit based Class B vans:
New West - Liberte https://www.new-west.com/our-new-west.html

Promaster based Class B vans:
Winnebago - Travato 59G http://winnebagoind.com/product-classes/class-b
Winnebago - Travato 59K
Great West Vans - Classic http://www.greatwestvans.com
Safari Condo - M18 http://www.safaricondo.com/en/
Safari Condo - XL21 - Flex
Pleasure Way - Lexor http://www.pleasureway.com
Roadtrek - Zion http://www.roadtrek.com
HymerCar - Grand Canyon http://hymer-usa.com/
SVO Group - Embassy http://svogroup.server289.com/
Gala RV - Montecarlo http://galavr.com/

Mercedes Sprinter based Class B vans:
Advanced RV http://www.advanced-rv.com
Roadtrek - SS Agile http://www.roadtrek.com
Roadtrek - CS Adventurous
Roadtrek - RS Adventurous
Roadtrek - E-Trek
Roadtrek - TS Adventurous
Winnebago - ERA 70A http://winnebagoind.com/product-classes/class-b
Winnebago - ERA 70C
Winnebago - ERA 70X
Airstream - Grand Tour EXT http://www.airstream.com/touring-coaches
Airstream - Lounge EXT
Airstream - Lounge
Safari Condo - LX 19' http://www.safaricondo.com/en/
Safari Condo - LDX 19'
Safari Condo - LSX 19'
Safari Condo - XL PLUS 22'
Safari Condo - XLT 22'
Safari Condo - XL FLEX
Pleasure-Way - Plateau TS http://www.pleasureway.com
Pleasure-Way - Plateau FL
Pleasure-Way - Ascent
Great West Vans - Legend http://www.greatwestvans.com
Great West Vans - Legend SE
Great West Vans - Legend EX
Leisure Travel Vans - Free Spirit http://www.leisurevans.com
Leisure Travel Vans - Free Spirit SS
Leisure Travel Vans - Free Spirit TE
New-West V.R. - Evazion https://www.new-west.com/our-new-west.html
Coach House Inc. - Arriva V24 TB http://www.coachhouserv.com/model-V24.php
Midwest Automotive Designs - Weekender RV http://www.midwestautomotivedesigns.com/model-rv.php
ProLite - Prolite Sprinter http://www.roulottesprolite.com/sprinter-eng.html
Avion - Azur http://www.avionvans.com/

Chevy Express based Class B vans:
Roadtrek - Ranger RT http://www.roadtrek.com
Roadtrek - 170 Versatile
Roadtrek - 190 Popular
Roadtrek - 210 Popular
Safari Condo - ME 18' http://www.safaricondo.com/en/
Safari Condo - MC 18'
Safari Condo - MX 18'
Safari Condo - LC 20'
Safari Condo - LX 20'
Safari Condo - LDX 20'
Safari Condo - LSX 20'
Safari Condo - LC 19'
Pleasure-Way - Lexor http://www.pleasureway.com
New-West V.R. - Excursion https://www.new-west.com/our-new-west.html
New-West V.R. - Expedition
New-West V.R. - Migration

Ford E-Series based Class B vans:
Majestic Van http://www.majesticvan.com/fordcampervans.html

Custom campervans:
(Multi platform Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit, Chevy Express, Nissan etc.) by:
Morehead Design Lab http://www.moreheaddesignlab.com/
Sportsmobile http://www.sportsmobile.com/
Advanced RV http://www.advanced-rv.com
GTRV http://www.gtrv.com
Van Specialties https://www.vanspecialties.com
Outside Van http://www.outsidevan.com
Florida RV Sales & Service http://floridarvdeals.com/

[markopolo]

I added Gala RV to the list above. They're in Quebec and the website is in French so here's the Google translate version: https://translate.google.com/transla...com&edit-text=

There's also a discussion topic started by GeorgeB here: http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f7...arlo-3520.html

The photo gallery needs no translation: SimpleViewer Gallery - impressive units!

[mumkin]

I really like that interior... without the black exterior. The other thread died when someone asked about US dealers. I guess that there are none.

[Gryphon]

Originally Posted by mumkin

The other thread died when someone asked about US dealers. I guess that there are none.

The "concessionnaires" page on their website has a sentence that Google is translating as "The products are exclusively distributed Gala Rv by Vr Prestige", so maybe there aren't going to be any dealers besides the one in Quebec.

[VWWeekender]

Has anyone heard of Mercedes Metris camper conversions in the US?

[ClassB4Me]

If Hymer US can keep to it's mid-2016 sale date and approximately $105K price, it will be a great addition to the list and an option for those wanting a near 4-season Class B at a reasonable price.

https://youtu.be/ezTAJT6f7tw?t=4m57s

[booster]

Originally Posted by ClassB4Me

If Hymer US can keep to it's mid-2016 sale date and approximately $105K price, it will be a great addition to the list and an option for those wanting a near 4-season Class B at a reasonable price.

https://youtu.be/ezTAJT6f7tw?t=4m57s

Was it ever settled as to who would be building them?

[wincrasher]

How do you figure the Hymer is "near 4 season"? Is the piping all inside? Tanks insulation or heated? Wall insulation? All I can tell is they have dual pane plastic windows.

[gregmchugh]

Originally Posted by booster

Was it ever settled as to who would be building them?

Well, at the Tampa RV show recently, Hymer was still saying they will be built by Roadtrek.

Still no confirmation from Roadtrek as far as I know...

[ClassB4Me]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

How do you figure the Hymer is "near 4 season"? Is the piping all inside? Tanks insulation or heated? Wall insulation? All I can tell is they have dual pane plastic windows.

I remember James from Fit RV discussing the Hymer vans and provided the following:

'Hymer has various models, but ALL the vans have the freshwater tank inside and consequently, all fresh water lines are also inside. The waste water tanks of the Vans are ALWAYS outside and as an option can be equipped with heated pads. Since the vans don’t have any black tanks here, that does not cause any problems. I would call this a typical three season setup and would not take the risk, to use the van in very cold winters. All vans are set up like this.'

[Davydd]

Even if a van is four season you would have to keep the inside always heated otherwise you would still have to winterize.

[Teja]

Great list, thanks, but it's now 2 model years old (many manufacturers have their 2017s out.) Is this thread still being monitored, and is there any chance of a current list for fall/winter 2016/2017?

[BBQ]

.

Maybe the Admin can rename this thread to "2015",
and start a new one for "2017" ?

[markopolo]

It's more of a community effort rather than someone running the forum.

Anyone & everyone can start a topic. I like the idea of an annual list. New model introductions typically get a few topics devoted to them but an overall summary of all the units is very useful.

I don't mind if the list I started is copied and used as the base for new edits.

[DCHitt]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Even if a van is four season you would have to keep the inside always heated otherwise you would still have to winterize.

The trick would be to keep as little as possible warm so you can just plug into your house and not spin the meter too much. When on the road you would be keeping the inside warm anyway.

When plugged into my house I empty the gray and black holding tanks. Fill the water tank, turn on the hot water heater (electric) and the water pump.
With a thermostat and valve I circulate the water to keep it from freezing. No van heat.

The RV is ready to go and no effort or cost putting in antifreeze. If I use it in the winter I do have to use antifreeze to flush.

[Bruceper]

The trick would be to keep as little as possible warm so you can just plug into your house and not spin the meter too much. When on the road you would be keeping the inside warm anyway.

That would be the trick, but that can be extremely expensive. Winter here regularly gets to -25 Celsius and can see a month at -35 to -40 or colder. Even heating to +5 inside the van, the heater would be running near constant due to lack of insulation in most vans.

And everything would need to be open, which would cause issues for heat flow. If closets or cabinets were closed they would never get any heat.

[DCHitt]

Originally Posted by Bruceper

And everything would need to be open, which would cause issues for heat flow. If closets or cabinets were closed they would never get any heat.

No. My system works best when all closed up. I heat the water directly rather than trying to heat the water by heating the pipes. Then I circulate the water through the pipes.