How do you use your Class B?

[jerrysimps@aol.com]

Hello Class B forum members,

I have a few questions for you members:

First of all, we are 72 and own an Airstream Interstate 19, which is only 19.5 feet long. I just returned from a 5 week and 6,000 mile trip from the east coast, through Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and back to Delaware. We slept in the van most of the trip, at state and private campgrounds, due to COVID, but also spent some nights in hotels. The rv is compact but it gets about 19 miles per gallon. We enjoyed the journey.

Many you tube videos stress bigger rvs are better than class b rvs. Well, we enjoy touring the towns and really consider the rv to be a travel vehicle with a bathroom, shower, fridge, and bed.

Having a large rig and towing a car or a trailer would make my kind of travel into the towns difficult and expensive because of the high fuel costs. It would also restrict us to staying in campgrounds. I like the simplicity of my B and the ability to park it in towns or hotel parking lots.

So, how do you all like to use your Class B?

Do you travel like me?

Do you think the B is too small?

Would you rather have a larger B?

Do you want to but a truck and tow a trailer?

Do you want to buy a Class A and tow a car?

Do you boondocks?

I am real curious to hear your responses.

Thanks

Jerry

[Want a B]

So, how do you all like to use your Class B?

To participate in weekend competitions. Allows to dry camp on site without the expenses of distance motels. Sometimes a 600 mile trip to visit family, allows a overnight stop.

Do you travel like me?

I do, the wife doesn't.

Do you think the B is too small?

Sure beats a tent and hard ground during a rain storm!

Would you rather have a larger B?

No. Like you I prefer the mobility.

Do you want to but a truck and tow a trailer?

No. Recently I backed into a campsite. Neighbor was retracting his slide outs and reattaching his truck to his 5th wheel to re-level his RV. What I pain I thought.

Do you want to buy a Class A and tow a car?

No. Try backing up at a gas station when you discover your rig can't make the exit turn.

Do you boondocks?

Yes. Prefer to have electric hookup for ease of mind but with 200 Watts of portable solar I'm good.

[booster]

Originally Posted by Want a B

Yes. Prefer to have electric hookup for ease of mind but with 200 AMP of portable solar I'm good.

We assume you mean 200 watts of solar?

[Want a B]

Originally Posted by booster

We assume you mean 200 watts of solar?

Your assumption is correct. Edited my post with the correction.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by jerrysimps@aol.com

Hello Class B forum members,

I have a few questions for you members:

First of all, we are 72 and own an Airstream Interstate 19, which is only 19.5 feet long.

We have a '2012 Airstream Avenue Suite made only a few years on the Chevy Express Chassis. Our van is about a half foot longer, but the floorplan is identical to your Interstate 19 so we live in a similar interior to yours. However, our sloping fiberglass top is more cramped than your van sides. But on the other hand, we have an exterior storage area that is probably 6 cubic feet which is very handy and we would miss it.

I just returned from a 5 week and 6,000 mile trip from the east coast, through Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and back to Delaware. We slept in the van most of the trip, at state and private campgrounds, due to COVID, but also spent some nights in hotels. The rv is compact but it gets about 19 miles per gallon. We enjoyed the journey.

Many you tube videos stress bigger rvs are better than class b rvs. Well, we enjoy touring the towns and really consider the rv to be a travel vehicle with a bathroom, shower, fridge, and bed.

Having a large rig and towing a car or a trailer would make my kind of travel into the towns difficult and expensive because of the high fuel costs. It would also restrict us to staying in campgrounds. I like the simplicity of my B and the ability to park it in towns or hotel parking lots.

So, how do you all like to use your Class B?

Do you travel like me?

Yes, travel is the correct word for us, not camping. While we spend the night in our "b" in both campsites and boondocking, we never stay two nights in the same place. We drive to see the sights and mostly just eat/sleep in our van.

Do you think the B is too small?

It is "cozy" but not too small by the following standards: 1) while driving we have just a much room in the cab as any vehicle we've ever owned; 2) while sleeping we have a bed wider than our queen at home and only 4" shorter; and 3) except while eating, we spend our time outside the van following the motto "You don't live in a class b, you live out of a class b."

Would you rather have a larger B?

Nope. At least not while driving and parking. Sure, space is always nice. But there are compromises in everything and for our travel style, the compromises of a class b work best for us. Not to mention no letters from our HOA in our 4 years of ownership.

Do you want to but a truck and tow a trailer?

Would consider it only if class b's were outlawed.

Do you want to buy a Class A and tow a car?

Drive such a big, long rig for 4-5 hours a day? No way.

Do you boondocks?

Yes we do, almost half the nights we're out. This allows us to stay in many primitive state/national parks that have no hookups. Yellowstone, Big Bend, and Goosenecks are just a few spectacular places we'd have missed had we not been able to boondock for a night. Now, we also do the occasional Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot if we're not near our next destination by dark.

I am real curious to hear your responses.

And thanks for sharing yours.

Thanks

Jerry

See responses above in bold.

[Jon in AZ]

We are transitioning from family camping to empty nest travel. Family camping involved a compact towed rig and regional destination camping. The Scamp is fun, low maintenance, and not a chore to tow. It's nice to disconnect and have a passenger vehicle to explore.
Pilot & Scamp.jpg

We are wanting to do some empty nest travel more like the longer touring trips you describe, so when we had a chance to get a Class B from a family member, we took it. If I'd had my pick, I might have gone smaller, definitely not bigger.
Roadtrek Exterior.jpg

Each has advantages and disadvantages, and we enjoy them both in different ways. Hard to say which will be the keeper in the end- maybe both- but the one constant for us is small and simple. No way I'd ever own a Class A or giant fifth wheel.

We haven't boondocked... yet. As campsites become harder and harder to find, who knows? We prefer to dry camp without hookups in public parks when available, but we'll take a private campground if not. We are not opposed to spending a night here and there in a hotel, and so far we've not had any problem finding one that could accommodate either rig in the parking lot. Overnighting at a Walmart is at the very bottom of our list, but again, who knows? Life's a moving target.

[mkguitar]

Do you travel like me?

We tend to move fast to get away from the AZ heat. Summer we will 12 or 14 hour team drive North.
Then take it easy, we travel with a general but not specific plan.
We are looking for peace and quiet under the shade trees, near water
most years will be a 3 or 4 week trip covering 5 or 6000 miles


We go into town just for supplies


I travel for a living- I've seen most towns & cities already- my idea of a vacation does not include hotels- most years I am in a hotel bed more than mine at home.


we also do week or less trips to California- beaches or visiting friends- MiL is in Santa Monica.
and trips to Northern AZ or bordering States to get away from the heat



Do you think the B is too small?


Pleasure Way Lexor on a chev- it's easy to drive, park and gets good mpg.
Any larger and we'd have issues parking in some towns which restrict length
( Santa Monica requires permit for over 20' and 8' high, permits only available to residents)



Would you rather have a larger B?

only on the inside, breaking the laws pf physics


Do you want to buy a truck and tow a trailer?


we thought about a trailer-
I hate towing
would have needed a new truck, mine lacks towing capacity
mpg
so no


Do you want to buy a Class A and tow a car?


No, I travel on prevost 45 coaches in my work with rock bands.
Most of thr places we want to be on vacation that kind of rv couldn't go.


Do you boondock?


yes we are good for 5 or 6 days off grid- our limiting factor is usually water, we plan on moving on or a trip to town- and will replenish food and do laundry on those trips


we also overnite at a walmart, casino or etc. when we are on the move and just want driver's rest



mike

[rogerstg]

We rented a class b to vacation, seeing sights in the US Southwest, covering 1100 miles in a week. We subsequently bought one and have mostly used it the same way; to travel from place to place. We've boondocked on BLM land, though it was really closer to overnight parking, since we're usually on the move.

The same with campgrounds. We're usually the people that arrive late, use the honor system for a site, and leave early the next day. I'm glad our rig is too old for daytime running lights. We disturb fewer fellow campers as we creep along to our site, using ambient light or our parking lights.

I find that we often use it to get away for a night. We live in Rhode Island where people come to enjoy our beaches all summer. Last Saturday evening, for example, we escaped the heat by driving down to the shoreline. We picked up chowder and clamcakes, backed into a spot overlooking the ocean and enjoyed an ocean breeze and some of the Perseid meteors. The morning brought a beautiful sunrise in full view through our "bedroom" window.

For us, a B is a travel vehicle that we can sleep in and take care of personal hygiene.

[rowiebowie]

Very succinct Roger. Sounds like the perfect use for a b and how we use ours, except for the arriving after dark part. We just don't drive after dark in unfamiliar areas because I know I cannot see as well as I used to.

Had to do it once when we stayed too late at Niagara Falls. Was raining and the dark un-stripped roadway was just soaking up the headlamps on the way to the remote rv park. Only about 18 miles but it was a miserable drive.

[Doneworking]

Jerry, sounds like you have the perfect rig for your lifestyle. We have had Bs less than 18 feet long (1984 Intervec Horizon), a little over 19 feet (Roadtrek 190P) and our 2007 Roadtrek 210P (right at 21 feet).

The best combo for us was the 190P and it was just about the size of your rig. The 210 is easy to drive and park but not as easy as the 190. Still, the extra room makes it worth it to us. We like to boondock and we have a wet bath and a 5 cf refrigerator. We look at new rigs because we like to go to RV shows, just smile and go home and pat our RT 210P on the hood.

The 210 works for us because we love all the extra storage and room. The Flexsteel seats and the Chevy chassis are perfect for us and driving. I am a few years older than you, Jerry, and I have all that we want in a B.

We also have a small C which we tow a Jeep behind. Excessive, yes, but what the heck. We use it for boondocking several weeks each summer in the Rockies and have for years. We use the Roadtrek for touring and we seldom spend a night in a hotel or motel. Our small C will be sold in a year or two I am sure and we will keep our RT which will probably outlast yours truly !! By the way, we could sell the 210 in a heartbeat for 70% of what we gave for it fifteen years ago this month, brand spankin' new.

[gksmith]

I think most Class B owners are very happy or else they would not have one. Why? Because they are very expensive for what you get. But they are willing to pay the extra cost for the convenience you get with Class B. Unless I change my style of traveling, I am very happy with my Class B.

[Ron J. Moore]

We are in the 80’s bracket, don’t camp any longer, but have the RT 210 and wouldn’t give it up. It has become a daily driver, seems mostly to various Ologist these days. During the COVID scare, we enjoyed getting out but isolated also. Sure, we could use something else….but we like the amenities.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Ron J. Moore

We are in the 80’s bracket, don’t camp any longer, but have the RT 210 and wouldn’t give it up. It has become a daily driver, seems mostly to various Ologist these days. During the COVID scare, we enjoyed getting out but isolated also. Sure, we could use something else….but we like the amenities.

Ron, I'm with you on the "Ologist" comment. Since spouses are no longer able to accompany paitients to most medical visits, nothing is nicer than sitting in the parking lot in cool ac, watching tv, and most importantly having a bathroom while waiting for our significant other.

[ilmor]

I have a Tofino and use it primarily for weekend camping at auto racing events. It's perfect!

[Rocinante]

We have an Airstream Interstate and just finished 3 non-stop months of camping in it with 2 adults and a 65 pound dog. Things got a little close by the end and we were glad to get back home to stretch out, but aside from the usual case of a few RV-specific things failing during the trip, everything went pretty well. We do think, however, that 2 months is a better maximum window for us than our most recent 3-month trip and will adjust future plans with that in mind. Breaks can also come via simply renting a vacation place for a week or two at a particular location - doesn't mean we have to come back home to get that break.

[Davydd]

We break up our trip by visiting family and friends. We still sleep in our van but have the opportunity to hang out in a real home. The longest no break trip was 3 months driving to Alaska and back to the Midwest. Every place was interesting and an adventure so wasn’t that bad.

A large screen tent and comfortable outdoor chairs help. Our previous van had twin electric articulating beds (think luxury or hospital beds) and that helped. We gave them up in our new short van. The bunk bed design we now have is for amazing privacy as we have different sleep habits. If one has an urge to read in bed or watch TV with iPads and AirPods and with a light one can do so. Time will tell if this venture is right. Kind of like a train Pullman setup.

Also, it pays dividends not to have a Swiss Army knife setup where you have to convert your van space into an either/or situation. Mainly converting sofas to beds, etc. We have turn around cab seats with ample space around to fully turn around to be comfortable and not cramped. We can both get up and out of our seats at will without coordinating.

We have never “entertained” another couple inside our van. I’ve always wandered about the European penchant of having second row seats and so four people can sit around a table but no sleeping space but for two. I did so until I took a grand Europe riverboat tour from Budapest to Amsterdam and realized every city had an RV park that was nothing more than a parking lot with no picnic tables or fire pit. They use their vans differently than we do or evidently by necessity want to do. I think of our van as more of a private master bedroom.

The best and largest bathroom you can have helps. It’s all about some privacy and comfort when cooped up in a small space 24/7.

Intimacy is only when you have the urge.

[Gryphon]

Originally Posted by jerrysimps@aol.com

Do you travel like me?

Pretty much. I don't generally stay in hotels while traveling in my RV but have done so once or twice.

Do you think the B is too small?

I don't think mine is too small, but there are smaller ones out there that would probably be a bit too small for me (particularly in the bed area). I'm fine staying around 21 feet.

Would you rather have a larger B?

Not really, no. I don't know what I'd do with the extra space inside so a larger vehicle has no upside for me.

Do you want to buy a truck and tow a trailer?

No. As a solo traveler I'm not optimistic about maneuvering even a small trailer without a spotter, and I don't need the extra space provided by larger trailers or 5th wheels.

Do you want to buy a Class A and tow a car?

I would only do this if I decided to sell my house & become a full-timer. I gave that serious consideration when I retired but ultimately decided it just didn't feel right for me.

Do you boondock?

Sometimes. I do have a preference for camp sites with electricity, but have had many enjoyable boondocking experiences as well.

[MsNomer]

So, how do you all like to use your Class B?

Presently, it is our COVID isolation pod, in addition to facilitating our serious hiking habit.

Do you travel like me?

Sorta. Yes, when east of the Mississippi, except we haven’t stayed in a hotel/motel in about 4 years. No, when west.

Do you think the B is too small?

Absolutely not. Ours is 17’9”, and we have lived in it as long as 4 months at a time.

Would you rather have a larger B?

Absolutely not.

Do you want to but a truck and tow a trailer?

Absolutely not.

Do you want to buy a Class A and tow a car?

Absolutely not.

Do you boondocks?

Always.

[LizM]

So, how do you all like to use your Class B?

Do you travel like me?
Yes. Just returned from a 6 week trip

Do you think the B is too small?
Sometimes but the benefits exceed the drawbacks.
Would you rather have a larger B?
Yes a taller one

Do you want to but a truck and tow a trailer?
No. Like to be able to park in cities

Do you want to buy a Class A and tow a car?
No, no, no!

Do you boondocks?
Yes. Getting good at it. I agree that I like an electric hook up. Would like to get a solar panel.

[rowiebowie]

Welcome to the forum LizM!

Or at least your first post if you by your post count stat.