Class B RVs
- Class B RV This is a modified/customized full-size van.
- The Good News
- If you're uncomfortable
driving large RVs or towing
trailers, this could
be the RV for you. Class B
RVs are built on a full-size van
chassis and are not much larger
than the typical van, truck or
full-size SUV.
- Due to their small size and
maneuverability, Class B RVs can
go almost anywhere.
- Their small size aside, many Class B RVs are packed with top-of-the-line amenities.
With Class A RVs, it seems that
only the larger ones include the "nicer stuff."
Class B RVs tend to have higher quality components at every price point.
- If you wish, you can tow a
reasonably-sized trailer with
"toys," a motorcycle, a boat, a
storage trailer or whatever you
desire.
- We never seriously considered getting a Class B RV as we are traveling with 3 people.
If you think a Class B is for you, I recommend checking out Carol & Phil White's book
Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home.
or their website
www.roadtripdream.com.
Carol and Phil traveled for a year in their Class B RV,
"The Rolling White House." They played a lot of
golf, visited a ton of National Parks, enjoyed several Happy Hours, wrote a very good book that you'll find invaluable in planning a similar trip.......
and, mostly, stayed in hotels. Carol's take on their transportation selection is very sound, and she has included many tips about planning and executing a trip (in any kind of RV)
that may not cross your mind until it's too late, and she does it all with a personal touch.
Since they are typically
built on Chevy, Ford or Dodge
chassis with engines and
transmissions from those same
manufacturers, you'll generally
have an easier time finding
parts and getting needed repairs
anywhere in the country, at
least for the mechanical components
of your RV.
The Bad News
- While the drivability of a
Class B RV is without
comparison, the livability
leaves something to be desired.
While Class B RVs have
raised roofs/ceilings and are
sometimes wider and/or longer
than a standard van, they are
still quite small--especially
with all the standard "RV
Amenities" jammed into them
along with your luggage and
travel gear.
- If you're blessed to
be under 6' tall (unlike
me), and you're
traveling solo or with
two people who don't
mind close quarters, you
may not mind the
confinement of a Class
B.
- Showers tend to be
in the aisle with a
curtain for privacy.
If they are tucked into
a corner with a privacy
door, they're very
small.
- Appliances are
smaller, so you'll have
a much smaller
refrigerator.
- Bed
size is usually limited
to a "Double," with a
maximum sleeping
capacity for the whole
RV of only two.
Some Class Bs offer
sleeping for three, but
they are rare.
-
Storage is limited,
although quite often
clever. You may
also supplement this by
adding a luggage rack to
the roof, towing a small
trailer, or purchasing a
rack that attaches to
the tow hitch.
- If you're traveling in a
Class B RV, this will more than
likely be your only mode of
transportation. So, if you
plan to stay put for extended
periods of time, you'll have to
plan on using your RV for
sightseeing, shopping, etc.,
unless you tow a motorcycle or
other small motorized vehicle.
- Price
can be a big issue with
these "little" RVs. As I
said before, they tend to pack
premium components into a small
space. Don't be surprised
to get "sticker shock" when you
realize how much more Class B
RVs tend to cost over many
larger Class A RVs, 5th Wheels
and other Trailers. This
is not a "bang-for-your-buck" RV.
- The resale market for used Class B RVs is much slower than comparably priced Class C and Class A RVs.
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