Camper van VS Class C RV
 

I want a Camper van....the "Better Half" was OK with this but has recently got it into her head that we actually need a class C RV....
I wanted something big enough to pull our boat (16ft run about) but small enough to get into those back road adventures...
I think the class C will greatly limit the adventure.
Now I almost just want to let the idea die so that I don't have any animosity over having to trudge around in the class C.
What say you proponents on both sides?
We are Mid 40's...almost childless (13 year old boy...too cool to hang out with us fossils)...What do you travel with... would you change for any reason?
Thanks

This sort of rig might fit both of your desires. Brace yourself for the price.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433132498.jpg

This is my ride and home at the moment. Just cruised Colorado for a couple of weeks.
Since then been prepping for a trip to the PNW this summer.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433132662.jpg

I'm aiming to tow my SC along this summer, hopefully stop in at some vintage auto events along the way. Maybe do some auto cross meets.

Cheers Richard

I have travelled in both and owned a "C" for 15 yrs. The "C" has a lot more interior room and storage so if you are heading for inclement weather it will be more comfortable. I prefer the Class "B" for ease of driving and parking with the understanding that we will be outdoors most of the time at destinations. I also tend to travel very light. If you must hang out inside for long periods it gets pretty tight for 2 though.

My wife prefers a class "C" because there is a lot more room, larger bathroom, and she can bring more stuff. They also tend to be less $$ and 5 yr old used ones in good condition are common. If it is under 25' you can get into most campgrounds so you are not stuck moving from RV park to RV park. We spent a lot of time up in the Sierras, Baja, beach campgrounds, and desert dry camping back in the day.

Think about a Class A, most class c dont have self leveling jacks or a lot of other amenities. Class c has limited space with driver cab ãrea which is lower than the living space. The driver cab is less than useful and only good for throwing luggage to store. A Class A gives you much more interior space.

These VW based units seem nice and reasonably priced a few years old.
Here's an article to look over.

Things To Consider Before Closing TheDeal For A Rialta RV For Sale | Rialta For Sale

We haven't spent the night in it, but I have spent a fair bit of time in the Class B Roadtrek 190 that we helped Thuy's dad buy. I'm not impressed, and we are actively trying to downsize to a 400sqft house. The little van is just too small. I can't even lay flat in the bed, and I'm not that tall! To use the shower you have to pull up the rug and pull the plug panel out of the drain. The bathroom really doesn't look that useable just because its so tiny. Really spend some time in one before you commit the money.

Driving the van it catches about as much wind and gets pushed around the same the class C sized box truck I moved in. I'm used to driving large vehicles, so the larger physical size wouldn't bother me. Like I said, I feel like the van is so top heavy and slab sided that it gets pushed around just as much.


I do like the sprinter based rigs though. With a slide out they get decently roomy inside. I'd like to drive one to see how it drives! We really want to buy something like that in about 10 years to travel in.

As Hugh said Class A. More room, shower, Tv same gas milage as a C. If you want to do back roads get a dirt bike with racks. You can load a Zodiac, outboard motor and gear on the racks and go swat mosquitoes all day long while your better half is back at base camp reading a romance novel in air conditioned comfort. :)

It's a horses for courses kind of thing.
Lots of the parks in California for example have pretty small size limits.
Driving the bigger rigs is limiting as far as getting into the country / gravel rough roads
Etc are a problem.

Lots of choices out there. Your plans for use will guide you to the best suited rigs.

Sell your house and get an Earth Roamer

Many of the C-Classes will have enough leftover tow capacity to tow that 16' boat. However they will be awful "off road" ad they tend to be wide and top heavy. A B-class will be more stable and maneuvarable but less interior space. B-Class will probably only be good for 2-3 days max. Any more than that and it will start feeling quite cramped indeed. OTOH if you spend most of your time outside then the B-Class is just a place top sleep and make your ablutions.

An A-Class will certainly be the pinnacle of comfort indoors, but terrible for any backroads and I wouldn't even think of launching a boat with it without a LOT of room.

30 ' is the magic number for CA state parks that have RV sites.

How about a slide in truck camper ? Get yourself a good 3/4 or 1 ton pick up and then a slide in camper. Sure they can be a little snug but they drive just like the truck and you can easily tow. Just another option.

I'm with you Mike. If you want a mobile campground, the Sportsmobile is the thing I've found works best for me. Anything bigger is RV'ing. Two different things.

I just came back from a month trip, Seattle to Phoenix and back where I was a far as 20 miles down dirt roads, in the snow, mud and rain, then back to the sun. Each place I had the option of total seclusion, or camping with others. There are other brands beside SMB's but they have been at it longer than most (since 1966) and offer both Van frame builds as well as the Sprinters and other vehicle builds.

No problem towing if you get a diesel either.

See the forum for ideas: Sportsmobileforum.com • Index page

or the website for new: Sportsmobile Custom Camper Vans - Your Home Away From Home

They are family owned and the Fresno shop leads the way.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433369721.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433369738.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433369808.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433369874.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433369969.jpg



PS: I am happily biased.

I don't like the idea of some of the 30-32' class C motorhomes and there lack of manuverability and poor fuel mileage. I looked at camper vans, and although I like the idea behind them, I don't care for the cramped interiors. My solution would be to get a 22-23' Class C with the Ford V-10. You have a really smooth running motor with gobs of power and torque for pulling a boat. A 22' class C is really not that much longer than a camper van, but with it's width and height, it has twice the interior room.

I have a 24' class C 2007 sprinter chassis with the diesel engine like the one pictured. I get an honest 15-17 mpg and when the GPS sent me off highway through the West Virginia woods it did surprisingly well on rutted, gravel fire roads. With two house batteries and plenty of water its no problem boon docking for a day or two, didn't even have to fire up the generator. I've been able to back into regular parking spaces (as long as there is open space behind) even in places like the Savannah GA waterfront. The new class B camper vans are just as long and as mentioned above they have half the interior space and little storage. I also wanted the dual rear wheels for stability. Its perfect for two people and no problem to drive around without having to tow a toad. I found mine for 35k used two years ago.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433431858.jpg

Unimog Camper for sale - unimog camper: for sale

http://www.unimogcamperforsalenow.co...5_orig.jpg?442
http://www.unimogcamperforsalenow.co...0_orig.jpg?427
http://www.unimogcamperforsalenow.co...1429209365.png

You know that unimog is going to be expensive when it costs $45 just to go look at it:

"We're showing the camper at the Overland Expo West near Flagstaff Arizona May 16-17. The entry fee is $45/day."

It's much nicer and cheaper than a used Earth Roamer.

This is probably where we will end up next. "Enough" interior space while being able to get into high altitude campgrounds and boon docking. A modern version of our old 22' Lazy Daze. My brother has a 36' diesel pusher that makes a great rig for track days and parties but it is just too much rig for the places I want to go camping. RV parks generally give me hives and I really want to be outdoors in the wilderness.

They're asking $275k :eek:

I work really close to EarthRoamer -

They are like little yachts on wheels - they are amazing, and can even tough it off road. Used - I think about $165,000

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...0733187e02.jpg

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adven..._Rally/TAT.jpg

RV parks are full of big ego people who need to have all the comforts of home evrywhere they go. I have seen some 45' diesel pusher motorhomes with a matching paint 30' trailer that is the same height and width as the bus. At a truckstop in Florida, one of these trailers was open, and you could see thier ski boat on the lower level, with thier Chrysler minivan up above. I think I tend to think like you and shy away from large amounts of other campers who want to party and socialize. I would really love to explore backroads and out of the way places and do some boondocking.

Currently, with kids at home for a few more years, we have a diesel 4x4 F-250 with a 30' Dutchmen TT that we love, but fully planning on downsizing when it's just the 2 of us to a 26-27 foot TT or a smaller 22'-25' Class C motorhome.

With the big automakers all bringing tall euro-style vans to the United States, it will be very interesting to see what the Class B market (based on these vans) will be like in the next few years.

These are REALLY roomy vans with most offering enough inside height in stock form for a 6' person to easily stand and walk about.

angela

Travel light.
Westys can get to remote highcountry that no monster RV would dare.
You might be surprised how much fun these are to drive & camp.
And they are fast, on Downhill:)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433441845.jpg

Here's what you need.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433445036.jpg

Not too fond of RV parks in general but some are in great locations like on the beach or next to a river. National and state park campgrounds are best as is anywhere on BLM lands.

I recently sold my parents RoadTrek. It was a 2009 Adventurous RS. Still a bit cramped inside (IMO) but after driving it for a day I was really impressed with the ride and engine response. Dad says he gets mid 20's mpg on the highway. Very unlike a traditional RV. Small enough to get into any park and can tow things easily. These things sell for Class A prices but they have a cult like following.

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/...psrncejgtg.jpg

I had a Roadtrek for 10 years. It was a work vehicle for me. I used it to go to shows and photo shoots. It served a purpose. When I was getting the business going and was really busy it was great to pull into a rest stop and get a few hours of sleep without the time constraints and expense of a motel. The truck handled pretty well, but seemed to run at the limit of the Dodge 1 ton capacity. I would have felt better about it if it had dual rear wheels and heftier rear springs. I miss it now and then, but I now have the luxury of taking more time and staying in decent hotels. If I want to go camping I have a tent.

watched my parents buy a class a. it cost almost as much as my house. they could have bought a lincoln continental and stayed in nice hotels on vacation for ten years at that price.

and the depreciation was staggering.

When it comes to depreciation RVs are right up there with high end European vehicles and Range Rovers - 50% in a couple years. The RoadTrek did better but still heartbreaking.

But can a 6' guy lay down in them? Because I can't in the road trek. Totally defeats the point if I can't sleep in comfort.

I'm a 35 year RV Dealer that is a Porsche collector. I can tell you a fact : THE PERFECT RV IS THE ONE YOUR WIFE LOVES !

-The used small RV and van market has been red hot for 20 years.
- The diesel pusher market is what people exit, when they enter the Van market . There are good buys to be had on 2 to 10 year old pushers if you can pay cash.

I will happily take any Porsche in trade for an RV. Or trade one of my Porsches for an RV.
Brianvb_911@hotmail.com
4033319229
Porsche enthusiast and RV Dealer
Brian VandenBerg
Skyline Travel Centre

Queen bed power couch option in the back...yes. My parents also had a memory foam topper. I slept like a rock back when visiting.

I drive by Earthroamer daily and must resist that sirens call......