Camper van VS Class C RV

[mikesride]

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

[tevake]

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



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.


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

[Cajundaddy]

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.

[Hugh R]

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.

[tevake]

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

[porsche4life]

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.

[GWN7]

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.

[tevake]

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.

[stealthn]

Sell your house and get an Earth Roamer

[cstreit]

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.

[Hugh R]

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

[rfuerst911sc]

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.

[dar636]

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.







PS: I am happily biased.

[ckelly78z]

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.

[jhc]

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.

[widebody911]

Unimog Camper for sale - unimog camper: for sale

[jhc]

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.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by jhc

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.

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.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by jhc

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.

They're asking $275k

[foxpaws]

Originally Posted by stealthn

Sell your house and get an Earth Roamer

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