Class B RV

The Versatile Class B RV

When most people hear the words “motor home” or “RV” they envision the large, bus-sized vehicle that carries all the luxuries of home, including that kitchen sink. Yet there is a smaller option for those who just don’t want to drive something that is almost as long as a tractor-trailer combination. The class B RV offers comfort, class, and camping fun all in a vehicle that is easy to drive and fits almost anywhere.

Definition

A class B RV is defined as a mini-motorhome that is built on a conventional van chassis. This designation is reserved for those units that were built in a factory. Aftermarket conversions are usually referred to as camper vans, conversion vans or van campers. These RV’s have raised roofs so it is easy to stand up, and usually have extended wheel bases to provide the most living space possible on a conventional van chassis. As in the larger RVs, the living and driving areas are in the same vehicle. That is especially nice when making roadside stops during less than perfect weather.

Benefits

The smaller size of a Class B RV means that it is less expensive to operate. It gets better gas mileage and can be driven and parked just as a normal van. Most of these vehicles fit in the average home driveway, and a few of the models with lower roofs can even fit in some garages. This eliminates the need to rent storage space, as is often needed in neighborhoods with RV parking restrictions. Class B RV’s are small enough to even take the place of a second family car, making them even more versatile than their bigger cousins. You will also be able to fit into camping spots that are just too small for the bus-sized RVs.

Considerations

Class B RVs are ideal for singles and couples. Some layouts also work for small families, sleeping up to four people. Though there is a surprising amount of living and storage space, usually these motorhomes are suitable for vacations and short trips. There are those who have learned to make the most out of that space and do take off for months at a time to enjoy life on the road. It just takes a bit of practice.

Roadtrek

One of the oldest mini-motorhome companies is Roadtrek. Their entire brand is built around the Class B RV. The company started with its 190 Series, which is built on a Chevrolet Express 3500 van with an extended chassis. Offered in three models, the Popular, Simplicity and the Versatile, these RVs sleep up to four people. A privacy door separates the sleeping area in the front from the back.

One of Roadtrek’s signature creations is the middle-of-the-van shower. A curtain closes around the shower area, giving you almost as much room to bathe as in a conventional stall shower. An innovative draining system pulls the water down into the holding tanks, keeping the interior of the van dry. The lavatory is in a separate compartment, next to the shower area. This shower system is also available in the larger 210 series, also built on the Chevrolet Express chassis. Roadtrek has since added the RS and SS series of Class B RVs, built on a Mercedes Sprinter 2500 van chassis. These models offer the more conventional combined shower and lavatory.

Pleasureway

Another long-time manufacturer of Class B RV’s is Pleasureway, which prides itself on putting plenty of luxury in a small package. The Excel model, built on a Ford E350 chassis, and the Lexor, fitted on the Chevy Express van chassis offer everything from Corian countertops to an ultraleather fabric for its seating areas. Power rear sofas, flat screen TVs and private bathrooms with China commodes are part of the package. An upgrade to the Plateau model offers a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, longer wheelbase and a diesel engine that gets even better mileage for your travel dollar. A more recent creation is the Traverse camper on a Ford van chassis. Sporting a pop-up top with canvas sides, this vehicle converts from an everyday family van to innovative camper at the push of a button.

Other Options

A number of other motorhome manufacturers better known for producing the larger rigs have also added the Class B RV to their offerings. Some include icons such as Airstream, known for its silver bullet trailers, and Winnebago, famous for its bus-like Class A rigs. Winnebago is one company that has created a hybrid of sorts, the Class B+ motorhome. This RV option is slightly larger than a conventional Class B, but with a lower profile than the bed-over-the-cab Class C.