Brain Storming About Switching to a Class B Motor Home

[Goose55]

Hello all.

I have a paid for pristine Oct 2019 built 3500 Laramie Dually HO Cummins with only 28,000 miles on it with a factory extended warranty out to Jan 2026 or 75K miles. The truck has been garaged. I live in SW Arizona and these past two summers have been almost uninhabitable. Record breaking temperatures and next to no monsoon rain. I simply MUST find a way for me to escape this for three months each year. And next summer MUST be the first summer.

But I do not have the money for a 5th wheel and I do not want to incur any debt for one. I have thought all I need for myself and my cat is one of those small, lower mileage 4 wheel drive Class B motor homes--preferably a diesel. Of course I have looked at some of them online but I must find one reasonably priced. I know next to nothing about these Class Bs. I like those Mercedes ones but am I dreaming?

I was thinking of--instead of RV spaces--finding little, remote areas to overnight in the Class B, and fly fish in nearby streams during the day. Eat lots of fresh trout! That's how "id like to spend those 3 months each year!

I am posting this in hopes of getting some ideas as to how to go about accomplishing this. All advice and suggestions welcomed!

Thank you all in advance !!

 

[Docwagon1776]

No way in hell I'd pay that kind of money to live out of a van for 3 months.

If you're 'escaping' to the same place for the entire 3 months, get a long term airbnb or other short term rental. Real kitchen so you can cook, laundry facilities without a laundry mat, internet provided, tv, etc. You can drive around to do things without driving your 'house' and having to pack everything up.

 

[Dean2]

No way in hell I'd pay that kind of money to live out of a van for 3 months.

If you're 'escaping' to the same place for the entire 3 months, get a long term airbnb or other short term rental. Real kitchen so you can cook, laundry facilities without a laundry mat, internet provided, tv, etc. You can drive around to do things without driving your 'house' and having to pack everything up.

EXACTLY what I was going to post. You can rent LOTS of nice, 1` bedroom ACed places over the summer, which is the low season in a lot of places, for 1,000 to 1,500 a month. By the time you pay Pad rent to park your class C, you will be spending as much or more and living in a van.

 

[Goose55]

I was thinking of--instead of RV spaces--finding little, remote areas to overnight in the Class B, and fly fish in nearby streams during the day. Eat lots of fresh trout! That's how "id like to spend those 3 months each year!

 

[Docwagon1776]

Sounds like a fantasy with little thought into the logistics, but you do you.

 

[chopperman1]

Biggest problem with a motorhome is being either stuck in it, or packing everything up again just to go to the store. With the truck and a camper (who says it needs to be a 5th wheel) you leave the camper there and drive to the store or a day trip somewhere.

 

[Goose55]

Biggest problem with a motorhome is being either stuck in it, or packing everything up again just to go to the store. With the truck and a camper (who says it needs to be a 5th wheel) you leave the camper there and drive to the store or a day trip somewhere.

Might be rough sometimes towing a 5th wheel--or hauling a truck camper in some of the areas I'd like to camp for fly fishing. Whereas a small 4WD Class B would be easier.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Join this forum. They can get you better answers - bunch of good folks there. But you have to be reasonable with what info you're asking for.

The RV Forum Community By RV LIFE

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[Goose55]

Join this forum. They can get you better answers - bunch of good folks there. But you have to be reasonable with what info you're asking for.

The RV Forum Community By RV LIFE

Forum software by XenForo

www.rvforum.net

Does that forum offer an easy way for me to find a good Class B MH?

 

[Tulecreeper]

Does that forum offer an easy way for me to find a good Class B MH?

All you can do is join and ask whatever questions you want information for. Almost none of them have a Class B, most have 5th-wheels and motorhomes, with a few travel trailers tossed in, but a lot of them have experience with them or know someone who does.

 

[BadHemi2014]

Have you considered a slide in camper? They are more difficult to climb in and out of especially up to the bed, and it's pretty tight quarters, but they are fully contained units. Ours had dual batteries, dual propane tanks and carried like 35 gallons of fresh water. The furnace and water heater both ran on propane or shore power, and the fridge could run on either of those and off the batteries as well. They are more expensive compared to a similar tow behind. Just thought I'd throw the idea out there.

 

[HarryS]

Biggest problem with a motorhome is being either stuck in it, or packing everything up again just to go to the store. With the truck and a camper (who says it needs to be a 5th wheel) you leave the camper there and drive to the store or a day trip somewhere.

Most folks that have motorhomes tow a vehicle behind them, just because of that.

 

[2003F350]

Most folks that have motorhomes tow a vehicle behind them, just because of that.

Which means an entire second driveline to take care of.

Class B motorhomes have their uses, mostly for what OP wants to do. Personally, I'd use a truck camper (slide in camper) over one of those. I'd do a pop-up or a tent over a class B.

I would suggest that since you own the truck already, OP would be better served with a smaller truck camper OR an off-road pod camper, if he's looking for something to get out of the elements for sleeping and most everything else will be outdoors (very similar to a class B). Either of these options are going to be far cheaper overall than a class B, both up-front and long term in insurance/plates/fuel costs. The truck will do better in your 'remote locations' than a 4x4 class B WITHOUT a truck camper - with one could get sketchy since they're top heavy, but really both the Class B and truck camper would be. The Pod-style trailer would let your center of gravity stay lower, but they come with their own set of issues - tight corners for one.

Regardless, OP can do as he wishes, but I'd advise against a Class B. You're paying a lot for very little.

 

[aces-n-eights]

Are you going to sell your 3500 to fund the Class B? You said you didn't want to incur debt to get a 5th wheel, but Cl B's ain't cheap.

As suggested above, I'd recommend a slide-in truck camper. We had a pop-up style one - Hallmark, I think - and it served us well. Not too fancy, but was comfortable on numerous trips between Alaska and the L48, and the truck barely knew it was back there.

You can drop the camper at a site if you're going to be there a while and have the truck to explore. You certainly have the truck to carry about any slide-in you may want.

 

[Dean2]

For what you want to do, I think it would be very hard to beat something like this. FAR cheaper than a class C, no need to pull another vehicle, will traverse far rougher ground than a class C or your pickup with a camper in the bed, far easier to disconnect than to off load a camper. Cost a lot less than a camper too.




If you want to be able to stand up in it.

 

[star_deceiver]

1) You will be spending a small fortune to buy any class B of any year. 2) If you buy a Mercedes, you will be spending a small fortune getting it worked on, more often than you think a vehicle should be worked on. 3) Good mattress’s don’t fit in vans.

I currently have 3 options for camping, all with very big pros and cons.
1) The squaredrop I built. It fits a queen bed, can take it pretty much anywhere, keeps the things dry, can take my quad too, there’s very little in it to break or go wrong. The GF hates it, calls it a bed in a box, would prefer a tent even though she can’t tolerate 30mins on an air mattress. Everything except sleeping is done outside. 13-16mpg.
2) The 2015 Coachmen 223RBS. It’s short enough to park in most campground spots, everything can be done inside if the weathers garbage. Can’t take the quad, we always seem to be in each others way inside, not always the easiest to pull over when she needs a bathroom stop. Build quality is mearly ok, it’s nowhere near as bad as a post covid Indiana build but things seem flimsy and fragile. 7.5-10mpg.
3) 1998 Bounder 28T. Incredibly comfortable drive, she can move about and the bathroom is right there, we’re not in each others way. Small enough to park in most campgrounds. As with older rvs, it needs a lot of work. Build quality is light years better than anything post 2010. There’s still a bunch of little things to fix. Toad, quad and trailer, or bikes on racks. Pick one. Whatever GM engineer thought that airbags inside coil spring was a good idea should be beaten with said coil springs. 454, 4L80, 4.63:1 gets 6-8mpg with no towing.

The Coachmen or Bounder will be sold next spring. Don't have room for everything.

 

[Tulecreeper]

For what you want to do, I think it would be very hard to beat something like this. FAR cheaper than a class C, no need to pull another vehicle, will traverse far rougher ground than a class C or your pickup with a camper in the bed, far easier to disconnect than to off load a camper. Cost a lot less than a camper too.

View attachment 552368


If you want to be able to stand up in it.

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View attachment 552371

Those are similar to the bear-proof ones.

 

[OC455]

For what you want to do, I think it would be very hard to beat something like this. FAR cheaper than a class C, no need to pull another vehicle, will traverse far rougher ground than a class C or your pickup with a camper in the bed, far easier to disconnect than to off load a camper. Cost a lot less than a camper too.

View attachment 552368


If you want to be able to stand up in it.

View attachment 552369

View attachment 552371

I like the last camper you show...the grey one. I thought I saw those posted and they're used in Austrailia I thought.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Go ask your insurance agent how much it is to insure a class B. Think you will change your mind. The cost is nuts unless you buy a 10 year old class B. Those small pull behinds are getting popular. High off the ground, ready for the trails. Think it would be better than a bed mounted camper. With a pull behind, you have access to your bed to load stuff for camping trip that won’t go in a small camper. Good luck on your decision.

 

[ramffml]

If I were you I'd just get a used tent trailer and call it a day. No need for something pricey, as long as the appliances work and the canvas is in good shape you can find one for 8000 or thereabouts and sell it for almost same price if you hate it after one 3 month season or want to upgrade to something more luxurious if the concept itself works for you.

The bigger the vehicle, the harder it is to park it in parks etc.