Class B Recommendation? 3+ seats short trips.

[Tobbun]

After seeing all the great feedback for Technomadness on the class B feedback request I thought I would ask the masses for some recommendations. And need one already built versus DIY.

My wife and I are in our 40's and our first is off to college this fall (8 hours or so away - east) and we are in north Texas. We have a sophomore still in high school. My wife is a hotel type so we will not be camping or taking week long trips in the Class B. For us it is more about the trip to a location. At most we would spend 2 nights in the Class B. The idea of the 3+ seats is that our daughter will be going with us to tailgate at Ole Miss but we would also use it to travel to family in GA for Holidays or LA (lower Alabama) for vacations (staying in Condo once we get there) or going to local games, etc. that would have 4+ traveling.

We went to a RV show and got to see a lot of different Class B's (Paseo, Roadtreks, Airstream, Regency Xalta, Hymer, etc.). We saw the different chassis's Ford, Dodge and MB.

The one on the top of our list right now is the RT E-Trek. We like the idea of the four seats and removing one for a kennel or extra cabinet. My wife really liked the open feel to the E-trek (all the windows down the driver side compared to the Adventurous). I liked the lack of propane and the extra battery capacity, etc. We also like the bench in the back facing forward that ads extra seatbelts if we take more with us to a game or dinner, etc. We would ad one of the seat beds (either driver + passenger or passenger + 3rd seat to convert to bed). This is also top of our budget. Like the idea of ARV but not the $.

So far been doing a lot of reading on here and get the concerns about the MB chassis. I do like Fords and the Coachman Crossfit but missing that 3rd seat. Also want the driver seat to be able to turn around. Saw a great video series about the benefits of Pleasure Way compared to RT but still not 3rd seat there. Haven't seen the Coachmen Galleria in person yet but floorplan options are what we like.

Any others that should be on our list to check out?

[Davydd]

We all have different requirements for a Class B. You are younger and still have family considerations. Others have multi-use requirements such as every day use, offices, toy hauling, tail-gating at sporting events, etc. Age, can also make a difference, in tolerance for some amenities such as bathrooms and kitchens that I have noted in comments. Having different types of RVs in the past can change your views. Where you live can change your perception on Class B requirements especially differences between cold and warm climates. Full-timing is another for changing requirements. Your camping and travel habits have a great influence. There is no simple or right answer. You have to analyze and decide for yourself and you have a good start. If you buy an "off the shelf" Class B then you realize you may have to make some compromises.

I've gone through three Class Bs in 12 years after mistakingly mixing love for design in purchasing a classic Airstream trailer. I've honed my requirements over time and have also changed over time in what is important and not important. It is a moving target of desires.

Right now, after having three successive long vans, I am desiring a shorter van. Since we travel just the two of us and entertain outside our van, I cannot tolerate the wasted space of third seats and don't tolerate multi-use functions of space that have to be converted. That is so different than what you are thinking today with your needs.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Tobbun

After seeing all the great feedback for Technomadness on the class B feedback request I thought I would ask the masses for some recommendations. And need one already built versus DIY.

My wife and I are in our 40's and our first is off to college this fall (8 hours or so away - east) and we are in north Texas. We have a sophomore still in high school. My wife is a hotel type so we will not be camping or taking week long trips in the Class B. For us it is more about the trip to a location. At most we would spend 2 nights in the Class B. The idea of the 3+ seats is that our daughter will be going with us to tailgate at Ole Miss but we would also use it to travel to family in GA for Holidays or LA (lower Alabama) for vacations (staying in Condo once we get there) or going to local games, etc. that would have 4+ traveling.

We went to a RV show and got to see a lot of different Class B's (Paseo, Roadtreks, Airstream, Regency Xalta, Hymer, etc.). We saw the different chassis's Ford, Dodge and MB.

The one on the top of our list right now is the RT E-Trek. We like the idea of the four seats and removing one for a kennel or extra cabinet. My wife really liked the open feel to the E-trek (all the windows down the driver side compared to the Adventurous). I liked the lack of propane and the extra battery capacity, etc. We also like the bench in the back facing forward that ads extra seatbelts if we take more with us to a game or dinner, etc. We would ad one of the seat beds (either driver + passenger or passenger + 3rd seat to convert to bed). This is also top of our budget. Like the idea of ARV but not the $.

So far been doing a lot of reading on here and get the concerns about the MB chassis. I do like Fords and the Coachman Crossfit but missing that 3rd seat. Also want the driver seat to be able to turn around. Saw a great video series about the benefits of Pleasure Way compared to RT but still not 3rd seat there. Haven't seen the Coachmen Galleria in person yet but floorplan options are what we like.

Any others that should be on our list to check out?

I have a 210PC loaded with the full Etrek (800ah) with the exception of propane deletion. The biggest irritation is that other than a voltmeter, there is no instrumentation to tell you what's going on with the system. Given a choice at this point I would opt for the Galleria Li3 which IMO has better build quality, a better designed electrical system with a 3 year warranty and Nova Kool fridges and cost wise, I think will be easier on the wallet than an Etrek. They also have 2,3 and 4 seat floor plans.

Since you're in Texas, Motor Home Specialist floors Gallerias in Alvarado and from what I understand, they deal with a pretty sharp pencil.

Re the turn around driver's seat. I think that Ford is fixing that in their 2019 model production.

[Tobbun]

@Davydd - Life is always changing As you said we might want something different 10 years from now but hoping to find something that will work for a while. For us, I know we want the extra seating up front and one of the appealing things about the E-Trek is that the second row seats are modular. Once our last is in college and it is just two of us, maybe we want the extra storage versus the extra seat.

@Cruising7388 - That is great insight and very much appreciated. The dealership that has the E-Treks is pretty close. I have not been in the Galleria yet but have spent some time in the E-Trek (at dealership) and was surprised about the cabinetry compared to what I have seen online with the Coachmen. I don't think the seats are modular in the Coachman though compared to the E-Trek but do like the pricing difference. I came across MHS online and I plan on making the drive there to check it out and the Galleria in more detail.

What is the typical lag for a new chassis? 2019 Ford might be seen in 2019? Any Ford/Dodge Off the shelf Class B's with a 3rd seat?

Any MB diesel concerns staying in the SE? The only possible northern trip that would be a possibility is up to WI (cabin on a lake). I don't foresee us going west.

[AlexJ]

The Safari Condo XL Flex (Sprinter or Promaster) seats 4 comfortably (easily sleeps 3). Reasonably priced, well thought out, quality build from Quebec. 16 month wait and you have to deliver the van to their factory for conversion. But wow is it nice.

[dhuff]

You sound a lot like us, N. Texas and everything. Our daughter is younger (middle school) and we will be wanting to sleep in the RV, but otherwise...

I also have some concerns about the MB chassis reliability + their much higher repair & maint costs. The Ford Transit is my current "first choice" and I understand they're addressing the issue with the driver's seat swiveling on current models.

Will be following this thread with interest.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by dhuff

The Ford Transit is my current "first choice" and I understand they're addressing the issue with the driver's seat swiveling on current models..

To verify this at the point of ordering, rely on the chassis year, not the upfitter model year.

[Tobbun]

Adding the Winnebago ERA 170x to the list. Saw an ERA at the show but didn't realize the floorplan available with the 170x. It has four seats and the second row seats are modular.

[AlexJ]

Originally Posted by Tobbun

Adding the Winnebago ERA 170x to the list. Saw an ERA at the show but didn't realize the floorplan available with the 170x. It has four seats and the second row seats are modular.

The ERA’s are all over over 24 feet (versus the E-Trek). Pretty long.

[Tobbun]

Just to circle back on this thread... We ended up purchasing a new 2017 Airstream Interstate Lounge Tommy Bahama class b with VB Air Suspension.

I really liked the tech package of the Coachmen Galleria Li3 and it had the floor plan that we liked. It was also a bit cheaper for the 2018 model.

I liked the tech in the Roadtrek E-Trek as well with the floor plan.

In the end, what I found best for us was the AI Lounge with the idea that we can do some tech upgrades as things get proved out and prices come down. In the meantime we have tried and true tech in the AI.

Really appreciate all the insight and thoughts from this forum.