New!

[MsNomer]

We spend a lot of time in the mountains in our self-build PM. Total weight 6,900 lb carried low—nothing overhead. We have not found a paved road it could not climb, albeit sometimes slowly. Loose gravel, the disadvantage of FWD comes into play. Weight shifts to the non-driven rear wheels. In all our years chasing remote trailheads, there have been exactly 2 climbs we bailed on—both forest service roads.

 

[Ifish Jennie]

I think I want something nicer than the Banff, then. My budget is 100k or under, so I think I can do better, right?
So, no to Sprinter, due to too many tech problems and no to Banff because it’s too plastic/chinsy.
What’s a good one in the middle? And I kind of want used, because I want someone to have had fun building it up with cool things and “love” of course!

 

[Ifish Jennie]

“Pre-loved”… not used!

 

[booster]

If you want to not have a shower in the van and gain the room it takes, you might want to consider the 2003 and up Roadtrek vans built on the Chevy chassis. Most of the earlier end of the range had "aisle" showers that are in the center of the van with a pull around curtain. The toilet faces the aisle so no big waste of space with it. Our 07 190 Popular is that way and we are very happy with it. Later ones may have the aisle shower, but most will have the full, space wasting, bathrooms.

 

[mumkin]

If you want to not have a shower in the van and gain the room it takes,

... it was on the other thread that the person didn't want a shower.

Of course you are correct about the power of the Transit. But few seem to be using them due to the long time issue of Ford not providing any platforms. Pleasureway has the Ontour, but it starts at $170K, and used are very difficult to find.

Back to Jennie...

The best brands for used are Leisure Travel, Pleasureway, and Roadtrek. A bit more down market, and thus cheaper are the Winnebagos like the Travato. Leisure Travel stopped making Class B's a few years back, but some of their oldies I see on the road are in great shape. Pleasureway is a smaller company, so finding used models can be hard. The most will be Roadtreks or Winnies.

A good place to look at all years of Roadtreks and see what people are asking is on the FMCA website for the Roadtrek Group. When you say you would like 'pre-loved', this is probably the best place to shop. What it lacks is photos... but you can go to the Roadtrek website and they have all the brochures.

https://roadtrekchapter.org/roadtreks-for-sale/

 

[Ifish Jennie]

So, will I expect to get something nice for around 100k?
Do you know of any good place to rent in the Portland area?

 

[mumkin]

So, will I expect to get something nice for around 100k?
Do you know of any good place to rent in the Portland area?

Google brings up your rental choices. You'll need to check out who rents Class B's.

Yes, you can get something nice for probably $60-100K once you have tied down your wants and needs.

 

[Ifish Jennie]

Thank you so much for welcoming me and giving me so many things to think about!