OT- Class B Motorhome

JT272929

Does anyone have one? What are your thoughts? This would be our first camper, but we are always going to the lake and thought this would be easier to drive than a big motorhome and maybe easier to find a place to store.

Mid 20's couple with a 16 mo old baby.

badinfluence

First thought is go class c not b. My cousin has 1 that he uses for just him to travel to his showers with solo. He does not bring his family with him in it though. With the young one you will want a place for them to grow into as well. It's not my money so that is only my thought.

JT272929

I appreciate it.

stlcharcoal

I have been looking at big Class A's to travel with 4 young kids to avoid the hassle of airports, hotels, etc.  The problem you're going to run into, is the same that stopped me......child restraint systems.  The front two seats both have normal 3-point seat belts, but everything else is nothing more than a lap belt screwed to some plywood.  I have yet to see one that you actually a secure place to strap a car seat. 

fishlessman

never liked the motohome idea, like having a vehicle and leaving the trailer at site. but then again, in my 20's i just slept under the truck

JT272929

We would mostly be using up by the lake, so we were going to store it up there. (about 3 hours away, and way cheaper than storing it in Des Moines) so we would have a car up there as well. I don't want a travel trailer because I dont want to have to buy the truck to pull it as well, and if we go on a family vacation we could just drive the rv.

Thatgrimguy

stlcharcoal said:

I have been looking at big Class A's to travel with 4 young kids to avoid the hassle of airports, hotels, etc.  The problem you're going to run into, is the same that stopped me......child restraint systems.  The front two seats both have normal 3-point seat belts, but everything else is nothing more than a lap belt screwed to some plywood.  I have yet to see one that you actually a secure place to strap a car seat. 

My rv has safety latch at the base of the seats in the dinete that is attached to the frame. The Winnebago view had them too. It's a small class c that is about as small as I could see being useful. The nice B cost more than the small class a.

SoCalTim

IMO, a Class B (Van Front end) is a perfect first motorhome. Like you wrote, 'very easy to navigate', an added plus is that if it were to break down, parts are plentiful ... and are very easy to work on yourself.

nolaegghead

I would love a Unimog

cub22908

I will start by saying I have never owned a class B but have RVed  for 24 years and owned everything except a B and a 5th wheel.  I have considered the B and looked at them at RV shows but they are just insanely expensive new and I would guess the same for a used one.  They sound real good ( for the reasons you state ) until you look at what you spend and what you will get.  I would rather spend a weekend at a lake in a pop-up than a class B.  I wouldn't worry about storage as storage places are everywhere once you start looking around.  I liked my class C which is best bang for the buck but LOVED my class A for touring the country with my kids.  My current RV is a travel trailer and a crew cab pickup.  It is my first pickup and can't believe I lived so long without one!  I bet you can buy a pickup and trailer for much less than a class B and be much more comfortable camping and traveling.  Good luck, you will love RVing no matter what you get!

Jeremiah

^thats what we're doing. In fact we're getting ours next weekend. 

jeffwit

We have a class A, and have been all over in it with our 3 kids. I'm kind of obsessed with RV's (and grilling, and sports, and.... But that's another story). I've looked in and been in RVs of all sizes and shapes, and have come to the conclusion that the "perfect" RV for every situation just doesn't exist. Here are my thoughts on your questions, though. 
I have a friend with a class B. Every time I get in it, I'm amazed at two things. One, how small it is on the inside. And two, how well they have utilized the space available. My only concern for you would be the baby/growing child. There isn't much (any) separation between beds or rooms in a B. That might not be a big deal now, but as your kid grows and if you add any more to the mix, you may wish for some private space. But, the maneuverability of the B's is a major plus. 
If it was me, I'd go with a C or a small A. You get more space for the buck, and have room to spread out a little as your family grows. But that's just me.... 

Bustersdad

We've owned a pop-up, travel trailer, Class C and currently have a Class A.   We are looking to move to a 5th wheel.  For us, with a growing family, the Class A was the best solution, towed a Honda Element behind it...travelled to the West Coast, Florida, New England and all over our home state, MI.  Kids are now grown and we not longer need instant access to the bathroom, refrigerator or kitchen while rolling down the highway.  

Before deciding on the 5th wheel we seriously considered a Class B, finally deciding that the lack of space in a "B" outweighed the convenience and maneuverability for the kind of travelling we'll be doing.