The smallest motorized RV sort is the Class B motorhome, which has surged in reputation amongst RVers just lately. “Van life” tendencies amongst {couples}, solo vacationers, and households in search of an easy-to-drive camper with extra consolation than even probably the most luxurious tenting tents.
In case you’re intrigued by the thought of RV tenting, boondocking, or cross-country road-tripping, a Class B leisure automobile may be good for you. Let’s look nearer at the perfect Class B camper van fashions within the trade.
What Is a Camper Van?
Class B motorhomes—AKA camper vans—are constructed on a cargo van chassis just like the Mercedes Sprinter, the Ford Transit, or the Ram ProMaster. They don’t usually have slides, in order that they’re lighter, they usually’re sometimes lower than 25 toes lengthy. Their dimension additionally makes driving a Class B motorhome simpler than driving a Class A or Class C RV.
Class B RVs are widespread with those that want a fast journey tempo. They’re extra fuel-efficient than different motorhomes, permitting you to go additional whereas spending much less. Camper vans are additionally nice if you happen to want to spend extra time outdoors or take pleasure in an easy-to-setup basecamp for on-the-go adventures reasonably than full-time residing. They’re additionally widespread with solo RVers and {couples} who want to swap to a rig that could be extra snug to drive.
How A lot Is a Camper Van?
The typical new Class B camper van value ranges from $80,000 as much as $160,000. Comparably, Class A motorhomes are sometimes costlier, and Class C campers are sometimes extra reasonably priced. These are common costs, and chances are you’ll discover a Class B RV that higher matches your price range.
Some RVers have even opted to embrace van life full-time as a result of the price of an RV fee plus gasoline, campground charges, and different bills nonetheless compares favorably to lease costs of their space. RV loans normally have longer phrases than automotive loans, so there’s loads of potential to discover a Class B RV with a month-to-month fee they’ll afford. Plus, they take pleasure in the additional benefit of a house that may be relocated at any time when desired.
In a later part, we’ve highlighted a few of our top-selling camper vans from main RV producers like Thor, Jayco, Winnebago, Airstream, Entegra Coach, and Coachmen. Of the 22 fashions we point out beneath, the common value of a Class B RV is $136,580. Based mostly on 15% down, 8.74% APR, and a 240-month mortgage time period, the common month-to-month fee for these fashions involves $990/month.
Do not forget that precise pricing and financing phrases rely on the mannequin you select, whether or not you buy a new or used RV, and different elements like down fee, credit score rating, and rate of interest.
Be taught extra about financing that can assist you discover an RV that matches your price range.
Class B RV Professionals
So, how are you aware if a Class B RV is best for you? Let’s begin with the benefits of camper vans.
Driveability
Class B RVs are the simplest to drive as a result of they really feel like driving a van. It gained’t really feel like driving a household sedan, nevertheless it gained’t really feel like driving a bus, both. The on-road really feel of Class B RVs is best resulting from their decrease weight and extra aerodynamic construct. You additionally gained’t must take care of hitching or unhitching a tow automobile, which makes transferring to the following campsite easy and fast.
Flexibility
Camper vans are nice if you happen to journey rapidly, transferring from one campsite or location to the following. Due to their road-going ease, they naturally shine on cross-country journeys. With towable RVs, you’ll nonetheless want a tow automobile/every day driver, which requires a further expense. Class B motorhomes can be utilized as every day drivers as a result of they’ll simply park in lots of driveways and parking spots.
A Class B camper’s holding tank design additionally contributes to its flexibility. Whereas some camper vans have a black tank, most depend on a cassette rest room with a small, built-in holding tank for human waste.
Cassette bogs can nonetheless be emptied the place you usually dump RV waste, however they will also be emptied into a rest room rest room, reminiscent of these you’ll generally discover at a trailhead or scenic viewpoint. Mixed with the inclusion of superior photo voltaic charging programs, it’s secure to say that Class B campers are the best choice if you wish to keep away from conventional campgrounds altogether.
Fuel Mileage
In a Class B RV, you’ll be able to moderately anticipate to take pleasure in higher gasoline mileage. Most Class B RVs could have you having fun with MPGs within the mid to excessive teenagers. On common, camper vans get anyplace from 18 to 22 miles per gallon on the freeway and barely much less when navigating metropolis site visitors.
Class B RV Cons
Now, let’s cowl the vital downsides that may make you rethink Class B motorhomes in favor of different motorized RVs or a towable trailer.
Restricted Dwelling House
The driveability and suppleness of Class B RVs include a tradeoff in residing area. In order for you the comforts of house or plan to spend most of your time inside, a Class B isn’t best for you. You seemingly gained’t discover recliners and ultra-comfy couches in these motorhomes. Most Class B RVs don’t have slides to increase your residing area, both.
Relying on the way you’re touring and who you’re touring with, this restricted residing area can require a “break-in interval.” For instance, you’ll must get used to the truth that two individuals can’t stroll down the principle aisle concurrently.
In case you journey with pets, they’ll must get used to that as effectively. Although many van lifers have pets of all sizes, you’ll wish to decide if you happen to’d be snug in a Class B RV along with your pet (or pets!).
Dinette setups can even fluctuate. In some floorplans, you’d be consuming aspect by aspect, or one particular person could be sitting right down to dinner on a swiveled driver’s seat.
Restricted Storage House
Class B RVs are infamous for restricted cupboard space, making it harder to convey bigger camp chairs, gasoline grills, and different tenting equipment. You’ll must embrace minimalist tenting in some ways to make a camper van snug. The exceptions to this drawback could be floorplans with a “gear storage,” such because the Winnebago Revel and the Entegra Coach Launch.
Moist Baths
A moist tub is a toilet the place your rest room and bathe areas are one and the identical. To avoid wasting area, practically all Class B floorplans use a moist tub. Bigger RVs have a dry tub that retains the bathe separate from the bathroom (and sink or vainness).
Picks for the Finest Class B Camper Van
The recognition of van life has motivated most of the high RV producers to design and construct an providing within the Class B market. Listed below are a few of our top-selling Class B camper vans:
Thor Class B RVs
The Thor Class B camper van choice options 11 distinctive fashions, with a handful being sister fashions with related specs and floorplans however distinctive options. Let’s evaluate the attributes of Thor’s hottest small camper vans:
Dazzle
- Floorplans: 4 (2AB, 2HB, 2JB, 2LB)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500XT
- Size: 21’1”
- Peak: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-3
Scope
- Floorplans: 2 (18G, 18M)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 17’11”
- Peak: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Sequence
- Floorplans: 4 (20A, 20H, 20J, 20L)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 21’1”
- Peak: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-3
Sanctuary
- Floorplans: 5 (19A, 19M, 19P, 19R, 24C)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz® 2500 and 3500
- Size: 19’8” to 24’4”
- Peak: 10’6”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-3
Eddie Bauer
- Floorplans: 1 (19EB)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz®
- Size: 19’8”
- Peak: 10’6”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Try Twist, Rize, and Tellaro for direct comparisons to the Dazzle, Scope, and Sequence camper vans.
Jayco Class B Camper Vans
Jayco’s Class B motorhome lineup contains 4 fashions, with the Terrain, Swift, and Comet being the three you’re almost certainly to seek out at Tenting World. Right here’s a fast comparability:
Terrain
- Floorplans: 1 (19Y)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter 2500
- Size: 19’7”
- Peak: 10’1”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Swift
- Floorplans: 3 (20A, 20D, 20T)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500
- Size: 20’11”
- Peak: 9’3”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-4
Comet
- Floorplans: 1 (18C)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 1500
- Size: 17’10”
- Peak: 9’3”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Winnebago Class B Motorhomes
Winnebago presents one of many trade’s largest collections of Class B camper vans. Let’s discover 4 of their hottest fashions:
Travato
- Floorplans: 4 (59G, 59GL, 59K, 59KL)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 21’
- Peak: 9’4”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Solis
- Floorplans: 2 (59P, 59PX)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 19’9” to 21’
- Peak: 9’5” to 9’6”
- Sleeping Capability: 4
Solis Pocket
- Floorplans: 2 (36A, 36B)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 17’10”
- Peak: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 3-4
Revel
- Floorplans: 1 (44E)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter
- Size: 19’7”
- Peak: 10’
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Airstream Class B RVs
Airstream presents eight distinctive camper vans—six within the Interstate lineup and two others, the Rangeline and Atlas. Let’s evaluate two of the most well-liked you’ll discover at Tenting World:
Rangeline
- Floorplans: 1
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500
- Size: 20’11”
- Peak: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Interstate
- Floorplans: 6 (19, 19X, 19SE, 24X, 24GT, 24GL)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter 2500 (19/19SE); Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter 2500 4×4 (19X); Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter 3500 EXT (24X), Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter 3500 Prolonged (24GT/24GL)
- Size: 19’5” to 24’6”
- Peak: 9’7” to 9’9”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Entegra Coach Class B RVs
Entegra Coach manufactures 4 Class B RVs, however the Launch and Ethos are two of the most well-liked you’ll discover at Tenting World. Right here’s a fast comparability:
Launch
- Floorplans: 1 (19Y)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter 2500 AWD
- Size: 19’6”
- Peak: 10’1”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Ethos
- Floorplans: 3 (20A, 20D, 20T)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500
- Size: 20’11”
- Peak: 9’3”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-4
Coachmen Class B RVs
Coachmen’s camper van lineup contains three distinct fashions constructed on the totally different Ford, RAM, and Mercedes-Benz chassis. Right here’s a fast comparability of the Past, Galleria, and Nova Class B motorhomes:
Past
- Floorplans: 3 (22C, 22d, 22RB)
- Chassis: Ford Transit® AWD
- Size: 22’2”
- Peak: 9’11”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Galleria
- Floorplans: 4 (24A, 24FL, 24Q, 24T)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500XT
- Size: 24’3”
- Peak: 9’6”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Nova
- Floorplans: 3 (20C, 20D, 20RB)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500 Prolonged
- Size: 20’11”
- Peak: 9’4”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
A Phrase on Class B+ Motorhomes
Some RV producers provide a compromise between Class B and Class C, which you’ll see marketed as a “B+.” A Class B plus motorhome is usually a Class B with a slide-out. A B+ floorplan may embody a full tub or a further sleeping space.
Class B+ camper vans additionally are likely to maintain the extra aerodynamic construct and shorter size of conventional Class Bs. Just like a “Tremendous C,” a B Plus camper isn’t its personal class however reasonably a method for producers to bridge the hole and give you the perfect of each worlds.
Class B RVs are rising in reputation for good purpose. Nevertheless, as with something RV-related, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. A Class B RV may be your dream camper, however it’ll all rely in your private desire, funds, your RV journey fashion, and who you journey with.
In case you’re curious to check extra widespread Class B camper vans, listed here are some assets:
Do you may have any questions on discovering the perfect Class B RV for you? Tell us within the feedback beneath.