The smallest motorized RV kind is the Class B motorhome, which has surged in recognition amongst RVers not too long ago. “Van life” tendencies amongst {couples}, solo vacationers, and households looking for an easy-to-drive camper with extra consolation than even essentially the most luxurious tenting tents.
For those who’re intrigued by the concept of RV tenting, boondocking, or cross-country road-tripping, a Class B leisure automobile may be excellent for you. Let’s look nearer at the very best 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 typically have slides, in order that they’re lighter, they usually’re usually 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 fashionable with those that desire 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 for those who want to spend extra time outdoors or get pleasure from an easy-to-setup basecamp for on-the-go adventures somewhat than full-time dwelling. They’re additionally fashionable with solo RVers and {couples} who wish to swap to a rig which may be extra comfy 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 usually costlier, and Class C campers are usually extra reasonably priced. These are common costs, and it’s possible you’ll discover a Class B RV that higher suits your finances.
Some RVers have even opted to embrace van life full-time as a result of the price of an RV cost plus gasoline, campground charges, and different bills nonetheless compares favorably to lease costs of their space. RV loans often have longer phrases than automotive loans, so there’s loads of potential to discover a Class B RV with a month-to-month cost they will afford. Plus, they get pleasure from the additional advantage of a house that may be relocated every time 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. Primarily based on 15% down, 8.74% APR, and a 240-month mortgage time period, the common month-to-month cost for these fashions involves $990/month.
Keep in mind that actual pricing and financing phrases rely upon the mannequin you select, whether or not you buy a new or used RV, and different components like down cost, credit score rating, and rate of interest.
Be taught extra about financing that can assist you discover an RV that matches your finances.
Class B RV Professionals
So, how have you learnt if a Class B RV is best for you? Let’s begin with some great 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, but it surely gained’t really feel like driving a bus, both. The on-road really feel of Class B RVs is best as a result of their decrease weight and extra aerodynamic construct. You additionally gained’t need to cope with hitching or unhitching a tow automobile, which makes transferring to the subsequent campsite easy and fast.
Flexibility
Camper vans are nice for those who journey rapidly, transferring from one campsite or location to the subsequent. Due to their road-going ease, they naturally shine on cross-country journeys. With towable RVs, you’ll nonetheless want a tow automobile/day by day driver, which requires an extra expense. Class B motorhomes can be utilized as day by day drivers as a result of they will 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 bathroom 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 can be emptied into a bathroom bathroom, reminiscent of these you’ll typically 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 your only option if you wish to keep away from conventional campgrounds altogether.
Gasoline Mileage
In a Class B RV, you’ll be able to fairly count on to get pleasure from higher gasoline mileage. Most Class B RVs can have you having fun with MPGs within the mid to excessive teenagers. On common, camper vans get wherever from 18 to 22 miles per gallon on the freeway and barely much less when navigating metropolis 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 Residing Area
The driveability and suppleness of Class B RVs include a tradeoff in dwelling area. In order for you the comforts of residence 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 broaden your dwelling area, both.
Relying on the way you’re touring and who you’re touring with, this restricted dwelling 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.
For those who journey with pets, they’ll need to get used to that as nicely. Although many van lifers have pets of all sizes, you’ll need to decide for those who’d be comfy in a Class B RV along with your pet (or pets!).
Dinette setups may even range. In some floorplans, you’d be consuming facet by facet, or one particular person could be sitting all the way down to dinner on a swiveled driver’s seat.
Restricted Storage Area
Class B RVs are infamous for restricted cupboard space, making it harder to deliver bigger camp chairs, gasoline grills, and different tenting equipment. You’ll must embrace minimalist tenting in some ways to make a camper van comfy. 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 bathtub is a toilet the place your bathroom and bathe areas are one and the identical. To save lots of area, practically all Class B floorplans use a moist bathtub. Bigger RVs have a dry bathtub that retains the bathe separate from the bathroom (and sink or vainness).
Picks for the Greatest Class B Camper Van
The recognition of van life has motivated lots of the prime 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 examine the attributes of Thor’s hottest small camper vans:
Dazzle
- Floorplans: 4 (2AB, 2HB, 2JB, 2LB)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500XT
- Size: 21’1”
- Top: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-3
Scope
- Floorplans: 2 (18G, 18M)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 17’11”
- Top: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Sequence
- Floorplans: 4 (20A, 20H, 20J, 20L)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 21’1”
- Top: 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”
- Top: 10’6”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-3
Eddie Bauer
- Floorplans: 1 (19EB)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz®
- Size: 19’8”
- Top: 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 most certainly to search out at Tenting World. Right here’s a fast comparability:
Terrain
- Floorplans: 1 (19Y)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter 2500
- Size: 19’7”
- Top: 10’1”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Swift
- Floorplans: 3 (20A, 20D, 20T)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500
- Size: 20’11”
- Top: 9’3”
- Sleeping Capability: 2-4
Comet
- Floorplans: 1 (18C)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 1500
- Size: 17’10”
- Top: 9’3”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Winnebago Class B Motorhomes
Winnebago provides 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’
- Top: 9’4”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Solis
- Floorplans: 2 (59P, 59PX)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 19’9” to 21’
- Top: 9’5” to 9’6”
- Sleeping Capability: 4
Solis Pocket
- Floorplans: 2 (36A, 36B)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster®
- Size: 17’10”
- Top: 9’5”
- Sleeping Capability: 3-4
Revel
- Floorplans: 1 (44E)
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter
- Size: 19’7”
- Top: 10’
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Airstream Class B RVs
Airstream provides eight distinctive camper vans—six within the Interstate lineup and two others, the Rangeline and Atlas. Let’s examine two of the preferred you’ll discover at Tenting World:
Rangeline
- Floorplans: 1
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500
- Size: 20’11”
- Top: 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”
- Top: 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 preferred 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”
- Top: 10’1”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Ethos
- Floorplans: 3 (20A, 20D, 20T)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500
- Size: 20’11”
- Top: 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”
- Top: 9’11”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Galleria
- Floorplans: 4 (24A, 24FL, 24Q, 24T)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500XT
- Size: 24’3”
- Top: 9’6”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
Nova
- Floorplans: 3 (20C, 20D, 20RB)
- Chassis: RAM ProMaster® 3500 Prolonged
- Size: 20’11”
- Top: 9’4”
- Sleeping Capability: 2
A Phrase on Class B+ Motorhomes
Some RV producers supply a compromise between Class B and Class C, which you’ll see marketed as a “B+.” A Class B plus motorhome is commonly a Class B with a slide-out. A B+ floorplan would possibly embody a full bathtub or an extra sleeping space.
Class B+ camper vans additionally are inclined to preserve 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 somewhat a approach for producers to bridge the hole and give you the very best of each worlds.
Class B RVs are rising in recognition for good motive. 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 can all rely in your private desire, funds, your RV journey fashion, and who you journey with.
For those who’re curious to match extra fashionable Class B camper vans, listed here are some assets:
Do you might have any questions on discovering the very best Class B RV for you? Tell us within the feedback beneath.