There’s no need to think BIG when you’re considering how to create your perfect RV lifestyle. More and more people are finding that Class B motorhomes—otherwise known as the beloved campervan or conversion van—sport many of the same amenities, luxuries and space-saving innovations as their larger Class C and Class A siblings. They give you the comfort you’re looking for, as well as an ease of driving and fuel efficiency that no other RV offers, so for RVers who travel solo, as a couple, or as a small family, Class B motorhomes make a lot of sense. They get the best gas mileage of any RV on the road, they’re sleek and easy to drive in the city or on winding rural highways, they’re easy to park and you can store them in your garage or carport. Depending on the model you buy, they also provide some of the most flexible floorplans, which means your campervan can double as everyday transportation, or haul up to seven members of the tee-ball team safely buckled up. That’s great news for two car households, because a Class B motorhome provides a nice way to have both a second car and a motorhome to take you on those camping and road trip adventures you’ve been meaning to get to. A well built campervan also gives you the added benefit of being able to go places that other motorhomes can’t reach, which opens your vacation options in ways you may never have considered.
At Guaranty RV, we’ve seen a lot of RVers in recent years downsize from larger motorhomes and towables, and in the process they’ve found a whole new RV lifestyle that has afforded them opportunities for travel and camaraderie that surprised them. Whether you’re a family looking for a flexible vehicle that can serve you every day and double as an RV when you’re ready to get away from it all, or you’ve reached the point in your life where you can finally take up RVing on a regular basis, a Class B motorhome is an option to take seriously.
There are a number of exceptional Class B manufacturers out there, but when we get down to who has been consistently making the best campervans and winning awards year after year for quality, longevity and design, we find ourselves turning to three of our favorite standouts: Roadtrek, Winnebago and Pleasure-Way. This trio of manufacturers have been making some of the best and most iconic RVs on the roads for over 50 years and have been neck-and-neck for the annual RV Dealers Association Quality Circle Awards and Motorhome Magazine’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at these industry leaders, and shed a little light on what we love about their Class B campervans.
If you’re not yet sure if a Class B motorhome is your RV of choice, we also want to point you in the direction of online resources like Roadtreking.com, where you can find articles, blogs, videos and podcasts about RV lifestyles. You’ll get access to a whole variety of RVers who are happy to share what they’ve learned, what they love, and how they made their choices about their RVs, whether that is a Class B model or something else. Maybe in the end you’ll decide you really do need something larger, but it could be that downsizing is the perfect RV lifestyle for you.
Winnebago: A Hometown Favorite
Guaranty RV has been a Winnebago dealership for almost as long as we’ve been in business, specifically because Winnebago Industries has a firm commitment to outstanding quality, design and customer service that we admire and share. Last January, we had the honor of telling you that Winnebago is opening a motorhome manufacturing division right here in Junction City, and we couldn’t be more pleased!
Winnebago not only makes high quality Class B motorhomes, but their Era model is also one of the most affordable Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter Class B’s on the market. By combining a powerful, fuel efficient, diesel engine and supreme maneuverability, with high-end safety features like RV GPS and touchscreen rearview monitors, Winnebago has ensured that the Era is a joy to drive. With three floorplan options, you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for in livability as well. Also, if part of the reason you’re considering a campervan is so that you can get further off the beaten track, the Era now comes with a 4X4 option that not only gives you that off-road power and clearance you’ll be needing, but it also provides a 5000 lb. towing capacity.
Winnebago’s gas-powered Class B option is the Travato, with two floorplans to choose from. This model features a Ram ProMaster 280-hp V6 gas engine for great power, even on Oregon’s winding coastal roads, and at 21’, it’s beautifully maneuverable. Like the Era, you can get outstanding options on this model, including solar panel battery chargers, bike and roof racks, electric heated drainage systems, etc., to give you more off-road options that allow you to get away from the day-to-day drama for longer periods of time. Be sure to check out the Truma Combi™ ECO Plus heating system—this new technology furnace is 90% energy efficient, which means you’re using less of your precious resources.
Pleasure-Way: Hand-Crafted Quality & Forward Thinking Technology
With core values of “hard work, superior quality, excellence in manufacturing and top-notch customer service”, Pleasure-Way is a company we can relate to. Unlike many motorhome manufacturers, they never mass produce their RVs. Rather than an assembly line production model, every Pleasure-Way motorhome is individually built in its own stall by skilled craftspeople. Every part is custom measured and hand-fitted to ensure that each motorhome meets Pleasure-Way’s high standards of quality, finish and safety. They also use human-friendly stains and lacquers, and environmentally conscious building practices every step of the way. It’s this attention to detail that has earned them the highest ratings in the RVDA’s Dealer Satisfaction Index Survey year after year, and makes it easy for this manufacturer to offer a Five Year Freedom Warranty on all their Class B’s.
Pleasure-Way has six models to choose from for 2016 and 2017, including their new widebody Plateau XLTD. The widebody structure means that you’ll get the kind of open concept floorplan and spacious interior in a 22’ RV that you would normally only find in a larger motorhome, including more living and dining space and a queen-sized murphy bed that folds into the living room wall. With this addition to their Class B line, Pleasure-Way now gives their customers choices between short or long wheelbases, Sprinter chassis or Dodge Promasters, Mercedes turbo diesel engines or 3.6L V6 Pentastar gas engines.
Pleasure-Way campervans aren’t as big as Winnebago’s Era or some of the longer Roadtreks, but for couples or small families, this Class B motorhome manufacturer is a true winner. Here’s another bonus: because they’re built to last, you can also find great deals on pre-owned models that make them supremely affordable.
Roadtrek: America’s #1 Selling Class B Motorhome Since 1990
Roadtrek has been the leader in Class B motorhome manufacturing for more than twenty-five years for all the reasons you would expect: they use state of the art, computer-aided design and manufacturing tools, and they rigorously test every RV to make sure it meets their high safety standards. Roadtrek is so sure of the quality of their Class B motorhomes, that they offer a six-year Peace of Mind Warranty that covers the manufacture of the motorhome, the appliances and electronics, the plumbing and the the EcoTrek batteries. They also offer the largest selection of chassis and interior and exterior options. So whether you’re looking for a gas or diesel engine; a Dodge, Chevrolet or Mercedes Sprinter chassis; a shorter around-town campervan or a larger model that will comfortably accommodate a family on the road, there is a Roadtrek for you.
For instance, if you’re looking for an RV that you can road trip or boondock in, you might think that a Class B is just too small. But in a model like the Roadtrek CS Adventurous XL (extended length), you get 18 extra inches added to the rear of a Sprinter chassis, so you not only get the extra storage you need for longer trips, you also get a 7 cu. ft. refrigerator/freezer, which allows you to have enough food for several days away from the local market.
Roadtrek is also the perfect motorhome for the RVer who wants to get as far away from civilization as possible. Their EcoTrek Power Technology uses lithium ion technology to give you the ability to use 90% of your available power before any voltage loss will occur, so you can be as energy independent as possible and boondock to your heart’s content. If you want to take that up a notch and really live in the lap of luxury while getting away from it all, take a look at the E-Trek. Built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chassis, the E-Trek is designed for RVers who are savvy about technology and care about the environment. It features rooftop solar panels, an instant hot water system, enhanced safety features, and the EcoTrek 800 amp hours system, all combined with top of the line luxurious interior features.
As you know if you’ve been reading our blogs, we believe you should put some time and research into finding the RV that’s just right for you. It’s a big investment and we want you to make the right choice for your long-term happiness. One of the best ways to explore your personal RV lifestyle is to rent a model that is similar to what you’re considering. Contact our RV Rentals department to spend a few days on the road in a Class B motorhome, and see if one of these extremely fun, maneuverable, fuel efficient models is for you. Downsizing might be just right!
Contact us if you have any questions, or come on over to Junction City and spend a little time exploring your RV options.
Photo: Raycd
