What is it Really Like to Drive a Class B RV?
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Many viewers have not yet decided which class of RV to purchase. Will it be a Class A, Class B, C, travel trailer, fifth wheel, pop-up camper? Something else? In this video The RV Dummy shows you what it's like to drive a Class B Pleasure Way Excel TS!
You are right on needing to be comfortable with driving your unit. The issue isn't so much if it is a Ford, Ram, or Mercedes. Part of your evaluation needs to include weighing the unit and comparing that weight to the chassis maximum weight allowed. Many RV's come off the production line with little or no capacity to add additional weight to the unit. So when you get ready to go on that trip adding cloths, food, water, gas, people and pets, you may actually be over loading your unit which will adversely affect the handling and driving characteristics. This can happen in all classes of RV's including trailers. Class A's are probably the worst since there are so many storage bins usually available. So to drive you RV safely you should go to a public scale and have it weighed. You can also weigh each corner which will help to determine the tire pressure you need to have. This exercise with help you make an informed decision as to what you can load into your unit. Driving an over weight vehicle is dangerous, and if you all read this comment you now know this is an issue you need to address. So no excuses that you didn't know this was an issue. Just to be clear. This information is not secret. All manufactures will state the weight of their RV in their literature. Your job is to do the next step and compare that weight to the maximum weight allowed for the chassis usually stated as Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW. Happy and safe travels to all of you.
Thank you for this info, we are looking into getting an RV and are total newbies. This is something that could easily be looked over and have dangerous consequences.
The new RV's and vans, are being so cheaply made anymore!!
What an articulate guy. I really enjoy the positivity and ton of good info on things I wouldn’t have thought about. 👍🏼
The 90's Dodge class B's are notorious for bad handling. I had a 99 Dodge Roadtrek. Spent thousands rebuilding the front end, Bilstein shocks, steering gear, etc. The biggest improvement by far, was the Red Head steering box. Pricey, but best improvement.
Sold it, looking for a Ford or Chevy class B.
Picked up a smaller class A recently, pretty great experience over all. Thinking about "downgrading" to a class B though, more or less for convenience. You really can't treat a Class A like a car you take places, but class B you can.
Thank you for the info, dear.
A great sound system would be very important to me, too. "Driving along with the radio on, feeling good."
I cannot thank you enough for this video. I am watching and learning as we plan to get a class B soon. The sooner the better. My husband and I love to travel, but our time is getting short. He has Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome a progressive neurodegenerative brain syndrome. We have a Livin' Lite trailer, but set up is too hard. I want to get something with minimal set up and easy to drive. I'll be subscribing do I can learn more. You gave great tips here, especially in checking for leaks. I had no idea that could be a problem. I feel blessed to have found your channel.
a picture of the outside of your van and also maybe what year you're talking about would have made your video a lot more worthwhile!
Thank You , Mr. Herbert Webb , for that kind reminder.
Thank you for this video, we are first time class B owners (PW Ontour) and appreciate you sharing the comparative information from the Promaster.
Thanks for showing us the Pleasureway!
Nice personable video... I like it. Makes me feel like you're a real person with real issues and honest opinions from real experiences. Great to see this kind of video going up on your channel. You have always been truthful about your views but this one for some reason really hit home.
Glad to know you and glad to keep watching and learning!
Just got back from Florida RV Supershow and the first video is up... want to hear your opinion if you get a chance. Hopefully the next videos from the show will be out soon!
Be seeing you!
Thanks SO MUCH Robert!!! Your comments are always greatly appreciated!!! This one means a lot to me.
A Class B or C is the biggest you want in Europe - the freeways are not a problem but many secondary roads are quite dicey to impossible. The interesting things to see are usually at the end of lousy or narrow roads.
Thank you for you Advice and Calming Video. A lot to keep in Mind when looking for an RV.
The only reason to get a class B is for the convenience and sanitation of a private bathroom. Of course, it is perfectly good to drive it as an everyday car. I have my CDL license for an 18 wheeler and I was terrified to drive it but I got over it. Some RVs are just better made than others just like cars. Don't buy any RV until you have rented them and driven them at least 50 miles because only then you can hear all of the squeezes. You don't have to drive an RV just drive the chassis and see which one you like the best.
I have driven class A’s and class C’s. I am planning to purchase a classB because it could be driven as a daily driver depending on the make and mode the primary chassis is, I am planning for a ford transit base because I have driven transit 350 extended vans and the class b are on the 350 hd which allow a large amount of packaging while still being able to park in most parking garages with high clearance entrance, parking spaces in regular parking lots may be a bit short. But can be used like a large conversion van in my honest opinion
So far our Dodge RAM PleasureWay Lexor has been great. Drives like a big van. Did you mean the OnTour TS? The Lexor is only 20'. I live far outside of the city and I have taken it into the city, parked it outside of the place I have the appointment, sleep there, get up, put my suit on and go to the meeting by just stepping out of the van. It's pretty cool.
I’ve owned nothing but Ford all my life. Been having a Winnebago Paseo class b for 2 years, 24,000 miles. Love love it!! Eco boost is awesome! Getting reDy to get a 2020 coachman beyond eco boost! Ride and handle like a dream!
@ Ricky:
I'm waiting for a Coachmen Beyond (or Panoramic -- the two mostly like Class B makers) to come out built on the new Ford Transit "4x4" (AWD) chassis...that means (probably) I'll have to wait for the 2021 model Class Bs later this year, and ONLY if Coachmen and Panoramic use them for their coaches. Winnebago probably won't, and Pleasure-Way won't (CEO Dean Rumple said so), and Leisure-Travel Vans are using cutaway chassis (no thanks) so not making true Class B campervans.
I wouldn't want a 2wd/RWD Transit when the AWD is coming soon...and for sure, do not want one on a MB Sprinter/diesel or a Dodge ProMaster chassis.
-- BR
I have the exact same vehicle. I have air bags in mine.
Thanks for the heads up.
There's a really big difference between the Dodge B-series or GM G-series vans and the Ford Econoline van. The former were unit-body construction and even the '1 Ton' chassis had weak front suspensions. All Econoline's are built on real truck style chassis, up to and including 1.5 ton rated E-450's, that can handle the weight of a Class B(or even a Class C) much better. You have to keep up with maintenance on the front suspension and steering or they can get a little squirrely going over bumps, but it's still probably the beefiest van chassis ever sold in the US.
On driving a Class B every day... That totally depends on the rig. A Roadtrek 170 is a completely different animal than a wide body 210 or an Airstream B190. I daily drove a camperized E-250 conversion van as a personal vehicle and either an E-Super Duty with a high top service body on the back or a tri-axle dump truck 60 hours a week for years. For me, a smaller Class B like a Roadtrek 170 or E-series Turtle Top wouldn't be an issue other than current gas prices.
Thanks so much James. Great info there!!!
What is the name brand of the best shocks, that you ever used? The Pleasure Way Excel van's are very expensive, even used ones! I enjoyed your video!
Thank you for the information. I want to rent one and try it for the first time. You can rent most for $100 a day. I need to learn to operate the toilet and shower. Still nervous but I need to get through my first Class B RV experience.
A pleasureway is a better built than a leisure travel! A 5 yr warranty on pleasureway is a deal maker!
Try the Mercedes pleasure way. It’s excellent. Very relaxing driving
Okay, no Dodge car, van, truck, or motorhome. Got it!
What year is your Pleasureway? big help on the drive ride👍
I wished you talked more about driving the van. Handling, brakes, power (pulling a grade), parking, turning radius. stuff like that
Great idea!!! Maybe next time!!!
Driving a b class is a walk in the park now that I drive a 35ft A class.
Technicallly the Leisure Travel Vans are Class C (they call them B plus, but there isn’t really such a thing).
new class b will most likely always drive smoother and nicer than older ones usually works that way with all cars my 1998 dodge does not ride or drive as nice as my 2007 which is expected.
I even find differences in front, rear, and all wheel drive cars
Wife has this itch for a class B. We have never owned anything like this. We are just looking as of now but I am concerned with everything you said and more. I want a suv or minivan first but she will get mad.
Hi! We just bought a Ford E-350 2006 pleasure way. We love this Class B! However, In a recent trip from Florida to Tennessee we experienced a very uncomfortable drive, sway, hard to keep in its lane, white knuckle driving anytime we passed 45mph. It doesn’t seem like you experience this, is that right? We have taken it to 2 Ford dealers and they don’t see a problem. What shocks and stabilizer do you have? Also, how often do you fill your air bags? Ours has 105k miles
Call the guys at action van suspension. They are experts in these Ford Vans.
Love it! Could you please tell me exactly what brand, model, and floor plan of this rv you are driving?
How did you arrange to test drive your prospective RV?
What is the cause of the fire on the previous Classb?
Could you tell me please what kind of class B is this E.G. roadtrek??
I want to get a class B 18ft. Use it as my daily. I'm just concern how many years and miles you can get out of it?
Looking at one of these. How tall are you? I am 6-3 and some rvs are really tight.
I am similar to you in height. I am just over 6’2”
I know what I had a new dodge long bed truck it drove like a stagecoach I owned alot of ford truck always like the way they drive
How is the gas mileage, in a Pleasure Way?
Not bad at all, I’d say I average about 14-15 miles to the gallon on the highway.
Excellent!
What was your last class b
Is that a wet bath?
Hi Alan, yes it is!!
What kind of gas mileage on that E350. Thank you.
Between 14-15 typically on a road trip. Less in the city of course!
@@TheRVDummy Thanks. That E350 seems to be common demoumonator in regards to driveability.
What do you pay for indoor storage?
@Billy... it's roughly $150 per month for my Class B.
Wow you really take care of your RV. You could park it in the driveway but you want to keep it out of the weather. Well if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Happy trails.
Billy, you hit the nail EXACTLY on the head my friend!!!
what kind of survival gear do you have - what are you using to protect yourself from animals as well as idiots
Worthless, it’s not about you, it’s about the class b. Stability, wobble, turns, bump steer, speed, float.
Thank you
WTF does this comment even mean?
An overpriced RV with absolutely no room it’s just like driving a conversion van only cost 3 times more
Hahahahahahs
Cu