Class B Motorhomes Have Certain Appeal!
For people who don't need a lot of extras when they travel or who are just starting out in the motor home life style, class B motorhomes are a great way to go. Economy, convenience, and practicality are what these travel vehicles are all about. Class B motorhomes are built inside a customized street van body. Despite the comparatively small size, the class B can be configured with many surprising features. Just maybe not all of them. There are three major advantages to this type of motor home. First, cost. Using a production model van for construction allows economies of scale to reduce the base costs. And, since it uses the same spare parts as thousands of other vans on the road, repair and maintenance costs are reduced as well. Second is ease of handling. Vans have evolved over the years to be very easy to drive and park. This is translated directly into the the Class B. Even the ones that have elongated bodies are still more maneuverable than their class C and A cousins. The third advantage is in fuel consumption. The smaller size and lower profile translate into increased gas mileage. As with any system, these advantages do not come without some trade offs. Limiting the body width to that of a standard full size van means less room from side to side. This means that each area within the class B motor home must do double and triple duty to get all of the features that you want. Height is also a limitation. The ceiling on a standard van is too low for most people to stand up. This is a big negative in motor home. Trying to dress, wash, cook or even walk around while hunched over is a trial to even the most patient traveler. The class B motor home has solved this problem by literally raising the roof. Some come with a domed top that give you standing (and walking) room in the center of the van. They are often equipped with small screened windows for both visibility and ventilation. Pop top models are also available. These have a roof that is lifted up on struts with tent like walls to keep out the weather. The roof is then lowered down and clamped to the body when driving to reduce wind drag on the road. The roof is not the only dimension that is played with. Many class B motor homes have added a few extra feet to the back of the van body to allow additional storage and support systems. Since the weight actually carried by a class B motorhome is much less than a normal van, this does not significantly affect handling. But what exactly can you expect in class B motorhomes? Pretty much the same as any other, just not as much or as large. Most class B motor homes have a sink, range, refrigerator, toilet and shower facilities, a combination eating, working and living area and sleeping for two to four people. With some creative wrangling, additional features can be added and others enhanced. Being built on a truck frame adds to the possibilities as well. The more rugged suspension and high ground clearance makes class B motor homes well suited as campers. And since full sized vans are engineered for towing, class B motorhomes are excellent towing vehicles as well. For flexibility, ease of use, economy and just plain, simple fun, the class B motor home is hard to beat. |
