Pleasureway vs Class C Sprinter

[windsolar]

I'm looking at a 2008 Navion IQ 24DL Sprinter RV that is a Class b+ or C RV that gets about 16-17 MPG on diesel. It has a slide out for the master bed. I know the extra space will be nice, but I went from looking at converting a Sprinter cargo van, to something like the Pleasureway to the class C. So, I post this to get some imput from folks that own a true class B RV and see if I should re-consider the direction I am heading in. It is just my wife and I so we could get by with a class B, but I like the look of the slide out master bed vs one that is made from folding bench seats. Your input is appreciated. Chris

[aljimenez]

We have an '05 Pleasure Way Plateau. For our current use of brief stays in remote national parks, it is perfect for us. We have an average of a bit over 21 mpg over the seven years we have owned it since new. We renovated our detached garage to one with 11 ft high door opening and it fits inside keeping it in like-new shape.

As far as we are concerned any larger RV we will not consider. The main issue is long stays somewhere, which we currently do not do. I can't imagine a C solving longer stay issues. If we were to change our use to longer stays somewhere, we'd go with a fifth wheel.

We rented a C once many years ago, and I do not want to drive something like that for long drives. I never feel tired after driving the Sprinter based Plateau for 600 miles, unlike the stress I feel driving a larger vehicle... Al

[bl_smith25]

There is no such thing as a B+. it's a fabricated classification. The Navion and Views are Class C.
I'd go with the B, but that is based on me and my usage. I live in my 2006 Plateau and find it plenty roomy and very flexible. I can easily go from full camping mode to full stealth mode from one night to the next with ease. I have all the outdoors to do most anything. The inside is open and bright and I can stay inside for hours on end if I need to without any problem. Of course I don't mind the rain, so that doesn't stop me really.
Anyways, based on your posts here and on the other forums, you've made up your mind. So, enjoy it and learn. You can always sell it and get something that better suits what you discover you like.
More fun, less worry and less stress.
BL

[bl_smith25]

If you haven't sealed the deal quite yet, you might want to look into the new Plateau RB model. It has a private bedroom with a full time king size bed, private bathroom, and sitting area up front for entertaining.
I've gotten 25mpg on my Plateau, but typically get about 22-24 on long trips.
Good luck and enjoy.

[windsolar]

Haven't sealed the deal yet! Will go look next saturday. I'll check it out. Thanks.

If you haven't sealed the deal quite yet, you might want to look into the new Plateau RB model. It has a private bedroom with a full time king size bed, private bathroom, and sitting area up front for entertaining.
I've gotten 25mpg on my Plateau, but typically get about 22-24 on long trips.
Good luck and enjoy.

[d_bertko]

Chris,

IMHO, there is a completely different mindset between B & C owners.

We normally spend few daylight hours together in our DIY B since we love outdoor cooking and recreation. But there are many times when one of us is waiting for the other to return. The B size and comforts are terrific for one person if a warm, sunny, bugless camp chair is not at hand.

We also are urban and spend much time negotiating with traffic and parking lots. A larger or heavier Sprinter is quite measurably less nimble in congestion. These things are certainly smaller factors on the open road. And the more miles you go, the more you save with less weight---but no one buys a new Sprinter RV to save $$$.

We're boondockers and the ability to drycamp for a few days at a time has given us a vastly different view of America then folks required to plug in. A smaller sized rig is 5% more helpful but common sense about the terrain will allow lots of choices.

If you two like to stay put for more than a few days at a time then a C is so much roomier to spend a lot of hours in. If you're going to need air-conditioning---in other words, be bottled up---then the C experience is a much easier lifestyle.

But if you really tend in this direction then a 5th wheel and a full-size pickup will cost the same as a commercial Sprinter C. Incredibly roomy for the $$$. Could be the best choice for folks with regular destinations/longer stays.

So B's are tolerable as poor-performing cars, C's are tolerable as tiny houses.

Life is full of compromises.

Dan

[viewmaster]

You mention your wife.....
For me, that was the deciding factor on the class C Winne View 24m.
(admires balls on shelf :wtf: )
We also have a kid or 2 that we bring along, so the sleeping space provided by the upper bunk was priority, so it was a no brainer.
There are some good online gudes for RV purchase decisions...somewhere, but...
Ask yourself about intended use.
Length of stay,
Places you stay,
Terrain/ boondocking/ RV parks/ State parks
Climate and the need for ac
Miles driven. You get the idea.

For us, we went from a 40' to the sprinter because the big rig was just too much hassle to take on the near and 2-3 day trips we normally used it for.
Plus it was a big POS.


chuck

[Fastpaddler2]

For 2 people I prefer the 144" shorter Plateau TS(mine is 2006(2007 build). I can zip around the busy areas near my daughter's home, following her easily and into small parking lots and so on. We use it as a second vehicle normally leaving our 2011 BMW528i in the garage. We get 28 to 30mpg on a Canadian gallon(24+ on US gallon). It is great for day trips,week long stays and even longer and you dont need to tow a toad(car).Going to town or tour locally, just drop the sewer hose,pull in power cord,disconnect and leave water hose--only at RV resorts though as it is risky at a State(Provincial) Park where who knows whom may be coming and going. I will eventually buy a new Plateau(or GWV) but nothing bigger than 22ft9ins.Ours is 21ft11 and fits in most parking spots.