dream or nightmare

[ferrydreamer]

We are in the planning process for a year's road trip and can't decide on the mode of transport. So what do you think

A) "A" Class
B) "C" Class


Do i go for comfort or the better gas consumption, for year trip i think we will have to go for a fixed bedroom.

your opinions would be welcome

Tony

[Southwest Dave]

Hi ferry dreamer.

I think which ever one you go for I would look at getting one with a slide out for such a long period. It will feel much less cramped when you are parked up.
To get a full size bedroom at the back[as opposed to over the cab] with a 'c' class I think you are looking at least at a 28- 30ft R.V. which is geared then to sleep around 6 people.
If there are just the two of you then it would be worth considering one of the smaller 'A' classes of a similar length.
Both will do the job, I guess it's down to personal preferences, so I would have a look at various floor pans, sizes and see what you think suits your needs and finances the best. It appeared to me that most rentals are 'C' class and most "full timers" go for the 'A' class, so for a long period I guess there may be a clue there somewhere.

[ferrydreamer]

is there not much differance between the A & C Classes when it come to petrol then??
and if not how would a "B" Class compare petrol wise (there the ones that are more or less a camper van aren't they?

Tony

[Southwest Dave]

is there not much differance between the A & C Classes when it come to petrol then??
and if not how would a "B" Class compare petrol wise (there the ones that are more or less a camper van aren't they?

Tony

Hi Tony,
A like for like comparison, I doubt there is much in it.
I remember trying to get an idea of fuel consumption when I was looking, but as there's so many factors it's hard to find a definitive answer as engine size, weight of the vehicle and different driving styles are all factors. I took it as a rule of thumb to expect anything from 8-12m.p.g from either depending on the for mentioned, I would look at 10m.p.g. but when you are looking to buy one, amazingly the seller almost always seems to be able to get 15 m.p.g ;-)

I would certainly expect to see more return from a 'B' class but I am not sure that will suit you for a year long trip, unless you went with breaks in a motel along the way. They are more of a "camper van" of which we are used to seeing in the U.K. only with more comforts. It could start to feel a bit cramped after a while, and less storage space for the stuff you will need to carry could be a headache.

[PNW Judy]

I ask that question because I really feel that a Class B would be great for a one-year trip. At least for me. I'd get the screenhouse I mentioned in a previous post, preferably one with the option of also being a full tent with zip-downs to reveal the screens. This would give a place to stretch out and have some privacy when you're stationary for a few days. I see too many people with bigger rigs who never get outside. Many...certainly not ALL...seem to spend their time camping inside their big rig. Doesn't make much sense to me.

I think it depends on how much gear you think you need for a year. For me, I would go minimalist just to make things easier. But I realize some folks might not like that. Also, it depends on where you'll be traveling and at which times of year. If you are going to keep to warm climates in the winter and save the more northern areas for winter, again I think a B would be fine. But if you want more flexibility while traveling and might find yourself where it's cold/wet for extended periods of your trip, then the bigger C and A rigs would probably be a better choice.

Just my 2 bits and, on this issue, probably worth less than that! :)

[ferrydreamer]

I take all those points on board, I like the idea of just arriving in the U.S. with just a rucksack each, buying a vehicle and dissappearing into the sunset.Leaving aside the problems with buying and registering a vechile, there would be two considerations, the first being accessability, a "B" class would be easier to get around in if i ended up in the middle of somwhere like New York, and the other thing is of course, cost, How many MPG do you think i would get in a "B" Class??. If it's a big differance that could allow for a few motel stays if it's cold.

Tony

[Southwest Dave]

Just my 2 bits and, on this issue, probably worth less than that! :)

Any thoughts from Judy are worth a fortune in my book. ;-)

It's great mulling over different ideas, and there are definitely pro's and con's for each of them.

originally posted by ferrydreamer How many MPG do you think i would get in a "B" Class??.

Once again there are many factors, but I would of thought you could be looking at 50% + more m.p.g. Quite significant with your total amount of miles you are considering covering.
My main concern that in an earlier post you were referring to a main bed and comforts, I am not sure that they offer one without a bed settee type thing and it may feel small, however I like Judy's idea of a screen house outside.

The other thing I would think about is the type of camping you are thinking of doing. Most resorts [that will cost more to stay] have full hook ups whereas if you're thinking of cheaper, more remote sites or even rest areas and Walmart, the 'B' class has smaller holding tanks for fresh, grey and blackwater, which isn't a major problem, but may become an annoyance if you are dry camping for a period.

By the way, I liked the Shakespeare quote :-)

[Midwest Michael]

While I know that gas mileage is a concern for almost anyone planning a major trip, I really think you are being focused way too much on that one relatively minor detail: fuel mileage. Even at the largest spread, the overall difference in your fuel cost between an RV with great mpgs and poor mpgs is only going to be a couple thousand dollars. And while a couple thousand dollars isn't totally insignificant, when you are talking about a trip of this magnatitude that will undoubtedly cost tens of thousands of dollars, its a very small percentage of your overall expenses for your trip. Just the differences in purchase prices for RV sizes and types will likely be far more than the difference in what you'll spend on gas, especially when you consider that even among each class, you could see a difference of several mpgs between specific models.

Certainly, its your money and you are the one that has to pay the bill on this trip, but using mpgs as a major factor in deciding which type of RV to use, seems a little bit like stepping over a dollar to pick up a penny.

If I was going to be on the road for a full year, then personally, I'd be a lot more focused on how the differences of each type (living quarters, ease of driving, total cost, etc) would affect the overall experience of how I want to live for that year must more than a detail like mpgs.

[ferrydreamer]

Of course you are absolutley right, All of you, and i can see the benifits of each. I think i need to research more into individual "C" class maybe and try to get a "smaller" fixed bed so at least we are sure of a relativly comfortable nights sleep.What price do you put on that?

[Mark Sedenquist]

Actually, I think a properly appointed class "B" makes more sense given all that you have mentioned above. RTA contributor, Carol White, traveled in a class B RV for a year while writing her book. I've been partial to the Chinook Baja (but they are not inexpensive). Class A's are for more navigable in big cities than Class C's because their turning radius is often shorter (but they are taller and longer and require a different set of driving skills).

I would certainly suggest you read this article -- and think about the kinds of things you would like to do with this vehicle.

But of all the possible road trip choices -- I think you ought to seriously consider a normal passenger vehicle, get some camping equipment and plan to camp and stay at motels -- This is option will be the least expensive plan AND offer you the greatest range of mobility and parking ease.

Mark