Different strokes for different folks is the old saying. Recently, there was an internet discussion about the pros and cons of the widebody class B's. I provided my opinion.
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| Our "Cabin on Wheels" home until November |
We looked at a “widebody” Pleasure Way before our purchase decision. The XL is a “widebody” class B with a length of 22 ft 9 inches, about a foot longer than the Roadtrek 210P.
We never looked at a Class A. We're into "living a life of moderation while supporting the infrastructure." That means paying taxes to support schools, roads and so on and trekking. I'm not practicing or promoting a life of tax avoidance while trekking the U.S.
There are trade-offs in all Class B’s. For example, we decided against a Roadtrek 190 because it was simply too small for our intended use. That’s a critical factor when making a purchase decision; what is the intended use? I would also say that our purchase decision was a compromise of features and dimensions. Our ideal vehicle would have the interior and storage capacity of the 210P in a 190. Ha-ha! I can also say, we’ve had 190 owners come over and look at the 210P and sigh. Yes, they too would like the larger interior, storage and refrigerator. However, they also like the "park it in any any all space" convenience of the 190.
Here's an example. Last year, we drove to the upper level of the Capulin Volcano National Monument in our 210P. That road was built in 1925 and is narrower than current standards. According to the National Park Service "Large vehicles, such as tour buses and motor homes, struggle to navigate the tight S curves and narrow lanes without encroaching on the opposing lane of traffic. As a result, in 1994 the National Park Service implemented policies that restricted the length and width of vehicles safely able to negotiate the Volcano Road alone. To ensure safety, Capulin Volcano National Monument instituted traffic control protocols. Rangers control traffic at both the base and rim of the volcano. Traffic is altered from two-way traffic to one-way traffic to ensure the safe passage of oversized vehicles."
We read the warning signs on entering the monument and stopped at the visitor center. After we explained what we were driving we were told we could simply drive up to the top in our RT, and we did. There were no Class A's or B+s at the summit parking.
Our first class B experience was in the fall of 2013. We rented a Sprinter camper-van and took it to three of the National Parks in Utah. We also spent a night at a very large RV park in Nevada and a dealer had brought in several larger class B’s including a Pleasure Way with the murphy bed, etc. So we did have an opportunity to compare it to what we were renting. After seriously looking at a variety of Class B’s including Roadtreks we ultimately purchased a 210P.
We've had some interesting conversations with dealers. One of the purported advantages of the Pleasure Way version of a “widebody” class B was the larger interior; particularly the bath area. According to one dealer many buyers loved the class A’s but didn't like them on the road and preferred the larger interior of the XL. Again, it is about intended purpose and making a compromise. Many of the Class A users we have met tell us that they move the vehicle once or twice a year. They then park it for extended periods and it is their "large cabin on intermittent wheels.”
Our use is different and we move the RT more often, sometimes each day when travelling from one National Park or scenic area to another. However, this year we’re “storing” it in a campground on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan for 6 months. We’ll be using it frequently as a warm weather cabin and we'll then move it to the southwestern U.S. for the winter. That’s the plan, anyway.
In other words, it is our “tiny cabin on wheels” which we use when not in our larger 1320 sq. ft. condominium, with the 50 gallon hot water tank, larger kitchen, two offices, bedroom, deck and so on. When we do decide to live in our RT for extended periods, we stay at places with lots of facilities and so our RT is primarily for sleeping, cooking and privacy; somewhat like a deluxe motel room with kitchen. No bedbugs or noisy neighbors, either!
However, I've set a goal to figure out how to make my cinnamon buns in the Roadtrek. It's got a convection oven and sufficient kitchen space. That will be one of my challenges for this summer.
I can say that my spouse liked the larger bath of the Pleasure Way. However, one big draw-back was the lack of living “zones.” If the bed was down, most of the living space was taken up. We’ve encountered that in many class C’s, too. Of course, the Murphy bed does easily go into hiding. But then, we would have one couch with table to share, or two larger chairs with table. There is no opportunity for one to stretch out to read while the other works on a PC. If G wants to sleep in, I can make coffee and go to the front of the Roadtrek and do my emails, make phone calls, or whatever. I can also exit and she has privacy in the rear. And I can do that without seriously disturbing her. Of course, if one leaves the bed down during the day, then the Pleasure Way XL is basically a bedroom with a kitchenette at the foot of the bed and bathroom. For comfort, the Pleasure Way included a furnace and an air conditioner. But I wanted a heat pump/AC/furnace because of my intended 3-1/2 seasons of travel. I wanted the ability to use a heat pump at 47F rather than using the propane furnace. Electricity, even at 10 cents per kWhr is less costly than propane.
Ultimately we decided against a Sprinter because of 1) the narrow width of the standard unit and 2) that large sliding side door. We also had some concerns about “only” 200 dealers in the U.S. As for the side door, open that door in a storm and you’ve opened half of the vehicle to nature and you will lose all AC cooling or heat in an instant. That was a real consideration. In that respect the Pleasure Way is a real improvement over the basic Sprinter.
We decided on a 210P for a variety of reasons. 1) Overall dimensions, 2) possibility of 3-1/2 season use, 3) wider interior than a standard Sprinter or a 190, 4) more storage inside and outside; IMHO for anyone taking multi-week treks with serious temperature changes, storage is a necessity. 5) Two living zones separated by the kitchen/bath area, 6) larger kitchen area, refrigerator and microwave-convection oven not on the floor, 7) Heat pump/AC/furnace available, 8) three seats up front (5 seatbelts total) and 9) pretty good gas mileage (our experience = typically 18+ MPG at 55-65 MPH).
All in all, the smaller bath of the 210P has not been a big deal. In reality, with a smaller hot water heater, one soon discovers that there is insufficient hot water for a luxurious shower. For that, we use the facilities at the camp ground or resort. The commode with a sink is the major bathroom use and much appreciated in bad weather and at night. In fact, yesterday I preferred shaving in the RT bathroom because of the hot water. The campground had only cold water available at the sinks.
Now, some of our friends don’t understand us at all, but then they never will.
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