vicchap1
USA
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Joined: 12/04/2002
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Would like to hear from some folks that have down sized. From a class A to b?
Looking to to go from a 2006 Tiffin Allegro Bay to either a 2010 Roadtrek RV or 2010 Winnebago Era.
Have you had second thoughts? was it worth it? would you do it again?
Getting prices all over the board for trading.
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dwhitmoyer
Potomac Falls, VA
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Joined: 09/23/2002
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We did just that about a year ago. Sold the Class A and bought a 2009 RT. The Class A was kind of a pain, always having to tow a car, not to mention the gas. Now I can drive the vehicle which helps my husband out, we take it for day trips so we have our own bathroom, frig, etc. and don't really have to worry too much about parking it. Yes, there's not as much storage room, but you don't use 90% of what you pack in the RV anyway. I made sure I got a model with a king size bed and a convection microwave and the rest is minor. The only problem I haven't worked out yet is taking it camping to the beach. I'm concerned about leaving the dog in the RV unless it was under cover somewhere. You couldn't rely on just running the fans, you'd have to have the generator going for the a/c, etc.
I downsized my rig to fit my dog.
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kfallen
British Columbia
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We downsized last spring from a 30' Class C to a 20' Class B PleasureWay Van. It is very comfortable for us and provides as many of the amenities as the larger unit in a more compact space. We had only ever used the oven once, so don't miss that; the sleeping area is easy to set up and take down (5 minutes); two stove top burners are plenty; there is enough storage to take along the items we really need. We really did not leave much out from the larger unit. The bathroom is smaller, but functional. We can drive through and around towns and park easily without having to scope out every parking area first and keeping our fingers crossed as we drive in. We appreciate the better gas mileage as well. So far, we have not regretted the move.
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wsfurrie
Florida
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Joined: 09/14/2007
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It depends a lot on what you were using the big rig for. We full timed for 13 years and would not do it in a small RV. Since we now own a home again the B works well for us. You have to get used to not being able to take a shower as often or as long in the rig and you have to dump more often. You can't carry as much. That being said, we have been able to travel for up to 4 months and not get a divorce. The small rig works well for traveling a lot, not so well if you plan to stay in one spot for a long time. Without a toad you have to unhook every time you go to the grocery store. Only you can decide what your needs are. Good luck.
Wayne
Wayne
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reppans
CT
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Joined: 10/09/2007
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dwhitmoyer wrote:The only problem I haven't worked out yet is taking it camping to the beach. I'm concerned about leaving the dog in the RV unless it was under cover somewhere. You couldn't rely on just running the fans, you'd have to have the generator going for the a/c, etc.
FWIW, one the better ideas I've read is to crate the dog, sit the crate on the bed next to an open window (only open window), and then run the roof fan to guarantee a constant outside air flow and temp on the dog.
Also, I have a 2-way paging alarm system which I can constantly check my interior temp from about half a mile away (flat, open land, like at a beach). It's a Compustar alarm, if you're interested.
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Emptypockets
North Central KS
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Joined: 06/29/2006
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You are talking MH's but would like to add my thoughts. We are in the process of down sizing from a 31' 5th wheel with two slides pulled with a ton diesel TV. We have on order a 18' TT with only one slide. Yes the larger rigs are best if you setup for long periods - those years are behind us. With the small trailer it can be pulled with a 1/2 TV & is small enough that we can park in our kids & grand kids driveways for those short stays.
As we got older it seemed like the bigger rigs got to be more work than they were when we were younger. Looking forward to not taking as much STUFF with us.
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don-in-AZ
Arizona
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vicchap1 wrote:Would like to hear from some folks that have down sized. From a class A to b?
Looking to to go from a 2006 Tiffin Allegro Bay to either a 2010 Roadtrek RV or 2010 Winnebago Era......
Can't comment on the downsize since this is our first RV/Van. We have a NEW 2009 (Sprinter)ERA Limited BD170RL with 3,000 miles now. We looked at RT, PW and Great West Vans but all were in the $90 to $108 thousand range and no one even willing to talk a fair price with no trade and cash sale. After two years looking I found a new 2009 ERA in Colorado loaded for $68,300. out the door. Not only was this a "smoking" deal but it made the sales tax price lower also. Winnebago's interior plushness is a lightly less than RT, but for $40,000 plus savings it is fantastic. It came with spare mounted in a chrome case/holder on the rear hitch, saving valuable inside under seat/bed storage space. I think the outside design is equally as goos as all other Sprinters, if not better looking. We have evrything but BU Camera and after using them on test drives of RT found them hard to judge distance because of distortion, similar to the right side mirror thing on cars. Just after my purchase, I had a dealer, in Ohio, I think offered me the same in a 2010 new for low $70's.
As far as space you can travel light using Walmarts for supplies. I do not think any "B" Sprinter 170" w.b. M. Home has outside storage, so it all must fit inside. We removed a lot of silver/dishes/pans and stocked up with paper/foam plates and bowls, a couple of pans, coffee maker, toaster, a small/short one burner propane stove for cooking outside. We think "Traveling Light". We have the 3 seat version which has a nice storage locker in place of the fourth seat.
The Dometic fridge can be used even when not on level ground and once cold, stays cold on 12v. We start getting it cold with propane if in a hurry, otherwise a day and a half before leaving does the trick.
Another neat thing I did was convert all the inside RV lights from Halogen to LED, saving about 85 or 90% of the battery usage. I changed out the LCD TV and put in a 12volt LED LCD TV from Best Buy. We do very well even though it comes with one house battery. No room outside for more. If you buy, be careful not to get the ERA XL or XT 24' 1" long version which is 16 inches longer than the standard Sprinter long Van. The added room is great, but you will be loading the regular 22' 9" van too much let alone longer size That weighs 140 lbs more.
My van (5/8 full of diesel and full Propane, no water) was weighed on scales new at 7800 lbs and 8550 is max allowed loaded. Most Sprinters of 170" wheel base will average those weights on delivery.
Great humting and good luck! Don
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vicchap1
USA
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Joined: 12/04/2002
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Thanks everyone for the replys. We are heading to a RV show tomorrow to see what is out there. so far, the ERA seem to be the best on the wallet, but sure will miss my convection oven.
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seraphim
Ohio
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Joined: 02/03/2008
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Good luck hunting for a B. We went from a 30+ foot trailer we never used (too much hassle) to a 19' B we use constantly, and that made the diference for us - and we're no less comfortable. You probably know all the other reasons to down-size, so good luck!
GyrFalcon blog
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rbrogan
Perrysburg, Ohio
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Joined: 12/05/2003
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We downsised from a Cl A to a Airsteam B about 2 1/2 years ago. I wish we had done it earlier it's so nice to have the B parked at home all year for the obvious reasons. We do not spend a lot of time 'camping' so the B meets our needs of being mobile. I really think that spending more than a week in the B after having a Cl A can be a little trying but it's amazing how much 'stuff' you really don't need. I realy like not pulling a toad everywhere and trips to the deisel pumps are one third the cost now, Good luck you will enjoy, Russ
ps: We had an '05 Pheaton before it was totaled, Tiffin makes a great coach right?
 Rbrogan@hotmail.com
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