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| Topic: B+ motorhomes |
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Posted By: Westronics
on 10/11/09 11:06am
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cheeze1 wrote: I was just there. How are there 2 threads with the same name? There are not. That one is "Not much here." However, both are in the "B+" sub-forum. 2002 Jayco Greyhawk 24SS, Camera, ScanGauge, Inverter, Airtabs, Portabote, SeeLevel II, Tireman valves, Xatnrex Battery Monitor, Aero-flo vent, Trik-L-Start, XPS Rib, Chains, Lil' Stanker, Be kind to septic systems Ford: 1-800-444-3311. RV Tires
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Posted By: burlmart
on 10/11/09 12:00pm
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Early on, as a newbie, when I got into this thread when it was in the B forum, I was not interested in the truck chassis, but the coach size functionality (toadless, maneuverable, etc.). So to me, B+ simply meant a little bigger than B, and I sensed that there was a lot in common with people who own Bs. As the B+ started stretching out well beyond 22 ft, it became obvious that the B+ rigs like our TLs, BT Cruisers, Phoenix, Lexington, and the like are only barely different from a C w/o an overcab bed. But it was just these type rigs that were what most RVers understood to be described by the term B+. The B style functionality took on less and less importance. I never thought the B+ (or Super C) subforum should be created, if they are all Cs - the forums were already too divided-up. But the subforums WERE created - there is a B+ subforum. The point I make is that, if the B+ distinction actually has any validity, it is that there are many old, current, and surely soon to exist small, streamlined motorhomes built on chassis-cabs that ACTUALLY DO hold true to the spirit of B-Plus (like the Ford Transit Euro C class in the pics below). Because these more pure B+ designs (other pics below) are uniquely different from either RV.net B or C class distinction, they tend to go away and form small users groups elsewhere, instead of finding a place to discuss their rigs in the B+ subforum. burlmart wrote:
All points raised here seem right to me. The classification of MHs certainly has its purpose, but it causes problems as well. I think the RVIA recognized this with their current new classification scheme even if is conveniently ignored by almost everyone; it is quite loose with drawing boundaries, and people like to maintain boundaries. Around 2001, Trail Lite (TL) creatively used “B-Plus” as a model name for its new lower-cost line of small, streamlined Cs, that were a bit larger than the popular Cs from Chinook and Dynamax (Starflyte) ![]() which they emulated. Well-known Born Free was and still is another long standing builder of this style RV. I think it has been posted by others that use of the term B+ to designate a category of MHs seems to have arisen amongst mfgrs like Phoenix, ![]() Gulfstream, ![]() etc. ![]() ![]() who had similarly popular models like the TL B-Plus. These smaller rigs, whether they be called B+s or small Cs, all share a common intended functionality with camping van conversions (Class Bs) but draw upon the major benefit from starting on a bare chassis (Class C) and thus are not subject to the serious constraint on living space that confronts Bs as they attempt to stay within the van box. With the tenacious adherence to hard-drawn classification boundaries, too much energy is spent on the forums explaining, for instance, that this is a Class C, and this is a Class B campervan. As weird as these cases seem - and they are weird - what is gained from such silly discussion? In hindsight, had the Euro term 'low-profile C Class' been adopted, there may have developed a more robust version of the B+ subforum that might better serve owners of the many unique rigs ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() As things stand now, the more novel styles above find it hard to gain an audience and tend to fall between the classification cracks. The price for being different, I suppose. 2005 Trail Lite 213 B-Plus w/ 6.0 Chevy
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Posted By: burlmart
on 10/12/09 05:44am
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Another rig with the B+ spirit but which runs into problems w/ rigid RV.net MH classifications
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Posted By: cheeze1
on 10/12/09 06:01am
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Burl, I commend your research!! I do think the RVIA should 'adjust' their classifications.
Chas Morristown, NJ Trail Lite ">
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Posted By: burlmart
on 10/12/09 06:08am
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Thanks, Cheeze. Of all the pics I recently posted, my favorite is the last - it's a Personal Turtle Top that you can customize to your own preference somewhat like Sportsmobile. What could be better!
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Posted By: birdbybird
on 10/12/09 08:08am
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All I know is that of all the threads on this forum this is the only one that I have linked to my e-mail.... so that I know when one of you guys posts stuff. I think that regardless of what you call the thread....it seems to have connected a small group of individuals that enjoy the smaller sized vehicle.....and understand that bigger and flashier is not necessarily better....for us at least. I appreciate having it here! Sitting in a camp laundry in a state campground off the Natchez Trace Parkway....in the rain....but having fun....did I tell you I love my air card! Christine 22ft BT Gulfstream MH Chev 350 engine and the four furry companions">erschel, Stuart, Blondie and Remi |
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Posted By: burlmart
on 10/12/09 08:25am
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Good to hear from you, Christine. I, too, appreciate my fellow RVers who have stuck with the thread. I really feel that there must be a fundamental common interest in, some shared basic attraction to, the notion of 'minimal but realistically functional,' amongst the B+ Motorhomes posters. Add personalizeable to B+, and I think that the Turtle Top is a VERY interesting prospect for a new market of "personal low-profile C Class motorhomes". PLCs for short. Mark my words. If I were an entrepeneur looking for a hot new RV product... * This post was edited 10/12/09 08:39am by burlmart * |
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Posted By: Gene in NE
on 10/12/09 11:57am
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I like this topic/thread for one reason - there are nice people that contribute and in 227 pages there have been no "word fights". There is a whole lot of respect shown in these pages. I also wish that the classifications by the RVIA could be changed, but I honestly do not have a suggestion on how it could be changed. They selected the method of construction whether the converter stayed within the confines of a van body, or built on what is called a "cut-away", or was built on a chassis without a cab. I like to think of a B+ as a RV just slightly bigger than the Class B. If B+ was a classification, I would have a problem defining it. If you would merely define B+ by length, some RV we now know as Class A's are only 25' long and those we now know as Class B's are 22' long. So the length would have to be in a very narrow range. Class B+ and Class C would be between 22' and 25'. That would not work too well. To try to define a Class B+ as a RV without a bed over the cab, that would include most of what we now know as Class B's. And...what about the Conquest and Jayco units built on a medium duty truck cut-away? They make those as 39' without a bed over the cab, would that be a Class B+? The quick answer is to take the definition of the Class C (built on a cut-away) and chop it up into small, medium, and large. WOW, that is what this forum has done - amazing. I enjoy this discussion, in case you cannot tell. We are all here to learn from each other. Many have changed my mind when the subject is presented calmly. I would like to see a revised method to determine Class, but I have yet to see a great easily understood definition.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy (click View Profile) Gene |
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Posted By: Artum Snowbird
on 10/12/09 12:58pm
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As a B+ owner I have written to one or two "RV cover makers" and asked them about getting a cover specifically for our B+ models. So far, none have replied with a solution. I can buy a class C cover with the typical front end up top box, but getting one to fit a B+ unit is something different again. And, like others have said, we are just a little offshoot, but like others, this is the only thread that I read all the updates to. Maybe I just need a bigger garage... Hoooneeeyyyyy! Mike 2012 Winnebago Impulse Silver 26QP 2005 16.6 Double Eagle 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK previously Snowbird Campers, Triple E Motorhome and Fifth Wheel |
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Posted By: Gene in NE
on 10/12/09 01:17pm
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Artum Snowbird - Find a good boat cover maker and have them cut off the "bed over cab" part and resew. It should not be too difficult. A bigger question is will you be able to make it do what you want? Do a search to read others experience.
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