Camping time
So. Cal.
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Joined: 07/23/2006
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After reading a different thread I saw a member who was on B number 8.
I found that to be very interesting and would love to know which B's everyone has owned (year make model), why you switched if you had more than 1 B, and maybe your top likes and dislikes.
I'll start -
I'm on my first B, 07 PW Lexor RL4. Like 4 seats in front, hidden A/C on top. Dislike, a little long, would like a little shorter.
Please share your B history.
Thanks!
Within every disadvantage is the seed of an equal or greater advantage.
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ennajean
Wisconsin
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Joined: 05/19/2006
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Have a 2006 Ford Sportsmobile. Never even saw another B in a campground that I can remember. Knew nothing about B's other than we wanted one that my husband could stand up in. Found the Sportsmobile web site and liked what we saw. Never did look at or price any others.
Liked the idea that we could design it the way we wanted it. Went very basic and works great for us.
Anne and Dick
DABEE a 2006 Ford Sportsmobile Penthouse top.
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bbennick
Houston
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Joined: 02/15/2006
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Moved to the 2006 Sportsmobile Sprinter B from a 25' class C.
Liked the smaller size, configurable layout, quality compared to slab-sided RVs (lower maintenance requirements and higher longevity), drivability, SMB Engineering, SMB service, SMB integrity (especially in the sales process) and relative fuel economy (C was 5-7 mpg gas, sprinter is 18-22 w/out trailer, 15-18 with trailer diesel).
Was initially concerned with the loss of storage space (old C had a terrible layout, so we didn't lose much living space). Storage was OK.
Our B is big enough for our family of 4 (2 teenagers), but there is very little walking space when configured for sleep.
We added a 17' Cassita "spare bedroom" last year.
No need to get a new B until this one dies. If I outlive it, I will get another B. If I have the time, I will convert it myself. If not I will get another Sportsmobile.
2006 Sportsmobile Sprinter
Modified 19S Floorplan
2008 Casita 17' Deluxe
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rvdogmom40
Western Washington State
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Joined: 03/18/2004
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We are on our first B, a 04 PW Excel bought new. When we got down to one dog, we looked for something small. I liked the Excel's enclosed bath, level floor and "spacious" interior feel. I still love it and can hardly wait to take it out again soon!
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CSG
ID
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Joined: 03/02/2001
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I'm on my first one too. Mine's more basic than most, it's a PW Traverse. I wanted the least complicated rig I could find as we already own the other rigs in my sig. I bought the Traverse primarily for local solo trips and didn't want to spend a bundle until I decided if I could live with the limitations - porta-potti that I cannot imagine using while sitting in the middle of the floor and lack of a shower. Tradeoff is that it's garageable, efficient, inexpensive, and small.
If I enjoy this, I *may* end up getting a larger fully self-contained rig from PW. However, this cost me under $20k delivered (from the place in SC I bought it from online) and with new batteries and a few minor mods. That's about a third or less the price of a recent fully self-contained PW. The Excel looks like a great floorplan for a bigger rig.
2001 GMC EC 2500HD, 4x4, 6.0 V8
2007 Nash 27-5B
2002 Pleasure-Way Traverse
1990 Lance Squire 4000
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dogcomestoo
Massachusetts
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Joined: 08/19/2006
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Well, I still don't have a B, but I am planning to get one when I retire. I won't consider anything but a Sportsmobile, because (1) I can design my own layout, (2) I can have propane omitted and (3) I can have an all electric fridge.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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My first one was an '00 Dodge RT 190 Versatile. I'm much more interested in touring than camping, and wanted a fully self-contained unit that I could travel in, staying more in parking lots and truck stops than campgrounds. The layout wasn't quite right; great storage and kitchen, but a too-small bed space. I'd have tolerated that, but it drove horribly, and nothing I did helped much. Passing trucks were a nightmare, gusty winds a literal heII. With no support from the local Dodge dealer, I awoke at 2 am one night knowing that it had to go.
2nd one was a '02 Chevy RT 190 Popular. One of the finest B's made. Layout was good, beds long enough, etc. And the driving issues of the Dodge vanished. I discovered that a 19' unit can be parked downtown, makes an excellent base for spending a day there, and that my city is lively and interesting. But Chevy offers so few chassis options on the Express, and RT minimizes the ground clearance. My heart yearned for more gears, clearance, and 4WD  .
So alas, the switch to a B-sized C on a pick-up chassis, still parkable downtown at a meter. I gave up a bit in ride, and a lot in good cabinetry & finish, but abundant air underneath, 4WD, and a six-speed Allison have satisfied my yearnings. 12 forwards, 2 reverses, and tow-haul... Yeah!
Jim, "I read fancy recipes like I read most science-fiction novels. I get to the end and I say to myself, "Well, that's never going to happen'."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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Boomerbaby
Willamette Valley Oregon, USA
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Joined: 03/06/2004
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Our first Camper (other than a pad in the back of a '84 Toyota with a shell) was an '85 VW Westfilia which, for most trips, was fine. We had continual problems with starting issues and break downs. The Westfilia defined what we wanted as far as layout.
So we started to look at B's. We found a '98 RT 190 on a Dodge chassis. The Dodge drives pretty well, just a bit of a drift in wind but not anything to put me in a panic and actually better than the VW was.
Next - not sure, but we've found that we want. The ability to park in a standard parking spot. Drive a switchback road with out problems and get up while on the road and move about.
Rich
If I'm going to work the rest of my life, I'd better start to retire on the weekends.
- '98 190 Roadtrek Popular -
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Camping time
So. Cal.
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Joined: 07/23/2006
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These are great replies, very interesting. I already have been browsing Sportsmobile and Tiger websites just for kicks.
To Handbasket: We already go offroad whenever we can in our Wrangler (3rd one), and I like Chevys, so that Tiger on a 4X4 Chevy looks verrry interesting. It looks to be about a foot taller than my PW. How is the side to side sway?
Everyone else, please share your B history, it's very interesting.
Thanks
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glassgirl
jamestown, nc
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Joined: 10/14/2003
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Our first camper was a B camper Diamond GT.I'm sure they are no longer around. Then we had a C jamboree. My favorite was a 2003 Great West. Bed not long enough for DH. Now a 2006 Ltv. I like it. Ben loves it.
barbara lynch
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