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RE: Class B campsite hook up question
Just for comparison, we never hook up to either city water or sewer, just electricity and cable TV (if available) only. We have never had a problem emptying our tanks at a campground dump station anywhere. So I guess we travel the same way as ryegatevt.
Jim
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jjson775
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11/18/09 06:28pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Class B vs. Big Rigs
People who RV in a Class A or big trailer may think that Class B travel is pretty much the same as what they do except that we camp in our "little” vans. They are mistaken, ours is a different – and much better - experience. Some reasons:
MOBILITY We can see and do a lot more in our travels than they can and can go a lot of places they can’t, because of the compact size of a B and, more important, because we don’t have to go back to an RV park every night. I’ll give you some examples from our travel this year:
1. After staying in Visalia CA we drove into the south entrance of Sequoia NP and found out the road is limited to 24 ft. vehicles max. Bad news and a long detour for big rigs. No problem for our 20’ PW Excel.
2. We drove scenic Highway 138 thru the Rogue River wilderness in Oregon. You drive this road and stop at a number of places and hike the trails to beautiful waterfalls. It is a long ride. At the end of a long day we camped at a nice public campground at the end of the scenic area. In a toad, you would have to go all the way back to your RV.
3. We drove the high road to Taos NM, went into Chimayo and other places along the way, had lunch at a very good restaurant in Penasco and pulled into a campground in Taos in the afternoon, no doubling back.
I can give many, many, examples where a big RV would really cramp our style.
CONVENIENCE OF ALWAYS HAVING AN RV WITH YOU Yes, in the evening a big RV is a better place to stay, but all day long you are in a car or tow vehicle. We always have food and a kitchen, a bathroom, outside shower, sporting equipment, extra clothes, etc. Visiting a national park, we can stop for lunch at a picnic area and have everything with us. The ladies don’t have to use the pit toilets at the hiking trails. I suppose big rig folks pack lunches and carry a cooler with ice for their daily outings.
ACCESS TO BETTER CAMPSITES. Because we are in one vehicle 20 ft. long, we have been able to stay in tent areas of campgrounds that are more open and attractive. We have done this in Big Bend, Rocky Mountain and Sequoia national parks and in the very nice campground at Disney World in Florida. The big rigs are lined up next to each other like in a mobile home park, we don’t care for this.
If you want to park all winter in the Rio Grande Valley, Florida, Arizona or elsewhere, by all means get a big motor home or 5th wheel. If you want to travel and see the USA and Canada, go for a Class B RV, especially a Roadtrek or Pleasure Way.
Jim
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jjson775
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11/01/09 06:10pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: wheel spacers - recommended by PW
The spacers won't help you in cross winds or with passing trucks. You have the right idea, slow down and don't worry about it, we are not in a race!
Jim
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jjson775
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10/29/09 09:28pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: wheel spacers - recommended by PW
I posted this 2 weeks ago:
Before our last trip, I finally did something to improve the handling of our 2006 PW Excel. I raised this topic a while back and would like to report on the results What I did was this:
1. Replace the worn out OEM Hankook tires with Michelin XPS ribs. Someone on this forum told me I would love these tires and they were absolutely right. Both ride and handling improved a lot.
2. Install Super Track spacers from Henderson's in Grants Pass OR. Grooves in highway lanes are no longer a problem, the van tracks straight.
3. Had the front end aligned to specs from Ford provided to me by Pleasure Way.
All in all the driveability improved significantly. However, we did encounter severe cross winds with gusts up to 40 - 50 mph in West Texas and New Mexico. Under those conditions you just have to slow down. The only thing to "cure" this problem would be dual wheels so we have learned to take it easy and live with it.
Jim
In April 2006, Pleasure Way began to align the front end of these vans differently. Mine was delivered in February, so I knew that the alignment should be adjusted. If you can find out when yours was originally shipped from the factory, it would tell you what to do about that. I posted the updated PW alignment specs on this forum some time back. Good luck and enjoy your van!
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jjson775
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10/29/09 08:12am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Pleasure-way Ford V8 or V10
My experience has been the same as CoalminerUG and turninghawk. The PW folks told me that if I was not going to tow anything to get a V8. I did and have been completely satisfied. Overal average mileage is 15 mpg. Reliability has been flawless in 4 years and 33K milies.
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jjson775
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10/28/09 06:05pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: wheel spacers - recommended by PW
The rear track width is increased about 5% with the spacers, but any impprovement on corners hasn't been noticeable. Stability on corners was never an issue with this van. cat 7, are you having trouble driving your Excel?
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jjson775
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10/28/09 06:00pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: wheel spacers - recommended by PW
I installed SuperTrack wheel spacers on my 2006 PW Excel. They are made by Henderson's in Grant's Pass Oregon. The first set they sent me did not fit so I returned them and they sent me replacements that did work OK. They are an engineered product and well made. The benefit to them is that the van tracks straight when riding in a lane with grooves that tend to make the vehicle swerve a little. They do nothing, for example, on a smooth highway or on curvy mountain roads.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/28/09 11:52am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: No longer a Moderator
Rodger, thanks so much for the outstanding job you did as moderator. It was great having someone with so much technical know-how, especially about electrical systems. Thanks again and best wishes for your successor.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/26/09 11:59am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Tires for Roadtrek 210
I went from Ford OEM Hankook tires to the Michelin XPS ribs. The Hankook tires were absolutely shot when I made the change at 31K miles.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/21/09 05:50pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Tires for Roadtrek 210
I just put Michelin XPS Ribs in your same size and load range on our Pleasure Way Excel. Tried them out on a long trip, they are EXCELLENT tires. Pleasure Way told me that they have had a lot of positive feedback from other owners about these tires. You won't go wrong, just make sure they are XPS ribs and not a cheaper tire.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/21/09 04:56pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Pleasureway house battery
I hate to sound repetitious, but we have never felt a need for a 2nd battery. In 4 years we have dry camped many times in National Parks/Monuments without a problem. Before putting in a 2nd battery, I would sure want some practical experience with just the one battery. Just my 2 cents.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/19/09 05:58pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Pleasureway house battery
Rodger, I'm sure your numbers are right but from a practical point of view, my experiecnce agrees with Charles. The PW battery indicator shows charge levels of full, 2/3, 1/3 and 0. It is the same unit that shows water tank levels so it has to be a crude voltmeter. You can dry camp and watch TV for a couple hours or a DVD, use the lights, turn on the heater in the morning, etc. and the battery will usually drop to 2/3 sometimes 1/3. Then after a short ride, the battery indicator will show "Full" again and you can repeat the experience the next night. The point is, using common sense you can easily dry camp on the battery as we have been doing for 4 years.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/18/09 07:41am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Pleasureway house battery
After 4 seasons of traveling, the original house battery on our PW Excel finally gave out. I will replace it. We have dry camped many times without a problem although we do tend to go places during the day. If the battery does run down, all you have to do is go for a ride and charge it up.
We don't have a generator and don't want or need one. Their main use is to run the AC at night to sleep where it's hot. Well, you aren't allowed to use it after 8:00 PM or so anyway. If it's too hot to sleep at night, just find a campground with electricity. People that travel with a dog need one when they park in a hot place and leave the animal inside. Good luck with your shopping,
Jim
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jjson775
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10/17/09 10:59am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Cost of Fuel and Stratigic Storage
If you are worried about the price going up, it would be cheaper (and safer) to buy futures contracts.
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jjson775
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10/17/09 07:25am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Pleasure Way Excel Handling improvements
cat 7, I don't believe the A/S and M/S tires are XPS Ribs. I looked at mine and they are LT LRE. The LRE stands for load range E which is what we need for a PW, inflated to 80 psi.
I remember you saying you had put new Hankooks on your van when you bought it, they should give you good service as well, especially if you keep them inflated correctly and have them rotated periodically.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/14/09 10:48am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Pleasure Way Excel Handling improvements
Before our last trip, I finally did something to improve the handling of our 2006 PW Excel. I raised this topic a while back and would like to report on the results What I did was this:
1. Replace the worn out OEM Hankook tires with Michelin XPS ribs. Someone on this forum told me I would love these tires and they were absolutely right. Both ride and handling improved a lot.
2. Install Super Track spacers from Henderson's in Grants Pass OR. Grooves in highway lanes are no longer a problem, the van tracks straight.
3. Had the front end aligned to specs from Ford provided to me by Pleasure Way.
All in all the driveability improved significantly. However, we did encounter severe cross winds with gusts up to 40 - 50 mph in West Texas and New Mexico. Under those conditions you just have to slow down. The only thing to "cure" this problem would be dual wheels so we have learned to take it easy and live with it.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/12/09 07:47pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Class B experience
csw1525 you should have hot water. Maybe the hot water heater bypass valve is open. This happened to us when we camped the first time.
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jjson775
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10/12/09 07:31pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Class B experience
We just finished our 4th season traveling in a Pleasure Way Excel. I would like to pass along some information for people "lurking" on this forum as I did before we bought our RV.
1. We only use our van for travel, never as a 2nd vehicle. In 4 years, we have 33,275 miles on it. In that time, we have used it a total of 33 weeks, so you can see that our style of RV'ing takes about 1000 miles per week. We rarely stay more than 3 days in any onel location.
2. Both the Ford E-350 van and the Pleasure Way
conversion have been flawless, we had no warranty issues at all.
3. At an average of 15 mpg, I figure we have bought about 2200 gallons of gasoline. A diesel van such as a Sprinter would have consumed about 1500 gal. of fuel. At $2.75/gal. this represents a savings of $1925. Nevertheless, I am glad we have a conventional gas V-8.
4. While traveling the U.S., Canada and Mexico, we have been to Key West, Niagara Falls, Palm Springs CA and Victoria British Columbia. We stay at public campgrounds (our preference), private RV parks, hotels/motels and with friends and family. We have visited many national parks and nattional monuments as well as many state parks. In many cases, we have been allowed to camp in the attractive tent areas and not with the big rigs where you have more of a "trailer park" atmosphere.
5. The only downsides to our experience have been the lack of a real shower in the van and the handling problems with the Ford vans. We ordinarily use campground showers which may or may not be pleasant to use. My wife just refuses to use the shower in the RV because of the mess it creates.
6. It is a big advantage to travel in a Class B as opposed to a big rig or trailer. You have a lot more mobility and don't have to return to your RV at night in your car or pickup but can keep moseying along. You always have the convenience of an RV with you, a bathroom, food, change of clothes, etc.
7. Resale value of the Class B vans seems to be a lot better than for other RV's. When our RV careeer is over, I hope to recuperate a large part of our investment.
Good luck to anyone thinking about going with the Class B style of RV'ing. You won't go wrong.
Jim
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jjson775
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10/11/09 07:06pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Favorite campground in northern New Mexico
We are going to New Mexico next week and plan to stay in Santa Fe, pass through Los Alamos and camp in Bandelier nationsl monument. We also want to spend a few days in a scenic campground (prefer public) with good access to hiking trails. It can be near Taos, Las Vegas, etc. Any suggestions?
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jjson775
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09/17/09 03:42pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Has Anyone Ever Seen The PW Excel With 2 Beds?
We have the Excel TD with twin beds and are very happy with the arrangement. You get a very handy night stand between the beds which can also be removed and you can set up a king size bed. With this floor plan you also get a large storage compartment inside the back doors that stays dry. With the electric sofa I believe you forfeit this storage space. Good luck with your search.
Jim
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jjson775
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09/13/09 09:29am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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