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RE: New class B
I'm confused what Dodge/RAM truck has a front wheel drive train? Not the pickup trucks. Is it juar a relabeling of the Fiat drive train like MB Sprinters being relabeled as Dodges for awhile?
The Promaster which is pretty much the most popular RV platform in the US right now... has front wheel drive. In Europe it is the Fiat Ducato. When MB bailed out of Dodge/Chrysler and sold it to Fiat, the Ram van division adopted the Ducato. Took the front wheel drive and inserted the Ram truck engine and drive train.
I've had two of them and love the way they drive.
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mumkin
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01/13/22 07:42pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
I wonder if it is built like a C or like a B where the work has to be done inside the van body. $145k is a lot for that size MH. I don't know why someone has not made a one piece or two piece shell and just add the shell after the interior is finished. They should be able to get the price down to $100k like a small C.
It's definitely a Class C with the formed body. I believe that it is a one piece shell. I read that in one of the articles though accuracy may not be high in these intro articles.
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mumkin
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11/03/21 09:04am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
Google 'Wingamm Oasi 540 price'
https://www.businessinsider.com/popular-european-camper-van-rv-coming-to-the-us-2021-7
That article may have answered my question in that it said that the first year or two will be built in Italy. So it will be on the European platform. Once they switch to Promaster, they will need to re-work it to the US sizes since we don't have a 17'9" with 118 wb.
I also noted that it has a 3 system fridge. Ugh!! That added to a cassette toilet and no AC is going to limit its sales I expect. They brag about their long waiting list, but those are all people who haven't actually seen it yet. lol
I still wonder what adjustments they have to make to the van to get it approved in the US.
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mumkin
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11/02/21 09:12am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
That is the prototype 540 model that's here now showing in malls , NY and California. It's probably the one from the photo and video shoots.
I would assume that rather than a prototype, it is basically what they are selling in Europe. Still doesn't answer whether it is legal to import into the US without changes to comply with US laws.
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mumkin
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10/30/21 09:26am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
It’s a Fiat Ducato as per the emblems and wheel insignia.
Photos are all of the European versions. One wonders if this can be direct imported and comply with US laws. I suspect not...
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mumkin
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10/29/21 07:23pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
I was told by a rep that certain car dealerships will be used to sell these rvs in the USA .
Orders will be taken in January with delivery expected sometime around May or June.
Not a good idea, IMO. It has been tried now and again in the past without much success and ended as quickly as it appeared. RV salesman are often useless in explaining and selling RVs, can't imagine how badly car salesman will do. It actually appears that they are making many of the same mistakes that Hymer did trying to break into the US market. (before they bought Roadtrek to get its dealership chain)
If you encounter this rep again, try to find out how this is being done as far as platform. Full build overseas on the Ducato or put on a Ram Promaster over here.
The apparent lack of an AC will likely kill it in the US market.
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mumkin
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10/29/21 09:33am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
No, certainly no van is perfect, but save the accolades for something more deserving .... if in fact such a vehicle actually exists.
Just wait until some owners of Jeep Renegades find out what they really have is a Fiat 500X in different clothing.
You started out complaining about the Fiat engine/drivetrain - which I pointed out has been totally replaced by Ram with its engine/drivetrain from its pick-ups. So now you are morphing over to Jeeps... totally not relevant here.
As someone who has owned a Promaster for going on 4 years, who has dozens of friends who own and love theirs, I would say that I have the right to give it the accolades that it has earned for many of us RV owners.
Our usage is not the same as commercial users. We are not driving all day, every day, stop/start, and the commercial drivers are usually not the owners, so little care is taken. My Promasters have been as trouble free as my Chevy models with a much better drive and an interior large enough to stand up in and comfortably sleep sideways.
And this is what most of us want in a camper. YMMV
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mumkin
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10/28/21 06:20pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
A Ram ProMaster IS a Fiat van -- Google it. I thought they looked very similar, but not until I Googled it were my suspicions confirmed.
Of course it is... partially. Fiat owns Dodge/Chrysler. In Europe it is called a Ducato. That is well known and never been a secret. The Ducato is the number one platform for RVs in Europe.
But the Fiat drivetrain and engine were replaced with the Ram truck system for the US market. That too is well known if one cares to know.
You can see my list of rigs owned over the years on my signature... a Ford E350, a Chevy 3500, a Chevy 1500, a Promaster 2500, and a Promaster 1500. The Promaster is by far the best one of the bunch. It drives great with the front wheel drive, gets good gas mileage, provides a wonderfully roomy interior, and has been very dependable. What more can one ask in an RV platform?
Don't let your prejudices against a product that was produced and sold back in the 60's and 70's affect your judgement on these vans. Yes, of course, they have some issues... as does the Sprinter and Transit.
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mumkin
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10/28/21 09:39am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
Interesting unit. Nice floor plan -- sleek contemporary look.
The only thing that would concern me is the Fiat drivetrain. Certainly not the most trouble-free in the industry.
But it says "Dodge Promaster" in which case it isn't a Fiat drivetrain. It is the Ram pick-up drive train and engine.
But as I said, that is my big question on these rigs, as I posted above.
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mumkin
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10/27/21 07:37pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New class B
Thus far I have seen no answer as to whether they are importing it built or building it here. It says "Dodge Promaster" which doesn't exist since it is a Ram. And all the photos are of the European Ducato which looks way better than our old mid-20s style Promaster.
It says the 118wb and 17'9" - but the US 118wb is 16'3" ... and the longer wheel base 1500 is the one over 17" ...
So, since I first saw the info on this van, it still isn't all that clear what exactly will be on the market here.
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mumkin
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10/26/21 10:29pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New Member in Class B Group
I will still try a fire stick.
Most campgrounds specifically ban streaming (and thus a Firestick). Nearly all will barely open a website or send an email, no less stream/
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mumkin
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10/21/21 05:57pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New Member in Class B Group
I am wondering about using the Amazon Firestick when using cable tv at the camp ground. Will it connect over campground cable TV .
Yes, it is definitely a Class C, but as to the firestick, it requires internet, and campground wifi is hopelessly weak and doesn't allow streaming. I use my AT&T phone with a 40GB hotspot for streaming.
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mumkin
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10/21/21 09:11am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Class B that sleeps 4 adults?
RV Trader Class B Sleeps 4
That's from RV Trader. I set two filters - Class B and Sleeping Capacity 4. Can't figure it out from the pics though.
All it gave was an LTV Class C. The seating for 2 at the dinette is riding sideways, which some consider a safety issue. It makes into a narrow bed in the Serenity... which may only be for one person.
If you want a Class B that fits that description, you will likely be looking for an older model. There were models that came with 4 captain's chairs. The newer Roadtreks can seat a couple of people on the rear sofas (which are VERY bouncy), but there is not sleeping space for 4 unless you have the pop top.
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mumkin
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10/20/21 09:21am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: 2021 Pleasure-Way Plateau TS, made in Canada
It is certainly no secret that the Promaster is a re-badged Fiat Ducato with the Dodge engine/drivetrain replacing the European model. People base their anti-Fiat prejudice on the issues of the imports of a generation ago. The reality is that the Ducato is the number one platform for van campers in Europe. Much of the reason being the lower initial cost, which is why they seem to be taking over the US Class B market right now too.
Are there some issues? Of course... but nowhere near that of the Sprinters especially since they added DEF. And repairs are so much less... and the initial cost is about $10K less.
Transits are so new to the US market that we know little. Thus far the few people (all tradesmen) that I know that have one certainly like them.
No debate that the Sprinter is the best looking van of the bunch, and if you need the higher towing capacity of a diesel, it is the top choice.
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mumkin
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08/10/21 08:10am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: 2021 Pleasure-Way Plateau TS, made in Canada
The Sprinter chassis has a higher towing capacity, 5,000 for the Accent and 4,220 for the Plateau. The Ford chassis is at 2,200 and the Promaster at 2,150.
FYI, on the 2021 Promaster the towing capacity has gone up about 1000 pounds. (before conversion, but would also affect after...) Not sure what they did, and the service people at my dealer didn't know either.
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mumkin
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08/09/21 06:23am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: 2021 Pleasure-Way Plateau TS, made in Canada
From what I read online, the Sprinter gets more complaints than Pleasureway. They have one of the best reputations for quality in the B market. It is still a relatively small family owned business.
You can find lots of owners of old and new PWs over on the owners Facebook page, if you can tolerate that messy format. And keeping in mind that most of the posters will be the ones looking for help with an issue while those with no problems rarely show up.
You might want to consider their new model on the Ford Transit. It is so much easier (and cheaper) to find service on a Ford than a Sprinter.
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mumkin
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08/07/21 07:16am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Europa USA
This is not class A it is definitely a class B
From what I googled, it is on no identifiable van... with weird noses and rears. Most of the ads identified it as a Class A. While they look the same, some have Chevy engines and some are Dodge... 23 to 28 feet. Doesn't appear to be a B to me. Some sort of hybrid?
But whatever it is, if any group exists, it is likely on Facebook now that Yahoo Groups are dead.
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mumkin
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08/01/21 06:10am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Europa USA
You might want to re-post this on the Class A branch since this seems to be classified as an A, not a Class B.
I would also check to see if there is a group on Facebook as that is where all of the model groups seem to be now.
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mumkin
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07/31/21 05:40pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Grech RV?
I've never heard of them before, even though they claim to have been in business for 37 years.
The answer to how many it sleeps appears to be none. It is pretty much a passenger van with a bathroom and small galley.
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mumkin
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06/26/21 05:27am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: forum
We’re all good.
No RVing but enjoying our Tucson home, and of course the Mutts.
We have three, Riley 11, Maddie 4, and Ginger 2
Would love a new LTV Unity (Class C) rear double bed.
Wouldn't we all... LOL... though I prefer the new Wonder floor plans on the gas Transit. Of course, order either one today and then the wait is about 30 months.
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mumkin
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05/25/21 06:49am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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