Any advice on Rialtas, Roadtreks, Pleasureway?

[Billyidol]

Hey all, I'm new here!&nbsp; Hi!<br /><br />Bob Wells....I bought your book.&nbsp; Good stuff!&nbsp; Invaluable!!&nbsp; I like the advice for the high top vans!!!<br /><br />I rented a 2004 Roadtrek Popular 190 this summer.&nbsp; The refrigerator was ok, and the shower was great.&nbsp; Everything works and was very well designed.&nbsp; The Roadtrek is real stealthy, but it is sort of narrow and cramped, although some of you guys think the Roadtrek is palatial compared to a small van or car!!&nbsp; I'm also looking into the Pleasureway Excel TD Widebody because it might make the Class B seem a bit more roomy.&nbsp; I'm looking at Roadtrek Popular 190 and Pleasureway Excel TD Widebody from 1996-2000 for about 12k max.&nbsp; I was also attracted to R Vision Trailite BPlus, but that is pretty pricey.<br /><br />I was about to buy this 1996 Rialta with the full bed in back that is always there.&nbsp; But the stupid Generac generator would not work.&nbsp; So I decided not to buy it.&nbsp; <br /><br />I am going to rent a Rialta in the next few months from Rialta Heaven out here is California.<br /><br />A few questions:<br /><br />1-I did not get a chance to try the shower in the Rialta, how is it showering in the Rialta?<br />2-I'm going to live in the vehicle, so refrigerator size is important to me.&nbsp; I want a nice sized freezer.&nbsp; Is the Rialta fridge big enough?&nbsp; Seems to small to me, can I get a bigger fridge?<br />3-The Rialta seems like an apartment while the Roadtrek 190 seemed like more of a hallway.&nbsp; I'm wondering how hard is it to park the Rialta (parallel parking and other types of parking)?<br />4-For living in a vehicle, (Roadtrek now), do you recommend the 190 or 210? I don't like the 200 because no door on the Popular 200.<br />5-Any experience with the Pleasureway Excel TD Widebody?&nbsp; Was the widebody effect noticeable so far as making it feel more roomy inside?<br /><br />John

 

[bee]

<span id="post_message_1275766295">I had researched roadtrek quite heavily, I was planning on getting one at one time.&nbsp; I know nothing about the Rialta.<br /><br />but to answer a few of your questions.<br /><br /><br />2-I'm going to live in the vehicle, so refrigerator size is important to me.&nbsp; I want a nice sized freezer.&nbsp; Is the Rialta fridge big enough?&nbsp; Seems to small to me, can I get a bigger fridge?<br /><br /><span style="color: #ff0000;">If you plan on boondocking as in not plugged in most people recommend high efficiency 12v compressor fridges and solar to keep them running.&nbsp; This will not be standard with any rv. You might want to consider a fridge/ freezer chest and figure out where to put it to supplement what is already in the rv.&nbsp; An example would be </span><br /><span style="color: #ff0000;">http://www.amazon.com/ARB-10800472-..._5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1353622463&amp;sr=8-5&amp;</span><br /><span style="color: #ff0000;">The key is it must have a danfross compressor, or I think engel uses there own swing compressor that also is very efficient.</span><br /><br /><br />3-The Rialta seems like an apartment while the Roadtrek 190 seemed like more of a hallway.&nbsp; I'm wondering how hard is it to park the Rialta (parallel parking and other types of parking)?<br /><br /><span style="color: #ff0000;">You will have to try that out yourself and make your own opinion.<br /><br />One thing I want to mention is you rented a Chevy based roadtrek.&nbsp; It probably drives much nicer then a dodge based one that you might be able to afford.&nbsp; The chevy will have better power and handling.&nbsp; Some of the late model dodge based ones were known to wander or something on the highway, and no one knows how to fix it.&nbsp; They say to test drive them on the highway before you buy.&nbsp; Some are plagued others are just fine.&nbsp; This goes for all dodge based van conversions.</span><br /><br /><br />4-For living in a vehicle, (Roadtrek now), do you recommend the 190 or 210? I don't like the 200 because no door on the Popular 200.<br /><span style="color: #ff0000;">I wasn't overly impressed with the 210, though it does have a larger fridge then the 190.&nbsp; I remember I liked the 190 better but I don't remember why I had that opinion.</span><br /><br /></span>

 

[jadajazz]

First time poster here. I owned a 1997 Eurovan, upon which the Rialta is based. I would never buy a Rialta, because maintenance costs are extremely high, and many VW dealers won't work on them. Availability of parts may also be a problem.<br /><br />I now own a 2006 Pleasureway Excel TS (wide body). It's based on a Ford chassis, with a V-8 engine. It's great to drive (gets around 14 mpg), and it has all of the amenities I need to boondock for significant periods of time. Ford dealers are everywhere, and accessible parts are not a problem.<br /><br />Pleasureways are comparable to Roadtreks, with a few variances (many RTs have the shower in the aisle), and I think they have the kitchen area on the driver's side. My PW has a completely enclosed wet bath, and the kitchen is on the passenger's side, where the awning helps keep the refrigerator cool in hot weather.<br /><br />I travel with my partner and 2 dogs--one yorkie, and a medium-sized terrier mix--and we've been comfortable in the PW. The king size bed in back can be used as 2 twins, in which case the dogs can fit nicely between.<br /><br />Good luck with your decision and continuing search.<br /><br />

 

[iamnoone]

<p>Hi &nbsp;I am new to this forum, &nbsp;I have a question. &nbsp;I see the info about the dodge roadtrek's what about the mid 80's dodge roadtrek II? &nbsp;I am about to have a look at one considering a 1979 chevy RV also that is in great condition and low miles&nbsp;<br><br>thanks for the information in this forum</p>