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howardsells2000

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Im just curious what others think. I really like the stealth look of a van but I think a class b camper van would be more realistic for me. However while I search craigslist I find lots of older class a motorhomes in the same price range. Im looking to not spend more than 5000.00 hopefully more like 2500.00. I know it wouldnt be very stealthy but they sure look nice and for the same money. I was wondering what everyones opinions are?
 
<P>IMHHO -- <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align=absMiddle border=0></P>R/V --"Look I'm in here" <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR><BR>Box Van -- You build it out - how you want it -- <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/sneaky.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br>And if you wanna look nice - wear a suit <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR><br>
 
<p style="margin: 0px;">You have to decide which is more important to you: stealth, or comfort and convenience. Are you going to be in the inner sity or in more rural areas? Might make a difference for you.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I think if you're going to spend 2500 on a B, you will be revamping things as you go along, as things need replacing, but the basic components are in place: easier to replace than manufacture from scratch. Possibly cheaper. Be cautious of the propane system in an old unit - have it checked by a professional.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">We loved our B, but we don't rely on stealth. Having a bathroom, shower, kitchen, sink, fridge and everything self sufficient was fantastic. Wherever we stopped, we were home.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you need stealth? You would be surprised at<br>how LE picks up you are around. Officers I have spoken <br>to say they are less concerned about an RV than vans<br>because they feel like they know what&nbsp;the RVs are up to<br>and they have&nbsp;no idea what is up with a van.<br><br>
 
&nbsp;Just our own experience - we've been fulltiming in a small class C since 1993 so we're not stealthy at all. We stay everywhere- parking lots , driveways, on the street when we're visiting people ,campgrounds , rest areas , public lands. We've been asked to moved just a few times because of city ordinances. <br><br>We don't stay anywhere so long that it looks like we're moving in but we have returned to the same spot for days in a row to sleep. No generator or junk outside. What Owl posted is correct. We can pick out van dwellers fairly easily so the cops will know too. Stealth isn't as easy as it seems.<br><br>So check out all of the options. Buy what you think you'll be comfortable driving and living in. Everybody goes about this differently so what's good for one of us might not fit at all for another. The worse problem with a used RV is water damage so check them over very carefully. Good luck with your search!<br>
 
have to second this...&nbsp;&nbsp; IF you can find a box truck that has a good engine, will give you the ability to make the inside what you want it to be, with plenty of room, but if your parked in the right area you will blend right in <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; have spent many a night in home depot parking lots in mine.<br><br>
Ricekila said:
<p>IMHHO -- <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"></p>R/V --"Look I'm in here" <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"><br><br>Box Van -- You build it out - how you want it -- <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/sneaky.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"><br><br>And if you wanna look nice - wear a suit <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"><br><br>
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Beware of Big Older Class A Motorhomes...like those GREAT deals you can get on beautiful, excellent condition 1990's and later 33 footers and larger...they are practically giving them away.&nbsp; As I too look for a 1990's 24 foot Class B I'm finding I can get a gorgeous 33 foot Class A circa 1998 for even LESS MONEY.<br><br>Here's the rub: (besides the gas mileage)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - BIG BIG Hit on INSURANCE<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - BIG BIG Hit on yearly Personal Property Taxes in states that <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; have that, like mine<br><br>These two items alone, depending on your state, could easily be over TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS a year in total......much less on a 20-24 foot Class B<br><br>Just one consideration...YEARLY LEGAL&lt; PAPERWORK-TYPE EXPENSES<br><br>Good Luck<br>Dust<br>
 
Sparky nailed it on the PAPER costs of a BIG Class A Motorhome<br><br>Not to mention gas and TIRES...scheesh, $400 TIRES...thatz insane costs<br><br>They are GIVING these big dinosaurs away...unbelievable sale prices<br><br>I could possible see buying one if the travel was just to move it VERY occasionally to one living place and then another if needed...with all that great, comfortable space sure it's hard to NOT want to live in one of these versus a 24 footer...<br><br>But those costs!!!!! If you use Sparky's numbers then just to have that large stationary home, buying insurances, taxes, tags, tires ($2400 for 6 new ones...chrissakes...pardon the cuss)..., some repairs &amp; upkeep...????<br><br>Nah, even then it looks too expensive...too bad<br><br>Another world we live in now<br><br>Smaller is better now...for just about everything<br><br>Dust<br>
 
AFAIK the personal property tax is based on the value -- if it isn't worth much, it should be low.&nbsp; States I've registered in include it in the vehicle registration.<br><br><br>
 
A class A motorhome may look like a good deal, but they are nightmares to drive. There is a reason you see them doing 50 in the right lane most of the time. The frames they were built on were often not designed for that wide and unbalanced of a load. Sure, flat landing in Florida or the Northeast is okay, but hit the mountains or windy plains, and you are going to wish you had something easier to manage.<div><br></div><div>Another thing on the maintenance; it's not easy to find a place that will work on them. They need big enough bays, and the right tools to work on 'em. I've heard horror stories of people stuck for weeks in the middle of nowhere, paying thousands to get their class A towed to a RV dealer hundreds of miles away.</div><div><br></div><div>A class B typically won't have that issue, since most dealers DGAF what the inside looks like.<br><div><br></div><div>Some of the smaller ones (a Trek, the GMC from the 70s, Those sprinter based Via things) are a great compromise, but are hard to find, especially in good shape (and the Via is 100k, so that kinda runs antithesis to this site).</div></div>
 
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; Not to offend, but stealth is probably not as attainable as some think. As someone else stated before, I have&nbsp;no problem picking out " stealth " vans. Here's what I think. Van to tow a resonable travel trailer. Not too big, but big enough to be comfortable. TT's are very simple to work on, no additional engine, trans etc. to maintain.&nbsp;If&nbsp;your tow rig breaks down almost anything can get you to a safe spot. Find a place you want to stay, park, unhook and use your van to explore, work, whatever. What say you?&nbsp;</P>
 
Box Truck<div>diesel engine - 12-15mpg to gal</div><div>lots of room inside, easy to insulate, blends blends blends</div>
 
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