An honest appraisal is MUCH NEEDED in the RV world. Understanding different people have different needs, your opinion is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU for sharing.
So happy we could help. I guess the difference is that we aren't trying to sell any of these RV's, and we've never been shy about telling it as we see it. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Yes, YES, YES, You Nailed it with frustration about driving an RV in traffic. Many people are impatient and driving over the speed limit looking for a little highway drama to post on social media. 😢😮 Sad !
We both have driven tractor trailers in our lives, and many other large vehicles on the roadways, and we're convinced it is just a case of people not understanding what it is like to drive a large RV or Truck. Among other things, the acceleration is limited , and it can be hard to see with all the blind spots. Maybe if everyone was required to drive one before they could get their license they might appreciate the difficulties, and have a bit more patience. But until that time, we just have to take a breath and remain calm when "incidents" occur. Thanks for your comment.
We traveled cross country in our Roadtrek 4x4 SS-AGILE. A few tips, below driver seat there is a power port you can add USB attachment. Bedding, we received tip from LivinRVision, sleeping bags that already have foam topper. Simple roll out/up. Definitely go lithium. Some design issues in your model reason why we chose Roadtrek over others from previous experience in our other RV's. Thank you for tip with power sliding door. Everyone has different pro and cons, but the class b going cross country just in fuel mileage, park/go anywhere, and the benefit of Lithium as we travel with our dog we don't miss the extra space other than the rear bath in our previous larger unit. For all our HOA friends, we can park in our driveway and we use it as our everyday vehicle. Safe travels.
Thanks for the information. We totally forgot to mention the advantage to being able to park the RV in our driveway. You make some very strong arguments for the class B. Happy Travels!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. We're newly retired & have never camped before, but wanting a class B for ease in travel. I'd be interested in how you two decide where to go & how to plan out your trip. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
Interesting how everyone uses it differently. We use our shower daily, but it’s rear shower and we can stand up in it. But we never go to RV parks and go from point to point and sleep along the way at rest stops
This is very true. Dan totally would have been able to do more boondocking, but Rose shut that down immediately. As it is, the Patriot is versatile enough to allow different types of uses, that's why we like the Class B.
As with any major purchase, due diligence is absolutely necessary. All class b rv's are tight when it comes to real estate. If you are certain you want a class b, look at the things that are important to you BEFORE you commit. Perhaps the storage issue can be improved if you bought something with a murphy bed or twin bed that converts to a full bed. As you pointed out in your video, the sofa bed offers very little storage for obvious reasons. Same goes for the bathroom wall right next to drivers seat. Think outside the box and try to visualize how a particular floorpan will affect you.
We have a Simplicity SRT With Electric Sofa Bed . We add the memory Foam with a fitted sheet, then add blankets & a Nice comforter… we never make the Bed , in the couch position, it is very comfortable, and we can make our bed in less than 5 seconds… Look outside the box and Share our experience… thanks for the Videos Pete & Kim
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately for us, our rear lounge kinda splits the bed so we couldn't use the fitted sheet without it hanging down. This is the kind of thing that prospective Class B buyers should be aware of. Your comment is very much appreciated.
Hey. I’m a new fan of channel. Love the content. On a side note, it’s funny when you say your title, “Half Fast Travelers”. It sounds like. “Half *ss Travelers.” LOL! Love it.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. We try to keep our videos fun and lite, and the name goes a long way to reminding us that as much as we learn, there is always more to learn and experience.
I have become a big fan of RV videos this past year. Matt's RV Reviews has taught me a lot concerning the different classes and manufacturers, mainly in the US, but also Europe. Being said, I don't think I would ever own one. I would rent. A class B would be more my style. Something small and easy to drive. I'm planning a road trip in April, 2024 to see the total solar eclipse somewhere between Ohio and Texas depending on the cloud forecast leading up. Plan to "van life" in my Audi A7, which is a hatchback and has enough room for a Nemo Tensor mattress and sleeping bag. I want to stay mobile and a lot of the motels and campgrounds are already booked in Texas.
Thanks for the comment. We love Matt's videos as well. We looked into rental for our cross-country trip earlier this year, but the cost was more than the depreciation for the unit we purchased , and we had the opportunity to go that route. If it would have been a shorter trip, we definitely would have considered renting. If you're going to Texas, make sure you don't miss Big Bend National Park, and try to stay in the Chisos Basin Campground. Very inexpensive (Around $16 a night), and easy access to all the hiking trails. If you haven't already, we have two videos about our experiences there. Happy Travels!
The tight feeling when moving around in the van is why we’ve decided to go with the Winnebago Travato 59K floor plan. I can see the counter space and kitchen faucet being an issue but I also really dislike the induction cooktop. There is only one burner! Who cooks one thing at a time?! It also requires a specific cookware to be able to use the induction cooktop as well.
Yeah, the twin bed units seem to offer more space to move around, and with the bathroom in the back they feel like they have more room up front. It seems more and more manufacturers are going toward induction cooktops in their smaller units. Paired with lithium packages, they can eliminate the heavy and cumbersome propane systems. We don't mind the induction so much, because that's what we have at home. Thanks for your comment.
Class Bs run 20-24 feet, while the smallest class B+/Cs run 25+ for the most part. Alas, in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc. they have B+ (which they call "semi-integrated") that run as short as 22 feet or so. I wish there were more options like that here. Their short length keeps them very parkable, albeit with a little more concern about width, and drivable but you end up with more elbow room inside *and* some outside storage as well *and* often a bed that doesn't have to be made each day, all without sacrificing much fuel efficiency. When you are both wider and 25'+ in length, you lose so much of the park-anywhere mobility of a B. Hopefully we will see some shorter B+ models in the future here in North America.
Everyone should read this comment. Thanks for the clarification. We actually just got back from Europe, and we were surprised at the sheer number of RVs on the road there. Almost all of them were either Class B's or short Class C's under 25 feet, and we understand why. It was hard enough getting around in our rental car, and I can't imagine navigating some of those roads in a larger vehicle. Wow! Thanks for the comment.
@@halffasttravelers2702 Yeah, I, like a lot of Americans I suspect, used to think that RVing was kind of an "American" thing untiL i started traveling the world as an adult. If the number of RVs on the road are an accurate indication, we have nothing on several countries in Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand. Norway and France in particular, are crawling with them. Also, France's "aire" system for free RV stays should be the envy of every other country.
Wow, we weren't aware of the Aire system. It seems the French realize what a huge tourism opportunity the RV community can provide. Thanks for the information.
You make a great point. The Patriot got great MPG, and even with the higher price of diesel the cost was less than we expected. We really break down the costs in this video: ruclips.net/video/yp_eeNrZdGY/видео.html You can use our formula to see what it would have cost with a lower MPG. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for sharing. With the success of Winnebago EKKO, and long waits for Leisure Travel Vans, I think the RV market will see a boom with B+ (25ft or shorter.)
We totally agree. There are some exciting new models and floor plans coming out these days. It seems one of the hardest parts of selecting an RV is trying to balance your needs and wants. With each trip we come closer to finding that "sweet spot" between manageable Travel size and living space. Thanks for your support.
Thanks for the compliment. Rose feels exactly as you do, she likes more space. We are now considering a travel trailer because the cost is lower, and they have a ton more space inside. We just have to be comfortable with pulling a trailer everywhere we go. It's a trade off either way. Good luck with your search.
Hmmm, now that's interesting. We do remember the train wreck that was the auto industry in the 70's and 80's, but we're not sure if the RV industry has reached that point yet. Anyone else have an opinion on this?
We are purchasing our retirement home Down sizing and plan to travel. Thinking about purchasing a Ram Promaster new or near new. Bare model high top. My thoughts are building a raised bed frame put a matress on it. So there is storage under the bed. Possibly add slide out pull out compartment for easier access to clothes and other items.I plan to forget about built in cooking area and bathroom or shower.Use it basically to sleep in. Take a portable shower or just take showers at truck stops like Loves or Flying Jay.Take a cooler for food and eat in fast food restaurants. We would be using it a week or 2 at a time. Every other month or so. What do you think will it work or do I need a full blown Class B
Wow! First of all, this sounds really exciting. You are going to have such a good time trying to figure all this out. As far as our opinion on whether or not you need to go with a Class B, I guess that depends largely on you and your needs and abilities. If you can feasibly construct the design of your choice, that will ensure you are getting what you want without having to make "sacrifices" with perks you neither need nor want. We learned a lot on our road trip last year so here are some things to consider: You will have very little space to move around inside, this is important for times when you are stuck somewhere in bad weather. Also, remember that if you do not have certain features in your build (Lighting inside & out, food preparation, refrigerator, a way to keep your battery charged, etc.) You will need to carry at least some of these items with you. Keep this in mind when laying out your storage areas. For example, you can replace the fridge with a cooler, but then you will need to replenish the ice regularly unless you get an electric cooler in which case it could run the battery down while you're away or overnight. You could get a small generator, but then you have to carry it and its fuel. Solar, either portable or roof mounted might be an option as well, but again that is weather dependent. There are reasons why Class B's have the amenities they do, and most are there to make your stay inside more enjoyable & logistically feasible. There are a ton of videos on van builds with great information about what you are planning, and I would also watch those "after-the-fact" videos where they discuss whether or not they would do anything different the next time. I hope these comments assist you, and we hope your upcoming adventures are as extraordinary as ours have been. Good Luck!
Also. I’m pretty sure one can turn off any assistance technology. Cal the dealership if you can’t figure it out. I didn’t like lane assist, and turned it off in my Tesla.
We have discovered that some of these features can be disabled by the driver. Unfortunately, the crosswind assist is not included in that list. We spoke with the Mercedes representative, and he recommended checking with the dealer to see if the sensitivity can be adjusted. Once we have attempted this, we will update the video. Thanks for the post.
It’s just me and my dog and there isn’t one van I’ve stepped in that I thought I could live in or with , at all. They look bigger on video than they ever do in person, not to mention the ridiculous pricing of them all. The issue with the screws in the cabinets is a testament to the sloppy construction and quality control that one would think Mercedes would be on top of , especially with their price point.
Yeah, living in the small space is a challenge. We did it for just over a month and a half, and we have great respect for those who are able to live the van life. The cost factor is a huge consideration, and we have found that the Ram Chassis is relatively cheaper than the Mercedes. Unfortunately they tend to be smaller as well. We've seen some very small and inexpensive Class C's, but as you said you have to be mindful of the quality and really shop around. We can see why so many folks choose a travel trailer instead. We hope you are able to find the right RV for you. Thanks for the comment.
@@halffasttravelers2702you’re welcome 😀 , my crv is 14 years old, I’m getting ready to buy an odyssey, turn it into a camper like I did the crv which is tight for me and the dog. I’ve been researching RVs since 2020. I’m giving up , going to minivan it for a while. When I sell my house next year I just might put a trailer on land I have in Maine and travel for the winters 6 months at a time. I need to go see what and who’s out there 😎
B+ is not a real category. They are actually C’s. A class B is an RV built inside a van. A B+ is a box on a cab and chassis, which is a C. The RV that fits your needs depends on how you use it if you are in campgrounds all the time a C would be nicer. It sounds like the way you travel that you might as well get a C. Then if you get a C you need a “toad” as you mentioned. We have a B because we rarely go to campgrounds or plug in. When we do we can get an electric only tent site a lot cheaper. We are more travelers than campers. We want the ability to park anywhere and go on narrow mountain roads and into the small towns and explore the backcountry. We don’t go off road so we don’t need the 4x4. Our class B is perfect for the way we travel. Anything bigger wouldn’t work for us.
Thanks so much for your comments. Before we started, we weren't really sure what style of Rving would be best for us. It seems that there may be a lot of other people trying to figure it out as well. Comments like yours are so useful to assist others in making these decisions. Looking back on our trip, we think that we took two kinds of journeys; one, to discover new extraordinary places and experiences, and another to determine what type of RVing was right for us. We are still on the fence as to whether or not we are going to make a change for next year's trip. Stay tuned...
Great advice seconded by this Promaster owner who travels off grid and rarely stays at campgrounds. Get a class C for the room if exploring in a van isn’t for you. 10,000 feet up in the dirt in Wyoming.
Thanks for your comment. We are so glad to hear about everyone's experiences. We are aching to get back out there, but we have a few cruises booked this fall. Once we get back we'll decide if we want to go with something bigger, although I think Rose has already decided. Happy Travels!
@@kathykeene2092 That’s still a C. A Class B is built inside a van. There is no official class B+. It’s just an unofficial made up category by the manufacturers.
Not yet, but the Mercedes Rep we met at the show believed that we may be able to have the dealer adjust the sensitivity. We'll let you know if they are able to fix the issue.
Where did you store your memory foam topper- just wondering because we may need to get a topper too, but not sure where to put it. Also, what size is it?
At 14:27 in the video I slide it under the cabinet overhang, and that was where it stayed during the day. That area couldn't be used as a seat anyway, so it really wasn't in our way. It is a 2 inch thick memory gel foam topper.
When you see full time van lifers and custom van builds, you will NEVER see this layout. I do not really know what the market is for this layout. I think it is built for older people who like to travel in luxury and use it as a living space from time to time or as an emergency. This layout is definitely not for anyone who intends in living in this for multiple days. A permanent rear bed with garage storage under the bed is a much more open and liveable layout. surprised that you chose this van for a cross country trip.
Well I'm not sure about the "older" part, but yes, but you're probably right about the usage. We learned a lot on the trip, including the limitations of the design. That being said, we wouldn't have traded the experience for the world. Thanks for your comment, and Happy Travels!
Please don't get us wrong, we are very happy with our Patriot, and feel the good well outweighs the bad. As with everything, there is room for improvement. Thanks for your comment and support.
@@halffasttravelers2702 I know it would take a full time staffer to search out videos like this one to get the feed back needed for their design department, all we can do as consumers is pray they actually do pay attention to the likes and dislikes of users, and not sit in their design cubicle and merely fantasize about what would work in the real world.
We really enjoy making these videos, and we feel as though we are providing good information to those who are interested and who may need it. If that means we have to give up a little of our privacy, then we are good with that. Thanks for your comment.
Ha ha! Yes, we seem to be living up to our names, don't we? Check out our website where we have a blog describing why we went with this Class B for the trip. It wasn't an easy decision. Thanks for your support.
So what I’m hearing… you bought the wrong van. You’re complaining about it but you obviously didn’t look at these things before you bought it. Poor design to start with, but your complaints are screaming “not ready to spend time in a van because you can’t live without your space and stuff”.
We see you have interpreted our video as a complaint about the purchase we made, this was not our intention. It was intended to outline an evaluation and critique of the RV we chose based upon our experiences during our cross-country trip. If you are interested, we have a blog on our website describing the process and research we used when selecting the Patriot. At the time, it seemed the perfect choice. I will include the link here: halffasttravelers.com/blog/f/why-we-chose-the-american-coach-patriot-rv-for-our-us-road-trip We value all comments, even those containing constructive criticism. Thanks
An honest appraisal is MUCH NEEDED in the RV world. Understanding different people have different needs, your opinion is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU for sharing.
Thanks for your support and comment. Happy Travels!
Great rundown!!! I'm in the market and the honest appraisal helps out a lot when making my decision. Thanks much!!
So happy we could help. I guess the difference is that we aren't trying to sell any of these RV's, and we've never been shy about telling it as we see it. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Yes, YES, YES, You Nailed it with frustration about driving an RV in traffic. Many people are impatient and driving over the speed limit looking for a little highway drama to post on social media. 😢😮 Sad !
We both have driven tractor trailers in our lives, and many other large vehicles on the roadways, and we're convinced it is just a case of people not understanding what it is like to drive a large RV or Truck. Among other things, the acceleration is limited , and it can be hard to see with all the blind spots. Maybe if everyone was required to drive one before they could get their license they might appreciate the difficulties, and have a bit more patience. But until that time, we just have to take a breath and remain calm when "incidents" occur. Thanks for your comment.
We traveled cross country in our Roadtrek 4x4 SS-AGILE. A few tips, below driver seat there is a power port you can add USB attachment. Bedding, we received tip from LivinRVision, sleeping bags that already have foam topper. Simple roll out/up. Definitely go lithium. Some design issues in your model reason why we chose Roadtrek over others from previous experience in our other RV's. Thank you for tip with power sliding door. Everyone has different pro and cons, but the class b going cross country just in fuel mileage, park/go anywhere, and the benefit of Lithium as we travel with our dog we don't miss the extra space other than the rear bath in our previous larger unit. For all our HOA friends, we can park in our driveway and we use it as our everyday vehicle. Safe travels.
Thanks for the information. We totally forgot to mention the advantage to being able to park the RV in our driveway. You make some very strong arguments for the class B. Happy Travels!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. We're newly retired & have never camped before, but wanting a class B for ease in travel. I'd be interested in how you two decide where to go & how to plan out your trip. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
You are very welcome. Your wish is our command. We will add a description of our travel planning process to a future video. Happy Travels!
Great review, this will help me and my wife make the proper decision when we begin our search.
That was exactly our intent. Thank you for your comment.
Interesting how everyone uses it differently. We use our shower daily, but it’s rear shower and we can stand up in it. But we never go to RV parks and go from point to point and sleep along the way at rest stops
This is very true. Dan totally would have been able to do more boondocking, but Rose shut that down immediately. As it is, the Patriot is versatile enough to allow different types of uses, that's why we like the Class B.
As with any major purchase, due diligence is absolutely necessary. All class b rv's are tight when it comes to real estate. If you are certain you want a class b, look at the things that are important to you BEFORE you commit. Perhaps the storage issue can be improved if you bought something with a murphy bed or twin bed that converts to a full bed. As you pointed out in your video, the sofa bed offers very little storage for obvious reasons. Same goes for the bathroom wall right next to drivers seat. Think outside the box and try to visualize how a particular floorpan will affect you.
Great post, and excellent advice. Thank you!!
We have a Simplicity SRT
With Electric Sofa Bed .
We add the memory Foam with a fitted sheet, then add blankets & a Nice comforter… we never make the Bed , in the couch position, it is very comfortable, and we can make our bed in less than 5 seconds…
Look outside the box and Share our experience… thanks for the Videos
Pete & Kim
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately for us, our rear lounge kinda splits the bed so we couldn't use the fitted sheet without it hanging down. This is the kind of thing that prospective Class B buyers should be aware of. Your comment is very much appreciated.
In my Mercedes Benz sprinter the second panel in the door has first aid kit on passenger side and manual on drivers side both behind a door
Now, we are going to have to check ours. Thanks for the info.
Hey. I’m a new fan of channel. Love the content. On a side note, it’s funny when you say your title, “Half Fast Travelers”. It sounds like. “Half *ss Travelers.” LOL! Love it.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. We try to keep our videos fun and lite, and the name goes a long way to reminding us that as much as we learn, there is always more to learn and experience.
I have become a big fan of RV videos this past year. Matt's RV Reviews has taught me a lot concerning the different classes and manufacturers, mainly in the US, but also Europe. Being said, I don't think I would ever own one. I would rent. A class B would be more my style. Something small and easy to drive. I'm planning a road trip in April, 2024 to see the total solar eclipse somewhere between Ohio and Texas depending on the cloud forecast leading up. Plan to "van life" in my Audi A7, which is a hatchback and has enough room for a Nemo Tensor mattress and sleeping bag. I want to stay mobile and a lot of the motels and campgrounds are already booked in Texas.
Thanks for the comment. We love Matt's videos as well. We looked into rental for our cross-country trip earlier this year, but the cost was more than the depreciation for the unit we purchased , and we had the opportunity to go that route. If it would have been a shorter trip, we definitely would have considered renting. If you're going to Texas, make sure you don't miss Big Bend National Park, and try to stay in the Chisos Basin Campground. Very inexpensive (Around $16 a night), and easy access to all the hiking trails. If you haven't already, we have two videos about our experiences there. Happy Travels!
The tight feeling when moving around in the van is why we’ve decided to go with the Winnebago Travato 59K floor plan. I can see the counter space and kitchen faucet being an issue but I also really dislike the induction cooktop. There is only one burner! Who cooks one thing at a time?! It also requires a specific cookware to be able to use the induction cooktop as well.
Yeah, the twin bed units seem to offer more space to move around, and with the bathroom in the back they feel like they have more room up front. It seems more and more manufacturers are going toward induction cooktops in their smaller units. Paired with lithium packages, they can eliminate the heavy and cumbersome propane systems. We don't mind the induction so much, because that's what we have at home. Thanks for your comment.
Class Bs run 20-24 feet, while the smallest class B+/Cs run 25+ for the most part. Alas, in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc. they have B+ (which they call "semi-integrated") that run as short as 22 feet or so. I wish there were more options like that here. Their short length keeps them very parkable, albeit with a little more concern about width, and drivable but you end up with more elbow room inside *and* some outside storage as well *and* often a bed that doesn't have to be made each day, all without sacrificing much fuel efficiency. When you are both wider and 25'+ in length, you lose so much of the park-anywhere mobility of a B. Hopefully we will see some shorter B+ models in the future here in North America.
Everyone should read this comment. Thanks for the clarification. We actually just got back from Europe, and we were surprised at the sheer number of RVs on the road there. Almost all of them were either Class B's or short Class C's under 25 feet, and we understand why. It was hard enough getting around in our rental car, and I can't imagine navigating some of those roads in a larger vehicle. Wow! Thanks for the comment.
@@halffasttravelers2702 Yeah, I, like a lot of Americans I suspect, used to think that RVing was kind of an "American" thing untiL i started traveling the world as an adult. If the number of RVs on the road are an accurate indication, we have nothing on several countries in Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand. Norway and France in particular, are crawling with them. Also, France's "aire" system for free RV stays should be the envy of every other country.
Wow, we weren't aware of the Aire system. It seems the French realize what a huge tourism opportunity the RV community can provide. Thanks for the information.
Good Video.!
One thing you may of taken for granted is the gas mileage. It would have been much worse in a C or B+ with a tow vehicle.
You make a great point. The Patriot got great MPG, and even with the higher price of diesel the cost was less than we expected. We really break down the costs in this video: ruclips.net/video/yp_eeNrZdGY/видео.html You can use our formula to see what it would have cost with a lower MPG. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for sharing. With the success of Winnebago EKKO, and long waits for Leisure Travel Vans, I think the RV market will see a boom with B+ (25ft or shorter.)
We totally agree. There are some exciting new models and floor plans coming out these days. It seems one of the hardest parts of selecting an RV is trying to balance your needs and wants. With each trip we come closer to finding that "sweet spot" between manageable Travel size and living space. Thanks for your support.
Great sharing of + -. The tight space of a B is my hesitation. Tag a long most likely.
Thanks for the compliment. Rose feels exactly as you do, she likes more space. We are now considering a travel trailer because the cost is lower, and they have a ton more space inside. We just have to be comfortable with pulling a trailer everywhere we go. It's a trade off either way. Good luck with your search.
Great video. The lack of quality is just like American cars in the 70's and 80's.
Hmmm, now that's interesting. We do remember the train wreck that was the auto industry in the 70's and 80's, but we're not sure if the RV industry has reached that point yet. Anyone else have an opinion on this?
We are purchasing our retirement home Down sizing and plan to travel. Thinking about purchasing a Ram Promaster new or near new. Bare model high top. My thoughts are building a raised bed frame put a matress on it. So there is storage under the bed. Possibly add slide out pull out compartment for easier access to clothes and other items.I plan to forget about built in cooking area and bathroom or shower.Use it basically to sleep in. Take a portable shower or just take showers at truck stops like Loves or Flying Jay.Take a cooler for food and eat in fast food restaurants. We would be using it a week or 2 at a time. Every other month or so. What do you think will it work or do I need a full blown Class B
Wow! First of all, this sounds really exciting. You are going to have such a good time trying to figure all this out. As far as our opinion on whether or not you need to go with a Class B, I guess that depends largely on you and your needs and abilities. If you can feasibly construct the design of your choice, that will ensure you are getting what you want without having to make "sacrifices" with perks you neither need nor want. We learned a lot on our road trip last year so here are some things to consider: You will have very little space to move around inside, this is important for times when you are stuck somewhere in bad weather. Also, remember that if you do not have certain features in your build (Lighting inside & out, food preparation, refrigerator, a way to keep your battery charged, etc.) You will need to carry at least some of these items with you. Keep this in mind when laying out your storage areas. For example, you can replace the fridge with a cooler, but then you will need to replenish the ice regularly unless you get an electric cooler in which case it could run the battery down while you're away or overnight. You could get a small generator, but then you have to carry it and its fuel. Solar, either portable or roof mounted might be an option as well, but again that is weather dependent. There are reasons why Class B's have the amenities they do, and most are there to make your stay inside more enjoyable & logistically feasible. There are a ton of videos on van builds with great information about what you are planning, and I would also watch those "after-the-fact" videos where they discuss whether or not they would do anything different the next time. I hope these comments assist you, and we hope your upcoming adventures are as extraordinary as ours have been. Good Luck!
Had to do the same in my Dodge van and my Ford van yeah but you were pressurized once you got in that cabin
Yes, it's a trade-off we gladly make. Thanks for your comment. Happy Travels...
Also. I’m pretty sure one can turn off any assistance technology. Cal the dealership if you can’t figure it out. I didn’t like lane assist, and turned it off in my Tesla.
We have discovered that some of these features can be disabled by the driver. Unfortunately, the crosswind assist is not included in that list. We spoke with the Mercedes representative, and he recommended checking with the dealer to see if the sensitivity can be adjusted. Once we have attempted this, we will update the video. Thanks for the post.
It’s just me and my dog and there isn’t one van I’ve stepped in that I thought I could live in or with , at all. They look bigger on video than they ever do in person, not to mention the ridiculous pricing of them all. The issue with the screws in the cabinets is a testament to the sloppy construction and quality control that one would think Mercedes would be on top of , especially with their price point.
Yeah, living in the small space is a challenge. We did it for just over a month and a half, and we have great respect for those who are able to live the van life. The cost factor is a huge consideration, and we have found that the Ram Chassis is relatively cheaper than the Mercedes. Unfortunately they tend to be smaller as well. We've seen some very small and inexpensive Class C's, but as you said you have to be mindful of the quality and really shop around. We can see why so many folks choose a travel trailer instead. We hope you are able to find the right RV for you. Thanks for the comment.
@@halffasttravelers2702you’re welcome 😀 , my crv is 14 years old, I’m getting ready to buy an odyssey, turn it into a camper like I did the crv which is tight for me and the dog. I’ve been researching RVs since 2020. I’m giving up , going to minivan it for a while. When I sell my house next year I just might put a trailer on land I have in Maine and travel for the winters 6 months at a time. I need to go see what and who’s out there 😎
This was so helpful thank you
You're so welcome!
B+ is not a real category. They are actually C’s. A class B is an RV built inside a van. A B+ is a box on a cab and chassis, which is a C. The RV that fits your needs depends on how you use it if you are in campgrounds all the time a C would be nicer. It sounds like the way you travel that you might as well get a C. Then if you get a C you need a “toad” as you mentioned. We have a B because we rarely go to campgrounds or plug in. When we do we can get an electric only tent site a lot cheaper. We are more travelers than campers. We want the ability to park anywhere and go on narrow mountain roads and into the small towns and explore the backcountry. We don’t go off road so we don’t need the 4x4. Our class B is perfect for the way we travel. Anything bigger wouldn’t work for us.
Thanks so much for your comments. Before we started, we weren't really sure what style of Rving would be best for us. It seems that there may be a lot of other people trying to figure it out as well. Comments like yours are so useful to assist others in making these decisions. Looking back on our trip, we think that we took two kinds of journeys; one, to discover new extraordinary places and experiences, and another to determine what type of RVing was right for us. We are still on the fence as to whether or not we are going to make a change for next year's trip. Stay tuned...
Great advice seconded by this Promaster owner who travels off grid and rarely stays at campgrounds. Get a class C for the room if exploring in a van isn’t for you.
10,000 feet up in the dirt in Wyoming.
Thanks for your comment. We are so glad to hear about everyone's experiences. We are aching to get back out there, but we have a few cruises booked this fall. Once we get back we'll decide if we want to go with something bigger, although I think Rose has already decided. Happy Travels!
B+ has storage above cab (it is not a sleeping area); Class C has a sleeping area above the cab. You can have a toad with either.
@@kathykeene2092 That’s still a C. A Class B is built inside a van. There is no official class B+. It’s just an unofficial made up category by the manufacturers.
Not all Bs are equal. What is the name of your sprinter? There are so many different layouts.
We have the American Coach Patriot MD2 manufactured by Midwest Automotive. It is a rear lounge floor plan.
Is there. Cig point in lower dash for usb charging
We'll look under there. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing !
You're very welcome. We are having fun with this. Thanks for your support.
Were you able to resolve the issue with the wind turbulence/ cross wind?
Not yet, but the Mercedes Rep we met at the show believed that we may be able to have the dealer adjust the sensitivity. We'll let you know if they are able to fix the issue.
Where do you put the golf clubs?
Well, we're so good we only need three clubs, so they fit practically anywhere. Great comment!
Where did you store your memory foam topper- just wondering because we may need to get a topper too, but not sure where to put it. Also, what size is it?
At 14:27 in the video I slide it under the cabinet overhang, and that was where it stayed during the day. That area couldn't be used as a seat anyway, so it really wasn't in our way. It is a 2 inch thick memory gel foam topper.
Thank you - not sure how I missed it... appreciate the advice. @halffasttravelers2702
You are most welcome. We're happy we could help.
Thanks for the info.
You bet! Thanks for your support.
When you see full time van lifers and custom van builds, you will NEVER see this layout. I do not really know what the market is for this layout. I think it is built for older people who like to travel in luxury and use it as a living space from time to time or as an emergency. This layout is definitely not for anyone who intends in living in this for multiple days. A permanent rear bed with garage storage under the bed is a much more open and liveable layout. surprised that you chose this van for a cross country trip.
Well I'm not sure about the "older" part, but yes, but you're probably right about the usage. We learned a lot on the trip, including the limitations of the design. That being said, we wouldn't have traded the experience for the world. Thanks for your comment, and Happy Travels!
All this money and the manufacturer don't give a damn cheep work😮
Please don't get us wrong, we are very happy with our Patriot, and feel the good well outweighs the bad. As with everything, there is room for improvement. Thanks for your comment and support.
@@halffasttravelers2702 I know it would take a full time staffer to search out videos like this one to get the feed back needed for their design department, all we can do as consumers is pray they actually do pay attention to the likes and dislikes of users, and not sit in their design cubicle and merely fantasize about what would work in the real world.
With all the problems you had, I would seriously looking at an EMBASSY van. C’mon industry, you can do better.
Amazing youtube makes people think they need to out their life on the internet. So terrible to have wires hanging out.
We really enjoy making these videos, and we feel as though we are providing good information to those who are interested and who may need it. If that means we have to give up a little of our privacy, then we are good with that. Thanks for your comment.
Why not get a motorhome instead of a van sounds ass backwards
Ha ha! Yes, we seem to be living up to our names, don't we? Check out our website where we have a blog describing why we went with this Class B for the trip. It wasn't an easy decision. Thanks for your support.
Buy a grech. American coach has so many issues.
We weren't familiar with that brand. We'll check it out. Thanks.
So what I’m hearing… you bought the wrong van. You’re complaining about it but you obviously didn’t look at these things before you bought it. Poor design to start with, but your complaints are screaming “not ready to spend time in a van because you can’t live without your space and stuff”.
We see you have interpreted our video as a complaint about the purchase we made, this was not our intention. It was intended to outline an evaluation and critique of the RV we chose based upon our experiences during our cross-country trip. If you are interested, we have a blog on our website describing the process and research we used when selecting the Patriot. At the time, it seemed the perfect choice. I will include the link here: halffasttravelers.com/blog/f/why-we-chose-the-american-coach-patriot-rv-for-our-us-road-trip
We value all comments, even those containing constructive criticism. Thanks
@@halffasttravelers2702 I very much appreciated your honest evaluation. Thank you and please KEEP ON SHARING! 🙂 Happy travels!
Thanks so much for your support@@jeangraceNpeace6767
The shower in the back of the van is great! The ones with twin beds infront of the bathroom