Thank you Rich for sharing your selecting process. Since two years I am doing the same thing finding the right Roadtrek for my full-time living home as an individual person. As a freelancer I can proceed with my remote work from any part of the World. For me it is also important to have a good Internet connection. Thank you again. Have a safe journey in your Roadtrek.
Thank you much for this video! I was being encouraged to NOT build one but to look into something like this instead. So I just started looking at these types of videos this week. I reall like your descriptions and what the pros and cons are of each! Thank you again and I will follow you!
Thank you for following. I am always happy to answer questions, especially about perspective vehicles people are looking at. There are lots of things to look at very carefully and thoroughly. The search can be long and patience is your best friend. People get discouraged by so few of these being available and their enthusiasm when they find one can cause them to make impulsive, emotional decisions about buying something that could become a headache. I take an objective position when evaluating any prospective vehicle. I'm pretty sure I've done a "how to search for and buy" a Roadtrek video. What happens when a person is looking for a vehicle to purchase is they tend to overlook or just don't know what the telltale signs are of a vehicle that probably isn't worth considering. I've already spent hundreds of hours scrutinizing scores of vehicles. The one I settled on I've had now for over seven years, I think. And like any vehicle I own and operate, it's a better vehicle now than when I bought it, from a practical, utilitarian standpoint. If I can help you, I'm happy to do so.
That was very helpful , we’re just starting our search , narrowing it down to Roadtrek , and Pleasure Way , but are in Canada so are fewer here . Thanks for the great info
I LOVE my 2005 popular Roadtrek........cost a little more than we intended to spend, well worth it and not disappointed.....Took a year to locate what I wanted and had to drive eight hours to inspect it. It was SO worth the wait. We have a lot of furniture and household goods to sell...tired of "stuff" tying us down. I'm 66 and my husband is 80....it's time we hit the roads!
Is yours a Chevy or a Mercedes Sprinter? I can relate to the long drive and lengthy search. But you were rewarded for having a goal and taking the steps to achieve it. I'm 67 and feel the same way. I feel very fortunate to be able to have a home base but I'm weeding through all the clutter of a lifetime and jettisoning everything that is no longer relevant. For each of us, this is a different process. I have a son who shares my home and part of my process is him taking up the responsibilities of the home as I release mine. We each have a thought process we need to go through and an action plan to achieve our goals. I get so many insights from people who share how they work through these things, it is very helpful and gives me different perspectives to consider. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience, Dawn.
Dawn Frost Wow and good for you and your husband. I wish you everything good in your new life especially good health for both of you. Just in case you find you can’t travel so much in the future, I read about a huge group/club in TX that has established an assisted living type of community for those who can’t travel anymore. It allows people to live in their own rigs. I believe it’s called Escapees...something like that. Keep this info bc you never know. I’ve been researching a lot as I hope to do this for 6 months of a year maybe starting late in 2018 or 2019. I am a 68 yr old single lady who loves these Class B’s, can’t afford a new one and doesn’t have skills to work on older ones. I may start out in a minivan to see if I am suited. If ever you decide to trade or sell your 2005 Roadtrek, please contact me by email at RVing14@yahoo.com. I am very interested. Also email me as an old fashioned pen pal. I’d love to hear about your future adventures and can meet up with you when I hit the road. I am alone but not lonely and it would be nice to make friends during our travels. My sister lives in FL, I’m in NJ and I’d love to explore the west. My first month+ long trip will be Jan 2018 when I will travel to the annual RTR camping out of my SUV. If you’re not familiar with RTR, look up YT channel for Bob Wells, the founder of this meet up every year...his channel is CheapRVLiving. Put a dot com on it for his immensely popular website and forums. Safe and healthy travels, Mo in NJ and...
I picked the Roadtrek 170 because it's fits In my garage after raising the header over the garage door. That was a bit of work but I can work on my Roadtrek anytime of the year and hey I have own remote for the tv if I don't like what my wife is watching in the house. The 170 is so easy to drive. Good times. Take care!
Thank you of the comment Walleye. Yes, if I could have found a 170, I very well may have chosen that one. Problem was every time I tried to get to one, it was sold before I could get to it. And most of them went for between 150 and 200% more than I paid for mine...a real premium product in CA.
Roadtrek Rich yea that's what I found, pretty hard to find. I bought my 2005 170 from a dealer in Ohio for for 27k. It needed a little bit of work but it looks and runs like new now, even the Onan generator runs like a top. Like you, I don't mind doing some work on my own and it's a great learning experience in how everything works. Couple years from retirement and we may move up to a Zion SRT. By the way, what kind of work are you doing? You mentioned you're swamped at work this summer. Take care
This video is now about seven years old but I think still very relevant. I decided on a road trek as well but went for the larger 210 model. It essentially allows you to sleep width wise or lengthwise. You can have a wet shower or shower in the aisle, (2006 and beyond) and something not mentioned here is if you have two people in the van and you're going to be living together for months at a time, it's nice to have a van that you're able to divide up into separate areas. Road trek has done a superb job of this. One person can be upfront and another person could be in the back watching television, etc. without disturbing one another. And the larger 210 varieties the versatile model gives you just that, a lot of versatility. Remove one of the chairs and put extra cabinets in, a longer counter, etc. And the Chevy Express 6 liter V8 is a great engine. Although I would certainly consider a sprinter T1N, but much harder to find parts for and mechanics to work on them. Better gas mileage though. Chevy's you can have fixed anywhere, and every auto parts store in America has Chevy parts. There's also ample room in the roadtreks to add a lithium iron phosphate battery set up and enough space on the roof for solar. One downfall is the low ground clearance. That part I don't like. Combine this with a long wheelbase and you can high center easily. Not very good all off road vehicles. Roadtrek wanted to make tons of space available but you do sacrifice some ground clearance.
Love this video, Rich! Your approach toward narrowing down the field in your selection process is exactly what I’m going through. I have a GMC Starcraft high roof Vandura Van with 33,000 original miles on it. However, I’ve been watching Roadtreks for quite some time and am getting close to selling my van and buying a used 2005 or newer Roadtrek Popular 190. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject. Have safe travels!
Hi Phil Capling, Thanks for the comment. When you're ready to sell your Vandura, send me a comment and if you want to send some pix or a video to me, I'll do a video that it is for sale and include details you send. I don't look at the email for the channel unless prompted by a comment, the email is vaporcruzmail@gmail.com. I don't know how much help that would be, but at least there are people here, watching the channel interested in this kind of thing.
Great video! Our selection process was similar, with one additional requirement - trailer capacity. We pull 2 trailers, a 6000 lb horse trailer and a 4500 lb Harley hauler. The only class B's that we found that can handle these trailers are the Roadtrek 190 and 210 built on the 1 ton 3500 Chevy Express chassis. We purchased a 2016 210 and couldn't be happier.
Hi Peter thank you for the comment. Yes your choice of the Chevy was a good one. When I was still looking for a vehicle a Dodge platform came up on the radar and I went and looked at it. Had a big, well used hitch so I asked what it had towed...horse trailer...okay...so I took a look from under the van at the cylinder heads and both of them had greenish, oilyish, goo oozing down the cylinder block...the telltale signs of leaking, ready to blow head gaskets. What it showed me was how the horse trailer and the weight had tortured the venerable 318 motor. As motors go, it's a good one but you really need the more cubes of the chevy...good choice !
The Road Trek looks like the best van out there with all the great features it has and I hope to have one in the very near future as well . Good job on the video .
Hi Neil Salmon, The most important thing, I think, is to try to find something that fits you the best. Features fall into 2 categories, for me, fixed and variable. Things like cabinet arrangement, toilet/shower set up, bed arrangement, with/out back door fall into the fixed category. The variables are stuff like cooktop, refrigerator, fan/s, air conditioning, lighting, batteries, auxiliary power i.e. solar or generator. When I compare the Roadtrek today to the Roadtrek I purchased almost 4 years ago, it has undergone several significant changes to the variable components and virtually none to the fixed ones. I think the most important thing for someone to do is to consider how well the fixed components fit in with their use case. It's good to look at a variety of brands, years, body styles and make lists of the fixed features each one has. Then draw from those lists the fixed features that fit you the best. When you tick off the boxes of the various candidates, one or more will emerge as the best candidate to fill your particular needs and wants. Then you can focus on searching for a particular vehicle, brand, manufacture, etc. and find the "best van" for you. Happy Hunting !
I cannot thank you enough. The 2004 is a 190 anniversary model. Chevy with a generator, screens , additional tent /screen room etc. because it’s a private owner ( he’s selling it for his mom, his dad has past away.)I think he’d come down from 40000 a few thousand. . I’ve been vacillating for a week it may be gone now. You have given me the kind of information I will need to navigate well within these life changing process. May I continue to use you as a resource.? I’m not sure what you have done in the working world , but you approach tough issues like a great engineer .
Hi Victoria, thank you for the questions / comments. That's what I'm here for...a resource. Those are the best kind of vehicles to buy, someone who has a low level of attachment, simply wants to liquidate for a reasonable amount of cash. We all vacillate, it's a decision that carries some weight. Now, if it is available, some things to do on a visit to the vehicle. Or any class b you might run across. First question, are there service and repair records. Second, are the manuals for all of the "house items" present, things like air conditioning, furnace, water heater, generator, microwave, toilet, water pump, etc. Third, are the vehicle manuals, etc. present. Should be with a private seller. You will be told by the seller about all of the wonderful features, options, extras, how wonderfully it has been loved and cared for. None of that will cost you any money after you purchase it. The things that will cost you money or cause problems for you are the things you are not told about, not aware of, and fail to research and determine the condition of. These are the things that also give you leverage in negotiating price. I mentioned tires. A tire dealer can tell you where the date codes are on the tire, you can give them to the tire dealer and they will tell you how old the tires are. Doesn't matter the tread depth. It's the age that's important. 5 years is maximum. Older than this and the tires are a problem waiting to happen. This is your safety. 8000 lbs., 60 mph, a blow out on a steep downgrade, in a turn and you are in a world of hurt. Tires, mounting, balancing, alignment equals around $1000. Suspension work is not likely at 60k miles but it should be checked. This equals another $1200 to $1500 for ball joints, a-arms, etc. Shock absorbers aren't something people change, another $600 to $1000. 60 k is about the useful life. Bilsteins come with a lifetime guarantee, they are yellow tubes inside the coil springs on the front. If the shock's "tubes" are a dirt brown, they probably are original and will probably need changing. If the vehicle has a trailer hitch, you need to ask if has been used to tow something...what has been towed. If it's towed something heavy, it would be advisable to take the vehicle to a transmission shop to check the condition of the transmission. I think Chevys are pretty good in this area but good to check. Depending on the part of the country, there could be corrosion or rust. In dry climates and on the west coast this is not a problem. Northern states and eastern sea board, rust can be a problem. It is important to check the status of the title. It needs to be clean, no accidents, no salvage title. Inside, you need to check the a/c (dash) and make sure it is blowing cold air. If not, you may be told it just needs a recharge. No. A/C that is not blowing cold is going to need professional attention to determine all the components are working properly and not in need of repair or replacement. A/C could be as low as a few hundred dollars to well over a 1000. Now in the "house" part. When the water pump is turned on, water should come out of the sink, the toilet should flush, water should come out of the shower head. The pump should run during these operations and then stop running. The furnace, stove, and water heater run on propane. They need to be tested for functionality. The house battery and the starting battery under the hood should be checked for age and state of charge. Batteries Plus, Autozone, and Oreilly's will do this...they like selling batteries, so it is good if you can corroborate their findings through your own research. Two batteries can run from $300 to well over $500. The refrigerator is probably a two or three way model. I'll just talk about the one I know about...the three way. It runs on twelve volts, propane, and 120 volt house current. It should work on all three. New three way refrigerators are $1200 to 1500. If it needs one, I would get a Truck Fridge, like the one I got for the van. It runs on 12 volts. You would need at least one solar panel and two house batteries for extended use but parked, the vehicle can be plugged in and the onboard converter will keep one house battery charged which in turn will provide power to keep the refrigerator operating. If you are on the road 8 months and not spending every day plugged in somewhere, the solar would be a necessity, if you upgraaded to the compressor, Truck Fridge. The twelve volt Truck Fridge, solar panel(s) and batteries costs about the same as a three way fridge but offer much more usefulness and no propane use. If the existing fridge works and you aren't planning daily "inside the van temps" higher than about 85, it should be okay. Remember it can be a beautiful 80 degrees outside, but inside the van it can be 95. The three way fridge can only provide a differential of about 40 to 50 degrees so inside the van, the fridge is at its limit on a "hot" day. The onboard onan generator is "handy". But this luxury comes with its own set of issues. They usually need obsessive maintenance, they're right under the bed so no running at night. They're good for being able to run the "house" air conditioning, but expensive on gas. They are good for running the microwave. On a cold day, they would be useful to run a small electric space heater but again, expensive. It needs to be checked for proper operation. Repair coat? I don't know, I don't have one. You need to look around and sniff inside. Discoloration on cloth panels inside may indicate a water leak in the past. You shouldn't smell mildew, or anything odd like propane gas around the stove, furnace or fridge, no ammonia smell either, this would indicate a fridge issue. The fantastic fan roof vent has a plastic "skylight" cover. These can crack with age and use and possibly create a leak. Need to check the fan to make sure it is working. The cover is something that could be replaced if it is cracked, leaking. I don't know the cost, I would guess under a 100 dollars. I fixed mine by spraying a liberal coating of that stuff advertised on TV that seals leaks...it worked. The rest is pretty much like any vehicle. Drive it. Open and close all the doors, roll the windows up and down, make sure the power locks work. There shouldn't be any heavy clunks, scraping or grinding noises. It's a big, heavy vehicle so it won't "feel" like a car, it'll feel big and heavy but it should be easy to manipulate. The mirrors are electric, they need to be checked for proper operation and adjustability. SO there's some stuff for you to do with any van you might look at. If a seller doesn't have time for you to methodically go through this stuff, you don't have time for them. My background work-wise has almost always involved some form of design. I am a designer...not just an occupation...it is what I am. No I didn't train and was not educated in a "school". Like DaVinci, I am the school. I think it is a multi-pronged approach. I learn from others, observe, experiment, conceive, create, teach, share and collaborate. I think I could probably offer class b vehicle appraisal services for a fee. I'm reasonably sure I could find enough things to negotiate to justify a fee of some sort. It's a lifetime of experience buying and selling vehicles, immersing myself in such things and a track record of selling the same for more than I paid for them. It seems, as a workman, I've always been worth my wage. I do what I love, love what I do. This just represents a "short" list of nuanced things. Vehicles talk to me, tell me what shape they're in, how they've been cared for. It's like people who taste wine, appraise art. It is something one learns over time. I hope this helps you and good hunting for a vehicle...be patient, your effort will be rewarded.
I'm looking out and saving for a Roadtrek too. Great info, especially about the aisle shower! I hope I can get one by next year. Thanks for the post, very helpful!
Hi Jennifer Brittenham, They are getting harder to find and higher in price. There is a huge demand for these because so much has been built in to them. Also, ones that are new or only a couple years old can be well over 50k with many approaching or over 100K. There isn't really much a new one has that can't be retrofitted to an older one for a fraction of the cost. Many of the updates I have aren't even available on brand new models. The main thing about an old one is the running gear needs to be soldi and reliable and the body and frame as rust free as possible with good weather sealing. If you have that, the updates to the living area are relatively low cost and you can do those gradually over time and have the vehicle outfitted just the way you need it to suit your purposes.
Great job breaking down the selection process. I did basically the same thing, plus test drove about a dozen different Class B's. I thought I was gonna love the newer Sprinter types until I got inside one and it was too narrow. Decided on a Pleasureway Excel TS widebody. The more open feel and the galley on the passenger side won me over. I made a couple critical errors in selection, tho, that I'm not sure I would've been able to understand until I'd lived in this thing full time. First, I should've gotten the twin bed type instead of sofa bed. You can actually fit guests in here that way and you can have a realistic dinette situation for eating, computing, playing cards, etc., as well as more of a pass thru the back door for storing bikes etc when underway. Second, I thought those aisle showers were completely impractical, but now I'd kill for one. The wetbath is too cramped and gets everything wet. All I can really accomplish is washing my hair and I stand in the aisle to do it anyway. In the aisle shower, I could actually shower for real and all that would get wet is the curtain and the basin. No big deal. Hindsight!! Still love my van, tho. Looking forward to more of your videos, Rich.
Thank you for the comments csquared. When I was searching, I looked at several pleasure ways, too. They were much newer and way out of my budget but still I thought I could look and if it fit, I would justify spending more to get the right fit for me. I especially liked the open feel, like you say, of the wide body. I looked at a Roadtrek that didn't have a shower and figured out a way to put one in using a pan I made for aisle and a small electric fountain pump to pump the water out of the pan and into the sink drain. I copied the way it was done on one of my favorite rv's, the VW Rialta. Unfortunately, headroom in the Rialta at 5'10" was a deal breaker for this 6 foot frame. Just saying that if you really want an aisle shower, it's doable. You can use magnets (strong ones) to hold up a shower curtain in the aisle, too. And your existing nozzle can have an extension hose to reach out into the aisle as well. I never quite understood the galley preference being on the right, "curbside". Even when I was looking a bigger rigs, this feature got a lot of emphasis. I guessed it has something to do with hookups like water and power. But since I don't frequent campgrounds or rv parks, hooking up isn't something I do. If you were to use a folding bike, you could maybe store it behind the sofa bed or you could easily bring it in and take it out through the side door. Seems like there is always a little compromise. The questions I continually ask myself are What can I live with and What can't I live without.
Roadtrek Rich, Good info. I am like the other ones here, who at a certain age are ready to get a van, and live on the road, even stay a bit if I like the place! I am in a state where I have no ties and do not have to hang around. and I am really taking this idea seriously. You are right though, it is a lot to think about and research. I will be watching for more videos for your tips.
Venturing into new territory is at first an unknown. We all have natural curiosity and sometimes fear of unknowns. We also are subject to inertia. A body at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. Your inertia has been acted upon. This idea has moved you from observation to consideration. You are already considering how you could begin to move in this direction. Just let your natural curiosity maintain your momentum. Any trepidation you may have will disappear as the known replaces the unknown. This lifestyle is a departure point. The journey is the exciting part. Thank you, Brenda, for your insightful comments.
We are getting ready to try out the RV life. Thank you for solidifying what I had been thinking, and for your insistence on having patience. I will do the same and hopefully we will be just as happy as you with our purchase. I've subscribed. See you out there.
Hi Jesus Huerta, Thank you for the comment. Take you time, look at several different models. Spend some time with each and think about the variations. Every one is a compromise. What you are trying to find is the one that offers the best set up for you. And remember to ask the question what can you live with and what can't you live without. It takes a little time to figure that part out.
Thank you. I have been saving some cash for sometime now for this new chapter in my life. I have been leaning towards the Winnebago Travato mainly because of the rear bath. Anyway, not sure I can wait a year. I should do more research as you suggest.
Hi Standard Air, thank you for the comment. I've talked to a lot of people about deciding which would fit their needs. On more than one occasion, I have asked a person, " So which one feels the best when you are in it?" A perplexed look comes over their face and they say, "oh, I haven't been IN one." I found it very helpful to actually be in the living space for at least an hour or two. That way I got the "feel" for what it would be like being inside this little space for an extended period. Just one example of how I changed my priorities was when I thought I needed an enclosed side bath. I spent time in an Xplorer and Pleasureway, both with side baths. I went in and out of these several times to see what using it would be like. Then I compared it to the experience of the Roadtrek. What I found was for the amount of time I would be spending in the bath, it wasn't worth sacrificing that much cubic footage to have it in its own enclosed room. In your consideration of the Winnebago Travato and its two models 59K and 59G, the one with the rear bath 59K, I think, is set up more like my Roadtrek compared to the model with the rear murphy bed. If I were choosing between the two models, like you, I believe I would be leaning toward the K. It just flows better for me. As a designer, I am quick to identify who the two models are targeted towards and the distinct differences involved in the target markets. The G is obviously geared toward the family or family type group. More seating, more sleeping. The K is geared for one or perhaps two people. The K would also be a good platform for someone using the van for work. It's important, I believe, to identify who something was being designed for or if there was any thought given. Some designs are much better planned than others. Some are just a function of having to jam all the components in a given space with little thought at all, just make it fit. When it comes to companies like Winnebago and Roadtrek, they thoroughly plan their platforms, offer multiple floor plans and have the resources to try many configurations before releasing anything for public consumption. I would just suggest to you to spend as much time as possible in the brands and models that "feel" right to you. Think about them. Make a list of the pros and cons for each. Gradually, over a period of time, your mind, your body will come to a consensus about which one will be the one for you. Here are two questions I continually ask myself. What can you live with? What can't you live without? Then I ask myself a third. Are you sure? Lots of things we "think" we can live with or can't live without. These kinds of thoughts are like theories or hypothesis. They need to be tested. Once you have some empirical, real hands on evidence, you can make a determination as to the validity of the "thought". This process really helps solidify decisions I have made and continue to make.
Great video. I, too, am looking for a van and reaching that antsy 'i gotta buy something' period. Your video really helped me refocus so I can get what I need, not just the next thing available. Happy travelling.
Hi Barb, thank you for your comment. You make a keen observation. We have an urge to get underway and want to move to satisfy the urge. It sounds like you are making the distinction between this urge and urgency. In my case, I didn't have an urgent situation. I scoured the internet multiple times a day, systematically, until a van surfaced that met my search criteria. I think by physically going to see a bunch of different vans I was able to zero in on what features I could live with and ones I couldn't live with out. If there was an opportunity for me to visit a van that even remotely filled some of the criteria, I would go and see it. This up close exposure really helped me refine my search. I am thankful I didn't have to be in a hurry, it was a luxury. So if you have the luxury of being able to take time to find what you are looking for, savor and appreciate it as a luxury that some people may not have in their situation. A friend of mine used a phrase, "the tyranny of the urgent" that sums up things pretty well. Conversely, there is no "perfect" vehicle so it is a fine line. When I found something that fulfilled most of the search criteria, I had to ask myself am I going to take the next step? This is the point where for me I gulped, swallowed back a little fear that welled up, and answered yes, even though I am moving into the unknown, I want to experience this and I am willing to pay the entry fee. For me, this journey, this process is one of the ways I learn about who I am and how I fit into this world. I think I am like a lot of people who find this van life style intriguing and a way to think outside the box in terms of what we think of the conventional, accepted norms for a dwelling, a vehicle, a living environment. There is a word, cumbersome. I think about it's meaning. As it applies to my life. How I encumber my life and how this 19 foot van has enabled and empowered me to view things from a different perspective. The vehicle is just a tool to help me learn, it's not the end all be all.
Excellent video. I have been looking for a few months and already decided on the Roadtrek 190 Popular but your video just reinforced my decision. :-) Now to pray we find one within the next year. :-) Thank you...
You are welcome, haamster52856. It's good you are planning to take time to find one. I have learned a great deal about the Dodge platform both before and after acquiring my Roadtrek. I should do a video about BUYING a Roadtrek. This is completely different from choosing. This is after all a vehicle. It is important that the mechanical functions are sound and the expectation, as with any used vehicle, is that there will be items that with need repair or replacement. I call it "the process". With vehicles I acquire, I research what the common weaknesses are, how to determine if the vehicle I'm looking at shows signs of those weaknesses and assess what the cost is likely to be to bring the vehicle up to a reliable level. I try to use a 75 / 25 approach. That is, from my resources, I allocate 75% of them to restoring and maintaining the roadworthiness of the vehicle and 25% towards the house or living area components. As neat as all the gadgets are, if the vehicle can't move, all that gadgetry is pretty useless. I just finished a 1400 mile trip. The van ran fine. The temperature was into three digits and the refrigerator couldn't keep up, the a/c couldn't be used ( no generator). So those are things on my wish list to address. But what got immediate attention was a full lubrication service and ordering some suspension and linkage parts. Back in cooler climate, the fridge will do. But renewing brakes, and suspension/steering parts are the top priorities. Mechanical repairs are not glamorous. But they are always the least expensive and easiest to do when anticipated. That way when out on the road, far from home, there is at least a good chance the vehicle will keep going even if some of the gadgets don't.
Roadtrek Rich: you must live in a cool climate. I live in south Georgia where it is HOT and HUMID...awful...most of the year. So...the AC would be a high priority on MY list,(as well as a nice, cool fridge). Also...if you haven't made a video about BUYING a Roadtrek, PLEASE do this! It would be so helpful to a "newbie" like me! Your information is very useful...thanks so much!
Thank you for the comment. Yes, I really think a "How to shop for a motorhome" video would be valuable. It's second nature to me because I have bought and sold so many vehicles. But long before that I have looked at many online, read the details in the ad or called the owner to get those details. It helps me rule out vehicles that may appear on the surface to be alright but have underlying issues I would prefer not to deal with. There are usually plenty of clues right in the ad to either qualify or disqualify most vehicles. It is amazing. Love the ads where something that is "broken" is stated as "easy to fix" ... "probably just needs a ______". But the seller hasn't fixed it. Makes me wonder why? Lazy? No skills? What? If there is one theme or over riding thought I have, I guess it would be that every used vehicle will have or does have issues of one kind or another. It is my job to discover what those issues are and decide whether they are things I want to tackle or simply move on to the next candidate. Two things are certain. One. Every used vehicle is a mystery, a question mark. Two. Every used vehicle tells a story. All the clues are right there. A buyer is like a detective who can read the clues and evaluate whether any particular vehicle is a prospect or a suspect.
I really needed to watch your video! I am going through all of the videos I can watch to try and decide how I will find the fit for me. I am in my sixties and have a 29' travel trailer that would be very difficult for me to travel around in and am thinking of maybe just converting a cargo van into a livable space. My Soc sec doesn't go far and I will need to live on it and find a way to supplement my income on the road if possible. A road trek seems like a good choice but all I have come across are new ones. Too expensive for me. I am not in a hurry but would like to get on the road soon. Thank you again for the info I need all I. Can get!
Your situation is exactly why I started this channel. I have gained a wealth of information from a variety of you tubers and I thought it would be good to contribute what I am learning, too. Thank you for your comments, Diane. You and I are in the same age group and income resources. In order to travel, I too have been trying to find a way to supplement my income. Consequently, your situation has struck a chord with me, hence the long return comment. There are lots of vehicles choose from. My neighbor has a small Dodge school bus she converted for her travels. There have been lots of people who dispose of almost everything. They stuff some belongings in a vehicle, and head out on the road. I am not one of those people. I am taking a less extreme path. Regardless of the approach one takes, I think that there are two very important questions. What can you live with? What can't you live without? Everyone's answers will be different in some respects and in other respects very similar because we are all different and at the same time, we all share things in common as human beings. Some of the answers to these two questions will change over time. But no matter where you are in this process, they can be a good method to temper the choices you make along the way. It sounds like you will be looking at some used vehicles. That can be good from the standpoint of initial price. Depending on the condition, it may involve some mechanical restoration. Older class b rv's, especially one owner ones, are usually in pretty good condition mechanically but potentially, they still will need some maintenance. Shock absorbers, suspension and steering parts, brakes, tires, wheel bearings, lubrication service, air-conditioning service, cooling system, batteries, wheel alignment. Some of the accessory components like the alternator, battery, water pump, hoses, power steering pump, air conditioner may need attention not so much because of wear as much as age. The list I gave is only partial. Most of the things on the list are things the vehicle "can't live without". This list happens to be the list for my vehicle, the things I am attending to one step at a time. I drive my vehicle everyday, just as though I were traveling across the countryside. I also spend many hours a day in it, relaxing, doing videos, finding usable wifi signals, eating, showering. All the things I would be doing living out on the road full time. But I still have a base of operations with tools, power and other people who can help me if I need it. The process of fixing up an older vehicle is mostly one of discovering what it needs and obtaining the resources, the parts, tools and time to do the work. Sometimes I have to pay others to do things but I try to minimize that by doing most of the work myself. There is much more to be said and your comments are inspiring me to think about how to organize what I am doing in such a way that it might be of help to others to gain an understanding of what is involved specifically when it comes to preparing a vehicle. Motor vehicles are comprised of many interdependent, interconnected components. Like chains, a weak or broken link can disable the whole vehicle. All these things have different factors affecting their useful life which itself (useful life) varies from part to part. Like a juggler, our job as the operator of the vehicle is keep all these balls up the air. It is much easier to do if a person anticipates things rather than waiting for the inevitable failure of a component. The old saying of a stitch in time saves nine definitely applies to vehicles. Add a fully self contained house to this already wildly complicated juggling act, and things just get exponentially more involved. If you think about it, we are already doing this with our sticks and bricks home and Thanks again for your comments.
I'm also looking into this for permanent living / wandering. I turn 50 next year and there is no way I will be buying a house (where I like to live), and I am so tired of renting, but I absolutely LOVE camping. I've also lived in an 18' Airstream for 3 years and was very comfortable. Never felt I needed more space - the outdoors provided that. Changing the water tanks will be formidable - I didn't have to do that in the Airstream (there was an outdoor shower and bathroom) - so that will be a major difference in lifestyle - nor do I have any mechanical skills (like most women, we weren't taught), so buying a newer, yet affordable version is what I will be looking at. I really appreciate your videos, Rich! My considerations are exactly the same as yours, so it has been really helpful! Thanks so much for helping others. ( : Diane, check online RVtrader because I see a ton of used Roadtreks from 1999-2008. You just have to keep checking. Peace and good luck to you~!
Thanks for the comment Cat Monkey. Well, you undoubtedly know way more about camping than I do and those skills will come in very handy. I want to focus on mechanical skills because this is something that scares people. It can also become a very expensive part of this lifestyle if a person is constantly having to pay others to perform procedures on the vehicle. I feel it is necessary for someone like me to do a video that really details How To Buy A Used Class B RV that talks in depth about the mechanical health of the vehicle. There are literally hundreds of subsystems in vehicles. These are electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and combinations of all three and more. I use a system that I have gained through many years of buying experience. When I look over a vehicle, I see what everybody else sees but I can deduce much more from what is presented. I have taken time to research the clues and indicators that will reveal potential problems. Every vehicle will tell a story. And the story the vehicle tells is not only the truth, it often times is quite contrary to the story the seller of the vehicle might be spinning. It isn't hard to learn about the vehicle you intend to purchase. The first step is to narrow the field to one or perhaps two models and a particular brand i.e. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc. Let's say it's a Dodge Roadtrek. Now your job is to learn everything about a Dodge B350 or 3500 van because this is the vehicle the Roadtrek is built on. What you want to concentrate on are the weak points of the vehicle. Once you have this level of understanding, you can begin to look at Roadtreks in an entirely new light. You will be able to tell, after driving a few, one that seems to be performing well as compared to one that is tired and worn out. You have a basis for comparison. You're not buying anything. Don't worry. You don't have to let the seller know this. Believe me, if their vehicle is any good, they won't have any problem at all finding a buyer for it. You just want to gain an education. There will be plenty of time and many vehicles available when it is time for you to buy one. This is by no means scratching the surface of how I approach buying a vehicle. And this is why I feel like I can be a big help to people purchasing this kind of vehicle. Most people who don't have a lot of understanding about vehicles wind up buying someone else's vehicle at a time when there will be many expensive repairs upcoming. Hence the need for the seller to rid themselves of this expense and sell their asset before having to shell out money they won't likely be able to recover from its sale. Repairs generally involve two things, parts and labor. Most of the time the parts are just a small fraction of the total repair bill. That leaves labor being the major expense. People pay exorbitant labor rates for procedures that can be completed by almost anyone with just a little skill, some good instructions, and a good set of hand tools which aren't too expensive and will more than pay for themselves with one or two procedures. If a person plans to travel, be in any way self sufficient, learning how to care for and repair a vehicle is the most important information and skill set you can have. Learning about toilets, air conditioning, holding tanks, solar panels, fans and propane might be fun but knowing how to change a fan belt or remove and replace an alternator or a radiator hose will not only give you peace of mind but it will make every day you are on the road less anxious, and enable you to really enjoy the experience knowing that you can keep your vehicle in tip top mechanical health.
Great comments! Looks like there are several people around the same age who have similar questions and ideas! Maybe you could share some of your "technical" videos...to tutor those of us who have no CLUE about vehicle maintenance. (Although...I AM pretty good with riding lawn mower engines(ha ha).I learn a great deal from RUclipsrs who share their knowledge!
Hi Cat Monkey - I am a bit older (65) and am in the process of "downsizing", which has been going on forever. Where I'll go once I do the "purging" that's still needed is an unknown. I'm in a huge house right now, and don't want or need that kind of space anymore. Going to the opposite extreme appeals to me, as does the mobility that RV living offers. I also LOVE camping, but hold out for sites that have showers and hot water. I'm on the east coast. Where do you live, and what kind of timeframe are you looking at before you're hoping to "hit the road"? Would love to correspond if you're open to it. You can find me at my profile name@verizon.net. Cheers - CN
I'm looking for a Roadtrek with 4x4. Like a Sportsmobile. I need a under the hood generator and deep cycling batteries that will run my air conditioners and other things inside for hours. so I can go into the little hard to reach areas. Not so much rock climbing. I also love how in these vans you can park anywhere and just blend in when you can't pay for an RV park which I'm not really interested in doing.
Hi Anti Petrolhead, I'm sorry, don't know how I missed your comment, thank you. I would say maybe a Ford 4X4 van. You could get a diesel. If you are going to outfit it yourself, that's one option. Another would be to contact Outside Van in Oregon, they have a lot of experience with the type of van you are interested in. One thing to bear in mind is keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. Otherwise, the "lift" of the 4wd and the height of the van (high top ?) might make for some precarious 4 wheeling. I guess it would depend on your level of experience with such things...mine is zero.
Thanks for explaining your thought process! Good things to add to my list! Much appreciated. Hope you well and enjoying your travels and beautiful home!
Hi R Edmonds. Thank you for the comment. As I often do, I visit the YT channel of commenters and was I amazed at what I found at your channel. I watched with fascination as your creation took shape. And the finished creations are stunning. I'm purposely not saying what you make hoping that other people's curiosity will compel them to go to your channel and see what you do. You're inspired me to do some creating of my own !
Good choice. I have a Roadtrek with a wet bath. Not much room for showering. Plus my A/C is on top. I like the idea of the back A/C that can be easily fixed and/or replaced maybe with lower watts to be able to run on the extra solar panels I would have.
Thank you for the comment, yes the house style a/c was a positive in the older models. I understand why they needed to move it up top on the newer models with the taller double rear doors but that came with downsides of a roof penetration, taller overall height, and from my experience with other units like that, a more watt-hungry appetite.
Hi John. Yes, I almost got a 210. The Chevy platform uses a slightly different interior layout and one that has lots of upside. There was one with a diesel engine. I think it was a year newer than mine but the sellers knew what they had and wanted almost 40K...well out of my price range...but my mouth was drooling, too.
Very informative, thanks! Looking forward to your next video re. replacing the air conditioner - would love to get rid of ours but need an alternative before getting the green light from my husband ;-)
Hi Maria, I'm replacing it with an Endless Breeze fan by Fantastic Fan. And behind the fan I am fabricating the parts for an evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler part is going pretty good. I have tried a few designs and I think I finally have one that I'm satisfied with. I started by trying to use "off the shelf" parts so anyone could make one at home. But after testing, I have found that none of the containers make a suitable reservoir. So I am fabricating that part. I want to do a video showing how to build it. So it is slowing down the progress a little.
Very nice Rich, thank you. We have a Roadtrex 170 like yours, it's great but has been sitting a year and a half - time to spiff it up. Nice video, I need to watch how you handled your A.C. back cabin unit.
Thank you for the comment GR. That's great to hear you have a Roadtrek. The air conditioner I used is a little smaller than the one that came in the Roadtreks so I had to re-work the ducting. I would say making sure the air is directed properly is key to having the air conditioner working effectively. Other than that, I'm doing a little finish trim work for the smaller unit to look nice in the compartment. I'll probably do a video on that part of things when I have the parts completed and ready to install.
Great video! I went through the same process as you did. It really helped to narrow down what I needed before starting to search for something. In the end for me since I'm not mechanically inclined like you are I decided to go brand new with the 6 year warranty. If I was mechanically inclined I would have purchased used to save some money. I look forward to watching more of your videos. Thanks for sharing with us. I subscribed!
Wow Tracy, That is so cool ! A new vehicle ! Thank you for subscribing, I returned the favor. Stay tuned, I'm going to do some videos on Dollar Store, Grocery Outlet and other "finds" that go in the rv to make it more fun, livable, etc. Hopefully you will find them helpful.
Hi Tracy. I know something about vehicles and the repair process but, honestly, don't work on them. I have found a trusted mechanic and want to keep my vehicle in good condition so, always try to do necessary maintenance. I just wonder what we're talking about here, financially, to do all the regular maintenance, aside from the guarantee. Have you worked out a budget over years, yet, to project the annual cost? Going to check out your channel. Thanks for posting.
Actually I don't even have my van yet. (It's being built soon) So I can't say what the routine maintenance would be on it. I will have the 6 year house warranty and the 3 year Chevy warranty so I shouldn't have to do much in that time except for oil changes and Chevy will be giving me my first 2! I haven't decided if I'm going to do a RUclips channel or not. If you want to find out more about routine maintenance on a used Chevy Roadtrek you can go on our Chevy Roadtrek FB here and ask facebook.com/groups/252621115223541/
Yes I ordered a brand spanking new 2017 Chevy Roadtrek! I'm just waiting for it to be built! I can't wait to get it! I didn't originally want to buy new but since I'm not mechanically inclined I felt it was for the best! I also ordered all the great tech stuff! Underhold generator, volt start, 2 100 watt panels of solar and 4 6volt AGM batteries! I look forward to more videos on your finds for our small spaces. I'm saving all the info to get once I have my van!! I love the dish pan with the drain in it! I can't wait to see what else you come up with for us!
Thank you so much for all this great info. I've looked at some class Bs over the years but seemed like they were all so different and very expensive. You've helped sort some things out. Thanks so much for posting. I've subscribed and a big thumbs up.
Loved your expiation on why you chose your van. I think I will make one explaining why I got my RV and my thought process behind it. I hope I do as well as you did.
I have a 2017 Roadtrek Zion. Before that I had a Roadtrek Chevy 190. I like the Zion's RAM chassis. I like it's front wheel drive. I like its gasoline engine. I like Roadtrek's 6 year warranty. I also like its long history as an RV chassis in Europe. I think it rides better than the Mercedes chassis and it was WAY cheaper! I also liked Roadtrek's (under the hood) generator run off the main engine. No loud separate generator that most camp grounds require you shut down after 10:00 PM. My Zion is my ONLY vehicle. I use it to go to the store as well as to go camping. I also use it to move lumber...and my Kayak's. And....You BET that back door is HANDY! In fact, I moved the furniture in my entire house...every piece...in the back of my Zion. I thought it might be worth it to "upgrade" to a Winnebago or Thor Class C RV...to get a bit more room. BUT....in the first 30 seconds of driving multiple models I said to myself "NO WAY!". Class C's all drive like trucks. The engine is loud and the vibration VERY disturbing. My Zion drives like a car...SMOOTH! I LIKE it and I'm gonna keep it!
Hi BADGUY 1, thank you for the comment. Having owned a class c, I can really agree with you about the difference in driving experience between a class c and class b, especially with regard to the vibration and "truck-like" feel of the class c over that of the class b. I can only imagine how sweet it must feel to drive the Zion Ram Chassis. I've watched a few "tours" of the 19.5 foot model and what impresses me the most is how similar the inside is to my Roadtrek. The thought that went into the placement of all the components and their design, has stood the test of time. As a design study, there are some "form follows function" things that are dictated by the available space so lots of things are necessarily going to be the same. Overall, the only thing I really notice is that the floor plan is flipped side to side with the galley on the passenger side and the bath on the driver's. Every nook and cranny is still packed with useful storage and things can be stored out of sight. The new ones look like they can still swallow up a hefty amount of stuff. I think Roadtrek might be the longest continuous RV maker at least in the Class B market and I also like their timeless, well planned design. Having only one vehicle, like you, I use it daily and like you, I have moved lots of stuff, usually for someone else, through the back door...I don't think I could live without it. I think it's great the way they have incorporated the generator under the hood...that is something I think makes so much sense. Why have TWO gasoline engines? And a big engine can loaf and still provide quiet reliable power for a much more powerful generator than a one or two cylinder clanging, clattering "conventional" gen. I start my vehicle engine, house battery and inverter to use my microwave or other high draw electrical items because with just one battery, I don't have enough amperage to run on just the house batt and inverter. But having that system intergrated would be so nice. Also to charge things up when they get low. I can sure see why you think you'll keep it...I would too. Happy Trekking !
Thank you for the comment, Patricia. Just today, I had another person come up to me and ask, "is that your Roadtrek? How do you like it? I'm looking for one." It happens often, like every week. It's a great vehicle that was well planned and well executed. I look at my almost 23 year old vehicle and at a brand spanking new one to find essentially the same stuff in the same places. Sure the new one has made advances in some minor ways but for the most part, the design has stood the test of time. Four years ago, there were 8 to 10 a week being advertised in my general area. Two years ago, it was two or three. I had to travel 700 miles, one way, to obtain the one I have. Last week, I checked some listings and found one comparable being offered for over twice what I paid for mine. January is the absolute most adverse time to list and sell an rv so if this is any indication of what spring will be when sales ramp up, my advice would be to have your dialing finger ready, funds in place, and your traveling duds packed and ready to go at the drop of a hat. What was a handful of possibly eccentric, maybe quirky, somewhat bohemian, vagabonds, urban guerrillas, van dwellers, alternative lifestyle pioneers has become not only mainstream entertainment but a counter culture phenomenon of exponential proportions. And like the twenty something year old Roadtreks, Xplorers, Pleasureways, etc. many of these adventuresome folks pilot down the highways and byways, I have a hunch the lifestyle is going to stand the test of time. I'm glad I got involved. I wish for you the same fun, intrigue and fascination if you should get involved. It's one of those reachable "brass rings" in life that you can custom tailor to your heart's content.
Thank you for you knowledge and insight. I have been toying with the idea of getting a camper and traveling several months out of the yr. I was thinking rodtrek. I am looking for one to rent for several days to figure out if it is reasonable for me.
Hi Kim. Thank you for commenting. That is a VERY wise idea. I wanted to do that but couldn't find one to rent. So I did something kind of goofy. I made believe I was living in the van for a week. What that involved was assembling all the stuff I would have in the van. Clothes, food, computer, phone, flashlight, tools, utensils, pots, pans, dishes, storage containers, water, toiletries, medicine, bicycle, bedding, etc. I had two large wire storage shelves and I stowed all the stuff on them smack dab in the middle of the living room. The rule for the game was this, I could not use anything else in the house but the stuff that was on those shelves. NO CHEATING. I kept notes of all the stuff I did not have that I really needed and all the stuff I had brought along that didn't get used. At the end of a week, I had a real good picture and answers to the two questions I continually ask myself... "what can I live with?" and "what can't I live without?"
Hi Rich! I am writing you on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, after watching your wonderful video about picking the right van. I actually wrote down 5 important things that you mentioned, that would be very important for me. I will continue to watch your future videos. All the best, Joe
Thank you for the comment, Jose. I'm glad you found something useful to you. I'll keep posting new videos. When I do a video on something, I sometimes wonder whether or not I am just stating something obvious. So comments like yours help me to develop content that has the potential of being helpful. Thank you, and if you haven't, please subscribe.
Rich, thank you for answering my comments so quickly. I really appreciate that. Years ago (around 1989 or so) I rented a 27' Class C from Cruise America and got as far as Boone, N.C. and truly enjoyed it. My then, second wife was with me and we both had a great time. Over the years I kept thinking that "one day" I would buy a used Roadrek and just take off to see and enjoy this beautiful country of ours. Today, I am 71, but still hold on to that RV dream. Unfortunately, my present partner (living together 10 years) is not really into the RV lifestyle. I try, patiently...showing her RUclips videos of other couples that have dedicated their older years to traveling in an RV, but she just doesn't get it. Nevertheless, 'one way or the other' I will do it, and do it soon. Thank you for reading this far Rich. Joe
Cruise America is still going strong. There is also a site www.outdoorsy.com where you can rent an RV including some pretty snazzy sprinters, etc. They have rentals available in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco. Maybe make a deal with your partner come vacation time or something where you agree to each be able to pick. Sometimes it's just a mental thing. I've sold stuff all my life. The Key is the Demonstration. Lots of people can't catch a vision. They just aren't wired that way. They have to be able to see, touch, taste, smell, hear. Once they experience something, they sometimes become more enthusiastic about it than whoever introduced them to it. Like in the stock market, the same line can be one of resistance or support. It just depends on where things sit at any given time. I can guarantee that given the right set of circumstances, your partner would welcome and be thankful she had an RV as an option. But you don't want to have a flood, fire, or hurricane to sort of move things along, if possible. Maybe a destination both of you would enjoy with stops that are geared completely to her interests. Give and take. You get the RV trip. She gets all the places she's been wanting to visit. You'll figure it out.
Rich, you are so right about several things you mentioned, about helping my partner 'see the light' about going on the road in a class B RV. I have actually thought about just buying a modest, very light camper trailer, hooking it to my 2014 Nissan Sentra and just go by myself. My partner said she would not have any objections to that. Of course, I would prefer a class B, and her to come along too. I happen to be an avid reader of psychology (studied it for many years, besides hotel management) and have realized that my own time on this earth is limited (pretty fit for 71 though) and I need to start planning my own future of experiences and fun. My partner still works (at 68) but she is thinking of retiring, and then maybe I can expose her to the RV world. Rich, thank you so much, for all and any thoughts you believe may be helpful. In the meantime, I will keep looking at your videos and those of others.
I've never used a trailer. That would be a good option, I would think. Provided you have space to store it. Yes, time marches on and at some point the door closes on this opportunity. At the end of the month, I spring this old joke on somebody. If there is anything you want to do (for example), in February of 2018, today's the day! It always seems to get a smile. Today is the day.
I have wanted to own a Roadtrek since the 1990a but "Life" never co-operated. Always, it has been price - they are not inexpensive. After that it was years of traveling with the need to house 4 kids and 3 adults plus 2 cats and 2 small dogs. Now, it was dealing with 2 elderly cats and 2 elderly 80± pound dogs. Even though it has a fairly wide center corridor, the corridor is just not wide enough for the large dogs to move and turn around, or to lie down and stretch out comfortably. Oh, I wish it were wider, because other than that...sigh...GRIN!
Great video. I'm in the market for a unit that needs some TLC. I found a Roadtrek Independent but the frig is shot and the odometer stopped at over 115,000 so I'm not sure what I'd be getting into. Under 7K might be as good as a deal you could find. Thanks for the research
I'm considering a 97 Dodge 190 Versatile with 182k miles on it and ONLY $5500. It needs a battery & a few other things but is in really good condition, especially the exterior. It's amazing. The thing is I'm not a big fan of Dodge lol.......I have a dog and 2 cats.....not sure if its gonna be roomy enough for me. What I like about it is the mileage I'd be getting V a Class C or a mini skoolie. I'm on a limited disability income. Thanks for this video... it's got me thinking!!!
Hi, I took your list and viewed my first Road-trek190 2004, 40000 yesterday it was 4 hour road trip. They were unable to answer most questions....generator wouldn’t start, lots of small things broken and very dirty. The woman selling it had a big beautiful home., I was shocked and overwhelmed. I felt if they hadn’t kept up small things I couldn’t trust they cared for the late. So I’ve postponed a trip to Ohio to view another. Can a single woman my age find reputable repair people on the road,?.....how much should I budget for rehab? or should I be looking for something smaller? I’ve found your advice invaluable.
Hi Victoria, thanks for the report. Your experience is not uncommon. At that price, the vehicle should be perfect, which is what a woman, don't know your age, with limited mechanical skills would ideally want to be buying and using. These things ARE pretty BIG when you see them in person for the first time, aren't they? As far as budgeting for rehab, I can't really make a realistic guess. At its age and mileage, it shouldn't need much in the way of mechanical REPAIR until about 100K. I could see tires, $1000, alignment $200, brakes $450, batteries $300, oil change air filter tuneup transmission service $500, interior exterior detail $500, air conditioning service $400, radiator flush $200. These would be things you could prioritize and do gradually as they became needed. That would put the set aside for rehab at around 10% of your initial vehicle which I would have negotiated down to at least $35K but given it's condition with the non functional generator, I would have probably been in the high 20's for an offer, maybe even lower. The one thing I am not afraid to do is make an offer that reflects the ACTUAL value vs. the "perceived" value of a vehicle...what I feel comfortable paying. Remember, a vehicle is only worth what someone will PAY for it. A seller can think whatever they want of my offer, I really don't care. So let us consider a completely different tack for you. You were considering paying 40K for an 18 year old van with 60K miles.. You asked if you should go for something smaller. You asked if a woman your age could find reputable repair people on the road. So, let's find out. There is a brand new vehicle available that is very intriguing to me. If I had the money, I would be tempted to squeeze the trigger on this. It is called a RECON. Here's a link to the website. www.reconcampers.com/stealth Now this is not just small, it's very small. So it is something you would live "out of" rather than "in". It doesn't have a toilet and the shower is outside. So in a boondocking situation, you would need a portable toilet which is easy. People think toilets are a big deal, they're really not. You could also rig a shower inside if it makes you fell more comfortable. It has a pop top so there's ample headroom. I'm not going to do an item by item, visit the web page for the details. This is essentially a car you can camp in. If you have a car currently, sounds like you do, you could sell it and put the money towards this which would be an easy daily driver. What does it cost? $22,900 for the vehicle and $21750 for the conversion respectively, a total of $44,650. Now to answer the second question about reputable repairs. With this RECON, you are driving a BRAND NEW Nissan NV200 vehicle with a full manufacturer's warranty. Service and repairs are available coast to coast through the Nissan Dealership network. Now let's do some comparing. 18 year old Roadtrek, $40K. Brand New RECON $44,650. Difference of $4650. The vehicles are completely different but their function is very similar. It really is a matter of where you feel most comfortable. They each have benefits. You need to become familiar with them to know which one might be a better fit for you personally and how you want to use a vehicle. I would call the difference in price, "peace of mind". In my videos, I try to stress the fact that I ask myself two questions, what can I live with? and what can't I live without? The answers to those questions aren't cast in stone and as I move a long, I can see myself adapting, as humans are wont to do, and coming to different answers with respect to those questions. As we learn and grow, things change and what we think we need changes too. There are many ways to approach this van life thing. I started with a Volkswagen Westfalia, then a class C, now the Roadtrek...wouldn't it be just like serendipity to end up back in another pop top? There's no right or wrong solution but there is one that will fit you. I hope this helps you.
Once again thank you, perhaps you should be a broker. Your knowledge is priceless but could be monetized. I’d pay a finders fee for a well inspected RV. Just a thought. I know it’s difficult to be patient when I am anxious to change my life. These vehicles are sold within a week two weeks tops so I have very little time to make a decision and not a depth of knowledge so your checklist will be invaluable.
Hi Victoria, You are right, it is difficult to be patient and anxious at the same time. Supposedly, no two things can fill the same space at the same time. I think that holds true for feelings or emotions, too especially polar opposites like patience and anxiety. For me, I find this helps. I pick the one that will give me a sense of calm and peace. SO in this case, that's patience....ahhh, much better. But anxiety is nervously, urgently still there saying , "you've got to do, act, quick." I speak to anxiety and say "I understand your job, anxiety, here's what I am doing. I am ready to act, I have my funds in place, I have a plan to evaluate a vehicle when it becomes available, I will act decisively, make the best decision I am capable of making, at the time. But anxiety, what you have to understand, and I know it is hard for you because you are such a "now" oriented emotion, we have to let patience be in charge until the buying opportunity manifests itself, okay?" Now, anxiety, do not think there won't be many more opportunities for you to be heard, I'm listening, but the best for all is to be calm in our feelings, that will help us all in the long run to reach our destination. I am the captain of this vessel comprised of mind, body and spirit. MY job is to steer us all, along the journey and utilize the crew on board to enable a safe, adventuresome, educational, scenic, creative, productive and memorable journey. I looked at, made offers on and did not obtain 6 vehicles before getting the Roadtrek I have now. Every one of them was a worthy candidate but things went the way they went. It took over a year and a half from the time I decided to get such a vehicle and begin a new experience. But when the moment arrived once again to act, I was ready and everything fell into place. I did not despair over lost opportunities. I kept focused on looking for emerging ones and I attained the "prize" or achieved the goal I put before myself. I've done a lot of buying and selling. At first, there is the temptation to not "let" THIS ONE get away. But over time, that kind of thinking is counter productive and can be costly. I realized by following a "process", I will attain my goal. By being PART of the process, I know I'm not in control of everything, just those things I have command over, the rest plays itself out on a larger stage. I enjoy being part of this process...life. Whether a billionaire or begger, everyone has the same most valuable commodity in the same measure, time. We have no guarantee of more, can't recover any spent, have only the moment to spend. I helped a customer, yesterday. She had an intravenous tube in her upper arm, a pump in her back pack, a light that flashed and she would manipulate a valve on the tube every so often. She was getting my help for things she needed around her home she was in the process of making ready to sell. Her demeanor was up beat, she smiled and thanked me for helping her get what she was looking for. She asked me how I liked my job. I think we had a positive effect on each other during those moments we spent together. I told her I liked my job.
road treck was what i wanted . but ended up with a pleasure way basis. so inside shower but i will make my own isle shower bath. maintenance records and low milage is what i needed to see. blessings.
Hi Val, thank you for the comment. I looked at many pleasure way Dodge chassis when I was searching for a class b. They are very equivalent to the road trek, I think. I would have been happy with either and you are right about mileage and especially records being a valuable part of the package. Mine was a one owner that had been purchased originally about a mile from my house. I bought it in Oregon after the people who owned it moved there and decided to upgrade to a bigger vehicle. Speaking of vehicles, I see your avatar is a 77 to 79 Lincoln MarkV if I'm not mistaken. I worked for a Lincoln Mercury dealership during that time frame. That was the zenith of the American luxury car and the dawn of the "personal luxury class" automobile.
Thank you for the comment Barry. Fortunately a/c is only a minor consideration where I live and most of the places I travel. A good, well positioned fan is usually adequate. Those three windows have curtains that slide cover them. Depending on what direction the sun is coming from, I'll open the curtains because the windows provide a great view out of the van when standing. All the rest of the windows are down at the belt line which is fine when sitting to have a view outside.
I have decided on a Roadtrek pretty much the same way you decided on yours . The only problem I have is the age. I am not sure as to whether I should get an older model that is more affordable or a newer model. I have no mechanical knowledge and am concerned that I might have more problems with the older one. I may be better off buying older for less money and use the money saved on the newer for maintenance. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Linda
Thanks for the comment. Over the years, I have added to and reordered some priorities and imagined how I would go about things differently. Time marches on and some things change while others remain fairly constant. The only vehicle that you can "avoid" paying for problems on is a brand new one with a warranty. The price is prohibitive and the warranty is going to end at some point. So excluding "new", every other vehicle is "older". I discuss this idea of "know how" with people all the time on all sorts of projects they are undertaking. Since you are still in the process of acquiring a vehicle, the most valuable investment you can make won't cost you anything but your time. "Shopping" for a Roadtrek could be a direction you pursue. Or you might decide some other direction is a better fit. Whatever you choose to do is going to involve a "learning curve". We have all climbed the "curve" to get to where we are in our daily lives in whatever "place" we are doing our "living". We've learned how to use what we use. How to care for those things. What to do when problems arise. And we use what I refer to as the "MOM" approach. Minimum - Optimum - Maximum If things are tight or use is infrequent, we might choose Minimum to economize. If this is something we use frequently and we need it to work repeatedly, reliably, and often, we can justify a higher cost, quality, etc. If money is no object or the satisfaction we derive, the "feeling" something gives us, the price becomes less of an object, or no objection at all. So you, doing your living, right now, today, you have LOTS of knowledge. Most of the knowledge you have and use on a daily basis, you will be able to apply or transfer to the "living" you will be doing in a Roadtrek or whatever you decide on. Right now, due to unfortunate circumstances, a friend of mine is living in my Roadtrek temporarily. So I'm. not "out there" . BUT, I'm still "living" the same way I live when I'm in the Roadtrek, right here in my home base. I do have a few extras that I don't have in the Roadtrek but for the most part, I've designed my life to be something that I can seamlessly transition between a variety of environments. And now that I have a tiny little Prius, I have been able to "apply" the knowledge I've gained to create a "living" space within that little space as well. So what I can offer is the insight I have gained. That being, we are the ingredient that is the most adaptable to the environment we construct. We understand what we need at a Minimum , what is Optimum for us, and what is the Maximum..."cost is no object". What I encourage people to do is begin to imagine and put themselves in this "different" from their "current" or routine living environment. Look at the wardrobe closet full of clothes. Set aside a tiny little space. That becomes the "Roadtrek" clothes. Look at the cupboards in the kitchen full of pots, pans, dishes, glassware, canned goods, dry goods, etc. Empty out one small cupboard, that becomes what you'll have on the road. Same with the bathroom. Think about all the things that make up your day and your night. Begin to imagine how you will do all of this living you do in a different environment. Then begin to do it. A little at a time. You'll begin to see how to adapt. You'll begin to identify those things you need to adapt successfully. You'll begin to "enjoy the adventure" long before you settle in on what type of vehicle would be most appropriate for you. And beginning the adventure may influence that choice as well. If you do this, and you are like me, the things you eat will change for the better, you'll dress differently and it will feel good, the activities you do will change, your interests might, too. I have taken up wood working, leather craft, gardening, cooking and baking, interest in nutrition, health and exercise. All this seamlessly integrates because when I first embarked on gaining skills and knowledge, I considered that I wanted them to accompany me in the variety of environments I do my "living" in. The bottom line? The "vehicle" is just a tool. A "tool" has a price tag. Some cost more initially and maybe have fewer problems. They all have "ongoing" costs. All the parts wear out, break, etc. So there are many variables. We can do our best to minimize our risks but we can't eliminate them. It's always a "roll of the dice". For you, right now, the best investment you can make is to begin to "design" you. I can do my "living" in my home base, the Roadtrek, the Prius...anywhere...because over time, I have designed myself to adapt to different environments. And the "tools" I select are based on them being used in multiple environments. I place a high value on each tool as a result of how useful it is to my "living" my life. It's not that I don't have a lot of tools, I do. The difference is I use the tools I have. If I don't, I no longer have them. That way wherever I am, I'm able to enjoy the variety those different environments offer. I hope that helps you. Let me know if you need help selecting or deciding on a vehicle. I have posted some videos on that subject but if you have questions, feel free to ask.
Hi Nurse Calls, thank you for the comments. My opinion is your friends gave you some good advice. I'll be celebrating 2 years with the Roadtrek in a couple of months. I could do another video with at least as many more reasons Why I Bought A Roadtrek than this vid. Maybe I should do a follow up or update. Right now, in my area, in about a 200 mile radius, there are two Roadtreks of similar age listed for sale on Craigslist for example ! Neither have a phone number so I can't be sure where the vans actually are. Either or both could be phishing ads. I keep my eyes open for ones in the area in case there is someone who contacts me wanting one. Which happens regularly. Usually people leave me a little note on the van saying "I want to buy your Roadtrek". I was going to take some time and do a video about buying one of these but then I realized there are very few even available for sale. People who have one now are generally those who are in the process of adding personalized upgrades and have no interest in selling what was so laborious to acquire. The selling prices are going up and it's the middle of winter...the "off season" for rv sales when prices are at their lowest, generally.
I found the Roadtrek with a very small interior space, I’m a petite woman, weighing 120 lbs - so how can anyone live full time in such a small space?? Youre 6’ tall, how do you manage? I felt claustrophobic!!! I think a class C, widebody & 24 foot in length would suit me much better since the Roadtrek is very narrow also & 19 ft length is no space at all in my opinion - for short term would be ok but for me, certainly not to live in full time - I’m glad he’s happy w his van, everybody is different - lol
Hi Valerie, thank you for the comment. It's great to hear you have looked at different sized vehicles and decided on a size that you are comfortable with. I agree with you, everybody is different.
1. You did not show us anything in your Roadtrek, just a long monologue. 2. That is not the way to select anything. You don't start by comparing and winnowing features. You start with a list of requirements you have. What do YOU need that van for? Occasional wkend trips? Full Time living? Trips with grandkids? Driving to art shows? Make a list of your needs first. Then weed out what does not fit those needs. Look at what is left. 3. List your constraints - are you on a tight budget? Is there limited street parking in your complex? Is your house driveway too short? Does it need to fit into garage with a certain height? Do you want to go offroading and therefore only consider 4 wheel drive? 4. Then compare features. This method is used in IT and called Business Requirements. When you build any new system, you talk to the users to find out what they NEED first, then their nice to haves. You are also limited by their constraints (Cannot Haves). A good set of requirements is the foundation of all decisions.
Hi Lass-in-Angeles, Thanks for the comment. Here's a link to the video I made about the things in the RT ruclips.net/video/87zJbmtRZuc/видео.html. Unfortunately, I wasn't building anything new. I was selecting from the existing and available. I followed a different method, used in sales, as the Ben Franklin close. 2 columns listing pros vs. cons, another 2 columns listing fixed i.e. those things that would be difficult or impractical to change vs.variables, i.e. things I could modify to suit my application and one more 2 column list perceived i.e. the things I anticipated I need vs. reality i.e. things I actually need to function within the environment. I talk to the user on a regular basis and try to remain sensitive to the fluidity of the change taking place within the environment and respond with solutions based on logic, reason, evidence, and economics. I really appreciate your contribution and have found that drawing from a variety of schools of thought, bringing a variety of perspectives to bear, being open to advice, criticism, methodology, proactively doing a lot of research and investigating has yielded good results for me. I look at this vanlife thing as an ongoing laboratory of discovery, a place that offers me immense opportunities for growth, fulfillment, learning, and fun. I try to help people and I value all the contributions viewers make to help others as well. THank you.
Congrats on your Roadtrek. They are well worth it. Well built and high quality, not like an RV. We also have a Class A, what a difference in quality. Happy travels!
Thank you for the excellent info! Thanks especially for explaining difference between the Versatile & the Popular Roadtrek models. Is yours a 190? I’ve been keeping my eyes open for months. I’m not in a hurry so I’m fine with waiting as long as it takes to find what’s right for me. Happy travels and stay safe!
Thank you for watching. What I found worked for me was to engraft the "search" into my daily routines. For example, n the morning, I make coffee. So while waiting for water to boil, or for it to brew, there are a few minutes. I'd use that time to check the search tempest search engine for anything new that may have popped up. You might have to bump something else you're doing out of the way to do it. Like in my case, looking at social media, news media, sports, or other useless stuff that made no worthwhile contribution to moving my life in the direction I wanted to move. I predict the people who find and acquire the remaining Roadtreks that become available for sale will be the people ACTIVELY looking for them.
hi Rich when its hot outside the van becomes like a tin can you cant sleep at night till late am, we found this out the hard way, no aircon is a killer, we also had a van with the shower curtain the way you want it ,one big drawback everytime the water hits the curtain it cools down in a second so evertime you move and touch it with your body its a very nasty feeling on your body ,so taking a shower becomes an art of not moving more than an inch, nice talk tho all the best
You never mentioned the Roadtrek Adventurous RS. That's the most versatile and has the best fuel economy of any class B van. The Popular and versatile are gas pigs. The Adventurous gets 25mpg and has more room and multiple configurations.
Hi Kenneth White, thank you for the comment. No I didn't. It's a very nice vehicle. I restored and drove 9 Mercedes Diesels over about a 10 year stretch. I got very well acquainted with the Sprinter platform through the shop owner that helped me with the heavy lifting on the Benzes I owned. He is a fully equipped facility that regularly works on the Sprinter platform. The lowest priced Sprinter based Roadtrek Adventurous RS I found recently is 46K. If I were to sell the Roadtrek I have, I would ask 20K. So If I got that price and looked at the 26K difference in price, I would need to log quite a sizable number of miles to offset the higher price of the Sprinter from a purely miles per gallon standpoint. The Roadtrek I have gets 15mpg on gas at the current $3.05 price here. The Sprinter 25mpg at the current diesel price of $3.69. To make a fair comparison for just the fuel cost, not the cost of operation, we could calculate the cost per 100K miles. The Roadtrek I have would use 6666 gallons at a cost of $20,361.00. The Sprinter would use 4000 gallons at a cost of $14,760.00. That is a difference of $5601.00 per 100,000 miles. Dividing 5601.00 into the $26,000.00 price difference, I would need to log about 464,000 miles to offset the higher price of the RS in terms of fuel cost. If overall operating costs are considered, it has been my experience that every repair cost encountered on the Roadtrek I have has a higher cost for a similar repair or maintenance item on the RS. Other costs like insurance, registration and depreciation also would factor into operating costs, too. Both vehicles are similarly equipped. A commercial van platform, bathroom, galley, sleeping, heat, air conditioning, etc. So for me, though I really like diesel Benzes, I am happy I was able to find the Roadtrek I have and all things considered, including fuel mileage, it represents a good value for me. Anyway, that is the reasoning I used to come to the decision I came to.
@@RoadtrekRich Very well said. It is obvious you gave a lot more thought to your purchase than I gave you credit for. I'm sorry for not being as educated on the subject as I should. I have been searching for "the perfect RV" for a long time. After tons of research, I agree that the Roadtrek brand is the best vehicle for my needs as well. Even putting fuel costs aside, I really liked the layout, features and versatility of the Adventurous RS platform. I believe it has more room inside than the GM based platforms, more swappable configurations and better aerodynamics. The main downside is price, as you said. The Adventurous RS maintains its value like gold. It is so hard to find one for less than $40,000. With that being said, I have seen privately selling units with 150,000 miles go for as low as $25,000. It seems when I ask others very few people know about the Roadtrek name. Their buyers are loyal but the cost keeps them out of the mainstream. Just my opinion ofcourse.
@@klwthe3rd thank you for the comment. When I was still in the deciding stage of getting my next rv, this Roadtrek, I was actively looking for a Sprinter to build out on my own. The Mercedes shop that helped me with my other Benz cars was very enthusiastic about helping me with the project. It is still a dream of mine to build out something but I'm more inclined at this point to use a much smaller platform, something like a Nissan NV200 or a Ford Transit Express. But having the Roadtrek, I know, in many ways, this would be a step down. I was eating a snack in the van today and looking around inside. As a designer, I appreciate the details of this vehicle and the thought that went into the conversion. As I admired the builders work, the calculator in my little brain was clicking away. So many things. Small shelves over the ledge above the doors, closet, beds, bathroom, the galley, the swivel captains chairs, the wiring, electrical panel, storage cabinets, on and on. I agree with you that whether a Chevy, Sprinter, the new Travatto or the venerable Dodge platform, the Roadtrek company just puts together a well planned, well executed design time after time. This is the mark of great design and a great design philosophy. The Roadtrek I was fortunate to acquire was owned and used by the same man for over twenty years before I bought it. Last summer, I re-visited the dealership where he traded it for a new class C and I spoke with the man who sold him his new vehicle and sold the Roadtrek to me. The man still has great affection for "his" Roadtrek even after having his brand new rig for a couple of years. The new rig was a Sprinter. I'm not surprised that people you speak with are unaware of the Roadtrek. Many other companies are much more highly promoted. But like any quality product, when someone gets acquainted with a Roadtrek, it's understated presence, the way things just seem to fall readily to hand, it is a compelling testimony to the people who made it. It's not perfect but it does everything asked of it very, very well. I agree that these vehicles have tremendous resale value, partly because they are highly sought after and one could say "hand crafted". I don't go more than a few weeks in winter or more than a few days in summer that someone doesn't ask if I would sell my Roadtrek or may they please see a little inside or could I tell them a little about it. I always try to accommodate the request because, as they look inside, the same expression crosses over their faces, I can see them imagining themselves discovering and enjoying all the marvelous things the vehicle has to offer. I never get tired of the effect the Roadtrek has on people, irresistibly drawing them to it and stirring up their imagination, discovery and sense of adventure.
Hi MrNutsack100, Go for it ! Pleasure Way is a very nice rig, too. I didn't care for the roof a/c. I had a class c with one and it leaked around the roof penetration. I had to do a lot of remediation to correct that. Plus a roof a/c is generally 3 or 4 times more expensive to replace and I don't think I could find one to run on a 800 watt generator. Not really a big deal as I don't use the a/c very often. Had a Pleasure Way come my way, I would have given it careful consideration. At the time I was searching, I looked at several PW's and thought, "yeah, this is very doable, too." They made a "wide body" model which squeezes out a few more cubic feet inside the van which is nice. Coach House is another manufacturer that made a very nice unit. It was my favorite floor plan. They had one that had sort of a little office/desk space.
This helped me very much! Thanks for recording it. I've reached the point of waiting for the availability of an affordable Roadtrek 190. Do you have an issue with the low road clearance? I usually like to have high clearance on my vehicles when camping.
Hi Patricia. Thank you for the comment / question. Roadtrek 190's come in two chassis. Dodge and Chevrolet. Of the two, the Dodge based platforms, imo, have higher road clearance than do the chevys. I would say that the Dodges can probably navigate a little bit rougher terrain. Nothing like what a lifted 4wd with lugged tires could do. A 2wd pickup would do better mainly because of the shorter wheel base. A 19 foot Roadtrek is about the equivalent wheel base of a stretch limo. The shorter wheelbase vehicles are able to handle much more rugged terrain...think Jeep?
Got it. I didn't know that. Thanks! I really like the RoadTreks for all of the reasons you mentioned. I'm still having a difficult time w the 8" road clearance and mpg of 14 - 16, but with the remote areas that I travel, sometimes gas is the only option (no diesel). What have you experienced in fuel efficiency?
I have been able to achieve 17mog on a trip to oregon and back. Not all the time though. Normal for me is between 12 and 16. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains so anywhere around here I go involves steep grades and lousy fuel economy. My ideal motorhome would be 17 to 19 feet long, with standing room inside (6 + feet), 25 to 35 mpg, compost toilet, fresh and grey water tanks under the vehicle, a water heater powered by the engine cooling system so there is always some hot water for showers, dishes etc, 100 watt roof mounted and removable solar panel, MPPT charge controller, 200 amps of lithium ion battery power, battery isolator, and the stuff to allow the engine charging system to recharge house batteries while on the road, alcohol stove and oven, portable 18650 lithium ion battery powered, rechargeable led lighting, 1000 -2000 watt pure sine wave inverter, 2000 watt generator, house air conditioner, furnace, 12 volt compressor refrigerator, longitudinally mounted twin bed with two mattresses that can be configured as a single bed, couch, lounge, two twin beds, or pushed together for a double bed, counter with inserts that can be removed for the the sink, hot cold electric pump fed faucet with long hose that can be used for "kitchen" and do double duty for shower, aisle shower, modular, movable storage that can do double duty as desk, dining table, entertainment center, fantastic roof vent, inside bicycle or scooter storage. And I would like to get it new for under 35K, used in the low to mid 20's. With the exception of the gas mileage, the Roadtrek I have is well on the way to fulfilling about 90% of my want list. I would have to drive a long way before the fuel savings would have any meaningful offset. Still for me, fuel consumption is what I would like to improve because over time, it is the most costly aspect of driving one of these machines.
Thats a really big list. I had several unrealistic dreams when I started looking and Roadtrek is the best compromise that I have found so far too. I sure hope you find all the things in an RV that you mentioned bc I will be next in line. Thanks Rich for responding so thoughtfully.
Hi Tiger Cry, thank you for the comment. When I was searching, there were other brands I had the opportunity to "walk through" so to speak and as I did, I started listing their differences. Obviously, they all had many things in common but the differences became the things that started me leaning toward the Roadtrek. I saw those features as advantages and benefits. Someone else might have a different opinion. That is why I think for me the best thing to have done was to look at different brands. The actual running gear is the same so really it's just the things the RV manufacturer incorporates into the platform that a person needs to evaluate for their particular preference.
Thank you for posting this video about your thought process. Did you consider the engine- gas versus diesel, long term durability, etc.? That is why I have only been looking for vehicles on a Sprinter chassis. Thank you, again.
Hi Itvanburen, Thank you for the question. When I started looking, I was like you, looking at sprinter chassis. I have restored 9 Mercedes diesel cars so diesel was high on my list. Then I started really thinking about things a lot deeper. The obvious choice for diesel is fuel mileage. People get really hung up on this, I did. Current gas price at costco is 3.26 Current diesel price at costco is 3.95 22 cents a mile for gas based on 15 mpg - Dodge 18 cents a mile for diesel based on 22 mpg - Sprinter A difference of 4 cents per mile. So really, fuel economy isn't a huge deal. Durability? The Dodge 318 has been a workhorse engine in taxis, police vehicles, small trucks, commercial vans and is VERY durable. The 5 or 6 cylinder diesel sprinter engines also durable but come at a VERY high admission price and way higher maintenance costs ongoing than a 318 gas engine. The rest of the sprinter chassis is also premium price for repair and replacement. The Dodge van is paltry by comparison. Many more Dodge based RV's have been made versus Sprinter based. They are older, the price of admission is also lower. A person could easily bring an older Dodge chassis up to "new" specs, for several thousand strategically spent dollars. With the cost of the base vehicle and the restoration, a person would have a vehicle serviceable for easily 200K miles with normal, very reasonably priced maintenance. The sprinter would cost 2 or 3 X the price of the Dodge at the outset and ongoing maintenance is VERY high, with very few qualified personnel to do the work, sparsely scattered. Any domestic mechanic can work on the Dodge. As far as the living space? Sprinters are a little bit taller with more headroom. That's it. In fact my Dodge chassis Roadtrek has many more much more desireable features now than most Sprinter versions. Diesel vs propane heat, 3 hybrid cooking choices, propane, alcohol, butane, 12 volt solar powered compressor refrigeration vs anemic propane, along with all of the amenities any Sprinter has. The Dodge has bottomed out on depreciation and is now appreciating based on strong demand. The oldest sprinters have depreciated but haven't yet started the uptick. SO prices of sprinters are still quite high and going down. I can't do anything but guess, I can't do a side by side comparison. But if I could, my guess is I am way ahead of what I would have spent on the initial cost and maintenance of a sprinter over the time I have owned the Dodge chassis Roadtrek. I have a lot of other things I can spend money on. When it comes to vehicles, I want value, appreciation, low cost, widely available maintenance, in a bulletproof package. I got that with the Canadian built Dodge chassis Roadtrek. I would need to know just exactly how a sprinter would accomplish this before considering one.
Roadtrek Rich That is extremely helpful information. I really do appreciate you taking the time to respond in such a thoughtful manner. I was in South Carolina last week and spoke with an electrician working out of a Sprinter high-roof extended van. I asked him how he felt about it and he said it was the best money he had ever spent and that you can get a million miles out of a Mercedes diesel. That seems to be a common response from Sprinter owners, but, like you, I am concerned about finding myself in an area where I am unable to get the vehicle serviced. I am very disappointed that so many great European campers are not available in the US and I sure do wish Subaru would make a van! Thank you, again, for the information. You have been very generous with your time.
The island shower you said had a curtain surround and floor drain. But how do youkeep the water from going all over on the floor between the shower curtain bottom and drain?
Thank you Rich for sharing your selecting process. Since two years I am doing the same thing finding the right Roadtrek for my full-time living home as an individual person. As a freelancer I can proceed with my remote work from any part of the World. For me it is also important to have a good Internet connection. Thank you again. Have a safe journey in your Roadtrek.
Best of luck!
Thank you much for this video! I was being encouraged to NOT build one but to look into something like this instead. So I just started looking at these types of videos this week. I reall like your descriptions and what the pros and cons are of each! Thank you again and I will follow you!
Thank you for following. I am always happy to answer questions, especially about perspective vehicles people are looking at.
There are lots of things to look at very carefully and thoroughly. The search can be long and patience is your best friend. People get discouraged by so few of these being available and their enthusiasm when they find one can cause them to make impulsive, emotional decisions about buying something that could become a headache. I take an objective position when evaluating any prospective vehicle. I'm pretty sure I've done a "how to search for and buy" a Roadtrek video. What happens when a person is looking for a vehicle to purchase is they tend to overlook or just don't know what the telltale signs are of a vehicle that probably isn't worth considering. I've already spent hundreds of hours scrutinizing scores of vehicles. The one I settled on I've had now for over seven years, I think. And like any vehicle I own and operate, it's a better vehicle now than when I bought it, from a practical, utilitarian standpoint. If I can help you, I'm happy to do so.
That was very helpful , we’re just starting our search , narrowing it down to Roadtrek , and Pleasure Way , but are in Canada so are fewer here . Thanks for the great info
Your welcome. Subscribe and ring the bell...I have a new video you might find helpful...coming out tomorrow...Tuesday.
I LOVE my 2005 popular Roadtrek........cost a little more than we intended to spend, well worth it and not disappointed.....Took a year to locate what I wanted and had to drive eight hours to inspect it. It was SO worth the wait. We have a lot of furniture and household goods to sell...tired of "stuff" tying us down. I'm 66 and my husband is 80....it's time we hit the roads!
Is yours a Chevy or a Mercedes Sprinter?
I can relate to the long drive and lengthy search. But you were rewarded for having a goal and taking the steps to achieve it.
I'm 67 and feel the same way.
I feel very fortunate to be able to have a home base but I'm weeding through all the clutter of a lifetime and jettisoning everything that is no longer relevant.
For each of us, this is a different process.
I have a son who shares my home and part of my process is him taking up the responsibilities of the home as I release mine.
We each have a thought process we need to go through and an action plan to achieve our goals. I get so many insights from people who share how they work through these things, it is very helpful and gives me different perspectives to consider.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience, Dawn.
Dawn Frost
Wow and good for you and your husband. I wish you everything good in your new life especially good health for both of you.
Just in case you find you can’t travel so much in the future, I read about a huge group/club in TX that has established an assisted living type of community for those who can’t travel anymore. It allows people to live in their own rigs. I believe it’s called Escapees...something like that. Keep this info bc you never know.
I’ve been researching a lot as I hope to do this for 6 months of a year maybe starting late in 2018 or 2019. I am a 68 yr old single lady who loves these Class B’s, can’t afford a new one and doesn’t have skills to work on older ones. I may start out in a minivan to see if I am suited. If ever you decide to trade or sell your 2005 Roadtrek, please contact me by email at RVing14@yahoo.com. I am very interested.
Also email me as an old fashioned pen pal. I’d love to hear about your future adventures and can meet up with you when I hit the road. I am alone but not lonely and it would be nice to make friends during our travels. My sister lives in FL, I’m in NJ and I’d love to explore the west. My first month+ long trip will be Jan 2018 when I will travel to the annual RTR camping out of my SUV. If you’re not familiar with RTR, look up YT channel for Bob Wells, the founder of this meet up every year...his channel is CheapRVLiving. Put a dot com on it for his immensely popular website and forums.
Safe and healthy travels, Mo in NJ and...
Alma No-Last-Name - Hi Alma, I'm pushing for this year but may wait until Jan 2019. What about u? Mo
@@monnaprovost7294 have you hit the road and how has life been for you???
I was wondering this too.
I picked the Roadtrek 170 because it's fits In my garage after raising the header over the garage door. That was a bit of work but I can work on my Roadtrek anytime of the year and hey I have own remote for the tv if I don't like what my wife is watching in the house. The 170 is so easy to drive. Good times. Take care!
Thank you of the comment Walleye. Yes, if I could have found a 170, I very well may have chosen that one. Problem was every time I tried to get to one, it was sold before I could get to it. And most of them went for between 150 and 200% more than I paid for mine...a real premium product in CA.
Roadtrek Rich yea that's what I found, pretty hard to find. I bought my 2005 170 from a dealer in Ohio for for 27k. It needed a little bit of work but it looks and runs like new now, even the Onan generator runs like a top. Like you, I don't mind doing some work on my own and it's a great learning experience in how everything works. Couple years from retirement and we may move up to a Zion SRT. By the way, what kind of work are you doing? You mentioned you're swamped at work this summer. Take care
Walleye yep I have the 170. My best investment yet
This video is now about seven years old but I think still very relevant. I decided on a road trek as well but went for the larger 210 model. It essentially allows you to sleep width wise or lengthwise. You can have a wet shower or shower in the aisle, (2006 and beyond) and something not mentioned here is if you have two people in the van and you're going to be living together for months at a time, it's nice to have a van that you're able to divide up into separate areas. Road trek has done a superb job of this. One person can be upfront and another person could be in the back watching television, etc. without disturbing one another. And the larger 210 varieties the versatile model gives you just that, a lot of versatility. Remove one of the chairs and put extra cabinets in, a longer counter, etc. And the Chevy Express 6 liter V8 is a great engine. Although I would certainly consider a sprinter T1N, but much harder to find parts for and mechanics to work on them. Better gas mileage though. Chevy's you can have fixed anywhere, and every auto parts store in America has Chevy parts. There's also ample room in the roadtreks to add a lithium iron phosphate battery set up and enough space on the roof for solar. One downfall is the low ground clearance. That part I don't like. Combine this with a long wheelbase and you can high center easily. Not very good all off road vehicles. Roadtrek wanted to make tons of space available but you do sacrifice some ground clearance.
Love this video, Rich! Your approach toward narrowing down the field in your selection process is exactly what I’m going through. I have a GMC Starcraft high roof Vandura Van with 33,000 original miles on it. However, I’ve been watching Roadtreks for quite some time and am getting close to selling my van and buying a used 2005 or newer Roadtrek Popular 190. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject. Have safe travels!
Hi Phil Capling,
Thanks for the comment.
When you're ready to sell your Vandura, send me a comment and if you want to send some pix or a video to me, I'll do a video that it is for sale and include details you send. I don't look at the email for the channel unless prompted by a comment, the email is vaporcruzmail@gmail.com.
I don't know how much help that would be, but at least there are people here, watching the channel interested in this kind of thing.
This was very helpful for my husband and myself. We’ve already decided on a Roadtrek . Thank you.
Great video! Our selection process was similar, with one additional requirement - trailer capacity. We pull 2 trailers, a 6000 lb horse trailer and a 4500 lb Harley hauler. The only class B's that we found that can handle these trailers are the Roadtrek 190 and 210 built on the 1 ton 3500 Chevy Express chassis. We purchased a 2016 210 and couldn't be happier.
Hi Peter thank you for the comment. Yes your choice of the Chevy was a good one. When I was still looking for a vehicle a Dodge platform came up on the radar and I went and looked at it. Had a big, well used hitch so I asked what it had towed...horse trailer...okay...so I took a look from under the van at the cylinder heads and both of them had greenish, oilyish, goo oozing down the cylinder block...the telltale signs of leaking, ready to blow head gaskets.
What it showed me was how the horse trailer and the weight had tortured the venerable 318 motor. As motors go, it's a good one but you really need the more cubes of the chevy...good choice !
You are giving so much great information. And I've listened to so many videos. Thank you loving your video❤❤
The Road Trek looks like the best van out there with all the great features it has and I hope to have one in the very near future as well . Good job on the video .
Hi Neil Salmon,
The most important thing, I think, is to try to find something that fits you the best. Features fall into 2 categories, for me, fixed and variable.
Things like cabinet arrangement, toilet/shower set up, bed arrangement, with/out back door fall into the fixed category.
The variables are stuff like cooktop, refrigerator, fan/s, air conditioning, lighting, batteries, auxiliary power i.e. solar or generator.
When I compare the Roadtrek today to the Roadtrek I purchased almost 4 years ago, it has undergone several significant changes to the variable components and virtually none to the fixed ones.
I think the most important thing for someone to do is to consider how well the fixed components fit in with their use case.
It's good to look at a variety of brands, years, body styles and make lists of the fixed features each one has.
Then draw from those lists the fixed features that fit you the best.
When you tick off the boxes of the various candidates, one or more will emerge as the best candidate to fill your particular needs and wants.
Then you can focus on searching for a particular vehicle, brand, manufacture, etc. and find the "best van" for you.
Happy Hunting !
Thanks for sharing this helpful video 👍
I cannot thank you enough. The 2004 is a 190 anniversary model. Chevy with a generator, screens , additional tent /screen room etc. because it’s a private owner ( he’s selling it for his mom, his dad has past away.)I think he’d come down from 40000 a few thousand. . I’ve been vacillating for a week it may be gone now. You have given me the kind of information I will need to navigate well within these life changing process. May I continue to use you as a resource.? I’m not sure what you have done in the working world , but you approach tough issues like a great engineer .
Hi Victoria, thank you for the questions / comments. That's what I'm here for...a resource.
Those are the best kind of vehicles to buy, someone who has a low level of attachment, simply wants to liquidate for a reasonable amount of cash. We all vacillate, it's a decision that carries some weight.
Now, if it is available, some things to do on a visit to the vehicle. Or any class b you might run across.
First question, are there service and repair records.
Second, are the manuals for all of the "house items" present, things like air conditioning, furnace, water heater, generator, microwave, toilet, water pump, etc.
Third, are the vehicle manuals, etc. present.
Should be with a private seller.
You will be told by the seller about all of the wonderful features, options, extras, how wonderfully it has been loved and cared for.
None of that will cost you any money after you purchase it.
The things that will cost you money or cause problems for you are the things you are not told about, not aware of, and fail to research and determine the condition of.
These are the things that also give you leverage in negotiating price.
I mentioned tires. A tire dealer can tell you where the date codes are on the tire, you can give them to the tire dealer and they will tell you how old the tires are. Doesn't matter the tread depth. It's the age that's important. 5 years is maximum. Older than this and the tires are a problem waiting to happen. This is your safety. 8000 lbs., 60 mph, a blow out on a steep downgrade, in a turn and you are in a world of hurt.
Tires, mounting, balancing, alignment equals around $1000. Suspension work is not likely at 60k miles but it should be checked. This equals another $1200 to $1500 for ball joints, a-arms, etc. Shock absorbers aren't something people change, another $600 to $1000. 60 k is about the useful life. Bilsteins come with a lifetime guarantee, they are yellow tubes inside the coil springs on the front. If the shock's "tubes" are a dirt brown, they probably are original and will probably need changing.
If the vehicle has a trailer hitch, you need to ask if has been used to tow something...what has been towed.
If it's towed something heavy, it would be advisable to take the vehicle to a transmission shop to check the condition of the transmission. I think Chevys are pretty good in this area but good to check.
Depending on the part of the country, there could be corrosion or rust. In dry climates and on the west coast this is not a problem. Northern states and eastern sea board, rust can be a problem.
It is important to check the status of the title. It needs to be clean, no accidents, no salvage title.
Inside, you need to check the a/c (dash) and make sure it is blowing cold air.
If not, you may be told it just needs a recharge. No. A/C that is not blowing cold is going to need professional attention to determine all the components are working properly and not in need of repair or replacement. A/C could be as low as a few hundred dollars to well over a 1000.
Now in the "house" part.
When the water pump is turned on, water should come out of the sink, the toilet should flush, water should come out of the shower head. The pump should run during these operations and then stop running.
The furnace, stove, and water heater run on propane. They need to be tested for functionality.
The house battery and the starting battery under the hood should be checked for age and state of charge.
Batteries Plus, Autozone, and Oreilly's will do this...they like selling batteries, so it is good if you can corroborate their findings through your own research. Two batteries can run from $300 to well over $500.
The refrigerator is probably a two or three way model. I'll just talk about the one I know about...the three way.
It runs on twelve volts, propane, and 120 volt house current. It should work on all three. New three way refrigerators are $1200 to 1500. If it needs one, I would get a Truck Fridge, like the one I got for the van.
It runs on 12 volts. You would need at least one solar panel and two house batteries for extended use but parked, the vehicle can be plugged in and the onboard converter will keep one house battery charged which in turn will provide power to keep the refrigerator operating. If you are on the road 8 months and not spending every day plugged in somewhere, the solar would be a necessity, if you upgraaded to the compressor, Truck Fridge. The twelve volt Truck Fridge, solar panel(s) and batteries costs about the same as a three way fridge but offer much more usefulness and no propane use. If the existing fridge works and you aren't planning daily "inside the van temps" higher than about 85, it should be okay. Remember it can be a beautiful 80 degrees outside, but inside the van it can be 95. The three way fridge can only provide a differential of about 40 to 50 degrees so inside the van, the fridge is at its limit on a "hot" day.
The onboard onan generator is "handy". But this luxury comes with its own set of issues. They usually need obsessive maintenance, they're right under the bed so no running at night. They're good for being able to run the "house" air conditioning, but expensive on gas. They are good for running the microwave.
On a cold day, they would be useful to run a small electric space heater but again, expensive.
It needs to be checked for proper operation. Repair coat? I don't know, I don't have one.
You need to look around and sniff inside. Discoloration on cloth panels inside may indicate a water leak in the past. You shouldn't smell mildew, or anything odd like propane gas around the stove, furnace or fridge, no ammonia smell either, this would indicate a fridge issue.
The fantastic fan roof vent has a plastic "skylight" cover. These can crack with age and use and possibly create a leak. Need to check the fan to make sure it is working. The cover is something that could be replaced if it is cracked, leaking. I don't know the cost, I would guess under a 100 dollars. I fixed mine by spraying a liberal coating of that stuff advertised on TV that seals leaks...it worked.
The rest is pretty much like any vehicle. Drive it. Open and close all the doors, roll the windows up and down, make sure the power locks work. There shouldn't be any heavy clunks, scraping or grinding noises. It's a big, heavy vehicle so it won't "feel" like a car, it'll feel big and heavy but it should be easy to manipulate. The mirrors are electric, they need to be checked for proper operation and adjustability.
SO there's some stuff for you to do with any van you might look at.
If a seller doesn't have time for you to methodically go through this stuff, you don't have time for them.
My background work-wise has almost always involved some form of design. I am a designer...not just an occupation...it is what I am. No I didn't train and was not educated in a "school". Like DaVinci, I am the school.
I think it is a multi-pronged approach.
I learn from others, observe, experiment, conceive, create, teach, share and collaborate.
I think I could probably offer class b vehicle appraisal services for a fee.
I'm reasonably sure I could find enough things to negotiate to justify a fee of some sort.
It's a lifetime of experience buying and selling vehicles, immersing myself in such things and a track record of selling the same for more than I paid for them.
It seems, as a workman, I've always been worth my wage. I do what I love, love what I do.
This just represents a "short" list of nuanced things. Vehicles talk to me, tell me what shape they're in, how they've been cared for. It's like people who taste wine, appraise art. It is something one learns over time.
I hope this helps you and good hunting for a vehicle...be patient, your effort will be rewarded.
Very happy with the time you took to explain all this. It finally help me knowing what I was looking for. Thank you!
Hi Carol Delisle, thank you for the comment. I'm glad it helps you.
I appreciate the description of the aisle shower. Makes sense.
Thank you for taking the time to share this great information 👍
I'm looking out and saving for a Roadtrek too. Great info, especially about the aisle shower! I hope I can get one by next year. Thanks for the post, very helpful!
Hi Jennifer Brittenham,
They are getting harder to find and higher in price. There is a huge demand for these because so much has been built in to them. Also, ones that are new or only a couple years old can be well over 50k with many approaching or over 100K.
There isn't really much a new one has that can't be retrofitted to an older one for a fraction of the cost.
Many of the updates I have aren't even available on brand new models. The main thing about an old one is the running gear needs to be soldi and reliable and the body and frame as rust free as possible with good weather sealing. If you have that, the updates to the living area are relatively low cost and you can do those gradually over time and have the vehicle outfitted just the way you need it to suit your purposes.
Me too!!!
Great job breaking down the selection process. I did basically the same thing, plus test drove about a dozen different Class B's. I thought I was gonna love the newer Sprinter types until I got inside one and it was too narrow. Decided on a Pleasureway Excel TS widebody. The more open feel and the galley on the passenger side won me over. I made a couple critical errors in selection, tho, that I'm not sure I would've been able to understand until I'd lived in this thing full time. First, I should've gotten the twin bed type instead of sofa bed. You can actually fit guests in here that way and you can have a realistic dinette situation for eating, computing, playing cards, etc., as well as more of a pass thru the back door for storing bikes etc when underway. Second, I thought those aisle showers were completely impractical, but now I'd kill for one. The wetbath is too cramped and gets everything wet. All I can really accomplish is washing my hair and I stand in the aisle to do it anyway. In the aisle shower, I could actually shower for real and all that would get wet is the curtain and the basin. No big deal. Hindsight!! Still love my van, tho. Looking forward to more of your videos, Rich.
Thank you for the comments csquared. When I was searching, I looked at several pleasure ways, too. They were much newer and way out of my budget but still I thought I could look and if it fit, I would justify spending more to get the right fit for me. I especially liked the open feel, like you say, of the wide body.
I looked at a Roadtrek that didn't have a shower and figured out a way to put one in using a pan I made for aisle and a small electric fountain pump to pump the water out of the pan and into the sink drain. I copied the way it was done on one of my favorite rv's, the VW Rialta. Unfortunately, headroom in the Rialta at 5'10" was a deal breaker for this 6 foot frame.
Just saying that if you really want an aisle shower, it's doable. You can use magnets (strong ones) to hold up a shower curtain in the aisle, too. And your existing nozzle can have an extension hose to reach out into the aisle as well.
I never quite understood the galley preference being on the right, "curbside". Even when I was looking a bigger rigs, this feature got a lot of emphasis. I guessed it has something to do with hookups like water and power. But since I don't frequent campgrounds or rv parks, hooking up isn't something I do.
If you were to use a folding bike, you could maybe store it behind the sofa bed or you could easily bring it in and take it out through the side door.
Seems like there is always a little compromise. The questions I continually ask myself are What can I live with and What can't I live without.
Roadtrek Rich Interesting! I had not thought about jerry-rigging an aisle shower in here. 🤔
Thanks for sharing all your information now I can use it to help me in my search for a Roadtrek!
Glad it was helpful!
I also love the roadtrec! Thank you so much for your advice, I feel the same way about it! I will be looking out for one! Blessings One love 🌻
I appreciate your logic.
Roadtrek Rich, Good info. I am like the other ones here, who at a certain age are ready to get a van, and live on the road, even stay a bit if I like the place! I am in a state where I have no ties and do not have to hang around. and I am really taking this idea seriously. You are right though, it is a lot to think about and research. I will be watching for more videos for your tips.
Venturing into new territory is at first an unknown.
We all have natural curiosity and sometimes fear of unknowns.
We also are subject to inertia. A body at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force.
Your inertia has been acted upon. This idea has moved you from observation to consideration.
You are already considering how you could begin to move in this direction.
Just let your natural curiosity maintain your momentum.
Any trepidation you may have will disappear as the known replaces the unknown.
This lifestyle is a departure point. The journey is the exciting part.
Thank you, Brenda, for your insightful comments.
brendaelk, hi Brenda im in the same boat with you trying to make that jump into the unknown. How have you done since you wrote this? god bless you.
We are getting ready to try out the RV life. Thank you for solidifying what I had been thinking, and for your insistence on having patience. I will do the same and hopefully we will be just as happy as you with our purchase. I've subscribed. See you out there.
Hi Jesus Huerta,
Thank you for the comment. Take you time, look at several different models. Spend some time with each and think about the variations. Every one is a compromise. What you are trying to find is the one that offers the best set up for you. And remember to ask the question what can you live with and what can't you live without. It takes a little time to figure that part out.
Your analysis was super helpful. Thank you for taking the time to go through your decision tree!
Thank you. I have been saving some cash for sometime now for this new chapter in my life. I have been leaning towards the Winnebago Travato mainly because of the rear bath. Anyway, not sure I can wait a year. I should do more research as you suggest.
Hi Standard Air, thank you for the comment. I've talked to a lot of people about deciding which would fit their needs. On more than one occasion, I have asked a person, " So which one feels the best when you are in it?" A perplexed look comes over their face and they say, "oh, I haven't been IN one."
I found it very helpful to actually be in the living space for at least an hour or two. That way I got the "feel" for what it would be like being inside this little space for an extended period.
Just one example of how I changed my priorities was when I thought I needed an enclosed side bath. I spent time in an Xplorer and Pleasureway, both with side baths. I went in and out of these several times to see what using it would be like. Then I compared it to the experience of the Roadtrek. What I found was for the amount of time I would be spending in the bath, it wasn't worth sacrificing that much cubic footage to have it in its own enclosed room.
In your consideration of the Winnebago Travato and its two models 59K and 59G, the one with the rear bath 59K, I think, is set up more like my Roadtrek compared to the model with the rear murphy bed.
If I were choosing between the two models, like you, I believe I would be leaning toward the K. It just flows better for me.
As a designer, I am quick to identify who the two models are targeted towards and the distinct differences involved in the target markets.
The G is obviously geared toward the family or family type group. More seating, more sleeping. The K is geared for one or perhaps two people.
The K would also be a good platform for someone using the van for work.
It's important, I believe, to identify who something was being designed for or if there was any thought given. Some designs are much better planned than others. Some are just a function of having to jam all the components in a given space with little thought at all, just make it fit.
When it comes to companies like Winnebago and Roadtrek, they thoroughly plan their platforms, offer multiple floor plans and have the resources to try many configurations before releasing anything for public consumption.
I would just suggest to you to spend as much time as possible in the brands and models that "feel" right to you. Think about them. Make a list of the pros and cons for each. Gradually, over a period of time, your mind, your body will come to a consensus about which one will be the one for you.
Here are two questions I continually ask myself.
What can you live with? What can't you live without?
Then I ask myself a third. Are you sure?
Lots of things we "think" we can live with or can't live without.
These kinds of thoughts are like theories or hypothesis. They need to be tested. Once you have some empirical, real hands on evidence, you can make a determination as to the validity of the "thought".
This process really helps solidify decisions I have made and continue to make.
Roadtrek Rich w
Rarely spoken about issues but so obvious; plus the potential need and appeal of renewable source with solar!!!!
Really good point about the air conditions❤
Great video. I, too, am looking for a van and reaching that antsy 'i gotta buy something' period. Your video really helped me refocus so I can get what I need, not just the next thing available. Happy travelling.
Hi Barb, thank you for your comment. You make a keen observation. We have an urge to get underway and want to move to satisfy the urge. It sounds like you are making the distinction between this urge and urgency.
In my case, I didn't have an urgent situation. I scoured the internet multiple times a day, systematically, until a van surfaced that met my search criteria. I think by physically going to see a bunch of different vans I was able to zero in on what features I could live with and ones I couldn't live with out.
If there was an opportunity for me to visit a van that even remotely filled some of the criteria, I would go and see it. This up close exposure really helped me refine my search.
I am thankful I didn't have to be in a hurry, it was a luxury.
So if you have the luxury of being able to take time to find what you are looking for, savor and appreciate it as a luxury that some people may not have in their situation.
A friend of mine used a phrase, "the tyranny of the urgent" that sums up things pretty well.
Conversely, there is no "perfect" vehicle so it is a fine line. When I found something that fulfilled most of the search criteria, I had to ask myself am I going to take the next step?
This is the point where for me I gulped, swallowed back a little fear that welled up, and answered yes, even though I am moving into the unknown, I want to experience this and I am willing to pay the entry fee.
For me, this journey, this process is one of the ways I learn about who I am and how I fit into this world.
I think I am like a lot of people who find this van life style intriguing and a way to think outside the box in terms of what we think of the conventional, accepted norms for a dwelling, a vehicle, a living environment.
There is a word, cumbersome. I think about it's meaning. As it applies to my life. How I encumber my life and how this 19 foot van has enabled and empowered me to view things from a different perspective.
The vehicle is just a tool to help me learn, it's not the end all be all.
I was lucky. Mine has been passed around the extended family since the first year.
1992 Chevy Roadtrek 210 . AL
Excellent video. I have been looking for a few months and already decided on the Roadtrek 190 Popular but your video just reinforced my decision. :-) Now to pray we find one within the next year. :-) Thank you...
You are welcome, haamster52856. It's good you are planning to take time to find one. I have learned a great deal about the Dodge platform both before and after acquiring my Roadtrek. I should do a video about BUYING a Roadtrek. This is completely different from choosing.
This is after all a vehicle. It is important that the mechanical functions are sound and the expectation, as with any used vehicle, is that there will be items that with need repair or replacement.
I call it "the process". With vehicles I acquire, I research what the common weaknesses are, how to determine if the vehicle I'm looking at shows signs of those weaknesses and assess what the cost is likely to be to bring the vehicle up to a reliable level.
I try to use a 75 / 25 approach. That is, from my resources, I allocate 75% of them to restoring and maintaining the roadworthiness of the vehicle and 25% towards the house or living area components. As neat as all the gadgets are, if the vehicle can't move, all that gadgetry is pretty useless.
I just finished a 1400 mile trip. The van ran fine. The temperature was into three digits and the refrigerator couldn't keep up, the a/c couldn't be used ( no generator). So those are things on my wish list to address. But what got immediate attention was a full lubrication service and ordering some suspension and linkage parts. Back in cooler climate, the fridge will do. But renewing brakes, and suspension/steering parts are the top priorities.
Mechanical repairs are not glamorous. But they are always the least expensive and easiest to do when anticipated. That way when out on the road, far from home, there is at least a good chance the vehicle will keep going even if some of the gadgets don't.
Roadtrek Rich: you must live in a cool climate. I live in south Georgia where it is HOT and HUMID...awful...most of the year. So...the AC would be a high priority on MY list,(as well as a nice, cool fridge). Also...if you haven't made a video about BUYING a Roadtrek, PLEASE do this! It would be so helpful to a "newbie" like me! Your information is very useful...thanks so much!
Thank you for the comment. Yes, I really think a "How to shop for a motorhome" video would be valuable.
It's second nature to me because I have bought and sold so many vehicles.
But long before that I have looked at many online, read the details in the ad or called the owner to get those details. It helps me rule out vehicles that may appear on the surface to be alright but have underlying issues I would prefer not to deal with.
There are usually plenty of clues right in the ad to either qualify or disqualify most vehicles. It is amazing.
Love the ads where something that is "broken" is stated as "easy to fix" ... "probably just needs a ______". But the seller hasn't fixed it. Makes me wonder why? Lazy? No skills? What?
If there is one theme or over riding thought I have, I guess it would be that every used vehicle will have or does have issues of one kind or another. It is my job to discover what those issues are and decide whether they are things I want to tackle or simply move on to the next candidate.
Two things are certain.
One. Every used vehicle is a mystery, a question mark.
Two. Every used vehicle tells a story. All the clues are right there.
A buyer is like a detective who can read the clues and evaluate whether any particular vehicle is a prospect or a suspect.
I’m in South Georgia right now and the heat and humidity are significant. I’ll have to rethink this over the winter. I hope you found what you needed.
I really needed to watch your video! I am going through all of the videos I can watch to try and decide how I will find the fit for me. I am in my sixties and have a 29' travel trailer that would be very difficult for me to travel around in and am thinking of maybe just converting a cargo van into a livable space. My Soc sec doesn't go far and I will need to live on it and find a way to supplement my income on the road if possible. A road trek seems like a good choice but all I have come across are new ones. Too expensive for me. I am not in a hurry but would like to get on the road soon. Thank you again for the info I need all I. Can get!
Your situation is exactly why I started this channel. I have gained a wealth of information from a variety of you tubers and I thought it would be good to contribute what I am learning, too.
Thank you for your comments, Diane. You and I are in the same age group and income resources.
In order to travel, I too have been trying to find a way to supplement my income.
Consequently, your situation has struck a chord with me, hence the long return comment.
There are lots of vehicles choose from.
My neighbor has a small Dodge school bus she converted for her travels.
There have been lots of people who dispose of almost everything. They stuff some belongings in a vehicle, and head out on the road. I am not one of those people. I am taking a less extreme path.
Regardless of the approach one takes, I think that there are two very important questions.
What can you live with? What can't you live without?
Everyone's answers will be different in some respects and in other respects very similar because we are all different and at the same time, we all share things in common as human beings.
Some of the answers to these two questions will change over time. But no matter where you are in this process, they can be a good method to temper the choices you make along the way.
It sounds like you will be looking at some used vehicles. That can be good from the standpoint of initial price. Depending on the condition, it may involve some mechanical restoration. Older class b rv's, especially one owner ones, are usually in pretty good condition mechanically but potentially, they still will need some maintenance. Shock absorbers, suspension and steering parts, brakes, tires, wheel bearings, lubrication service, air-conditioning service, cooling system, batteries, wheel alignment. Some of the accessory components like the alternator, battery, water pump, hoses, power steering pump, air conditioner may need attention not so much because of wear as much as age.
The list I gave is only partial. Most of the things on the list are things the vehicle "can't live without".
This list happens to be the list for my vehicle, the things I am attending to one step at a time.
I drive my vehicle everyday, just as though I were traveling across the countryside. I also spend many hours a day in it, relaxing, doing videos, finding usable wifi signals, eating, showering. All the things I would be doing living out on the road full time.
But I still have a base of operations with tools, power and other people who can help me if I need it.
The process of fixing up an older vehicle is mostly one of discovering what it needs and obtaining the resources, the parts, tools and time to do the work. Sometimes I have to pay others to do things but I try to minimize that by doing most of the work myself.
There is much more to be said and your comments are inspiring me to think about how to organize what I am doing in such a way that it might be of help to others to gain an understanding of what is involved specifically when it comes to preparing a vehicle.
Motor vehicles are comprised of many interdependent, interconnected components. Like chains, a weak or broken link can disable the whole vehicle. All these things have different factors affecting their useful life which itself (useful life) varies from part to part.
Like a juggler, our job as the operator of the vehicle is keep all these balls up the air. It is much easier to do if a person anticipates things rather than waiting for the inevitable failure of a component. The old saying of a stitch in time saves nine definitely applies to vehicles.
Add a fully self contained house to this already wildly complicated juggling act, and things just get exponentially more involved.
If you think about it, we are already doing this with our sticks and bricks home and
Thanks again for your comments.
I'm also looking into this for permanent living / wandering. I turn 50 next year and there is no way I will be buying a house (where I like to live), and I am so tired of renting, but I absolutely LOVE camping. I've also lived in an 18' Airstream for 3 years and was very comfortable. Never felt I needed more space - the outdoors provided that. Changing the water tanks will be formidable - I didn't have to do that in the Airstream (there was an outdoor shower and bathroom) - so that will be a major difference in lifestyle - nor do I have any mechanical skills (like most women, we weren't taught), so buying a newer, yet affordable version is what I will be looking at. I really appreciate your videos, Rich! My considerations are exactly the same as yours, so it has been really helpful! Thanks so much for helping others. ( : Diane, check online RVtrader because I see a ton of used Roadtreks from 1999-2008. You just have to keep checking. Peace and good luck to you~!
Thanks for the comment Cat Monkey. Well, you undoubtedly know way more about camping than I do and those skills will come in very handy.
I want to focus on mechanical skills because this is something that scares people. It can also become a very expensive part of this lifestyle if a person is constantly having to pay others to perform procedures on the vehicle.
I feel it is necessary for someone like me to do a video that really details How To Buy A Used Class B RV that talks in depth about the mechanical health of the vehicle. There are literally hundreds of subsystems in vehicles. These are electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and combinations of all three and more.
I use a system that I have gained through many years of buying experience. When I look over a vehicle, I see what everybody else sees but I can deduce much more from what is presented. I have taken time to research the clues and indicators that will reveal potential problems.
Every vehicle will tell a story. And the story the vehicle tells is not only the truth, it often times is quite contrary to the story the seller of the vehicle might be spinning.
It isn't hard to learn about the vehicle you intend to purchase. The first step is to narrow the field to one or perhaps two models and a particular brand i.e. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc. Let's say it's a Dodge Roadtrek. Now your job is to learn everything about a Dodge B350 or 3500 van because this is the vehicle the Roadtrek is built on. What you want to concentrate on are the weak points of the vehicle. Once you have this level of understanding, you can begin to look at Roadtreks in an entirely new light. You will be able to tell, after driving a few, one that seems to be performing well as compared to one that is tired and worn out. You have a basis for comparison.
You're not buying anything. Don't worry. You don't have to let the seller know this. Believe me, if their vehicle is any good, they won't have any problem at all finding a buyer for it.
You just want to gain an education. There will be plenty of time and many vehicles available when it is time for you to buy one.
This is by no means scratching the surface of how I approach buying a vehicle. And this is why I feel like I can be a big help to people purchasing this kind of vehicle.
Most people who don't have a lot of understanding about vehicles wind up buying someone else's vehicle at a time when there will be many expensive repairs upcoming. Hence the need for the seller to rid themselves of this expense and sell their asset before having to shell out money they won't likely be able to recover from its sale.
Repairs generally involve two things, parts and labor. Most of the time the parts are just a small fraction of the total repair bill. That leaves labor being the major expense.
People pay exorbitant labor rates for procedures that can be completed by almost anyone with just a little skill, some good instructions, and a good set of hand tools which aren't too expensive and will more than pay for themselves with one or two procedures.
If a person plans to travel, be in any way self sufficient, learning how to care for and repair a vehicle is the most important information and skill set you can have.
Learning about toilets, air conditioning, holding tanks, solar panels, fans and propane might be fun but knowing how to change a fan belt or remove and replace an alternator or a radiator hose will not only give you peace of mind but it will make every day you are on the road less anxious, and enable you to really enjoy the experience knowing that you can keep your vehicle in tip top mechanical health.
Great comments! Looks like there are several people around the same age who have similar questions and ideas! Maybe you could share some of your "technical" videos...to tutor those of us who have no CLUE about vehicle maintenance. (Although...I AM pretty good with riding lawn mower engines(ha ha).I learn a great deal from RUclipsrs who share their knowledge!
Hi Cat Monkey - I am a bit older (65) and am in the process of "downsizing", which has been going on forever. Where I'll go once I do the "purging" that's still needed is an unknown. I'm in a huge house right now, and don't want or need that kind of space anymore. Going to the opposite extreme appeals to me, as does the mobility that RV living offers. I also LOVE camping, but hold out for sites that have showers and hot water. I'm on the east coast. Where do you live, and what kind of timeframe are you looking at before you're hoping to "hit the road"? Would love to correspond if you're open to it. You can find me at my profile name@verizon.net. Cheers - CN
Loved it, word for word in agreement...Thanks Rich.
love this analytical approach! Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you, RR, I really liked your narration! Enjoy your new home! Take care. I'm following you.
Hi Judith G.
Thank you for the comment.
And especially thank you for following me. I'll try to bring you quality content.
Thank you for your time in sharing your process with us. Love your Van. Take care~
Hi steel nora, Take care, as well, thank you for commenting.
I'm looking for a Roadtrek with 4x4. Like a Sportsmobile. I need a under the hood generator and deep cycling batteries that will run my air conditioners and other things inside for hours. so I can go into the little hard to reach areas. Not so much rock climbing. I also love how in these vans you can park anywhere and just blend in when you can't pay for an RV park which I'm not really interested in doing.
Hi Anti Petrolhead, I'm sorry, don't know how I missed your comment, thank you.
I would say maybe a Ford 4X4 van. You could get a diesel. If you are going to outfit it yourself, that's one option. Another would be to contact Outside Van in Oregon, they have a lot of experience with the type of van you are interested in. One thing to bear in mind is keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. Otherwise, the "lift" of the 4wd and the height of the van (high top ?) might make for some precarious 4 wheeling. I guess it would depend on your level of experience with such things...mine is zero.
Thanks for explaining your thought process! Good things to add to my list! Much appreciated. Hope you well and enjoying your travels and beautiful home!
This was SO HELPFUL. It brought to my attention things I never would have thought of. Thanks for taking the time!
Hi R Edmonds. Thank you for the comment.
As I often do, I visit the YT channel of commenters and was I amazed at what I found at your channel.
I watched with fascination as your creation took shape. And the finished creations are stunning.
I'm purposely not saying what you make hoping that other people's curiosity will compel them to go to your channel and see what you do.
You're inspired me to do some creating of my own !
Thanks! That's so kind of you to say that. I'm enjoying your videos. They are so helpful. I love your Roadtrek.
Good choice. I have a Roadtrek with a wet bath. Not much room for showering.
Plus my A/C is on top. I like the idea of the back A/C that can be easily fixed and/or replaced maybe with lower watts to be able to run on the extra solar panels I would have.
Thank you for the comment, yes the house style a/c was a positive in the older models. I understand why they needed to move it up top on the newer models with the taller double rear doors but that came with downsides of a roof penetration, taller overall height, and from my experience with other units like that, a more watt-hungry appetite.
Great video. Thank you so much for sharing. Lots of love from Iran 🇮🇷
Hi Nyx Doc, thank you for commenting. Love from here back to you.
Thanks for the educational tips. Subscribed. Thanks for being "to the point" and not wasting the audience's time.
"Dizzying Array" perfectly describes how I feel looking for an RV too.
Tell me about it.......the worse part is missing out on something you had your heart set on!!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and decision making process
You think things through just like I do. I appreciate your help. Glad I found your analysis.
Drooling over the 210 Popular. ....so nice. ...very liveable.
Hi John. Yes, I almost got a 210. The Chevy platform uses a slightly different interior layout and one that has lots of upside. There was one with a diesel engine. I think it was a year newer than mine but the sellers knew what they had and wanted almost 40K...well out of my price range...but my mouth was drooling, too.
thanks for suggesting that figuring out your priorities will help narrow down the field! Helpful.
Thanks for the comment, ABurro.
Very informative, thanks! Looking forward to your next video re. replacing the air conditioner - would love to get rid of ours but need an alternative before getting the green light from my husband ;-)
Hi Maria,
I'm replacing it with an Endless Breeze fan by Fantastic Fan. And behind the fan I am fabricating the parts for an evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler part is going pretty good. I have tried a few designs and I think I finally have one that I'm satisfied with. I started by trying to use "off the shelf" parts so anyone could make one at home. But after testing, I have found that none of the containers make a suitable reservoir. So I am fabricating that part. I want to do a video showing how to build it. So it is slowing down the progress a little.
Thanks for your help. We're getting ready to search and hit the road. Namaste.
Very nice Rich, thank you. We have a Roadtrex 170 like yours, it's great but has been sitting a year and a half - time to spiff it up. Nice video, I need to watch how you handled your A.C. back cabin unit.
Thank you for the comment GR.
That's great to hear you have a Roadtrek. The air conditioner I used is a little smaller than the one that came in the Roadtreks so I had to re-work the ducting. I would say making sure the air is directed properly is key to having the air conditioner working effectively. Other than that, I'm doing a little finish trim work for the smaller unit to look nice in the compartment. I'll probably do a video on that part of things when I have the parts completed and ready to install.
Great video! I went through the same process as you did. It really helped to narrow down what I needed before starting to search for something. In the end for me since I'm not mechanically inclined like you are I decided to go brand new with the 6 year warranty. If I was mechanically inclined I would have purchased used to save some money. I look forward to watching more of your videos. Thanks for sharing with us. I subscribed!
Wow Tracy,
That is so cool ! A new vehicle ! Thank you for subscribing, I returned the favor. Stay tuned, I'm going to do some videos on Dollar Store, Grocery Outlet and other "finds" that go in the rv to make it more fun, livable, etc. Hopefully you will find them helpful.
Roadtrek Rich: I love Grocery Outlet!!
Hi Tracy. I know something about vehicles and the repair process but, honestly, don't work on them. I have found a trusted mechanic and want to keep my vehicle in good condition so, always try to do necessary maintenance. I just wonder what we're talking about here, financially, to do all the regular maintenance, aside from the guarantee. Have you worked out a budget over years, yet, to project the annual cost? Going to check out your channel. Thanks for posting.
Actually I don't even have my van yet. (It's being built soon) So I can't say what the routine maintenance would be on it. I will have the 6 year house warranty and the 3 year Chevy warranty so I shouldn't have to do much in that time except for oil changes and Chevy will be giving me my first 2! I haven't decided if I'm going to do a RUclips channel or not. If you want to find out more about routine maintenance on a used Chevy Roadtrek you can go on our Chevy Roadtrek FB here and ask facebook.com/groups/252621115223541/
Yes I ordered a brand spanking new 2017 Chevy Roadtrek! I'm just waiting for it to be built! I can't wait to get it! I didn't originally want to buy new but since I'm not mechanically inclined I felt it was for the best! I also ordered all the great tech stuff! Underhold generator, volt start, 2 100 watt panels of solar and 4 6volt AGM batteries! I look forward to more videos on your finds for our small spaces. I'm saving all the info to get once I have my van!! I love the dish pan with the drain in it! I can't wait to see what else you come up with for us!
Great video. Good insights. Very logical approach to criteria I had not concerned.
Nice /good job - thank you!
I hope many more people listen to this to help them make an educated choice.
I will be sharing it with others.
Hi dross24MA,
Thank you for the comment, very much appreciated.
Thank you so much for all this great info. I've looked at some class Bs over the years but seemed like they were all so different and very expensive. You've helped sort some things out. Thanks so much for posting. I've subscribed and a big thumbs up.
Thank you for the comment
Loved your expiation on why you chose your van. I think I will make one explaining why I got my RV and my thought process behind it. I hope I do as well as you did.
Great monologue. Thanks!
Very good points some I never thought about...thanks!!!😀👍
Hi Epic Vape. Thanks for the comment !
Thanks for sharing the very informative video..........I'm sure that this the way I want to go also 😉
I have a 2017 Roadtrek Zion. Before that I had a Roadtrek Chevy 190. I like the Zion's RAM chassis. I like it's front wheel drive. I like its gasoline engine. I like Roadtrek's 6 year warranty. I also like its long history as an RV chassis in Europe. I think it rides better than the Mercedes chassis and it was WAY cheaper! I also liked Roadtrek's (under the hood) generator run off the main engine. No loud separate generator that most camp grounds require you shut down after 10:00 PM. My Zion is my ONLY vehicle. I use it to go to the store as well as to go camping. I also use it to move lumber...and my Kayak's. And....You BET that back door is HANDY! In fact, I moved the furniture in my entire house...every piece...in the back of my Zion. I thought it might be worth it to "upgrade" to a Winnebago or Thor Class C RV...to get a bit more room. BUT....in the first 30 seconds of driving multiple models I said to myself "NO WAY!". Class C's all drive like trucks. The engine is loud and the vibration VERY disturbing. My Zion drives like a car...SMOOTH! I LIKE it and I'm gonna keep it!
Hi BADGUY 1, thank you for the comment. Having owned a class c, I can really agree with you about the difference in driving experience between a class c and class b, especially with regard to the vibration and "truck-like" feel of the class c over that of the class b. I can only imagine how sweet it must feel to drive the Zion Ram Chassis.
I've watched a few "tours" of the 19.5 foot model and what impresses me the most is how similar the inside is to my Roadtrek. The thought that went into the placement of all the components and their design, has stood the test of time. As a design study, there are some "form follows function" things that are dictated by the available space so lots of things are necessarily going to be the same. Overall, the only thing I really notice is that the floor plan is flipped side to side with the galley on the passenger side and the bath on the driver's. Every nook and cranny is still packed with useful storage and things can be stored out of sight. The new ones look like they can still swallow up a hefty amount of stuff.
I think Roadtrek might be the longest continuous RV maker at least in the Class B market and I also like their timeless, well planned design.
Having only one vehicle, like you, I use it daily and like you, I have moved lots of stuff, usually for someone else, through the back door...I don't think I could live without it. I think it's great the way they have incorporated the generator under the hood...that is something I think makes so much sense. Why have TWO gasoline engines? And a big engine can loaf and still provide quiet reliable power for a much more powerful generator than a one or two cylinder clanging, clattering "conventional" gen.
I start my vehicle engine, house battery and inverter to use my microwave or other high draw electrical items because with just one battery, I don't have enough amperage to run on just the house batt and inverter. But having that system intergrated would be so nice. Also to charge things up when they get low.
I can sure see why you think you'll keep it...I would too. Happy Trekking !
Thanks for the information.process you used. Would have liked to see a tour of the van you bought.
Hi shirley lake,
Thank you for the comment. There is a tour of the van at this link ruclips.net/video/87zJbmtRZuc/видео.html
Thank You so much
I really am thinking the same way. I appreciate your time and wonderful thought process. This was so very helpful.
Hi Kathy, thank you for the comment.
Your list is exactly like mine!! So going to see, wait, watching for the perfect one~. Great video!
Thank you for the comment, Patricia. Just today, I had another person come up to me and ask, "is that your Roadtrek? How do you like it? I'm looking for one."
It happens often, like every week. It's a great vehicle that was well planned and well executed. I look at my almost 23 year old vehicle and at a brand spanking new one to find essentially the same stuff in the same places. Sure the new one has made advances in some minor ways but for the most part, the design has stood the test of time.
Four years ago, there were 8 to 10 a week being advertised in my general area. Two years ago, it was two or three. I had to travel 700 miles, one way, to obtain the one I have. Last week, I checked some listings and found one comparable being offered for over twice what I paid for mine.
January is the absolute most adverse time to list and sell an rv so if this is any indication of what spring will be when sales ramp up, my advice would be to have your dialing finger ready, funds in place, and your traveling duds packed and ready to go at the drop of a hat.
What was a handful of possibly eccentric, maybe quirky, somewhat bohemian, vagabonds, urban guerrillas, van dwellers, alternative lifestyle pioneers has become not only mainstream entertainment but a counter culture phenomenon of exponential proportions.
And like the twenty something year old Roadtreks, Xplorers, Pleasureways, etc. many of these adventuresome folks pilot down the highways and byways, I have a hunch the lifestyle is going to stand the test of time.
I'm glad I got involved. I wish for you the same fun, intrigue and fascination if you should get involved.
It's one of those reachable "brass rings" in life that you can custom tailor to your heart's content.
Thanks for the video. Good information and reasoning.
Great video, enjoyed!
Thank you for the comment, Beth.
Thank you for you knowledge and insight. I have been toying with the idea of getting a camper and traveling several months out of the yr. I was thinking rodtrek. I am looking for one to rent for several days to figure out if it is reasonable for me.
Hi Kim. Thank you for commenting. That is a VERY wise idea.
I wanted to do that but couldn't find one to rent.
So I did something kind of goofy.
I made believe I was living in the van for a week.
What that involved was assembling all the stuff I would have in the van.
Clothes, food, computer, phone, flashlight, tools, utensils, pots, pans, dishes, storage containers, water, toiletries, medicine, bicycle, bedding, etc.
I had two large wire storage shelves and I stowed all the stuff on them smack dab in the middle of the living room.
The rule for the game was this, I could not use anything else in the house but the stuff that was on those shelves. NO CHEATING.
I kept notes of all the stuff I did not have that I really needed and all the stuff I had brought along that didn't get used.
At the end of a week, I had a real good picture and answers to the two questions I continually ask myself...
"what can I live with?" and "what can't I live without?"
Roadtrek Rich I have not found one to rent locally, most are over 700 miles.
Love Roadtrek, have a 16 SS Agile and it was the best decision I made also.
great video. thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Hi Rich! I am writing you on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, after watching your wonderful video about picking the right van. I actually wrote down 5 important things that you mentioned, that would be very important for me. I will continue to watch your future videos. All the best, Joe
Thank you for the comment, Jose.
I'm glad you found something useful to you.
I'll keep posting new videos.
When I do a video on something, I sometimes wonder whether or not I am just stating something obvious.
So comments like yours help me to develop content that has the potential of being helpful.
Thank you, and if you haven't, please subscribe.
Rich, thank you for answering my comments so quickly. I really appreciate that. Years ago (around 1989 or so) I rented a 27' Class C from Cruise America and got as far as Boone, N.C. and truly enjoyed it. My then, second wife was with me and we both had a great time. Over the years I kept thinking that "one day" I would buy a used Roadrek and just take off to see and enjoy this beautiful country of ours. Today, I am 71, but still hold on to that RV dream. Unfortunately, my present partner (living together 10 years) is not really into the RV lifestyle. I try, patiently...showing her RUclips videos of other couples that have dedicated their older years to traveling in an RV, but she just doesn't get it. Nevertheless, 'one way or the other' I will do it, and do it soon. Thank you for reading this far Rich. Joe
Cruise America is still going strong.
There is also a site
www.outdoorsy.com
where you can rent an RV including some pretty snazzy sprinters, etc.
They have rentals available in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco.
Maybe make a deal with your partner come vacation time or something where you agree to each be able to pick.
Sometimes it's just a mental thing. I've sold stuff all my life.
The Key is the Demonstration.
Lots of people can't catch a vision. They just aren't wired that way.
They have to be able to see, touch, taste, smell, hear.
Once they experience something, they sometimes become more enthusiastic about it than whoever introduced them to it.
Like in the stock market, the same line can be one of resistance or support.
It just depends on where things sit at any given time.
I can guarantee that given the right set of circumstances, your partner would welcome and be thankful she had an RV as an option.
But you don't want to have a flood, fire, or hurricane to sort of move things along, if possible.
Maybe a destination both of you would enjoy with stops that are geared completely to her interests.
Give and take. You get the RV trip. She gets all the places she's been wanting to visit.
You'll figure it out.
Rich, you are so right about several things you mentioned, about helping my partner 'see the light' about going on the road in a class B RV. I have actually thought about just buying a modest, very light camper trailer, hooking it to my 2014 Nissan Sentra and just go by myself. My partner said she would not have any objections to that. Of course, I would prefer a class B, and her to come along too. I happen to be an avid reader of psychology (studied it for many years, besides hotel management) and have realized that my own time on this earth is limited (pretty fit for 71 though) and I need to start planning my own future of experiences and fun. My partner still works (at 68) but she is thinking of retiring, and then maybe I can expose her to the RV world. Rich, thank you so much, for all and any thoughts you believe may be helpful. In the meantime, I will keep looking at your videos and those of others.
I've never used a trailer. That would be a good option, I would think.
Provided you have space to store it. Yes, time marches on and at some point the door closes on this opportunity. At the end of the month, I spring this old joke on somebody.
If there is anything you want to do (for example), in February of 2018, today's the day! It always seems to get a smile.
Today is the day.
Thank you so much for explaining your process it really helped clear up my jumbled mind
Hi Traci Losee,
Thanks for the comment, I'm glad this helped you.
I have wanted to own a Roadtrek since the 1990a but "Life" never co-operated.
Always, it has been price - they are not inexpensive.
After that it was years of traveling with the need to house 4 kids and 3 adults plus 2 cats and 2 small dogs.
Now, it was dealing with 2 elderly cats and 2 elderly 80± pound dogs.
Even though it has a fairly wide center corridor, the corridor is just not wide enough for the large dogs to move and turn around, or to lie down and stretch out comfortably.
Oh, I wish it were wider, because other than that...sigh...GRIN!
Hi dross24MA,
I think we could all point to wishing something were different than it is. Maybe there is somewhere where they are.
Great video. I'm in the market for a unit that needs some TLC. I found a Roadtrek Independent but the frig is shot and the odometer stopped at over 115,000 so I'm not sure what I'd be getting into. Under 7K might be as good as a deal you could find.
Thanks for the research
I'm considering a 97 Dodge 190 Versatile with 182k miles on it and ONLY $5500. It needs a battery & a few other things but is in really good condition, especially the exterior. It's amazing. The thing is I'm not a big fan of Dodge lol.......I have a dog and 2 cats.....not sure if its gonna be roomy enough for me.
What I like about it is the mileage I'd be getting V a Class C or a mini skoolie. I'm on a limited disability income. Thanks for this video... it's got me thinking!!!
Smart shopper, thanks for the tips!
Thank you and you're welcome.
Hi, I took your list and viewed my first Road-trek190 2004, 40000 yesterday it was 4 hour road trip. They were unable to answer most questions....generator wouldn’t start, lots of small things broken and very dirty. The woman selling it had a big beautiful home., I was shocked and overwhelmed. I felt if they hadn’t kept up small things I couldn’t trust they cared for the late. So I’ve postponed a trip to Ohio to view another. Can a single woman my age find reputable repair people on the road,?.....how much should I budget for rehab? or should I be looking for something smaller? I’ve found your advice invaluable.
Hi Victoria, thanks for the report. Your experience is not uncommon. At that price, the vehicle should be perfect, which is what a woman, don't know your age, with limited mechanical skills would ideally want to be buying and using.
These things ARE pretty BIG when you see them in person for the first time, aren't they?
As far as budgeting for rehab, I can't really make a realistic guess. At its age and mileage, it shouldn't need much in the way of mechanical REPAIR until about 100K. I could see tires, $1000, alignment $200, brakes $450, batteries $300, oil change air filter tuneup transmission service $500, interior exterior detail $500, air conditioning service $400, radiator flush $200. These would be things you could prioritize and do gradually as they became needed. That would put the set aside for rehab at around 10% of your initial vehicle which I would have negotiated down to at least $35K but given it's condition with the non functional generator, I would have probably been in the high 20's for an offer, maybe even lower.
The one thing I am not afraid to do is make an offer that reflects the ACTUAL value vs. the "perceived" value of a vehicle...what I feel comfortable paying.
Remember, a vehicle is only worth what someone will PAY for it. A seller can think whatever they want of my offer, I really don't care.
So let us consider a completely different tack for you. You were considering paying 40K for an 18 year old van with 60K miles..
You asked if you should go for something smaller. You asked if a woman your age could find reputable repair people on the road.
So, let's find out.
There is a brand new vehicle available that is very intriguing to me. If I had the money, I would be tempted to squeeze the trigger on this.
It is called a RECON. Here's a link to the website. www.reconcampers.com/stealth
Now this is not just small, it's very small. So it is something you would live "out of" rather than "in".
It doesn't have a toilet and the shower is outside. So in a boondocking situation, you would need a portable toilet which is easy. People think toilets are a big deal, they're really not. You could also rig a shower inside if it makes you fell more comfortable.
It has a pop top so there's ample headroom.
I'm not going to do an item by item, visit the web page for the details.
This is essentially a car you can camp in. If you have a car currently, sounds like you do, you could sell it and put the money towards this which would be an easy daily driver.
What does it cost? $22,900 for the vehicle and $21750 for the conversion respectively, a total of $44,650.
Now to answer the second question about reputable repairs. With this RECON, you are driving a BRAND NEW Nissan NV200 vehicle with a full manufacturer's warranty. Service and repairs are available coast to coast through the Nissan Dealership network.
Now let's do some comparing.
18 year old Roadtrek, $40K. Brand New RECON $44,650. Difference of $4650.
The vehicles are completely different but their function is very similar. It really is a matter of where you feel most comfortable. They each have benefits. You need to become familiar with them to know which one might be a better fit for you personally and how you want to use a vehicle.
I would call the difference in price, "peace of mind".
In my videos, I try to stress the fact that I ask myself two questions, what can I live with? and what can't I live without?
The answers to those questions aren't cast in stone and as I move a long, I can see myself adapting, as humans are wont to do, and coming to different answers with respect to those questions.
As we learn and grow, things change and what we think we need changes too.
There are many ways to approach this van life thing.
I started with a Volkswagen Westfalia, then a class C, now the Roadtrek...wouldn't it be just like serendipity to end up back in another pop top?
There's no right or wrong solution but there is one that will fit you. I hope this helps you.
Once again thank you, perhaps you should be a broker. Your knowledge is priceless but could be monetized. I’d pay a finders fee for a well inspected RV. Just a thought. I know it’s difficult to be patient when I am anxious to change my life. These vehicles are sold within a week two weeks tops so I have very little time to make a decision and not a depth of knowledge so your checklist will be invaluable.
Hi Victoria, You are right, it is difficult to be patient and anxious at the same time. Supposedly, no two things can fill the same space at the same time. I think that holds true for feelings or emotions, too especially polar opposites like patience and anxiety.
For me, I find this helps. I pick the one that will give me a sense of calm and peace. SO in this case, that's patience....ahhh, much better. But anxiety is nervously, urgently still there saying , "you've got to do, act, quick."
I speak to anxiety and say "I understand your job, anxiety, here's what I am doing. I am ready to act, I have my funds in place, I have a plan to evaluate a vehicle when it becomes available, I will act decisively, make the best decision I am capable of making, at the time. But anxiety, what you have to understand, and I know it is hard for you because you are such a "now" oriented emotion, we have to let patience be in charge until the buying opportunity manifests itself, okay?" Now, anxiety, do not think there won't be many more opportunities for you to be heard, I'm listening, but the best for all is to be calm in our feelings, that will help us all in the long run to reach our destination.
I am the captain of this vessel comprised of mind, body and spirit. MY job is to steer us all, along the journey and utilize the crew on board to enable a safe, adventuresome, educational, scenic, creative, productive and memorable journey.
I looked at, made offers on and did not obtain 6 vehicles before getting the Roadtrek I have now. Every one of them was a worthy candidate but things went the way they went. It took over a year and a half from the time I decided to get such a vehicle and begin a new experience. But when the moment arrived once again to act, I was ready and everything fell into place. I did not despair over lost opportunities. I kept focused on looking for emerging ones and I attained the "prize" or achieved the goal I put before myself.
I've done a lot of buying and selling. At first, there is the temptation to not "let" THIS ONE get away.
But over time, that kind of thinking is counter productive and can be costly. I realized by following a "process", I will attain my goal. By being PART of the process, I know I'm not in control of everything, just those things I have command over, the rest plays itself out on a larger stage.
I enjoy being part of this process...life. Whether a billionaire or begger, everyone has the same most valuable commodity in the same measure, time. We have no guarantee of more, can't recover any spent, have only the moment to spend.
I helped a customer, yesterday. She had an intravenous tube in her upper arm, a pump in her back pack, a light that flashed and she would manipulate a valve on the tube every so often. She was getting my help for things she needed around her home she was in the process of making ready to sell. Her demeanor was up beat, she smiled and thanked me for helping her get what she was looking for. She asked me how I liked my job.
I think we had a positive effect on each other during those moments we spent together.
I told her I liked my job.
road treck was what i wanted . but ended up with a pleasure way basis. so inside shower but i will make my own isle shower bath. maintenance records and low milage is what i needed to see. blessings.
Hi Val, thank you for the comment. I looked at many pleasure way Dodge chassis when I was searching for a class b. They are very equivalent to the road trek, I think. I would have been happy with either and you are right about mileage and especially records being a valuable part of the package. Mine was a one owner that had been purchased originally about a mile from my house. I bought it in Oregon after the people who owned it moved there and decided to upgrade to a bigger vehicle.
Speaking of vehicles, I see your avatar is a 77 to 79 Lincoln MarkV if I'm not mistaken. I worked for a Lincoln Mercury dealership during that time frame. That was the zenith of the American luxury car and the dawn of the "personal luxury class" automobile.
Not crazy about the A/C either so make sure you cover those 3 roof windows those suckers bring the heat in looking forward to your channel ....thanks!
Thank you for the comment Barry. Fortunately a/c is only a minor consideration where I live and most of the places I travel. A good, well positioned fan is usually adequate.
Those three windows have curtains that slide cover them. Depending on what direction the sun is coming from, I'll open the curtains because the windows provide a great view out of the van when standing. All the rest of the windows are down at the belt line which is fine when sitting to have a view outside.
Nice logic. Thank you helps a lot
I have decided on a Roadtrek pretty much the same way you decided on yours . The only problem I have is the age. I am not sure as to whether I should get an older model that is more affordable or a newer model. I have no mechanical knowledge and am concerned that I might have more problems with the older one. I may be better off buying older for less money and use the money saved on the newer for maintenance. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Linda
Thanks for the comment. Over the years, I have added to and reordered some priorities and imagined how I would go about things differently.
Time marches on and some things change while others remain fairly constant.
The only vehicle that you can "avoid" paying for problems on is a brand new one with a warranty. The price is prohibitive and the warranty is going to end at some point. So excluding "new", every other vehicle is "older".
I discuss this idea of "know how" with people all the time on all sorts of projects they are undertaking.
Since you are still in the process of acquiring a vehicle, the most valuable investment you can make won't cost you anything but your time.
"Shopping" for a Roadtrek could be a direction you pursue. Or you might decide some other direction is a better fit.
Whatever you choose to do is going to involve a "learning curve".
We have all climbed the "curve" to get to where we are in our daily lives in whatever "place" we are doing our "living".
We've learned how to use what we use. How to care for those things. What to do when problems arise.
And we use what I refer to as the "MOM" approach.
Minimum - Optimum - Maximum
If things are tight or use is infrequent, we might choose Minimum to economize.
If this is something we use frequently and we need it to work repeatedly, reliably, and often, we can justify a higher cost, quality, etc.
If money is no object or the satisfaction we derive, the "feeling" something gives us, the price becomes less of an object, or no objection at all.
So you, doing your living, right now, today, you have LOTS of knowledge.
Most of the knowledge you have and use on a daily basis, you will be able to apply or transfer to the "living" you will be doing in a Roadtrek or whatever you decide on.
Right now, due to unfortunate circumstances, a friend of mine is living in my Roadtrek temporarily.
So I'm. not "out there" .
BUT, I'm still "living" the same way I live when I'm in the Roadtrek, right here in my home base.
I do have a few extras that I don't have in the Roadtrek but for the most part, I've designed my life to be something that I can seamlessly transition between a variety of environments.
And now that I have a tiny little Prius, I have been able to "apply" the knowledge I've gained to create a "living" space within that little space as well.
So what I can offer is the insight I have gained.
That being, we are the ingredient that is the most adaptable to the environment we construct.
We understand what we need at a Minimum , what is Optimum for us, and what is the Maximum..."cost is no object".
What I encourage people to do is begin to imagine and put themselves in this "different" from their "current" or routine living environment.
Look at the wardrobe closet full of clothes.
Set aside a tiny little space. That becomes the "Roadtrek" clothes.
Look at the cupboards in the kitchen full of pots, pans, dishes, glassware, canned goods, dry goods, etc. Empty out one small cupboard, that becomes what you'll have on the road.
Same with the bathroom.
Think about all the things that make up your day and your night.
Begin to imagine how you will do all of this living you do in a different environment.
Then begin to do it. A little at a time.
You'll begin to see how to adapt.
You'll begin to identify those things you need to adapt successfully.
You'll begin to "enjoy the adventure" long before you settle in on what type of vehicle would be most appropriate for you.
And beginning the adventure may influence that choice as well.
If you do this, and you are like me, the things you eat will change for the better, you'll dress differently and it will feel good, the activities you do will change, your interests might, too. I have taken up wood working, leather craft, gardening, cooking and baking, interest in nutrition, health and exercise.
All this seamlessly integrates because when I first embarked on gaining skills and knowledge, I considered that I wanted them to accompany me in the variety of environments I do my "living" in.
The bottom line?
The "vehicle" is just a tool. A "tool" has a price tag. Some cost more initially and maybe have fewer problems.
They all have "ongoing" costs. All the parts wear out, break, etc. So there are many variables. We can do our best to minimize our risks but we can't eliminate them.
It's always a "roll of the dice".
For you, right now, the best investment you can make is to begin to "design" you.
I can do my "living" in my home base, the Roadtrek, the Prius...anywhere...because over time, I have designed myself to adapt to different environments. And the "tools" I select are based on them being used in multiple environments. I place a high value on each tool as a result of how useful it is to my "living" my life. It's not that I don't have a lot of tools, I do. The difference is I use the tools I have. If I don't, I no longer have them.
That way wherever I am, I'm able to enjoy the variety those different environments offer.
I hope that helps you. Let me know if you need help selecting or deciding on a vehicle. I have posted some videos on that subject but if you have questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks 😊 very helpful, I'm doing the same thing.
You gave Great suggestions and tips.
Hi Nurse Calls, thank you for the comments. My opinion is your friends gave you some good advice. I'll be celebrating 2 years with the Roadtrek in a couple of months. I could do another video with at least as many more reasons Why I Bought A Roadtrek than this vid. Maybe I should do a follow up or update.
Right now, in my area, in about a 200 mile radius, there are two Roadtreks of similar age listed for sale on Craigslist for example ! Neither have a phone number so I can't be sure where the vans actually are. Either or both could be phishing ads. I keep my eyes open for ones in the area in case there is someone who contacts me wanting one. Which happens regularly.
Usually people leave me a little note on the van saying "I want to buy your Roadtrek".
I was going to take some time and do a video about buying one of these but then I realized there are very few even available for sale. People who have one now are generally those who are in the process of adding personalized upgrades and have no interest in selling what was so laborious to acquire.
The selling prices are going up and it's the middle of winter...the "off season" for rv sales when prices are at their lowest, generally.
Very good choices, I am glad you pointed them out. Now I am wanting a Roadtrek just like yours,,,,lol.
I found the Roadtrek with a very small interior space, I’m a petite woman, weighing 120 lbs - so how can anyone live full time in such a small space?? Youre 6’ tall, how do you manage? I felt claustrophobic!!! I think a class C, widebody & 24 foot in length would suit me much better since the Roadtrek is very narrow also & 19 ft length is no space at all in my opinion - for short term would be ok but for me, certainly not to live in full time - I’m glad he’s happy w his van, everybody is different - lol
Hi Valerie, thank you for the comment. It's great to hear you have looked at different sized vehicles and decided on a size that you are comfortable with. I agree with you, everybody is different.
How do I take battery out of roadtrek 190 populE
Thank You! Helpful information!
Thank you for the comment, joliecandy.
1. You did not show us anything in your Roadtrek, just a long monologue.
2. That is not the way to select anything. You don't start by comparing and winnowing features. You start with a list of requirements you have. What do YOU need that van for? Occasional wkend trips? Full Time living? Trips with grandkids? Driving to art shows? Make a list of your needs first. Then weed out what does not fit those needs. Look at what is left.
3. List your constraints - are you on a tight budget? Is there limited street parking in your complex? Is your house driveway too short? Does it need to fit into garage with a certain height? Do you want to go offroading and therefore only consider 4 wheel drive?
4. Then compare features.
This method is used in IT and called Business Requirements. When you build any new system, you talk to the users to find out what they NEED first, then their nice to haves. You are also limited by their constraints (Cannot Haves). A good set of requirements is the foundation of all decisions.
Hi Lass-in-Angeles,
Thanks for the comment. Here's a link to the video I made about the things in the RT ruclips.net/video/87zJbmtRZuc/видео.html.
Unfortunately, I wasn't building anything new. I was selecting from the existing and available.
I followed a different method, used in sales, as the Ben Franklin close. 2 columns listing pros vs. cons, another 2 columns listing fixed i.e. those things that would be difficult or impractical to change vs.variables, i.e. things I could modify to suit my application and one more 2 column list perceived i.e. the things I anticipated I need vs. reality i.e. things I actually need to function within the environment. I talk to the user on a regular basis and try to remain sensitive to the fluidity of the change taking place within the environment and respond with solutions based on logic, reason, evidence, and economics.
I really appreciate your contribution and have found that drawing from a variety of schools of thought, bringing a variety of perspectives to bear, being open to advice, criticism, methodology, proactively doing a lot of research and investigating has yielded good results for me.
I look at this vanlife thing as an ongoing laboratory of discovery, a place that offers me immense opportunities for growth, fulfillment, learning, and fun.
I try to help people and I value all the contributions viewers make to help others as well. THank you.
Congrats on your Roadtrek. They are well worth it. Well built and high quality, not like an RV. We also have a Class A, what a difference in quality. Happy travels!
Thank you for the excellent info! Thanks especially for explaining difference between the Versatile & the Popular Roadtrek models. Is yours a 190? I’ve been keeping my eyes open for months. I’m not in a hurry so I’m fine with waiting as long as it takes to find what’s right for me. Happy travels and stay safe!
Thank you for watching.
What I found worked for me was to engraft the "search" into my daily routines.
For example, n the morning, I make coffee. So while waiting for water to boil, or for it to brew, there are a few minutes. I'd use that time to check the search tempest search engine for anything new that may have popped up.
You might have to bump something else you're doing out of the way to do it. Like in my case, looking at social media, news media, sports, or other useless stuff that made no worthwhile contribution to moving my life in the direction I wanted to move.
I predict the people who find and acquire the remaining Roadtreks that become available for sale will be the people ACTIVELY looking for them.
Thanks very helpful information 😎.
hi Rich when its hot outside the van becomes like a tin can you cant sleep at night till late am, we found this out the hard way, no aircon is a killer, we also had a van with the shower curtain the way you want it ,one big drawback everytime the water hits the curtain it cools down in a second so evertime you move and touch it with your body its a very nasty feeling on your body ,so taking a shower becomes an art of not moving more than an inch, nice talk tho all the best
You never mentioned the Roadtrek Adventurous RS. That's the most versatile and has the best fuel economy of any class B van. The Popular and versatile are gas pigs. The Adventurous gets 25mpg and has more room and multiple configurations.
Hi Kenneth White, thank you for the comment.
No I didn't. It's a very nice vehicle. I restored and drove 9 Mercedes Diesels over about a 10 year stretch. I got very well acquainted with the Sprinter platform through the shop owner that helped me with the heavy lifting on the Benzes I owned. He is a fully equipped facility that regularly works on the Sprinter platform.
The lowest priced Sprinter based Roadtrek Adventurous RS I found recently is 46K. If I were to sell the Roadtrek I have, I would ask 20K. So If I got that price and looked at the 26K difference in price, I would need to log quite a sizable number of miles to offset the higher price of the Sprinter from a purely miles per gallon standpoint.
The Roadtrek I have gets 15mpg on gas at the current $3.05 price here. The Sprinter 25mpg at the current diesel price of $3.69. To make a fair comparison for just the fuel cost, not the cost of operation, we could calculate the cost per 100K miles.
The Roadtrek I have would use 6666 gallons at a cost of $20,361.00. The Sprinter would use 4000 gallons at a cost of $14,760.00. That is a difference of $5601.00 per 100,000 miles. Dividing 5601.00 into the $26,000.00 price difference, I would need to log about 464,000 miles to offset the higher price of the RS in terms of fuel cost.
If overall operating costs are considered, it has been my experience that every repair cost encountered on the Roadtrek I have has a higher cost for a similar repair or maintenance item on the RS.
Other costs like insurance, registration and depreciation also would factor into operating costs, too.
Both vehicles are similarly equipped. A commercial van platform, bathroom, galley, sleeping, heat, air conditioning, etc.
So for me, though I really like diesel Benzes, I am happy I was able to find the Roadtrek I have and all things considered, including fuel mileage, it represents a good value for me. Anyway, that is the reasoning I used to come to the decision I came to.
@@RoadtrekRich Very well said. It is obvious you gave a lot more thought to your purchase than I gave you credit for. I'm sorry for not being as educated on the subject as I should. I have been searching for "the perfect RV" for a long time. After tons of research, I agree that the Roadtrek brand is the best vehicle for my needs as well. Even putting fuel costs aside, I really liked the layout, features and versatility of the Adventurous RS platform. I believe it has more room inside than the GM based platforms, more swappable configurations and better aerodynamics. The main downside is price, as you said. The Adventurous RS maintains its value like gold. It is so hard to find one for less than $40,000. With that being said, I have seen privately selling units with 150,000 miles go for as low as $25,000. It seems when I ask others very few people know about the Roadtrek name. Their buyers are loyal but the cost keeps them out of the mainstream. Just my opinion ofcourse.
@@klwthe3rd thank you for the comment.
When I was still in the deciding stage of getting my next rv, this Roadtrek, I was actively looking for a Sprinter to build out on my own. The Mercedes shop that helped me with my other Benz cars was very enthusiastic about helping me with the project.
It is still a dream of mine to build out something but I'm more inclined at this point to use a much smaller platform, something like a Nissan NV200 or a Ford Transit Express.
But having the Roadtrek, I know, in many ways, this would be a step down. I was eating a snack in the van today and looking around inside. As a designer, I appreciate the details of this vehicle and the thought that went into the conversion. As I admired the builders work, the calculator in my little brain was clicking away. So many things. Small shelves over the ledge above the doors, closet, beds, bathroom, the galley, the swivel captains chairs, the wiring, electrical panel, storage cabinets, on and on.
I agree with you that whether a Chevy, Sprinter, the new Travatto or the venerable Dodge platform, the Roadtrek company just puts together a well planned, well executed design time after time. This is the mark of great design and a great design philosophy.
The Roadtrek I was fortunate to acquire was owned and used by the same man for over twenty years before I bought it. Last summer, I re-visited the dealership where he traded it for a new class C and I spoke with the man who sold him his new vehicle and sold the Roadtrek to me. The man still has great affection for "his" Roadtrek even after having his brand new rig for a couple of years. The new rig was a Sprinter.
I'm not surprised that people you speak with are unaware of the Roadtrek. Many other companies are much more highly promoted. But like any quality product, when someone gets acquainted with a Roadtrek, it's understated presence, the way things just seem to fall readily to hand, it is a compelling testimony to the people who made it. It's not perfect but it does everything asked of it very, very well.
I agree that these vehicles have tremendous resale value, partly because they are highly sought after and one could say "hand crafted". I don't go more than a few weeks in winter or more than a few days in summer that someone doesn't ask if I would sell my Roadtrek or may they please see a little inside or could I tell them a little about it. I always try to accommodate the request because, as they look inside, the same expression crosses over their faces, I can see them imagining themselves discovering and enjoying all the marvelous things the vehicle has to offer. I never get tired of the effect the Roadtrek has on people, irresistibly drawing them to it and stirring up their imagination, discovery and sense of adventure.
Pleasure Way is the best from my research.
Hi MrNutsack100,
Go for it ! Pleasure Way is a very nice rig, too.
I didn't care for the roof a/c. I had a class c with one and it leaked around the roof penetration. I had to do a lot of remediation to correct that. Plus a roof a/c is generally 3 or 4 times more expensive to replace and I don't think I could find one to run on a 800 watt generator.
Not really a big deal as I don't use the a/c very often.
Had a Pleasure Way come my way, I would have given it careful consideration. At the time I was searching, I looked at several PW's and thought, "yeah, this is very doable, too."
They made a "wide body" model which squeezes out a few more cubic feet inside the van which is nice.
Coach House is another manufacturer that made a very nice unit. It was my favorite floor plan. They had one that had sort of a little office/desk space.
Well I'm happy for you. Now where can I buy one at a good price. LoL really I agree with you I guess you have a fan Rich.
Hi Becky, thank you for the comment.
Nice.
Awsome.
Thank you.
Thank you for the video, im looking at a 2013 roadtrek ranger rt.. any thoughts? Are the 4 seaons rated? Do u still have ur roadtrek?
This helped me very much! Thanks for recording it. I've reached the point of waiting for the availability of an affordable Roadtrek 190. Do you have an issue with the low road clearance? I usually like to have high clearance on my vehicles when camping.
Hi Patricia. Thank you for the comment / question.
Roadtrek 190's come in two chassis. Dodge and Chevrolet.
Of the two, the Dodge based platforms, imo, have higher road clearance than do the chevys.
I would say that the Dodges can probably navigate a little bit rougher terrain. Nothing like what a lifted 4wd with lugged tires could do.
A 2wd pickup would do better mainly because of the shorter wheel base.
A 19 foot Roadtrek is about the equivalent wheel base of a stretch limo. The shorter wheelbase vehicles are able to handle much more rugged terrain...think Jeep?
Got it. I didn't know that. Thanks! I really like the RoadTreks for all of the reasons you mentioned. I'm still having a difficult time w the 8" road clearance and mpg of 14 - 16, but with the remote areas that I travel, sometimes gas is the only option (no diesel). What have you experienced in fuel efficiency?
I have been able to achieve 17mog on a trip to oregon and back. Not all the time though.
Normal for me is between 12 and 16. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains so anywhere around here I go involves steep grades and lousy fuel economy.
My ideal motorhome would be 17 to 19 feet long, with standing room inside (6 + feet), 25 to 35 mpg, compost toilet, fresh and grey water tanks under the vehicle, a water heater powered by the engine cooling system so there is always some hot water for showers, dishes etc, 100 watt roof mounted and removable solar panel, MPPT charge controller, 200 amps of lithium ion battery power, battery isolator, and the stuff to allow the engine charging system to recharge house batteries while on the road, alcohol stove and oven, portable 18650 lithium ion battery powered, rechargeable led lighting, 1000 -2000 watt pure sine wave inverter, 2000 watt generator, house air conditioner, furnace, 12 volt compressor refrigerator, longitudinally mounted twin bed with two mattresses that can be configured as a single bed, couch, lounge, two twin beds, or pushed together for a double bed, counter with inserts that can be removed for the the sink, hot cold electric pump fed faucet with long hose that can be used for "kitchen" and do double duty for shower, aisle shower, modular, movable storage that can do double duty as desk, dining table, entertainment center, fantastic roof vent, inside bicycle or scooter storage. And I would like to get it new for under 35K, used in the low to mid 20's.
With the exception of the gas mileage, the Roadtrek I have is well on the way to fulfilling about 90% of my want list.
I would have to drive a long way before the fuel savings would have any meaningful offset.
Still for me, fuel consumption is what I would like to improve because over time, it is the most costly aspect of driving one of these machines.
Thats a really big list. I had several unrealistic dreams when I started looking and Roadtrek is the best compromise that I have found so far too. I sure hope you find all the things in an RV that you mentioned bc I will be next in line. Thanks Rich for responding so thoughtfully.
Very helpful!
Thank you for commenting, Debra.
Roadtrek is probably the best floorplans.
Hi Tiger Cry, thank you for the comment. When I was searching, there were other brands I had the opportunity to "walk through" so to speak and as I did, I started listing their differences. Obviously, they all had many things in common but the differences became the things that started me leaning toward the Roadtrek.
I saw those features as advantages and benefits. Someone else might have a different opinion. That is why I think for me the best thing to have done was to look at different brands.
The actual running gear is the same so really it's just the things the RV manufacturer incorporates into the platform that a person needs to evaluate for their particular preference.
Thank you for posting this video about your thought process. Did you consider the engine- gas versus diesel, long term durability, etc.? That is why I have only been looking for vehicles on a Sprinter chassis. Thank you, again.
Hi Itvanburen,
Thank you for the question.
When I started looking, I was like you, looking at sprinter chassis.
I have restored 9 Mercedes diesel cars so diesel was high on my list.
Then I started really thinking about things a lot deeper.
The obvious choice for diesel is fuel mileage.
People get really hung up on this, I did.
Current gas price at costco is 3.26
Current diesel price at costco is 3.95
22 cents a mile for gas based on 15 mpg - Dodge
18 cents a mile for diesel based on 22 mpg
- Sprinter
A difference of 4 cents per mile. So really, fuel economy isn't a huge deal.
Durability?
The Dodge 318 has been a workhorse engine in taxis, police vehicles, small trucks, commercial vans and is VERY durable.
The 5 or 6 cylinder diesel sprinter engines also durable but come at a VERY high admission price and way higher maintenance costs ongoing than a 318 gas engine.
The rest of the sprinter chassis is also premium price for repair and replacement.
The Dodge van is paltry by comparison.
Many more Dodge based RV's have been made versus Sprinter based. They are older, the price of admission is also lower.
A person could easily bring an older Dodge chassis up to "new" specs, for several thousand strategically spent dollars.
With the cost of the base vehicle and the restoration, a person would have a vehicle serviceable for easily 200K miles with normal, very reasonably priced maintenance.
The sprinter would cost 2 or 3 X the price of the Dodge at the outset and ongoing maintenance is VERY high, with very few qualified personnel to do the work, sparsely scattered. Any domestic mechanic can work on the Dodge.
As far as the living space?
Sprinters are a little bit taller with more headroom.
That's it.
In fact my Dodge chassis Roadtrek has many more much more desireable features now than most Sprinter versions. Diesel vs propane heat, 3 hybrid cooking choices, propane, alcohol, butane, 12 volt solar powered compressor refrigeration vs anemic propane, along with all of the amenities any Sprinter has.
The Dodge has bottomed out on depreciation and is now appreciating based on strong demand.
The oldest sprinters have depreciated but haven't yet started the uptick. SO prices of sprinters are still quite high and going down.
I can't do anything but guess, I can't do a side by side comparison.
But if I could, my guess is I am way ahead of what I would have spent on the initial cost and maintenance of a sprinter over the time I have owned the Dodge chassis Roadtrek.
I have a lot of other things I can spend money on.
When it comes to vehicles, I want value, appreciation, low cost, widely available maintenance, in a bulletproof package.
I got that with the Canadian built Dodge chassis Roadtrek.
I would need to know just exactly how a sprinter would accomplish this before considering one.
Roadtrek Rich That is extremely helpful information. I really do appreciate you taking the time to respond in such a thoughtful manner. I was in South Carolina last week and spoke with an electrician working out of a Sprinter high-roof extended van. I asked him how he felt about it and he said it was the best money he had ever spent and that you can get a million miles out of a Mercedes diesel. That seems to be a common response from Sprinter owners, but, like you, I am concerned about finding myself in an area where I am unable to get the vehicle serviced. I am very disappointed that so many great European campers are not available in the US and I sure do wish Subaru would make a van! Thank you, again, for the information. You have been very generous with your time.
The island shower you said had a curtain surround and floor drain. But how do youkeep the water from going all over on the floor between the shower curtain bottom and drain?
Good info