sejran
minnesota
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Joined: 01/31/2012
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I have recently started looking for a class B. Is there a mechanism for pricing and is there a rating system for rv dealers? I have primarily looked at the small roadtrek models as this is for just my wife and myself. I am going to look at a Gulf Stream Vista this weekend and will go to the local rv show next weekend. Thanks.
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turninghawk
Orlando, FL
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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Be sure to look at Pleasure Way's also, comparing quality of components as well as fit & finish to the others you are considering.
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mumkin
Minot ND USA
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Joined: 07/16/2004
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There are no quick and easy answers. You will need to do the footwork to decide which unit fits your needs. Look at Roadtrek, Pleasureway, Leisure Travel, and Great West Vans as the big 4. Also the Sportsmobile site has lots of information.
Picking a dealer is the next big question mark. Since you are in Minnesota, I can highly recommend Lake Region RVs northwest of MSP. They have a website and carry a number of brands. I have purchased two vehicles from them over the years. They won't BS you... The owner, Dale, has a fan club here. 
Mumkin
2011 LTV Libero
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booster
Minnesota
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Joined: 10/14/2007
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mumkin wrote:There are no quick and easy answers. You will need to do the footwork to decide which unit fits your needs. Look at Roadtrek, Pleasureway, Leisure Travel, and Great West Vans as the big 4. Also the Sportsmobile site has lots of information.
Picking a dealer is the next big question mark. Since you are in Minnesota, I can highly recommend Lake Region RVs northwest of MSP. They have a website and carry a number of brands. I have purchased two vehicles from them over the years. They won't BS you... The owner, Dale, has a fan club here.
I totally agree. Everyone's needs and desires are different. We chose a Roadtrek C190P based on the storage advantage over the others, and the drivability of the Chevy. Others opt for more seats or openness, and maybe a diesel.
The recommendation of Lake Region RVs is spot on. We didn't get our 07 from them, because they weren't a Roadtrek dealer then, but we wished they were. When we looked at the other brands at Lake Regions, they were very helpful. They also have a pretty good stock of everything B, except Pleasure-way, which they had to stop selling to get Roadtrek. I do think there is a Pleasure-way dealer in Duluth.
We are in the Andover, Mn area, so if you would like to see ours, or ask questions, just let us know.
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gerrym51
unknown
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Joined: 07/31/2007
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I'm against sprinter conversions because of servicing costs and finding servicers.
other than that chevy/fords/sprinters all ok
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midnightsadie
ohio
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I have a 2007 sprinter and service has not been a problem. and it sure eats a lot less fuel with plenty of power
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1775
NY
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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Your going to an RV show is the best way to approach this - hopefully there will be several Class B dealers there. You will then be able to see several manufacturer's Class Bs all in one place to compare them to each other. Spend time in each one. Get a feel for how it would be if you were inside one of them for a few days and nights. See what you like and don't like. If there are other models and manufacturers that are not at the show, go an take a look at them. We found that it was very important to see each Class B that we were considering and be inside the model that we liked. You can't go by photos or videos - they do some great things with photography to make these look bigger and different than they really are. After you narrow down your choices go for test drives.
There really is no published rating of RV dealers. You may come across complaints at a county consumer affairs office or Better Business Bureau. This forum is great because chances are if you ask about a specific dealer someone here will know about the dealer.
Pricing - most of the internet prices you see for new Class B's are msrp unless the dealer is pushing a sale price or has one that they want to move. Try to price in several dealers - even if it means traveling a little. You will then have a better idea of how low a price you can get and then haggle. Even the special RV show prices are not the lowest price that dealer will go - I know that from experience.
As to the smallest Roadtrek - many are very comfortable in them. That is what we set out to get, based on the website photos and video. We went to an RV show and went inside - and felt very cramped and uncomfortable. We were so disappointed because before we actually saw it - we wanted it. We then saw the 190 across the show floor from the 170 and we were very comfortable when we stepped inside. You may love the 170. It is a good Roadtrek - just too small for the two of us.
Roadtrek 190 Popular 2011
Meryl and Me Hit the Road
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Davydd
Minnesota
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Joined: 11/27/2005
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Timely in Minnesota. The Minneapolis RV Show is February 9 - 12.
Minneapois RV Show
My Great West Van B was in that show last year so I hung around a couple of days kind of protecting my investment. You would be amazed at how adults have kid like grubby hands. 
Davydd
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter B Camper Van
Davydd is the Welsh spelling for David with an English twist using a v instead of an f.
See Our 2011 Great West Van Sprinter Legend and my pork tenderloin sandwiches
Visited states in an RV
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booster
Minnesota
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Joined: 10/14/2007
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We haven't been to the Minneapolis RV show for a couple of years, but when we did go, Lake Region and Imperial Camper Sales were the only ones with B's, and Imperial is now out of it (Roadtrek went to Lake Region). Unfortunately, many of the B's that Lake Region had there had been sold, and were then locked up so you couldn't get inside. Unless the Pleasure-way dealer is coming down from Duluth, you probably would see more B's at the Lake Region dealership.
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RSchleder
iowa city, ia
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Joined: 09/04/2011
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You might also want to check out the Winnebago ERA (2012 model). We looked at the Sprinter chassis Roadtrek, Airstream and the ERA before buying the ERA. The ERA is totally redesigned for 2012 as Winnebago initially offered it in 2010 and shut down production in 2011 to take a year off for the total redesign. We found the 2012 fit and finish to be very good in the new ERA and we were able to buy it for $20k less than we could buy the competition. There's also a great dealer in Northern Iowa, Lichtsinn motors in Forest City, Ia, which is 1 mile from the Winnebago plant. Do yourself a favor, check out the ERA and Lichtsinn. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Ron
http://www.lichtsinn.com/
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