Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (Full Version)

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CallaFirestormBW -> Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/19/2010 2:03:10 PM)

Does anyone know much about these, and about making one a primary residence?

Thanks,
Calla




mnottertail -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/19/2010 2:06:02 PM)

heres this, but my bets is it is a states rights issue. The fed got you covered at least.

http://www.sctax.org/News+Releases/Archived+News+Releases/1999+News+Releases/08189901.html




sappatoti -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/19/2010 5:21:17 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CallaFirestormBW
Does anyone know much about these, and about making one a primary residence?

I don't have personal experience doing so but friends have used them as semi-permanent vacation "camps" in the Adirondack Mountains. They drive them up to their land around Memorial Day (as long as the snow and/or mud isn't too deep), set them up for a summer's use, then drive them back out either Labor Day or Columbus Day weekends.

From one of my friend's descriptions, setting them up involved making sure the land they're parked on is stable so that when the stabilizers are placed down at the beginning of the season they're not likely to sink or shift. Making sure the vehicle is level is important, as well as making sure the electrical, potable water, and grey water hookups are well-maintained. Every week or so someone would have to climb up on the roof to brush away fallen pine needles, leaves, or other plant droppings as they will easily clog up the small rainwater runoff channels if not removed frequently.

Other than the initial setup and periodic maintenance, there's not much left to physically do (until major repairs are needed, that is).

As for financial or tax ramifications, I have no idea. I've never looked into it. Perhaps this wiki article might offer helpful relevant links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recreational_vehicle .




thornhappy -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/19/2010 6:09:32 PM)

I don't know about the legal stuff, but I have some experience in using one.

A B is pretty small.  You'll have some kind of convertible bed and it may be hard to move around with the bed out.  For instance, I learned to get everything put away, then get dressed for bed first, then put the bed down!.  B's don't have much storage space, and it's important to be organized.  The bathroom will probably be a marine bathroom (shower/sink/stool all in one unit).  B's are fine for fairly short trips with 2 people (unless 1 snores a lot, when the space will feel verrry small.)  It would be rare to find a 4-season class B, since most don't have the tanks covered and heated.  Bs, especially the ones with the newer small diesels, are best for mileage. 

Cs have a lot of storage and more room to roam around.  They have a huge range in length; I've seen 21 to 31 feet.  You can usually sleep 4-6, and some have heated tanks.

B+ you'd have to go look at to see where they did the tradeoffs.

A solar array with batteries can be awesome.  I can run off the batteries at night (the refrigerator was running on propane).  You wouldn't be able to use the microwave or air conditioning, but you'd have the fan and water supply.

There are many accessories to ponder like extra lighting, awnings, TV/DVD, satellite, all sorts of stuff.  It helps to look at all the details when you're pricing because some companies have many more standard features.

Let me know if you have more questions...






pahunkboy -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/19/2010 6:54:10 PM)

Cali, in coming times- you really should have a fixed place to live.

..many places are getting unfriendly to this type of set up.




thornhappy -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/19/2010 8:13:39 PM)

Actually, I've known people that arrange to park these in people's back yards (if allowed by ordinance), and use a water & power hookup from the house.




peppermint -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/19/2010 9:15:39 PM)

I'm a full time RVer.  We have a class A but have researched the others also.  I've lived in ours full time for 4 years now.  Gary has been full time since 1991 so we have a lot of experience between us.  We'll try to answer any questions you have. 




CallaFirestormBW -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/21/2010 12:37:23 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Cali, in coming times- you really should have a fixed place to live.

..many places are getting unfriendly to this type of set up.



Thanks, PA... I did listen, and I hear what you're saying -- but honestly, it seems to me that, if things got rough, I'd be someone who'd rather be mobile than tied to one place... different perspectives, I guess. I've gotten amazingly good with my Aerogardens, and that kind of mobility is its own security, in my mind.

Calla




CallaFirestormBW -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/21/2010 12:41:36 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: thornhappy

I don't know about the legal stuff, but I have some experience in using one.

A B is pretty small.  You'll have some kind of convertible bed and it may be hard to move around with the bed out.  For instance, I learned to get everything put away, then get dressed for bed first, then put the bed down!.  B's don't have much storage space, and it's important to be organized.  The bathroom will probably be a marine bathroom (shower/sink/stool all in one unit).  B's are fine for fairly short trips with 2 people (unless 1 snores a lot, when the space will feel verrry small.)  It would be rare to find a 4-season class B, since most don't have the tanks covered and heated.  Bs, especially the ones with the newer small diesels, are best for mileage. 

Cs have a lot of storage and more room to roam around.  They have a huge range in length; I've seen 21 to 31 feet.  You can usually sleep 4-6, and some have heated tanks.

B+ you'd have to go look at to see where they did the tradeoffs.

A solar array with batteries can be awesome.  I can run off the batteries at night (the refrigerator was running on propane).  You wouldn't be able to use the microwave or air conditioning, but you'd have the fan and water supply.

There are many accessories to ponder like extra lighting, awnings, TV/DVD, satellite, all sorts of stuff.  It helps to look at all the details when you're pricing because some companies have many more standard features.

Let me know if you have more questions...





Thanks, Thorn... my son will be traveling with me part of the time, so I've abandoned the idea of a B or B+... they're just too small for more than one person for any length of time (My stepdaughter spent weekends in one, with three other girls, while she worked the ren-faire this summer, and said that you can barely -breathe-... and forget -doing- anything inside the camper!)

I think I've decided on a C for now -- an A is way too large for me to manage on my own, I think, and my son will be in school for 8 months of the year, so I'm going to have to be able to get on by myself... a C seems like the perfect size (I've looked at a couple of 27 and 29 footers online that look like they're a comfortable size... I want to start looking at dealerships, but I want some ammunition before I go. I know my budget, and am pre-approved for financing, but I don't want to get pushed into a purchase that isn't right... after all, it's going to be my -home-.

Thanks for responding. I appreciate it.

Calla




CallaFirestormBW -> RE: Class B/B+/C Motorhomes (1/21/2010 12:42:41 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: peppermint

I'm a full time RVer.  We have a class A but have researched the others also.  I've lived in ours full time for 4 years now.  Gary has been full time since 1991 so we have a lot of experience between us.  We'll try to answer any questions you have. 


See, now this is one reason I love CM... ask around, and there is someone here who's experienced at just about -anything-... I'm writing you on the other side. I have LOADS of questions!!

Thank you so much!!!
Calla




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