Should You Get a Class B or B+ Campervan?
To B or to B+, that is the question…
There’s no denying that #vanlife has inspired many to explore life on the open road. Some go full-time and live out of their vans, while others are more part-time and go on excursions across the country and even off-road to remote destinations where larger RVs just can’t go.
What these different van life fans have in common is they are attracted to the smaller dimensions of these campervans. This allows them to go to state and national parks without ever worrying about their rig being too long to get in.
Some prefer a more stealthy look for their van. They prefer that it’s hard to tell if anyone is living inside because they’re stealth camping, in suburban or urban areas.
And yet others use their vans for work or business and they prioritize workspace over a bedroom or bathroom space as they may stay in hotels or motels and use their vans mostly for mobile work.
The van life generally appeals to solo travelers or couples due to the physical limitations of the space. Though it is not uncommon to see cats and dogs among the passengers.
For someone considering van life, there are two categories to consider and it really boils down to how much space they need and their budget. What often comes as a surprise is that these vans can cost as much or more than a Class C or Class A motorhome.
The core driver of cost is the additional engineering required to pack as much functionality as possible into a very small amount of space. And the choice of van manufacturer can be a cost consideration as well. The Ram and Chevy or Ford typically cost less than a Mercedes chassis, other features being equal.
Campervans can encompass anything from a “do it yourself” converted cargo van all the way up to custom-made luxury models.
Due to the popularity of van life, manufacturers set out to solve the space problem by creating a hybrid category called the B+.
Technically, these are Class C motorhomes, but due to their size and appearance, the B+ category is gaining acceptance as a distinct category of it’s own.
So today we’re going to look at a Class B and a B+ with comparable price points. They both offer similar features.
Because there is so much variation in features and price points in both the B and B+ categories, the goal here is to help you choose which you prefer for how you plan to use your campervan.
Then you can choose the best brand and floorplan based on your budget and needs.
2023 Winnebago Travato 59G
We chose the 2023 Winnebago Travato 59G to represent the Class B category.
2023 Winnebago Travato 59G
This model is a best seller for Winnebago and it’s easy to see why. The Travato 59G packs a lot into just 21 feet. It rides on the Ram Promaster chassis with a 3.6-liter V6 gas engine.
To the untrained eye, it could pass for a stealth camper, though the power awning does kinda give away that it’s not a stock personal passenger van. But things are definitely not what they appear because inside this Class B is a livable space for one person or a couple who can fit in the full-size bed comfortably.
This model is not meant for aggressive off-roading adventures, but it does have nice features like a bug screen for when the sliding door is open. It’s easy to enter and exit with a gentle push because magnets hold it shut tight.
On the roof, you’ll find two solar panels, a Max Air Fan, and a bike rack. So it’s well suited to boondocking and accessible remote areas that don’t require four-wheel drive. The Travato 59G also has propane on board and an Onan 4000 generator.
If you need to bring along more stuff than you can fit inside, this model has a hitch rated for 3500lbs – though it’s not suitable for towing another vehicle. However, a trailer that weighed up to 2,000lbs or so should be doable. As always, know before you tow and consider how much your stuff weighs both inside the van and in the trailer combined.
Unlike many Class Bs that come with cassette toilets that you must remove and empty, the Travato 59G has a black tank so you can connect your stinky slinky to dump waste at your camp site or a dumping station.
One of the big appeals of a Class B campervan is that it drives just like a personal van of the same size. The backup camera makes it easy to see behind you and the new cab in this chassis has upscale features like push button start and keyless entry.
As with most Class Bs, there is no wasted space on the inside. The driver and passenger seats swivel to become part of the living area. There is a row of two seats right behind the cab, making this a four-seater.
The inside is spacious, but keep in mind that sleeping space is limited to one bed. There is no bunk over the cab. That area is used for a good-sized TV and storage compartments.
The kitchen has a small fridge and freezer, solid surface counters, and a two-burner cooktop. So you do get a fully functioning kitchen for one or two people. The pantry is actually quite large considering the space limitations.
Likewise, the wet bath is generous for a Class B campervan. The shower is a decent size and the toilet is porcelain (though does not pass the Prime Pooping Position test).
When you’re not using the bed, it clips up out of the way, giving access to the rear door.
Overall, the interior is attractive with euro-style windows and cabinetry. The windows have privacy and daytime shades.
Bottom line, it’s easy to see why this model is a best seller. The MSRP is $163,166, though the sale price will almost always be lower than that.
Matt and Andrea did a full review of the 2023 Winnebago Travato 59G that you should definitely check out…
When you look into different Class B brands, you’ll see that the Winnebago offers a lot for the money. However, if you want something that drives like a B but has more room and fewer tradeoffs, then consider this B+ motorhome...
2023 Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5245B
Fun fact, Gulf Stream is the company that first introduced a B+ to the market. As mentioned, it really is a small Class C, but that’s okay. If someone is looking for a B+ the could do much worse than check out the BT Cruiser 5245B.
2023 Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5245B
There would be no mistaking that this is an RV and not a campervan. It’s 24 feet and 10 inches and sits on the Ford E350 Chassis. It’s powered by a 6.8L V8 gasoline engine, though the E-450 is also available and might be worth considering if you need an extra 2,000 lbs of GVWR.
The length is almost 4 feet longer than the Winnebago, and yet it’s still well below the 30 feet limit for admission into state and local parks.
The model we reviewed had partial body paint, a power awning, cameras integrated into the right and left sides, as well as a rear camera. It had fiberglass front and rear caps as well as a one-piece fiberglass roof.
Because this is essentially a Class C RV, it’s worth mentioning that it has frameless windows and Azdel siding and a smaller bunk over the cab area than a traditional Class C to make it more aerodynamic and fuel efficient.
The hitch is rated for 7,500 lbs, though that realistically means 5,000 lbs of towing capacity. Keep in mind the cargo carrying capacity is 2500 lbs so be sure to know before you tow. There is also basement storage compartments, which is where the B+ size difference starts to pay off if you have more stuff to bring with you.
Where the BT Cruiser stands out is on the spacious inside floorplan. The cab is the modern Ford E-Series. The “rear view mirror” displays the right, left, and rear camera feed so you can maneuver with 360-degree visibility.
The driver and passenger seats are very comfortable and can be swiveled to become part of the living area. The bunk over the cab is used for storage and a good-sized TV that swivels out with a clear view from the recliner seats (which can be a dinette if preferred).
The interior design and features are attractive and the living area is spacious. For example, the kitchen is larger than you’d find in most Class Bs with a big round sink and solid surface counters. It comes with a 3-burner cooktop and an oven. The fridge runs on propane or electricity and is decent in size, too.
The kitchen transitions into the bedroom where there’s a queen bed. That means the BT Cruiser can more comfortably sleep two than the Winnebago, though the bed does need to fold up when the slideout is in.
The bathroom is another big differentiator for the BT Cruiser. You get a full bathroom with a big sink and a 24x36 shower. The model we reviewed had a plastic toilet so also was not a Prime Pooping Position.
However, one key area to decide between the B and B+ is the size of the bathroom and bedroom, for sure.
What may come as a surprise is that the greater amount of space comes at a lower MSRP of $136,569 (and the sale price would be even lower).
You can check out the full review Matt and Andrea did to get a good look inside and out...
As you can see, both the B and the B+ have strengths, and which one you might choose may come down to budget or space as the primary consideration since they are comparable in many other ways.
Of course, there are many other brands to choose from, but now you know how they are different – and that a B+ is really a small Class C.
If you want to buy either, we can help you find the right one through our nationwide dealer network. Go to HERE and fill out the contact form and our team will give you great service, a great price, and the best RV buying experience in America!
