What is a Class B?

A Class B RV (Recreational Vehicle) is a customized 16 to 21 foot commercial van. It is smaller than either a Class A or Class C RV. Class A RVs are the largest (21 to 40 feet) built on custom frames and usually the most luxurious. Class C RVs, built on truck frames, are midway between the Class B and Class A in size (20 to 28 feet).

Our Class B is a 19’ 1991 Coachmen on a Ford 250 Econoline van chassis. We purchased it two years ago for $9,500, a year and a half before I retired working as a Legislative Aide for Berkeley City Councilperson, Linda Maio. I was hesitant to purchase the Class B in advance of my ability to use it with any frequency, but Dianne argued we should go for it because it was just the model we wanted and it would give us a chance to get acquainted with its operation before taking longer trips. (With tax and license, a new Class B would cost between $60,000 and $100,000.) Coachmen still makes RVs, but discontinued making the Class B model after 1999.

We began by camping several times at nearby Anthony Chabot Campground. The Class B met all of our expectations and what a jewel Anthony Chabot Campground is. Located in the Oakland hills, there are lots of wonderful hiking trails and some of the camp sites overlook Lake Chabot (see photo above). On one of our camping trips at Anthony Chabot Campground overlooking Lake Chabot, friends (Bruce & Ina, Bruce & Basha, and Dan and Rich) brought a wonderful meal we all enjoyed before they returned to their homes and we spent the rest of the weekend camping.

Even though our Class B is self-contained and we can easily go for a weekend without hooking up to electricity, sewage and water, we decided to test the systems (and our ability to use them) by staying at one of the sites at Anthony Chabot Campground that include these amenities. The tests eventually led to replacing some of the water and drainage pipes that were leaking and causing an unpleasant musty smell, something that might be expected after 15 years of torque and bending on the road. Son Jason, his partner Jolene, and dog Monroe joined us for the weekend. We all had a great time.