Latest addition to the SSLance stable

[SSLance]

We've been looking and working on this purchase for about a year now. Having never owned one before, we had a lot of questions and given that we had some pretty specific or unusual duties we wanted it to do, plus being on a budget...we had to plan carefully.

Hopefully all of our diligent research pays off, so far so good we think.

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We decided on a newer B+ for several reasons. We wanted a coach that would fit in our outbuilding, offer plenty of room inside (but didn't need to sleep more than 2) and also important have plenty of cargo capacity left on the chassis. The newest coaches offer several upgrades over one's just a few years old, one being 100% LED lights and even LED TVs. Given that we plan on boondocking some with it, this really helps with the battery life.

Also, starting about this time last year, the manufacturers started putting 7500-8000 pound hitches on the chassis which helps with job #2.

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Yes, I actually took Barney 45 minutes South of home to the seller's storage place and towed Barney to the weigh station and back with the coach to check the total weights before the purchase. More on the weights in a bit. Who else does that though?!?! :D Well, this isn't even my first time doing this. I took my boat to the GMC dealer back in 2002 and towed it up a steep hill with 3 different trucks before deciding on the truck I still own and use every day today. The coach pulled the trailer with zero issues, it is actually very impressive how well it boogies up the highway with the 6100# trailer in tow.

Later on that afternoon we committed to purchasing the coach and then the fun started. This is a 2016 model that was purchased new in TX in June, used for one trip to CA and back, and has been in storage ever since. It still had all of the factory warning stickers everywhere and the plastic cover was even still over the mattress. It was a hardly used 2016 model with 6900 miles on it. Being a private party sale, it was a bit of an unusual transaction but we got it done last Friday afternoon and it's been at home getting prepped ever since.

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I have to figure out a way to get just a bit of weight off of the rear axle to be able to safely tow the trailer. In the picture above it had 9780# on the rear tires and they are only rated to 9880#s (the coach was basically empty). I have a few options like a weight distribution hitch, higher rated tires for the rear or even a lighter trailer...which would all put me back in the safe zone. Probably be next year before we need to tow Barney anywhere though so for now we'll just get used to camping with it as it sits.

Anyway, I know I've asked a few of you on here for advice on this in the past...so I thought I'd share the outcome. Can't wait to get to using it...especially camping in paddock at an event with some of you in the future.

[DBasher]

Cool rig Lance. Heck the colors even work well with Barney! Nice score on the home away from home!
:cheers:

[SSLance]

Thanks... I keep telling everyone the color match was purely coincidence... ;)

[BMR Sales]

Pictures aren't showing up for me

[carbuff]

Me either. :\

[jy211]

cool squares :relax:

[TheJDMan]

Pictures aren't showing up for me

Same here.

[dontlifttoshift]

I rehosted one of the pics.

http://www.prioryrentals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/spaceballs-motorhome.jpg

[SSLance]

Pictures aren't showing up for me

They are hosted on Google + and Google recently started doing very strange things with their picture links...must be something with that.

How about these...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/LSVLance/1010151522_zps9kbbytsl.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/LSVLance/media/1010151522_zps9kbbytsl.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/LSVLance/1010151524b_zpsijmu2tw1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/LSVLance/media/1010151524b_zpsijmu2tw1.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/LSVLance/1010151524_zpsfkdg1is9.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/LSVLance/media/1010151524_zpsfkdg1is9.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/LSVLance/1007151050_zpsyoizb7pu.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/LSVLance/media/1007151050_zpsyoizb7pu.jpg.html)

[SSLance]

I rehosted one of the pics.

http://www.prioryrentals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/spaceballs-motorhome.jpg



THANKS!!!!! :D

[TheJDMan]

VERY nice Lance! I have been keeping an eye on RacingJunk for a nice toterhome. My only concern about a unit like you have is the long overhang behind the rear axle. Not sure how that overhang would handle an enclosed trailer in a side wind.

[SSLance]

Thanks!! That long overhang concerned me as well, only for weight distribution issues. I have to say, this thing pulls my trailer down the road just like my truck does, maybe even better.

Power wise, it's has as good if not better pulling power than my truck and this coach alone weighs as much as my truck and trailer combined. While driving it home the other night, empty...I set the cruise at 65 mph and it pulled a long fairly steep hill that is always a good test point for such a thing...all the way to the top without even breaking a sweat or downshifting out of OD. It also pulled several more hills with cruise set at 70 mph without downshifting out of OD.

Driver comfort wise, you can't tell the difference between the two. I don't think I'll have any trouble driving this thing for an extended period...unlike that Class A we borrowed last summer. 6 hours behind the wheel of that thing wore me slam out.

Side wind wise...we'll just have to see...but from what I could tell by the few times a Semi passed me while on the highway, wind doesn't seem to affect this rig much at all. It has the Firestone Ride Right air bags in the rear and monster sway bars front and rear...both seem to really help it get down the road. Being so aerodynamic was one of the draws of going with a Class B+.

[awr68]

Very nice! How about some interior shots? I'm an RVer and love this stuff!

[glassman]

Very nice! How about some interior shots? I'm an RVer and love this stuff!

Congrats Lance. i'd love to see some interior shots as well. How'd you find it? And what makes it a B not a C?

[SSLance]

I'll get some interior shots soon. Was kind of waiting to get it all outfitted and setup first. It's nice....Couch and U-shaped dinette are in the big slide and across from that is a HUGE counter across the curb side and kitchen. The back slide is the queen size bed. The cab seats swivel around to face the cabin as well. It's Forest River's highest level trim with real nice upholstery and removable carpet with manufactured tile floor under.

These pictures are from an identical coach we looked at in Texas.

http://d17qgzvii7d4wm.cloudfront.net/s3/img.rv/2321/i/1575386/o/1_2321_1575386_37621395.jpg;maxwidth=1024;maxheigh t=1024;mode=crop

http://d17qgzvii7d4wm.cloudfront.net/s3/img.rv/2321/i/1575386/o/1_2321_1575386_37621398.jpg;maxwidth=1024;maxheigh t=1024;mode=crop

http://d17qgzvii7d4wm.cloudfront.net/s3/img.rv/2321/i/1575386/o/1_2321_1575386_37621400.jpg;maxwidth=1024;maxheigh t=1024;mode=crop

http://d17qgzvii7d4wm.cloudfront.net/s3/img.rv/2321/i/1575386/o/1_2321_1575386_37621410.jpg;maxwidth=1024;maxheigh t=1024;mode=crop

http://d17qgzvii7d4wm.cloudfront.net/s3/img.rv/2321/i/1575386/o/1_2321_1575386_37621404.jpg;maxwidth=1024;maxheigh t=1024;mode=crop

http://d17qgzvii7d4wm.cloudfront.net/s3/img.rv/2321/i/1575386/o/1_2321_1575386_37621405.jpg;maxwidth=1024;maxheigh t=1024;mode=crop



A B+ is basically a C but instead of a bed above the cab, it doesn't hang over the windshield and just slopes back. The wife did not like the closed in cave like feeling the big overhang gives out the windshield and we didn't need the extra sleeping space. The real plus is it's WAY more aerodynamic and lighter.

[BMR Sales]

Very Nice Lance! My parents always had Class A's (can't believe my Sister didn't take the Keys away after she found out my Mom had Alzheimers). I've rented Class B/C's and like them better.

[fleet]

Very nice Lance, but when does it get S3's aka Sutton's Secret Sauce?


:D

[awr68]

Very nice! Even a fireplace! We have one as well and use it as a main heat source. Love it!

Enjoy it!

[SSLance]

Very nice Lance, but when does it get S3's aka Sutton's Secret Sauce?


:D

This one will probably remain stock for a long while... At least until after I get the sales tax paid on it and get it outfitted anyway. :D

You think Pro-Touring parts are pricey...you should see what they get for RV parts and accessories!!!


Very nice! Even a fireplace! We have one as well and use it as a main heat source. Love it!

Enjoy it!

We still haven't even figured out how to turn the fireplace on. Personal preference would have been more cabinet storage space instead of the fireplace but that may change if we ever use it much during cooler weather.

[waynieZ]

Very nice Lance, Definitely a comfortable home away from home.

[Panteracer]

My wife's definition of camping is going to
a Hotel without room service... looks like
something nice to have at the track

Bob

[awr68]

We still haven't even figured out how to turn the fireplace on. Personal preference would have been more cabinet storage space instead of the fireplace but that may change if we ever use it much during cooler weather.

It's electric. Need 30 amp service or a generator to use it. But it will heat that place right up! I leave mine on all night and it keeps the main area of the 5th wheel at 70* no problem. I have a small heater for the bedroom. Keep in mind we live in the NW and RV 8-9 months a year.

[Solid LT1]

Happiness is never having to worry about a case of bed bugs in your travels:lol:

[SSLance]

We tried it last night Tony and it came right on, guess when we tried it before we didn't have the 110v power up. I can see using it for heat when plugged into campground electric...to save on propane.

Here's the deal with us...the wife and I have been together 25+ years and we've been on exactly 2 driving vacations during this time (and neither one of those were what I'd call successful). Lance does not like to constantly look for places to eat or places to sleep or playing clean motel room roulette. We've recently had some lifestyle changes and now have more flexible free time than we've ever had before and we'd like to try to travel around a bit without being on a schedule and to have the ability to take our 2 dogs with us comfortably when we go. This seems like the perfect way to travel.

My Mom has lived in her Class A 9-10 months a year for about 10 years now so we had a lot of insight from her experience when shopping plus we test used my partner's Class A several times this year to get used to traveling in an RV. The things we did not like about the Class A are all taken care of with this B+...we'll just have to see if the things the B+ don't have are a big hindrance. The main thing is the lack of basement storage with the B+. So far we are fitting in everything we think we want to take with us with no problem, but we haven't hit the road with this one yet so the jury is still out. I think it'll be fine though.

Boondocking and paddocking at race tracks are also high on the list of things we'll do and I think this rig will serve us fine for those activities as well.

Our main other concern now is finding some sort of alternate transportation to pull behind the coach when we are not going to race events. So many options on this and frankly, none of them are preferable...it's more of a what's the least amount of nuisance one is willing to put up with.

[GregWeld]

You'll love this at the track Lance!

Every type of these has pluses and minuses... there is no perfect application. My toterhome is perfect for one or two people - and the three car stacker trailer holds all the cars and tools and tires/wheels etc. BUT --- it's A LOT of work to load - unload - keep clean - stock with food... and let's not even discuss the expense of ownership. I just went out to California (again) to run at Thunderhill - and put in my 10,000th gallon of diesel. Think about that.... 10,000 gallons at an average of maybe $3 a gallon??

I will say life was easier with a single car trailer and a dually.... and a decent Holiday Inn... but when I'm traveling and have all my own stuff and sleep in my own bed I really appreciate the rig.

I think what I'd really like - is a garage and condo AT a track... but now that's a different set of issues.

[clill]

Now he is gonna sell our friend Mike his rig dirt cheap.................

[GregWeld]

Now he is gonna sell our friend Mike his rig dirt cheap.................



Really? Because it's not for sale.

[SSLance]

You'll love this at the track Lance!

Every type of these has pluses and minuses... there is no perfect application. My toterhome is perfect for one or two people - and the three car stacker trailer holds all the cars and tools and tires/wheels etc. BUT --- it's A LOT of work to load - unload - keep clean - stock with food... and let's not even discuss the expense of ownership. I just went out to California (again) to run at Thunderhill - and put in my 10,000th gallon of diesel. Think about that.... 10,000 gallons at an average of maybe $3 a gallon??

I will say life was easier with a single car trailer and a dually.... and a decent Holiday Inn... but when I'm traveling and have all my own stuff and sleep in my own bed I really appreciate the rig.

I think what I'd really like - is a garage and condo AT a track... but now that's a different set of issues.

I did 5 away events this summer, 1 with a coach and 4 with the truck, open trailer and whatever motel room I could scrounge up.

Having the coach in the paddock absolutely makes things SO much easier for me the driver, as well as the wife (that's the only trip she went with me on and was also my first of the year). At every event after that I was jealous of those others that were camped right in the paddock while I schlepped back and forth to the room every night.

A two place trailer behind some sort of coach would be the ultimate setup, but that is way down the road for us. For now we'll have to "get by" with this rig. When we take Barney to an event, it can also double as an around town ride for those trips to Walmart and such. When not going to a race, we'll either pull some sort of small SUV 4 down behind the coach or depending on the situation maybe not pull anything at all and just use the coach itself for transportation.

It's small and nimble enough to pull into a mall parking lot with little effort and setup and takedown of camp should be pretty simple as well. Not sure how much long term in one spot camping we'll do which would necessitate another form of transportation for day trips.

Towed vehicle brakes are perhaps the biggest PITA when dealing with any sort of toad from what I've seen so far. I'm trying to figure out if a dolly would be less trouble than a toad mainly because of the brakes.

[GregWeld]

I find the biggest drawback is the potable water.... and I hold 150 gallons... but I have to watch the use, with showering etc when I'm on a 6 day trip. Two out to track, two at the track, and two back home. I could go 7 days... but that's it.

Finding water and being able to hook up and get some is the biggest problem. But then - "the rig" is a little larger and is harder to just pull in some place. You can at least go to a camp/mobile site for the night - where I can't get in them.

[SSLance]

The class A we borrowed held 100 gallons of fresh water. We were in it 6 days total, but topped the water off before we left the first campsite so really 5 days...and no showers on day 5 as we "camped" in a Pilot truck stop the night before and just headed home for 5 hours on day 5. So really just 4 full days with the two of us and two small dogs.

It still had about a half tank of water when we got home, probably because we were ultra conservative with water being newbies and afraid of running out.

This coach holds 55 gallons in fresh water tank. That will require more diligent topping off and conservation but shouldn't be an issue if we pay attention.

My head goes up into the skylight above the shower when I stand in it, so I can't see me spending any extra time in there. :D Get in, get clean, and get out... Plus there is only a 6 gallon water heater...that should limit the wife's shower time as well.

[SSLance]

You can at least go to a camp/mobile site for the night - where I can't get in them.

That was an issue we looked into for sure. From what I understand, most State parks won't let a Class A in over 30' in length, but Class Cs aren't restricted even though this unit is 32'9".

Heck, finding a campground space with the Class A pulling the open trailer (just over 60' long total) was difficult. This smaller rig should give us much more options in this regard.

[awr68]

We have great State campgrounds up her in OR and are totally spoiled! With that said, we are planning a multi state trip for next year and have found that all KOA's will fit my CC truck and 36' 5th wheel.

Years ago I took my travel trailer to the WA State GG's Show and we had a BBQ for all the Lat-g members that were there....great times! So I can see how having it at the track would be priceless!

Dan (conekiller 13) is always trying to get me to take the trailer to the track so they can have a 'get out of the weather' area. It never works with my schedule...maybe next season!

Enjoy the new toy at the track and on the road!