Why I chose a Class B RV
When my racing career came to an end, I turned to motorized camping, much to the surprise of many of my acquaintances. Yet this new hobby allowed me to take trips I hadn't been able to when I was racing, while staying connected to a motorized activity.
To do this, I bought a Westfalia motorized camper from Volkswagen. It was a logical choice for me, not only because of the versatility and ingenuity of this vehicle, but also because of my affinity with this German brand, since I sold Volkswagens for several years when I had a car sales garage. Despite its rather modest road performance, I appreciated the vehicle's clever design, which enabled me to take camping trips while being part of a close-knit community of Westfalia owners.
But after a few years of using multiple variants of this model, the discontinuation of its distribution in Canada prompted me to turn to other options. I had the choice between a very large and expensive A-Class recreational vehicle, or a C-Class, generally derived from a pickup truck.
For me, the best choice then, and still today, was a Class B RV using a mass-produced van. At the time, B-Class models weren't plentiful, and I became interested in the Quebec-built Safari Condo. Even in its infancy, this manufacturer won me over with the ingenuity of its layout, the quality of its workmanship and the materials used.
So, for a quarter of a century, I've remained faithful to this category of RV. For 2025, I've once again opted for a 19-foot Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a diesel engine. This propulsion system gives me a fuel consumption of around 12.0 L/100 km, according to the manufacturer's data. Which is excellent, given the engine's dimensions. It is also possible to order a 22-foot version with a similar engine.
Among the other alternatives on the market, the most popular are the 18- and 21-foot Ram Promaster and the 22-foot Ford Transit. The former is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine mated to a 9-speed gearbox, while the latter is equipped with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ram is available with front-wheel drive only, while all-wheel drive is optional on the Transit and Sprinter.
In addition, the Mercedes-Benz and Ford have dual wheels at the rear, enabling higher loading capacity. The Ram is lower, since it's a front-wheel-drive vehicle, and its platform is also wider.
Ingenuity and build quality
Since you're literally transporting part of your home in an RV, it's essential that the interior layout is ingenious and well thought-out. In fact, a vehicle that isn't cleverly designed will be an irritant as the days and weeks go by. What's more, a lack of storage space due to poor design will undoubtedly force you to leave things lying around. This can be dangerous in the event of a collision, but also when the driver is forced to make a sudden maneuver to avoid an obstacle, for example.
But there's more to it than clever layout and sleeping arrangements: the quality of the materials used is just as important as the quality of the workmanship. When certain manufacturers try to economize on materials and sometimes lend themselves to certain more or less fortunate tinkering, the deterioration of the product over the miles will get worse. Not only is this irritating to use, but when you try to resell your vehicle, the negotiation may not be to your advantage.
It's almost essential that your RV be certified to the CSA Z240 VC series of standards for recreational vehicles. This means that the vehicle is built to government-approved standards, so you can go to any campground in the USA. This may seem like a simple detail when you buy, but if the crest doesn't appear on your RV, your American vacation may be disrupted.
Over the years, manufacturers have continued to refine their products. Available in a variety of engines and platforms, generally in two lengths and with the option of all-wheel drive, B-Class RVs have become more refined in terms of interior design, accessory sophistication and operating equipment. But work has also been done on the vehicles' aerodynamics. As a result, wind noise is almost imperceptible, and the low air penetration coefficient of such a vehicle has a positive impact on fuel consumption. According to automaker data, average fuel consumption for most models, under optimal conditions, is around 12 to 14 L/100km.
A current user, or anyone interested in acquiring a Class B RV, would be well advised to keep up to date with the latest trends and equipment available, so as to have a better chance of optimizing their vehicle and getting the most out of their travels. For example, the choice of tires is very important. If you opt for tires designed primarily for driving on damaged secondary roads, this choice won't be much appreciated when you're on the freeway.
To find out more, recreational vehicle enthusiasts have the opportunity to visit two shows specially dedicated to this activity. The first takes place in Drummondville from February 28 to March 2 at the Centrexpo Cogeco. The second takes place in Montreal from February 6 to 9 at the Palais des Congrès.
You'll be able to examine all the recreational vehicles on display at your leisure, not to mention the super-sophisticated, ultra-light Alto trailers, most of which can be towed by an electric vehicle.
It will also be an opportunity to learn about new development trends for B-Class vehicles, including electric heating and air conditioning, solar panels and electric water heaters.
Since the cost of acquiring a Class B RV has risen by around 50% in recent years, it's all the more important to be well-informed so you can make a rational choice that will optimize your investment. It's also an opportunity to talk to the experts about the type of camping you want to do with your RV. What's more, winter camping has been on the rise in recent years, so this will be an opportunity to find out more.
One thing's for sure, once you've had the experience of camping with a B-Class vehicle, you'll be as won over as I am.
Strong points
Pleasant to drive
Versatile interior
Reasonable fuel consumption
Ingenious layout
Weak points
Multiple functions to learn
Adaptation to driving
High selling price
Restrictive shower/toilet
