Definition of a Class B vs Camper Van?

[Ballenxj]

I have seen a lot of different ideas on class B motorhomes/vans.
The old Dodge Explorer I think was the first factory purpose built van meant to be used for camping and traveling that comes to mind. Some even have fiberglass wide bodies on a cut away van chassis, while others seem to have regular van bodies, some with high tops and other without.
My question is, where is the cut off between camper van & B? Can you build your own B, and if so, how many here have done this?
I have seen some really nice van conversions.
Also, what might be the advantage of one over the other?

[Ballenxj]

Heapie wrote:
Hi Folks,
I once owned a VW Vanagon. I considered it as a camper van. I had a 13 inch high portapotti, a sun shower, and kitchen which was part of the Vanagon. I now have a Roadtrek 190V with all the bells and whistles. The VW was much more fun and cheaper to operate. Might go back.
Heapie

Thanks for your insight on the subject. 🙂

[Heapie]

Hi Folks,
I once owned a VW Vanagon. I considered it as a camper van. I had a 13 inch high portapotti, a sun shower, and kitchen which was part of the Vanagon. I now have a Roadtrek 190V with all the bells and whistles. The VW was much more fun and cheaper to operate. Might go back.
Heapie

[Ballenxj]

mikegt4 wrote:
Various state laws governing registration can muddy the waters as well. When I did a work van to camper conversion years ago the state had a list of 6 options (bed, sink permanent cooking facilities, toilet etc.), if I had any 4 then it was a class B in their eyes.

Yes, good idea to check with your state. Along with the basic fixtures, toilet, sink,cooking, and bed, it seems Idaho also requires that it have a high top that allows you to stand up in?
curious, can you list those options and state? Thanks.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

mikegt4 wrote:
Various state laws governing registration can muddy the waters as well. When I did a work van to camper conversion years ago the state had a list of 6 options (bed, sink permanent cooking facilities, toilet etc.), if I had any 4 then it was a class B in their eyes.

Thanks for that tip!

[mikegt4]

Various state laws governing registration can muddy the waters as well. When I did a work van to camper conversion years ago the state had a list of 6 options (bed, sink permanent cooking facilities, toilet etc.), if I had any 4 then it was a class B in their eyes.

[Naio]

Yeah I just call mine a camper van or a van rv, depending on context.

[Ballenxj]

rjf7g wrote:
Unless someone is a camper nerd (like me), the various classes are meaningless. When I am talking to a lay person about our class B, I call it a "van camper with everything you need in a house." Folks seem to get that.

Haha, GOOD ONE!

[rjf7g]

Unless someone is a camper nerd (like me), the various classes are meaningless. When I am talking to a lay person about our class B, I call it a "van camper with everything you need in a house." Folks seem to get that.

[My_Roadtrek]

Here is RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association) consumer site. Go RVing

"Features
Nimble and easy to drive, Type B Motorhomes are easy to park and maneuver, even in downtown settings.
Home-like conveniences are standard, including bathroom, sleeping, dining and kitchen facilities as well as storage.
Full stand-up room is achieved by raising the roof and sometimes by the use of dropped floors, for extra interior headroom."

This definition is what Insurance Companies use, as well as most HO Assn. to classified an RV.

[Naio]

My Roadtrek wrote:
If a van has a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, it is an RV, and classified a
Class/Type B. If it is missing any of the above it is considered a Camper Van.

I think a lot of rv parks use this definition, maybe due to local laws. I always call ahead to ask if my home brew is ok (usually is), and i tell them, 'it is a minivan with a bed, toilet and fridge'.

[My_Roadtrek]

If a van has a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, it is an RV, and classified a
Class/Type B. If it is missing any of the above it is considered only a Camper Van.
They both are often called Camper Vans, but only a van with kitchen, bath, and bedroom can be a Class B, Camper Van.

[Naio]

landyacht, here, is a great guy to know. His username ends in a couple of numbers -- 75, maybe? He posts mainly in the tech forum. He lives fulltime in a factory conversion van (not a class B) and is brilliant with homebuilt alterations.

[Naio]

You can search for my posts here, but it's mainly just a lot of questions and I don't have pics online. The other sites have tons of well documented builds!

[Ballenxj]

Naio wrote:
Yeah, that's the difference in my mind.

There is also the impression the a B tends to be built commercially, and a camper van is more likely to be homebrew.

There are a LOT of homebuilt van-based RV's, with and without showers and black tanks. Not many on this site, but check out Expedition Portal, Cheap RV Living, and Sportsmobile's forum (they have a home brew section).

AWESOME! Do you have any photos and posts anywhere about your build?
I'm familiar with cheap RV living, but those others are interesting. Thanks. 🙂