Class A to a Class B Van

[SherryB]

I sold my Newmar last year (I did tear up a little when the wonderful people pulled up to drive it away) and purchased a new 2026 Grech Strada ION AWD Class B Van. Coming from a quality Class A required going to a quality Class B. Research led me to Grech. I'll now be more spontaneous and doing tons on Boondocking. Downsizing this much has been an interesting challenge and while it works for me, it's not for everyone.

 

[Neemer]

Good choice! Grech is a great brand.

I have a Winnebago class B as a toad and it comes in handy. But the lack of storage takes some serious adjustment.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I sold my Newmar last year (I did tear up a little when the wonderful people pulled up to drive it away) and purchased a new 2026 Grech Strada ION AWD Class B Van. Coming from a quality Class A required going to a quality Class B. Research led me to Grech. I'll now be more spontaneous and doing tons on Boondocking. Downsizing this much has been an interesting challenge and while it works for me, it's not for everyone.

Beautiful sunset and "Yoda" (the ears) look pretty happy.

 

[Neal]

Congrats! I watch several van lifers on YouTube and often wonder. I really admire how they seem to get the most out of the RV life and life in general. Very inspiring.

Looking forward to learning more about why you made the change and how you like the journey ahead.

 

[SherryB]

Congrats! I watch several van lifers on YouTube and often wonder. I really admire how they seem to get the most out of the RV life and life in general. Very inspiring.

Looking forward to learning more about why you made the change and how you like the journey ahead.

Hi Neal, it came down to the Ventana getting to be too much for me as my body complains about getting older. I travel solo so loading/unloading everything up and down the steps had my knees screaming at me sometimes. Had back surgery in the past and it was acting up when I bent over to hook/unhook the car or get into the lower storage bays under a slide out. I was actually at a campground getting into outside bin and my back seized and sent me to the ground, had to crawl over to the table to be able to stand up. As comfortable as I was driving it, there was always that little thought in the back of my head thinking I could make a turn and get in a jam. My first short trip with my van, it was raining. I just pulled into my campsite and had nothing I had to do outside as my batteries and on board water were fine for a week+ if needed. It was so refreshing. I've had to learn (still learning) what I can do without but the freedom is so worth it. I also knew myself that if I went with a Class C or even a B+ I would still tow and I wanted to get away from that too. I have a 2 month trip semi planned to Florida this winter and a long trip to Yellowstone and various other National Parks next year. As I get more comfortable boondocking in between reservations I plan on staying out of official campgrounds as much as possible. I feel so much more free in my travels.

 

[AuntieDodo]

Very nice and seems like a great decision on your part while still getting the enjoyment out of rving. Puppy is so cute

 

[d23haynes57]

Being Solo I do often give though to going back to the Vanagon camper. That should be great camper for you. Congrats and keep enjoying the freedom.

 

[T’sOVR&Explore]

Might be good to get a well used pair of large men's work boots and put them outside on the entry mat in boondock camp whenever it is not rainy.

Supposedly that can discourage the lesser motivated criminals tjat may happen to notice you from thinking that you are alone there. (Work boots visible might keep you from having to explain mag-dumping your carry gun on a ruffian, in an after-action court setting someday!)

 

[Underboss]

I tried a class b for a bit but just not ready for the wet bath. In the future as I get older I would do it but has to have a separate shower

 

[T’sOVR&Explore]

Me and Mrs. T are not wet bath people yet either. Separate bathroom and shower in the HR MH worked great, especially when four people were traveling (two were middle schoolers). Separate shower was again a must have when we bought the Intech glamper for Mrs. T's return to travel camping.

I had drilled the black tank roof vent pipe in the 1989 HR MH and tapped the gray water drain line to support adding a grey water transfer pump lashup that moved grey volume into the underutilized black tank's capacity. That let us four be on no sewer hookup sites a couple of days with less "gret tank anxiety" as we cross country traveled.

Was gonna equip the Intech OVR Navigate to do that, but it's 39 gallon grey tank capacity seems to be enough for two retirees to enjoy a good shower usage profile now.

 

[SherryB]

I tried a class b for a bit but just not ready for the wet bath. In the future as I get older I would do it but has to have a separate shower

Not having a dedicated shower is for sure a big adjustment! I actually haven't used it to shower yet and just use the campground showers or more for workout motivation, find one of my gyms.

 

[SherryB]

Might be good to get a well used pair of large men's work boots and put them outside on the entry mat in boondock camp whenever it is not rainy.

Supposedly that can discourage the lesser motivated criminals tjat may happen to notice you from thinking that you are alone there. (Work boots visible might keep you from having to explain mag-dumping your carry gun on a ruffian, in an after-action court setting someday!)

I've heard of the various "I'm not alone" options but feel anyone observant enough can easily figure it out. I carry several less lethal options before resorting to my several other "un-alive" options. I'm also not the most feminine looking lady, being called sir or brotha on occasions so there's that too

 

[T’sOVR&Explore]

@SherryB -

There is much beauty to behold in good people that does not rely on youthfulness or luck of birth /DNA beauty queen happenstance. Much respect to you for your can do attitude and positive going forth - don't sell yourself short!