The van life travel style isn’t just a passing trend – it’s here to stay. What’s not to love about traveling the country in a luxurious, compact, and rugged van that can go almost anywhere?
If you, too, have fallen in love with camper vans, you might consider building your own from an empty van. Before you do, consider this – custom van builds cost a lot of money in parts, labor, and time. Well-intentioned RV renovation projects can quickly turn into a money pit, and your van life dreams can wind up on the back burner before you know it.
Instead of spending the time and effort to build out a custom van, consider road-ready class B RVs. These RVs are luxurious campervans in their own right, and they don’t require months or years spent laboring in the garage. They’re built with parts, appliances, and systems rated for road travel and customized with RV furniture that is modular and functional.
Why Choose a Class B RV?
Class B RVs – also known as camper vans – are ideal for long-distance road trips. They’re easy to drive, park, and navigate in and out of campgrounds and gas stations.
Here are a few resources to help you decide whether a class B RV is right for you:
- What is the Easiest RV to Drive?
- Is a Class B RV Right For Me?
- Camping World’s Guide to Sprinter Vans
Who Makes the Chassis for Class B RVs?
Most class B RVs today are built on a chassis from one of three predominant manufacturers:
Some of the best class B camper vans are built on the Mercedes-Benz® chassis. Manufacturers choose this chassis because it allows them to make some of the safest RVs on the road. The chassis is known for its progressive features, such as Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keep Assist, and Traffic Sign Assist.
It also allows manufacturers to create some of the most fuel-efficient campers on the market today. Mercedes’ third-generation V30 chassis is built with a three-liter, six-cylinder turbo diesel engine and an automatic transmission to provide plenty of control and safety on the road.
The Best Class B RVs on a Mercedes-Benz® Chassis
Today, we’ll highlight five of our favorite class B RVs on a Mercedes-Benz® chassis:
Winnebago Revel
RV Specs
- Length: 19’7”
- Exterior Height: 10’
- Interior Height: 6’3”
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
Winnebago believes RVers should start “treating roads more like suggestions” with their Revel 4×4 camper vans. These fully-equipped diesel RVs are built for serious boondocking, with a lithium-ion battery, solar options, and a hydronic heating system for easy climate control.
Space can be limited in some Class Bs, but Winnebago manages that issue with a few important features. First, they redesigned the dinette to allow enough space for two passengers to ride (with seat belts) behind the cockpit. The driver’s seat also swivels for extra seating around the dinette table.
Second, the rear bed is on a power lift system that rises to the interior ceiling, offering abundant storage space and flexibility during the day. This system gives you easier access to your lithium battery system, freshwater tank, and water control panel.
Explore Camping World’s selection of Winnebago Revel campers.
Thor Tranquility
RV Specs
- Length: 19’8”
- Exterior Height: 10’5”
- Interior Height: 6’4”
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
This Thor camper van inspires exactly what its name invokes – Tranquility. The interior features linoleum flooring for easy cleaning, Euro-style cabinetry, solid surface countertops, and a fully-equipped kitchen.
The exterior can be upgraded with optional all-terrain tires to help you explore further off-grid. It’s also equipped with an LED light bar for easier night-time navigation on back roads and Thule accessories to help carry your outdoor adventure gear.
The Thor Tranquility also boasts a 190-watt, roof-mounted solar panel that charges a single lithium battery with 400-amp hours of power capacity. From the cockpit, you’ll be able to take advantage of hands-free controls to play your favorite music, podcasts, or other media.
Discover Thor Tranquility class B RVs available near you.
Jayco Terrain
RV Specs
- Length: 19’7”
- Exterior Height: 10’1”
- Interior Height: 6’1”
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
Jayco’s Terrain Class B RV gets you wherever your road trip motivations want to go. Their JRIDE® package includes a heavy-duty rear stabilizer bar, all-terrain tires, a double roof rack, an exterior LED light bar, and more.
Inside, the cockpit seats swivel to face the two passenger seats behind the flip-up dinette table. There’s a pull-out tray at the front edge of the kitchen for increased counterspace and another one across from the wet bath that creates an L-shaped kitchenette.
That wet bath even includes two removable shelves that allow you to utilize the space for gear or closet storage between showers and bathroom trips. Even the bedroom is convertible, with a power lift bed system that raises to the ceiling to provide abundant garage space underneath.
Check out our nationwide inventory of Jayco Terrain RVs.
Airstream Interstate 19
RV Specs
- Length: 19’
- Exterior Height: 9’7”
- Interior Height: 6’2”
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
The Airstream Interstate 19 matches the luxury and quality construction that has become synonymous with the Airstream name over the last 90+ years the company has been in business.
The floorplan features extra seating for two passengers on the rear sofa, which converts to the bed at the touch of a button. The kitchenette includes a two-burner cooktop and a single-basin sink, with a spacious, Euro-style wet bath right across the aisle.
The bed in the back is one of the largest beds of any diesel class B motorhome in its class. The Interstate also makes day-to-day camping easy, with touchscreen controls for the window shades, interior and exterior LED lighting, air conditioning, generator power, and much more.
Find pricing and availability for Airstream Interstate camper vans near you.
RV Specs
- Length: 24’3”
- Exterior Height: 9’6”
- Interior Height: 6’2”
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
The Coachmen Galleria is an extended-length, diesel class B with additional interior living space. In that space, Coachmen packs in a wet bath, full kitchen, and convertible rear area that can be utilized for sleeping, dining, lounging, or seating passengers.
There are four unique floorplans to choose from, based on your preferences. Some prioritize seating capacity, while others prioritize a comfortable rear bed on a power lift system with storage underneath.
All models boast blind spot monitoring and lane assist, heated front swivel seats, and a 5,000-pound tow hitch with a 7-pin electrical connector. Plus, you’ll love the Firefly control system that allows you to monitor and control your RV’s systems from your smartphone with the Eclipse app.
Learn more about the Coachmen Galleria class B RV.
Class B RVs are often considered the easiest RVs to drive, and they’re great for solo travel or touring couples. Once you have your camper van selected, here are a few resources to help you plan your first RV trip:
- The Top 5 Destinations to Escape the Cold
- 17 RV Driving Safety Tips for Beginners
- 100+ Pieces of Advice from Experienced RV Campers
Do you have any other class B RVs you’d add to this list? Tell us your favorites in the comments below.
