The purpose of this blog isn’t to showcase expertise, but rather to share my personal experiences during my first-ever road trip in a Class B RV. I’m certainly no veteran when it comes to RV travel, so I hope someone with more experience might chime in with deeper insights for readers.
Why I Decided to Travel So Far
After over five decades away, I finally managed to plan a trip to join my family's annual reunion, celebrating its 90th year. This event, honoring the descendants of the original settlers who arrived in rural Mecosta, Michigan in 1860, has taken place in the same park every third Saturday in August since 1934. My great-grandfather was one of the founders of this tradition. For generations, our family has shown a strong interest in preserving our genealogy and connections, long before platforms like Ancestry® became popular. I hadn’t attended since high school, having moved to Atlanta, Georgia for college—where I still reside today. It was quite the gathering, with over 500 attendees.
Why We Chose a Class B RV
Initially, we’d planned to rent a full-sized Class A RV that could sleep around ten people, but that plan fell through when our experienced driver and camping expert couldn’t make it due to a scheduling conflict. With a smaller group, we decided to go with a Class B conversion van instead, which is easier to drive. My primary motivation for choosing this mode of travel was my disability—it meant avoiding the hassle of getting in and out of a vehicle just to use public restrooms during the journey. Honestly, I’ve always disliked public restrooms. Therefore, I was looking for vans equipped with toilets. Since the others on the trip were fully abled, and given the size of the “black tank,†we agreed that the toilet would be reserved for my exclusive use.
Did Anything Go According to Plan?
Even with careful planning and advance reservations, we ran into a minor setback just weeks before departure. The original host of the van informed me that it had been involved in an accident and wouldn’t be available for quite some time. Luckily, they found me another rental from a different host—a newer model, better-equipped, and at a similar price. The downside? I didn’t have enough time to thoroughly check this van’s accessibility features in advance.
The Trip Itself
The long journey was surprisingly enjoyable, and time flew by. This luxury van came equipped with six comfortable captain’s chairs, two flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and streaming services, pull-out desks at each seat, a stereo for music streaming, footrests, loveseats that converted into beds, a microwave, sink, refrigerator, exterior cameras, ambient lighting, window shades, dual air conditioning controls, and a large GPS screen. While we could have slept in the van, we opted for hotel accommodations upon arrival. The price also covered insurance for each registered driver and roadside assistance/coaching when booked through Outdoorsy.
Challenges:
- Tight front passenger seat space made it uncomfortable for me to get inside.
- No handrails or handles near the sliding door for balance.
- Narrow, low steps to enter the van.
- Captain’s chairs behind the driver’s seat blocked access for a wheelchair ramp.
- Limited storage space, especially in the cargo net in the bathroom.
- Narrow aisle leading to the bathroom, unsuitable for walkers or wheelchairs.
Fortunately, I can still walk and climbed into the van, which became easier with practice. My power wheelchair folds flat, so my husband and son stored it behind the driver’s seat. While the six captain’s chairs were unnecessary, they couldn’t be removed—four would have been ideal.
Considerations:
- Pack lightly.
- Budget carefully—prices vary widely; mileage might not be included; you’ll pay for gas.
- Study floor plans to ensure compatibility with your needs.
- Use filters on rental sites for accessible vans.
- Learn about RV travel basics; someone should know how to empty the black tank if necessary.
- Not all vans accommodate walkers or wheelchairs.
- Never use the toilet while driving.
- Use RV-specific products for cleaning and toilet paper.
- Ask hosts about return cleaning fees.
- Check for delivery/drop-off fees or if you need to pick up the van yourself.
- Inquire about secure parking for your personal vehicle.
- Always confirm insurance coverage.
Resources for Renting:
- Outdoorsy.com
- RVShare.com
Below are additional photos of the van we rented, labeled by me. Built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, there are equally luxurious options based on Dodge, Ford, and other foundations. Focus more on the layout than the brand. Interestingly, I didn’t take any pictures of the van myself. This is the actual van we rented. I’m definitely considering larger Class A models for future trips. Happy travels!
Image: Looking toward the bathroom, featuring a TV on the door, two captain’s seats, two loveseats, a large window, and overhead grab bars.
Image: From the bathroom door, facing forward, showing part of the loveseats, four captain’s seats, and the driver and front passenger seats.
Image: Open trunk doors reveal the bathroom in the rear of the van, complete with an ADA-height porcelain toilet and sink.
This concludes my story. I hope you enjoyed reading about my adventure!
-Karen
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