Among the growing popularity of many types of recreational vehicle, the Class B RV, also known as a camper van or van conversion, has shown the most rapid rise in sales. Go anywhere versatility and reduced impacts on the environment top the list of reasons for their favor among those looking for outdoor adventures.

Class B RVs enjoyed a heyday in the 1990s but increased demand for amenity-laden SUVs and mini-vans right from the factory resulted in a sales slump that has only now turned around. During their earlier peak, camper vans were all about squeezing a few amenities into a standard 3/4 or one-ton van regardless of their impact on the environment.

Growing Popularity

Today's Class B RV vans are as much about minimizing impacts on the land as they are about technology and offering more opportunities to connect with the outdoors. The lastest model Class B vans are available for sale and through rental agencies or private RV rental services, many of which include fleet GPS tracking solutions for efficient management and security.

Industry data show that Class B RV sales grew by 70% while conventional Class A motorcoaches shrank by 27% and Class C mini-coaches were down by 16%. Towable RVs, including travel trailers, fifth-wheels and truck campers, are more affordable and remain the hottest sellers across the RV spectrum.

Where Class B RVs outshine other recreational vehicles, including larger coaches, motorhomes and travel trailers, is their use of technology and space management to reduce power usage, increase self-reliance and improve efficiency. An article at RV Lifestyle offers a brief look at some popular choices.

Power Off the Grid

One of the most important reasons Class B RVs are preferred for environmentally minded camping is how they manage power.

Having reliable power that lasts for many hours and can be recharged with on-board solar allows the RV camper to spend more time boondocking and less time in crowded, improved RV parks connected to shore power.

Recent advancements in rooftop and deployable solar modules and compact battery packs allow the Class B RV camper to run onboard electric-powered appliances and still remain connected without starting an onboard or portable gas-powered generator.

Solar Power Types

Available as 100- or 200-watt modules, 12-volt solar panels include benefits such as high-efficiency cells, bypass diodes that minimize power drops from sun shading, lighter weight panels, high-durability panels that withstand wind and hail, and ease of installation. Classified by type, solar panels start at amphorous panels which are silicon coated glass rather than individual cells. Amphorous solar panels are lighter and able to withstand higher temperatures but are less efficient at producing electricity.

Polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels are mounted on rigid frames with wafer-thin slices of silicon that produce electricity. The difference between the two is the type of silicon used to produce the wafers. Monocrystalline panels convert solar energy into electricity more efficiently than polycrystalline.

Advance Battery Tech

Depending on the make and model, Class B RVs also rely on lighter, longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries rather than traditional lead-acid batteries. This means the camper can stay powered for longer even after the sun sets.

Clever Engineering

Available in lengths of between 18 and 24 feet, Class B RVs are available in a variety of floorplans with the necessities and amenities needed plus storage space for one or two campers. Clever engineering allows Class B RVs to offer the same camping experience as the larger RV types but they add the ability to go off-road when needed or to commute around town and navigate urban congestion.

By design, Class B RVs have less storage and tank capacity compared to their Class A motorcoach and Class C mini-coach cousins. However, Class B campers are more fuel efficient and able to go where other RV types cannot.

With their versatility and less impact on the land, it is easy to see why Class B RVs have grown in popularity.