any full timers here?

Blair · Post by **Blair** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:20 pm

Hello, new member Blair here.

Seriously considering purchasing one of these units to full time in. I would split the time living between my RV and my boat.

Looking for advice.

thx

blair

Blair · Post by **Blair** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:14 pm

bump for any full timers out there?
maybe i'm posting in the wrong section?

Post by **skater** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:22 am

Blair wrote:bump for any full timers out there?
maybe i'm posting in the wrong section?

Nah, this is fine. I think none of our members do that.

There was a couple that spent over a year living in their B190 while touring North, South, and Central America. That links to an interview I did with them, and there's a link to their website. Fascinating journey.

Post by **Alaskan** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:57 am

Diane, full timer for 5 years now in her B190....

I got this rig from member Joe for her. She downsized from a Bounder she had full-timed in for several years

Her travels are Alaska, Washington & Oregon

Click this link below for 190 pictures...

http://alaskandave.smugmug.com/Other/Di ... 9592_vTGEq

Blair · Post by **Blair** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:58 am

great info guys.
thx.

can you recommend any one year that is better than another?

craigmar · Post by **craigmar** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:47 am

Personally I like Thunderbird from 02 but will settle for Pabst 2011

Blair · Post by **Blair** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:39 am

craigmar,

thx for your input.

i was under the impression these vehicles were only made made from 1989-1999.

Post by **skater** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:55 am

craigmar wrote:Personally I like Thunderbird from 02 but will settle for Pabst 2011

Nice.

For the question about which year is best, I don't think there's a "best" year. For example, my biggest gripe with mine (a '91) is the size of the bathroom; the shower is nearly unusable, and there's not much room around the toilet. So from that point of view, a '97 or later would be better. However, I think the table arrangement in mine is better than the later years.

There is a thread in the Basic Questions forum that describes the differences - take a look at that and see what you like the most.

Personally, if I were full-timing in my B190, I'd want the '97 and later bathroom setup despite my misgivings about the table.

Post by **Alaskan** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:42 pm

Shower area and upper bunk area comparison.....early vs. late

In the pre 1997 the floor-to-ceiling measurement of the shower area is 67-inches ....and assuming you'd like a little clearance over your head you might wanna take a couple inches off that. The other two dimensions would be about 16" wide x 22". The width here is limited to about 16+ inches due the the shelf in the shower area but your elbows pushing on the shower curtain can add to that.

In the 1997 and newer the floor-to-ceiling measurement would be 72-inches....The other two dimension are about 20" wide x 32". This is slightly larger due to the fact that you pull a shower curtain 360 degrees around you while standing in the shower base/floor.

The next consideration in comparing early vs. late is the upper bunk area and how that affects the overhang over front windshield.

The upper fiberglass shell used on the 1997 and newer is app. 6 inches narrower and app 24 inch shorter in overall length vs. the pre 97.

Upper bunk 1997 and newer...

67" wide x 60" expanded, or 67" x 41" without sliding out the expansion section.

Upper bunk 1996 and earlier...

72" wide x 81" expanded or 72" x 60" without the expansion section moved back.

craigmar · Post by **craigmar** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:01 pm

Sorry Folks, we were trying for a little humor but I guess no one got it. the reply was in refrence to a very cheap red wine and pabst blue ribbon beer, as being very good years for the drink not the van.

Post by **Alaskan** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:29 pm

Did they still make Thunderbirds in 02...

Blair · Post by **Blair** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 4:57 pm

most of my showering will be at the gym or at the marina where i keep my boat.
not sure i understand the design idea on making the upper bunk smaller on the newer models though. doesn't sound like a good sleeping area for someone 6 feet tall. how long is couch?
on the units where tire is not mounted on outside back of vehicle, where is it mounted? underneath or inside?

Post by **Alaskan** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:07 pm

Couch....6' all models

20" bottom on the pre-1997 folding out to 38" total

17" bottom on the 1997 and newer folding out to 35" total...

Post by **skater** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:33 pm

Blair wrote:most of my showering will be at the gym or at the marina where i keep my boat.
not sure i understand the design idea on making the upper bunk smaller on the newer models though. doesn't sound like a good sleeping area for someone 6 feet tall. how long is couch?
on the units where tire is not mounted on outside back of vehicle, where is it mounted? underneath or inside?

For what it's worth, before I started bringing my girlfriend/fiancee/wife with me, I always slept on the couch, and I'm 6' tall.

The spare, when not mounted on the back, is actually inside the back doors. If you find someone with a '97 or later that has a picture with the back door open, you can see it.

Post by **Alaskan** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 2:53 pm

Upper bed area, pre-1997... I pretty much just use it for storage as I removed the mattress and put down carpet tiles.

1997 and newer....quite a bit smaller in both directions.

Difference in overhang...

B190 Enthusiasts

B190 Enthusiasts

any full timers here?

any full timers here?

A Good Year

Re: A Good Year

what year is best