Class B motorhomes are typically different than their larger, more lumbering siblings the Class A and Class C RVs.
Many of them are little more than beefed-up camper vans, or full-size conversion vans that are easy to drive on the road.
Though some Class B motorhomes do have power-retractable slide-out sections, just like their larger kindred.
If you are looking for an easy to drive motorhome with an expandable amount of interior space, then you might be wondering Do Class B RVs have slide outs?
You’d be surprised that some Class B Manufacturers are adding slide-outs to increase living space in these tiny rigs, and few models even comes with multiple slide outs.
So, what are some of the best Class B motorhomes with slide-outs?
For starters, the 2020 Airstream Atlas Murphy Suite and the 2020 Winnebago Era 70A are a good place to start looking.
Both are known for being easy to drive, as well as being very spacious when the slide-outs are deployed.
Though they certainly aren’t the only Class B RVs with slide outs worthy of your consideration.
To help you find the best Class B motorhome with a slide-out, we rolled up our sleeves and took a look at some of the leading competitors.
Our review process included things like how easy it was to drive, as well as the creature comforts inside.
All the while keeping an eye on just how beneficial the slide-out was when it came to the Class B motorhome’s functionality as a camper.
Best Class B RVs With A Slide-Out in 2023
Finding the best Class B motorhome for you starts with a little thought experiment.
Try to imagine the kind of features you will prioritize and how you will most often use the Class B motorhome.
If you and your family like to do a fair amount of boondocking off the grid, then you might prioritize a Class B motorhome with slide-outs and a large freshwater storage tank.
If you are the type of person who likes to camp in the mountains you might want to prioritize a Class B motorhome with slideouts that have a reputation for handling tight turns.
The following are some of the best Class B motorhome floor plans with slide-outs:
1. 2020 Airstream Atlas Murphy Suite Class B RV
Airstream is one of the most well-known, reputable RV manufacturers in the industry.
So, it should come as little surprise that they would offer a high-quality Class B RV with slide-outs like the 2020 Airstream Atlas Murphy Suite.
One of the nice things you notice about this RV is that the slide-out retracts seamlessly into the body shape of the RV when you are driving down the road.
Yet when you are parked up at camp the slideout section expands quickly with little more than the touch of a button.
This gives you tons of space to relax on the couch or on your bed with a whole lot of extra space.
The 2020 Airstream Atlas Murphy Suite borrows the chassis from the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van and specifically meets all their safety standards put in place by them.
This translates into smooth handling as well as long-term durability. You can trust that this Class B motorhome won’t break down on you while also being nimble enough to navigate even narrow roads.
Another nice aspect of the 2020 Airstream Atlas Murphy Suite is the 3-piece residential-style bathroom that truly makes you feel like you are at home.
It is nicely supported by a 23-gallon freshwater storage tank, a 23-gallon black water storage tank, and an impressively large 31-gallon gray water storage tank.
All of which are engineered to keep the center of gravity low in the 2020 Airstream Atlas Murphy Suite, while still having the capacity to let you boondock off the grid for two or even three days.
2. 2020 Winnebago Era 70A Class B Diesel Camper Van
Winnebago is another one of the most trusted names in the RV industry. They made their name by providing high-quality motorhomes like the 2020 Winnebago Era 70 M.
It has a single large power-retractable slide-out section that houses a comfortable queen size murphy bed.
The 2020 Winnebago Era 70A was engineered on the successful Sprinter Van Chassis by Mercedes Benz.
This gives it reliable performance as well as a sturdy nimbleness that makes it a comfortable touring coach for a couple that loves to travel in style.
It has a 3L V6 diesel engine that produces 188 hp with a trailer hitch capable of towing up to 5000-pounds.
The 2020 Winnebago Era 70A also has an optional 4-wheel drive model, for people who like to travel where terrain can be a little bit challenging.
The interior is nicely appointed in high-quality Ultraleather, with stylish Corian countertops, as well as vinyl flooring in the kitchen area and soft carpeting in the primary living space.
There’s also LED lighting that adds to the interior ambiance. In the back, you will also find a full bath with a shower, toilet, and sink with an impressive amount of storage.
Though if there is one complaint here, it is the relatively small 8-gallon black water storage tank.
While it will certainly support you for a day or two of boondocking off the grid, it’s not really large enough for long rustic stays without at least having to make a few waste dump runs in a week.
3. Roadtrek SS-Ideal Class B Motorhome
The 2020 Roadtrek SS-Ideal Class B motorhome RV has a distinctive and somewhat unique rear slide-out section.
This is handy as you don’t end up compromising as much of the van’s interior space or altering the exterior lines of the vehicle like you do with a lot of other side slide-out sections.
The interior of the 2020 Roadtrek SS-Ideal can seat up to four people and can conceivably sleep up to four, though two to three people are more realistic when the rear slide out is deployed.
The 2020 Roadtrek SS-Ideal is based on the chassis of a Dodge Sprinter 2500 and has a 3.0L V-6 Mercedes turbodiesel that produces 154 horsepower.
It is paired with a Five-speed automatic which translates into a 5,000-pound towing capacity.
This means you could feasibly tow a boat or even another small trailer behind the 2020 Roadtrek SS-Ideal.
The interior of the 2020 Roadtrek SS-Ideal is arguably a little bit cramped without a side slide out when you have two people who need to move from the front to the back at the same time.
Though the tradeoff for this is that you get a well-appointed interior with plenty of comfort and appliances.
4. Nexus Viper 25V Class B Gas Motorhome
The single large power-retractable slide out of the 2021 Nexus Viper 25V Class B RV expands out to provide you with an impressively large rear master bedroom with a true queen size bed.
The slide-out section also provides a copious amount of wardrobe space, while also giving you room to stretch out in the dinette area.
This translates into enough space to comfortably sleep a couple with enough sleeping space in the dinette for a child or teenager.
The 2021 Nexus Viper 25V is built on the highly successful Ford E350 chassis with a powerful V8 engine.
This Class B motorhome also has 7,000 pounds of towing capacity, which lets you commandingly tow a boat or trailer with you on your RV adventure.
I think you will also be impressed with the interior elements of the 2021 Nexus Viper 25V.
This Class B motorhome features glazed maple residential raised panel hardwood cabinetry and stylish window treatments as well as energy-efficient LED lighting.
The kitchen has seamlessly laminated countertops and high-quality fixtures. There’s even stainless steel under-mount bowl for the kitchen sink.
The bathroom has a shower and a flushing toilet. Both the kitchen and bathroom are supported by large fresh, gray, and black water storage tanks.
Though if there is one strong complaint about the interior of the 2021 Nexus Viper 25V it’s that it doesn’t have a very usable interior when the slide-out isn’t deployed.
Perhaps someone could crawl up onto the rear bed to read a book, but if you want to have any real elbow space for doing something like making a quick lunch, you almost need to deploy the side slide out. This might not be the best if you happen to be on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Rear Or Side Slide Out Better?
While there is certainly room for debate here, a slide-out tends to give you more functional space in the Class B motorhome’s interior when it’s not deployed.
A lot of side slide-out sections tend to collapse in on the kitchen and dinette area.
This can be inconvenient if you want to make some lunch while you are driving from Point A to Point B, as you will need to deploy the slide-out, which might not be convenient while driving down the road or parked it a tight rest area parking lot.
Are Class B Motorhomes Easy To Drive?
Class B motorhomes are noticeably smaller than their larger Class A and Class C siblings.
Most are little more than a well-appointed camper van that uses the floor pan or chassis of another popular panel van or one-ton truck.
As such, you generally don’t need a special driver’s license endorsement to operate one.
Does A Slide Out Section Affect A Class B Motorhome’s Aerodynamics?
Side-mounted slide-out sections do tend to have some minor aerodynamic issues where the slide-out intersects the body.
Though many RV manufacturers do their level best to make the slide outs streamlined, while also engineering the chassis to be better balanced for smooth handling.
You don’t get as many of these issues with a rear slide-out section as the draft of the vehicle as you go down the road.
Conclusion
Class B motorhomes are very popular for traveling couples and small families who want to be comfortable when they are away from home but don’t want to deal with a lumbering Class A or Class C motorhome.
The addition of a side or rear slide-out section lets you increase the total living space, while still giving you a vehicle that’s relatively easy to drive.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, then you might want to start by giving the 2020 Airstream Atlas with the Murphy Suite floorplan a good hard look.
Not only does it have a lot of floor space when camping, but the murphy bed doesn’t compromise your living space during the day, which makes it one of the best Class B motorhomes with a slide-out.
If you are looking for something a little unique and more aerodynamic, the 2020 Roadtrek SS-Ideal, with its rear power slide-out might be the best Class B motorhome for you.
There is a lot of functional interior living space when you go down the road, then it expands to open up for the floor space commandingly.
Whatever your particular interests happen to be, chances are good that the best Class B motorhome for you and your family is somewhere on this list.
3 Comments
Beth
3 years agoVery interesting article. It does not mention how easy it is to have someone service the engine on these vehicle. We have a small Class A-27′. We can not find anyone to work on the engine, in fact it is very difficult to find anyone who will do an oil change. I want a MH that I can have work completed on within a reasonable distance of my rural home.
Brandon E McLaughlin
2 years agoClass A’s are a very different beast. They are built on everything from bus to garbage truck chassis with mid-mounted engines that are difficult to service. The labor costs are hard to determine, the liability of breaking other parts while just trying to gain access to the repair is high, and the build methods are not consistent. A lack of consistency makes any type of manual on how to complete the job nonexistent. A simple repair can clog up a shop and delay the other customer vehicles, so most people won’t touch them with a 10-foot pole. Class B and Class B+ units are just as easy to service as the van it was designed on, and most dealers will accept them for maintenance.
Uptowish
1 year agoI love this post! I’m thinking about getting a Class B RV with a slide-out. What are some good ones to look for?