re: Why are class B RVs so expensive? Compared to A and C class?

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Of course coach As and Super Cs are the most expensive. Though I was looking for a van style RV. Something to take to Colorado and Utah. For a basic Ford van with a cassette toilet and not much room toy are looking at $150,000.
Meanwhile I can get a class C that is much bigger had a real bathroom and would sleep a family for less than $100k.
At $150k I can even find nice class A rVs.

In my head I was thinking a van RV would be between $70-80k. I'm way off. The nice ones on the Mercedes Chassis go for over $225k.
It's crazy. I can get a 34' class A with two bathrooms for that price.

I know some of y'all RV. Any tips for getting into van life?
My other option if I don't go this route is to build up an over land 100 series LC or a GX.

I'm looking for a vehicle to take on 2-3 trips a year to the rugged west.

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You know how many people buy those things and then realize they don't have time or enough parking to deal with it?

Buy used......they are mostly lower mileage. Find a 10 year old Class C model on a Chevy Express, GMC Savannah, or Ford Econoline chassis with the big block pushrod GM V8s or the Ford V10 motors (that's important - avoid the 3v OHC Ford/Triton engines) from a common RV upfitter. Take a few weekends and refinish/refurbish the interior and HVAC. Swap out the batteries and flush the transmission, check the brakes, etc.

You'll save a fortune and have a very solid RV that can be repaired almost anywhere. And the Class C is big enough where dingy towing a small car behind it isn't going to be a big deal.

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There are many videos on how to fit one out yourself

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These videos make it look easy similar to that of home remodeling ones as the problems are mostly edited out. . A person better have the right tools and skill sets to deal with plumbing and electrical installs. Electrical installs if not done correctly are a fire waiting to happen. And…it is not cheap to do it right.

Super C is the way to go...

Safer, starts life as a real vehicle. Self-maintainable, and much more OTR service options.

I would avoid any Mercedes-based units as the house components tend to have issues with integration into the Mercedes chassis. And M-B dealerships hate/avoid performing any warranty service on RV chassis.

As far a B, I'd go with the Ford F-450 6.8 V-10. Just a bulletproof engine, with relatively good fuel economy. I wouldn't be afraid of a higher-mileage unit.

If you can swing the additional cost of a diesel, I'd go with the 6.7 Ford, 6.7 Ram, or the 6.6 Duramax, in that order.

The diesels are nicer, and more powerful and easier to refuel on the road. Plus, you'll get the diesel generator in those packages, which are much longer-lived than the gas generators.

ETA: Unless I just taking short, short trips, I would not consider a gas Class A at all.

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I know near nothing about costs but if only taking 2 trips per year, would renting be more cost effective overall (all ancillary costs of ownership)?

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First off, would never buy new.
You can find a decent Class C used with under 50,000 miles for around $50k. LINK

Secondly, doesn't matter if you rent one of those sprinter vans or a class C, they cost about the same, and if you're driving from LA to out west, it's going to cost you about $3-4k just to rent it if you're going for 7-10 days. That's just the rental cost, gas not included.

If you have a place to park the RV where its safely covered, and you don't mind putting it on RVShare, i could easily see where owning one could be close to breaking even. And if you're going to own it, you'll probably use it more than 2 times a year.

Does it really cost $8k/yr to own and maintain a $50k RV?
I know they say you are always having to do little repairs to them, but if you have some income from RVshare i would think you'd be coming out even, if not ahead.
Those numbers are obviously much different if you buy new, which would be stupid, like buying a new boat.

Owning one may be awesome and really enjoyable, but with all due respect it does not sound like I would come out even or perhaps even a little ahead under that scenario. I'm still not persuaded on owning over renting if we're talking 2-3 trips a year.

If you have the time and inclination and want to live the lifestyle well then right on, like portable housing they've come a long way and are damn sure nicer than most of my first apartments lol.