If you’re shopping for a Class B van or deep into the “Do I want to live in a van down by the river?” phase of your life, you’re in the right place. We’ve spent the last three years rolling around the country in our Thor Tellaro 20A—lovingly (and sometimes sarcastically) called Mr. Lemon—and we’ve learned a LOT.
Today, we’re sharing our honest take on what we regret, what broke, and what we actually still love. Because buying an RV is a huge decision—and we want to help you make the best choice for your lifestyle (and sanity).
1. We Didn’t Test the Layout Before Buying
Big regret: not actually living in the layout—or at least pretending to—before we signed the paperwork. In the showroom, everything looked shiny and functional. But on the road? We quickly realized some things just didn’t work for how we travel.
Example? The bed setup felt more cramped than cozy, and the placement of the bathroom door made middle-of-the-night bathroom trips a bit... theatrical. Don’t just tour the van. Sit, cook, fake-sleep, and act out your day-to-day. You’ll thank yourself later.
2. Leaky Everything
We’ve had water leaks from the roof, the windows, and one spot we still can’t identify. Towels have become a permanent fixture in our decor. If you’re buying a Class B, check every seal—and then check them again.
3. Wallpaper That Quit on Us
Apparently, our interior wallpaper decided three years was too long of a commitment. It started peeling like a bad sunburn. Aesthetic issues? Sure. But it also points to a bigger question about build quality during the pandemic rush.
4. The Infamous Table
We’ve broken our dinette table—twice. It’s supposed to fold out nicely for meals and laptop time, but… let’s just say it’s now supported by a combination of Bob’s DIY spirit and stubborn optimism.
5. Skylight Shenanigans
One windy day, our skylight popped open mid-drive. Not exactly ideal when you’re flying down the freeway. It now requires a very specific hand position to open or close, and even then, it’s a gamble.
Okay, So What Do We Love?
Despite the chaos, we do love a few things:
The size: It fits in standard parking spaces and drives like a slightly uncooperative SUV.
The kitchen: Bob’s happy place. He’s cooked everything from bacon to lasagna (yes, really).
The adventures: Even with the bumps in the road, we’ve seen incredible places and met amazing people. That’s what it’s all about, right?
Final Thoughts
Would we buy this van again? Maybe… but we’d definitely do it differently. We’d ask more questions, negotiate better, and look for signs of rushed construction.
Our goal isn’t to bash the Tellaro—it’s to be real about our experience so you can go in with your eyes wide open. Because when you're spending this much money, you deserve honesty, not just a glossy brochure and a dream.
If you’ve got a Thor, a “lemon” of your own, or questions about vanlife—we’d love to hear from you in the comments!
P.S. We’ve launched a new YouTube video sharing all of this in more detail, complete with B-roll, bad jokes, and Bob’s table-fixing saga. 🎥🍋