The Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210 is the smallest Class C RV on the market at only 22 feet 6 inches, striking a good balance between maneuverability and livability.
Built on the reliable Ford E-350 chassis, the BT Cruiser 5210 is a great alternative to smaller campervans and Class B RVs, for those wanting more space and creature comforts.
Because of this, we wanted to provide a full tour and breakdown of the Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210 to help you decide if it’s the right camper for you.
Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210: Overview
The Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210 packs impressive capabilities into its compact length despite being the smallest C RV, offering all the features and amenities of its larger and heavier Class C counterparts.
Dimensions & Size
- Length: 22′ 6″
- Width: 96″ (8′) (See how this compares to other Class C RVs)
- Exterior Height: 10′ 6″
- Interior Height: 77″ (6′ 5″)
Weights
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): 12,500 lbs
- Unloaded Vehicle Weight: 10,122 lbs
- Cargo Carrying Capacity: 2,378 lbs
- Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs
Tank Capacities
- Fresh Water: 41 gallons
- Grey Water: 26 gallons
- Black Water: 26 gallons
- LP Tank: 42 lbs
Construction
- One-piece fiberglass roof
- One-piece fiberglass end cap
- Aluminum side walls encased in fiberglass with Azdel
- Welded aluminum frame
- MORryde chassis extension with four additional steel trusses
Fuel Efficiency
While fuel economy varies based on driving conditions, load, and driving style, owners of this smallest Class C RV typically see:
- Average fuel economy between 10 to 14 MPG
- Approximately 400 to 500 miles of range on a full tank
- Better efficiency than larger Class C models but less than Class B vans
To see how this stacks up against other Class C motorhomes, check out our blog post “Class C RV Fuel Mileage: Real MPGs with 15 Examples“.
Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210: Interior Layout & Living Space
The interior of this smallest Class C RV delivers a surprisingly spacious and functional living space that rivals much larger motorhomes, thanks to its smart layout and design.
Floor Plan Design
The BT Cruiser 5210 features a well-designed floor plan that maximizes every inch of available interior space featuring:
- Dual jackknife sofas with removable table
- Over-the-cab storage/entertainment center
- Mid kitchen with large refrigerator
- Rear corner 3-piece dry bath
- Large wardrobe
- No slide-outs (Larger BT Cruiser models offer slides)
Interior Fit & Finish
Despite its more affordable price (more on this later), the BT Cruiser 5210 offers quality finishes throughout the motorhome.
Starting with hardwood cabinet doors that not only provide a premium feel to the camper but also offer superior durability compared to the pressed composite materials common in many competitors.
The premium vinyl flooring installed throughout the BT Cruiser also serves multiple practical purposes, as it withstands the dirt and grime from RV living, cleans easily with minimal effort, and maintains its appearance even with heavy foot traffic.
Gulf Stream, a family-owned company since 1983 also chose high-quality upholstery for the dual jackknife sofas, selected for its ability to resist staining, fading, and the wear patterns that typically develop at the edges and seams of RV furniture over time.
One of the best interior features of the BT Cruiser though is its minimal squeaks, rattles, and noises while going down the road, like the premium Wingamm Oasi 540.1, thanks to Gulf Stream’s construction methods and attention to detail.
Smallest Class C RV Kitchen
The kitchen in this small Class C RV, while compact has everything you need for basic meals as well as plenty of cabinet and refrigerator space for a week’s worth of food for two to four people.
Some of the main features and amenities of the BT Cruiser 5210 kitchen include:
- Multi-purpose countertop
- Stainless steel sink
- Auxiliary flip-up counter for extra workspace
- Two-burner gas stovetop
- Microwave oven
- 12-volt refrigerator with dedicated freezer
BT Cruiser 5210 Kitchen Limitations
Despite the excellent functionality and utility of the kitchen, the BT Cruiser 5210 is not immune to the limitations of a small camper, as the 5210 lacks a few key features that you might find in a larger Class C or Class A motorhome such as:
- No oven
- Limited counter space
- Lack of a true double-door refrigerator
- Only has a 2 burner cooktop instead of a 3 or 4 burner top
Smallest Class C RV Bathroom
On smaller camper’s you’re often lucky to get a dry bath, instead of the more common wet bath.
However, on the BT Cruiser 5210 you not only get a dry bah but a well-equipped one with a separate shower, toilet, and dedicated vanity/sink.
As well as these other standard features:
- Retractable Nautilus shower door
- Shower skylight
- Handheld showerhead
- Minimal shower step up
- Standard foot flush RV toilet
- Under-sink storage cabinet
- Medicine cabinet
- Powered vent fan
- Reasonably wide solid bathroom door with proper door latch
BT Cruiser 5210 Bathroom Limitations
Just like the kitchen in the BT Cruiser 5210, the bathroom, while spacious and well-equipped for an RV of this size does have a few limitations such as:
- Small shower size
- Limited counter space
- No bathroom wardrobe
- Lacks a powerful MaxAir vent fan.
Smallest Class C RV Sleeping Space
Gulf Stream had to get creative for the sleeping space inside this RV, as there’s no traditional over-the-cab bunk nor room for a bedroom.
I think the dual jack-knife sofa beds they come up with, however, will make sense for a lot of people despite some limitations.
Basically, there are two opposing jackknife sofas positioned along each wall that function as couches during the day that convert into beds at night.
The process of converting the sofas into beds is pretty straightforward. You just remove the armrests, then lift and pull the sofa mechanism to lay them flat.
BT Cruiser 5210 Sleeping Capacity
The BT Cruiser 5210 can sleep 2 to 4, depending on the sleeping situation.
The two opposing beds are plenty long enough at 74 inches, however, they’re narrower than a full-size bed at only 48 inches wide. This means while two kids could comfortably sleep on one, it’s going to be snug for two adults.
So while I think the RV could sleep a family of four, realistically only for short trips and if the kids are young. Really, I think this RV is best suited for solo RVers or couples who would use the two beds as twin beds.
To see other Class C RVs with twin beds, check out our blog post “15 Class C RVs with Twin Beds: Great for Families & Friends“.
Off-Road & Off-Grid Capabilities of the Smallest Class C RV
The Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210 offers several features that enhance its off-road accessibility and off-grid (boondocking) capabilities. Making it a great option if you’re someone who wants to venture beyond the RV campground.
Off-Road Accessibility
While not designed as a true off-road vehicle, the BT Cruiser 5210 offers several features for accessing less-developed camping areas:
- Ford E-350 chassis provides reliable performance on gravel roads and moderate unpaved surfaces
- Relatively short 22’6″ length enables navigation of narrow forest service roads and tight turns that would challenge larger RVs
- Improved ground clearance compared to many Class B vans
- MORryde chassis extension and reinforcement offers better stability on uneven terrain
- Manageable 96″ width allows passage through narrow trails and between obstacles
These features make the BT Cruiser 5210 more capable on rough roads than many larger Class C motorhomes. However, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations about its limitations, as the BT Cruiser 5210 is definitely not an overland vehicle like these 4×4 Super Class C motorhomes.
Power Management
Extended stays away from hookups require good power management, and the BT Cruiser 5210 includes several features that support this:
- Single 12-volt house battery (standard) powers essential systems
- Optional 200-watt solar panel provides off-grid battery charging
- 4,000-watt Onan generator offers on-demand power for high-consumption needs
- LED lighting throughout minimizes power consumption
- 12-volt refrigerator operates efficiently on battery power
The combination of battery power, solar charging (if equipped), and generator backup creates a flexible power system that can accommodate various boondocking scenarios, from quick overnight stays to multi-day adventures.
Water Management
Water capacity and management are also crucial for off-grid camping, and the BT Cruiser 5210 does a great job at both for its class size:
- 41-gallon freshwater tank provides several days of conservative use
- 26-gallon gray water tank accommodates waste water from sink and shower
- 26-gallon black water tank handles toilet waste
- Tankless water heater (in newer models) provides hot water on demand without wasting resources
With careful conservation, these capacities can support a couple for 3-5 days of off-grid camping, depending on personal usage.
Potential Upgrades for Enhanced Off-Grid Capability
While the BT Cruiser 5210 does a pretty good job at off-grid capabilities right from the factory there are several upgrades you could do to the RV to upgrade its boondocking capabilities:
- Add additional house batteries
- Switch the house batteries to lithium
- Install an Inverter (If not already equipped)
- Add a larger solar system
- Install a water filtration system
- Switch to a composting toilet
How Much Does the Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210 Cost?
If you’ve made it this far you’re probably wondering how much this smallest Class C RV is going to cost you.
Well, the good news is the Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5210 is one of the most affordable Class C motorhomes on the market, ranging from $95,000 to $105,000 for a new model and $50,000 to $75,000 for a lightly used one built within the last 5 years.
To see other affordable Class C RVs, check out our blog post “10 Best Class C RVs Under $100,000 (With Video)“.
Final Thoughts on the Smallest Class C RV
As the RV industry continues to evolve, the demand for compact yet fully self-contained motorhomes like Class B, Class B+, and small Class C RVs continues to grow.
And at 22 feet 6 inches, the BT Cruiser 5210 is the perfect example of this. Providing a comfortable, fully-featured motorhome in one of the smallest Class C RV packages available.
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