Downsizing

Topic: Downsizing (Read 1560 times) previous topic - next topic

Downsizing

April 20, 2017, 10:09:41 am

Five months after selling my Foretravel, I believe I have found a suitable downsize vehicle. A 2015 Winnebago Travato 59G appeared locally. It is in like new shape with less than 4000 miles on the odometer. I had been looking for a class B on a Sprinter chasssis but realized that I really do not need a Diesel engine in a vehicle this size or the cost of that 3 point star logo. I would appreciate any information about this vehicle. It is built on a Dodge Ram-master chassis with a 280 hp gasoline V6 engine.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #1 – April 20, 2017, 10:48:59 am

Quote from: Horace B. Cupp – April 20, 2017, 10:09:41 am

Five months after selling my Foretravel, I believe I have found a suitable downsize vehicle. A 2015 Winnebago Travato 59G appeared locally. It is in like new shape with less than 4000 miles on the odometer. I had been looking for a class B on a Sprinter chasssis but realized that I really do not need a Diesel engine in a vehicle this size or the cost of that 3 point star logo. I would appreciate any information about this vehicle. It is built on a Dodge Ram-master chassis with a 280 hp gasoline V6 engine.

I can see a lot of advantages to a RV this size where parking is not an issue, even in a crowded city. I had a MBZ 309D conversion and loved the 19 foot length. It would be nice to have a little more sleeping accommodations but the nose has a good shape for fuel mileage. Front wheel drive keeps the floor low.

These are really Fiats rebadged for the U.S. and very popular in Europe. "As part of the joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroën and Fiat Group, the Peugeot version of the Fiat Ducato, known as Boxer in Europe, is also available in Mexico, but with the "Manager" nametag" They should also be available with a 3.0 turbo diesel and automated manual transmission in the U.S. On the other hand, the diesel probably only has a 4 mpg advantage.

With pets or an occasional guest(s), something like a short Born Free with a slide can give the convenience of a compact vehicle with greater interior room.

Just my take.

Pierce

Re: Downsizing

Reply #2 – April 20, 2017, 05:56:06 pm

Not a fan of the Fiat engines... (aka "Fix It Again Tony" )

Re: Downsizing

Reply #3 – April 20, 2017, 06:30:11 pm

iRV2 has a pretty decent Class B discussion board Class B Motorhome Discussions - iRV2 Forums

(no, not chasing you off the forum, but there will be a lot more Class B discussions there

)

There are a few Travato discussions. I do see from the Era discussions that folks aren't terribly impressed with Winnebago's fit and finish on the Sprinter models.

You might find some other brands to consider as well if you check some of their topics. I will say that we kicked tires on Regency conversions (Sprinter) while walking off lunch a couple of weeks ago (met Pamela and Mike at JoeT's

). We're not ready to downsize but they were very nicely done and are a small company based in Ft. Worth. Leisure Travel Vans also seems to be a pretty decent brand, and they have a model (the Wonder) on a Ford Transit chassis (albeit a diesel).

Re: Downsizing

Reply #4 – April 20, 2017, 09:02:10 pm

Michelle, thank you, I will explore other forums, of course. I wanted to access the expertise here first. I am not looking for a new unit. My utilization will be limited, I am sure, by age constraints and since Ann is gone, it will just me and my Havanese, Molly.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #5 – April 20, 2017, 09:17:38 pm

There are some really nice Bs out there. Leisure Travel and Pleasureway seem to make the best. I went a bit bigger with a Bornfree so we could comfortably use it as a Motorhome yet be in a much smaller package.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #6 – April 20, 2017, 11:44:14 pm

The new gas based units are nice.

We had a diesel Sprinter based RV, and I'm not a fan of them for several reasons.

Authorized Sprinter service centers are few and far between. If you do a lot of cross country travel this can be an issue. For example there are only two in the entire state of Colorado. If you break down that's a LONG tow. Coach Net really saved us on one trip.

B5 maximum is required. Our mechanic said they are authorized to turn down engine related warranty work if they test the fuel and find it above B8.

The DEF systems can be problematic - just like on any modern diesel. A programming bug took our unit out of service for a month while we waited for an open service window at a Sprinter service center.

Rear wheel speed sensors are not well protected and fail due to accumulation of debris and dust. These sensors are what report the drive shaft RPM to the engine computer, and that is what the computer uses to decide what gear and engine RPM to stay at. Sensors failing also take out the ABS, and stability control system.

We had a wheel speed sensor go out on us while descending a two lane mountain road. That experience is what led us to the U series Foretravels, and specifically one with a joy stick transmission retarder.

One the plus side:
We found the seats to be comfortable on long drives. And the size was very nice when pulling into places.

We had HWH hydraulic levelers installed on our unit. They could level on slopes up to 5 degrees before reporting "Excess Slope" and failing.

Chris

Re: Downsizing

Reply #7 – April 21, 2017, 09:26:56 am

I happen to like the Travatos, especially the 59G model with a complete (not using the walkway) enclosed bathroom, Murphy bed that can be kept down with storage below or kept up but made for even more storage ( including bikes), and a real dinette. These are all hard to find in a class B. Plus the front wheel drive chassis is wider and closer to the ground.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #8 – April 21, 2017, 09:40:43 am

Found this good thread on the various class B manufacturers (yes, it's Sprinter-based, but several of them build on the ProMaster as well)

Best Brands for Class B, Sprinter based: How do you rate 'em? - iRV2 Forums

Note the general comments on the WGO models.

Pleasure-Way appears to get high marks as well, and their Luxor is on a gas-fueled Ram ProMaster.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #9 – September 15, 2019, 12:27:46 pm

After 45,000 adventure filled miles it's time to downsize, we are looking closely at 24/26 ft Lazy Days. When we find the one we want or before the first $12k or there about will take our Foretravel

Re: Downsizing

Reply #10 – September 15, 2019, 01:20:24 pm

Quote from: Olde English – September 15, 2019, 12:27:46 pm

After 45,000 adventure filled miles it's time to downsize, we are looking closely at 24/26 ft Lazy Days. When we find the one we want or before the first $12k or there about will take our Foretravel

You mean Lazy Daze (spelling)?

If so, they have a great forum

Lazy Daze Owners' Forum

Re: Downsizing

Reply #11 – September 15, 2019, 01:41:01 pm

We had a 26' LD for a year before we decided it was too small for our travels at this time. It was a 2004 mid bath. A couple things we didn't like: the roof is NOT crowned and collects water from rain or the air conditioner. This is common on all LD's and is referred to as "lake Newton" after the designer. Also at least on the mid bath the waste piping from the toilet to the black tank has 2 90º elbows and is very prone to clogging. Other than that it is a very well built class C. Not as well built as a FT but better than most other C's on the road.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #12 – September 15, 2019, 03:00:27 pm

Check a used Born Free. Excellent build quality and with slide(s), they make great use of the space. Excellent Ford Triton gas engine or diesel in larger models. Available with Mercedes diesel cab too.

Pierce

Re: Downsizing

Reply #13 – September 15, 2019, 03:27:44 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – September 15, 2019, 03:00:27 pm

Check a used Born Free.

As long as you realize Born Free went out of business a couple of years ago. Access to fiberglass molds and some technical info will be nonexistent.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #14 – September 15, 2019, 05:12:33 pm

Michelle the Lazy Daze is the way for us to go, hand built to order with no dealership, sounds familiar? We have a number of friends with the sprinter chassis, Roadtrek, Bornfree and even an Advanced RV with all the bells and whistles known to man. $200,000 for a van conversion I ask you ?
The layout of an LD with the bathroom in back and all the seating up front will I think work well for us. Any input is always appreciated.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #15 – September 15, 2019, 06:09:44 pm

I am trying to find the news report. One of the name brand class B builders just locked up. Lots of missing earnest money.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #16 – September 15, 2019, 06:13:59 pm

Tex, that was Roadtrek

Re: Downsizing

Reply #17 – September 15, 2019, 06:17:18 pm

Roadtrek was bought by Hymer, which was bought by Thor, who shut it down.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #18 – September 15, 2019, 06:39:08 pm

I have no idea what happens east of the Mississippi but in the western USA it seems everybody and his brother are doing sprinter conversions. The main reason that we have decided to steer clear of the sprinter chassis is, the MB dealership in the Denver are is worthless, unless you buy a new one. The plug and play service seems to be well beyond their capabilities. This is not hyperbole, my wife's '07 350E went in for warranty work in early January, after 5 loaners we got her car back 2 weeks ago. Couldn't pour p@#s out of a boot 👢
With the LD being on a domestic chassis we have a better chance of reasonable repair costs, be it Ford or GM access to parts etc will be easier.

Re: Downsizing

Reply #19 – September 15, 2019, 07:14:12 pm

Quote from: Olde English – September 15, 2019, 05:12:33 pm

Michelle the Lazy Daze is the way for us to go, hand built to order with no dealership, sounds familiar?

The layout of an LD with the bathroom in back and all the seating up front will I think work well for us. Any input is always appreciated.

Our first RV was a Lazy Daze (1999 30IB). Been active on the LD group from some of its early Yahoo Group days through its migration into a real forum format (sound familiar?

)

If you are looking in the 24-26 ft range and don't need to tow anything significant, do look at the LTV Wonder on the Ford Transit chassis as well.

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