Before I had the Oliver built, I used a large 5th wheel trailer as my work lodgings. I also had a Winnebago Travato B-class camper van to use for vacations and adventures. Well, since I got the Oliver, and it's working so well, I don't need the 5th wheel. My initial plan was to put it up for sale after the Oliver was cold weather proven, but used 5th wheels are notoriously difficult to sell. My Travato camper van was an early unit and there have been some upgrades to it since introduction.
So in one fell swoop, I got rid of my 5th wheel and got a better camper van in one transaction. I traded both in for a new 2015 Winnebago Travato 59G. I feel I got fair value for both (as well as some cash back) and have largely completed my major downsizing plans.
The following is a video I made reviewing the details of this excellent camper van. Hope you enjoy it. Please leave a question or comment as appropriate.
Very well done, thanks for the comparison with the earlier model(s). You answered every question I might have had with two exceptions. 1. On my T you have to slam the sliding door VERY hard and/or be pushing in on the rear bottom of the door when closing in order for it to be fully closed so the door will lock. Do you have the same situation with your new T (and did you with the old one)? 2. In order to be able to use the remote to lock all of the doors with the parking brake engaged I had to disconnect the white wire at the base of the parking brake handle. What's your experience with the new one? (For those who are not familiar with the symptoms when every door is fully closed and you press the "lock" button the exterior lights flash one time. If everything isn't fully closed you hear the locks click but the lights flash seven times, indicating you are not really locked.) COMMENTS: The bed strap is MUCH better - wish I could get them to give me one. My T with the Carefree awning has a less obvious label about the pitch of the awning when opening and suggesting having the door closed under the galley side awning switch. But now that I know that I understand why they have another awning switch behind the passenger seat that can be reached when the sliding door is closed. Oh, and nice selfie you gave us in the microwave. :) Thanks again.
My old van you had to slam the side door pretty hard to get it to close. The new one is alittle better. I've never had to put pressure on any of the door corners to get it to close though. Sounds like maybe yours has a bent guide arm maybe. Has it ever come off the track? Mine did (on the old van) one day when I was parked on a hill, and on opening the door, it got away from me and slammed backward, popping off the track. It was easily put back on, but it was a scarry moment.
You might also want to try closing the door with one of the cab windows open. When closing quickly, that big door may be moving alot of air inside the van with nowhere for it to go, making the door hard to fully close.
No problems with the remote locks, nor did I have to mess with any of the wiring. I would have taken it to the dealer to look at if that was necessary.
I tried out both ProMaster and Transit sliding doors and found the ProMaster a lot easier to close than the Transit, the latter one needing a lot of force to close.
Hi Bill Would you mind posting a link of the type of velcro you use? I purchased some this winter for my car and trailer and the glue did not hold up to the florida heat. Thanks Kelley
I use the 3M velcro. Think it is labeled "extreme". It actually plastic on both sides - not the fabric fuzzy stuff you normally see. It "clicks" when you snap both sides together. The adhesive is quite strong too. I got a package of it at Walmart. It was pretty expensive though, the box of it was $28! They may have smaller packages of it. But be sure to look in the hardware section of the store - not crafts! That stuff is junk.
Very nicely done review-thanks for putting it together! There is one question that I haven't been able to find the answer to anywhere. Do you know how wide the space is under the bed? I.E., the width available under the bed for sliding stuff in there through the rear doors? I have a specific piece of equipment that I would like to fit in there. thanks, Kat
The Stanley toolbox I show sliding in there is 23" wide and there were a couple inches left on each side - so my estimation is that if you have something 26" wide, it will squeeze in there. The box is also 23" tall and had a couple inches clearance above it - so 24" tall would probably fit and be able to lower the bed.
Awesome video, I looked at this van over the weekend, dismissed it because of the corner bed, dealer said the 2016 will have twin beds, but now you have me thinking the stow away bed might work, excellent tips btw, thanks!
I thought I would wait for the 59k also. But after watching your video, especially being able to haul that tool chest with all your supplies, all the upgraded cushions, I'm sold on the 59G. Mike
May I ask what kind of fuel economy do you get? I have seen a range of 14 - 17 at one dealer, another dealer says 17 average, so is it possible that you can get more than 17 mpg? Cheers!
I cover that in some of my other blog entries - generally 16 to 19. The highest I ever got was going to the Keys - 19.3 mpg! Keep in mind that was on my old Travato and the engine was barely broken in. I expect it to climb a little with mileage and probably reach it's peak around 20,000 miles. I'm not an aggressive driver, but I typically go the speed limit even if it's 70.
I have been following you for quite a while now, on the forums, and now your travels site. Yesterday I put a down payment on a new 59G. A total newbie, I had been looking for over a year for a B class, so I have every brochure from every manufacturer, and tend to "overthink" everything. So of course I got up this morning and thought maybe I should have spent the $20K more for the Roadtrek 190 with the inverter, solar panels, extra batteries etc. I called the dealer, and he assured me that the 59G will suit my needs as a beginner, and that he could add the options as I felt I needed them. I was kind of relieved because the 190 is so cramped, but maybe you could give me your opinion. Thank you, Mike
Congrats on your new van! It really comes down to how you intend to use it as to which van to choose. Do you intend to me moving every day, or every few days, or do you intend to stay parked for long stretches - like a week or more? If you are moving around, then the solar is really not going to help you, as you can recharge quickly with the engine alternator. Unless you are going to be using alot of appliances, then the inverter is of limited value.
In my case, I thought the Travato was alot more van than the Roadtrek. It's hard in my mind to justify spending more for a smaller van. That entry way is a real head knocker!
If you need to tow a heavy trailer though, then the equation changes. The Chevy can tow alot more weight than the Promaster. So if you need to tow, that is probably a better way to go.
I think though, if your usage is like mine - mostly weekends and short trips, the Travato will serve you well. You'll have relaxed travels and save some money!
Thanks for your input. The 59G it is. I plan on taking my vacation time in 4 day weekends, and when I retire next year I'll be moving, moving, moving. No plans to become a RV park dweller. Mike
Love this video - showed so much more than any other we watched. We purchased the 59G and it has the mattress upgrade, but the old bed strap and no under bed laundry mesh bags. We are attempting to get the strap replaced, it already came apart once - in the driveway. Our dealer said no warranty replacement on the strap, so we are contacting Winnebago directly. If we could just get the strap we could attach it ourselves. Very frustrating that our dealer refused to help. Not sure where to get the black mesh under bed system.
Thanks. I'm sure both parts can be ordered from Winnebago. You could just call Lichtsinn (who is one of their biggest dealers) and talk with them about ordering these parts. The cost is probably minimal.
We've test driven a Winnebago View and a Travato. The Sprinter seemed to have more power and the seats were a lot more comfortable. However, other than that I liked the Travato better. After having it for a while, do you find the driving comfortable enough? Does it have enough power?
The Sprinter has more power (as far as the specs go), but it also is 2-3,000 lbs heavier. So all that power is used up with carrying more weight. So in the end, is it really?
I find the Travato has plenty of power and I've been up some steep grades with it. The seats are also quite comfortable and I've driven 10 hour days in it on long trips.
Now where the turbo diesel in the Sprinter should shine, though, is in extreme elevations like the Rockies. Turbos do really well in the thin air at 5,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level you'll find there. If you plan on spending significant time in those high elevations, then you might want to consider spending $30-$40,000 more for the Sprinter. BTW, that is 50%+ more costly than the Travato.
Thanks for this video! My 2007 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser G24 is getting tired and I'm seriously considering a 59G. Is the generator LP or gas in the gas engine? Would you buy a diesel version over the gas? Thanks again!
Thanks for the video - better and more complete than many others. I have a question for you - if you have time to answer: our bed strap was the old version. We were able to have our dealer get us the new version upgrade bed strap. Could you let me know the measurements of how the strap is attached to the overhead storage compartment? Approximately how many inches from the back wall? It was a bit difficult to see on the video exactly where it's attached and I am attaching this strap myself. Is it bolted completely through the bottom of the overhead? Does it have any additional reinforcement on the overhead compartment wood? Thanks in advance !
It may be a while before I can give you an answer - I'm out of town on business for a couple weeks.
It appears to be attached with self tapping wood screws into the bottom of the cabinet. I don't remember it going clean thru. It's about mid-way up the depth of the cabinet - probably 4 to 5 inches from the wall. I can get those measurements when I get back and maybe some more pics.
Thanks for such a thorough review. It's been very helpful. Could you comment a bit more about how the driving experience of the Travato? How does it handle on the highway and especially in crosswinds?
Great video, appreciate all the details about your various mods. Q: In the Travato, can you use the backup camera as a rearview mirror when moving foreard?
Thanks for the great video overview of the 59G. We bought our 2015 59G in February and love it. We've had some minor issues with various things, but have gotten them resolved. (Thank you, Winnebago dealers, for helping us through those issues!) I have a few things to share that we have either experienced or done. 1.) I had a resonator installed in the generator's tail pipe to quiet down the loudness of the generator, and it works very well. 2.) For the wardrobe closet, we removed the hanger rod, built 2 shelves with upright supporting boards, and installed those in the space. That gives us a nice pantry space and storage for the coffeemaker and other small items. We use the drawers under the bed and the 2 overhead bins for all our clothing. It works great for us. 3.) Regarding the crosswind question: When driving north from Florida in March, I was hit with a lot of westerly winds and had to hold on to the steering wheel pretty tight. The coach did seem to buffet about a fair amount. 4.) We've gotten 14.5-18.5 MPG, but it's usually around 15 MPG (gas V-6). Highest I ever got was 19.5, but I had tailwinds. 5.) We were in Colorado this summer and did have power issues with climbing in the mountains, so we've given up on the idea of towing a small vehicle. That said, we are still very pleased with its performance. I think it handles fine on the highway and has acceleration when needed. 6.) My wife used 3M Command strips and hooks a lot in the coach and used them to install a 3-shelf wire rack on the wall behind the toilet, under the bins. Dozens of people have remarked how cool the Travato looks and we've given quite a few tours of the inside to people in campgrounds and even in parking lots. People alongside us at red lights have said "Nice ride!" We love this Travato and the 59G's layout.
Ron, Did you ever consider relocating the drain pump switch for the gray tank from the back panel to somewhere closer to the drain (or adding a second switch) so it would be easier to see/hear what's going on during the empty process. I'd appreciate your thoughts on such a project.
I simply added some extra elect cable to switch and can now pull switch out if wall and use it both outside near drain and inside to dump grey tank after a couple of showers without going outside. Of course you leave the valve open
I am curious about winter camping with the Travato. I bought a 2015 59G, and love it so far, but hate the idea of winterizing it and letting it sit until spring. I have read about heat pads for the grey and black tanks, but what about the water pump and heater?
The water pump is inside the van under the kitchen counter. If you are going to use in the winter, you'll have to do something to protect the water lines under the van.
Thanks for you review and video. I purchased my Travado 59G in September 2015 and I love it. I have made a few "tweaks" that other owners may find useful. The front cab window blinds are a bit of a pain, so we installed a curtain and curtain rod along the front edge of the overhead storage. We simply pushed in the mounts behind the front edge of the storage so there was no screwing into anything and they can be removed without leaving any trace if we wanted to. We use spring clips to secure the sides when they are closed, and use the same clips to stop the curtains from sliding when open and travelling. We also installed a plastic set of pull out drawers inside the "closet" that acts as a pantry for canned and dry food plus pots and pans. You didn't mention that the vehicle is front wheel drive, and personally I compare driving it to a golf kart in sitting position and ease of driving. Any screen issues can be prevented by just opening and closing slowly and pulling in the centre if the frame. We installed towel racks that hang from the edge of the bathroom cabinet and kitchen counter drawers or door. We also added a "Roadtrek" spare tire hanger off the hitch for extended trips, although some modification of the licence plate was required. It isn't perfect (yet) because it interferes with the rear doors, but a modification in the mount should solve that. We did have a problem with our Automatic Transfer Switch which fried, so it is something to watch for. The biggest annoyance is the headrest of the bench seat that continually comes off. They use some weird type of hook and latch stuff that doesn't connect easily at all once it has come off. I too use a large storage box that rests on the floor which works well. But I find that the storage under the drawers under the bed holds all my "RV" stuff such as hoses, AC cords, chocks, levelers, tools, jack, air pump etc. with room to spare. Now I have to find your toilet tissue holder! Thanks!
When I wrote my review above, my name appeared as "anonymous" but now I should appear as "Dan". Anyway, it is now spring and we have solved a few other issues. We had a modification done to accomodate the mounting of our spare tire. I went to a trailer hitch welding shop and had them weld a second "receiver" under the existing cross tube of the OEM hitch that came on my Travato. The receiver is behind the passenger side rear door. Now I have mounted the spare tire in this receiver instead of the centre original receiver. Being lower, I can simply fold down my spare tire mount to its horizontal position and open the doors. The passenger side rear door still only opens about half way, but it gives me full access to the switches and hose. The other door now opens fully for access to the storage under the bed. I didn't have to move or modify the licence plate after all. And the best part is that I now carry a full-sized spare tire, which will be great for my upcoming trip to Alaska. The thing is that we had the mount "over-engineered" so that it will survive the rigours of thousands of miles of travel. They even strengthened the hitch itself by adding more support from each end of the tube to the frame. We have added several other little things that really help. There are now self-adhesive hooks on the back wall of the bathroom that hold a cloth shoe rack which holds all kinds of toiletries. On the wall at the back of the Travato above the hose we added a couple more of the good 3-M hooks which are used to hang some coats. We added a paper towel rack above the sink, a fridge fan, a wireless fridge thermometer, another towel rack that hangs off the cupboard door below the sink, and we found one of the toilet paper plastic tubes which is now beside the toilet.
Has anyone had a problem with ground clearance? We just sold our VW Eurovan Weekender which had at least 7" of clearance and we never had a problem. We are not "pavement" campers and want to be able to drive on dirt roads without worry. We have been researching Road Trek, Pleaure Way and the Era but keep being drawn to the Travato. Many thanks for your comments! Lynne
I'm a little concerned about ground clearance with the info in your excellent video. Are you aware of any discussion or consideration about some sort of lift kit to get some more height?
Very well done, thanks for the comparison with the earlier model(s).
ReplyDeleteYou answered every question I might have had with two exceptions.
1. On my T you have to slam the sliding door VERY hard and/or be pushing in on the rear bottom of the door when closing in order for it to be fully closed so the door will lock. Do you have the same situation with your new T (and did you with the old one)?
2. In order to be able to use the remote to lock all of the doors with the parking brake engaged I had to disconnect the white wire at the base of the parking brake handle. What's your experience with the new one? (For those who are not familiar with the symptoms when every door is fully closed and you press the "lock" button the exterior lights flash one time. If everything isn't fully closed you hear the locks click but the lights flash seven times, indicating you are not really locked.)
COMMENTS: The bed strap is MUCH better - wish I could get them to give me one.
My T with the Carefree awning has a less obvious label about the pitch of the awning when opening and suggesting having the door closed under the galley side awning switch. But now that I know that I understand why they have another awning switch behind the passenger seat that can be reached when the sliding door is closed.
Oh, and nice selfie you gave us in the microwave. :)
Thanks again.
My old van you had to slam the side door pretty hard to get it to close. The new one is alittle better. I've never had to put pressure on any of the door corners to get it to close though. Sounds like maybe yours has a bent guide arm maybe. Has it ever come off the track? Mine did (on the old van) one day when I was parked on a hill, and on opening the door, it got away from me and slammed backward, popping off the track. It was easily put back on, but it was a scarry moment.
DeleteYou might also want to try closing the door with one of the cab windows open. When closing quickly, that big door may be moving alot of air inside the van with nowhere for it to go, making the door hard to fully close.
No problems with the remote locks, nor did I have to mess with any of the wiring. I would have taken it to the dealer to look at if that was necessary.
I tried out both ProMaster and Transit sliding doors and found the ProMaster a lot easier to close than the Transit, the latter one needing a lot of force to close.
DeleteHi Bill
ReplyDeleteWould you mind posting a link of the type of velcro you use? I purchased some this winter for my car and trailer and the glue did not hold up to the florida heat.
Thanks
Kelley
I use the 3M velcro. Think it is labeled "extreme". It actually plastic on both sides - not the fabric fuzzy stuff you normally see. It "clicks" when you snap both sides together. The adhesive is quite strong too. I got a package of it at Walmart. It was pretty expensive though, the box of it was $28! They may have smaller packages of it. But be sure to look in the hardware section of the store - not crafts! That stuff is junk.
DeleteThanks Bill
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done review-thanks for putting it together! There is one question that I haven't been able to find the answer to anywhere. Do you know how wide the space is under the bed? I.E., the width available under the bed for sliding stuff in there through the rear doors? I have a specific piece of equipment that I would like to fit in there.
ReplyDeletethanks,
Kat
The Stanley toolbox I show sliding in there is 23" wide and there were a couple inches left on each side - so my estimation is that if you have something 26" wide, it will squeeze in there. The box is also 23" tall and had a couple inches clearance above it - so 24" tall would probably fit and be able to lower the bed.
ReplyDeleteWonderful - thanks for both the info and the quick reply!
DeleteGreat video, hope you have as much fun using the van as you did, showing it. More people should do this; very informative.
ReplyDeleteLoved your review. The fact you even showed how you set up your drawers and storage really gave you an idea on how it would live. Mike
ReplyDeleteAwesome video, I looked at this van over the weekend, dismissed it because of the corner bed, dealer said the 2016 will have twin beds, but now you have me thinking the stow away bed might work, excellent tips btw, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThere are two floor plans - 59G, which is this van, and a twin bed arrangement, which is the 59K. You can order either as a 2016 model.
ReplyDeleteI thought I would wait for the 59k also. But after watching your video, especially being able to haul that tool chest with all your supplies, all the upgraded cushions, I'm sold on the 59G. Mike
ReplyDeleteHi Win - Have you noticed they have not put a price up for the Travato on the Winnebago website ? "to be determined"....hmmmm
ReplyDeleteMay I ask what kind of fuel economy do you get? I have seen a range of 14 - 17 at one dealer, another dealer says 17 average, so is it possible that you can get more than 17 mpg? Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI cover that in some of my other blog entries - generally 16 to 19. The highest I ever got was going to the Keys - 19.3 mpg! Keep in mind that was on my old Travato and the engine was barely broken in. I expect it to climb a little with mileage and probably reach it's peak around 20,000 miles. I'm not an aggressive driver, but I typically go the speed limit even if it's 70.
DeleteI have been following you for quite a while now, on the forums, and now your travels site. Yesterday I put a down payment on a new 59G. A total newbie, I had been looking for over a year for a B class, so I have every brochure from every manufacturer, and tend to "overthink" everything. So of course I got up this morning and thought maybe I should have spent the $20K more for the Roadtrek 190 with the inverter, solar panels, extra batteries etc. I called the dealer, and he assured me that the 59G will suit my needs as a beginner, and that he could add the options as I felt I needed them. I was kind of relieved because the 190 is so cramped, but maybe you could give me your opinion. Thank you, Mike
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new van! It really comes down to how you intend to use it as to which van to choose. Do you intend to me moving every day, or every few days, or do you intend to stay parked for long stretches - like a week or more? If you are moving around, then the solar is really not going to help you, as you can recharge quickly with the engine alternator. Unless you are going to be using alot of appliances, then the inverter is of limited value.
ReplyDeleteIn my case, I thought the Travato was alot more van than the Roadtrek. It's hard in my mind to justify spending more for a smaller van. That entry way is a real head knocker!
If you need to tow a heavy trailer though, then the equation changes. The Chevy can tow alot more weight than the Promaster. So if you need to tow, that is probably a better way to go.
I think though, if your usage is like mine - mostly weekends and short trips, the Travato will serve you well. You'll have relaxed travels and save some money!
Thanks for your input. The 59G it is. I plan on taking my vacation time in 4 day weekends, and when I retire next year I'll be moving, moving, moving. No plans to become a RV park dweller. Mike
ReplyDeleteLove this video - showed so much more than any other we watched. We purchased the 59G and it has the mattress upgrade, but the old bed strap and no under bed laundry mesh bags. We are attempting to get the strap replaced, it already came apart once - in the driveway. Our dealer said no warranty replacement on the strap, so we are contacting Winnebago directly. If we could just get the strap we could attach it ourselves. Very frustrating that our dealer refused to help. Not sure where to get the black mesh under bed system.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm sure both parts can be ordered from Winnebago. You could just call Lichtsinn (who is one of their biggest dealers) and talk with them about ordering these parts. The cost is probably minimal.
Deletehttp://www.lichtsinn.com/rv-parts-order.aspx
We've test driven a Winnebago View and a Travato. The Sprinter seemed to have more power and the seats were a lot more comfortable. However, other than that I liked the Travato better. After having it for a while, do you find the driving comfortable enough? Does it have enough power?
ReplyDeleteThe Sprinter has more power (as far as the specs go), but it also is 2-3,000 lbs heavier. So all that power is used up with carrying more weight. So in the end, is it really?
ReplyDeleteI find the Travato has plenty of power and I've been up some steep grades with it. The seats are also quite comfortable and I've driven 10 hour days in it on long trips.
Now where the turbo diesel in the Sprinter should shine, though, is in extreme elevations like the Rockies. Turbos do really well in the thin air at 5,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level you'll find there. If you plan on spending significant time in those high elevations, then you might want to consider spending $30-$40,000 more for the Sprinter. BTW, that is 50%+ more costly than the Travato.
Thanks for this video! My 2007 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser G24 is getting tired and I'm seriously considering a 59G. Is the generator LP or gas in the gas engine? Would you buy a diesel version over the gas? Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteHere's a writeup I did on the diesel: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3625
ReplyDeleteGasoline vans have gasoline generators. The deisels have an LP generator.
Thanks for the video - better and more complete than many others. I have a question for you - if you have time to answer: our bed strap was the old version. We were able to have our dealer get us the new version upgrade bed strap. Could you let me know the measurements of how the strap is attached to the overhead storage compartment? Approximately how many inches from the back wall? It was a bit difficult to see on the video exactly where it's attached and I am attaching this strap myself. Is it bolted completely through the bottom of the overhead? Does it have any additional reinforcement on the overhead compartment wood? Thanks in advance !
ReplyDeleteIt may be a while before I can give you an answer - I'm out of town on business for a couple weeks.
DeleteIt appears to be attached with self tapping wood screws into the bottom of the cabinet. I don't remember it going clean thru. It's about mid-way up the depth of the cabinet - probably 4 to 5 inches from the wall. I can get those measurements when I get back and maybe some more pics.
Thanks for your response - whenever you get back and have time is great!
DeleteThanks for such a thorough review. It's been very helpful. Could you comment a bit more about how the driving experience of the Travato? How does it handle on the highway and especially in crosswinds?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Great video, appreciate all the details about your various mods. Q: In the Travato, can you use the backup camera as a rearview mirror when moving foreard?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great video overview of the 59G. We bought our 2015 59G in February and love it. We've had some minor issues with various things, but have gotten them resolved. (Thank you, Winnebago dealers, for helping us through those issues!) I have a few things to share that we have either experienced or done. 1.) I had a resonator installed in the generator's tail pipe to quiet down the loudness of the generator, and it works very well. 2.) For the wardrobe closet, we removed the hanger rod, built 2 shelves with upright supporting boards, and installed those in the space. That gives us a nice pantry space and storage for the coffeemaker and other small items. We use the drawers under the bed and the 2 overhead bins for all our clothing. It works great for us. 3.) Regarding the crosswind question: When driving north from Florida in March, I was hit with a lot of westerly winds and had to hold on to the steering wheel pretty tight. The coach did seem to buffet about a fair amount. 4.) We've gotten 14.5-18.5 MPG, but it's usually around 15 MPG (gas V-6). Highest I ever got was 19.5, but I had tailwinds. 5.) We were in Colorado this summer and did have power issues with climbing in the mountains, so we've given up on the idea of towing a small vehicle. That said, we are still very pleased with its performance. I think it handles fine on the highway and has acceleration when needed. 6.) My wife used 3M Command strips and hooks a lot in the coach and used them to install a 3-shelf wire rack on the wall behind the toilet, under the bins.
ReplyDeleteDozens of people have remarked how cool the Travato looks and we've given quite a few tours of the inside to people in campgrounds and even in parking lots. People alongside us at red lights have said "Nice ride!" We love this Travato and the 59G's layout.
Ron, Did you ever consider relocating the drain pump switch for the gray tank from the back panel to somewhere closer to the drain (or adding a second switch) so it would be easier to see/hear what's going on during the empty process. I'd appreciate your thoughts on such a project.
ReplyDeleteI simply added some extra elect cable to switch and can now pull switch out if wall and use it both outside near drain and inside to dump grey tank after a couple of showers without going outside. Of course you leave the valve open
DeleteI am curious about winter camping with the Travato. I bought a 2015 59G, and love it so far, but hate the idea of winterizing it and letting it sit until spring. I have read about heat pads for the grey and black tanks, but what about the water pump and heater?
ReplyDeleteThe water pump is inside the van under the kitchen counter. If you are going to use in the winter, you'll have to do something to protect the water lines under the van.
ReplyDeleteThanks for you review and video. I purchased my Travado 59G in September 2015 and I love it. I have made a few "tweaks" that other owners may find useful. The front cab window blinds are a bit of a pain, so we installed a curtain and curtain rod along the front edge of the overhead storage. We simply pushed in the mounts behind the front edge of the storage so there was no screwing into anything and they can be removed without leaving any trace if we wanted to. We use spring clips to secure the sides when they are closed, and use the same clips to stop the curtains from sliding when open and travelling. We also installed a plastic set of pull out drawers inside the "closet" that acts as a pantry for canned and dry food plus pots and pans. You didn't mention that the vehicle is front wheel drive, and personally I compare driving it to a golf kart in sitting position and ease of driving. Any screen issues can be prevented by just opening and closing slowly and pulling in the centre if the frame. We installed towel racks that hang from the edge of the bathroom cabinet and kitchen counter drawers or door. We also added a "Roadtrek" spare tire hanger off the hitch for extended trips, although some modification of the licence plate was required. It isn't perfect (yet) because it interferes with the rear doors, but a modification in the mount should solve that. We did have a problem with our Automatic Transfer Switch which fried, so it is something to watch for. The biggest annoyance is the headrest of the bench seat that continually comes off. They use some weird type of hook and latch stuff that doesn't connect easily at all once it has come off. I too use a large storage box that rests on the floor which works well. But I find that the storage under the drawers under the bed holds all my "RV" stuff such as hoses, AC cords, chocks, levelers, tools, jack, air pump etc. with room to spare. Now I have to find your toilet tissue holder! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote my review above, my name appeared as "anonymous" but now I should appear as "Dan". Anyway, it is now spring and we have solved a few other issues. We had a modification done to accomodate the mounting of our spare tire. I went to a trailer hitch welding shop and had them weld a second "receiver" under the existing cross tube of the OEM hitch that came on my Travato. The receiver is behind the passenger side rear door. Now I have mounted the spare tire in this receiver instead of the centre original receiver. Being lower, I can simply fold down my spare tire mount to its horizontal position and open the doors. The passenger side rear door still only opens about half way, but it gives me full access to the switches and hose. The other door now opens fully for access to the storage under the bed. I didn't have to move or modify the licence plate after all. And the best part is that I now carry a full-sized spare tire, which will be great for my upcoming trip to Alaska. The thing is that we had the mount "over-engineered" so that it will survive the rigours of thousands of miles of travel. They even strengthened the hitch itself by adding more support from each end of the tube to the frame. We have added several other little things that really help. There are now self-adhesive hooks on the back wall of the bathroom that hold a cloth shoe rack which holds all kinds of toiletries. On the wall at the back of the Travato above the hose we added a couple more of the good 3-M hooks which are used to hang some coats. We added a paper towel rack above the sink, a fridge fan, a wireless fridge thermometer, another towel rack that hangs off the cupboard door below the sink, and we found one of the toilet paper plastic tubes which is now beside the toilet.
DeleteHas anyone had a problem with ground clearance? We just sold our VW Eurovan Weekender which had at least 7" of clearance and we never had a problem. We are not "pavement" campers and want to be able to drive on dirt roads without worry. We have been researching Road Trek, Pleaure Way and the Era but keep being drawn to the Travato. Many thanks for your comments! Lynne
ReplyDeleteI'm a little concerned about ground clearance with the info in your excellent video. Are you aware of any discussion or consideration about some sort of lift kit to get some more height?
ReplyDeleteSee my posts on Timbrens
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