Axis/Vegas gas mileage and other pros and cons

Meant to add that on our first trip we got around 10 mpg with no toad. Hoping to improve that as we break in the engine! Inside and outside storage is great! We were able to empty entire contents of our 37 foot A into the Axis for trip home! Hubby says sewage connection is very cramped as is front engine access. He is already dreading oil and battery changes! Inside outlets are well thought out and LOVE the led lighting!

Happily Retired 2 wrote:
We've had our Axis for 2 weeks. Drove 500 miles to see one at the Tampa show! We wanted to compare it to the sprinter models with the back queen slide and to several b plus models.What ultimately decided us on the Axis were the very useable cab seats when turned. Unlike the others, the cab floor is raised in the Axis so you are not practically sitting on the floor!! Also, in the b plus models we looked at only the passenger seat turned., and it was impossible to get larger than a corner bed at 25 feet!!Liked the Sprinters but couldn't imagine my knees enjoying sitting in those low front seats when camping!! My least favorite part of the Axis is the shower set up. Not great to use with shower curtain and hose from sink. Also, commode is raised and not super comfortable for tall person so might be real problem for shorter folks! Great for my 6 foot husband! As for other amenities am really sold on this coach! Drives great and we can finally turn around in our motorhome driveway! Bed is comfortable!! Am working on how best to handle bedding on oversized king!! Love electric bunk that looks like part of the ceiling!!Couch is comfortable! It has 2 tables with storage behind the couch for them and bunk ladder. Really love that doghouse is moved forward making driver's seat so much more accessible! Also love steps inside coach. We were having to heft an older 80 pound lab up the electric steps of our class A! Not an issue with the Axis!! Feel we have more issues with Thor factory quality than should be but am in the midst of getting warranty work for those. Feel sure Thor will stand behind all warranty work but will know more soon and advise if they don't!! Overall we love the innovations and drivability of this coach!

Any MPG numbers yet?

We've had our Axis for 2 weeks. Drove 500 miles to see one at the Tampa show! We wanted to compare it to the sprinter models with the back queen slide and to several b plus models.What ultimately decided us on the Axis were the very useable cab seats when turned. Unlike the others, the cab floor is raised in the Axis so you are not practically sitting on the floor!! Also, in the b plus models we looked at only the passenger seat turned., and it was impossible to get larger than a corner bed at 25 feet!!Liked the Sprinters but couldn't imagine my knees enjoying sitting in those low front seats when camping!! My least favorite part of the Axis is the shower set up. Not great to use with shower curtain and hose from sink. Also, commode is raised and not super comfortable for tall person so might be real problem for shorter folks! Great for my 6 foot husband! As for other amenities am really sold on this coach! Drives great and we can finally turn around in our motorhome driveway! Bed is comfortable!! Am working on how best to handle bedding on oversized king!! Love electric bunk that looks like part of the ceiling!!Couch is comfortable! It has 2 tables with storage behind the couch for them and bunk ladder. Really love that doghouse is moved forward making driver's seat so much more accessible! Also love steps inside coach. We were having to heft an older 80 pound lab up the electric steps of our class A! Not an issue with the Axis!! Feel we have more issues with Thor factory quality than should be but am in the midst of getting warranty work for those. Feel sure Thor will stand behind all warranty work but will know more soon and advise if they don't!! Overall we love the innovations and drivability of this coach!

That size A gasser was still pretty common in the early to mid 1980s, most built on 12,300 pound GVWR (or lighter) Chevy G-series bare chassis. Still a long way from the under 3500 KG GVWR typical of "Integral" motorhomes built on FWD diesel chassis for the EU market. (Even Winnebago's Ducato-based C will be over 10,000 pounds). But if we are going to try smaller RVs here, probably better to approach it in small steps.

It is still about 11 feet high, almost 8 wide, so you can expect the same gas mileage as a C on that chassis. Marketing it as "same size as a SUV" is stretching things a lot.

The RUV is basically a different body for Thor's smallest Class C frames.

Winnebago/Itasca has had a very similar vehicle out for several years - the Via/ Reyo with a Mercedes Diesel rather than the Ford E-350. The gas engine and Ford frame is going to make the MSRP about 95K vice 125K for the diesel.

The floorplan offered by Thor with the big rear twin/king bed is one of three floor plans Winnebago/Itasca put on their frames. I've seen that floor plan several times and they appear to sell well here in the Dallas area.

Mileage is going to be worse than the Mercedes Sprinter diesels - which I've seen claims from 18 to 23 mpg. Looking at typical posts on mileage - I'd guess you might see 15-18 if you drive it carefully. But I'd expect near the lower end.

Basically you should get near the same mileage as any 23-25 foot Class C. It should also ride near the same - similar weight - identical chassis.

For a couple on trips normally less than three weeks it should be a fine vehicle. If they live 'small' without a lot of stuff. And can sleep a grand kid or two for a couple days.

It is small enough to unhook almost every day, drive to Wally World to go sight seeing.

Heck it probably gets better mileage sight seeing than 95% of the trucks pulling big 5ers or TT.

The concept of unhooking to run to the grocery store doesn't appeal to me, but I've seen probably 100 rigs this summer in that size range who do it and are very happy.

RV business' 2014 RV of the year. Seems a little premature but it's definitely an interesting concept. Without owning one I would say size could be a pro or a con depending on your perception. The bedroom is interesting but not sure I could deal with a large bed and no nightstands, and the soft side shower with the hose from the faucet is a bit of a tunoff. I checked prices and a larger entry level class A can be had for the same price, but I guess if an RUV is what you're after, this fits the bill. I too would be curious about MPG and the ride. Certainly cheaper than a class B and has more room.