First Ram Promaster van class B
Tonight Winnebago introduced a new class B offering on the new Ram Promaster van calling it the "Travato". More info to come.
Forum Discussion
Time will tell about how the Sprinter fares. I was initially hesitant on anything Sprinter because of the exact same questions that mumkin has. However, there isn't anything to say that the ProMaster vans or the Transits might be any better when it comes to service availability. Oil changes are not too bad on Sprinters because Mobile 1 which is up to Mercedes's grade is commonly available.
In the best of all worlds, both vans (even with the high roof) will be serviced by any dealer who can handle pickup trucks. In the worst case, it will be "five star dealers", or only a select few which will have the taller bays to handle the vans. Dodge dealers are more common, but if only a select few bother to handle the van, then it will be the same problem as before with the Sprinter servicing. Who knows if all Ford dealers will service Transits, or if they might fall into this trap.
The videos are linked to the classbforum post about this topic. My quick sentiments from the brief tour:
1: Decent sized refrigerator, similar to the 70A floorplan. One gives up a clear view across one side for it though, which can make some people claustrophobic.
2: The bed is a fold down bed. OK for two people who don't mind sleeping together, but a deal-breaker for, say a brother and sister, or father/daughter on a camping trip. For one person, the fold down bed provides additional storage, as well as a nice place to put bicycles. The second bed appears to be a combination of stuff from the dinette. Would be nice to see it folded down to see if it can sleep a shorter adult cross-wise. Also, the mattress on the rear bed is a funky shape (good luck finding a replacement), and fairly thin. A Travasak can help things here, since there isn't a standard sheet set.
3: I cannot tell if the model is a gasser or a diesel. Diesels have more torque, gassers have the ability to have a gasoline generator for more run time.
4: The van is shorter than a Sprinter (although no clue on length), which is why the bed and bathroom have to overlap, length-wise. Maybe it can compete as a decent low-priced alternative to the Roadtrek SS Agile.
5: Not sure on storage space inside. I saw in the vid some of the overhead cabinets, and a closet.
6: I wonder what its towing capacity will be. The ability to safely use a hitch mounted cargo rack or even a small enclosed trailer will come into handy.
7: Stove and sink are Dometic/SMEV flush mounted models (which are definitely nice to have.) I wonder if WGO might have been better off going with the combined stove/sink offerings for more space savings.
8: Bathroom looked OK, but to maximize room, they went with a sliding panel door.
All and all, a definite competitor to the older Chevy van models. I'd love to see specs, especially tank capacities.
In the best of all worlds, both vans (even with the high roof) will be serviced by any dealer who can handle pickup trucks. In the worst case, it will be "five star dealers", or only a select few which will have the taller bays to handle the vans. Dodge dealers are more common, but if only a select few bother to handle the van, then it will be the same problem as before with the Sprinter servicing. Who knows if all Ford dealers will service Transits, or if they might fall into this trap.
The videos are linked to the classbforum post about this topic. My quick sentiments from the brief tour:
1: Decent sized refrigerator, similar to the 70A floorplan. One gives up a clear view across one side for it though, which can make some people claustrophobic.
2: The bed is a fold down bed. OK for two people who don't mind sleeping together, but a deal-breaker for, say a brother and sister, or father/daughter on a camping trip. For one person, the fold down bed provides additional storage, as well as a nice place to put bicycles. The second bed appears to be a combination of stuff from the dinette. Would be nice to see it folded down to see if it can sleep a shorter adult cross-wise. Also, the mattress on the rear bed is a funky shape (good luck finding a replacement), and fairly thin. A Travasak can help things here, since there isn't a standard sheet set.
3: I cannot tell if the model is a gasser or a diesel. Diesels have more torque, gassers have the ability to have a gasoline generator for more run time.
4: The van is shorter than a Sprinter (although no clue on length), which is why the bed and bathroom have to overlap, length-wise. Maybe it can compete as a decent low-priced alternative to the Roadtrek SS Agile.
5: Not sure on storage space inside. I saw in the vid some of the overhead cabinets, and a closet.
6: I wonder what its towing capacity will be. The ability to safely use a hitch mounted cargo rack or even a small enclosed trailer will come into handy.
7: Stove and sink are Dometic/SMEV flush mounted models (which are definitely nice to have.) I wonder if WGO might have been better off going with the combined stove/sink offerings for more space savings.
8: Bathroom looked OK, but to maximize room, they went with a sliding panel door.
All and all, a definite competitor to the older Chevy van models. I'd love to see specs, especially tank capacities.
