Itasca VIVA

Bumpyroad wrote:
looked at those yesterday at my winnie dealer, or I assume the same as the Trend. my only issue is a lack of ability to tow over 2,000 lbs. guess something has to be sacrificed to get mileage, would like 65 mpg :) however.
bumpy

Not a problem with Diesels that are common here, but non-existent in the US
European Detleffs, Ducato based Motohome

I have had one for about 5 months. I have taken it from FL to VA beach and back. Then to KY and back to FL. I'm getting between 12 to 14 mpg. This is with pulling a 5x8 covered trailer doing about 65 to 75 mph. Great RV, my first one. Knew nothing of them before but this. It was simple to drive, park and stay in. The only complaint I have is the constant shifting. I have made some mods to it but nothing mechanical. Tons of storage too. Plenty of power to go up hills and take off. Drives like a van and a little squirly with semis going by but like I said its my first one so nothing to compare to other than my ram truck.

Drove home our 2015 Viva 23B this week and here is my impressions/findings:
Drove like a full size van (I've owned several)which I like.
Fit and finish was excellent (the dealer left out the ladder to the loft bed)
Held the road well when passed by semi's
The computer says we got 11 mpg but then it has only 400 miles on it and expect better when it's broke in. When I fill up I'll know for sure.
Outside storage is just one compartment but we always carried more than we ever used.
The tv system worked great. On-air channels reception is better than my house antenna.
Bought it for under 74K and could have gotten it for $1550.00 less at another dealer if I hadn't needed to trade in our old MH.

tfrazie wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
looked at those yesterday at my winnie dealer, or I assume the same as the Trend. my only issue is a lack of ability to tow over 2,000 lbs. guess something has to be sacrificed to get mileage, would like 65 mpg :) however.
bumpy

Trend and Viva identical except for exterior graphics.

I plan to tow one or sometimes two motorcycles. Also a friend tows a smart car and says it works well. Could be towed by the Trend/Viva. They weigh between ~1630 to 1808 lbs depending on year and model. He loves it for that reason and it does run well. It's just it would be a lot smarter than it got better than 38 MPG.

Although it is a bit longer and wider (and 1' less tall) than my former Westy, it handles at least as well if not better than the Westy including the turning radius. It stands to reason barring the longer parking space required, that the more nimble and small a rig is, fewer reasons exist to pull a TOAD. So high towing capability in this size rig with such automotive-like handling and good gas (not diesel) mileage will be a good trade off for many folks.

For what its worth most people with smart cars seem to record 42 to 46 MPG for the US variant after the first 5000 to 10,000 miles. They seem s little tight when they are new. They are still the highest mileage non hybrid out there. Count on it coming in around 1900 pounds and you will a little closer to the real weight. The new model will be out in 2015 and is reported to break the 50 mpg U.S. mark. We shall see.

Good luck

Bumpyroad wrote:
looked at those yesterday at my winnie dealer, or I assume the same as the Trend. my only issue is a lack of ability to tow over 2,000 lbs. guess something has to be sacrificed to get mileage, would like 65 mpg :) however.
bumpy

Trend and Viva identical except for exterior graphics.

I plan to tow one or sometimes two motorcycles. Also a friend tows a smart car and says it works well. Could be towed by the Trend/Viva. They weigh between ~1630 to 1808 lbs depending on year and model. He loves it for that reason and it does run well. It's just it would be a lot smarter than it got better than 38 MPG.

Although it is a bit longer and wider (and 1' less tall) than my former Westy, it handles at least as well if not better than the Westy including the turning radius. It stands to reason barring the longer parking space required, that the more nimble and small a rig is, fewer reasons exist to pull a TOAD. So high towing capability in this size rig with such automotive-like handling and good gas (not diesel) mileage will be a good trade off for many folks.

looked at those yesterday at my winnie dealer, or I assume the same as the Trend. my only issue is a lack of ability to tow over 2,000 lbs. guess something has to be sacrificed to get mileage, would like 65 mpg :) however.
bumpy

Took delivery of my 23L Itasca Viva 3 weeks ago today. On that day, after 160 mile ride home I averaged 15.5 MPG according to onboard computer. Was averaging 65 MPG. Uses 87 octane gasoline. Had full tanks each of fuel, propane and fresh water onboard a
But just 1 occupant - me.

AMAZINGINGLY it is very peppy and has surprisingly VERY short turning radius.

BTW, the FloorPlan model may have the number 23 contained in it but it's 24' long. Someone suggested it might be 23'.

-Tim

Bel Air, MD

Dakzuki wrote:
Don't believe the claimed fuel economy numbers from dealers. Get it from somebody that actually owns one.

Just drove home our '14 Viva. According to the on board computer average mpg was 16. It spiked up and down from 8 at a low to 26 at the highest. Varied the speed limit from 60 to 75 mph. The mpg didn't vary much on either side of 70. This wasn't a scientific calculation ;) I know that there are a lot of variables to figure into the equation. just my observation.

We downsized from a Bounder (6mpg) and with some planning we can make this work. :)

Don't believe the claimed fuel economy numbers from dealers. Get it from somebody that actually owns one.