New "Arriva" - Sprinter Class B from Coach House

stan909 wrote:
What a disappointment in the tank specs. The old MB Cruisers had huge tanks on a very similar floorplan.25gln fresh, 24gln grey, 30gln yes 30gln black and a rear garage to boot. I wonder why Forest River doesn't start making these again.

From what I am seeing about the Coach House Arriva is they are utilizing design criteria a decade old and not working hard to develop it. To get more tank capacity, B converters are going to more custom designed tanks to fit in every nook and cranny rather than a stock box that will fit in an available space. Then in addition there are simply load restrictions that limit the capacities of a B. Maybe the huge bathroom is adding too much weight.

There have been load capacity disasters in the past I am guessing. Forest River? I don't know. But you can bet Winnebago ERA and Thor Four Winds with the 2500 Sprinter extended van that both quietly discontinued after 2010 would have come back to bite them.

RayUSMC wrote:

Davydd wrote:
The mid beds can be used as twin beds no differently than twin beds put in the rear of Sprinters by most converters and allow for pass through to get to the bathroom.

If there is a market for a full bath separate shower configuration in a B this is a better solution than the LTV Free Spirit SS and Winnebago ERA 70C with slide outs. For one, it is zoned better. The bed is multifunctional (twin, king, social seating) but doesn't dominate or force an either or situation. For two people they still have well designed up front turned around seating for dining or desk work. Also, you can still function stealthily as a B with no slideout to make it work.

We like the multi-tasking twin beds and the fact it doesn't have a slide-out BUT it's still diesel and in our part of the world, diesel isn't as practical in price or availability. That and the scary high prices of the Coach House isn't practical for us either.

What can I say? RVs can't be all things to all people. There is not a single gas engine Class B RV I like. I base that on design criteria not the engine.

Davydd wrote:
The mid beds can be used as twin beds no differently than twin beds put in the rear of Sprinters by most converters and allow for pass through to get to the bathroom.

If there is a market for a full bath separate shower configuration in a B this is a better solution than the LTV Free Spirit SS and Winnebago ERA 70C with slide outs. For one, it is zoned better. The bed is multifunctional (twin, king, social seating) but doesn't dominate or force an either or situation. For two people they still have well designed up front turned around seating for dining or desk work. Also, you can still function stealthily as a B with no slideout to make it work.

We like the multi-tasking twin beds and the fact it doesn't have a slide-out BUT it's still diesel and in our part of the world, diesel isn't as practical in price or availability. That and the scary high prices of the Coach House isn't practical for us either.

avanti wrote:
The wardrobe in the bathroom is a bit strange.

This would be my main issue with the floorplan. I think they'd have been better off putting the sink and wardrobe next to the beds outside the bathroom area and the toilet and shower at the back.

That way, one person could be using the sink while the other is showering; one could be dressing while the other is using the toilet; etc.

2004 MB Cruiser .and only 22ft compared to the Couchhouses 24ft. Sometimes I think they just don't try.

What a disappointment in the tank specs. The old MB Cruisers had huge tanks on a very similar floorplan.25gln fresh, 24gln grey, 30gln yes 30gln black and a rear garage to boot. I wonder why Forest River doesn't start making these again.

The mid beds can be used as twin beds no differently than twin beds put in the rear of Sprinters by most converters and allow for pass through to get to the bathroom.

If there is a market for a full bath separate shower configuration in a B this is a better solution than the LTV Free Spirit SS and Winnebago ERA 70C with slide outs. For one, it is zoned better. The bed is multifunctional (twin, king, social seating) but doesn't dominate or force an either or situation. For two people they still have well designed up front turned around seating for dining or desk work. Also, you can still function stealthily as a B with no slideout to make it work.

mlts22 wrote:


Coach House admittedly is a top tier "C" builder with the one piece fiberglass frame. I'm sure their "B" will be as well made, with a price tag to match.

I'm sure you're right about that price. We toured a couple of their models at a big rally two years ago. Prices were scary high. An owner of the company was there and said their target market is downsizing Class A luxury motorhome owners.

(I like the layout of their Platinum II 240 sofa and queen bed if I win the lottery and want something bigger than a B.)

mlts22 wrote:
The amidships beds reminds me of Airstream's old "B" floor plan in the T1N rigs.

Sort of. But the huge bath (which looks great if that is a priority) makes for serious compromises elsewhere. Tiny galley, no place for the media cabinet. The wardrobe in the bathroom is a bit strange.

The amidships beds reminds me of Airstream's old "B" floor plan in the T1N rigs.

Coach House admittedly is a top tier "C" builder with the one piece fiberglass frame. I'm sure their "B" will be as well made, with a price tag to match.