I currently live full time in a 24ft Class C. I've decided to buy a Class B as my next home, and need inputs to choose between Travato 59G and used LT vans such as this 2006 Free Spirit http://www.rvt.com/Leisure-Travel-Free-Spirit-210-LLS-2006-Ada-MI-ID5708434-UX150329Reasons to choose LTV over Travato:1. The main reason is the price. $40,000 vs. Travato $70,000. Also Travato is the first Fiat based model, so I expect there will be more/better options in the next two years, and Travato's resale value will be low.2. Diesel. And Travato's water heating requires generator (although there is an propane heating option I think?)3. Small things that make a difference in full-time comfort: stable table (Travato's table is reported to be wobbly?), more counter space for cooking...Reasons to choose Travato:1. I like the flip bed. The floor plan feels more open than the "standard" seat/convertible bed in the back of the van.2. It's available at my local dealer. Although, I need to wait 10 weeks if I want to customize some options and special order. Buying used Leisure Travel online means more logistics and hassle. My goal is to live in it in the city for a little while, using it to commute and run errands too. After a year I'll leave the city and full time on the road. Travato and the used LTV both meet my criteria, unobtrusive, easy to drive, same interior height (6'3")...Your thoughts? (Btw, thanks to wincrasher65 and others who reported their experience on Travato. )

I would think long and hard about what you are looking for in an RV for full-timing.The LTV are very nice RV's. I considered a Libero, but ultimately thought it was too big for my uses.As you can tell from my posts, I've been trying to right-size my gear to fit into such a small RV as the Travato is. But I'm a weekender - maybe a 2 week trip at most. There are definitely quirks to work around with this van- especially the water heater. It's probably not a problem if you are going to campgrounds - but if you are stealthing or boon-docking, it may be an issue.The flip down bed really makes the Travato. I'm sure they will come up with other floor plans down the road. As far as you comment on resale - that is a crap-shoot. If they sell well, then it may be pretty good. If they don't then I think you are right. Too early to tell.I doubt I'd select a Travato for full timing. If you are planning most of your time "off-grid", you really need bigger tanks and also some outside storage.Also, for the price difference, I think I"d put up with a bit of hassle to make the deal. $30k difference will pay a lot of living expense.Good luck in whatever you decide!

Thanks much for the reply. Yes the holding capacity and storage are of concern for full timing.Has anyone bought a RAM ProMaster van and have conversion done? (here or on other B forums) For example I found this conversion company close to my Florida base location... http://www.floridarvdeals.com/projects Looks like you can buy the cargo van for under $30,000

The Travado is built on the ProMaster. Sportsmobile will build you one on the ProMaster, but storage, and tank size will still be limited.Do a search here for Ford Transit Van, it will have more storage, and larger tank capacities, if your able to wait a year or so.More Transit Van info.

Bear in mind owners' comments in this forum on the cost of MB repairs when looking at an 8 years old van. You'll probably leave some of that $30K savings at the local MB dealer. There's value in a new vehicle's warranty.Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

I know that Sportsmobile just started their first Promaster conversion. It is short, low model with poptop. The longest Promaster will be well over $30k, especially with power windows and swivel seats($500 each)Things you may not need but a definite help for resale. I would think any decent carpenter could build you an interior and electrical is not rocket science. That reminds me. The higher output alternater at 225 watts is essential. These prices can all be found on Dodges website. One way to simplify your build is using a portapotti like the Thetford curve which can be dumped into any toilet so finding a dumpsite is not needed. Those Travatos are nice but 2006 Sprinter will get great mpg in the low 20s. As long as the front seats swivel around it should be plenty livable with bigger tanks than the Trovato.

Travato vs. used Leisure Travel? | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

bobojay5
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
To the OP pellucid, $70k for a new Travato is the starting price for negotiations. They've been going for mid $60's lately at the volume dealers....
bobojay5
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
Seems after almost a year now, reading owner's experiences on other forums, aside from a few niggling issues there's no real big problems with the ProMaster van.
The issues I'm seeing, brake squeal, (Sprinters have that too), rear spring squeaking and some body door fit issues, (we've had this with both our Sprinters, big time with the newest one), are the biggest problems owners are having. 2 recalls over brake hoses and accelerator pedal issues were on very early production vans.
The engine, gasoline one, co-designed/developed by Mercedes, and transmission are veteran products that have been around for several years now in other vehicles so they are a proven design.
ProMasters are being discounted considerably by Ram dealers now, as will the Transit be once it gets out there in quantity, so you can take the initial cost estimates down somewhat.
bspurling
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
topless wrote:
I have 2 things that would keep me away from the Travato. Fiat and Winnebago, the proud maker of the famous LeSharo. Nothing against Winnebago, but they have picked some very poor chassis to convert to RVs IMHO. Maybe Fiat builds better stuff nowadays, but I would wait a couple years to see the reliability of the chassis.
I seriously doubt any MB vehicle would cost $30k in repairs, the difference between the 2 vans. And being that the Travato is a new van chassis, finding good service in rural areas might not be as easy as you think.
But, I've been known to hold a grudge for a long time and the 1 Fiat I owned was a pos, and it cost me more money in 7 months that I owned it than any vehicle I've ever owned. Besides, I hate FWD.

I understand your concerns, and I have no experience to argue otherwise. We've been very fortunate to be able to buy new, so don't really expect any chassis issues in the first year. And we haven't had any yet, either (sliding door excepted). We've been to a couple of dodge dealers, which seem very easy to find - thanks to the incredible proliferation of Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep in the US. But we visit for a service, not a breakdown, so we've not yet been forced to find help outside of an urban area.
topless
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
I have 2 things that would keep me away from the Travato. Fiat and Winnebago, the proud maker of the famous LeSharo. Nothing against Winnebago, but they have picked some very poor chassis to convert to RVs IMHO. Maybe Fiat builds better stuff nowadays, but I would wait a couple years to see the reliability of the chassis.
I seriously doubt any MB vehicle would cost $30k in repairs, the difference between the 2 vans. And being that the Travato is a new van chassis, finding good service in rural areas might not be as easy as you think.
But, I've been known to hold a grudge for a long time and the 1 Fiat I owned was a pos, and it cost me more money in 7 months that I owned it than any vehicle I've ever owned. Besides, I hate FWD.
bspurling
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
Maybe a bit late to the conversation, but don't rule out the Travato for full timing!

RE the water heater. It would be a dream-come-true if they'd made it work off propane. But they didn't. So we've become accustomed to cold showers. Occasionally we run the generator whilst driving towards a camping spot, but now that it's summer we don't even bother with that.

There's a full review and details of all the good points and bad points, discovered over 6 months and 20,000 miles, here: travato2014.wordpress.com.
stan909
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
I know that Sportsmobile just started their first Promaster conversion. It is short, low model with poptop. The longest Promaster will be well over $30k, especially with power windows and swivel seats($500 each)Things you may not need but a definite help for resale. I would think any decent carpenter could build you an interior and electrical is not rocket science. That reminds me. The higher output alternater at 225 watts is essential. These prices can all be found on Dodges website. One way to simplify your build is using a portapotti like the Thetford curve which can be dumped into any toilet so finding a dumpsite is not needed. Those Travatos are nice but 2006 Sprinter will get great mpg in the low 20s. As long as the front seats swivel around it should be plenty livable with bigger tanks than the Trovato.
Handbasket
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
Bear in mind owners' comments in this forum on the cost of MB repairs when looking at an 8 years old van. You'll probably leave some of that $30K savings at the local MB dealer. There's value in a new vehicle's warranty.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
Arizona_Kid
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
The Travado is built on the ProMaster. Sportsmobile will build you one on the ProMaster, but storage, and tank size will still be limited.
Do a search here for Ford Transit Van, it will have more storage, and larger tank capacities, if your able to wait a year or so.

More Transit Van info.
pellucid
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
Thanks much for the reply. Yes the holding capacity and storage are of concern for full timing.

Has anyone bought a RAM ProMaster van and have conversion done? (here or on other B forums) For example I found this conversion company close to my Florida base location... http://www.floridarvdeals.com/projects Looks like you can buy the cargo van for under $30,000
wincrasher65
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
I would think long and hard about what you are looking for in an RV for full-timing.

The LTV are very nice RV's. I considered a Libero, but ultimately thought it was too big for my uses.

As you can tell from my posts, I've been trying to right-size my gear to fit into such a small RV as the Travato is. But I'm a weekender - maybe a 2 week trip at most. There are definitely quirks to work around with this van- especially the water heater. It's probably not a problem if you are going to campgrounds - but if you are stealthing or boon-docking, it may be an issue.

The flip down bed really makes the Travato. I'm sure they will come up with other floor plans down the road. As far as you comment on resale - that is a crap-shoot. If they sell well, then it may be pretty good. If they don't then I think you are right. Too early to tell.

I doubt I'd select a Travato for full timing. If you are planning most of your time "off-grid", you really need bigger tanks and also some outside storage.

Also, for the price difference, I think I"d put up with a bit of hassle to make the deal. $30k difference will pay a lot of living expense.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

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Travato vs. used Leisure Travel?

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