Received a newsletter in the mail from Coach House, a 30-year old, factory-direct RV manufacturer in Venice, Florida. They started as a Class B builder but stopped when they began making their Platinum series Class Cs (expensive.)The only floor plan offered has mid-coach twin beds, convertible to a king, and what looks like a good-sized dry bath in the back. Three way fridge. The only exterior color is a solid silvery gray metallic. I didn't see a price.Arriva

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

New "Arriva" - Sprinter Class B from Coach House

wincrasher65
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014
I don't think adding a cargo carrier to a smaller van is dumb at all. My van is now about 23' in total length with it on. It's a good place to put dirty and stinky stuff. You may think that it's now almost as large as an extended length sprinter . Well that is not true in a real sense. You don't loose the nimble handling of the smaller van, not the lower roof height. Certainly maintaining more strealth than a tall, long van like a sprinter xl. Adding a cargo carrier to such a big van is certainly makes a ridiculously sized vehicle even more ridiculous and even more difficult to find a parking spot that will fit it when in town. My van will still find street parking even with the cargo carrier attached.
Davydd
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014
I too was never anxious to grow beyond the 22'-9" Sprinter size but finally ordered the 24'-1" Sprinter model. I analyzed it from every angle from interior design freedom to get what I wanted, to tank capacities, to electrical system capabilities (batteries and solar) to storage, including storage options, and considering even though we are not full timers we live in the thing a third of the year. In space alone that additional 16" gives you 55 cubic feet. Think about this. If you add a hitch cargo carrier on the back end you extend the length of a standard Sprinter to nearly 26' for about 15 cubic feet of additional storage. To me that is dumb. My general observation has been the shorter the van the more likely the owner will add a hitch cargo carrier thus negating all the supposed advantage.
RayUSMC
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014
TheFitRV James wrote:
stan909 wrote:
2004 MB Cruiser .and only 22ft compared to the Couchhouses 24ft. Sometimes I think they just don't try.

Amen, brother Stan! We have an '03 MB Cruiser. Ample (and basically cubic) tank capacity. 2500 chassis. Mid-ship bed/sofa/dinette. Dry bath. China Toilet. Remodeled in solid wood. Still well under weight.

"They just don't try" sums it up, I think.

I agree. Sometimes they don't want to spend the money to change their factory set up either. That's just poor leadership with no vision.
Arizona_Kid
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014
A little hint, you can Edit your posts so you don't have to post a new one with practically the same info, and only a few minutes apart. icydk
Fastpaddler
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014
NCWriter wrote:
Fastpaddler wrote:
During my 8 years in Japan I saw plenty of 4/6 tatami mat sized apts which were almost totally inferior to my little old 06(07build)PW Plateau TS. We spend 2 weeks or more on the road with stays of several days at some places. The Arriva is certainly up to that job but the price and length:No in my book!

What is the price?

With the Sprinter body/chassis and interior amenities you can expect no price less than 100 to 125K$US or more. At 24ft length I have other units I prefer. I really want to stay within 22ft9ins due to parking as I use my rv as second vehicle as well as unhook and use it when at an rv resort.
Fastpaddler
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014
NCWriter wrote:
Fastpaddler wrote:
During my 8 years in Japan I saw plenty of 4/6 tatami mat sized apts which were almost totally inferior to my little old 06(07build)PW Plateau TS. We spend 2 weeks or more on the road with stays of several days at some places. The Arriva is certainly up to that job but the price and length:No in my book!

What is the price?

No official price given at website but given the quality of the Arriva you can be sure it will be at least 125,000$. PWs,GWVs & LTVs with that setup are that much here or more, perhaps a little less in the US. Anybody else know? I am committed to 22ft 9ins max.
NCWriter
Explorer
Jul 09, 2014
Fastpaddler wrote:
During my 8 years in Japan I saw plenty of 4/6 tatami mat sized apts which were almost totally inferior to my little old 06(07build)PW Plateau TS. We spend 2 weeks or more on the road with stays of several days at some places. The Arriva is certainly up to that job but the price and length:No in my book!

What is the price?
Fastpaddler
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
During my 8 years in Japan I saw plenty of 4/6 tatami mat sized apts which were almost totally inferior to my little old 06(07build)PW Plateau TS. We spend 2 weeks or more on the road with stays of several days at some places. The Arriva is certainly up to that job but the price and length:No in my book!
TheFitRV_James
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
stan909 wrote:
2004 MB Cruiser .and only 22ft compared to the Couchhouses 24ft. Sometimes I think they just don't try.

Amen, brother Stan! We have an '03 MB Cruiser. Ample (and basically cubic) tank capacity. 2500 chassis. Mid-ship bed/sofa/dinette. Dry bath. China Toilet. Remodeled in solid wood. Still well under weight.

"They just don't try" sums it up, I think.
wincrasher65
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
That's why you get a black tank flush as well as coat the tank with water softener & detergent. You can make it nearly non-stick, but have a way to rinse it out too.