Thor Compass Thor Gemini like Winnebago View Itasca Navion

[GORVN4FUN]

Ok... So, I would gladly trade in my class A MH for a Winnebago View or Itasca Navion. They are awesome quality from the Mercedes diesel chassis to the Winnebago design. But... they are expensive. I just found out that Thor has a Compass and Gemini build on a Ford diesel chassis based on a similar concept but not quite as good. Priced better. Any opinions?

[mm047]

The first several Transit based RV's are coming out on the 156" wheelbase cutaway, not on the longer 178" one. I can see why. The long wheelbase doesn't give any better weight capacity, so why go to the extra expense? Also, any C on that chassis would be a direct competitor to ones on the Sprinter.

I hope Ford ups the ratings on the longer chassis so RV builders can make a unit that tops the Sprinter units. The Sprinter has gone a long time without any real updating, and in my opinion, has really gotten old. Seating, climate control, brakes are all pretty bad.

By the way, Ford does not offer the EcoBoost in the cutaway, only the regular gasser or the diesel

[pnichols]

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[Dakzuki]

burlmart wrote:


diesel transit tows 5000# - winnie trend does 2000#

a lot going on in this ruv concept. fwiw, this C is one of the more B-like B+ motorhomes out there. from the video, it seems kinda' cramped. if you want any daylight from the 4 rear windows, you must extend bed slide. tthere seems to be a lot of interior 'finishing' material, which adds to a sense of plushness. didn't see if cab seats swivel.

coming from an A, the lack of a solid shower glass door may be an issue.

the long wheelbase and close-to-ground door entry may cause some scrapes in urban curbed entryways and/or uneven cg sites.

the unit looks fun, especially for a solo traveller.

The Fuse (Transit based) does not tow 5000 lbs however. GVW is 10,400 (which is where you will be when loaded to travel) and GCWR is 12,000. That leaves room to tow 1600 lbs. The same calculation needs to be made with the Trend to find actual towing capacity.

My Navion is rated to tow 5,000 lbs but I can't get there for the exact same reason. Fully laden, it is limited to about 4,000 lbs (assuming zero tongue weight). Tongue weight counts as vehicle cargo.

[GORVN4FUN]

burlmart wrote:
if you want any daylight from the 4 rear windows, you must extend bed slide.

I agree that the way they deal with the bed when slide-out is in is not something I would want when dry docking (wally world) on trips. I want something that is great for traveling more than camping. Also, something with good tow capacity.

[pnichols]

It looks like the new Ford Transit chassis with the 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 option is coming up close to the specs of the V10, so power should be adequate with this engine option for most U.S. market Class C models.

However, as shown in this link even the very heaviest Transit chassis - the 350HD DRW - has a GVWR of only 10,360 lbs., which is too light for many Class C applications:

http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transitcommercial/specifications/

Perhaps the good old Ford E350 and E450 chassis are proving to be a tough chassis to replace merely to gain some improved fuel mileage.

[burlmart]

diesel transit tows 5000# - winnie trend does 2000#

a lot going on in this ruv concept. fwiw, this C is one of the more B-like B+ motorhomes out there. from the video, it seems kinda' cramped. if you want any daylight from the 4 rear windows, you must extend bed slide. tthere seems to be a lot of interior 'finishing' material, which adds to a sense of plushness. didn't see if cab seats swivel.

coming from an A, the lack of a solid shower glass door may be an issue.

the long wheelbase and close-to-ground door entry may cause some scrapes in urban curbed entryways and/or uneven cg sites.

the unit looks fun, especially for a solo traveller.

[Old_Crows]

What Dakzuki said. Also, the Sprinter gets pretty good MPG.

[Dakzuki]

The Ford chassis has a gross weight more akin to the first generation of View/Navion and can tow much less.

In either case be mindful of OCCC numbers if you are downsizing from a class A.

[Gonzo42]

We like our View a lot. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. We bought ours used but practically new. See below.

[Snowman9000]

Nice size and floorplan. They are smaller than the View & Navion. Winnebago makes one too, called the Fuse.