I posted a rather long review of my new 2015 Winnebago Travato 59G. You may want to skip thru some parts that don't interest you.http://wincrasher.blogspot.com/2015/04/new-2015-winnebago-travato-59g.html

Great attention to detail.I knew you wouldn't disappoint. Thanks.

wincrasher65 wrote:I posted a rather long review of my new 2015 Winnebago Travato 59G. You may want to skip thru some parts that don't interest you.http://wincrasher.blogspot.com/2015/04/new-2015-winnebago-travato-59g.htmlGreat review of your Campervan, much , much better than those "PR" type reviewsThe equivalent here is the AVIDA Escape and it is much in need of an update, I think the next Caravsn and Camping show on next week, has a group of vehicles from AVIDA that have been renewedAVIDA Escape Video

Lot of good ideas in that one. Like the drawers available outside and the fold-out table.

Excellent video with a lot of information that is very helpful to me, a perspective buyer of the 59G. Just a couple follow-up questions.(1) Battery and Generator Position - How serious should one be concerned with the low clearance of the battery and generator, including the potential of getting them damaged? Furthermore, how difficulty would it be for doing some routine maintenance work on them yourself, particularly with the battery? A specific question that I have about the battery is whether it is easy to connect a trickle charge cable to the battery terminals during winter storage time without removing the battery. Also, how difficult it is to remove the battery in case you really have to without using a high bay?(2) The Need for Pumping out the Grey Tank - This is something that's not normally required by most other RVs and an additional piece of part to worry about. Do you think that this will stay with the 59G for a long time due to its particular floor plan or whether it likely that WB might eliminate this problem on the 2016 model of the 59G? (3) Any words on when the 2016 59G will become available? What some of the things that you would like to see improved on the third year model, such as switching to the new hot water heating system as that of the 59K?Thanks again for your great postings relating to the Winnebago Travato 59G and 59K.

The battery is 7 inches off the ground. It's AGM, so there really is no maintenance. The RV has a smart type charger/converter built in, so if you leave the rig plugged in, it will float the battery. I suppose, if you wanted to you could add a pigtail on the battery terminals to use a battery tender or some type device. Just a matter of crawling under the van and unbolting, and bolting it back together. Not a hard project at all.The generator is low. It would be tough to do generator maintenance without putting it on a lift or using some stout ramps. Ideally one of those quick lube places with the trench in the center of the floor would be the place to go. Someone who's actually do it themselves may want to chime in here.I'm not concerned with the low clearance under the van. It's still much higher than most cars. I just think you need to go around any debris you may encounter in the road instead of trying to run over it or straddle it with the tires. You may end up getting something stuck under there on the axle. But then again, it's certainly higher than my Honda Accord, and I've never hit anything or got anything wedged under it.The pump out is due to the layout and the shower being on the floor with no p-trap. I think any future models will also have this "feature" unless they can delete the generator and place the grey tank behind the rear axle. Not likely any time soon.Most B-vans actually have a macerator pump and small diameter hose on the black tank. To me, that sounds like more of a worry of a disgusting mess than a pump on the grey system. I believe now if you order a new van from the factory it will be a 2016 model. Someone said there are additional colors, but haven't said there were any new features. One way to find out is to ask your local dealer to get you a build/order sheet.Top of my list for things I'd like to see is the Truma system and a second battery. Think both of those are do-able.

Video Review of Winnebago Travato 59G | Good Sam Community

mlts22
Explorer
May 03, 2015
I have seen Sportsmobile mount taller generators. One of the issues is angle of departure, and last time I was under a "B", the generator was well out of that angle. From the video, it looks like the generator under the Travato is well under that angle as well, and protected by skid plates.

So far, I've not read anything about smashed generators, so I'm going to assume that for most things except for some of the nastiest terrain, the engineering is good enough to not worry.

The 2016 model has some incremental improvements. It has two AGM batteries, and the 59G goes with the Truma water heater and furnace. One can wait forever, but in life, one isn't getting any younger, and better get out camping while you can.
S_K_
Explorer
Apr 30, 2015
wincrasher65 wrote:
If you wait until something better or improved comes out, you'll always be waiting and never buy.

There is constant improvement in all models, as most manufacturers make running changes throughout the model year.

The only thing I know for sure is that there are some additional color choices available for 2016. The 59K is slowly being rolled out and there most likely will be tweaks to this model as time goes on.

Just sent you a PM.
wincrasher65
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015
If you wait until something better or improved comes out, you'll always be waiting and never buy.

There is constant improvement in all models, as most manufacturers make running changes throughout the model year.

The only thing I know for sure is that there are some additional color choices available for 2016. The 59K is slowly being rolled out and there most likely will be tweaks to this model as time goes on.
S_K_
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015
wincrasher65 wrote:
I believe now if you order a new van from the factory it will be a 2016 model. Someone said there are additional colors, but haven't said there were any new features.

Top of my list for things I'd like to see is the Truma system and a second battery. Think both of those are do-able.

Any update on any pending changes on the 2016 model yet? I understand that the 2016 59G model is already on the market but I guess it is an early version of the 2016 model at this time, most of the features are probably still similar to those of the 2015 one. I am seriously considering downsizing from my current TT/TV combo to a class B and the Travato 59G is one of my top choices. Any reason you would advise me to hold off a bit and see if any significant updates such as the Truma system will be implemented? Thanks!
stan909
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Lots of Sportsmobile off road vans with AGM batteries underneath with little to no issues.
bobojay5
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Davydd wrote:
Do AGM battery terminals have issues with corrosion that need tending and terminal cleaning or tightening? I never once saw the AGM chassis battery in my 2010 Sprinter in four years of ownership.

No they don't. There's no spillable liquid in them. Their outgassing is recycled back to the plates, (simple explanation)
SkiMore
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Thanks. A lot of great information in that video.
avanti
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Davydd wrote:
Do AGM battery terminals have issues with corrosion that need tending and terminal cleaning or tightening? I never once saw the AGM chassis battery in my 2010 Sprinter in four years of ownership.

I've never seen a hint of corrosion with AGM.
Davydd
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Do AGM battery terminals have issues with corrosion that need tending and terminal cleaning or tightening? I never once saw the AGM chassis battery in my 2010 Sprinter in four years of ownership.
bobojay5
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
jrobe wrote:
I would also be concerned about having my batteries exposed to the elements under the van. How does this work in rain, snow and mud? One rainy day on a dirt road and you would have a mess in those exposed battery slots.

This seems like a van built for blacktop roads which is fine for people that never leave the main highways. There are a lot of interesting places though that this van wouldn't see. I love the floor plan though.

Exposed battery slots? What's that? These are AGM batteries that WGO installs. They are sealed top, not serviceable. Only thing sticking out of them is the small posts with the bolt holes for the cables.
On the WGO Sprinter class B's, the coach batteries are right behind the rear wheels on both sides. Granted Sprinters have splash guards on the rears, but there is still a lot of water spray gets back there. Never been an issue for us or anyone else, (5 of them), that we know with the same setup.
Like has been said, 6 1/2 or 7" clearance back there is higher than most cars out there

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