Choice between two TT's

[Steve_911]

Hi all,
The wife and I are down to a short list of two travel trailers, and would love some opinions on these units please: 2017 Venture Sonic Lite SL167ms. And the other is 2017 Jayco Hummingbird 17RK.
Both units have rear kitchens allowing for good storage for TT's of that size. We are kind of leaning towards the Sonic because of no step up into the small bath.(bad knees), but not sure if the two brands are on a par construction wise.
Any comments pro or con are much appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

[Bumpyroad]

I don't particularly like that AC setup in the 167, convection oven is nice, seems like a lot of storage. only the one pass thru storage on the outside.
bumpy

[Viggen46]

Hello all. Haven't posted on the introduction page yet, but had to ask on this post. My wife and I well more me right now is interested in a Sonic Lite 167 also. Would like to know more about this unit. Only dealer in the state no longer carries the Venture brand.
So far I have narrowed it down to 4 different TT's. Curious as to what Steve thought about it, and if he has made his choice yet.

Thanks
Viggen46

[Bumpyroad]

deltabravo wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
my Ascend has an unducted roof AC and wall thermostat. wouldn't have bought it without one.
bumpy

What brand is the A/C unit?

Is there a switch on the t-stat that controls high and low fan speed as well?

Coleman Mach,
system: cool,fan,off,heat
Fan: auto, LH; ON, LH
bumpy

[Steve_911]

I just threw in the GVWR because someone would surely ask..lol. I agree, actual weight, but I have to start somewhere because we haven't seen this unit yet. As far as a/c, a roof mount is an option on these. Don't know brand of a/c yet, we will travel, a couple of hours drive, to see a new one on Tuesday.

[deltabravo]

Bumpyroad wrote:
my Ascend has an unducted roof AC and wall thermostat. wouldn't have bought it without one.
bumpy

What brand is the A/C unit?

Is there a switch on the t-stat that controls high and low fan speed as well?

[Bumpyroad]

deltabravo wrote:

Steve 911 wrote:
It looks like we are going to see a new Sonic lite167 next week. Our tv will be a 2016 Highlander V-6 awd, with tow package. Owners manual says 5000 lbs and 500 tongue weight, but I don't trust those numbers..The Sonic info says GVWR of 4000lbs, and hitch of 350. My question is, does this sound like a reasonable weight for my tv?

Sounds like a good combination to me.

I pulled my Ascend which is similar with my Highlander with tow package and it was adequate. but IMHO it is stupid to use GVWR unless you plan on loading the RV up to that. what is the actual weight, what is the estimated weight you will be at with 1,000 lbs. of "stuff"., etc.
bumpy

[Bumpyroad]

deltabravo wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

I'm not too impressed with the air conditioner setup, looks like a window unit that would be blowing all the time. no wall mounted thermostat for it.
bumpy

Pretty normal for roof mounted A/C units to also not have a wall thermostat, unless it's a Ducted A/C = which eliminates the roof mounted control panel. At least that's what I've seen while looking at many RVs over the last 10 years.

I am also not too fond of the household style wall mounted A/C units used in an RV. I think they do it to save cost, height and maybe a little bit of weight.

my Ascend has an unducted roof AC and wall thermostat. wouldn't have bought it without one.
bumpy

[deltabravo]

Steve 911 wrote:
It looks like we are going to see a new Sonic lite167 next week. Our tv will be a 2016 Highlander V-6 awd, with tow package. Owners manual says 5000 lbs and 500 tongue weight, but I don't trust those numbers..The Sonic info says GVWR of 4000lbs, and hitch of 350. My question is, does this sound like a reasonable weight for my tv?

Sounds like a good combination to me.

[deltabravo]

Bumpyroad wrote:

I'm not too impressed with the air conditioner setup, looks like a window unit that would be blowing all the time. no wall mounted thermostat for it.
bumpy

Pretty normal for roof mounted A/C units to also not have a wall thermostat, unless it's a Ducted A/C = which eliminates the roof mounted control panel. At least that's what I've seen while looking at many RVs over the last 10 years.

I am also not too fond of the household style wall mounted A/C units used in an RV. I think they do it to save cost, height and maybe a little bit of weight.

[Steve_911]

It looks like we are going to see a new Sonic lite167 next week. Our tv will be a 2016 Highlander V-6 awd, with tow package. Owners manual says 5000 lbs and 500 tongue weight, but I don't trust those numbers..The Sonic info says GVWR of 4000lbs, and hitch of 350. My question is, does this sound like a reasonable weight for my tv?
The dry weight of the Sonic is listed at 2898, but I'm going to try not to load so much stuff as to be close to that 4K.
Thanks for responses ...

[Bumpyroad]

Camsmom wrote:
Personally the Sonic wins for me. The overall inside feel is bigger with 4 more inches of interior height, its got a regular bathroom with a full sink and some bathroom storage. The bed will be much easier to access, tank sizes are larger. Overall just looks like a more finished unit with better use of space.

yep, no wet bath and a real vanity. where do you set stuff in the Jaco.
bumpy

[Camsmom]

Personally the Sonic wins for me. The overall inside feel is bigger with 4 more inches of interior height, its got a regular bathroom with a full sink and some bathroom storage. The bed will be much easier to access, tank sizes are larger. Overall just looks like a more finished unit with better use of space.

[CaperGuy3]

I'd reject the Jayco for the simple reason of the wall to wall bed. We have a 2013 R-pod with wall to wall bed and it is a PITA if one of us has to get up in the middle of the night to use the washroom. The inside person has to crawl over the outside person to get out. It would be great for a single person. This is why we are trading it in next week on a new TT

[Bumpyroad]

Steve 911 wrote:
Thanks everyone for your comments...
Here is a video for the Sonic I'm interested in.

https://youtu.be/sZWVt8zpXCM

IIRC the other one had a convection/microwave which I would prefer.
I'm not too impressed with the air conditioner setup, looks like a window unit that would be blowing all the time. no wall mounted thermostat for it. but all in all a nice looking unit.
bumpy