2014 Winnebago Travato

[markopolo]

I saw a post on mentioning a new Class B from Winnebago named the Travato that will based on the Ram Promaster van.
Same post on RV.net : http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fusea ... 911253.cfm

Winnebago is not wasting any time - it is going to be an exciting year for Class B enthusiasts!

Winnebago Industries is holding its “Game On” Dealer Days Event from April 29-May 1 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and is unveiling its all-new lineup to dealers.

Here's some info about the 2014 Ram ProMaster van http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...php?f=9&t=2483

I wonder if the Winnebago Travato will look anything like the Fiat Ducato based Westfalia shown here: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...php?f=9&t=2243
-------------------------------------------
Winnebago Travato quick links:
Preliminary Specifications
Main Photos, Photos 2, Photos 3, Photos 4
Videos

[markopolo]

Two photos of the new Winnebago Travato via Twitter links

[Mike]

The end of the Sprinter as a base chassis? On price alone, I'd guess. Unless Fiat/Chrysler or Ford do something stupid like trying place their price point close to the MB product.
We've all seen dumber stuff happen.

Looks like the imported one I saw a few years back at Bryce Canyon.
http://classbforum.com/coppermine/thumb ... m=2&page=3
http://classbforum.com/coppermine/thumb ... m=2&page=4

I see you added your Travato pic to the same picture section of the forum for comparison.

[markopolo]

yes - definitely a European look.

a bit more info:

Winnebago Touring Coach includes the very successful Era® product, which is built on the Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter chassis, as well as the new Travato™ Class B product built on the exciting new Ram ProMaster Chassis. The Travato is a new fuel-efficient entry into the Class B market with fuel economy of 15-18 miles per gallon and represents another aggressive "industry first" for Winnebago Industries.

and another photo of the new Winnebago Travato Class B based on the Ram ProMaster van.



I wonder if the main sleeping area is near the front with a bathroom in the rear?

Any guesses on the msrp price? It has to cost less than their Era model which can be had for $85,000.

[Mike]

Fuel economy estimate suggests a gasoline powered engine?
Still, no worse than any other Ford/GM non-Sprinter styled commercial vans.

Chassis price info? I see mention of an eco-diesel engine and 6 speed auto-trans.
It's not a Chrysler/Fiat website, but there is button to click to see the official manufacturer's press release.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2014 ... at-26-030/

Looks like the cargo version is under $30,000.

[markopolo]

Lichtsinn Motors was kind enough to send me the following info about the new Winnebago Travato 59G:
They were one of the first to have all the info on the Winnebago Era and they've done it again

Lichtsinn Motors
http://www.lichtsinn.com/rvs-default.aspx

826 Highway 69 North
Forest City, IA 50436

1-800-343-6255
Phone: 641-585-3213
Fax: 641-585-5758

sales@lichtsinn.com

Contact them if you are interested. They tend to have very good pricing.

The details:

1. Travato 59G, part of the Winnebago Touring Coach Division housing the Era and Travato
2. Ram Promaster chassis
3. 3.6L V6 gas engine 280 HP
4. Front wheel drive
5. Rear full bed on a platform
6. Enlarged marine bath
7. Cross coach sleeping with dinette
8. 20’ 11”
9. 6’ 8” wide
10. 9’ tall
11. 11’ electric awning with LED lighting
12. 9,350 GVWR
13. Estimated CCC of over 500 lbs after deducting for people and full fluids
14. 159” wheelbase
15. Front seats that rotate to become integral living components
16. Exclusive refer with freezer
17. 24 g fuel tank
18. Estimated highway 18MPG
19. Rand McNally GPS option
20. LED lighting

and another photo of the Travato 59G from Winnebago Touring Coach Division courtesy of Lichtsinn Motors:

[markopolo]

More photos from Lichtsinn Motors http://www.lichtsinn.com/rvs-default.aspx

[Mike]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Lichtsinn Motors was kind enough to send me the following info about the new Winnebago Travato 59G:
They were one of the first to have all the info on the Winnebago Era and they've done it again

Lichtsinn Motors
http://www.lichtsinn.com/rvs-default.aspx

826 Highway 69 North
Forest City, IA 50436

1-800-343-6255
Phone: 641-585-3213
Fax: 641-585-5758


Contact them if you are interested. They tend to have very good pricing.

They should be one of the first to get the scoop on all things Winnebago, they're located about a mile north of Winnebago Industries on Old Highway 69 in Forest City, IA.

How do I contact Winnebago Industries?
Mail: Winnebago Industries, Inc.
605 W. Crystal Lake Rd
P.O. Box 152
Forest City, IA 50436-0152

PDI and freight should only be a few dollars over that distance, so their prices are probably really good.
My only concern might be trying to use a 280HP V6 to pull what is probably a fairly heavy vehicle when loaded up with the RV systems. No mention of the torque of that motor/transmission combo.

[booster]

Yep, the 280hp may be a problem based on what the torque looks like. Probably not great from a 3.6Liter. Front drive might be OK, but it pretty heavy for a front drive, we will see how that works out, but it leaves lots of space with no tunnel, which is very nice for the builder. 500# load capacity is really low. Looks like crossways sleeping which would rule it out for DW, as she insists on front to rear.

The good part is that it is going to put some pressure on the Sprinters, which they badly need, and also add some gas engine options for folks. There is not much bad that can happen from more models and options.

[mlts22]

What will sell the Travato model to me over the ERA will be two things. Price (if it is 95% of a Sprinter for $15-20k less), and the Pentastar model with a gasoline generator, which gives more versatility when finding fuel, although diesel isn't hard to find anymore compared to how it was in the past. Of course, I wonder how Dodge will handle servicing of the van. I'm hoping any RAM dealer can handle the vans, versus the Five Star dealers when they co-made Sprinters.

[markopolo]

............
13. Estimated CCC of over 500 lbs after deducting for people and full fluids
................

My guess is that allows for 4 people given the number of seat belts.

The rear bed must sleep lengthwise - rear to front. The little cut-off corner of the bed reminds me of what you see in small Class C's. The pillows on the side make it look like cross coach sleeping but there isn't enough room crossways because there is a structure in the rear corner which I think is the bathroom (or closet).

The front dinette that converts into a bed is crossways sleeping for sure.

This is a Class B that sleeps four people without having to carry an extra mattress.

[markopolo]

I'd like to see a few more photos of the interior of the Winnebago Travato 59G.
The permanent rear bed coupled with the semi-permanent front dinette would work well for us.
The dinette is very useful as a desk etc. and you still have the two swiveled front seats for sitting.
Bathroom and kitchen area photos are needed

[booster]

Originally Posted by markopolo

My guess is that allows for 4 people given the number of seat belts.

The rear bed must sleep lengthwise - rear to front. The little cut-off corner of the bed reminds me of what you see in small Class C's. The pillows on the side make it look like cross coach sleeping but there isn't enough room crossways because there is a structure in the rear corner which I think is the bathroom (or closet).

The front dinette that converts into a bed is crossways sleeping for sure.

This is a Class B that sleeps four people without having to carry an extra mattress.

I think you are correct on the sleeping orientation. The pillows do mess up the view a bunch. Hadn't noticed that the passenger side of the bed area appears to be a cabinet or something. No window on that side kind of sucks though. I wonder how wide the bed is. For a full time bed, I wounder why it has a seem down the driver side that would make it less comfortable for the person on that side. Access maybe? I bet it has a lot of space under the bed, especially with front drive.

Can't wait to see a floor plan.

[markopolo]

Initial comments re: Travato pricing from the press release look encouraging:

"The Travato is a real game changer," said Will Jarnot, General Manager, Pleasureland RV, headquartered in St. Cloud, MN. "Winnebago has a hit a home run with an affordable, economical and versatile motorhome that hits a price point that will appeal to a large customer base, even as a second vehicle."

-------------------------------------------
Winnebago Travato quick links:
Preliminary Specifications
Main Photos, Photos 2, Photos 3, Photos 4
Videos

[Mike]

Originally Posted by booster

Yep, the 280hp may be a problem based on what the torque looks like. Probably not great from a 3.6Liter. Front drive might be OK, but it pretty heavy for a front drive, we will see how that works out, but it leaves lots of space with no tunnel, which is very nice for the builder. 500# load capacity is really low. Looks like crossways sleeping which would rule it out for DW, as she insists on front to rear.

The good part is that it is going to put some pressure on the Sprinters, which they badly need, and also add some gas engine options for folks. There is not much bad that can happen from more models and options.

I guess it's nice to have no tunnel, but what can you do with it? You probably don't need to drop the floor, because the vehicle has enough height built in. Adding extra equipment/capacity below floor maybe, but that could add weight to what we suspect will be a stressed drivetrain. I guess a bit of extra ground clearance would be nice, when driving on some surfaces, into/out of parking lots, or off road in some campgrounds.
Is it a dually rear wheel setup?
I agree that MB needs a bit of competition, but I'm not sure this is the vehicle to do it. Maybe Ford will do a better job?
mlts22: Agree about price point. If the 59G stands for US$59,000 price tag, they may have a game changer, in spite of our speculation about some potential functional shortcomings.
I'd even switch back to class B travel.

[mlts22]

Am I hallucinating, or do those pictures show the van on single rear wheels for the axle? I'd expect something that heavy to at least be on duallies.

Now, I'm concerned about CCC, unless this was a pre-prod model and production ones are DRW.

[booster]

Originally Posted by mlts22

Am I hallucinating, or do those pictures show the van on single rear wheels for the axle? I'd expect something that heavy to at least be on duallies.

Now, I'm concerned about CCC, unless this was a pre-prod model and production ones are DRW.

The gross weight spec would indicate single rear wheels, and thus the low cargo capacity.

[markopolo]

It is better to compare the Ram ProMaster to Chevys than Sprinters I think.

My 1997 GMC is 239" long with a 155" wheelbase and GVWR of 9,500lbs with single rear wheels.
The Ram Promaster shown 250" long with a 159" wheelbase and GVWR of 9,350lbs with single rear wheels.

A regular Sprinter is 273" long with a 170" wheelbase and GVWR of 9,990lbs or optional 11,030lbs. Dual rear wheels.

So the ProMaster is just about 1 foot longer than my GMC(Chevy) and the regular Sprinter is almost 2 feet longer than the ProMaster.
The regular Sprinter is almost 3 feet longer than my extended van.

Larger van = more fixtures and stuff and more fixtures and stuff = more weight.

Dual rear wheels may be great for CCC but they can be pain to maintain. I could just fill the inner tires with air at home on a Chevy I had without any extensions but had to add extended valves (not valve extensions) to a Ford I had. Extra cost there and you wonder if some road debris could get thrown up between the tires and rip the valve extension or extended valve right off. Plus those extra two tires add $500 to the bill when you have to buy a new set of tires.

I'm not criticizing the need for dual rear wheels at all but I am all for keeping it simple and economical even if it means less room and keeping an eye on how much stuff you can put in the van.

[Mike]

If it's FWD it wouldn't be unusual to have an independent rear suspension with single wheels.
If it was made with RWD I'd expect duallies.
It does look pretty formidable in terms of length and I'm again concerned about the drive train being sufficient to pull that much (potential) weight. Maybe add a turbocharger and stroke it out to a 4.0L V6?
I recall finding some bad reviews of the Fiat Ducato a few years ago, when I first saw a conversion van that used one. IIRC they were built with a manual transmission that was problematic in the early days of the Ducato as a commercial van in Europe.

[mlts22]

I am not sure about the transmission they ship with the vehicle. I read about an "automatic manual", which apparently either means you have to manually shift it, just without a clutch, or that it has some mechanical way of moving when the shift points happen. The details were pretty vague.