Decisions, decisions...

[wabbit]

It looks like I have my choice for Thanksgiving week. I can either drive to Las Vegas (or Colorado) to see the GWVans unit up close, or I can rent a RT Adventurous and do some serious road testing on mountain twisties and campgrounds that I know well. At the rental rates per mile, driving it to see the GWVans unit would be a bit expensive.

Decisions, decisions...

[Mike]

This has to be one of the longest threads I've seen on here in a while. It smacks of my tendency to beat stuff to death on the internet, and then finally go with a first impression, after chasing my tail for a while, researching.
Good luck, and let us know when you get something.
Until then, ttfn.

[wabbit]

The discussion here has been very helpful in helping me evaluate priorities and in raising questions I had not fully considered. Thanks everyone!

[markopolo]

I want to see this topic continue at least until you buy and then I want to see some after purchase comments

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by wabbit

I couldn't help but chuckle. My wife wants a new phone and asked me to evaluate the iPhone 5 vs its competition. I couldn't help but compare the way the reviews for each new phone are conducted with the way the reviews for class Bs are run. To do the same sort of comparison for a new B model, they would take a variety of B units with different chassis configurations and do the performance test. They would drive them in a line under the same set of conditions with a split screen showing a bubble level or inclinometer. This would include mountain roads, gusty winds, etc. to provide a side by side comparison. At the end of the test, they would do a precise analysis of fuel consumed. The aesthetics part of the test would compare interior layouts.

That's what they would do if Bs were phones. Alas, that will never happen, but just the thought of it was worthy of a chuckle.

I stumbled cross a side by side comparison table at: http://www.stahmannrv.com/new_vehicl...Desc=&#compare
It's not a review or test results and it only has two brands but it is a start.

[Mike]

I've driven past them on I-35. On a drive from Austin to San Antonio on one of our western trips. I could see some class B vans, but I was driving, and couldn't make out the Roadtreks on the lot at the time. I don't think there were that many, but Stahmann's are in the Roadtrek Dealer and Service GPS file as a dealer as of Spring 2011. If they're comparing Roadtreks to the ERA they must still sell them?

[wabbit]

Originally Posted by markopolo

I stumbled cross a side by side comparison table at: http://www.stahmannrv.com/new_vehicl...Desc=&#compare
It's not a review or test results and it only has two brands but it is a start.

Thanks. I thought that I had compared all of the equipment between the Agile and the Adventurous, but this chart showed me that I had missed something - the awning on the Agile is 4 feet shorter than on the Adventurous.

[Mike]

Maybe that's because the Agile is about 3.3 feet shorter than the Adventurous?
(sorry, couldn't resist )

[markopolo]

I just looked up the length of my 1997 GMC Van and it is 19' 8". The current SS-Agile is 19' 5" so it is not as small as I thought. The Nissan based RT N6-Active is 20' 1".

So the floorplan / use of space / cab space can make a big difference.

[Mike]

My F-150 is 20' 3" long. Relevance?

[markopolo]

I should've had a coffee first. I made the mental leap from the difference in awning sizes to overall van length to interior features / accommodations. Some older B's at 20' or less have all the accommodation I'd need. In new models at 20' you don't seem to get the same amount of clothes closets etc. so you have to compromise more. Length matters more if your B is used as a second vehicle as you want to be able to fit in as many parking spots around town as possible.

[Mike]

Oh, OK. I was just chuckling about the 4' difference in awning lengths comment, and how it might be related to the 3.3' difference in lengths of the vehicles. It struck me as funny. I posted late last night and my mind responds differently then, after a long day of whatever, I guess. No offense.

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Great West Vans will be sending me info sometime this week about their new models and new options. I don't know if it is the same info that is on the website or not. I will post the info I get.

Info from Great West Vans:

Our three models are Legend, Legend SE and Legend EX. We are no longer making the Ford Classic and Chevy Titan. We know that there is a demand for wide-body models such as the Titan and it is something we will re-visit in the future.

Highlights on each are as follows:

Legend
5.0 cubic foot fridge with freezer and top mount controls
16,000 btu furnace with electronic ignition
Available 2.5kw generator ready electrical system with interior start switch panel
Available 2000W Inverter 12V to 120V (includes 2 – 6v volt AGM batteries, pure sine wave)
Convection microwave oven
Built-in coffee maker
Laminate ‘hardwood’ floors and premium carpeting
Solid wood cabinets
Avonite countertops


Legend SE - new model for 2013
6.0 cubic foot fridge
Espar hydronic Coolant heating system
85 watt solar panels with control panel
Available 11,000 btu roof air-conditioner with heat strip
Available 2.5kw generator ready electrical system with interior start switch panel
Available 2000W Inverter 12V to 120V (includes 2 – 6v volt AGM batteries, pure sine wave)
Convection microwave oven
Built-in coffee maker
Laminate ‘hardwood’ floors and premium carpeting
Solid wood cabinets
Avonite countertops


Legend EX
6.0 cubic foot fridge
Espar hydronic Coolant heating system
85 watt solar panels with control panel
15000 btu roof air-conditioner with heat strip
Available 3.6kw Onan propane generator
Available 2000W Inverter 12V to 120V (includes 2 – 6v volt AGM batteries, pure sine wave)
Convection microwave oven
Built-in coffee maker
Laminate ‘hardwood’ floors and premium carpeting
Solid wood cabinets
Avonite countertops

These are some of the features on each model, I have attached a spec sheet that tells you the rest of the standard features and all of the available options as well.

**New in 2013

Mobility Package that includes a Wheelchair Lift, Extra Grab Handles and a Wheelchair tie-down.
New interior color schemes, Modern, Casual and Traditional. They can be viewed on our website.

We have also posted a photo gallery on our website featuring interior, exterior and mechanical highlights. We are always adding to it so it stays current.
http://www.greatwestvans.com/

Specifications current as of Sept 2012 for 2013 models:
http://www.greatwestvans.com/wp-content ... -Sheet.pdf

Brochure:
http://www.greatwestvans.com/wp-content ... ochure.pdf

[wabbit]

Thanks for the info and for the chuckle. My point about the awning was that I had considered the length difference with respect to parking and handling, but not with respect to "in the campsite" factors outside.

I had pretty much ruled out the Agile, although I think it is a great unit. I just didn't see a compelling reason to go with the smaller unit. I have ruled out the 24 foot extended units because I was seeing no real advantage in length.

Ironically, after my most recent visit to my nearby RT dealer, where I had told him I was leaning away from the Agile, I got an email from him with a price quote for a 2012 Agile at $15k less that what he had been asking previously. I guess it is time for the new units to be shipped to the dealers. That's a good time to bargain.

As it stands now, the units still in contention are the GW Legend, The PW Plateau, The LTV Free Spirit, and the RT Adventurous.