Interesting Travato articles

[wincrasher]

I had missed this article over the summer. I thought the picture on the insulation was interesting, considering most of the vans have the peel and stick type "dynamat" types.

http://winnebagolife.com/2014/07/beh...th-the-travato

Winnebago also announced more updates and will be showing new units at the Louisville show. Diesel power train and a new heating/hot water system solve a few issues might be a hit. No word on if there are any additional changes like tanks, bigger LP or extra batteries.

http://rvdailyreport.com/industry/wi...al-trade-show/

Article on this heating system:
http://www.truma.net/us/en/home/index.php

[markopolo]

Those are really interesting developments.

Winnebago is introducing several new models at the show, including a new diesel-powered Trend that will provide even higher fuel efficiency of 18-21 mpg with the Ram ProMaster chassis that will also be available on the Company's Viva and Travato product lines

Travato 59K (Class B) -- Features innovative advances in technology and comfort systems. This is the first Class B in North America to feature the new 97% efficient Truma-Combi heating and hot water system that provides quick hot water recovery, quiet, consistent air delivery throughout the coach and an electric-heating element that uses campground electricity to take the chill off a brisk morning.

I'd be inclined to skip the diesel engine if it adds too much to the price of the unit.

[wincrasher]

The upgrade price from Dodge/RAM is $4,000, so that should be what it is. Very tempting at that price, I think.

I wonder if this new heating system is a wash on cost, or is it more money? You are trading out two pieces of equipment for one.

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

I had missed this article over the summer. I thought the picture on the insulation was interesting, considering most of the vans have the peel and stick type "dynamat" types.

http://winnebagolife.com/2014/07/beh...th-the-travato

Great link. Interesting read.

Two models of the Travato: the Travato 59G and the Travato 59K.

[gerrym51]

wincrasher-the 59k floorplan looks much more practical

[mlts22]

Good read as well. I wish Winnebago luck with the diesel Trend, but there is something to be said about the simplicity of a gasser.

I do like the Truma system. I am not sure if it is the model Winnebago is using, but some of them have a well-engineered passive system which causes the water to completely drain out of the water heaters at 35 degrees, so they don't get destroyed by freezing temperatures and not being winterized. Some models even had a low level heater that just kept the water barely above freezing as well, so the RV with it could be plugged into the wall instead of winterizing. If power dropped, it would switch to LP.

[stanw909]

Some on the Promaster forum are reporting 23 plus MPG with the diesel,but Auto clutch is not very smooth which may bother buyers.

[mlts22]

On the diesel, the transmission is like a lot of semis... it isn't an automatic, but a manual (sans clutch pedal) with the computer doing the shifting. So, it feels exactly like a manual transmission does, except the computer is doing the shifting and popping the clutch in and out. This supposedly provides more power from the engine to the wheels than an auto, but time will tell.

As for the Travato, Winnebago is moving in the right direction, as they are learning this platform and trying to engineer it to US expectations.

[wincrasher]

It's hard to gauge the practicality of this floor plan from just that short video. It is interesting, but there are tradeoffs.

It's hard to tell if the couches are long enough to use as twins without making up a double. No eating area is a minus, unlike some people, I like having the table in the 59G and use it quite a bit. I just sit on the ottoman instead of the bench seat.

Also, you loose two belted seat locations, so if you are bringing a couple kids, you are out of luck. But for a couple or a single, this plan could work.

I don't really get what that thing is that is blocking the doorway. Is it some kind of fold-out table? Is it still the water tank, but a tall one?

Unlike some people, I kinda like the microwave down low. Still would rather have a gas cooker though. Nice extra counterspace and looks like a pull out cutting board.

Too bad they are not putting in full glass like Pleasureway.

I think this floorpan is using a much smaller refrigerator, which is a minus in my view.

Wonder if they are using the new heating/water heater system in the 59G too. There is a real benefit in that van of freeing up space.

The big downside of the 59k is the lack of the cargo area. If you want a van of this type to also haul some bulky items, you are out of luck in this floorpan.

Like the TV location. Looks like a swing arm, so you could rotate it to the doorway and view sitting outside. Also like the potential for storage under those couches, and long cabinets above.

Overall, think an interesting floorpan for some people. Maybe a cheap alternative to the Arriva floorpan.

[mlts22]

With all the pros and cons, I would agree with wincrasher 100% -- I would like to see the 59G floorplan used with the Truma furnace for what I'm looking for. It is nowhere as open a floorplan as the 59K, but having a full height wardrobe, a nice tall (albeit skinny) refrigerator, decent bathroom... and ample storage in the back with the bed up make it a decent floorplan for one person. Assuming Winnebago fixed the bench seat in the 2015 model so it is more usable, having a permanent table for workspace is a nice thing.

One thing I wonder about in the 59k is eating. I notice a pull out cutting board, but I wonder if that is just a board, or perhaps a fold-out table. A portable table or one that goes into columns is OK, but I prefer having two areas which can be used for separate functions, such as the turn around seats in the front while leaving the couch/bed in back as it is.