Winnebago Travato new model # 59K

[wincrasher]

Winnebago has updated more of their website for Travato. You can see all the specs, options, floorpans, etc. now.

http://winnebagotouring.com/products/2015/travato/

If you want some pretty extensive pictures of the 59K, go here: http://www.lazydays.com/rv/new-rvs-f...motorhomes-003

Apparently Lazy Days had one - show unit or prototype?

[booster]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Winnebago has updated more of their website for Travato. You can see all the specs, options, floorpans, etc. now.

http://winnebagotouring.com/products/2015/travato/

Very interesting. Some very neat stuff. On the 59K you have gravity dump, but on the 59G you have both gravity and macerator? So you dump both each time?

[gerrym51]

I read thru the specs. many good things. some only so-so. but i have a question.

the specs say 59g macerator gray tank only-black tank dump.

59 k dump both black tank and gray tank.

what good is a macerator if it only does gray tank? strange to me. is it a mis=print?

booster you posted before i finished

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Winnebago has updated more of their website for Travato. You can see all the specs, options, floorpans, etc. now.

http://winnebagotouring.com/products/2015/travato/

Thanks for posting the link. It's official!

5 Winnebago models now:
ERA 70A, 70C & 70X
Travato 59G & 59K

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

I read thru the specs. many good things. some only so-so. but i have a question.

the specs say 59g macerator gray tank only-black tank dump.

59 k dump both black tank and gray tank.

what good is a macerator if it only does gray tank? strange to me. is it a mis=print?

booster you posted before i finished

As we've discussed many times, the "macerator" on the 59G is just a pump out because of the location of the tank - it's ahead of the rear axle and will not flow by gravity to the discharge. The black tank is in the rear of the van and can flow by gravity to the discharge, which is also in the rear of the van. So it needs to be pumped to the discharge. It really doesn't do any macerating and I'd say it's more of a trash pump.

We are not sure of the tank locations on the 59K. We do know the sink in the bath drains to the black tank. But with kitchen in front of the van, and the shower in the rear, with the generator behind the rear axle too, there isn't much room left in the back of the van for a gray tank. Maybe that is why it's only 13 gallons.

[Davydd]

I think the theory on the 59G besides the technical issue of getting the grey water out is you dump your black tank gravity then backflush the black tank with grey water and then dump grey via gravity. Most gravity dumps have two valves, one for black and one for grey. You dump black first then you dump grey which does a fairly good job of cleaning out your slinky since it is mostly soapy water. I'm not sure how well a backflush of grey water through a black tank will work with the slinky hose. The water hose on the spring arm at a dump station is then used to do a final rinse and cleaning of your slinky hose in any case.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by Davydd

I think the theory on the 59G besides the technical issue of getting the grey water out is you dump your black tank gravity then backflush the black tank with grey water and then dump grey via gravity. Most gravity dumps have two valves, one for black and one for grey. You dump black first then you dump grey which does a fairly good job of cleaning out your slinky since it is mostly soapy water. I'm not sure how well a backflush of grey water through a black tank will work with the slinky hose. The water hose on the spring arm at a dump station is then used to do a final rinse and cleaning of your slinky hose in any case.

Davydd-i hadn't thought of that-in fact it's brilliant. we will just have to agree to disagree about dpf's. i have nothing against diesels at all. just dpf's wish they were like prior to 2007.

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by Davydd

I think the theory on the 59G besides the technical issue of getting the grey water out is you dump your black tank gravity then backflush the black tank with grey water and then dump grey via gravity. Most gravity dumps have two valves, one for black and one for grey. You dump black first then you dump grey which does a fairly good job of cleaning out your slinky since it is mostly soapy water. I'm not sure how well a backflush of grey water through a black tank will work with the slinky hose. The water hose on the spring arm at a dump station is then used to do a final rinse and cleaning of your slinky hose in any case.

I guess I don't really understand what you are saying here. The 59G has two gate valves, one for gray and one for black, just like every RV. My routine, like most everyone's, is to dump the black, and then dump the gray to flush out the slinky hose.

If you pull the valve for the gray, nothing really comes out until you hit the pump switch.

I have not tried opening the black valve and try to pump the gray into the black. Not sure it would even work or if it could end up fouling your gray tank, as I'm not sure there is a back-flow preventer, or if it could potentially clog the pump. Also, I think it would require putting the cap on the discharge, which would make you have to disconnect your slinky hose.

Also, since the switch is not in proximity to the tank valves, without a person to assist, attempting this manuever might end up being tricky for a single person.

I think, if you wanted to flush the black tank, you'd be better off getting a replacement discharge cap with a hose connection. I bought one from Amazon for that very purpose for $7.

[booster]

I would think, as long as they have to pump uphill anyway, you could just pump the grey water directly into the black tank, and forget about putting it to the gravity outlet directly. That way you get the flush and transfer all at once, and you could put it in the top of the tank to prevent backflow.

Gravity dump the black tank

Either leave the black drain open, or not.

Pump the grey into the black tank and either partially fill it and open the valve, or already have the drain valve open as you start to pump.

All done.

[wincrasher]

You would think, but as I stated it doesn't work that way. Unless someone who's actually done such a thing on a 59G can correct me.

But for those who only read the last couple of posts in a thread, and are interested in a 59K, don't worry about this, as it's gravity all the way.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

You would think, but as I stated it doesn't work that way. Unless someone who's actually done such a thing on a 59G can correct me.

But for those who only read the last couple of posts in a thread, and are interested in a 59K, don't worry about this, as it's gravity all the way.

wincrasher what i'm saying is why have a macerator at all?

[booster]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

wincrasher what i'm saying is why have a macerator at all?

Macerators are a double edged sword to be sure. We have had ours for over 6 years and always like it more when we are at a dump station seeing someone cleaning, hosing, packing up, etc their slinky, while we are done in a couple of clean minutes. But, we also are somewhat paranoid about a failure and what to do then. A macerator replacement on the road is going to cost you, carrying a spare is a pain and heavy. At home, not a big deal, but we don't camp at home much The other big benefit is more for Roadtrek owners than others due to the low road clearance that can make for an uphill dump sometimes.

The above and what others are saying is why we are doing the dual dump build currently. Hopefully, we will have our normal pump, but a usable emergency setup that is easy. I am glad to see that the manufacturers are doing various emergency dump setups, it just makes sense.

[gerrym51]

Booster-i should have been more specific. what imeant is why have a macerator for gray water tank at all ifyour not going to have it forthe black take which it is actually more appropriate. does not make sense to me.?

Macerators for black tanks make sense to me.

[booster]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

Booster-i should have been more specific. what imeant is why have a macerator for gray water tank at all ifyour not going to have it forthe black take which it is actually more appropriate. does not make sense to me.?

Macerators for black tanks make sense to me.

That I can totally agree on It is a very odd compromise to do.

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Winnebago has updated more of their website for Travato. You can see all the specs, options, floorpans, etc. now.

http://winnebagotouring.com/products/2015/travato/

If you want some pretty extensive pictures of the 59K, go here: http://www.lazydays.com/rv/new-rvs-f...motorhomes-003

Apparently Lazy Days had one - show unit or prototype?

Good photos.

I like the pull-out extension and pull-out flip-out table. No fuss with that.
There's enough space on the counter top for a couple of plates for meal prep.
30" wide beds nice. Twin beds nice - easy to get out of. I'd make 4 bolster covers (idea link: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...p=15052#p15052 ) to store bedding and pillows etc. and leave them on beds during the day. Decoration and storage
Stand up shower.
Two batteries.
Solar.

Look at all the upper cabinet/cupboard storage:



Plus you have the wardrobe and drawers in the rear of the van.

There's a lot to like.

[Davydd]

Wincrasher,

Somebody other than you has described pumping the gray tank through the black tank and then out the slinky. So, do I understand you have a "Y" connection at the slinky outlet of a separate grey tank and black tank pipe both with slide blade valves to open and close?

[gerrym51]

i know i've asked this before. does the 59k have a spare tire? and no-in general i would not try to change myself unless no choice-but it seems not carrying one leaves you having to find one if road service does not carry that particular size-even though iknow it' s a common size.

[stanw909]

No spare tire. Just a tube of goo.

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Wincrasher,

Somebody other than you has described pumping the gray tank through the black tank and then out the slinky. So, do I understand you have a "Y" connection at the slinky outlet of a separate grey tank and black tank pipe both with slide blade valves to open and close?

Yes. Essentially that is what it is.

I've seen a video where you can buy a gate valve that fits on your discharge and enable you to do what you are suggesting.

Guys, as I stated above, it's not a macerator. The reason for the pump is because of location of the tank, not any need to chew up the tank contents.

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Good photos.

I like the pull-out extension and pull-out flip-out table. No fuss with that.
There's enough space on the counter top for a couple of plates for meal prep.
30" wide beds nice. Twin beds nice - easy to get out of. I'd make 4 bolster covers (idea link: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...p=15052#p15052 ) to store bedding and pillows etc. and leave them on beds during the day. Decoration and storage
Stand up shower.
Two batteries.
Solar.

Look at all the upper cabinet/cupboard storage:



Plus you have the wardrobe and drawers in the rear of the van.

There's a lot to like.

I like it a lot too. I think anyone who buys this van will also need to utilize an outside storage box like the Stowaway2 as I do. There really is no interior room for all your outside gear such as hoses, cords, chairs, grill, etc. I suppose you could put a couple wet items in that space below the bathroom closet stack.

I can't see putting two bicycles inside this van thru the back doors and into the space between the beds. Not only is it too narrow for two, you have to lift over the two lips of the shower pan. So I think you'd order this with the bike rack kit too.

There are three things I don't really care for. The fridge looks to be in the 3 cu ft range. The gray tank is too small. I'd lke to see them go with the glass sides like the Zion & the Lexor. The rest is a compelling package. I'd have some kind of wedge cushions made so I could use those beds as sofas during the day.