Winnebago Travato thread here

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by JohnMFlores

That's exactly what I need. I plan on bringing an electric motorcycle with me and would like to travel with it inside. I also want a short Class B so that I can spend time in cities.

I think Outside Van and Sportmobile can build up something like this too.

If you are wanting something to haul your electric motorcycle in, you really only have a couple choices - Winnebago Travato G, Hymer Aktiv and Roadtrek Zion. Those are really the only ones with a loading area big enough for a bike, along with the low load floor so you could manage to get it inside.

The twin bed model of the Airstream Interstate might also work, but it's almost double the price of a Travato, and the load floor is much higher.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

If you are wanting something to haul your electric motorcycle in, you really only have a couple choices - Winnebago Travato G, Hymer Aktiv and Roadtrek Zion. Those are really the only ones with a loading area big enough for a bike, along with the low load floor so you could manage to get it inside.

The twin bed model of the Airstream Interstate might also work, but it's almost double the price of a Travato, and the load floor is much higher.

An electric bike weights 50-60 lbs. An electric motorcycle may weigh hundreds of pounds. How are you going to get it in an out of the floor?

[JohnMFlores]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

If you are wanting something to haul your electric motorcycle in, you really only have a couple choices - Winnebago Travato G, Hymer Aktiv and Roadtrek Zion. Those are really the only ones with a loading area big enough for a bike, along with the low load floor so you could manage to get it inside.

The twin bed model of the Airstream Interstate might also work, but it's almost double the price of a Travato, and the load floor is much higher.

I'm also considering the Safari Condo Promaster Flex. And I'm also considering the possibility that I'll have to carry it outside on a rack (not a trailer). Every decision is a compromise.

Originally Posted by cruising7388

An electric bike weights 50-60 lbs. An electric motorcycle may weigh hundreds of pounds. How are you going to get it in an out of the floor?

A ramp. I've loaded all manner of motorcycles onto vans, lifted pickups, even Honda Elements. I would need four strong tie-down points to secure it in place during transit.

[ClassB4Me]

The 2017 1/2 Travato seems to be one of the best choices among affordable Class Bs. The recent updates make the Travato even more of a best buy.

There is only one issue I wish they would address - the rear bathroom design. Most RVs with a rear bath will create a permanent or removable panel so the bathroom is not exposed when opening the rear door by default.



Any Travato 59k owners feel this is unnecessary or have developed a post purchase solution?

[Firesteel]

there is a chain latch on the door so that it cannot be opened inadvertently.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by ClassB4Me

Most RVs with a rear bath will create a permanent or removable panel so the bathroom is not exposed when opening the rear door by default.

Nah...
Nothing like a throne with a view:

latrine.jpg

[ClassB4Me]

I was at one of those restaurant chains you find off the interstates and a Travato 59K owner had the rear door open in the parking lot (not sure why) but it was drawing tons of unwanted attention (the bathroom was not occupied).

[BobB]

Originally Posted by ClassB4Me

There is only one issue I wish they would address - the rear bathroom design. Most RVs with a rear bath will create a permanent or removable panel so the bathroom is not exposed when opening the rear door by default.

Many owners with rear baths find them a convenient way - after a hike with muddy boots or a muddy dog - to clean up, etc. before entering the RV.

[InterBlog]

Yet more evidence that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Hell would literally freeze over before I'd buy any Class B that has a toilet where the million-dollar view ought to be.

[jrobe]

That is probably the biggest and most functional bathroom and shower that I have seen in a Class B. Always compromises though.

[ClassB4Me]

Originally Posted by BobB

Many owners with rear baths find them a convenient way - after a hike with muddy boots or a muddy dog - to clean up, etc. before entering the RV.

Maybe i need to get over it. My 1st and only RV had a rear bath and I preferred the layout and privacy wall.

[Davydd]

I think the issue is seeing the bathroom with the doors open. A permanent wall is a different issue. However, with unibody Euro style vans that can't have outside access storage you pretty much eliminate a lot of outside storage options that vans with beds in the back give you underneath you can get to from the back doors. There are always tradeoffs. The other is it usually forces the bed toward the front of the van and thus turns the van into an either or choice of staying up or going to bed. For one person, not a problem. For two people it is uncomfortable and inconvenient.

[Keyne]

Losing the storage is definitely a downside to that layout. Also I love opening the rear doors and having the view and airflow out the back.

[techfan]

Another interesting change to the Travato 2017.5. If you order the top rack on the Travato, the solar panel is now mounted with clips to the rack. I'm now trying to figure out if this is a good thing or not. The same is true for the new Paseo, BUT... the panel is mounted across the rack bars and on the Travato it is nestled in between the cross bars. I wonder if it is mounted length wise like the Paseo if one cannot add a second 100 watt panel right next to it? See image below:

http://assets-cdn-interactrv.netdna-...0020894277.JPG

[ClassB4Me]

Originally Posted by techfan

Another interesting change to the Travato 2017.5. If you order the top rack on the Travato, the solar panel is now mounted with clips to the rack. I'm now trying to figure out if this is a good thing or not. The same is true for the new Paseo, BUT... the panel is mounted across the rack bars and on the Travato it is nestled in between the cross bars. I wonder if it is mounted length wise like the Paseo if one cannot add a second 100 watt panel right next to it? See image below:

http://assets-cdn-interactrv.netdna-...0020894277.JPG

I think this works well if you are going to use only one panel. If you want to add more on the Travato, I do not see that being do-able via the rack system.

See Wincrasher's Travato solar upgrade

[techfan]

Originally Posted by ClassB4Me

I think this works well if you are going to use only one panel. If you want to add more on the Travato, I do not see that being do-able via the rack system.

See Wincrasher's Travato solar upgrade

The rack allows the panel to sit above many of the vents in the back, thus giving more location options. I believe, if turned sideways, another panel will fit next to it. I also believe that the 13 x 54 panels that Wincrasher installed will still fit down the side if they are on the rack mounted at the ends. Just another piece of the puzzle.

[Saldar]

Originally Posted by techfan

The rack allows the panel to sit above many of the vents in the back, thus giving more location options. I believe, if turned sideways, another panel will fit next to it. .

I noticed the rack mounted solar panels, too, on the Paseo, and recently on a 2017.5 59K using the new rack system.

We were told that WBO would mount that way for us when we placed a 59K order mid-December, only to have them change their mind after they got the request in writing. So we dropped the rack. I saw a Feb 8 rvtrader ad from Lakewood NJ with the panel mounted on the rack. I asked again and this time WBO said OK.

So we re-added the rack and requested that mount. We wanted the ladder a bit also, so we could hang our beloved recliners ala the Beverly Hillbillies. I'm hoping we will at least eliminate the holes in the roof from the 100W panel, make adding the 80Ws easier and maybe the panel(s) mounted higher will be somewhat less shaded. I've also wondered/hoped a second 100W panel would fit on the rack in the arrangement you mentioned. I believe Zamp has changed or added a new side mounting system for their panels.

I will be glad to report on what we get up there if the van ever shows up. Mid March is the latest prediction.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by Saldar

I noticed the rack mounted solar panels, too, on the Paseo, and recently on a 2017.5 59K using the new rack system.

We were told that WBO would mount that way for us when we placed a 59K order mid-December, only to have them change their mind after they got the request in writing. So we dropped the rack. I saw a Feb 8 rvtrader ad from Lakewood NJ with the panel mounted on the rack. I asked again and this time WBO said OK.

So we re-added the rack and requested that mount. We wanted the ladder a bit also, so we could hang our beloved recliners ala the Beverly Hillbillies. I'm hoping we will at least eliminate the holes in the roof from the 100W panel, make adding the 80Ws easier and maybe the panel(s) mounted higher will be somewhat less shaded. I've also wondered/hoped a second 100W panel would fit on the rack in the arrangement you mentioned. I believe Zamp has changed or added a new side mounting system for their panels.I will be glad to report on what we get up there if the van ever shows up. Mid March is the latest prediction.

Really interested in hearing what you discover. I want the rack almost just for the access to the roof to clean, repair, etc. Hope a second 100 watt will fit next to the other. PLEASE keep us informed. Thanks.

[BBQ]

.

It is a good thing to mount the panel on the rack:

1. you get a shaded roof.
2. separate the solar panel from the roof will result in cooler panel temp (ie more efficient operation = higher output)
3. smaller shadow from the air conditioner
4. you can add hardware to make the panels tiltable. (important for extended boondocking)

[Saldar]

I think solar panels may interfere with use of the moveable ladder. The ladder, when detached and moved, hangs on the rack. It looks like the 80W panels, so near the edge, would interfere. In the panel/obstruction/shadow jigsaw, there is now a ladder access piece to fit in.

I'm glad to learn rack mounted panels can be more efficient. Maybe we will get something more out of the ladder/rack beyond just carrying our our chairs!