Aktiv vs Travato 59g Shower Size

davedutah · 06-16-2018, 03:41 AM

Are either the Aktiv or the Travato 59g suitable for a quick, daily shower?

I'm very interested in the Hymer Aktiv and the Winnebago Travato 59GL (when it starts becoming available). I got a chance to check out an Aktiv in person last week. As I feared, the shower is tiny.

There are no 59G's to look at within four hours travel of me right now (Utah).

I don't function without a shower every morning, and I don't want to have to use the campground or a gym shower. A navy shower is okay.

Are there any Aktiv owners or 59g owners here that take a daily shower in the van? How miserable is it? I have very broad shoulders, and it seemed like soaping up in the Aktiv would be hazardous to my elbows AND the shower walls and door.

The 59g shower looks substantially bigger. Thoughts?

davedutah · 06-18-2018, 10:02 PM

TL;DR:

Are there any Aktiv owners or 59g owners here that take a daily shower in the van? How miserable is it? I have very broad shoulders, and it seemed like soaping up in the Aktiv would be hazardous to my elbows AND the shower walls and door.

The 59g shower looks substantially bigger. Thoughts?

Phoebe3 · 06-19-2018, 03:20 AM

There are a couple of Travato owners here, but perhaps they are on the road - it is the season. If you can't get your question answered here, I imagine there is a Travato FaceBook group you could join...

wincrasher · 06-19-2018, 03:33 AM

There is no comparison.

The Aktiv shower cubicle is around 24" square with a toilet taking a significant chunk of it. The Travato's shower is about 28" wide x 48" long. The standing space for shower is at least 24" square at your feet or a bit bigger.

The Aktiv you will need to fiddle with a shower curtain to protect the woodwork. In the Travato, you will not as all surfaces are waterproof fiberglass.

davedutah · 06-19-2018, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wincrasher

There is no comparison.

The Aktiv shower cubicle is around 24" square with a toilet taking a significant chunk of it. The Travato's shower is about 28" wide x 48" long. The standing space for shower is at least 24" square at your feet or a bit bigger.

The Aktiv you will need to fiddle with a shower curtain to protect the woodwork. In the Travato, you will not as all surfaces are waterproof fiberglass.

That is super helpful. When I stepped into the Aktiv's shower and got the door closed, I noticed the curtain, but it would have been touching me on all sides. That would be a mess if I was wet and it was sticking to me.

That probably seals the deal for me. I hope someone gets a 59G in stock around here soon.

Advantages to Aktiv:
The 1.0 is slightly shorter
Has a bigger bed
Has more windows in the "bedroom"
Skylight
Cassette is more versatile

Advantages to 59G(L):
Volta system seems way better (on paper)
Usable bathroom
Larger black tank
Easier to set up and put away bed
Roomier kitchen
Larger, better-positioned fridge
Better 2nd bed

I could probably live with either--if it wasn't for the shower.
The fridge is a nice bonus.

Firesteel · 06-19-2018, 01:04 PM

The 59G shower has plenty of shoulder room. The shower works well and some folks have added upgraded shower heads, faucets and wood mats. The wood floor mat is now standard and we recently heard that the upgraded shower head is now too. The shower does come with a curtain, I dont use it, works fine without.

BBQ · 06-19-2018, 02:06 PM

The Aktiv 1.0 is on the ProMaster 2500 chassis.
The Aktiv 2.0 is on the ProMaster 3500 chassis.
The Travato is on the ProMaster 3500 chassis.

[Edit: Aktiv 1.0 & 2.0]

davedutah · 06-19-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

The Aktiv is on the ProMaster 2500 chassis.
The Travato is on the ProMaster 3500 chassis.

What does that get you? Just the extra length? If so, does that mean that Hymer Aktiv 2.0 is on the 3500 chassis?

It looks like the gross weight rating is still the same for the two. It would be surprising to not get more load capacity from the 3500.

wincrasher · 06-19-2018, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davedutah

What does that get you? Just the extra length? If so, does that mean that Hymer Aktiv 2.0 is on the 3500 chassis?

It looks like the gross weight rating is still the same for the two. It would be surprising to not get more load capacity from the 3500.

The only difference is the rear spring assembly. Yes, you do get higher payload ratings.

BBQ · 06-19-2018, 04:04 PM

.

ProMaster 3500 differences

1 extra rear spring leaf
1 rear torsion bar
Lower gear ratio

Final Drive and Overall Top Gear Ratios
1500 = 3.16 (half ton)
2500 = 3.43 (three quarter ton)
3500 = 3.86 (one ton)

Gosman · 06-22-2018, 05:34 PM

Looks like you need a class A!

GigaGeek · 06-22-2018, 05:42 PM

Yes, the shower in the 59G is excellent for a Class B. I'm 6'2" and fit in there just fine. Wouldn't mind seeing a small window in there like the Pleasure-Way Lexor, but still very spacious and functional.

The Hymer Aktiv 1.0/2.0 bathroom is very cramped and from the location of the faucet/showerhead, it looks like you have to sit on the toilet to take a shower. Further, the plastic fold-down sink is very flimsy and the cassette toilet tank capacity is only 5 gallons. Although these might not be issues for some, this is largely why I scratched the Aktiv from my list.

Overall, the 2019 59G/GL is by far their best revision yet! I love the new galley window, white dining table, inverter, large compressor refrigerator, 200w solar. And there are now some substantial factory options available. For 2019, Winnebago stepped up and hit it out of the park with the Travato!

Quote:

Originally Posted by davedutah

Are either the Aktiv or the Travato 59g suitable for a quick, daily shower?

I'm very interested in the Hymer Aktiv and the Winnebago Travato 59GL (when it starts becoming available). I got a chance to check out an Aktiv in person last week. As I feared, the shower is tiny.

There are no 59G's to look at within four hours travel of me right now (Utah).

I don't function without a shower every morning, and I don't want to have to use the campground or a gym shower. A navy shower is okay.

Are there any Aktiv owners or 59g owners here that take a daily shower in the van? How miserable is it? I have very broad shoulders, and it seemed like soaping up in the Aktiv would be hazardous to my elbows AND the shower walls and door.

The 59g shower looks substantially bigger. Thoughts?

MsNomer · 06-23-2018, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

ProMaster 3500 differences
…
Final Drive and Overall Top Gear Ratios
1500 = 3.16 (half ton)
2500 = 3.43 (three quarter ton)
3500 = 3.86 (one ton)

BBQ, could you explain what that means? I've never understood it. Even after my full self-build, I still have nearly a ton of weight capacity left in my 136" PM 1500.

BBQ · 06-23-2018, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsNomer

BBQ, could you explain what that means? I've never understood it. Even after my full self-build, I still have nearly a ton of weight capacity left in my 136" PM 1500.

That's the final transmission drive to wheel ratio.

For the 1500, the drive shaft would make 3.16 turns to rotate the wheels ONE turn.

Compared to the 3500, the drive shaft must make 3.86 turns to rotate the wheel one turn.

That means the half ton version's engine will work less, gets better mileage, but cannot carry as much.

davedutah · 06-23-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gosman

Looks like you need a class A!

Some of those don't have much room, either, especially the ones that fit in the kind of places where I would like to be able to go. 😀

PinIN · 06-23-2018, 05:23 PM

Final drive ratio's for Promaster's.

I used to think there was 3 different ones for the Promaster, sourced from Allpar.
I can only find one part number for the transmission for all three models.

Information from Ram states 3.86 for the gas and 4.56 for the diesel.
Which explains why an empty gas Promaster mpg's are roughly the same regardless of model, IMO.
Payloads difference's don't explain the outdated 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton system, IMO.
For instance, there is no point in paying more for a 159" 3500, when a 159" 2500 does the exact thing for less.
My 136" 1500 will carry 3770 lbs just fine and will be level. I don't think a 1/2 ton pickup could do that.

It's more about marketing than facts.

There are 4 different rear leaf springs,
Light duty 118", 1500
Medium duty 136", 1500
Heavy duty 2500, 3500
Premium heavy duty 3500

MsNomer · 06-23-2018, 06:15 PM

"My 136" 1500 will carry 3770 lbs just fine and will be level. I don't think a 1/2 ton pickup could do that.". This is precisely where my confusion lies. Well, that and the fact that the 159's actually have less payload because the vehicles themselves weigh more.

PinIN · 06-23-2018, 06:28 PM

payload
3990-1500 118"
3890-1500 136" LR
3770-1500 136" HR
4130-2500 136
4020-2500 159
4430-3500 159"
4340-3500 EXT 159"

The 1500, 2500 and 3500 numbers are for NA and MEX consumers anything else would confuse them.
I think the PM is more about volume of space then payload difference, there is only 660 lbs of payload difference.
That's why the model number is just marketing.

BBQ · 06-23-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsNomer

BBQ, could you explain what that means? I've never understood it. Even after my full self-build, I still have nearly a ton of weight capacity left in my 136" PM 1500.

OK... you are asking about the half ton vs 3/4 ton vs one ton.

I think they are just marketing slots. They don't mean the exact capacity.

gregmchugh · 06-23-2018, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

OK... you are asking about the half ton vs 3/4 ton vs one ton.

I think they are just marketing slots. They don't mean the exact capacity.

They meant something in terms of payload capacity a long time ago but not so much any more...

https://jalopnik.com/truck-sizes-cla...-to-1613958192

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