Carado Banff

[Tami2]

Yes, I agree on the flip up counter tops. I’m considering that, probably on both sides.

There is a pretty good sized drawer under the sink. Correct that there is no drawer under the stove. I’ll post a picture of the kitchen drawer later.

And, yes, it is an open floor plan. That was important to me so I wanted the bathroom in the back. And it had to fit into a regular parking spot. The Banff fit those two criteria perfectly.

[mumkin]

A picture of your galley would be interesting. The Sunlight I saw only had a drawer under the cooktop. Another option for a single traveler would be to sleep on one side and expand the galley onto the other bed side.

Did your dealer add the new radio/gps/etc or did you take it to someone else? Did you order it pre-wired?

[Storysrvwego]

2feb18
Tami2 - re your flat stove, touch screen GPS, back-up camera, and remote start; can you say what dealer you ordered this from? I just chatted with CARADO factory Rep before I read what you got (and pictured) and asked him for the very same features (except remote start). He said none of these were options that could be ordered. Fascinating about the in dash stereo/touch screen gps system because I mentioned it is shown as standard in the 2018 brochure (and all 2018 RAM Promasters now come with this, standard). He said the brochure was incorrect/ the Banff's only have standard AM/FM and no steering wheel controls. And No Backup Camera. I don't want to start a thing here but it just makes it hard if one wants to go to a dealer and ask for things like this when clearly the Carado factory and your own experience are quite different. Excellent job getting these things Tami!!! One thing I didn't see you mention unless I missed it; did they provide a Convection Oven like you asked for or is it the regular Microwave? Tell us the dealer (US or Canada?) you went through if you do not mind so others can give them more business.

Gene

[mumkin]

I can give you another example of a dealer who will make all the adjustment you might want on these stripped Hymers (or the Roadtrek Simplicity). I have spoken to him and the person that bought this Simplicity that had added the upgraded radio, solar, another battery, changed the rear bed. He told me that they can also do many/most tweeks to the Carado rigs.

https://sunshinestatervs.com/new_inv...k-simplicity/?

If you are interested, give them a call and talk to Nick.

Tami2 asked for a convection micro, but never reported whether she got it. I don't know that there is one small enough to fit in the space. It is an itty bitty microwave in these rigs and the available galley space is very limited.

[BBQ]

.

RE: Zion

There are 3 reasons why it is difficult to replace the microwave with a convection.

1. There is not enough space (depth?)
2. you need ventilation for the convection
3. the cabinet is not strong enough to carry the extra weight.

[Storysrvwego]

3feb18
Hi Zion -
Yes; all the reasons you cite that a convection microwave oven might not fit are known. The question placed to Tami2 was whether or not they did a microwave to convection oven change which she had indicated they were doing per the agreement and purchase price she paid. I have my doubts they could comply with that particular item but awaiting her reply to see what the actual outcome was. In the case of the Carado's, if there was enough room, they probably include the microwave only to keep the total vehicle price down. Anyway; it will be interesting to hear from Tami2 how it worked out. Her existing report sounded pretty good overall.

Gene

[mumkin]

I've never understood why anyone would want a convection oven, to be honest. I had one for 4 years and only used it as a microwave. If I were spending significant time cooking in my rig these days, I'd take my Instant Pot.

[jason5pence]

We have been looking at the aktiv 2.0 and Coachman Galleria 24FL with lithium option with urban driving/parking our big question and the smaller aktiv would obviously be the winner there but we do like the layout of the Galleria.

Anyway our local dealer have offered the Corado Banff with the Lithium batteries and solar @ $59K. We know quality is not as good but at that price they have tipped our interest as a first dip into the RV life and try it out cons and pros and then trade in or sell in 2 years for an upgraded RV. We will go look and closely inspect the quality, so thank you for pics and info. Very informative.

Sorry won't let me edit the title bane..or is that an omen?

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by jason5pence

Sorry won't let me edit the title bane..or is that an omen?

Gee, I hope not...

[Saldar]

Originally Posted by jason5pence

Sorry won't let me edit the title bane..or is that an omen?

My editor disconcertingly changes the word travato to travail, but our van is fine so far.

[Melplu24]

Originally Posted by Storysrvwego

2feb18
Tami2 - re your flat stove, touch screen GPS, back-up camera, and remote start; can you say what dealer you ordered this from? I just chatted with CARADO factory Rep before I read what you got (and pictured) and asked him for the very same features (except remote start). He said none of these were options that could be ordered. Fascinating about the in dash stereo/touch screen gps system because I mentioned it is shown as standard in the 2018 brochure (and all 2018 RAM Promasters now come with this, standard). He said the brochure was incorrect/ the Banff's only have standard AM/FM and no steering wheel controls. And No Backup Camera. I don't want to start a thing here but it just makes it hard if one wants to go to a dealer and ask for things like this when clearly the Carado factory and your own experience are quite different. Excellent job getting these things Tami!!! One thing I didn't see you mention unless I missed it; did they provide a Convection Oven like you asked for or is it the regular Microwave? Tell us the dealer (US or Canada?) you went through if you do not mind so others can give them more business.

Gene

tami2 went to alpin haus it is in Amsterdam Ny . No she did not get the convection microwave because they could not find one to fit. Funny that the rep told you they are not an option because it was all installed at the factory.

[Mick531]

How's the Banff working out so far? Interested in getting one but worried about the quality. How's she holding up so far tami2?

[Tami2]

Sorry about the delay. I’ve been working a LOT.

As requested, here is a picture of my galley.

Because of the flat top stove, the drawer on the left does not open. The top right drawer is a deep drawer and is pictured. It’s a mess, I haven’t organized yet. The bottom right door, is the door to the tank. You only have about 4” in the front for something small.

The microwave is a normal microwave. As someone stated, the space was too small for a convection oven.

Both my seats swivel.

I agree on the insulation. Very little insulation. I also agree that most Class B’s I looked at had little insulation. I plan to insulate it myself, as best as I can, this summer.

I have had no quality issues so far, but it is new.
It has lithium batteries.
An underhood generator.
Volt Start.
Solar panels.
A macerator pump toilet (not a cassette toilet).
Factory hitch.
Swivel seats.
I added touch screen GPS with a back-up camera and remote start. (A company in PA did this for me.) I assume any audio radio specialist place can do it. Let me know if you need more info.

I liked the open floor plan with the bathroom in the back. I cut the board that goes between the beds which gives me an option of a single bed, double bed, or a king, depending on my needs at that moment.
I liked the Travato, but needed the shorter RV to fit in a regular parking spot. I am glad I made that choice. The Banff may have less bells and whistles than a more expensive model, but it has everything I need. I haven’t found a bell or a whistle that I miss yet.

Purchased at Hershey RV Show from Alpin Haus RV out of Amsterdam, NY

I hope you find this helpful. Did I miss anything?

If you want more pictures, let me know. I will post them when I get a chance.

[Storysrvwego]

12apr18 - Excellent report on your Banff, Tami2! I think you worked out a very nice configuration.

We tried to wait for a Bannf that was on order at a local dealer before but at least a couple of months have gone by and the one they were supposedly getting never arrived yet. So my wife and I pulled the trigger and went ahead with a new 2018 Travato 59K purchase. We looked at the 2019's but we preferred the 2018 configuration and of course the 2019's were also more money. Some neat things they are doing in the 2019 even without the L option but we are happy campers which I guess we can say, pun intended.

Just for misc info: Our local Camping World received a Sunshine V2. A remarkable difference versus the V1. For prospects looking for the base solution in a Class B, I think it is a viable product now.

Happy trails Tami2.

Gene

[mumkin]

Great report Tami2

Question... someone with a Sunshine Van One has reported on FAcebook that for his kitchen sink, he has to manually drain it into a bucket under the van. It isn't connected to the black/gray tank.

I'm shocked that this is even legal.

Do you have a macerator for dumping that tank or is it a gravity dump?

[Tami2]

Congrats on your new Travayo, Storysrvwego! That’s a great choice.

I agree with your assessment on the Sunlight V1. It’s unfortunate that the Sunlight V1 was put out for Camping World at the quality level that it was. Although, I understand they were testing the market for the “build if yourself” crowd, I don’t think the damage to the brand was worth it.

[Tami2]

Mumkin,

I also saw that on the FaceBook Page. What the heck?! What is that all about?

No. Definitely NO bucked involved on the Banff.

The Banff sink dumps into the tank(s) and the macerator pump empties the tank. I am not sure yet whether or not the grey and black water tank are separated on the Banff. Now that the weather is warming up I will get it to a pit, and get under there to understand it all better.

But the sink definitely drains to the tank(s) and is emptied with the macerator pump.

[mumkin]

That's good news. So it seems that this probably only exists with the Van one experiment. Hopefully Hymer learned their lesson on that debacle.

As I recall all the Carado units (and Van One) have only a combo black/grey tank. Not a bad thing IMHO, especially along with the macerator system.

The brochures say 22 gal for Axion and 23+ for the Banff. That gives you as much or more than the actual capacity of the two tanks on the Zion and Simplicity because they have a serious issue with gray tank capacity being significantly less than advertised because of venting issues.

[Tami2]

Interesting. I’m learning as I go, so I appreciate that information.

[nowitall]

WOW. Almost $40K over the price of my Van One. It's nice, but my budget didn't allow for that kink of expenditure.