New? Hymer Travato 59k knockoff "Sunlight"

[dev13steph]

Originally Posted by rockymtnb

Do the units listed at $60k or less include the underhood generator and lithium battery pack? That's a very impressive price point if true...

No, the ones at 59k are only with manual awning. With generator and lithium they are 64k. There was a little room on price negotiation but not much. This was the unit I wanted so I was willing to pay.

Camping world does list the options in their listings so you can see what's included. I have yet to see any with solar or the TV option. That wasn't so important to me.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by dev13steph

No, the ones at 59k are only with manual awning. With generator and lithium they are 64k.

I do believe that ALL of them have the manual awning. (don't see that as related to battery type or generator)

From my checking the unit, the first thing I would do is fix the latches on the cabinetry... especially the kitchen drawers, which literally had nothing to hold them shut. They will empty the first time you turn a corner.

[dev13steph]

Originally Posted by mumkin

I do believe that ALL of them have the manual awning. (don't see that as related to battery type or generator)

From my checking the unit, the first thing I would do is fix the latches on the cabinetry... especially the kitchen drawers, which literally had nothing to hold them shut. They will empty the first time you turn a corner.

I checked nearly all of them on Camping World listings around the US. Didn't find a single one w/o awning. I wanted to get an idea of pricing before I went to my local place. The sticker prices vary widely. MSRP will be 70k+ for most but some locations list their more competitive pricing (59-64K is what I found)

I agree about the cabinets. I don't like the swinging/folding style doors. They are clunky and don't work the greatest.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by dev13steph

I checked nearly all of them on Camping World listings around the US. Didn't find a single one w/o awning.

No one said w/o an awning. I said that they all have a manual awning... as in NOT a power awning.

[dev13steph]

Originally Posted by mumkin

No one said w/o an awning. I said that they all have a manual awning... as in NOT a power awning.

Worthless point. Thanks. Read the option description.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by dev13steph

No, the ones at 59k are only with manual awning.

A topic that you brought up as if it were significant. Since you are not the only person reading these threads, I was making it clear that all Sunlights come with a manual awning.

This is unlike all other Roadtrek/Hymer units that have the electric awning.

So... NO, it isn't a useless comment when it was necessary to make the details clear that you had muddied with your misreading or misunderstanding the previous posts.

[Rocketman53]

RVTrader asking price of only $57,995 in Greenwood, IN. The Hymer Simplicity model had some attractive pricing at the recent RV show here, mid-$60s. In my neck of the woods, the selling point for the basic Ram with high roof is $33k.

[rockymtnb]

Originally Posted by mumkin

This is unlike all other Roadtrek/Hymer units that have the electric awning.

Actually I believe the Simplicity and Simplicity SRT models also come with manual awnings.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by rockymtnb

Actually I believe the Simplicity and Simplicity SRT models also come with manual awnings.

Yes, you are correct... the two other stripped models.

[cjscott123]

The price seems nice, I like the floorplan of the Winnebago 59K BUT is this the best Hymer can do is copy the American Winnebago 59G and 59K? We have a Winnebago Era 70X. I would in a heartbeat trade it for a European Hymer model less than 25 ft with the large pass through garage. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DO THAT? Can they have some guts and just do something different than the other American models, do they just have to follow along with the same floor plans. I guess it's a nice idea to have something a little shorter and cheaper than the 59K but we had high hopes when Roadtrek bought Hymer that they would FINALLY bring some of the popular European layouts known for Hymer and other European companies with the shorter RV's with large garages which they do by raising the back bed. We also need solar, tanks large enough to boondock for a couple days and the ability to bring 1 more person/child on occasion, which is why the 59K layout wouldn't work for us unless it had seatbelts in the twin beds. The Aktiv which is nice, we do like it, but it's just a tiny bit too small.

[Joan Good]

tx for the useful info

[kmrotterdam]

Originally Posted by dev13steph

No, the ones at 59k are only with manual awning. With generator and lithium they are 64k. There was a little room on price negotiation but not much. This was the unit I wanted so I was willing to pay.

Camping world does list the options in their listings so you can see what's included. I have yet to see any with solar or the TV option. That wasn't so important to me.

I called Camping World in Oakwood, GA, and the salesman told me that their Sunlight V1 model had 200 watts solor, charge controller, and 200 AH lithium batteries, underhood generator, and TV for $59,989. They actually called me back this Saturday to see if I was coming to take a look.

[kmrotterdam]

After a few days of calling various Camping Worlds, I feel this Sunshine V1 is some kind of marketing ploy/game -- it's certainly not ready to be sold. For example, I called today and 1) as soon as I mentioned Sunshine V1, they hung up, 2) I called for info and the salesman said "watch the online video", and 3) I called and the salesman said they expect the spec info in a couple of weeks and he can take my contact info and get back to me. I hear variations of these as I inquire about the V1. At this point, I have lost interest; the process seems to make me feel dirty just asking about the rig. I'll wait to people have actually bought these things and there is more info and videos online.

[mumkin]

Which is why most people don't like dealing with Camping World in the first place. They don't want people calling in for information. They want you to come in.

[dev13steph]

So I've owned my Sunlight V1 for a couple of weeks now. Overall I'm pretty happy with it. For those thinking of buying one, I'll give my opinions so far.

The driver/passenger seat swivels add almost 2" of height which to me made the seating position uncomfortably high. A short person (5' 2" or so) will not be able to put your feet flat on the floorboard (so they dangle in the air). This would not be very good for a long trip. I removed mine and put the seats back to factory height. MUCH better! We gave up the swivel deal, but I don't think I would use this feature anyway.

There are some rattles and noises while driving. The stove top is the worst offender, but it's fixable by putting some soft material under the grates while in transit.

Camping world did our walk through and admitted they do not know very much about the Sunlight V1. So we both learned as we went through the features. One note for those looking, the fresh water fill location is inside the driver door frame (hook up for water at a site is down lower under the rocker panel). There is no user manual given for the coach features. However, most things are pretty straight forward and intuitive.

With a full charge on the Ecotrek 200 system, I ran the AC system for 40 minutes on full speed, using only the battery and the battery test meter read full charge still. I'm confident it will run easily over an hour (possibly 2 or more) on continuous cycle. I will test it soon on a trip and run it until it shuts off.

Another cool surprise I found is that they did include a propane gas quick connect underneath to run an external grill. Very cool.

The Promaster van has A LOT of power for this size of RV. It will easily out accelerate normal traffic with half throttle. Pretty impressive. Also the turning radius is fantastic.

[markf57]

I went to look at a Sunlight at my local CW location in Colorado today. The website showed that they had two in stock. When I got there, the salesman couldn't find them. He asked a manager and he stated, "They were both picked up a few weeks ago and returned to the factory. Something was wrong with them".

Sounds like an odd thing to tell a Customer. And I suspect, not something that they would just make up.

I wonder if anyone is aware of a recall or reason they might have been sent back.

[mumkin]

They seem to be sending them out with Ecotrek lithium batteries. I would guess that is the issue.

[JeanM]

The Sunlight brochure doesn't list side and rear entrance screens as an option. But then there's this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqhKa8bBctA

At around the 1-minute mark, Jason from Campingworld mentions that side and rear entrance screens are available.

I've contacted a lot of CW locations over the last two weeks. It's been interesting comparing the diversity of their responses to my identical initial request.

A couple of CW reps responded to say that the door screens are simply not available, and that this info comes straight from Hymer.

The brochure lists solar charging as an option. But some CW reps are saying you can't get that either.

After listing what options we need - including the door screens - I received more than a handful of specific "lowest" price quotes from CW reps for "the vehicle you requested". Meh prices. Along with a bunch of requests to come over and drive it - even though in my signature it's obvious I'm 1000+ miles away. Details, details!

One rep's response was that nobody anywhere actually has one of these vehicles, because they were all recalled back to Canada for something to do with the battery.

[kmrotterdam]

There is a long post and response to questions by Jim Hammill CEO of Hymer Roadtrek North America on the Facebook "Roadtrek The Group" site. Besides offering a rebate for buying a Sunlight in the next few days, he gave quite a bit of enlightening information about using Camping World to distribute this campervan. He basically said you should not expect Camping World to know anything about this van; he said it is a low cost distributor. He said the V1s are selling well, but I have yet to see any video or online reviews by someone who has actually bought one. These are quotes from his exchange:

"I am the CEO of the Erwin Hymer Group of North America. That's the parent. I now have three factories and shorltly will have four."

"I'm not misconstruing . I'm saying Camping World is not the place for you to buy. That's not their business model. You have expectations from them they will not meet. Sunlight is a product that is simple and you can get technical advice from us and service will be easy as it's a simple easy to use and service product. But your up front expectations of the dealer mean it's not for you. Buy a Roadtrek or a Hymer. Then those expectations will be no issues. I have zero issues with tellling you I don't expect Camping World to be knowledgeable. Across the world the Sunlight brand is entry level solid product. But one of the core issues with the marketplace right now in Class B Motorhomes is price. And to achieve a true entry level price I have vend it through an entry level retail outlet."

"The Sunlight isn't aimed at early adopters. It doesn't have new technology in use. It's a serious solid camper van. At a great price point. It's not a "new" concept. It's aimed at those who would have bought used class B s or not at all unless the price was lower. And if you buy a 59 k camper van over 180 months, it will be 320-350 a month. That changed everything. No other Brand can offer that."

"Well, hold on. I had a team established for this product right from the begginning. And that team was told the rules. It has to be built in 45 minutes of labour time. We own the chassis for four hours. It needs to be solid. And that team completely engineered without any Roadtrek or Hymer engineering influence. They were mostly newer engineers and people. The paradigm shift here is that I expect to have to shift the business model on certain brands to meet market demands and needs. If I had Roadtrek people do it, it would be 10 grand more. Period. Hymer isn't an entry level brand, so those staff won't ever work on entry level."

" Sunlight is entry level. Carado is entry level and edging into mid level.
Hymer is premium level. So they cannot be generally compared to each other or Roadtrek brand models as they are completely different."

"We set out to bring a van to market like Europe, that allows people of all financial situations to come out to the lifestyle and have fun. The van is built in 4 hours."

"It's not an 80k price either. Sunlights are listed at 59900 and 64900."
" It's not a Roadtrek. It's completely and absolutely different in almost every way. It's been engineered to be built fast and effectively and meet a specific price point."

" i don't know if you even read what I said. I like people a lot. But you can't expect to get the low low price at camping world and the same knowledge as a premium product dealership. Every camping World salesperson cannot be an expert on the million products they have and if you expect that don't buy from their."

"I disagree that I should have to alter my business plan to meet these unrealistic expectations.

I don't go into McDonalds expecting the kid at the counter to be able to answer nutritional questions.

I don't expect the person at Walmart in front of 3827473 TVs to have any idea which is technically best.

I do expect my Mercedes salesman to have knowledge. Because his company makes twenty models and five million of them a year. The entire RV industry industry is four hundred thousand a year in a hundred companies. That's why we support them.

I'm a little guy by any comparison to car companies. Or Walmart. Or McDonald's. And I give way better support. But people have to dial a phone or ask. That's all.

In a premium product dealership, I have specialists who cover the product. They have been flown to our facilities. Trained to the nth degree. And we still have complaints. And those dealers will have dozens of Sales staff.

A business model like CW doesn't focus on sales staff having detailed product knowledge. They have limited amounts of people with high turnover. It's an entry level job.

Their business model doesn't agree with your expectations and I'm simply trying to let people know that's the way I expect it to be.

That's where I'm selling the Sunlight Brands. It gets people the price I want them to be able to get. And nowhere else can I get that."

Jim Hammill
Jim Hammill Hope that all helps. Camping World isn't my company. They are a distribution point for an entry level product to help the consumer achieve a price point that they desire.
Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 1:25pm
Jim Hammill
Jim Hammill They don't and won't sell Roadtrek or Hymer brands.
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 1:26pm
Jim Hammill
Jim Hammill Ever.
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 1:26pm
Jim Hammill
Jim Hammill Have a great day, I'm going to do a Dad day!

[BBQ]

.

Thanks for the quotes.

It is fair.

>I don't go into McDonalds expecting the kid at the counter to be able to answer nutritional questions.