Community Forums

Weazelll · 02-02-2015, 12:11 AM

If so, I'd love to hear what you think and especially what you paid!

I have narrowed my research down to the above two Class B models (but am trying to keep an open mind). Here's what I think I need:

I want a Mercedes Sprinter based Class B. Not a B+
I will be full timing with just myself and my dog.
Since I will full time the bed has to be good.
I want to boondock a lot.
I will want to add solar if I don't find a model with it included
I love the idea of a screen door on the slider
I love the idea of a full shower, not a wet bath.

Whaddya think? And thanks for the advice!

PeaceOwl · 02-02-2015, 12:43 AM

Hello, take a look at the itasca navion as well. We loved ours,but decided to go larger just recently. TheNavion had all that you asked for, and ohh yeah, 17mpg. We dry camped in Yellowstone for 10 days, a well thought out design on that RV!

Deny · 02-02-2015, 06:02 AM

20% to 23% discount is available ( The dealer in Forest City Iowa and that outfit in Ohio)

The Sprinter is a good choice (we have a 2014 View) the B shower was too small for us-and- we wanted the twin/king bed that did not have to be made daily.

Good Luck

Halebopp · 02-02-2015, 09:33 AM

I set out to buy the FS-SS but after seeing it at Hershey, I went with the 70C.
paid 103k, probably could have done a bit better, but did get a generous trade in for a 2014 view 24M. I've only put 2k on it so far so I'm still evaluating it, but so far I have no regrets. The bed is at least as comfortable as the one in the view, but much, much easier to set up. I travel comfortably with my wife and a parrot. Plenty of storage if you are a traveler, but if you are a "camper", you won't have a lot of storage for chairs, tables etc. and may want a hitch box for extra storage.
It is a dream to drive and park if your not too tall. I have no trouble at 5'10" but it does seem like very tall people might find the side keeps the drivers seat from sliding all the way back. Waste tanks are small but not tiny. oddly it holds more fresh water and propane than the View. Love the Alde heat system, uses only 1 watt dc when boon docking. I rarely spend more than a night in one spot, so I didn't get solar. The unit seems very efficient but I'll find out this spring when we have some long trips scheduled.
Again, We love it, but I'm sure its not for everyone.
Steve.

Weazelll · 02-02-2015, 02:03 PM

Thanks Halebopp!

What was it about seeing the Free Spirit SS that made you go with the Era C?

TinStarArabs · 02-02-2015, 02:16 PM

I have the 70A and love it. I go to horse shows with my GSD and it is perfect. I'm not especially fond of the flex bed because I was taking it down and putting it back up every night/morning and queen sheets wouldn't fit. I fixed the problem with king sheets and I just leave it made it. The only reason I mention the bed is that it is one of the only two things that I don't like about it. The other being the small freezer. You will absolutely love the ERA. The maneuverability and drive-ability is great. I am getting about 19 mpg. The shower in that 70C is awesome but the floor plan didn't work for me. I have plenty of storage. You have to get creative but it is so worth it.

Halebopp · 02-02-2015, 04:54 PM

Thanks Halebopp!

What was it about seeing the Free Spirit SS that made you go with the Era C?
-------------------------------
Aside from a considerably lower list price,
larger fresh water, black and propane tanks.
larger bathroom and shower. larger rear storage in the 70c which you can also access from the shower. Also the 70c rear is lighted and has both 110v and 12v outlets, the SS does not. The 70C’s bed tumbles open in one movement were as the Freespirit reclines electrically but the foot of the bed must be lifted and propped up with fold down legs. I found this almost impossible unless I stood outside of the side door.
The heating system is absolutely silent. No blower fan kicking
on and off all night and it heats the entire van evenly.
The 70C galley has more counter space (a pop up section), 3 burner stove, although
the SS has a much nicer and deeper sink. The 70C sink is very shallow.
The SS seemed to have slightly higher quality finishes.
There are some minor issues with the era like loose knobs and a rickety shower door, but
nothing I couldn't fix with a screwdriver. Both have pocket bathroom doors but the 70C has mirrors on both sides (wife likes that).
I should stop here as I think I’m starting to knit pick and many of these come down to personal preference. I did also consider that there are winnebago dealers and service centers everywhere. I only found a few LTV dealers on google maps.

Weazelll · 02-02-2015, 11:49 PM

Thanks again Halebopp! I think you helped me narrow down things to my final choice: the Winnebago Era 70C!

There is a local dealer who has one and there are also a couple of RV shows coming up in Oregon (where I live) in the next month. Hopefully between all of those ill find one at a decent price!

Thanks!

TexasSprinter · 05-06-2015, 08:36 AM

So far, so good. I'm amazed at what the unit has 'sucked up' and wondering why we needed all that storage in the DP we traded in. I went to Home Depot and bought four hooks for the rubbermaid system in the back. Now the back has has a full patio mat rolled up and stored on the far left, two rocking chairs and a side table hanging on the hooks, a roll-up table for the grill laying across the floor, and a grill in the bottom of the far right. Hoses and the electrical cable (and TV cable) in the pockets on the door. And still room for one or two sets of golf clubs on top of the grill.

Inside, everything just seems to fit. Took one of those fridge bars and put it across the shallow cabinet with the charge station. Chargers, phones, and extensions go there. My laptop will fit in the similar shallow cabinet at the bottom. Found trays to make the drawer in the bathroom and the top drawer in the kitchen two-level. Common stuff on top level, less used items on the bottom level.

This is going to work surprisingly well. And driving it is a dream. About 400 miles so far, all interstate, all at 70mph or more, and getting just over 16mpg. And it fits in any parking lot.

I'm looking forward to this...

Halebopp · 06-10-2015, 05:32 PM

I agree Niel & Carol, 3,000 miles and couldn't be happier.

TexasSprinter · 07-01-2015, 01:03 PM

First long trip completed, and absolutely convinced we made the right choice. I've got a short "punch list" for the dealer, but nothing serious. Halebopp, a couple of questions:
1) What are you carrying for a sewer hose and where are you storing it? This one still has me puzzled.
2) We can't get the TV sound through the entertainment system - can you? Not sure if we are doing it wrong or they wired it wrong.
3) Any idea how much propane the gennie sucks up per hour if running the A/C? It's worked well for us so far, but we depend on it for the dog when we're golfing, goofing, or shopping.

Weazelll · 07-01-2015, 10:42 PM

I started this post back in February but never bothered to update it until now. After taking a closer look at the 70C at an RV show as well as a dealership, I decided that it would not be as good a fit for me as I thought, primarily because I plan to full time soon.

In the end I decided on a PleasureWay Plateau XL - a B+ or C, if you want to quibble. It is built on the Sprinter chassis and is 9 inches wider on each side but only 23' long. It is easy to drive and, after about six weekend trips, I am convinced it will be comfortable to live in full time.

A month from today my dog and I head out to live on the road. It should be a great adventure. Wish us well!

Peter

Halebopp · 07-02-2015, 06:22 AM

Hi Niel & Carol, There is a small shelf in the water compartment to store the sewer hoser. To run the TV through the stereo speakers, turn on the stereo, set it to "aux" and hit the Radio/TV switch next to the stereo. Now my switch is reversed (I have to set it to radio for the TV to sound). You may want to go into the TV settings and turn off the TV speaker to avoid the annoying echo effect. As for the generator, I don't use it often enough to give an informed answer, but I'm sure the fuel consumption rate is somewhere in the manual. I'm on the road right now but I'll check when I get home in two weeks.

rickjmiv · 08-05-2015, 12:48 PM

I ask because of the "channels" between the cushions. Would it make sense to put a thin memory foam topper on it? Is there storage under the bed for bed linens?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasSprinter

So far, so good. I'm amazed at what the unit has 'sucked up' and wondering why we needed all that storage in the DP we traded in. I went to Home Depot and bought four hooks for the rubbermaid system in the back. Now the back has has a full patio mat rolled up and stored on the far left, two rocking chairs and a side table hanging on the hooks, a roll-up table for the grill laying across the floor, and a grill in the bottom of the far right. Hoses and the electrical cable (and TV cable) in the pockets on the door. And still room for one or two sets of golf clubs on top of the grill.

Inside, everything just seems to fit. Took one of those fridge bars and put it across the shallow cabinet with the charge station. Chargers, phones, and extensions go there. My laptop will fit in the similar shallow cabinet at the bottom. Found trays to make the drawer in the bathroom and the top drawer in the kitchen two-level. Common stuff on top level, less used items on the bottom level.

This is going to work surprisingly well. And driving it is a dream. About 400 miles so far, all interstate, all at 70mph or more, and getting just over 16mpg. And it fits in any parking lot.

I'm looking forward to this...