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07-28-2023, 11:12 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Livingston, TX
Posts: 388
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Grech - What don't you like?
We are in the process of looking at a new Strada Ion. We do watch LivinRVision and have seen all of their videos relating to the different ones they have used or tested. So are there any of you who "own" one that would like to respond and tell us what you don't like or what problems that you have had in your travels.
__________________
Rick and Jenn and Lizzie our GSD
2024 Strada Ion AWD
2021 Ford F150
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07-29-2023, 12:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Livingston, TX
Posts: 388
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Well for as many folks that have looked at the post and had nothing to say it is a good sign. We already knew the bathroom is going to be a big adjustment for us. Traveling in a small rig will also be a bit of a challenge with our dog as she is a German Shepherd. But the positive options of traveling in a more nimble rig out way the negative issues as we can see. We are getting more excited every time we discuss it.
__________________
Rick and Jenn and Lizzie our GSD
2024 Strada Ion AWD
2021 Ford F150
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07-29-2023, 11:42 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 148
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We have had our Strada Ion Tour for about a month or so and love it. We’ve had 4 Motorhomes, 3 travel trailers, two fifth wheels over some 50 years and now a class B. The simple approach to taking short trips without all the work is so good. Of course we won’t be doing extended stays but it is so easy to just crank up and go. Seems to be well built and excellent workmanship. Easy to drive and get into smaller places. Go for it and enjoy!!
Quinton
__________________
Quinton Miller
2023 Bay Star 3626
2023 Chevy Equinox Premier AWD
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07-30-2023, 06:31 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Livingston, TX
Posts: 388
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Thank you Quinton, How was your transition from the New Aire to the Grech? We will be going from a Mountain Aire to the grech. We are already trying to figure out the major downsizing that we will be having to do. Also exploring an area that we would be camped in and leaving the space vacant. But honestly our biggest worry is our 65lbs German Shepherd. She like to sprawl and it seems like one or two areas that she can do that in there. We are looking around to see if anyplace rents one of these so we could get one for a week and see how it goes. I can't imagine we will have much luck finding that though.
__________________
Rick and Jenn and Lizzie our GSD
2024 Strada Ion AWD
2021 Ford F150
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07-30-2023, 09:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 148
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We are slowly getting things condensed and finding the right location for all the ‘necessities’ because there is very limited room, as you know. We don’t plan on very much, if any, long term trips in the coach. We have two small dogs (shizu mix) and they go get a little cramped when everyone starts to move around but it is just an adjustment to the mindset and not trying to do everything in a fast mode. We are not as young as we once were and certainly not as mobile so one of the BIGGEST advantage is how easily you can prepare to move and get underway. Right now it is so depressingly HOT, we haven’t done many short trips so time will get us better accustomed to the limited space! The driveability is great….and the ride also. One of the other good/bad things is the simplistic design - NO slides or jacks to malfunction! But, of course, you don’t have the luxury of those assets. It really becomes a personal thing! At this time we have no regrets but it is still early in the game! One last thing…..the air conditioner is good but the noise it NOT….very noisy due to the small space and the fan and rush of air is very close to you when parked and sitting in the rear! Hope this helps.
__________________
Quinton Miller
2023 Bay Star 3626
2023 Chevy Equinox Premier AWD
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07-31-2023, 05:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 222
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They do not have any outside storage. They do have a lot of storage space inside, just not what you are used to. Bathroom small and wet bath, but good layout. Bathroom door is good because it open up all the way. The floor finish could be better. Some storage in back of van. The bed when down could use a nice headboard. Not the best knobs for locking the cabinets, can't believe that they used those old style locking knobs. Great that they have power shades but when the motor goes out can't put down the shades. The step getting in is not the best. The Refrigerator is very small with hardley any freezer space. Low access to Microwave.
I you have wide hips you will never make it down the isle. (smiley) Low head clearence to the front cab.
I would have perferred a Truma water heater instead of what they offer. Plus a Truma AC would be a lot more quiet then the one offered by Grech. They could of added a little more head room in their design.
For that kind of money I thought they could have done a better job. Sure they where a luxury Van builder which they show some of that in the Van, but need to learn more about RV living and building.
__________________
Steve & Sharon
2017 RT CS Adventures 4x4 XL for winter travel
2019 LTV Unity FX for summer travel
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08-05-2023, 09:39 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Livingston, TX
Posts: 388
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Yesterday we were able to see a Strada Ion (23)Tour model and (24)Lounge model in person. I'll start with what impressed us. For a small rig there is quite a bit of interior storage in the Tour model which is what we would be interested in. The bathroom size is adequate and doable although it will be a big learning curve compared to what we have now. The kitchen area and counter space looks like it will also work for what we will need. Again smaller than what we have but we can make it work. The bed was comfortable although we only laid on it for 10-15 seconds. The width of the center aisle was wider than we had expected going into it with adequate room for our dog to find areas to be happy. Like us, she will adapt.
Overall it looks like something we would enjoy traveling in and have so many more opportunities. Trip planning will be so much easier if not somewhat nonexistent .
Now the not so good part of our day yesterday. Upon entering the Tour model there was large water staining area above the front drivers door near the ceiling. Obviously from a leak in the roof seam. One of the two vehicles wouldn't start due to dead battery. The salesman couldn't figure out how to put together the table up front and wasn't aware there was a second piece that attached to the wall that the table attached to. That after telling us that he had sold a half a dozen of these. The house batteries were off or dead in one of the coaches as he couldn't get the air to come on and couldn't plug it in.
So am I wrong in thinking that the 300w of solar panels will keep the batteries trickle charged when just sitting and AC is off? My dislike is also that you have to have your water fill and tank controls open to anyone while plugged in to 30 amps. I think Grech could split that door for a little more piece of mind and make both halves locking.
So to wrap it up. We are still excited in the Strada Ion Tour but discouraged by the dealer that we went to.
__________________
Rick and Jenn and Lizzie our GSD
2024 Strada Ion AWD
2021 Ford F150
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08-05-2023, 11:10 AM
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#8
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Member
Official iRV2 Sponsor
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 336
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonhiker
Yesterday we were able to see a Strada Ion (23)Tour model and (24)Lounge model in person. I'll start with what impressed us. For a small rig there is quite a bit of interior storage in the Tour model which is what we would be interested in. The bathroom size is adequate and doable although it will be a big learning curve compared to what we have now. The kitchen area and counter space looks like it will also work for what we will need. Again smaller than what we have but we can make it work. The bed was comfortable although we only laid on it for 10-15 seconds. The width of the center aisle was wider than we had expected going into it with adequate room for our dog to find areas to be happy. Like us, she will adapt.
Overall it looks like something we would enjoy traveling in and have so many more opportunities. Trip planning will be so much easier if not somewhat nonexistent .
Now the not so good part of our day yesterday. Upon entering the Tour model there was large water staining area above the front drivers door near the ceiling. Obviously from a leak in the roof seam. One of the two vehicles wouldn't start due to dead battery. The salesman couldn't figure out how to put together the table up front and wasn't aware there was a second piece that attached to the wall that the table attached to. That after telling us that he had sold a half a dozen of these. The house batteries were off or dead in one of the coaches as he couldn't get the air to come on and couldn't plug it in.
So am I wrong in thinking that the 300w of solar panels will keep the batteries trickle charged when just sitting and AC is off? My dislike is also that you have to have your water fill and tank controls open to anyone while plugged in to 30 amps. I think Grech could split that door for a little more piece of mind and make both halves locking.
So to wrap it up. We are still excited in the Strada Ion Tour but discouraged by the dealer that we went to.
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Hi Oregonhiker,
We would love to help you with your Grech. We have the line in Vegas and we have a fly to buy program for those that aren’t in our area!
I was lucky enough to visit the factory and do a full walk around video on the Strada-ion and the factory. I will link them below for some extra research for you before you purchase.
https://youtu.be/06TTUvguMLI
https://youtu.be/atah099iB6M
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
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08-05-2023, 11:17 AM
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#9
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Member
Official iRV2 Sponsor
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 336
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wqmiller
We are slowly getting things condensed and finding the right location for all the ‘necessities’ because there is very limited room, as you know. We don’t plan on very much, if any, long term trips in the coach. We have two small dogs (shizu mix) and they go get a little cramped when everyone starts to move around but it is just an adjustment to the mindset and not trying to do everything in a fast mode. We are not as young as we once were and certainly not as mobile so one of the BIGGEST advantage is how easily you can prepare to move and get underway. Right now it is so depressingly HOT, we haven’t done many short trips so time will get us better accustomed to the limited space! The driveability is great….and the ride also. One of the other good/bad things is the simplistic design - NO slides or jacks to malfunction! But, of course, you don’t have the luxury of those assets. It really becomes a personal thing! At this time we have no regrets but it is still early in the game! One last thing…..the air conditioner is good but the noise it NOT….very noisy due to the small space and the fan and rush of air is very close to you when parked and sitting in the rear! Hope this helps.
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Hi wqmiller!
It’s great to see you on the Class B discussion and I’m so glad you are enjoying your Grech from us (your 3rd coach purchase from National Indoor RV Centers)! We are always grateful to have such wonder customers in our NIRVC family. Brett speaks very highly of you and always mentions how y’all met at a Mall of Georgia RV parking lot show years ago!
I hope the weather cools down a little so you can get out and enjoy your Strada soon! It’s a blazing 🥵 106 here today in Texas so I feel your pain! [emoji170]
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08-06-2023, 09:36 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 148
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Hello Angie!
Good to hear from you! We look forward to meeting you one day, face to face! We have probably watched your videos a hundred times going all the way back the very first ones!
Yes, Brett and I had a very interesting and funny meeting at the Mall of Georgia! He has a memory like an elephant . Give him my regards. The DW has finally realized we can’t take everything we had in the New Aire, so we are about ready to take a trip to visit family near Atlanta where we will visit our friend, Tony Morse, hopefully!
Yes, the heat makes it tough at the moment but it will get relief soon! Take care!!
Quinton
__________________
Quinton Miller
2023 Bay Star 3626
2023 Chevy Equinox Premier AWD
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08-18-2023, 10:23 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Livingston, TX
Posts: 388
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We continue to watch and rewatch videos, read and re-read material about the new Strada Ions. We are convinced that we want to downsize into a 24' class B from our 45' class A. We are going to keep the F150 to start and drive both as it has a lockable cap on it and it gives us a garage for what we can take in the van. We want to see if we really need those items and how often we use them.
We have also looked online at Airstream Interstate GT with the E1 package. My likes on them is a larger table behind the drivers seat. That they duct the heat also to the front of the rig not just the rear. The heated windshield seemed like it could be nice. Rear view camera in the mirror. The freezer appeared better sized in it also. The pull out drawers on the closet for use as a pantry is a great feature. We also liked the drawer microwave as it seemed really convenient. Oh, and a place for the garbage. Seems kind of important.
AWD or 2WD is also something we are discussing. I honestly don't see a need to get the AWD as I don't intend to drive anywhere with our home that I would need it. In other words don't make any bad choices going somewhere I shouldn't . Bottom line I think both are great. They both have some features the other doesn't. I would be nice to have the best of both in one package.
Last thought is I don't care for the 30amp connection in the same place as the water bay on the Grech. If i were to be plugged in it would seem that area would be open and available for someone to mess with the sewer controls. I wished they had separate locking doors.
__________________
Rick and Jenn and Lizzie our GSD
2024 Strada Ion AWD
2021 Ford F150
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08-19-2023, 08:51 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
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Looks like the new Grech 2024 has a new A/C unit by Gree which is a lot quieter. Just FYI.
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08-20-2023, 04:55 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Livingston, TX
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jskicet
Looks like the new Grech 2024 has a new A/C unit by Gree which is a lot quieter. Just FYI.
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Thank you, I did see that in the new LivinRVision video. Also that it is a heat pump also. Always good to have a secondary heat source to pull from if needed in case of problems with the other. I looked at different 2024 build sheets at dealers and also on the Grech website and everything still shows Dometic as the brand they supply. Probably just using up the old style before moving onto the new.
__________________
Rick and Jenn and Lizzie our GSD
2024 Strada Ion AWD
2021 Ford F150
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08-20-2023, 10:26 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 374
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Yeah, a heat pump would be nice if the unit is quiet. We carry a small ceramic heater in our Airstream Interstate that we sometimes use when it's chilly and we have hookups. Works great and is a lot quieter than the Dometic tornado machine (Air conditioner only) we currently have on the roof. So, a heat pump isn't critical, but it could certainly be nice.
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