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We’ve not done back-to-back reviews of different models of the same coach before. But when we visited Winnebago in Forest City, Iowa, they had unit #2 of their brand new floor plan, the Travato 59K available. How could we resist?! Here’s the video:
We actually got to talk with one of the designers of the 59K, and you’ll hear him on the video. Their goal with the 59K was to create a feeling of open space in something that was truly a “couple’s coach”. We think they succeeded. The Travato 59K is absent some of the compromises typically seen in Class Bs to accommodate extra guests. There is no “jigsaw puzzle” cushion arrangement to create a second bed. The dinette table doesn’t have to convert to be part of something else. In fact, there’s no dinette table at all! Instead of a dinette, there are two independent trays/work stations – something that’s probably more useful, more of the time to Class B’ers.
And the beds! Since they don’t have to convert to or from anything, they could just make beds. And since they did, the beds are very comfortable.
That brings me to another whole area that intrigues us about the 59K, and that’s the technology and the European features incorporated into the coach. I’m talking here about things like:
- The NovaKool refrigerator – It runs with a very efficient Danfoss compressor, requires no leveling, and uses no propane.
- The expandable solar system – The unit we saw had 100w of solar on the roof, with jacks for two more panels. It also had a jack on the side for a portable solar array.
- The Froli Sleep System – This is an innovative system of individual springs so you can tune the bed to your own liking. It also elevates the mattress to help eliminate condensation issues.
- The Truma Combi air and water heater – This all-in-one propane and electric unit is incredibly efficient for an RV appliance. It’s also highly programmable and takes up less space than the two appliances it replaces.
- USB everywhere – There are a whole lot of (9, actually) USB charging ports in the RV (And I’m not counting the USB input on the stereo, which may also provide charging, we just didn’t test it.)
- In floor storage – We’ve seen this in Europe (and in boats), but it’s nice to see them making use of all the space available in this coach.
OK, OK, so it still doesn’t have a bike garage. We’re still waiting for that one. But there are a lot more things to like about the 59K. (For example, I couldn’t find any water lines on the exterior of the coach!) You’ll just have to watch the video to see them all.
As always, I’ve attached my usual checklist here: 2015 Travato 59K Checklist
Enjoy the video and let us know what you think!
Hi James and Stephany !
I love your RV Reviews, very usefull !
Since the fridge is 12v only, is it a issue ?
I`ve rented a Safari Condo this spring, we had issues with the fridge when we were a few days without mileage to recharge the batteries… Full sunlight for solar panels during day (no clouds) but never had enough battery power to last all night long with the 12 fridge…
The 12v fridge is not really an issue as long as you have enough battery capacity.
It sounds like you may have been short on battery capacity if you couldn’t make it through the night.
If you start the evening with a full battery and don’t make it through until morning, then all the solar in the world won’t help you.
Most Travato owners with the 12v fridge do not report issues. (At least not that I’ve heard of, and we certainly don’t have any issues ourselves.)
Thank you for the nice review. I like the 59k with one exception where to eat inside. I wish there was a small table that both front seats could use. I really don’t like the idea of eating on a cutting board. Otherwise is a good layout for me.
Since we made that video, they have continued to update the Travato.
The K now comes with a larger table to go between the two beds in the back for eating/working.
That may get you what you want. Just remember, with a B van, you will be making compromises somewhere…
Hi, nice job on the 59K forum. We are a couple considering it as a smaller option to our current Rockwood Roo 21ss Hybrid which we have enjoyed for several yrs for trips including Habitat Builds with the Care-a-Vanners. Those were usually 2wk stops which made them great since our Roo is so big with a large slide out and pop-out beds on the ends. Very roomy for a 21′ rig, but we haven’t used it much lately and thinking we want to sell the Roo and the truck and just have one unit that I can use as a second vehicle to transport items like lumber or other supplies between the beds over the shower. Do any of do that while not camping? I think if we put a rug over the shower it would protect it. We viewed the 59K at a dealer and liked it but wonder if we will miss our couch. Seems like if we prop up the head area a little higher it would make it more like a lounge chair but it would be even better if there was a way to lower the leg portion as well – has anyone tried that? Also the fridge is smaller than we like but probably OK – any comments on that? We also really like the windows which make it seem less confining, but that gives less vertical storage compartments for clothes and food – has that been an issue? Thanks for the videos and comments that have followed – it really helps a lot to hear from users who have comments on good and bad issues and have tweaked things to make them better – it’s good to share those things and creates it’s own community which is part of the fun of the experience!
We don’t have a 59k ourselves, so I can’t answer many of these questions.
I’d recommend heading over to the Travato Owner’s Group on Facebook. There are (literally) thousands of owners over there who have tried carrying lumber, adding windows… you name it. I’d bet money that someone has a ready answer for every question you might have.
James & Stefany, The model you were shown was diesel but the Winnebago spec sheet indicates diesel isn’t currently offered.
Correct. Fiat/RAM is not currently selling a diesel ProMaster in the US upon which they could build one.
Hi, Stef and James… thanks for the great review videos you’ve done on the Travatos. I’ve watched the K ones 3-4 times! I didn’t know what I’d do after abandoning the long-held desire for a View. But, thanks to you guys, I’m hooked on the Travato K! And after joining and spending hours on Stef’s FB group, I’m ready to pull the trigger. If everything come$ together, should be making my way to Lichstinn within a few weeks. (I’m on the west coast but want to do my own break-in.) Well, that’s if Lichtsinn will make me one of their great deals. I understand sometimes they offer them, sometimes not so much (for some reason). Thanks again for the reviews and ALL your wonderfully informative and entertaining videos (love the studio banter between the two of you). Best wishes and hope to see you guys at a rally or on the road some time!
Welcome aboard, Don! Can’t wait to see you rolling in your new Travato. Be sure to post baby pictures over on the Travato group when you pick it up!
Hi James. I noticed that the 59k doesn’t come with a fall size spare tire.
Nope. It does not. Neither does our 59G. Don’t miss it.
In fact, in our last RV (a Sprinter) I ditched the spare tire for the extra storage. Never missed it either.
Get yourself some roadside assistance and don’t worry about it.
Love your videos and posts. Extremely informative. We have ordered a 59K Travato and expect delivery in early August. Your comments were instrumental in our decision. It will be a 2017 version in gasoline power. Couldn’t get yellow though. Guess we don’t have the pull as you do :).
Woo Hoo!! Congrats and look forward to seeing you on the road (or off it).
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to join the Travato Owner’s Group over on Facebook. (Stef runs it.)
And we’ve made the Winnebegans swear never to make another yellow one!
Thanks
We subscribed to your weekly newsletter to keep abreast of any developments in the B class world. Really wanted white exterior color but also not available. We went with the stealth granite. Can’t wait to join your world.
The granite looks pretty sweet. You’ll like it.
James and Stepf
Thank you so much for your great videos. I found your site not long ago and was interested in the Travato. After spending two days at the dealer testing out the differences in both models we chose the 59K. We loved the open floorplan and in the 2017 model there is a table with legs that can be set up between the beds that still allows for you to walk by and get to the bathroom.
We will be installing the two extra 80w panels like Wincrash to keep up with the fridge and charging ports.
We live in Colorado Springs and are looking forward to getting up into the mountains this summer.
I will be looking to see if all the water lines are inside the coach because we also like to winter camp.
Thanks for all the videos and great advice you give online.
Brian R.
Welcome aboard! Also, if you’re a Facebook user, don’t forget to check out the Travato Owner’s group Stef runs over there.
James,
I love your video reviews especially of 59g and 59k. I am looking at both and am finding it hard to decide which one to get. I will be traveling with my wife and 2 young kids. I know I know I know lol, the 59g is meant for more people but I like the openness of the 59k. I wanted to ask you:
1)Why did you choose the 59k over the 59g(tech advancements aside)
2)can I legally modify the 59k to put seatbelts on those back beds.
3)I suspect winnebago will make some modifications to the 59k or offer a whole different floor plan that incorporates features of 59g and 59k. Have you heard any talk about this?
Thanks,
Sal
Hi Sal – Quick answers to your questions
1) You can read about our purchase criteria here.
2) Once you own one, you can do whatever you want. No “seatbelt police” are going to come knocking. Would it be safe? That depends on what you do.
3) Haven’t heard of any new Travato floorplan variations, but they’re always tweaking things, so you never know. It could happen one day.
Hey guys, I’m a ’19 59K Travato owner. I’ve watched a number of your videos and found them very informative. I especially liked the one about leveling jacks. But ouch, the price dissuaded me from following you into that mod.
At one time I was a member of the owners and wannabees group on FB. I found quite a bit of good information there, and those posting to the group, quite nice people. Unfortunately, when I asked group admin if the group was mirrored on any other platform (other than FB), an administrator became quite snippy and abusive in their response, at which point, I terminated my group membership.
It sounds like Steph runs a Travaro group on FB, but I am having trouble identifying which group that may be. Could you please let me know which one it is. Thanks.
P.S. If it so happens that Steph is involved with the owners-wammabes, I understand that the ill behavior of one administrator does not define the character of the others.
The Travato Owners and Wannabes group you were in was started by Stef.
We’ve got a Winnebago EKKO these days. Stef turned the Travato group over to her other admins, and she’s started a new “EKKO Owners and Wannabes” group.
Sorry if you had a bad experience with the TOWB group. They really can be a helful, if intense, bunch.
do you have a video or specific review of the 2016 Travato G ?
is it different from the 2015 G model ?
No, we don’t have a specific 2016 review. Sorry!
J&S – Lichtsinn RV did a YouTube video entitled “How long does fridge run on solar in Winnebago Travato?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1RB6FJft0Y
This of course was a 59K. This video motivated me to do a “back of napkin” calculation on how long the fridge would run in a 59K. I could not find the Amp Hour (Ah) rating for the NAPA batteries used in the Travato. 100 Ah is a good estimate. That means the Travato battery bank (of two batteries) has 200 Ah. 50% is considered to be a drained system. Ergo, the Travato battery bank has 100 Ah available. The Nova Kool unit in the Travato uses 4.4 amps per the Nova Kool web site. My guess is that the Nova Kool operates about the same as a furnace: about five minutes of run time for every 15 minutes. That would be 20 minutes of run time for every hour. So, for every three hours 4.4 Ah would be expended. In a 24 hour period, 35.2 Ah would be expended. The Zamp 100W solar panel can deliver 5.6 amps (per the Zamp web site). A typical charging day is about six hours. Ergo, the Zamp 100W solar panel can deliver 33.6 Ah in a six hour charging day.
So, the solar panel on the Travato 59K can just barely keep up with the amp draw of the Nova Kool. If one puts any additional load on the system, such as lights or the water pump, the solar system will run at a deficit. By adding a Zamp 80W portable solar kit, you get an additional 4.6 amps (or 27.6 Ah). That should more than keep up with additional light loads. Or you could simply add an additional 100W panel to the roof and you’d be good to go, which you show in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhuvC5NVF88
The above assumes that one parks in direct sunlight and is not in any significant shade. The advantage of a supplemental portable panel is it can be placed in (and titled towards) the sun if the coach is in some shade.
Again, these are “back of napkin” calculations but they should be fairly close. If one’s solar day is shorter or the refrigerator runs more because it is hot outside, then these numbers would have to be updated accordingly. What this calculation shows is that the standard 100W solar system should just get you by as long as you keep additional loads to a minimum. The Lichtsinn RV experiment seems to confirm this. At most you may need to run the generator for about a half hour to supplement the charging. Good time to brew a cup of coffee or run the microwave. Hope this is of some help.
As I am considering a 59K, I was concerned that the standard 100W solar system would not keep up with the draw of the Nova Kool compressor driven frig. One nice thing about the Nova Kool is leveling up is not as important (e.g., no flame to worry about). You also do not have to worry about a flame blowing out going down the road.
Sounds reasonable to me, but your analysis leaves out one thing: driving! Driving for any amount of time will do quite a bit to recharge the batteries. We find ourselves driving in our Travato on most days. If we were strictly worried about the fridge, then I think we’d be fine with just the 100W panel.
We had an electric-only fridge in our previous RV, and they are indeed nice, for all the reasons you point out.
Ah yes, driving. You are right. An alternator can put out about 120 amps. So even a half hour drive should top off the batteries. So if you move each day then no worries. I think the Lichtsinn RV experiment was to assuage the fears of 59K boondockers who plan to stay in one place for several days. I think their experiment ran for about four days. As an alternative to running the (rather noisy) generator to top the batteries, I guess one could run the engine/alternator. Just don’t run out of fuel 😉 I read somewhere that Road Trek has a generator attached to the engine on their all electric units. Must be one big alternator.
Yeah, the Roadtrek “engine generator” is a big second alternator.
I wonder though. Which would you rather run for extended periods of time without moving? The generator, which is designed to run for extended periods of time without moving; or the engine, which is designed to be moved rather than idled, and to have air flowing for cooling. Sure, the generator is a bit louder, but still. Just sayin’.
Thank you Stefany and James for all the effort you put into making your videos informative as well as entertaining. Each of you are incredibly talented and it is easy to see why you have such a strong following.
James nailed The Price Is Right (TPIR) product voiceovers and made it look effortless. It brought back fond memories from the early TPIR years.
I would be remiss if I did not call out the video segment on RV Energy Management. I was not wearing my glasses and when I saw the person in the robe and head towel my 1st thought was wow Stefany is really gaining muscle mass.
Question for Stefany: Is James this entertaining when the cameras are off or is this his on-screen persona?
Continued Success and Best Wishes
Wow, MotoEV, that was sooo nice! Thanks for your kind words. It’s the only payment we get for the work & videos on our website, and means a lot. And yes, James is a total nut on and off the camera. The great thing about James is he can see humor everywhere, and he’s easily amused. Our family pegs him as the family “character,” especially when he makes us do stupid things like his annual Christmas tradition: “The Christmas Lottery of Unpleasant Foods.” James buys awful food products like “grass jelly,” dried anchovies, etc…all things he finds at the Asian market and we can’t read the labels. He wraps them up and we all have to draw and eat one. Even the small children. There’s lots of gagging and lots of laughter, but it’s a good example of what life is like on what I call “Planet James.”
Hi James,
I love your review on the 59K. Just wondering what’s under the driver side bed? Storage? Thanks and keep up the good work!
Glad you like the review.
I believe it’s just mechanicals under that bed. The Truma unit. The converter. Water pump, etc.
No storage as I recall. If I find out differently, I’ll let you know.
We’re very interested in the 2016, and nearly ready to buy; one major setback is ;we commute Seattle to Mexico, Mexico has concrete bumps in all roads as speed deterants, will the Travato be too low and cause major problems?
I don’t believe you’ll have problems. We drove the 59G, which seems to have the same clearance as the 59K.
On our drive, we went over speed bumps, and over some of the large concrete gutter dips which are everywhere in Salt Lake City. We had no issues.
Now, I’ve not seen the speed bumps you’re talking about; but unless they’re much higher, or you drive with much more reckless abandon than I did… you should be fine.
I love the Travato, and your reviews…I took the tour at Forrest City Iowa, but didn’t get the VIP treatment like you.
I do like all the new technology on the K but still prefer the floorplan of the G. Any word on a refresh of the G to give it all the high tech? (Truma, 2 house batteries, solar, battery monitoring, etc).
I understand couples who want twin beds, (actually I don’t get it) but I prefer a permanent bed in the back and a permanent dinette in the front.
thanks.
Jonathan- you’re in luck.
The 2016 Travato 59G will have the tech updates that the 59K has.
You can check it out now on the official Winnebago Travato Specifications.
Have found a 59K and probably will purchase. We’re downsizing from a 24V View which is awesome. Want to stay with Winnebago products..seem so much better…have been to factory. PROBLEM with K is outside…1. Septic hose stores in compartment but does not have connector for campground septic. They expect you to just push the hose in there..with location of valves it will also be 2 person job..2. Where do you store the electric cord…need at least 20 feet of 30 amp cord…wish it had some outside compartment!! We realize going back to the van type you have to make changes…overall I’ll give the 59k at B+ score….we’ll see how it holds up in the future..heading for New Foundland for breakin trip…GREAT review job!!!!
Glad you liked the review!
It’s true there isn’t much exterior storage on the Travato models.
For the electrical cord, I would store that wither in the in-floor storage up front, or in the under-bed storage.
Haven’t figured out the sewer hose bit ourselves yet either. I heat most people are opting for the Presto-O-Fit brand of sewer accessories. They may offer some solution. I need to investigate that further.
Let us know if you pull the trigger! Good luck shopping!
terrific review, thanks!
Glad you liked it Steve!
It looks like the beds can not be used to lounge on as couches? No seatbelts or provision for table betwee the beds? I enjoy your reviews.
Hi Richard –
The rear beds do have a “chaise lounge” like feature that would be extremely comfortable for lounging. It’s not exactly a three-across couch, but for two occupants, it should be plenty comfortable, and if you want to sit more upright, there are the cab seats.
There are not seat belts for those positions, because it is intended to be a couple’s coach, which we actually like. If you want a table between the beds, you could always do something like a TV tray? Or perhaps a set of collapsing table legs – but then you’ve got the table top to worry about storing somewhere. I don’t think you’d want the table there while you were sleeping though. So it would really be only something you needed while you were dining, and then you put it away so you don’t block up the aisle.
Glad you like the reviews!
During Lichtsinn video, they showed that you could fit the portable solar panels underneath the bed. It’s near the end of the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KLpohDaDaBQ
I’d think long and hard before putting my money down on one of these 3.0 Liter Eco diesel motors from Dodge/Chrysler/RAM. They are made in Italy, spare parts are on back order for a long time, and hardly anyone in Chrysler/RAM, technician wise, knows how to work on them to repair them.
Look around here, before you spend your hard earned money. http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/ram-1500-diesel-general-discussion/
Thanks for the link.
As far as the diesel – I don’t think being made in Italy would necessarily be a bad thing, or any more likely to break down. But you bring up an interesting point as far as parts availability.
It’s probably a similar situation to the early days of the Sprinter here. They may have some growing pains, but I’m hopeful they’ll get over them.
Anyway, thanks for the perspective. I’ll check out that forum.
And for anyone else reading – these comments apply only to the diesel. A gas Travato would use a different engine.
Another idea for bike storage…
Mount both bikes on the outside of one van door, one with the rear wheel topmost and one with rear wheel lowermost. Have a detachable fibreglass or aluminium box that hooks on above the bikes then swings down and locks (with a key) at the base. Have some sort of lever in the catches at the bottom of the box so that pressure is applied to a gasket and makes the box weathertight. Inside the box (on the surface that is rearmost when travelling) add mounts for the two front wheels and bits of of lightweight gear. Your children will be cold, but safe and dry 🙂 .
The box would be the same shape as the van door – but a bit smaller – and about 50-75cm deep.
Very creative. I actually know a guy who works in fiberglass. I wonder if this would be feasible. Perhaps I’ll ask him.
Loved your review–you are so thorough AND entertaining. Question–is there an inverter and if so, what size? Or does that energy management system take the place of that?
Hi Carol. So glad you like the videos!
We did not see an inverter in the Travato (either model). Other manufacturers will add them to run the TV, but Winnebago uses a 12 volt TV in these (that’s why they put that 12 volt outlet outside).
Nothing I saw would prevent you from adding one though; or bringing a small portable one like we do now in Das Bus.
Wow–thanks for the quick reply! 12 volt TV is good–just thought with all the emphasis on the solar panels they’d do an inverter but it’s nice to have the choice to add one or just bring a small portable one for the laptop, cell phones, etc.
Now, I didn’t personally check this. The Travato was plugged into shore power while we reviewed it, so everything electrical was working. But…
You may not need the inverter if all you want to do is power smaller electronics. I didn’t check this out, but those USB outlets *may* be running directly off the 12 volt system. I know that they make 12 volt USB outlets for RV use, so I’d be surprised if WGO put 120 volt outlets in instead. (But maybe there’s some constraint I’m not aware of.)
If the USB ports are 12 volt that would be super sweet. Even if they aren’t I’m really impressed by the direction Winnebago is taking the Travato. Everything about this 59k seems very well thought out–the portable solar option (where you could park in the shade and put your solar panel where it needs to go) makes that option very convenient. I guess inside the only thing lacking would be the microwave? (and of course the a/c)
Carol – There is a microwave. Convection/microwave, I believe.
More random thoughts/questions…It seems like they could have put the shower curtain on a rail. Where would you dry a wet curtain after you unsnap it? Are there privacy shades for the cabin? Also did they indicate when it will be in dealers? Thanks again.
I don’t know if I have actual “answers” to these, but I’ll give you my random thoughts.
What I would probably do is leave the shower curtain up and the fan running after a shower until it dries. Yes, this makes it a bit wet if you need to use the toilet, but it shouldn’t prevent you from driving or anything else. Perhaps you could add a coat hook or something similar that the shower curtain could be stored on when not in use. We have a shower curtain now in Das Bus, and it doesn’t take as long to dry as you might think if you leave the fan on. We let it mostly dry in place (takes about a half hour), then I move the curtain to one side (it’s on a track) and it dries the rest of the way from there. I’ll finish drying the shower out with an old towel. We store things in our separate shower, so until the shower is dried out, things are pretty cramped for us. But like I said, it doesn’t take all that long.
There are mini and roller blinds in the lounge area. Winnebago provides some screening for the cab and rear windows. We didn’t show it because they’re working on an improved version from what we showed in our 59G video. But yes, you’ll be able to have some privacy.
As for time frames, we didn’t ask and they didn’t say. From some of the other comments here, I know dealers are taking orders now for summer deliveries. But these are turning out to be pretty popular, so when they will have units sitting on the lot unclaimed is anyone’s guess. Best approach there would be to talk to a dealer.
Great video. Absolutely adored “The Price is Right” music behind the feature call-outs!
Is there also storage under the driver’s side bed?
Thanks! It was all I could do to keep from yelling, “A new car!” during that Truma bit…
There’s not any storage under the driver’s bed. It’s all mechanical stuff. If you look during the Truma bit when I call out about the ducted heat, it shows two of the vents under the driver’s side bed. There are no access doors other than the one I show just before that, and you can see the vents, a subwoofer (didnt’ fire it up, just an educated guess), the return air vent for the Truma, and I believe a propane leak detector. All that pretty much fills the space.
Great review James and Stephanie! My wife and I are toying between the Winnebago and Leisure Travel’s Unity Corner Bed model. Quite frankly, we don’t know if we would have enough room in the 59K. While we like a lot of the new tech updates, we always come back to the space issue. If you could go a little bigger, would you? We won’t be going full time for a few years, but we do see ourselves going that direction.
By the way, you need to swing by KSL TV sometime. I am the satellite news coordinator for the station. You are just up the street and it would be great to show you and Stephanie around…and maybe even have you for a guest!
Looking forward to more of your great work! Thanks.
Hi Randy,
Glad you liked the review! Both your choices are good ones (and ones we might make ourselves). It really does come down to space. There’s no denying that there’s more of it in the Unity, and if full-timing is on your bucket list, then space is important. On the other hand, that space comes at a price – in that you can’t quite take the Unity everywhere you can take a Travato (Going to the Sun Road in Glacier, for example). The good news is that either of the rigs you’re considering is much more nimble than the typical “40 foot plus tow vehicle” combo. You could always do something like buy the smaller rig for now, and learn what you like, and then trade it in on a larger one later. Just a thought.
We’d be delighted to swing by KSL! (We actually bought Das Bus through an ad in the KSL Classifieds.) There’s probably a lot we could learn. I’ll take this to email and we can discuss further. Thanks for reaching out!
Does the Truma keep you from having to turn on the noisy generator for hot water?
Absolutely, yes!
Gawd! We just ordered a 59G last week in the new Granite color available for 2016. Was lamenting the fact the the 59G didn’t have two “house” batteries, Truma, Froli, nicer kitchen faucet and sink, solar on the roof along with a plug in on the side for portable solar. Didn’t like the 59K because we couldn’t sleep together.
However, we just saw your video this morning and changed our order to the 59K (we’ll figure out a way to have an insert made to combine those two sleeping areas). Another selling point was the fact that you had mentioned the water lines were no longer exposed (we want to do a lot of late Fall RVing). Excellent job by you two on both the 59G and 59K reviews!
George! We’re excited for you!!
So glad you liked the videos and that you found them helpful in your decision making.
Come back and let us know when you get your first whiff of “new RV smell.”
James, really want to thank the two of you again for what you do. We had a misconception of what “kind” of people RV’d (thinking, just Retirees here). Yours were some of the first videos we stumbled onto on YouTube. That made us rethink what RVing was all about. The more we delve into it, the more we’re finding that, like “Liveaboards”, the community is diverse and interesting. From Hipsters to Retirees. Very much looking forward to the next chapter in our lives.
Question for you. Concerning your “babies”, is it that you just don’t want to expose them to the elements or, are you concerned about theft, as far as not wanting to leave them on the exterior of the RV? If it’s theft, do what we do with our pair of expensive kayaks we leave at the rented public racks here in Minneapolis. We use marine grade BBB chain that we wrap with duct tape, along with two different types of locks. It takes a hydraulic press to break that particular chain. Haven’t had a problem yet in the 3 years of storing them there.
George – good idea. I see tweaking opportunities in the 59k. The passenger side bed for instance has all that linear isle storage. I envision being able to create a moveable platform there that can morph from storage (as is) to scooted toward the side to create a much wider isle to be used for whatever – dog crates, etc.
Also can you comment on the tank sizes?
Thanks
25 fresh. 13 Black. 13 Grey.
Full specs are here on the official Travato pages from Winnebago.
I wonder if you could hang bikes on the wall outside the bathroom door.
Or have them leave out the wardrobe in the bathroom to store them there.
Interesting suggestion! Leaving out the wardrobe in the bathroom would most likely be enough room for the bikes. But then, that also eliminates quite a bit of storage. Something to keep in mind though.
The problem with all RVs (IMO) is the damn bathroom. It’s always in the way. Why can’t they make a slide out bathroom. Even if it’s manually pushed. I think about if a rear bed/sofa ran width wise if one could get past the bathroom.
Else I think about the motorized drop down bed like the Trend/Viva has. Lay bikes on such a thing and just send it up towards the ceiling to be able to sit/sleep under it. Safari Condo’s Promaster seems to have pulled this off as well.
I am glad you pointed out the safety latch to prevent the van doors from opening. Up till then I had visions of falling out the back of a moving van while concentrating doing crossword puzzles (not that any of us would do that!). The silence of the Truma unit is impressive when compared to videos posted of conventional rv furnaces roaring like jet engines. The extra solar panel ports on the roof and side were a complete surprise and will be appreciated by DIY’ers looking towards bolting extra solar panels to the roof rack. Currently the 59K is on the top of my list, but the nearest dealer just posted that they don’t expect their 1st unit to come in until late June.
You mentioned that the 59G was going to have the Froli and Truma systems (which I hadn’t heard before). This makes me wonder if Winnebago will also upgrade their Era 70A and 70X vans with them as well.
Great video, very cool stuff…. so I’m guessing you still have 150 video clips to work your way through. Good luck.
We saw the Froli and Truma in 59G units on the line, so we know that’s coming.
We didn’t really ask about the ERA, so I don’t really know on that one.
James, this is something you may want to discuss with Russ. Through your videos on the 59G & 59K, Vanessa and I had more information than our poor Dealer Rep! I know those Guys at Winnebago are proud of their Travato model, and are trying to market it to the younger (or, younger in spirit) crowd. However, they need to get the information on Model improvements out to their Dealers in a timely fashion. Us bouncing between the 59G and 59K was all because of this “right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing” thing.
Playing the “Devil’s Advocate” though, we came onto the scene right at the time of transition between upgrades to the models. FYI, we had done a screen grab of the new interior offered at the end of your 59K video and sent it to our Rep saying, this is what we want. His response was “I don’t know where you got that from but, I haven’t seen it”. Told him, “Dude, it’s on YouTube”. Have a feeling he’ll be glad to see us drive off the lot once we take possession. 🙂
George. LOL! We’re certainly not trying to upstage the dealers!
But I can see how this could happen. Winnebago is turning around improvements on the Travato really quickly – much more an iterative model vs. the “model year” way the car makers operate. When they’re trying to improve things that quickly, it’s only natural that some folks will be remembering version 1.0 when actually version 1.1 is shipping and version 1.2 is not far behind.
I know they were having their “dealer days” this week, and they were taking a new Travato. Hopefully, that will help to get current info out to the dealers.
Would it be feasible to hang your bikes from the lockers that are above the beds?
I’m sure it would be feasible. But then I don’t think there would be enough room underneath to sleep!
(it takes about one meter of vertical space to store a bike…)
I was referring to storage during transit, as you now stack them in the doorway whilst driving 🙂 . What do you do with them when you reach your destination?
Oh!!! I get it.
Actually though, we usually leave the bikes in the sliding doorway once we’ve arrived as well. (They’re my children, after all. 🙂 ) Sometimes we take them out and attach them to bike mounts I’ve added to the cargo doors in the back, but we always bring them inside at night. In our current setup, the galley and all features except the sliding door are still useable with the bikes inside.
Thank you for the video! I’ve been on the edge of buying a View/Navion 24J as I love the new U-Booth and light decor/space…. Been waiting to see how I feel about this K. Still unsure as they are different beasts. I want both for different trips.
I’ve been researching solar for a week now and was nearly pissed off to see that plug for portable solar! And the nice control panels, etc. There’s some tech in there that I want!
If they had the European Seitz windows – ooh I’d probably be swayed. I really like it though. Wonder about a flush table post flange between the sofas/beds for a small table when needed. And I think with pillows/bolsters on the beds, it would make a nice area. Gah! I like it.
You guys going to get one? 🙂
Well, the bike storage is still a pretty big thing for us, so we probably won’t get the K.
But, we did see that some of the newer, cooler features (Truma, Froli…) were also available in the G now, so who knows.
I’m a big fan of the Seitz windows too. Glad to see I’m not the only one.
Glad you liked the video!
You did a great job on the K. But I have a question… Is the price the same for the gas K and G ? How much more for the diesel ? Or do you know ?
But the video was really good, I watched it twice. OH ! and will it come in RED ?
And one more Question….How much solar can you hook up…300 on the roof and how much can you plug in on the side, and are the batteries AGM ?
Hi Scott. Glad you liked the video!
We don’t really know much about pricing. I do know they charge more for the diesel. And some of the things, like the racks, are options. I know it sounds like a cop-out, but the best thing would be to talk to a dealer.
I can answer some of your other questions though. Yes, the 59K should be available in red. And yes, the batteries are two group 31 AGM batteries.
I can’t specifically recall how much solar you can add. Your guess seems pretty good. I think the charge controller may be the limiting factor there, and I don’t have the specifications on it to know what it can handle. Roof space for solar might also be a limitation on a 21 foot van. If I can find out more specs, I’ll comment back.
Looks to be about $3,000 more for the K, from what we were quoted today; because we switched our order today from the G to the K.
Thanks for the real-world input! Should be helpful to others in the same situation.
George – with what features/options? Did that quote include the full rack systems? Solar? Else I’m surprised. I realize they are upping things from 2015 to 2016 (I’m hearing a 2% increase for View/Navions for instance).
Seems to be given the current MSRP is (IIRC) less than $5k than the Trend/Viva – I have a hard time imagining.
Lisa, yes on the full rack systems and solar. A little background. We’re coming from living on a sailboat down in the B.V.I.’s for the last 12 winters. We lived in a smaller space than what’s in the Travato. We had two 75W solar panels and an Air Marine wind generator attached to what we called the “Tower of Power”. Used a 1000W Inverter.
Also, we can attest that Nova Kool frig units (the brand offered in the 59K) are bomb proof! Ours was at least 10 years old when we bought the boat, and was still chugging along 12 years after that. One thing we’ve noticed that hasn’t caught on with the RV community is composting toilets. This is something we used on the boat, and something we plan on installing on the Travato. The advantages are the same in both environments. No hoses, no need for a storage tank (freeing up that space for combining the black and grey tank to double your grey water capacity). I could go on and on about them but, if you or anyone else is interested, there are several videos on YouTube about composting toilets in RV’s.
Another thing we noticed about those twin beds in the 59K, is that they resemble the cockpit settees we had on the boat. When not out hiking on the Islands or being in the water, we would lounge around a lot on those settees, reading and just taking in nature. We envision doing the same in the Travato after biking, kayaking, or rock climbing.
Scot, the diesel was going to be right around $4000 more on the 59G unit, when we checked.