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I’ve been so focused on mods lately, that it’s been a minute since we’ve done a full-on RV review. What better way to jump back into it than with a review of Winnebago’s newest Camper Van model, the Solis Pocket 36B. When we shot this video, the new model wasn’t even on their website yet. Check it out!
Most of what we learned about this small-but-capable Class B is in the video, but there are a few things that stood out to me personally about this one.
1. Holy Counter Space, Batman!
Even though the Solis Pocket 36B is a full 5 feet shorter than our own EKKO, somehow, it manages to have more kitchen counter space than we do. Like *way* more. I realize there are other tradeoffs in an RV that’s less than 18 feet long, but still. This thing has like double our countertop space. Color me jealous.
2. Modes, Modes, and More Modes
The flexible dinette space is one of the major stars of this Pocket show. There are a lot of different ways this space can be set up – probably 5 different ones if you asked Winnebago officially. But you don’t have to stop there. We started making up modes and ways to set the space up. You can really flip this thing around to accommodate whatever situation you might find yourself in.
Now granted, Stef and I aren’t big fans of puzzle beds or moving your RV components around anyway, but the versatility here really does deserve a mention. I expect many users of this van will find their one or two favorite modes, and typically just work with those. A solo traveler might even be able to adapt to one mode and just leave it that way full-time. Lots of possibilities here.
3. Thank Goodness for the Bathroom
The original Solis Pocket didn’t have a designated bathroom space. I know some folks don’t really care about that, but I can tell you if I were to start using the toilet in the aisle while Stef was having a bowl of corn flakes… well let’s just say nobody is comfortable in that situation. I think it’s fantastic that there’s now a “shorty” option that includes a proper bathroom. How they managed to fit that into a floor plan this short is just incredible.
4. The EcoFlow Power Option
We do mention this in the video, but I’m not sure it totally comes across like we were thinking. We’re all familiar with the Jackery/Bluetti/InsertCopycatNameHere type of all-in-one battery/inverter/charger solutions. This is *kind of* like a large one of those, but also kind of not.
It’s kind of like it in that there’s a single component installed in the RV instead of 7 separate components in various places with all the associated wiring and connections. So there’s not an inverter installed here, and a solar charge controller there, and the batteries over yonder. It’s all in one.
But where it diverges from that model is that this one is hardwired into the RV just as all those individual components would have been. This enables ALTERNATOR CHARGING. Just like traditional RVs have had. Fixed solar panels on the roof are now possible, as well as shore power charging. In other words, you treat it just like a “regular” RV. You can’t remove the EcoFlow unit from the RV to take it to the beach, though.
So basically, it’s easier install and configuration for Winnebago, and full RV functionality for the end user. It’s pretty darn clever.
I can see this floor plan becoming popular with solo travelers. It’s got everything you need, it’s a bit more like a traditional RV with living space and a bathroom, but it’s still small enough that you should be able to take it literally anywhere in an urban setting. (Except maybe into a low parking garage… don’t try to take it there…)
Tell us what you think. Sound off in the comments below!
Is there a spare tire? If so, where is it located?
In the ProMasters, the spare tire would be underneath in the rear – aft of the rear axle.
If you hang on until 20 minutes in the video, we go underneath.
In this case, it does not appear that there is a spare tire.
Can you access the bathroom when the bed is fully engaged? it looks like the seat back blocks the entrance.
I own a 36A (2022) and I think the 36B is a miss. There are 3 things I’d change on the 36A, and while “not having to use the toilet in the aisle” is one of them, I think getting rid of the garage under the bed is not a plus (it was my main reason for going with the 36A to begin with). I have never felt that I wanted a hot water heater. I heat water to wash dishes and to make tea (f my portable charge is out of juice). The stovetop is sufficient for that. You’ll be waiting for the water to heat up anyway.
In the 36B you lose all the storage next to the dinette. The roof is incredibly cluttered. I installed a rack on my roof and added 100 watts of solar for a total of 270. I’m about to add another 50watt for another application. Having the rack also allowed me to install a Fiamma awning and not have to drill into the roof. I think Winnebago tried too hard with the 36B.And that price increase is uncalled for. At that price, I’d just skip the Promaster and look at Sprinter models with the 3 missing things I’d change on the Solis….
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Sounds like you got the RV that was best for you!
I’m popping in here to say, I love your adolescent prairie dog rendition. That was worth seeing all the configurations.
It was just as fun to do as it was to watch!
I have watch countless videos of this size van, I love the bathroom in the back and not the front. Love this van! The only thing I would love to see on the outside, is an awning.
I love this coach (just for me, alone), but I wish it had dual-pane acrylic awning windows like the Coachmen Nova.
Nice review.
Not a fan of the puzzle bed, but with so little space that seems like the only choice. I would give up the shower if I could get a full time bed.
Also not a fan of the Promaster’s FWD. In the snow, FWD is nice in a car with 60% of the weight on the front wheels but that is not the case for a truck. IMO, the Transit is a better platform.
Few Qs:
1. What are the tank volumes for the fresh and grey water.
2. What are the total watts for the solar. Did I see three panels?
3. I know the top is sealed, but is the propane box somehow vented to the outside, maybe through the floor?
4. You mentioned that the grey water drain is frost proof (what with no water in it), but is the van cold weather proof, like the ECHO? Proper insulation and all?
Cheers, Don
Most size and capacity questions are now posted online. You can find the specs here: https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/motorhomes/camper-van/solis-pocket?specifications=true
I actually did ask about the propane venting, and yes, that compartment is vented out below the van.
As for insulation, we couldn’t check it obviously, but it is CNC-cut foam, just like their other Class B products.
Wish you showed how to dump the toilet. Is it a cassette or do you have to carry the whole thing out to dump?
The toilet is like a cassette toilet.
It separates into two halves, and the bottom half you dump just as you would a cassette toilet.
(The top half you fill with fresh flush water.)
How much is the configuration as shown? What maximum tire size can be used on the van? Can it be lifted, and if so how much, so that there is more ground clearance for that rear axle and bar that shows under the rear of the van? Thanks for the look at this sweet layout.
We didn’t discuss price, but I believe it’s listed on the Winnebago website now. As to lifts and tire sizes, it’s a ProMaster, so whatever is available for the ProMaster should work with this van. We never looked into lifts when we had our ProMaster – never really felt the need. It’s a FWD only chassis, it doesn’t come in 4WD.
James in an earlier version of the 36b review you mention there was a humming in the battery converter how annoying is it actually?
I’m confused. The 36B is an entirely new model. There was no earlier version.
(There was also no hum in this video, btw.)
Do you have a link to what you’re referring to?
More likely I was confused
No worries!
James, Do you miss the 48V Volta System in the Travato? I know you have made mods to the Eckko, but do yo miss the simplicity of the Travato?
Nope, not really. I suppose the only thing I miss about it was the really fast charging rate.
Other than that, the system in our EKKO is larger, and more robust. It’s also simple. (At least to me.)
The Volta system had its own quirks.
So do I understand from the comments here that this doesn’t have hot water? (so only cold showers? arghh)
Is it just me? or don’t most folks use a microWave more than TWO burners that are permanently taking up counter space? Maybe a better use of space could have been a mini MW mounted somewhere and a single elec burner in the drawer? Just some space thoughts. Otherwise, they did a lot of nice things in that small space.
It’s the OTHER Solis Pocket that has no hot water – the 36A. (It also doesn’t have a shower, so you wouldn’t notice a cold shower there.)
Some folks use the microwave a lot (we do), and some folks just don’t. With that much counter space, you could add a microwave if you like.
In my opinion, I think Winnebago is trying too hard. The 36A, with an upgrade to Lithium, is perfect for a solo traveler, and more than adequate for couples.
Adding a “bathroom” simply took away too much storage space.
Everyone will have their own opinion – that’s why they make more than one model.
Personally, I like the bathroom.
Yes!
Bathroom or storage space? Honestly I’ve never heard anybody say: “Thank god it doesn’t have a bathroom”. 🙂
Most of the Pocket owners I know specifically chose the Pocket over the Solis model because it doesn’t have a bathroom. Wasted space. And a lot of the Solis owners use the bathroom as a storage space.
Thanks for the interesting review. I’m not a fan of the Tetris build-a-bed, but the variety of modes makes me think this is one of the most adaptable RVs I’ve seen. Big table mode is particularly interesting. Even the rear bath offers different configurations. Ive seen some other speciality van builders basically say to use *their* idea, and it’s the only layout option, and it’s not always the best for everyone. I’m not necessarily a fan of propane, but at least Winnie has made it as convenient as possible. I definitely would consider swapping out the old school Coleman roof AC for a more efficient 12V DC system (at the minimum it takes the inverter loss out of the equation). And that would even make the roofline lower profile. Also a big thumbs up the absence of underneath ancillary plumbing that screams RV, nice to have a cleaner, stealthier profile. That fridge definitely looks a bit on the small size, particularly with the freezer. All in all, a good variation to see, and hopefully at a budget price compared to the fully optioned models. Speaking of which, have you noticed that Winniebago and other manufacturers often have model builds such that there are few shared components between power banks, AC’s, toilets, heaters, DC charging systems, inverters, etc.??
Hey James!
I know this is a crazy question….but! This would be perfect with a pop top! You could just go upstairs to sleep–no need for puzzling the bed into sleep mode. Did you / can you ask about that as a future iteration?
Thanks.
Alex
We didn’t ask about a pop top, but that’s an interesting idea.
Is there even room up there for a pop-top? I don’t think I’ve seen a short ProMaster with one…
On the 36a version [mode? lol], the removable dinette seat support against the driver seat allows for the dinette table to “lagoon” on that forward dinette seat support, forming a table for the driver’s swiveled seat and dinette “J-lounge mode”.
Since the 36B Lithium version has the same removable dinette forward seat support, can the old dinette lagoon attachment be purchased to have that lagoon table setup, or can the new hydraulic dinette table pedestal somehow perform the same feature? That driver’s chair lagoon table was a good option.
Lastly, can the EXCELLENT STORAGE Solis Pocket 36A design incorporate the LITHIUM option of the 36B?
if there was a 36C that included the Floorplan of the 36A, with Lithium and HOT water of the 36B, I would already own it. The bathroom is a novel idea, but it’s the same portapoty real restroom use of the 36A, yet taking a huge area to do it. Lithium and Hot water may have been better choice options and really give this platform a boost… it’s a great Floorplan on the 36A.
Dare I request a pop-top, even if smaller than the 59PX one.
Ty.
As far as purchasing parts – I think you could get the parts diagram and call Winnebago customer service and maybe order the part that way. Don’t know for sure, but they do sell parts.
As far as fitting the lithium and Truma Combi in the 36A, I can’t really say. There’s not a lot of room to work with! But you never know what they may eventually come out with.
Thank you for another great review! Information from Winnebago seems to indicate that the lithium power system can be easily expanded, would be interested to know more about that if you have opportunity to find out.
Thank you!
Interesting. EcoFlow has home energy storage systems that can be expanded in 5kWh blocks. So if the system in the Solis Pocket can be expanded, I imagine it’s something along those lines.
The bigger question though would be – where in the world would you put another battery that size? There’s not a lot of un-used space in there!
agreed, that is the question, I guess tbd, thanks for your reply
Missed James jumping for joy over the no awning feature. The grab handle is just an odd shaped towel bar. On other vans I thought that black box was a propane junction. I love the design. Hopefully the lithium option isn’t too pricey, any estimate?
I should have said something about the “no awning” feature… missed opportunities.
I think that black box underneath is a junction point for the alternator/battery connection. Probably a battery isolator solenoid or something in there.
Don’t have any guess on pricing for the lithium option. Likely not cheap though.
Enjoyed your review but not sure about the lithium battery potential. How many watts is it and is it able to run the a/c for a few hours? Can it work as well as a traditional battery setup?
That lithium battery system will work at least as well as an old-school AGM setup. Better even – the increased charge acceptance of lithium batteries will have them charging quicker than AGMs ever could. And all the components are pre-optimized to match it to itself.
As far as AC run time: It’s a 5kWh setup. Math to estimate runtimes can be found here: How Long Can You Run Your RV AC Off Batteries?
I’m pretty sure the handle is to help climb up into the van through the back door. Can’t think of any other useful purpose.
Yes, probably.
But the step up into the van is pretty large. If you can’t lift your leg high enough, I don’t know how much that grab bar is going to help you.
I think the handle in the back is a grab bar if you are entering from the rear
I prefer the lateral-G toilet explanation! lol! 😉
Bring back the BELL!
Always enjoy how informative and educational your RV reviews are.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think another upgrade from the base Solis Pocket is the availability of hot water.
Any idea how long a drive to charge up the lithium battery?
As an owner of a Storyteller, I got a chuckle over how many times you used the word “mode”. In case you didn’t know, that is how Storyteller markets and describes their van.
I really like the floorplan. And if it was available five years ago, it would have been the perfect “support vehicle” to take to my kids’ sporting events. A nice place to have some Solis, I mean, solace from the crowds. Grab a nap and a snack.
p.s. Would love to see you reach out to Storyteller Overland and review the Mode. It would be entertaining (and informative) to hear your take on the van.
Thanks! I think you’re right there, because the 36A has a VarioHeat – which doesn’t heat water.
No idea on charge times. Although we did hear that the 1200 watt alternator charging is actually closer to 1500 watts.