Comparing the Winnebago Ekko to the Revel - An Owners Perspective

[@leenestle]

Appreciate the comparison, but one correction the sprinter does not have an old school 4x4 system with a locking diff. The sprinter has selectable all wheel drive with a low range function. They market it as 4x4 but even in the owners manual call it selectable all wheel drive.

[@Ruthie888]

I love the EKKO. On my wish list.

[@benwilliamson1487]

Amazing video!! You’re the best!

[@mtnride4930]

We have had our revel for 3 years and love it, it is our daily driver. Perfect around town comfy on the road. I travelled for 14 years in a VW Westfalia so it was like going to the penthouse from the outhouse the wife loves it and it use to be just me and the dog in the VW now we are all together.

[@OverlandCitrus]

Great Video Thanks

[@Snowprot]

Great video thanks! Big difference: diesel vs gas

[@RMSinLA]

Great video, thank you!

[@david_does_life]

I still don't know which I would chose. The Revel is the RV that I fell in love with when I saw it. It looks cool and fun and like it will lead you to great adventures. But when I went and see one in person it felt small and cramped (specially since I had just been in a Travato 59GL - much more spacious). Other uncertainties are that its ultra refined diesel and you need to top off the def. Also Mercedes tends to be expensive to maintain and repair. The Ekko looks ok but doesn't tug at my heart like the Revel. It has more headroom which is great since I am 6'5". I don't like that it has no rear view or that it uses propane for heating and cooking (I would have preferred gasoline heating and induction coktop). If I could live in a condo/house and own an RV then the Revel would be the clear winner. But since I am planning on living full time in an RV then the Ekko might be the smarter choice. But on the other hand, the smarter choice would be to live in a condo/house...so maybe if Im going to take the leap into van life might as well do it in a rig that I love. I know of two youtubers that first went with a Revel but then switched to an Ekko, they said the Ekko was much more comfortable. This makes me doubt my decision even more :/

[@acamilop]

I had the same reaction - loving (and still love) the sprinter. They nailed the modern moonbuggy design. But living with it is different. It’s the prefect weekend mobile. The Ekko with a big bathroom and more room makes life easier.

[@paulandrews7573]

I don't have a Revel, but I've had a 136" ProMaster for 5 years that we DIY'd with a raised bed so we could fit our mtb's underneath (uipgrade from the Vanagon Westy we had for 20 years) . We added a rearview camera with a display in the stereo to the ProMaster because the bed blocked the rear view mirror, works great. This would be an issue with the Revel as well unless the bed is raised all the way. We just got an EKKO and I am much more confortable driving it. Our first mod was to add a rear view camera. The wider mirrors on the EKKKO give you better rear visisbility, almost don't need the rear view camera, but the wife is more comfortable with it since we have it on the ProMaster. We got a poptop EKKO so we could bring father in law with us on trips, more comfortable beds, extra room, and permanent bathroom. The EKKO is much roomier even though it's not much bigger. We don't have a fixed bathroom in the ProMaster, just a port-a-potti, it's too cramped in the 136". I think it's do-able in a long wheelbase/extended van, but too crowded in a short wheelbase B. Compare the interior of a Revel or Jayco to a Stryteller Overland with a hidden bathroom (what I would get for just the two of us). Really happy with the EKKO and the Transit chasis drives great, power is the best you can find. All wheel drive is all we're looking for for winter highway and dirt road driving, if you want to go more off-road then you want a Revel or something similar (Jayco, Storyteller, custom). If you can wait for the delivery then check out the AEONRV, a small production company building a more capable version of the EKKO: more ground clearance, all electric, single rear axle... Easier and Cheaper maintenance for the Ford vs Mercedes is another plus. Long term if we keep our ProMaster it will be for day and weekend trips. As we've gotten older our needs have changed for more room than a vanagon, and then to bring more people. If you're not sure what to get definitely rent before you buy, it's a big investment. If your seriously looking at an EKKO I would highly reccommend checking out the Facebook group "Winnebago EKKO Owners and Wannabees" it's the best forum I've found for EKKO information, the pre-purchase inspection you can find their is a must. Also "EKKO Free Speech" will help you find available units. It may seem like everyone has nothing but problems, but that is where they all go to find and share solutions, so it's a biased sample. You will probably have a few issues to deal with, it's a Winnebago, but you won't have all of them.

[@franzschubertv2874]

I followed along nodding.

[@MichaelLochowitz]

I wish you could someone bend space/time and stuff the Ekko interior inside the Revel exterior.

[@GwenCooper-l1b]

Thanks for a great video!

[@acamilop]

Thanks!

[@scooby0006]

great comparison, thanks for the video. Have you done any winter camping with either? if so which is better.

[@acamilop]

Thanks, I have done winter camping in both. The Revel gets nice and toasty and has a reliable diesel furnace. My family and I skied and stayed in it with overnight temps at -10 degrees. It was great. I have wintered and skied out of the Ekko as well. I have had two issues with the propane furnace not starting up when I needed it to- both were during the fall when the temps weren't below freezing but it will give me pause and I'll bring a backup this ski season. The coldest I was in the Ekko was 10 degrees and had no issues. I couldn't use the pop top at that temperature.

[@scooby0006]

@@acamilop thank you for the info. My wife and I are in the market to get a b van. And we spend a lot of time in Yellowstone in the winters. These two are both on our list of possible purchases.

[@acamilop]

If its two of you and no kids- find a used Reve, then go camping. @@scooby0006

[@carebearsoccerplayer]

Thanks for the video! Can you do a comparison on which van rents better on outdoorsy? Also, could you do an updated video on your experience renting on outdoorsy so far?

[@acamilop]

So far I have only rented the Revel on outdoorsy. It did really well last year. Great idea, I’ll make an 1 year on outdoorsy video.

[@willwilliams141]

thank you. great video.

[@acamilop]

Glad you liked it!

[@ExploreInformed]

Do you feel/notice the ~3-4 extra feet of length and extra width of the Ekko when parking and maneuvering in a city? Curious if it feels any more prohibitive for city use than a van like a Revel or Solis.

[@acamilop]

Not at all. It really does drive better and is more maneuverable than the sprinter. We have no problems parking in Virgie’s or normal lots.

[@peterboddie3904]

Thanks for your great video. Just two questions regarding backroad access. I assume the Revel does better with both of my questions. 1) does the Ekko have enough clearance for a two-track back road? Not necessarily a 4WD road, but something more remote than a gravel road. 2) if on a two-track, or tracking through snow, how does the rear duals affect things?

[@acamilop]

The Revel does better off road because of the higher ground clearance. I have felt more confident getting the Revel further afield than the Ekko. But I have taken the Ekko down some sketchy paths, and didn't have any problems with the dualies. Thanks for asking.

[@karlheinzvansteen5748]

Is that tubular underbed storage system home built? Looks interesting alternative to the GLSS which is really nice but overpriced for me. I've got a 2019 Revel - luv it.

[@acamilop]

It is two campchef folding camp kitchen. I have another video on how I made it in my revel mods. Works really great and is way cheaper than the GLSS.

[@Appalachia02]

Camilo, I see you are a big guy like me. How is it trying to shower or clean up in the Revel? My wife really like the Revel but I am very hesitant since cleaning up (showering) looks really tight. Thank you

[@acamilop]

The shower works great and is plenty big for me. That one of the big benefits over the revel is that it is a large bathroom.

[@revolutionaries007]

Actually factory 4x4 from mercedes isnt better, as AWD is much closer to 50/50 front to back as the sprinter 4x4 is closer to 30 fron 70 back. So the new AWD Sprinters are even better if you have a locking differential I use to think like you do that 4x4 was better but only if the change the gearing.. Most people will be much better in a sprinter with AWD (or Transit) for off-roading. Cheers

[@chipsrafferty8362]

Ekko all day

[@Used2bike]

Camilo, thanks for doing the video, this type of information really helps with the purchase decision. My wife and I have had a Revel for the last 3 years and love it’s offroad capability and perhaps even more it’s nimbleness. I love how easy it is to drive and that it fits in a regular parking spot. We love the extra space of the Ekko but at 4 feet longer and no rear window how much harder is the Ekko to drive, both on the highway and particularly in tighter spots like around town and in parking areas, etc. Thanks for your help.

[@acamilop]

I think it’s easier to drive the Ekko around town. It really doesn’t feel bigger and since it drives more like an suv you are in and out of traffic and places quicker than the revel. The Ekko is downright zippy compared to the Revel. The only time it is worse for me is when I have my rear moto rack or box on the Ekko. Then the length makes it it really hard to park.

[@Used2bike]

Thanks for the input, much appreciated, I think this is our next RV!

[@AMSREVIEWS]

There is NO way I would ever buy an either one new! I like them but the price is so outrageous it is unbelievable. You can buy a nice house for the price of one or a used prevost. If you have money to throw out the window I guess it is ok.

[@paulwilliams2024]

Has the sprinter been dependable ?

[@acamilop]

The sprinter has been perfect. No issues with the sprinter at all. My biggest issue is just getting it in for oil changes. My benz dealer is always 3 months out. I did have the bathroom fan in the Revel break but that is it. Completely different story than the Ekko. The Ford side has been great except for a minor issue with with a clip holding port of the dash. My Ford dealer can do oil changes nearly whenever. The house side of the Ekko has some issues though. I'll give an update soon.

[@moretoknowshow1887]

The Ekko would benefit from a induction top, as I’m not a huge fan of LP.

[@acamilop]

Totally agree.

[@leenestle]

Believe the heat also runs off the propane so would need to convert that as well.

[@kirileman]

For 2 people max, the Mercedes.

[@batmanaerm7649]

I can't see anything.. only see your face

[@retiredandroaming]

Do a google search for a local optometrist. They will surely be able to help you with your eyesight problem..... ;)

[@Leyenda1]

Both are overpriced..especially for a nasty cassette toliet. No thx.