Comparing The Cost Of An Embassy

Since we are still in a holding pattern for our Embassy build, I thought I'd do a little research... but what else is new?
This video looks at current (May 2022) prices for different Class B RV's and compares that to what we are spending to get our controlled custom Embassy RV built.
Is there much of a difference? Let's find out.
PLEASE NOTE: Some manufacturers use watts while others use amps when referring to their battery systems. I had to calculate either watts or amps based on the formula:
Watts = Amps times Volts
There are two common electrical systems used in Class B RV's, either 48 volt or 12 volt. For the formula, I used either 48 volts for 48 volt systems and 12.8 volts for 12 volt systems (although some list as high as 13.34 volts).
There are arguments on both sides to which is a better system.
I don’t care.
All I care about is how long my battery will last in the situations that I find myself in.
So please… no long and drawn out pointless posts on why one system is better than the other. In the end, you don’t get to decide the battery system anyway. You get what the manufacturer uses in their RV.
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Music
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Intro
Birdsong
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Images
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Stacks of Money Falling Stock Videos by Vecteezy
Fuel Prices Photo by Yassine Khalfalli on Unsplash
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Links
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RV Trader
www.rvtrader.com
Winnebago
www.winnebago.com
Pleasure Way
pleasureway.com
Storyteller Overland
www.storytelleroverland.com
Coachmen
coachmenrv.com
Airstream
www.airstream.com
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Be seeing you!
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[@robinrodriquez9951]

You have the BEST videos. Can’t wait for your own Embassy tour!

[@RoadsofLife]

Thank you so much! Glad you like them!

[@nbragtop]

Excellent video ! Just what I was looking for. Thank you !

[@RoadsofLife]

Thank you for watching!

[@10basetom]

You should do an updated video on how this compares to the new Airstream Rangeline.

[@RoadsofLife]

Scott on Go Small Live Large has a review of it from the Hershey Show (kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHTVl4BoariKftk) He is far more impressed with it than I am... it only has 270Ah of lithium battery; uses propane; needs a gas generator; fridge/freezer is small; only sleeps two; and has a plastic sink in the bathroom. The price is okay (MSRP about $135k) but if you want the pop top (to sleep maybe four?), add almost $12k more. Just no innovation here. The US RV market suffers from that in general. European RVs are coming out with really great designs and high quality. Wish that would start happening in this country!

[@leithawalling9519]

Thank you for the comparison. I just found out the Embassy exists. I live in northern Illinois and plan to visit the factory in a couple weeks. It seems many class B cost more than the Embassy B but the quality of the Embassy and the power source seem to point to the Embassy as better.

[@RoadsofLife]

I'm shocked at Class B prices right now too! Even with dealer discounts and haggling all day to bring that down, you are still paying about as much as an Embassy for less quality! Thanks for commenting!

[@shirleyintx65]

Great comparison! Thank you. 😁

[@RoadsofLife]

You’re welcome 😊

[@eugenewright5304]

Good comparisons, thank you!

[@RoadsofLife]

I had a reply here... but it's gone! So here it is again... what I can remember anyway... Thank you for the comment. I am always concerned and try to be as fair as I can be to all the manufacturers concerning prices, opinions, design, and so on. Every one of the vans I looked at has good points and things I like, but this video was really about how they are priced. I will say this... Embassy prices can change as they are pricing based on what their costs are at the time they are ordering and building the van. Other companies, I am almost sure, are going to price high enough such that they don't need to change prices if there are moderate fluctuations in their costs. So that can explain some of the higher prices for certain vans... they cost more because the company that builds them doesn't want to change prices during the year.

[@graf2199]

Very helpful comparison!

[@RoadsofLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonyl1483]

Awesome comparison!👍 13:42

[@RoadsofLife]

Thanks for commenting!

[@barrytimm5497]

Interesting info and video, thanks! I would like to mention that while I believe we all understand what you're trying to convey wrt to battery systems, it would be preferable if you used the correct terminology so as to not create confusion. Battery capacity is measured in amp-hours and watt-hours, not amps and watts. They are very different things! Personally, I prefer watt-hours as then one does not need to consider volts or amp-hours in the comparisons.

[@RoadsofLife]

Thanks for the info!

[@deborah4579]

Nice job Robert. It never ceases to amaze me that the Interstate and the Revel are so under powered from a boondocking standpoint. I like the Boldt but don’t understand the propane use. I’m with you regarding Storyteller LT and the Embassy both being quality builds. I think both companies have good quality control and customer is king with both.

[@RoadsofLife]

We went to the Florida Supershow a few years ago (wow! A few years ago already!!) and saw an Interstate 19 but at the time we were very ignorant about battery power and RV necessities in general... never thought to ask how much power there was, and probably wouldn't have understood how much it was even if we knew. Doing this research kind of floored me. I had assumed the Interstate 19, at such a premium price, would have come with ample battery power. I knew the Revel was underpowered since we saw it when we knew a bit more about batteries, and I think that is its one great failing. But maybe because it's a shorter van they had to make some compromises vs. storage or whatever. The Boldt was the biggest "oh wow" moment though. I expected it to cost more being on a longer Mercedes 4x4, but it is QUITE a bit more expensive, and I don't see why. It's basically a long Travato.

[@sburre8965]

The Interstate was the very first RV I looked at, but being 6'2" I didn't exactly like the top of my head scraping the ceiling when I got in one (or any other Sprinter chassis)...and don't get me started on ProMasters.

[@superstarcat7654]

The ford vans are around $55,000 for the starting point.

[@vtwinfant50]

Robert, I enjoyed your presentation and echo many of your accurate observations. The words ‘cost’ and ‘value’ are loaded terms in the context of a disposable income, depreciating luxury purchase. I readily acknowledge Embassy’s formidable ‘bang for the buck’ features like: four season engineering design, dignified exterior style, HVAC & power generation systems, superior insulation, and space utilization. If shoppers limited their ‘real world’ purchase factors to just MSRP and standard equipment spec sheet …why even consider anything else? Reality, however, includes some difficult to quantify abstract values of aesthetic preferences, ability to personalize and consumer rights to modify/repair. Robert, I’m a bit surprised you overlooked the ‘elephant in the room’ when attempting to draw parallel comparisons with other B vans. Build quality is closely allied with not only construction methodology, but the choice of materials used therein. The entirety of an Embassy B van interior …looks and feels differently from all else, owing to Terry’s eschewing of wood, in favor of petroleum-based plastics and vinyl. FWIW: My least loved B van interior preference, has to be the skeleton-like ‘erector set’ vibe found in the modular Van Doit rigs. Regarding synthetic material construction, every vehicle owner has observed the deterioration of petrochemical surface finishes and compromised structural integrity of molded plastic automotive components. These manmade materials fade, yellow, lose pliability and often crack. Even dashboards, steering wheels and cockpit moldings eventually suffer the weather-beaten appearance of door mount mirrors, hazed headlights and chalky accent trim. How ‘cost vs value’ is reassessed when that happens …remains to be seen. To my rationale, this stark contrast in construction materials used, represents an ‘apples vs oranges’ proposition, when endeavoring to calculate cost-value comparative analyses. The STO Mode LT is a convention-defying outlier like the Embassy, and therefore seems like the closest available product for comparison purposes. The rugged, industrial grade materials composing the interior’s modular design, produces a unique character that significantly deviates from standard mass produced B van offerings …as does the transforming toilet/shower components, similar to the Embassy’s bath area. Until the recent inflation of gas prices, I would presume an enormous savings in material/labor costs amongst RV and Marine manufacturing was found in the use of pre-molded structural components like: synthetic doors, drawers and cabinetry…versus the more labor intensive wood alternative. Doubtlessly, Terry passes these significant production savings onto the purchaser, and with no requirement to factor in costs to cover prospective warranty service claims for black tank system repairs …this likely helps too.

[@RoadsofLife]

Oh yes... I agree. The only real product to compare an Embassy with is the Storyteller. Any and all of them are fantastic builds. If Embassy had not been around, Storyteller would have been our choice. Our only problem was the layout, which is far too "open" for our comfort. We really need a separation of areas, and Storyteller just doesn't build that way. Not a bad thing, just not our thing. I'm not sure about the manmade materials issue you noted. Are you saying you prefer that to "natural" elements, such as wood? I think that is a personal preference, and neither bad nor good. The materials used in an Embassy are marine grade... used in the boating industry, and as I understand it, not as problematic regarding fading and deterioration. I believe Embassy has a few models out there at least a decade or more old and are still looking brand new. I'll have to do more research on that though. Thanks for the post... very well thought out! Be seeing you!

[@johnyang1420]

Plastic works well in cars.

[@pd6569]

Thank you for this thoughtful video and comparison. What issues have you had with your Embassy? We’re they able to fix any issues you had?

[@RoadsofLife]

Haven't had any major issues. We were worried about the Air Conditioning at first... it seemed to not cool. But the system just needed to be restarted if it was not cooling properly, then it worked fine. The heating has been VERY good... actually, it can get pretty hot. I know one couple who were stuck in traffic due to a blizzard that had closed down the highway. They were just fine in the van in frigid temps (well below freezing), so I guess the heater working so well is a good thing! Thanks for commenting.

[@BillyBobDingledorf]

About the same price as a Storyteller Overland? That has list price of $246,000! What people are willing to pay for a van is insane.

[@RoadsofLife]

Just looked up the current (October 2022) prices for Storyteller, and the lowest price is around $172k, so they have definitely gone up in price. When this video was posted (May 2022), they didn't cost nearly as much, so keep that in mind. Thanks for commenting!

[@6JWB9]

Wow~ Well thought out class b rv comparison review. Would you buy Beyond if their prices are the same?

[@RoadsofLife]

Probably not... I like Beyond, but they use propane, which I'm not a fan of. It doesn't have the BTU of gasoline, and you have to find places that sell it. They do seem to make good RVs though. Remember that prices have gone up since this video came out so comparisons are a little dated.

[@jeffheaney7773]

I just came across the Embassy RV, this may be the one for us. I was looking for a Class B without a black tank or generator. I have one question maybe you know. Why don’t they have a solar system to recharge the batteries? When you plug in to shore power is it 30amp? Thanks in advance for any info. Jeff

[@RoadsofLife]

Great questions! Solar is very expensive for what it gives you, and so Embassy won't add it. I suppose you could add it later, but it costs! Also, with solar, you lose the stealth the RV would have provided you otherwise. The plug is 30 amp and is about the only thing that could give away that you are in an RV, something important to a lot of Embassy customers. The lithium batteries for the RV are either 630 amp, or like what we have, 920 amp. We haven't had any need at all for solar, especially since we have the second alternator that charges the battery as we drive much more efficiently than solar ever could. Hope this helps, and thank you so much for commenting!

[@jeffheaney7773]

@@RoadsofLife after asking you I found a video on my question. Your answer is awesome too. I think I’m sold on composting toilet too. Thanks brother!

[@RoadsofLife]

@@jeffheaney7773 Absolutely! Note that the C-Head toilet we have may no longer be available... I think the company might have got under, but not sure. If I'm not mistaken, the current choices are the Separette Tiny and the Laveo Dry Flush.

[@yanhuaqi4735]

I love EMBASSY DOLPHIN S floor plan so so much , how can I order it ?

[@RoadsofLife]

You can find out more on their website at www.embassyrv.com

[@samnangoak4544]

whats the ball park price on a embassy?

[@RoadsofLife]

Always hard to say a definitive price, as it all depends on options you may choose in the build. It is best to contact Embassy for confirmation, but I believe the basic build out is around $152k.

[@johnyang1420]

What is the price of your Embassy build? 145k?

[@RoadsofLife]

oh... I never talk about prices... they can change based on the van you want, options, customizations, and, regrettably, the vagaries of the current inflation rate... but you could be relatively in the ballpark!

[@Van_Liberty]

The TV is AC powered. At least mine is...FYI

[@RoadsofLife]

On most of the builds, yes, but on ours it won't be. It's 12v. BUT, it's a smaller TV

[@Van_Liberty]

@@RoadsofLife Interesting...I know Terry didn't like the large 12v TV image quality and went to AC. I regret not having mine put between the driver/passenger. Maybe I can get him to move it during their lunch break when I'm there next week...

[@RoadsofLife]

@@Van_Liberty I have a feeling he will be VERY busy that week. You may need to schedule time for that.

[@BLKFLYGTI]

Need a better mic

[@RoadsofLife]

Yes. Yes I do.

[@jeanneprice6736]

This video is soooo slow. Get to the point.

[@RoadsofLife]

That's what the Playback speed is for!

[@6JWB9]

​@@RoadsofLife Lol