Ultramobility Van Life Ep. 20 “Vans!”

[@jarosawreszke63]

Good to see you again, greetings from Poland/Europa

[@Ultramobility]

thank you so much and hello!

[@jeancoughlin5490]

Thank you for pointing out things to look for in B vans. You were the first to address the cargo carrying capacity in B+ band years ago which is an important consideration. I like the few b's with a lift bed. I can't imagine making and taking down my bed every day. I also think the positive latches are the way to go in very tight spaces. I picture people bumping into protruding fixtures regularly. Rounded corners on cabinets slso seem advisable. Thanks for the threat tours. If like to see your opinion on the bed lift Regency Xalta.

[@richbowie76]

I like the layout of the Revel/ Launch . I prefer the Launch interior ! There is something about the Storyteller i don't like i just can't put my finger on it !

[@Ultramobility]

the storyteller is more utilitarian to me. the launch is a bit more refined than both the revel and the storyteller. it’s good that there’s a variety of different choices for overlanders and adventure types.

[@lizdc1]

Lol.. Not surprised thesolis back end confused you:-) I own a solis PX which is what you toured. They come in a pocket, a P and a PX That back space is what is called the garage in PX it is an extra 18 inches past the bed. So for gear. A number of us owners have added a bed extension back there for the bed. It turns it into a north-south king-sized bed vs a east west queen... A number of folks like the garage but for us the ability to not crawl over each other is priceless. We still have a giant garage since we have a all the space under the bed. I would not want gear in my face when I was sleeping. The one thing that is helpful is that since the cabinets don’t extend under the bed extension I can fit a clam screen room side to side. Always love your videos and love your new rig.

[@Ultramobility]

thank you for the clarification!

[@jonnygrizz]

Enjoyed the tours! But yes, after awhile they all start looking the same and there is so little innovation.

[@Ultramobility]

glad it’s not just me!

[@laurenmarovich3234]

Hi, nice walk through. I've been looking at the Roam. It is on the promaster 2500 so it's 19'9". Also it has a 3000 watt inverter which is unlike the 1000 most of the others have that aren't lithium. I had a travato in 2020 and have been following you since then.

[@Ultramobility]

thank you for the clarification on the 2500. I neglected to see that.

[@gosman949]

So nice to see you back in your natural ability to analyze RVs. Your true calling!

[@Ultramobility]

thank you jay - it was so fun to be back out looking and analyzing rvs again.

[@sasstewart1222]

Always love your B reviews Neil. I wish you would have been able to check out the Thor Sanctuary / Tranquility but in the L layout with the permanent bed. We currently have the convertible couch in our B and looking to have a separate bed/lounge like you have and that one checks all the boxes, esp as it has a Transit option for us tall folks! (The panoramic is our ideal layout but there isn't enough headroom on the promaster/mercedes chassis)

[@Ultramobility]

thank you so much

[@selimibnalkazahan]

The difference with storyteller is that: 1. The mosquito net you complaint that it wouldn't be useful with the outdoor table down, you should have unfold it, because that mosquito net actually covers the door and allows at the same time the table to get up and down. 2. The Volta system allows it to run their air conditioner by 12 hours straight, only with its lithium batteries, without a generator, and the Beast mode has a button to make it automatically run on high idle to recharge the batteries in an hour with its second alternator dedicated only to recharge the batteries, so you can let your pets in the sun with the air conditioner and if you take more than 12 hours in your hiking, the air conditioner can run for days if your tank is full. 3. It fits in a regular parking, so you can go early to your appointment, or to Disneyland, or to the DMV to renovate your driver's license early..... And you can then calmly have your breakfast, take a shower and dress without getting there late, and having to look for a parking space for blocks away because everything's taken. 4. Yeah, it only has a portable cassette toilet for emergencies during the night, it counts on you to take one of two options: •Do urban stealth parking and go to the bathroom on gyms, gas stations, malls and restaurants. •Do adventure, off-grid parkings, and go to the bathroom outside in the nature. So yeah, that's the only downside, is you like a big black tank to be able to go to the bathroom inside your motorhome all the time and carry it with you until you find a waste place to empty your rig..... The storyteller may not be for you, there's options in the market with that feature. 5. Oh, and you can hang on from a cabinet, do a pull up, and it will sustain your weight, it has that quality. Greetings from Mexico, Cheers.

[@Ultramobility]

thank you for these comments.

[@toycarcollector]

Neil your van is so much nicer than anything at the show except maybe the Gretch. I am constantly in awe of your van because it is a "travelling and comfortable office". Ours is more of a lounger with comfortable twin day beds but no real work table. Plus taking the van out for the day is just not convenient with the way we have it parked. I noticed that none of the designs at the show featured darker colors, we have a 2019 Travato K which has the darker colors inside. We are not RV’ers, we are campers, so we enjoy a nice warm cozy feeling inside our van because we go camping. Did you find anything that had a cozy feeling? I am not impressed with any of the changes that Winnebago has made in the last few years. The worst is how the metal bed slats are so prominent. Have you looked at a photo of the inside of a 2023 G model? It shows the Travato as big mess of competing colors and materials, quiet ugly I think. I do love the new chassis of the RAM Promaster. Thanks for taking us along to the show, we like RV shows but watching you saves us a whole day for other more fun activities.

[@Ultramobility]

i love your comment and thank you. i have taken a look at the new 2023 g model. i like many things about it but i agree that winnebago could do better on selection of interior materials and design. the new ram promaster chassis is a game changer for me.

[@sybilburke1404]

You point out things I would have not consider. You have a good eye for quality

[@Ultramobility]

thank you. i’ve spent years reviewing rvs, purchasing them and making mistakes. i love to share my experience with others and i appreciate your comment.

[@stanw909]

Is anything alright ? Meow !! Just kidding I kind of agree with you and your Panoramic is really nice. Unfortunately for tall people the Panoramic is probably a no go. Thanks for the tour.

[@Ultramobility]

lol now you know why i don’t do reviews anymore

[@sozucom]

Can you do a review of the Cyberlandr. I know it's not your typical RV but I''d be curious to get your thoughts on it. Pros and Cons.

[@Ultramobility]

interesting. if it ever comes out, yes.

[@melvano4014]

I have the Solis PX and put a board across and extended the bed into a North/South king. Room for 2 folded e-bikes below in the storage area.

[@Ultramobility]

super smart. thank you for sharing your experience as an owner. i love the solis and love the options and especially love the price. it’s a great layout and much more affordable. you get a lot for your money.

[@brianwhitaker6040]

Neil great review thanks.The prices are up there. Like here since Covid prices have gone sky high. You are right the designs have not changed. Your Panoramic is streets ahead of many of those you reviewed

[@Ultramobility]

as consumers we must demand more for lower prices. as i saunter back into the industry it all comes flooding back to me. this is a strange industry unlike any other. it deals with extremely high priced products but everything about it screams “cheap”. as in “cut as many corners as you can” cheap. it’s odd. we would not accept that attitude in any other industry. thank you for the comment brian.

[@mauricelevasseur9987]

In the Solis, the extra space at the back has to be used as a garage space. Very convenient in a class B no?

[@Ultramobility]

yes… not sure if i’m willing to sacrifice bed size for extra storage unless i’m sure i need it though.

[@mauricelevasseur9987]

@@Ultramobility good point…and nobody wants to fall in a garage when sleeping 😀.

[@Ultramobility]

lol can you imagine!?

[@HouseAbout7990]

That sink in the MWD Passage is huge! Definitely would get in the way of my showering! oh if only there was a class b that didn’t have a sink in the bathroom 🤔😁

[@Ultramobility]

lol you stinker!

[@annap214]

Hey ~ the co star’s here! great smile Julio ~ Love to see some new Class Bs with you. For one, I can’t tell the difference between old and new Pro Master ^^ Wow great points on those details, never thought of that, hanging legs are definitely not comfortable, and I’m sure I’m not taller than Julio, latches are not the secure type, easily fly out on a bumpy road, not sure about the long term quality, but the price is really attractive indeed and the black tank outlet is very easy to reach also..however as a consumer who’s not outdoor sporty type, looking for comfort and easy maintenance is the priority, ie don’t like making the bed, don’t like small fridge or tiny windows. The big gap at the back or air conditioning takes up the head room, that’s a waste of space, the driver seat was blocked and can’t lean back much is a bad design etc..really hope RV manufacturers can hear the consumer’s voice and improve, like having a convenient located service center which can be protected by cover and locked..that’s awesome! No bending knees and more stealth! RV for wheelchair users that’s new, and thoughtful! Back to Panoramic, maybe is the window size or the light color interior, it’s pleasing to the eyes. Another thing I like about Panoramic is the floor design which gather all the sand/ dirt in one confined area and will not fall and trap under the driver sitting space, which is very hard to reach and to clean. At the end of the day, RVs’ reputation is mostly depended on the word of mouth. The last thing you want is some very angry users that vent their frustration out to whoever they meet.

[@Ultramobility]

i try to point out with honesty what i’m noticing anna! thank you for the comment.

[@kristenpersinos5140]

were you on a commercial?

[@Ultramobility]

a loooooong time ago i wasn’t in a commercial but i was on movie screen ads and on a billboard of highway 101 in SF

[@danfried9498]

Glad to see you reviewing B Vans again! I truly miss the old channel…Your daily routine is much like mine and most would be bored with my life. However, my personal interest is learning the most I can about the RV world, accessories and equipment. Perhaps, I’m alone in my opinion but thought I’d pass along my comments anyway. Best to you and Julio(sp?).

[@Ultramobility]

are you calling me boring 😂 i do appreciate your honest feedback. i won’t be doing rv reviews again. at least not like i used to. i found it stressful and frankly quite boring reviewing the same rvs over and over again with little change. i much more enjoy showing my rv lifestyle, inspiring people, answering their questions and maybe occasionally doing this.

[@gosman949]

@@Ultramobility I understand now why you haven't been reviewing Class Bs since they haven't changed that much. I think some of the real innovation has been going on in the Class Cs, such as the Ekko and some of the darlings of the lithium world. But class Cs are not your channel, I understand.

[@Ultramobility]

@gosman949 I would make an exception for the Ekko!

[@sybilburke1404]

I agree they all look the same.

[@SlowTransitTimes]

What is currently your favorite 19 ft. Sprinter luxury van? I’m having a hard time deciding. The build quality is just pathetic on most. And Grech wants over 200K! After having built a custom adventure van, it is shocking to see the cheap components in the manufactured vans and what they charge. Thanks!! (In the Solis that space behind the bed is supposedly for a bike…)

[@Ultramobility]

probably the ascent by pleasureway

[@SlowTransitTimes]

@@Ultramobility ah yes, just looked at one, and it’s at the top of my list. Just don’t want propane or a generator. Impressive quality.

[@Ultramobility]

very high quality. i loved mine.

[@jaytabac6525]

I liked hearing your feedback of the different vans. like you, cassette toilet is a deal breaker for me. gross. I was wondering about the very expensive Gretch vans and who there market is. I cannot see myself or anyone of my vintage in a van like that. The price tag and finish looks like it is speaking to the retired demographic who likes to take longer drives in luxury with the possibility of needing to sleep over in the van from time to time. The bed conversion and lack of garage does not seem to fit the lifestyle for people who really use their vans to travel in for multiple days, or anyone who would live in their van.

[@mitsygaynor]

I keep hearing about Ethos/Jayco Swift quality being not so great. What makes it less quality? need to know what to look for and avoid. Thanks

[@Ultramobility]

i have to take a look but in general it is a lot of stuff behind the scenes that is a result of how they construct it.

[@mitsygaynor]

@@Ultramobility thanks for reply. Just watched a couple talking about how they got two lemons with Thor so this makes me nervous. What should we look for when shopping or class B other than the obvious layout, power etc? What makes a B better built/quality than other? Thanks!

[@Ultramobility]

well this isn’t a definitive answer but after having owned 3 class b’s i’m happy to share my thoughts. First calibrate yourself. explore a quality coach from a builder like pleasure way or panoramic. that will help to set your baseline. you will see and feel immediately the quality. you should NOT see any build problems when you walk into a coach on a dealer’s lot. that would include trim pieces coming apart, blinds coming down, random bolts or nuts on the floor. I’ve seen all of these things in vans and they are the first sign that the quality is lacking. next you should see that there is a good fit and finish. doors that open and stay open. no obvious gaps. when you pull a drawer open it should feel solid like at home. cushions should be high quality on sofas not thin and cheap. lighting should be plentiful and dimmable. accent lighting usually means a bit higher quality. finally the warranty. people knock me for this but believe me a warranty says a lot. anything with less than a 3 year warranty is probably built by cutting corners. but even airstream which offers a 3 year warranty is not built to a very high quality. so if quality is what you’re looking for then 5 years on the warranty is what you should seek. no rv manufacturer building poor quality will offer a 5 year warranty because they cannot afford the warranty claims after the first or second year since they don’t build them to last that long.

[@mitsygaynor]

@@Ultramobility great advise. Thank you. Love your video.

[@Graymanvanlife]

Story teller is over 200k. Wow that is expensive. I would imagine the resale value would be great.

[@Ultramobility]

gave you a little shoutout when i got to the travato grayman!

[@Graymanvanlife]

Thanks for the shout💚

[@Yolonda-y1n]

I don't think Thor can nearly match the build quality of the Panoramic, Humble Road or Embassy build...it looked like there might gave been an Oasis..was there? And if so, what was your thought on the Italian build of it? I loved the video. Done perfectly! 😊

[@Ultramobility]

you are right. but then again it is tens of thousands of dollars less expensive. that’s a huge savings and a good enough reason to consider them. plus they have a variety of floor plans and options not offered by those others and they have a massive dealer and service center footprint.

[@Ultramobility]

i didn’t see an oasis. i’m dying to find out and take a look.

[@JD-xo3xz]

Thank you for another deep dive on vans and prices. Amazing how manufacturers cut corners (such as the Grech with Dometic AC). It looks like an afterthought, or just threw in whatever they had on-hand. Although some prices are good, their choices of equipment/furnishings are subpar. I would be curious to know what happens with all the unsold RV's one year to another.

[@Ultramobility]

the ac on the grech is a real head scratcher. why on earth would they put that low cost ac on it? it’s perplexing.

[@JD-xo3xz]

@@Ultramobility Seriously considering just buying a new cargo van and then sending out an RFP (request for proposals) with my requirements to all the custom van builders I can find. I must have seen two dozen so far all over the US, but mostly in CA.

[@Erin-Thor]

I kind of wish you could have handed the camera over and done a bunch of slightly in-depth reviews. Some of those you walked by I was dying to see inside.

[@Erin-Thor]

Question, it sounds like you don’t like cassette toilets. May I ask why?

[@Ultramobility]

it’s small only around 5 gallons and that’s going to fill up FAST. Then you’re going to have to find a place to dump it. Good luck with that. Finally, it’s going to be heavy carrying around a suitcase weighing over 40lbs and filled with poo. you’re going to have to manage it as you lift it over a toilet and try to avoid splashing the contents all over yourself and the toilet. then you’re going to have to find a way to rinse it out. it’s just such a poor design and bad idea. good idea if you are in a country where there are not a lot of dump stations. bad if you’re in a country that has dump stations. you can dump them into a dump station but then it would be simpler to just dump from a black tank which in my case is over 3 times larger.

[@spellmadam2947]

Still.....100k for low quality is not a deal. IMHO

[@Ultramobility]

so true. it’s a lot of money to pay. i could not believe the prices that i save at the show.

[@Patrick_Ross]

@@Ultramobility - does a potential buyer have to go to an RV show to get the very lowest prices? It seems one should be able to get the same deals at a dealership if one makes it clear to the salesman they know the bottom prices. Also, driving past RV dealers shows lots overflowing with Class B’s….just the opposite of the last couple of years.

[@Ultramobility]

@@Patrick_Ross no you can get a similar deal at a dealer if you’re willing to walk off the lot. it takes guts and courage but it always works. they will eventually call you back and offer you a better deal. i’ve never had it fail.

[@Patrick_Ross]

@@Ultramobility - thank you….I will do that. Especially with the current glut of RVs, they should be willing to deal. As you alluded to in the video, the “list prices” are highly inflated. I’m guessing that’s because they do get a fair number of suckers in the door who overpay by the tens of thousands of dollars.

[@Ultramobility]

good luck! if you need consulting services i offer them on my site. just reach out.

[@dwoodygura]

Bob from VanCaskeys DOES love the Storyteller. It's seems too utilitarian to me and I would dislike the "build a bathroom." One the one Solis van the "gap" behind is the bike garage. You can stand up two bikes back there.

[@Ultramobility]

thank you so much for clarifying that. it’s an interesting design choice. i like the idea of carrying the bikes on the inside. not sure if e-bikes would fit but still a good idea and it eliminates the need for an exterior bike rack. it would be great if they would make the space optional so that you could use it for your bed if you like.

[@ccartee1]

You are correct about the porta potty on the STO. It is one of those “No solutions, only tradeoffs”. And it is the weakest part of the STO. The compartment you open for the shower is called the “flexspace”. Most people put the potty in the flexspace during travel. You can put the potty on top of the flexspace when you’re camping. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGKZZH-bnphgpaM

[@Ultramobility]

I like the STO. It is a well thought out and designed product for their target buyer. The quality appears to be pretty good.

[@santafefavs]

In the Solis the partner can get out of bed without crawling over.

[@Ultramobility]

how? are we talking about the same rv?

[@santafefavs]

@@Ultramobility it looks like they can get out the back door if they don’t want to disturb their partner.

[@Ultramobility]

but where are they going? they would need to climb under the garage and back up to get to the bathroom…

[@santafefavs]

@@Ultramobility I reckon they could go back in through the side door if they remembered the keys. 😉

[@Ultramobility]

yes indeed! i suppose that area would be good for storing taller items like golf clubs. perhaps that’s why they designed it that way.

[@laurielavallee411]

The difference with your van (Panoramic) and other van makers (Drifter Vans) makes these look so cheap. No thank you!

[@Ultramobility]

yes I completely agree with you but then again i had to pay for that quality. Some of the vans I toured in this video are $60k to $70k less expensive. That’s a lot. Plus you get a national dealer and service center network. I’m 100% behind what you’re saying but one day my financial situation could change and I would be very happy to be in one of these lesser expensive vans. Having said that: the mspr on ALL these vans is WAY over the top to the point of being meaningless.

[@laurielavallee411]

@@Ultramobility I see your point and the lower price is appealing. If I’m going to buy a class B though I would rather spend the extra money for the better quality and possible resell value. The difference is palpable. Love your videos and honesty! One day I’ll be picking your brain. Currently taking care of my wife with frontal temporal degeneration so we had to sell our class A. Traveling became too much for her 😢 and RV’ing was our dream.

[@Ultramobility]

i’m sorry to hear about your wife’s condition. i wish you both strength as you go along your journey. i am here for you when you’re ready.

[@laurielavallee411]

@@Ultramobility thank you, I appreciate your kind words ❤️ She was diagnosed in 2019 with the same condition Bruce Willis has recently been diagnosed with. It’s early age onset and there is no cure or any treatment. It was pretty much a gut punch.

[@Ultramobility]

i cannot imagine. you are a good husband and person. we will be here for you.