Winnebago Revel 4X4: Is It Really a 4 Season Van? | 9 Month Review

[@carsong2001]

We've really enjoyed your videos and they've been really helpful in our decision making process. We were at at the Florida RV show today and after looking at everything else, we were pretty well convinced that the Revel is for us as a photo safari/ exploration vehicle. Now to find a good deal :) Thanks for the videos and keep them coming.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much! We think that the Revel would be perfect for that use! You will really enjoy it! Best of Luck!

[@MrDJE1970]

@Glenn Bradshaw Why?

[@CaesiusX]

@@MrDJE1970 Good question. 😒

[@jasonarcher7268]

@Thomas Kelly because glenn is poor and bitter

[@mdoneg]

I know it’s been 4yrs since this video, but this is hands down one of the best real life reviews I’ve seen. I spend a considerable amount of time in the high Rockies of Colorado, especially in the winter. This is an excellent video helping me figure out what to do.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you. Glad you found it helpful. That is our goal.

[@mikeschwendeman4403]

Seeing couples loving each other, they're vans and traveling is a pleasure to view. Y'all keep on rollin, smiling and living your dream of doing what you want, where and when you want to😎

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hey Mike Thank you so much!

[@joeybaby.]

Thank you for this review, a real couple giving an honest review , answering the question many of us have. This video is most valuable for those of us entering the market . Stay safe in your travels , rich blessings always.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much Marie. We are glad you found it helpful. We try to do these reviews once a quarter with updates on our thoughts through our experiences. Rest of the time is travel through Alaska. Good luck on your choice. Hope you are staying safe!

[@leojoseph6385]

Great job answering the question! I thought it was, but you three confirmed it. The shower part seems to be its only weak point. Glad you added insulation, I would too. Your video helped me refine my someday dream van. So far it'll be Pro master, Diesel, Espar Heater, Spray foam Insulation w/Vapor Barrier, Cassette Toilet, BFG K02 All-Terrain Tires, No Propane, DC Air Conditioner or Twin Fantastic Fans, Recirculating Shower, Raised Full Size & Reclining Bed, 30+ Gallons Water Tank with in-line FIlter, Iso Therm Fridge & separate Freezer flush with Metal Counter top, Cell Phone & Wi-Fi Signal Booster, 400+ Watts of Solar panels are on a roof storage box, 200+ AH Lithium Ion Batteries, 2000+ Watts Pure Sine Inverter, Access ports are below or within the back area of the van, Convection Microwave w/Rooftop venting....Someday I'll hit the jackpot :)

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

That sounds like a sweet setup. We are still torn on wether to keep the AC or go to a second max air fan. This past week we actually stayed at a campground and plugged in and the AC was ok but I think we would be better off with the second max air fan. We will see... we plan to do some upgrades once the border reopens and we can head south for a little bit :)

[@vanmore5124]

I've been full timing in my van in Scotland for a few years now and have LifePo4's with a Votronic 12-12-90. It makes all the difference charging the batteries quickly. I was able to hook it directly in without making any other changes to the in-built system and all works 100%. Lithium's take much more amps in than regular batteries which is especially useful in winter. Thanks for the video.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We have to modify our entire setup to go to lithium so not an easy task. We really would like to but the AGMs are better in the cold where they are currently located. Lithium wouldn't do well exposed to the elements. We will keep everyone updated as we figure it out! Thank you so much for the feedback.

[@sherriweber7105]

Love this video on how you says the Revel how it works and runs in all kind of weather really well. Even when you are not at a place with full hook ups. I like you two boon dock as they say because it makes the scenery more enjoyable when you are out in the middle of no where. Plus it’s quiet. That’s what makes it nice. I found this video. It’s from 11 months ago it says. Glad to have found it and watched it.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you sherri! You'll see these random ones pop us. I think some day we should create a binge watch playlist from beginning to end on how all of this has unfolded. We are so happy you've been here all along the way. Thank you!!! ❤️😁❤️

[@lloyddsouza4544]

This is one of the finest KZbin channels. Subscribed instantly

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

shhhhhtooop it. you're making me blush. 😊. Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying our channel.

[@willieronk7094]

Thank you for an insightful look at the Revel. We just put a down payment forward on a 2023. You gave us answers to many of our questions and concerns! Revel on

[@henryl5174]

Sound and practical advice for noobs in winter. Just what we needed to know to keep using our Revel over winter and in different climes. All in all, not complicated and completely do-able at our level of (non) sophistication. Thanks Team!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Henry, always happy to help where we can if you have any questions. Happy New Year!

[@josephball4766]

Tried testing my new revel in this cold weather. It got down to -3 degrees F. We are frozen. Wish I winterized it.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Joseph we do our cutoff at 10F. Once it goes lower than that we winterize until it gets back above 10F. We winterize and dewinterize multiple times.

[@jerseyboy8017]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaskacan you say more about winterizing below 10? We have the Roam, similar to Revel but wheelchair accessible. Anyway, we are in western Washington and I want to be good to go for winter surfing and camping. I’m not eager to winterize if I don’t have to. If we don’t drop below 20 are we good to go? Also if winterized do you flush w antifreeze left in the lines and just refill as needed? Thx. Great video.

[@antonovthompson2498]

Love you guy's videos..please keep them coming...

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you Antono!

[@jbjlock26]

Great job with the new opening! Some people are going to think that you’re paid by Winnebago with such a glowing review! I know you’ve both worked hard at being prepared for the extreme conditions! Looking forward to more adventures!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback! We can only say it how it is. Appreciate hearing from you!

[@frederichore1890]

Thank you for your very concise and straight forward travel video. Nicely narrated and paced, without the annoying and loud music stings some videos start off with. And your drone shots were amazing too! Your experience using a cassette toilet and eliminating the black water tank was really informative. Certainly keeps the weight down, not having to haul dirty water! Living in Montreal, I go on some long winter road trips too, so your tips are appreciated. Cheers and Happy Trails!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank YOU for your honest feedback! We do try to keep our videos "raw". When it comes to music it's usually selected based on the feel of the video and sometimes what we are feeling personally at that time. This was the first video where we actually made a list of what we wanted to talk about, but we still didn't script it. I think there's a lot we forgot to say so we plan on covering that when we do our 12 month review which is coming up soon. We appreciate you stopping in and telling us about yourself and staying connected. It helps motivate us to keep going. Thank you! 😊

[@daveandersen4095]

Thank you for all your videos! We are brand new to RVing and revels! Love our 2021

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Congratulations Dave. We were brand new to it also. Pretty simple to learn over time. Safe travels and Revel On!

[@marykent4380]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Revel

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Our pleasure Mary. I'm glad you enjoyed it! We're still having SO much fun. 😁

[@williamjsheehan]

Beautifully photographed and very solid info. Great job!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you Bill!

[@jeffgoldsmith1679]

You two are a great team. Video intro was so well done and the content was very helpful and mostly to the point. Thank you

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you Jeff. We are glad you found it helpful.

[@Shane-zn4hm]

Wow, what a great video, and so much helpful info on cold weather use. I bought the RB components insulated snap in partition that attached to my headliner shelf and perimeter. I really like it. It was ridiculously expensive but it checks the boxes and has an easy zip-open passage way. I don't use my van as much as you guys but it really keeps the heat up front when driving in the Alaska cold too. I would be happy to show it to you installed sometime if you want. Thank you Guys!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Shane That would be fantastic. We would love to see it at some point! Thank you for your feedback!

[@larrynmarks]

Guys I’ve got a class A and I have three lithium batteries in 1500 W of solar on the roof and I never run out of energy even on a cloudy day in California I have gone through many cloudy days and it’s gotten down there but it never runs out. I also poop in a bag and P in a bottle and a big plastic one of the half gallon and I have gray tanks and black tanks but I only use my gray tank just like you guys. Just because I don’t want to mess. It was fun watching you guys and I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself be at peace and enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

You've got the SET UP!....but why the bags? So thankful that even when I have a hike in the woods and that comes up I don't have to use a bag....like...ever, even before we had the Van. 😁. Nothing against grey tanks or black tanks ( have used all in the past with a class A, just super thankful we don't have to anymore.) It's ALL about the fun and how exactly we enjoy our adventures. Enjoy YOU as well, thank you for having goofy fun with us while we figure it all out.

[@treshar.7162]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your reviews and personal experiences with the Revel helps with making a 140,000 purchasing choice. Thank you soo much with sharing your Revel life. It really helps with decision making.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback. If you ever have any questions don't hesitate to reach out. Good luck on your decision making :)

[@doramather4729]

We traveled to alaska last year and we brought 4, 100 % wool blankets and what we did when it got in the low temperatures in October we clip the the wool blankets, around the bed area over reflective insulation , that kept us warm in alaska and canada. We also have reflective on our windows for insulationthey worked quite well. We travel with two dogs so we put fleece sweaters on them to keep them warm. The rv was covered with snow and ice but we were toasty inside the rv. My husband put a rhino type coating on the floor to keep our floor warm, because our rv is all aluminum from roof to floor. We have also a carpets on our floor and some type of sealer on the roof which has helped with cold and heat. Our next project will be insulting under the belly and pipes. We found the 100 % wool blankets in alaska, they are hard to find in the states.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Dora, We do a similar thing by blocking off the cab with wool blankets in the winter. Does a fantastic job. We use carpet in the winter as well and take it out during the summer. We will probably put a layer below the carpet this winter to add a bit more insulation but the carpet did wonders. We found that putting our shades over the windows caused condensation so we did not do that during winter just relied on the wool blankets. Thank you for your recommendations and we hope you are doing well!

[@spartanj2957]

Happy you like it ,all your thoughts about mods are spot on.I have always been against LP for rigs just isn't safe ,I know a lot of people utilize it but it just takes one time ,and it has in the past gone wrong.You both have a great thing going keep it up and enjoy .one for all all for one!!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts :) . Hope you are well!

[@scottanson7524]

Great drone shots ... good job kids love watching!!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you for the feedback! we appreciate it!

[@ruggedoutdoors1493]

Absolutely superb video! Thank you very much for posting it! Hugely helpful tips based on genuine experience! Massively useful! And I also think that your photography skills are superb as well!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Wow, those are some very kind words there! Thank you so so much for taking the time to let us know and fill us up with positivity and inspiration. The world needs more people like you. xoxo

[@victoriacasas-dhar2269]

Outstanding video. Thank you so much for this important information. I really enjoy watching your videos and learning so much from them.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Ana, thank you for taking the time to stop in and tell us what you think! I'm so happy you're enjoying our videos. We have a lot more coming up this summer! We appreciate you joining us! xoxo

[@dbeskan]

Great round-up on whether Revel is 4 seasons. You have made it extreme 4 seasons and we have enjoyed it all- especially Ember. 😉 ❤️ Great video. Thanks once again. Appreciated the intro of seasons.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback! We were wondering if anyone would notice that in the intro :) .

[@joselugo625]

Excellent review! I enjoyed your feedback as I purchased 2023 Revel and I wanted to know is it really a 4 season and you have provided the answer. This is my first RV. Thank you so much.

[@lynnpoteat2369]

Awesome review. Love the new intro. Thanks for sharing.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much Lynn! means a lot coming from you guys. Big hugs! Hope you are enjoying Florida!

[@Steamboatsmyhome]

Wow - Great Revel information. You two are living' the van life dream. Great video.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback! We appreciate you sharing your thoughts!

[@benboleyn514]

Cool video! You are helping people the real customer tested information 😎

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback. We appreciate hearing from you!

[@crisb3460]

Thank You so much for what you are doing. We’ve loved Alaska and is my favorite place to be. Living in Texas we don’t get there often but Soon I’ll be working on my bucket list and to follow you paves the way. 🙏

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Cris. Thank YOU! As much as I love Texas and can't wait to go back we are also happy to be "stuck" here for the time being. Thank you for being here with us!

[@strickystrickland5065]

This was a excellent review enjoy your future adventures 🙂

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hello Thomas, Thank you so much for watching! Appreciate knowing it was helpful :)

[@whoistheroach136]

Very nice video! I am glad that you are so happy with your purchase. It feels good to have something that makes a positive impact in our lives.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback! We absolutely love the freedom the Revel gives us :)

[@traveldreamer4616]

Amazing RV. Well reviewed. Thank you and stay safe.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you, it's been an amazing beast to have. Even after a year and a half now we have no real complaints. Thanks for stopping in and subscribing. xoxo

[@tekshield]

I lived in North Pole Alaska for 8 years and had a Ford Diesel pickup the whole time. I did get all m y fluids swapped out with Arctic fluids, like for the differentials and the transmission. Also since I did not have a garage, I had heater pads for my batteries and oil pan. Lastly in Alaska we get our tires sipped normally so we have better traction on ice. My time was 87 to 95, so hopefully my memory is pretty correct. We didn't have DEF fluids back then, so I cannot speak to that! Coldest temperatures I saw locally was -62 Degrees. I did regularly travel to Anchorage and Soldotna all year. Sometimes the snow would be pretty deep but my 4 wheeler could handle it without any issues.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Great tips. We will look into the battery blankets etc. although the only real problem we had was with DEF. it has a heating element in there but couldn’t keep up in those temps.

[@carlbusque1856]

4 Canadians territories! Did we add a new one? Good review, seems like a great machine, just too expensive!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

I know we said it wrong Carl! Should have been province’s our apologies!

[@russdunlap]

Saw your Revel parked at Anchorage Airport ( saw the license plate) . Thanks so much for your great video's, we're looking for a Revel for part-time living and your video's make it seen real.... and doable...

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Russ. In our opinion it is very doable. Even in these temps. If you ever want to see it in real life for a tour let us know.

[@daniellewis599]

Very nice job you two. Always enjoy your adventures.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback. Appreciate hearing from you!

[@cptcosmo]

Check out aerogel roll insulation - hydrophobic, R value of 10.3 per inch thickness!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi! We will look it up. Thank you!

[@bradleybarker9633]

Thanks for sharing! Love they you’re pushing this thing to to its limits!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback! many more adventures to come!

[@bardamu9662]

Revel van have skyrocket prices ... Insane! That would be my first comment and for this price bracket would expect a bulletproof insulation and reliability.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

I would agree bardamu but we are a rarity when it comes to pushing extremes. The Revel has skyrocketed now due to demand and the change to the lithium batteries which have been vastly upgraded. I can’t speak to the insulation in the 2021 since we do not have that model but they did listen to the customer and moved a lot of stuff to the interior so that is great that they are listening. Upgrading the insulation for us was kind of expected as very few companies will build something to withstand Alaska. They did a good job just a few finishing touches that make it even better for our needs which most people won’t experience. We are not sponsored by any means and it is great that Winnebago is listening to the customers. Thanks for watching and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

[@bardamu9662]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaska Thanks guys for taking the time to provide a detailed explanation. Hopefully, there are more affordable options in the market! Thanks and all the best!

[@merson812]

Absolutely superb analyses and commentaries for which I thank you. The photography is outstanding, at times. ✌

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback! We appreciate your thoughts :)

[@paullondon445]

Great video guys! I think you answered just about every major question I had about the Revel in winter. Thanks. Interested about Jim's idea of adding lithium once the heater has been relocated to under the hood.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

At some point we hope to make it happen. Not a cheap fix but if we can we will :)

[@bobkaylor9373]

Love your videos! As always!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback! Appreciate hearing from you!

[@jeroenkerrebijn]

how do you winterize? can you do a video on that?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Yes we can!

[@cobbe.l]

I would never travel in those extreme conditions but I love watching your KZbin podcast.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Good morning Linda, thank you for following along on our Journey. Some days are definitely colder than others but we can always add layers to stay warm :). Hope you have wonderful holidays!

[@brucewachta4102]

My Mom & Dad had 2 class A Winnebago's. The first was a 1973 Dodge gas they had for years. My Dad put it in the front of the house with a for sale sign on it about an hour later this hippy couple took one look at it and bought it. They said they have never seen an all original vintage Winnebago so clean and called it mint condition. My Dad retired early age 55 and bought an Itasca diesel and had that for 20 years. They never had any major problems with either one of them. I've seen so many problems with Fleetwood and forest river rv's. If I had the financial abillity I would buy a Revel in a second and live on it full time.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Bruce, we are really happy with the Revel after a year now with minimal problems and the ones we have experienced have been cosmetic more than mechanical. I think it will last us quite a while and we plan to do some serious upgrades to it soon! Hope you are doing well!

[@katbrown5084]

Enjoyed the review of extreme weather 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for your feedback :)

[@fokaspetrogiannis]

Excellent review 👍

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Glad you liked it Thank you! 😊

[@SteveRivett]

Interesting note about the floor. We have a Roadtrek Chevrolet Popular 190 with a fibreglass floor. There is no insulation underneath of the van so it lets in heat and allows the cold to suck the heat out of the interior. The driveline puts out a lot of heat for over an hour after parking so it's worth insulating for that plus cold nights. It is possible to install a lift and/or 4x4 on the Roadtrek but you would have gasoline instead of diesel. Diesel is way better in the winter with no loss of fuel economy.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We do prefer the diesel. The heat loss is absolutely worse when we have been sitting for awhile even though the tanks are heated that doesn't help much with the floor. Just a layer of insulation (like our carpet) has proven its value. We will add another layer under the carpet for the next winter :) . Thanks for watching!

[@Zen36977]

Great video….you cover real life challenges. Thank you

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@waltere.mellin3537]

Thanks for sharing this video. Here in eastern Montana it's not uncommon to see temperatures down to -20 to -35 below zero. And over a hundred degrees in the summer. Ya'll travel safe.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We will have our thoughts on over 100 degree weather soon... stay tuned!

[@gonzo5738]

I have the BF Goodrich KO2s also. They’re incredible 👌

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Gonzo, they are really great tires. We will have to get new ones soon and will stick with the same type. Hope you are doing well!

[@TheFatLobster]

This is propably the 100th time someone has said this but moisture will get trapped into the insulation you added. I would check on it regularly to see which places get damp and remove the insulation from there. I own a factory made campervan aswell and one of the big things they did is air passages everywhere behind the cabins in the roof and walls etc. So what looks like subpar insulation can actually be designed to have air pass through to let it dry. I would suspect the rear doors would have most trapped moisture. Anyway good vids keep it up.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We will be tearing it apart again in the spring to show how it held up! We agree always check!

[@jerryseeley3110]

Use havelock wool insulation no moisture

[@robertrhode6104]

Please keep posting, I enjoy very muck. Bob in Pennsylvania.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Bob, Thank you so much for the feedback! We have a lot more planned!

[@stevenmc56]

Have you guys ever had problems getting your van serviced? I heard that Merc. Does not like to release service information so they are hard to service unless you take too a Merc dealer !

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We have found that to be true so far. There is one place up here that we have found to get our van serviced so we are very limited. Hopefully more pop up at some point because competition is always good.

[@averagealice8877]

In your future videos it would be great to present a lot more details and some before-and-after test data, like for example to show the effect of the insulation. To be honest I"m left confused about EXACTLY when the wool would be a bonus add. Same goes for the very critical issue of how long the battery/solar/charging system keeps your living space functional even when it's not sunny for extended periods. Are you driving every day? "We stay out for long periods of time" (7:43)...How long would have been helpful. Some of us are trying to wrap our heads around transitioning to a all-electric RV from a partial propane set-up which doesn't rely on solar for cooking or refrigerator. Your mention of running the engine to cook was very enlightening. These vans are very pricey so I"d like to know the limitations. But I did hear that the Espar works very well, although I"m confused after reading a dealer article on the Revel that says the Espar system heats the tanks...why winterize then? If the Espar system is ineffective below 10 degrees, a more definite statement on that would have been good to know. IDK if you're just choosing to winterize out of caution and preference? Anyway, good video but these are some suggestions. BTW we made a front curtain out of a waterproof stadium blankets because of condensation and to prevent air flow through the fabric.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Agreed. We should be more specific about subjects we have covered in other videos by showing. However, that comes across with the expectation that people watch all of our videos so we take your point to heart. Thank you! This was our 9 month Review. That means we were halfway into our first winter with it. I also think Jim mentioned we winterize at 10 degrees because for us, it's a precaution. We have heard of others running their systems to keep the water going when negative degree temperatures were a surprise to them (recent storms) and pipes broke (just as they would in a house). Our winters in Alaska are so extreme we don't want to take that risk and we know when our temperatures will go below zero for several months. Long periods of time for us is weeks, or months. In the winter, it's weeks, depending on our situation, this was pre-covid, so that's changed. Thanks for watching

[@averagealice8877]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaska Thanks. I’ll check out your earlier videos.

[@aureliawallace737]

Awesome info. Many thanks from Santa Barbara😍👍

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We are glad you enjoyed it! Nice to meet you!

[@lizhanners2979]

Love your videos and they are so informative in every way. I do have a question about remote areas. How do you prepare for a possible engine or other type of vehicle breakdown ? Thanks again for your awesome videos!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Liz. We always carry basic tools with us and of course other emergency gear but really you cross your fingers that it is something you can fix 😂. A lot of it comes down to you don’t know what you don’t know so you need to have the appropriate gear for the weather you may face so if you are stranded for a period of time you can go in survival mode until you either have help on the way or can hike out and wave someone downs. All depends on what you are prepared for and what you know how to do. I know that is not the perfect answer but really hard to be prepared for every situation :)

[@Dinu0202]

Lots of love from India. Loved the video and the input .

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for watching. We hope you are staying safe!

[@akb-661]

I want one! Enjoy all the videos!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you so much for the feedback!

[@TheNordwand]

How did you manage the DEF freezing challenge? Did you put a heat source or install insulation?

[@Scrambler85]

Great job on the van review and a thumbs up video

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you for watching and stopping in to say Hi! 😁

[@theoldewizard]

Thanks...for the heads up! Winnebago should step up their insulating.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

You're welcome! And they should for those living in extreme temps. I'm sure it depends on their market. In floor heat as an add-on option would be nice. For those who want to add insulation after market it's not a difficult or expensive upgrade, and most Revel owners love to tinker with their rigs.

[@StealthGTI]

In addition to the DEF tank, make sure you find a way to treat/heat the feedlines and DEF injector. Odds are fair that you froze the feedline before the tank. Your injector was probably fine since it's connected to the hot exhaust (I think). I enjoy your content. Keep up the good work!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We will check that out also. So many things we have no clue about and are learning as we go :)

[@Thesaltymedic36]

Nice review. I can’t get one because my wife would refuse to do anything in it but I do like it and that’s a great real life review. 👍🏼

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Jim used to swear up and down he would never get an RV much less a van that is much smaller. As avid motorcyclists we spent a lot of time tent camping under the stars and this decision just took a bit of work in order to convince him. Now we are 100% satisfied with the decision. One thing worth trying would be to rent one and show the wife how amazing it can be out in the middle of nowhere escaping and having all the amenities that you need!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

OK. first hugs from us and Maggie to sweet Ember. That was an AWESOME video. We believe it was your best one yet. Way to go! Love and miss you both. BTW pretty cool to see our Travato right there with you in a lot of those shots. We saw some truly epic spots with you guys this summer. Looks cold there now though. 😂 We are complaining because it might get down to 41 tonight here in sunny Florida . 😂😂😂

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Ember says she wants to go to Florida and go swimming lol. Miss you guys a ton, we of course had to include shots of our favorite people in a review video! Stay warm in that umm ... cold... supposed to warm up to 15 here tomorrow~

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

HAPPY Belated Birthday!!!

[@stephenrogers9664]

Great video guys. Minus 40 that’s crazy cold. I complain if we go down to 15 degrees Celsius over night.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi stephen. Thank you and we are glad you enjoyed it. once it is below 0 it all feels the same... Cold. The nice thing is we can layer up in the cold where in the heat you can only take so much off :)

[@terryh3689]

I’ve been told that Mercedes Sprinters can only be serviced at Sprinter certified service centers and not all Mercedes service centers are Sprinter certified. I was warned I may need a tow for several hundred miles should my Sprinter break down. It may be even further in the places you have traveled. This is the only issue preventing me from getting one. Can you please comment?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We do use sprinter service centers but right now it is so we don't break out warranty. I doubt they are the only ones that can service sprinters in the long term though. As with most vehicle styles, warranties always prefer you to get service done at their shops. As far as towing, we have roadside assistance if that is ever needed just for the peace of mind. Also, service on the sprinter is at 20k so it really isn't as bad as some of the horror stories we have heard.

[@terryh3689]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaska It was my auto mechanic that warned me of this. He works on everything including diesels, but can’t work on Sprinters. They don’t have the special computerized equipment necessary, neither do most Mercedes dealer repair shops.

[@EdPaz]

Wow what a great video!!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you =, we appreciate the positive response

[@doublewinwin]

thank you for the information. Have you tried the second so-called 4 season such as Grech class b ?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Carol. No we haven’t. We have been in our same van for the last two and a half years exploring from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

[@Overland-460]

Really like the review and the Revel. My girlfriend & I have the Revel in mind. A few weeks ago we went to a rv dealer to look at it. Then we decided to apply for a loan but got back that we can get approve only 55k for our 1st time buying rv. Now the 2nd option for us is 2021 winnebago solis 59p with 20k down. But we still can't get rid off the Revel from our mind 😭😭

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

The Revel is an impressive beast for what we use it for but yes it is expensive. Best purchase we have made though and we have no regrets with our decision. Hope to see you on the road!

[@notsodelusional]

Depending on how handy and how much time you have, a much cheaper option would be to buy used and do a majority of the conversion yourself. There are a lot of books and videos that will walk you through the logistics and the process.

[@neglidsanro4347]

The RV show is a great opportunity to buy your dream RV at a serious discount. Get pre-approved from your bank or credit union. Also check your credit report to check if there are entries that are do not belong in your credit report. www.ftc.gov. for your free credit report. If you want to print up the report, it will drink up all your ink or toner.

[@whskywolf]

Very nice to know, personally I never get down into below 0 temps lol, I be more of sun chaser.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We would love be to chase the heat but we love Alaska!

[@michaelsmith9308]

For me was the refilling of the onboard PROPANE tank on my Travato, especially in the cold months, i was an expert on where propane fill ups where. What a stress and the ability to unload the black tank in in ground stations only! The Revel is SO MUCH more convenience to empty the cassette in any public park toilet, public bathroom etc or a black tank hole in the ground etc........ I was UNAWARE there was a way to insulate the def tank, thats a PLUS! Ive already checked out my options the week of my REVEL purchase, adding the rear large fridge/freezer, rear outside aluminess cabinet with two overhead gas cans, long range emergency radio/GPS beacon with visual high altitude locator ballon with manual/automatic deployment, sate-light phone, cell heavy duty signal booster with Wi fi mile extender, front and rear bumper/grill protector with hidden warn winch (requires rework of auto cruise mech..) Ram mount with Lagun table at door, distress ham radio with extended range booster, inboard electronics safe in cabinet, tiny generator/honda/Yamaha WO way camera system (OWL) emergency kit, tactical and maintenance tools/bear spray, survival pack, ability to stay off grid for three months at a time easily:) Fuel and food runs thats it! research, research, because im buying big ONCE only! My TRAVATO was great for onroad minus that DREADFULL propane fridge which WINNEBAGO finally agreed was CRAP on paper and changed all their fridges to compressor based ONLY now:) I was thinking to just have four wheel drive added, however at $30,000 additional, im just buying the REVEL:)

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

That is a nice setup! We love some of the aluminess products and will probably do the cabinet when we decide to head to south america so we can add the generator. We like the backwoods bumper (winch and lighting) trying to decide when we will pull the trigger on that purchase. We thought about doing that table also but not sure that we really need it. We really liked the travato and spent a lot of time with friends that had them over the summer but we are much happier with what the Revel provides! Congratulations on making the purchase you will be extremely happy!

[@bobshaw4063]

Great job & Great review of your Winnebago Revel . Glad ya's are happy with it . Hope it lasts ya's for many years & enjoy your continued Journey's . Have you given it a name yet ? Cheers !

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We haven't named it yet. We were thinking "Road Runner" because the horn sounds like a road runner. beep beep.. 😂. And thank you, we are having sooo much fun in it.

[@ftkinsella]

Great info on the Revel and a job well done on the insulation of her. You might have traveled in a Province as well as Territories while in Canada. Stay safe and warm out there guys. Cheers!!!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We never know exactly what to call them :) . We just know we absolutely love the beauty of Canada that we have visited so far... We are planning to do the entire country soon :)

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaska - There are 10 provinces and 3 territories. If you drove from Oregon to Alaska, you drove through at least 1 province and 1 territory. Likely BC & Yukon.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

OMGWTFLOL we now know :). Thank you!

[@purespirit9]

Awesome info on the Revel. 😉👍💝

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you! We are glad you enjoyed it.

[@Thomas-wp3ik]

A large flexible solar panel in the front window can help trickle charge the batts/pow a small elect blanket for the floor

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

That is a great idea! That could be helpful for sure.

[@pnoman316]

Great video guys! I’m doing a lot of research and you got me sold on the Revel! I was wonder tho about Diesel and cold is that still an issue! My dad had a Perkins diesel in the old days and had to plug it in every night. Do you have to do that? The reason I asked is my son lives in Colorado and with this machine I could go anytime of year! Thanks so much for your wealth of information guys! Awesome job!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We have had no issues with the Diesel at all just the DEF. We do not plug in as most of the time we spend off grid so even if we wanted to we couldn't :) . We have not heard complaints or issues with Diesel in the cold from any of the other Revel owners we talk with in the facebook group either,

[@pnoman316]

Wings and Wheels Alaska thank you, it appears the technology has resolved that issue!

[@LivingTheRVLocaLife]

hey my friends we have been at the Tampa RV super show now on our way to Quartzite might not get many message if we dont have signal but we will be back in florida by the end of Feburary

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

That sounds like so much fun! Be safe out there. Hope you guys are well!

[@LivingTheRVLocaLife]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaska doing well :) still planning to leave July 15th from Florida

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Living The RV Loca Life we can’t wait!

[@ngenes1]

Do you recommend the 2023 AWD Spinter or stay with the 4x4?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We have not tried the AWD version of the newer model. We do like having the 4 low option and I do not know if that is still available on the new ones. 4 high for us is the same as AWD. 4 low definitely helps get you out of a sticky situation.

[@alphatruckhouse8223]

Nice review , thank you ! Glad you got your DEF thing situated . I'd be interested to hear how it gets insulated . ~peace~

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Thank you for the feedback! We will do a full review once it is installed!

[@michaelsmith9308]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaska Thank you for making videos:) and taking care of the doggy!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

@@michaelsmith9308 Thank you so much for taking the time to watch :)

[@scottmonfort]

At 11:00 confused ... you do run espar between 32 and 10 degrees, but don't run espar when it is colder than 10? Maybe that is just during driving? Am I missunderstanding everything? And Cassette toilet why would #2 turn to liquid? Chemical break down?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Yes Scott... While driving below 10 degrees we dont need to use the Espar because we winterize our water tank. When we are stopped we of course run the Espar for heat :). The natural and chemical breakdown turns it into liquid :). In the spring we will add a device to the van which will allow our toilet to go chemical free while still allowing the natural breakdown to occur. The chemicals are more to cover the smell than to help with the breakdown of material.

[@CanadaYo]

I have to ask are you flying the drone from inside the truck while driving????

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

No. When we are flying one of us drives and the other flies or we have it on follow mode where it flies itself. Not safe to do both.

[@CanadaYo]

Thanks

[@jamesboardman8859]

You're videos have been very informative for this novice RV'er...Thank you for sharing your experiences with the REVEL. Please forgive my ignorance, but could you explain what an EFAL Heater, and DEP or DEPTH Tanks are? I'm clueless!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi James, no problem. Our ESPAR heater is our main source of heat when the van is not in operation. It is operates off our diesel tank which means no propane. This system also serves as a hot water heater which gives us near instant hot water. It has two cycles, heat and water, so if we don’t want heat we can just heat the water. We explain that more in earlier videos. The DEF tank, is diesel exhaust fluid which is required by EPA standards on newer Diesel engines and it helps remove the pollution that used to be caused by diesel. Remember when you used to see diesel trucks blow black smoke when they would start up? This is what stops that. Hope this helps a little. Stay safe!

[@jamesboardman8859]

@@WingsandWheelsAlaska Thanks so much for your explanation. I have so much to learn about these vehicles, and their operations. I find your videos very informative about this lifestyle!

[@McRockfish]

I like the Revel a lot. Thanks for the great winter climate review. I'm in NH so very important to me. BUT, seriously a 49" wide bed? A Double is 54" and a Queen is 60". My wife and I would not sleep well that tight. No Sleep. No Fun.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Agreed, it's tight side by side. Most are concerned with the height but we are definitely cuddled up. I'm a side sleeper and I don't move around a lot. Jim "flips" in his sleep, like a fish. Yeah, I'm exposing all his secrets but it's true. If you're not a peaceful, restful sleeper it is tight, but it's a cozy tight if that makes sense. I think if you're looking to full time and you already know you need a larger bed based on how you sleep then it totally makes sense to go with other options. If its a weekend or a week here and there? It's doable. For us, after we upgraded the mattress, (I think I made it about an Inch wider than stock mattress, it feels like a cozy fort). Thanks for watching!

[@leecoleman822]

Thank You , stay safe and God bless .amen🇺🇸

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hello Lee! We are doing our best! Hope you are having a wonderful day. Stay safe!

[@joepfankuch6975]

Great video. This will be my first winter (Montana) in the Revel and getting ready to insulate. Clearly not the only one because Havelock is really backordered. How much wool did you use?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We have two bundles. I still have to do the headliner and front doors but have to wait till a couple other items get installed. Well I could do it but then they will charge me to remove and replace it so figured we would just wait till those items get done 😂

[@rvboondocker2559]

Won’t that insulation absorb moisture and eventually start to mold? It doesn’t appear to have any type of backing or anything on it.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

The insulation is wool and does not grow mold. Wool reduces condensation and manages the moisture.

[@rvboondocker2559]

Wings and Wheels Alaska I thought it absorbs moisture above 65% humidity and then holds it until it can evaporate. I also worry about mice enjoying it. Looking forward to an update in time since I need to add insulation to my Interstate 19’ too.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

John P we will be tearing it apart in the spring and showing how it holds up :). Maybe that will help. We really don’t worry about mice much as we keep things pretty clean and up here we have shrews but we don’t have to worry about those much in these temps.

[@garrettjames596]

Love your chanel! I'm strongly considering making a go of this myself. I just got laid off after 10 years working in tech and I don't want to go back to that life.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Go for it! I don't blame you! Even if it's only for a few years, it's certainly worth it. We are doing things the opposite of most people. Waiting for retirement in three years before we hit the road. I'm facing furlough from my Airlines job, (the job that gives me the freedom to do this) If I get laid off, I'm probably going to leave Jim behind and go do my own thing. 😂😂. Who knows, but life is too short to not get out and give it a try, no matter what type of rig you're in. Thank you for watching and stopping by to say HI.

[@BillSprague]

Thanks. I’ve been meaning to ask just that and also can Jim actually shower in that shower space?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Yes we use the indoor shower often with no issues but also have the outdoor shower in the summer when in wide open spaces… we love the outdoor shower and we still enjoy the indoor shower 😉

[@cr0ft-2k]

The downside of any commercially built RV is that they don't really build it to the hilt with stuff like insulation. They build everything "good enough", in spite of the often very high price tag. Insulation is one of those things that is extremely helpful in both cold and hot weather; if you have AC, insulation makes it vastly easier to keep the unit cool, and in the winter of course the heater has to work far less hard to keep up since much less heat escapes. The ceiling is especially crucial to have a lot of insulation in since heat rises. But the dual-glaze acrylic windows help, no doubt. Personally, for a full-time home, I'm just taking a new-ish Transit or similar and building it myself and farming out the stuff I can't do (if and when my finances so permit). You can do a lot for the money a new Revel costs, which is what, north of $100 grand? Self-building you can also do things like heated floors and so on. But, it is of course considerably more involved and time consuming to get there.

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We did considering building one out but we found the cost for the stuff we don't know how to do adds up and you eventually are paying near the same for the amenities we wanted. Doing the insulation ourselves gave us an understanding of how the van is built and was not very expensive just took a weekend for the back half. We are working on the front half this spring and some other mods that we want to add. There are always Things that can be improved in any build.

[@IthacaDon]

How do you flush the cassette toilet if you have winterized?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Good morning Donal. We carry water with us to rinse. Just like flushing :).

[@bbsnowman1026]

Very nice thank you! Does the espar heat the engine coolant?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

No it does not in its current configuration. When it is moved under the hood there is a mod you can do so that it will.

[@sueb2898]

JUST LOOK AT THE VIEW!!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Yes! Alaska has so much beauty. It's so easy to find places with beautiful views and landscapes. Thank you for saying hi and enjoying our videos.

[@robbrowe7941]

Are there really that many dump station for winter time use?? 🇨🇦

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Hi Ron, we can use any toilet to empty our cassette so we have no issues with that. Stay safe!

[@alohatvn]

How long are you planning to live in the Rebel?

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We currently have full time jobs, we have a few properties we rent out, and we have a home base we can go in and out of. We travel often for work but Jim is close to retirement and at that point we will be out permanently. Hope that answers your question.

[@clc2432]

Hoping to bring my identical van home up the Alcan -covid willing- this summer from Oregon with my 85 year old mom! Maybe we will see you on the road - your videos have helped so much!! Thanks to you I am definitely planning to put an armacoating on and would appreciate any other high priority tips I should do before leaving Lower 48. Did you carry extra gas? Did you do anything to the exhaust - some folks mentioned it might improve clearance. Also now wondering why you are planning on the lithium batteries.....are the ones we have not enough? Sorry I have so many questions - just wanna make the trip safe for my mom:)

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

We do not carry extra fuel. There are plenty of places to stop along the way. We always recommend filling up at half a tank just in case though. We have not done our exhaust pipe change yet but we do plan to at some point. The batteries are sufficient but more available power is always nice for the way we use it. Definitely not necessary for everyone to go to lithium but it all depends on how you use the van.

[@VanVida]

Great update and information. I’m Canadian and doing an ambulance build so I need to make it all season as well. I found this video very useful. Thank you!

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

That is awesome thank you for the feedback! When we were traveling to Alaska last spring we met a guy who had a converted ambulance! So much room in there. Definitely pay attention to the insulation all around.

[@VanVida]

Some parts are insulated and some not so I am insulating and rebuilding again.