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#Vanlife: Comparing 2019 Winnebago Revel Sprinter 4×4 & Travato adventure vans

2018 Winnebago Revel Sprinter 4x4 conversion van makes the ultimate adventure vehicle
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The Winnebago Revel 4×4 debuted last fall as the RV brand’s answer to an off-road capable adventure van, and they say it’s been insanely popular. Featuring side pop-outs, a full roof rack, and a well built interior using the Mercedes Sprinter 4WD body as its base, it’s not hard to see why. Long before this, the Travato was built to capture our imaginations as a bike, kayak and adventure-ready couples mobile. For 2018/2019, the Travato gets a few upgrades, too. Here’s how they compare…

2018 Winnebago Revel Sprinter 4x4 camper van details and features

First off, the Revel and Travato share some key features. The Revel Sprinter 4×4 launched with a 200-watt solar power system, and now the Travato has it, too. If you’ve never driven a Winnebago versus some less expensive RV brands, you won’t appreciate that Winnebagos tend to have stronger construction methods. This leads to fewer creaks and groans over time and a more solid feeling. A big part of that is they use welded aluminum framing inside, including these smaller Class B vans, rather than wood and screws. Yes, you’ll pay more upfront, but they’ll hold together better over time, especially if you’re using the Revel’s 4WD system off-road.

2018 Winnebago Revel Sprinter 4x4 conversion van makes the ultimate adventure vehicle

The differences are size, drivetrain, and engine. The 144″ wheelbase Revel uses Sprinter’s 3-liter turbo diesel powering the rear wheels with the ability to run low- and high-4WD. The Revel sits on the front-wheel drive Ram ProMaster chassis with a  3.5 liter V6. The Revel has more towing capacity.

Inside the Revel’s single floorplan are a galley kitchen and two seat bench that can convert into single bed. The Travato has two floor plans, one with a full width bed that puts the bathroom at the back and converts into two bench seats, or just a big bed beside a bathroom. If we’re being honest, none of them are good for bringing passengers along on road trips – these are two person vehicles with the ability to scoop up a friend or two for dinner. Or maybe very small children. Anyone beyond the age of 7 won’t be very comfortable on day’s-long trips if they’re not in the front captain’s chairs.

2018 Winnebago Revel Sprinter 4x4 conversion van makes the ultimate adventure vehicle

Besides the interior volume, the key upgrade for cyclists is the rear storage. The bed lifts up to the ceiling, making it easy to get a couple bikes inside without changing anything. We’re betting we could still get three bikes in there if we dropped the saddles and removed the front wheels while sleeping comfortably on top. The bed gains a bit of width if you drop it all the way to the side pads, but it doesn’t have to come all the way down to be used.

Video above is worth watching to see all of the convenience features hiding inside this model, it’s impressive. The Winnie rep we spoke with said real world mileage on this model is usually between 18-20mpg.

2018 Winnebago Revel Sprinter 4x4 conversion van specs and price

The 2018 Revel starts at $134,799, but for 2019, expect that to jump to about $142,000, and easily to to $150,000 with a few good options. If you’ve ever shopped RVs, you’ll know that heading to your local RV show often gets you 20-30% discounts on brand new models. Wait a year, and the remaining inventory can be almost 40% or more off the list price. Dealers don’t want to sit on the inventory, so it’s blown out. You never need to pay full price for an RV. That said, they are selling (if not pre-selling) every single one they make, so don’t expect these to benefit from that same scheme. But it never hurts to barter, and we hear street price can get to about $120,000 if you negotiate well or get lucky.

2019 Winnebago Travato

2019 Winnebago Travato Dodge Ram Promaster camper conversion van pricing and specs

If you want something smaller, more affordable, and aren’t as concerned with getting your bikes inside the vehicle, the Travato is also selling quite well for Winnebago. When this model debuted in 2014, base price was $85,000. For 2019, MSRP starts at $102,348. That’s a big jump, but it gets a big boost in battery tech. Compared to the standard deep cycle marine batteries that RVs use to power your stuff while the engine’s off, the upcoming Travato gets an advanced battery system that can power everything inside it, including the auxiliary A/C and microwave, off the batteries. They’re using some of the same LiIon battery tech used in hybrid cars and EVs. Combine that with the included solar roof panels and this is kind of a big deal.

This video from a dealer shows the new off the grid battery system details.

2019 Winnebago Travato Dodge Ram Promaster camper conversion van details and features

The Travato also features a full galley kitchen, and if you flout the rules, passengers could lounge in comfort in the back beds on this 59K floorplan. But technically they should all be wearing the seatbelt that are in place for at least two passengers.

2019 Winnebago Travato Dodge Ram Promaster camper conversion van

This one also puts the bathroom at the back, with pass through to the cab, which means you can’t really use it to stow bicycles.

But, the 59G floorplan does, with the same rear double doors leading to a fold-up bed that makes room for a couple of bikes…but you wouldn’t be able to put the bed down to sleep while bicycles are inside.

It’s fun to dream of building out your own adventure van, but if time is of the essence, or you just want to ensure good build quality, plumbing, and everything else, these two options from Winnebago get you rolling immediately and should hold decent resale value.

WinnebagoInd.com

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Doug
Doug
5 years ago

Crew cab pickup truck with small TT much better setup IMHO. I have 1up racks and yakima cargo box on rails in the bed of my truck so can still store stuff underneath in the bed. Then tow rpod TT with that. Pick camp spot and unhook trailer and setup gear. Vehicle now free for other uses whithout having to pack up everything and also better MPG. That and a nice truck and travel trailer still less than half the cost of one of the mega expensive van based RV’s.

Mike
Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Once my kids get older this is how I’m gonna roll, except with a pickup and rugged off-road trailer with an awning, a galley and a roof top tent. Unless it is winter, who wants to cook inside anyway? I live in CA, so there is always somewhere 50+ degrees to go.

At night, stick the kids in the pickup bed to sleep, hang out with friends around the trailer/fire, then me and the wife crash in the roof top tent. Kids secure, and we get to set our own schedule and our own space. Bikes go on top of the pickup’s camper shell.

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Another TT fan. Gives our aging, but still awesome, non-RV Sprinter more usefullness and flexibility between big trips.

But basically, ya got your RV peeps and your TT peeps, and I understand both approaches.

comrad
5 years ago

Mercedes Sprinter 4WD body as it’s base”

Wrong its FYI.

comrad
5 years ago
Reply to  comrad

Shoot I missed this one too:
“and if you flaunt the rules”

It’s flout. Flaunt is to show off.

Yes you can hire me.

Kar
Kar
5 years ago

Wow with usd 150,000 enough to buy me a Freightliner Cascadia.

TheKaiser
5 years ago
Reply to  Kar

Yeah, who buys these things? The truck/trailer combos mentioned above are so much more versatile and less expensive. Plus, these things depreciate like mad, so if you want an all-in-one, then you could get a fully decked out RV with more interior functionality on the used market for way less money.

Gaius Gracchus
Gaius Gracchus
5 years ago

Hmm. Looks like a typo there? “The differences are size, drivetrain and engine. The 144″ wheelbase Revel uses Sprinter’s 3-liter turbo diesel powering the rear wheels with the ability to run low- and high-4WD. The Revel sits on the front wheel drive Ram ProMaster chassis with a 3.5 liter V6. The Revel has more towing capacity.”

I think you mean: “[…] The Travato sits on the front wheel drive Ram ProMaster chassis with a 3.5 liter V6 […]”

Gaius Gracchus
Gaius Gracchus
5 years ago

Furthermore, the Travato 59G has room for bikes inside (ask the FitRV folks!)

Pat C
Pat C
4 years ago

An advantage of the campervan over a TT is that if you are in a dicey situation and have to leave in a hurry at night you don’t have to exit the vehicle to do so. Especially important if you are a single female traveling solo. Also, when on the road, you don’t have to worry about finding a place to park as you can park anywhere except a parking garage. I’ve stopped many places when traveling that a TT towing vehicle would be unable to find parking. Driving a van is the easiest RV to drive. If I had less money I’d probably go for a TT because of cost differential, but I am very happy with my Travato K.

Bret
Bret
3 years ago

TTs may be cost effective but most are junk and big maintenance and repair liabilities unless you get something like a Casita or Airstream. At least the vans start on a solid platform.

Maryjean
Maryjean
1 year ago

We have the travoto because we thought we were done raising kids. We adopted a five year old and his sister 15. We bought a small trailer to pull behind for the kids to sleep in. We are 72 and still going strong

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