Downsizing to View/Navion in the near future

It is similar to driving an SUV.

A 25’ long, 10’ tall, 11,000 lb SUV. But still SUV-like. It’s surprisingly agile.
The Ford Transit-based RVs have an even better ride, and more acceleration. Me having two other Fords actually would have preferred buying one, but all that was in the price range I was willing to pay for an RV were Thors, and with their quality I passed.
 
While MPG is not a priority for most RV owners as you'll see in MPG threads, when you happen to buy a rig that you like and it just so happens to get MPGs in the teens and holds 24-26 gallons those $60-$80 fillups are a pretty nice side benefit.
 
Today we arrived home and finished the last leg of our 3-week trip that started out in our 2017 Adventurer 37F and finished in our new 2026 View 24R.

There were plenty of ups and downs. After moving in and jettisoning 14’ and 8-yrs of stuff led to lots of doubt and concerns on my part. But each day spent organizing and making small mods helped relieve the stress and worry. Change is hard especially when you are old.

Then came driving and finding real relief in traveling 900 miles so smoothly. Exactly what we hoped for and a main motivation for the change.

I will always fondly remember the luxury we found living in that big Class A, but I will also be continually impressed by the ease of driving and parking and setting up the new 25’ coach.

Thanks for following along on this journey.
 
I checked the View’s trip computer function today as I went into storage. For our entire trip of just under 1,000 miles, towing, idling, head winds and both NM and TX hills, with speeds between 63-66 mph we officially averaged 13.3 mpg.

Not 14 but not horrible. We averaged 5.8 mpg over the 52,000 miles that I kept complete records for in our Adventurer. (Our Xite system had a database function and I tracked every fill up and every mile for years. But then the software changed the database was removed and I finally quit entering all those stats. Phew!)
 
Oh, one more plus. The new rig is close enough to the same hitch height as the Lincoln Toad so, I no longer need a 8” drop on the hitch to connect the Toad.

I haven’t mentioned it but the hitch on the Adventurer broke and the diagnosis was that it was caused by the excessive drop hitch.

IMG_0405.jpegIMG_0427.jpeg
 
I checked the View’s trip computer function today as I went into storage. For our entire trip of just under 1,000 miles, towing, idling, head winds and both NM and TX hills, with speeds between 63-66 mph we officially averaged 13.3 mpg.

Not 14 but not horrible. We averaged 5.8 mpg over the 52,000 miles that I kept complete records for in our Adventurer. (Our Xite system had a database function and I tracked every fill up and every mile for years. But then the software changed the database was removed and I finally quit entering all those stats. Phew!)
I just track all 4 vehicles of mine in a phone app called Mileage Keeper.
 
Today we arrived home and finished the last leg of our 3-week trip that started out in our 2017 Adventurer 37F and finished in our new 2026 View 24R.

There were plenty of ups and downs. After moving in and jettisoning 14’ and 8-yrs of stuff led to lots of doubt and concerns on my part. But each day spent organizing and making small mods helped relieve the stress and worry. Change is hard especially when you are old.

Then came driving and finding real relief in traveling 900 miles so smoothly. Exactly what we hoped for and a main motivation for the change.

I will always fondly remember the luxury we found living in that big Class A, but I will also be continually impressed by the ease of driving and parking and setting up the new 25’ coach.

Thanks for following along on this journey.
Creativepart-Wondering how your transition to the 24R is going. I’m on my 2nd View, currently a 2020 24D floor plan, and we are considering the new floorplan. We are familiar with the weight limitation's of the Sprinter platform, but I’m wondering if you had any issues or frustrations you would care to share? A couple of questions below.

Dinette table-how has that been working out? Is it stable when it’s up?
Macerator toilet-has that been reliable?
No pantry-where do you find you keep the majority of your food? Above the couch, or in the cabinets in the rear.

I would love to hear your overall thoughts on the floorplan
Regards.
 
Overall we're pretty pleased with the 24R. There are drawbacks to that model, but also, pluses.

The removable pedestal table is not idea for "dinning" at least not with the recliner lounge. The seating sits way back, very comfortably, but this puts you a long way from the table. To eat off of the table you have to sit on the front edge of your seat. So, what's more likely is you pick up your plate and hold it in your lap so that you can sit back.

Our unit came with attachments in the arms of the recliner to affix small side tables which we use instead. NOTE: they have discontinued this in the recliner. I doubt they can be a retrofit if your recliner doesn't have the attachments built into the armrest of the chair.

So, far the Jabsco toilet has been fine. I have some issues with it though. It's very loud and has a plastic seat. I have checked their website and they do make a "super quiet" version, but I haven't checked to see if it's a direct replacement or not.

The lack of pantry space is an issue. We use the cabinets over the recliners. But this lack of space is a recurring theme. Because Winnebago used a combo LP/Induction cook top there is next to no counter space. There really should only be one induction cooktop or perhaps two but the LP cooktop takes up LOTS of space. A dual induction unit would at least provide a flat surface. We've purchased a raised cutting board to go over the propane cooktop.

The twin beds have been good. We put the center cushions in place once to see what it was like and it was bigger than a king bed - but difficult to get into or out of. So, we currently put the largest cushion in our attic at home and have the smaller cushion between the two twins with a board on top to use as a bedstand. We may do some customizing there to add more capability perhaps some storage.

There's one disappointment with the cabinets in the bedroom. The cabinets are not flat inside. There is a rather large metal box at the back of the cabinets. It's purpose is to accommodate the top of the shades. But for some reason they made it 3X the size that's really needed. I'll attach a photo.

Also, the two cabinets at the foot of the twin beds that are intended for hang up clothes are pretty useless for hang up clothes. They are too short. The clothes hang so low the bottom 1/3rd are bunched up on the bottom of the cabinet. We may just build some shelves in there for shoes and clothes. We don't need much in the way of hang up space.

I see you have the 24D - that would be the only other model I'd be interested in - bigger kitchen, the pantry, larger bathroom. Hang up Closet. BUT, I'd hate to give up the gear garage, it's fantastic.

Each model has pluses and minuses. We do love the "two rooms" of the 24R and that's why we choose it.

Here's the cabinet photo. They don't look that intrusive but the bottom of the cabinet is only 10" deep and these boxes take up 3 1/2" of that leaving 6 1/2" of flat surface at the bottom. And the cabinet is 12" tall but the box takes up 3 1/2" of that height, too. NOTE: I saw a video of the 2026 24D and it had a much smaller box in the cabinets. I'm not sure if this is a running change on other models, too. Or just on the 24D.


View Cabinets.jpg
 
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One thing about my "review" above. I'm a problem solver. Anytime there is any kind of roadblock between the way I want things to be and the way they are, I immediately start thinking of a solution. So, while many would just accept things as they are I want to "fix" them to be as I think they should be.
 
The removable pedestal table is not idea for "dinning" at least not with the recliner lounge. The seating sits way back, very comfortably, but this puts you a long way from the table. To eat off of the table you have to sit on the front edge of your seat. So, what's more likely is you pick up your plate and hold it in your lap so that you can sit back.
Similar situation in our Via which I solved by making 2 new table tops, a small one for roadside stops and a larger, round one. On the larger one I offset the hub so by turning the whole table you can bring it closer or further from the seating. Not sure how this would work with your recliners but maybe worth a thought.

There are also Lugun tables which offer different options and are popular in vans.

20220127_101840.jpg
 
Similar situation in our Via which I solved by making 2 new table tops, a small one for roadside stops and a larger, round one.
Those are absolutely perfect. I'll take one of each!

I wish I had the talent and equipment to make those. What a great solution.

Thank you.

PS. I looked a Lagun tables and they seem to be a different thing with a side mounted arm. I didn't see any options for tables, just the hard ware for the table support.
 
Those are absolutely perfect. I'll take one of each!

I wish I had the talent and equipment to make those. What a great solution.

Thank you.
When it comes to woodworking I am not that talented. In fact I am pretty unskilled at it. I just bought the round pieces already made, sanded, stained and clear coated them then screwed on the hubs.

Another benefit is they are lighter than the MDF table that came with our rig.
 
The big one is 30" and Pine, I got it from Etsy. The small one is 18" (or 16") and Oak and it was actually a re-purposed table top lazy susan, I just took the turntable off and installed a hub. I used polyurethane on both and it's holding up very well. The small one fits in the closet and the big one fits in the bedroom along the back wall wedged behind a low cabinet. I keep a foam wedge on the floor to prevent it from rolling out during travel.

They are both 3/4"

 
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The round shape and lightweight Pine also saves my back, that old rectangular MDF one could be back wrenching to install and remove.

Once it's pushed down into place it doesn't rotate easily but we usually set it where we want it and leave it. If you had to rotate it repeatedly while getting in and out of the recliners it would be a challenge unless you could find some sort of rotating hub.
 
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Thank you for the detailed response. Exactly what I was hoping for. Your quote below is accurate.
"Each model has pluses and minuses. We do love the "two rooms" of the 24R and that's why we choose it."

The booth dinette in the 24d is comfortable for dining and relaxing, and I will have a difficult time convincing my DW to give up the kitchen counter space. The garage would be a great way to keep outdoor gear organized and the 2nd room and split bath are the big appeal. your cutting board idea is smart, I agree about ditching the propane burner for more counter space.

I'm surprised Winnebago went away from Lagun style tables for the recliners. The current set up doesn't look comfortable for meals.
 
We rarely cook indoors. I'm researching my options right now to totally replace the countertop with no cooktop at all. Then we'd use a portable induction unit when we need to cook there. Our previous Class A had a recessed 3-burner propane with corian covers that matched the countertop. So, it was all counter top and no cook top unless we removed the covers. We had that RV for 8 years. I doubt we removed the covers twice a year.

I wonder what the product planners were thinking when they spec'd this large 25" by 17" cooktop for such a small countertop.

Here's a photo of the stock countertop:

countertop.jpeg
 

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