2015 Winnebago Brave

They finally did it. Winnebago announced that the Brave will be returning for 2015. No, that's not Pixar's rendering of a modern Winnebago for use in an upcoming Cars sequel, it's the real deal. What better way to dress up the boring brick designs of Class A motorhomes than with a nod to the past? This is a good looking coach. I just love the massive windscreen.

The good news doesn't stop there, though. The 2015 Brave will be available in two different floor plans. The 26A plan is fresh, innovative, and is great for the family that loves to go camping. There is a studio loft bed in the front and the rear. There is a sofa-bed that can sleep two. There is forward-facing seating for five! This is perhaps my biggest complaint about Class A designs today. They're all designed for couples. There isn't much good seating for those who want to enjoy the journey. This is not the case with the 26A. There's captains chairs for mom and dad, another captains chair (for grandma or grandpa) plus two forward facing seats at the half-dinette.

Classic good looks, seat-belts for five, sleeping capacity for up to six, under 30', and Winnebago is promising to price the Brave aggressively. It just makes me smile. Thanks, Winnebago!

The Mission :: SitRep

What can I say. I got itchy feet and decided to go. The risk was great and the market collapse took everything and tore it asunder. I worked like a man possessed, but this was a game where I was all in. When things started heading south it was very difficult to know I would be stuck on the far side of the world. I managed to make it back to the US, but the market was already softening and the majority of my experience was now predominantly international work. So, after a brief stay back in the USofA I was headed overseas again. Instead of New Zealand, this time I was headed to Abu Dhabi.

I'm out of the Middle East, but am still working internationally. What I wrote in The Mission turned out to be very prescient. There is no going back. The only thing I can do is move forward.

With all this international experience I've quite surprisingly learned more about America. I'm going to get another RV and do another lap. I've seen many things living and working overseas, but what I've really learned more than anything else is how to see. That is perhaps the best gift anybody can ever receive.

I think RVers will appreciate what I'll be blogging about. Many of the concepts regarding conservation,  green technology, and sustainability for America's towns are the same concepts we've been using for well over forty years. This is going to be fun.

Major Moves at Winnebago

Head over to Winnebago's website right now! They've lifted the curtain on the 2010 models and there are some MAJOR things happening. I'm talking HUGE moves in a SMALL direction.

First, let me gripe that the 144U floor plan is still not shown on the ERA website. I'm not sure if that's an oversight, or if the test marketing has come back with a bad prognosis. I hope not, since it's still the best of the Sprinter based class B's out there.

Second, it looks like the Itasca Navion IQ (the B+ or C- Sprinter based successor to the Rialta) has gotten some positive market response. They've now created a variant for the Winnebago range called the View Profile. I like the graphics package of the Winnie much better, but noticed that there is now only one floor plan available. The rear dinette model, my personal fave for the panoramic view, is gone. Truthfully the rear dinette is a bit redundant considering the seating options available at the front of the coach.

Third, Winnebago industries has plugged the gap in its model lineup. It's a pretty big stretch to go from the 24' Class B's up to the 26' Vista Class A. How did they fill it? With the revolutionary Itasca Reyo and Winnebago Via 25' Sprinter based Class A's! That's right, they built a Class A on the Sprinter chassis. All the extra basement storage, tank capacities, and slides you'd expect in a Class A with the fuel economy and drivability of the Mercedes Sprinter.

These RVs are 7'6" wide allowing them to be parked practically anywhere. The Mercedes Diesel will be more economical than the V8s while still providing a respectable 5,000 pound towing capacity. They've ditched the shoebox in favor of a more aerodynamic cab.

This concept seems to be perfectly suited to those downsizing from a Class A and considering a Class B. Those that have become accustomed to the extra storage and larger interior volume of a Class A might find it hard to squeeze themselves into a camper van or B+. The Reyo and Via would be very attractive options for those looking to go further afield in their travels and require the extra storage space for grills, camp chairs, bikes, and tiki lights.

Talk about a game changer. Wow.

Winnebago ERA 144U

Howdy folks. I know; long time, no post. But haven't had much to report lately since my day job has me doing circles around the planet. But I ran across something online that I just had to share with you.

A little background here. Winnebago has been in the Class B arena for a long time. I remember the original Warrior from way back. Then they shook up the industry with the LeSharo. The front wheel drive chassis allowed them to lower the entry height and, as I've mentioned before, they had one of the best floor plans. The underpowered LeSharo was then replaced by the VW powered Rialta. Very expensive, like most Class B's, but very popular. Suddenly the Rialta disappeared. The Itasca Navion IQ may be the spiritual successor of the Rialta, but there was still a gap in the product line for a small Class B.

Then came along the new ERA based on the 170" wheelbase Sprinter chassis. A very fine entry, but still a little long and the price point isn't that far away from the IQ. The benefit of the ERA is the utility afforded by the rear doors and the narrow profile allowing it to more easily fit in the driveway. The maneuverability, however, is similar to the IQ. Being lighter than the Itasca does give the ERA more punch and increases the fun to drive factor.

For my tastes, though, the 170" chassis is too long. The extra counter space and the extra captains chairs are luxuries I don't need. Plus, I would prefer something that could fit in a standard parking spot. The options on the market were the Roadtrek SS Agile, the Pleasure Way Ascent, and a custom Sportsmobile. They use the 144" Sprinter as a base and the only thing they lose is fat. Problem is they don't lose price, either. You might save $10k getting a 144" instead of a 170". When these rigs go for a hair under six figures that's not a whole lot; though it's not nothing, either.

I do have some issues with the layouts of these other units, though, except the Sportsmobile which is only limited by your imagination and your budget. Then along comes the new Winnebago ERA 144U. While I haven't found this model on their website, yet, I did find it in the wild at General RV. What Winnebago has done is take the typical floor plan of a short Sprinter, blended the best bits from the Rialta, and added a new wrinkle.

As is typical, Winnebago puts the toilet behind the driver so the big box doesn't obstruct the right rear view. This is much better than in their 170, in my opinion. They then put the small kitchen on the sliding door allowing for some serious ventilation when cooking. On the port side, and just behind the bathroom, is refrigerator with microwave above. Again, this is where the 144U is superior to the 170XL. Instead of having to bend over to access the fridge or the microwave you are allowed to stand. This is much easier to use.

And, the piéce de resistance, Winnebago eschews the dreaded rear folding couch arrangement that is standard on every other Sprinter based Class B, including the 170XL. Instead the geniuses that designed the 144U put in a U shaped settee that is beyond brilliant. It allows for true dinette style dining so you can face your travel companion instead of fighting for elbow room sitting side-by-side on a couch or trying to fit a three course meal on the small table between captains chairs in the front of the coach. But the brilliance doesn't end there. Now two people can put their feet up and read, watch a movie on the flat screen TV, or take a quick nap without having to make the bed. It is the most flexible arrangement out there. But wait, there's more! Instead of having a phantom cushion that is only needed to make the bed, you know, the one that fills the gap between the equally useless ottomans when the couch is laid flat, you just fold out the dinette seats. Easy as pie and no wasted cushion taking up valuable space.

Seriously, the team that worked on the 144U got it right where so many others merely accepted a mediocre solution. They should expect to be copied. Hopefully it's copied in the 170 adding a 170U to the ERA lineup.

There are, as always, a couple things I'd change. First, the coat closet over the settee I'd either remove or make half as long. It really eats into the lounge space. At most we'll have two raincoats, one dress blazer for me, and one dressy dress for her in the closet. We just don't need that much hanging space, but we may not be the typical couple. I also would prefer a cleaner line for the overhead storage. The change in depth of the o.h. cabinets disrupts the otherwise clean lines of the modern American (as opposed to European) interior.

One last thing that is more a suggestion than a niggle which harkens back to my D-21 days. It would be nice to have some storage over the cab that could also serve as a small bunk. While I know Class B's are now mainly for cruising couples downsizing from a Class A, and that young guns like me intend to tow an Airstream Basecamp behind our Class B to store the toys and serve as a guest house, having the bunk option allows for that small family to make the decision to get the ERA over the X5, the minivan, or other vehicle that doesn't provide the flexibility of the Winnebago. Does the X5 offer a 2nd home mortgage deduction? I didn't think so.

Other than those few quibbles, the 144U is not only the best short Sprinter Class B on the market, it's the best Class B on the market of any size, chassis, or configuration. Hopefully the market will agree with me.

Right-Sizing the Winnie

As I've mentioned before, my favorite floor plan is the side dinette with rear gaucho. Sure, you have to make the bed every night, but even when I'm inside the motorhome I want to see the outside world. It's why I go camping in the first place. Being able to wake up in the morning and look out in almost every direction is a wonderful thing and I think that is lost in many of the new motorhome designs. Also, I like that the more compact motorhomes can get you to places the big rigs can't.

Some may ask, "considering how versatile the old Winnies are, why not build such a vehicle for today?" Lo, indeed they have have and they are! Starting with the LeSharo, continuing with the Rialta, and now with the ERA and the Navion IQ our friends at Winnebago Industries have taken variations of my favorite floor plan and applied them to the wonderful world of Class 'B' motorhomes.

(Okay, I know some people consider the LeSharo and Rialta Class 'C' because they have a Winnebago box on a chassis provided by Renault and VW, respectively. As far as I'm concerned if there is no cabover bunk, or the bubble on top to accommodate one then it's a Class 'B'. So let's not quibble on that little fact, and continue with my praising of Winnebago for being ahead of the curve.)

Now, I'll be the first to tell you that these cute little campers are a pint low on testosterone. They cannot compare aesthetically with the old shoebox we know and love. Also, their small power plants really limit the useful towing capacity making them a little less versatile than the big boy, save the ERA which has a decent 5000# towing capacity.

That said, the amount of livability offered by these little guys is astounding. They have all the room and creature comforts of my beloved D21 and they get over twice the MPG! Again, fuel is a relatively minor expense in my overall operating costs, but being able to get further on down the road on a tank of gas means fewer stops. Now that is very attractive, since the high consumption and small tanks of the old Winnies can make you feel like your traveling companion has a weak bladder, never missing a rest stop. Not the best way to make good time, you know? I like stopping at points of interest and the more time I spend in gas stations means less time at all those wonderful little places along the journey that make traveling by motorhome so much fun.

Wasn't it nice that Winnebago had the foresight long ago to start building motorhomes with fuel efficiency in mind? You know that means there are plenty of these little gems for sale at reasonable prices. Imagine, you could buy a 1984 LeSharo that gets better gas mileage than your SUV or Minivan. That's a 24 year old motorhome, mind you!

So, in the 11 years from when they made my D-21 they jumped from 8MPG to 18MPG. Wow! And now you can benefit from their foresight by picking up one of these little guys on the cheap. If you do then you'll also be the beneficiary of their best floor plan, at least in my opinion. So when you are sipping coffee in the morning peering out through the large windows around the dinette, think of me and thank the fine folks of Forest City, Iowa for putting together the world's best motorhomes!

Winnebago Industries in Trouble?

There is presently much gnashing of teeth and hand wringing about the state of the motorhome industry. With economic indicators signaling a slow-down and fuel prices at record highs doom-sayers are proclaiming the end is nigh for America's Land Yachts. One person of note signaling the alarm is none other than Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion fame.

Not so fast, I say. While it is true that Winnebago's stock has taken a tumble it does not mean the industry or the lifestyle is dead. The market has already made significant adjustments even before fuel prices skyrocketed. The Dodge/Sprinter chassis with the Mercedes diesel engine has taken the industry by storm with nearly every major manufacturer of Class 'B' and Class 'C' motorhomes having some variant in their model line-up. Considering a classic Winnie would be lucky to get around 10-11 mpg, the average 19 mpg of the Sprinter is fantastic. It's even better than some SUVs! 

As for me, the $90,000+ acquisition cost of one of these new rigs would cost more than I would pay in gas, even if it was $10 gallon, over the next 10 years! Not wanting to be a carbon footprint pig, or pay too much for gas, I'm looking into OxyHydrogen injection. Some people claim that they've improved their mileage by as much as 75%. I don't believe that for a minute, but I have seen enough tests to think a 10% to 25% increase in economy is achievable.

Personally, I think the used RV market is the biggest danger to the new RV market. At least in the near term. There are just too many classic rigs out there that are more than willing to feed our wanderlust. All they need is a little TLC. The $100,000 you save can probably buy quite a bit of gas, too. 

See you out there!

The Mission

Aside from the desire to tool around the country in an old motorhome part of the need for this journey is to clear my head. One lap of America should do this. You see, I have a decision to make. As so eloquently put by the Kinks – should I stay or should I go?

A Little History

Most people in my profession languish in obscurity for the entirety of their career. Those that garner their fair share of fame rarely do so at an early age. I’ve had opportunities laid at my feet that some would likely kill for and others would never dare dream about, all at a very young age. It would be a terrible waste to cast it aside but may lead to a level of notoriety and hence pressure that I would rather eschew. I’ve plied my trade on the world stage before and have felt the relentless scrutiny that it brings. While there is absolutely nothing quite like being at the top of your game, every now and then you’d like to be able to turn it off. The travel, exotic locations, and atmosphere are intoxicating as well as exhausting. A veritable moveable feast. It doesn’t seem like a sustainable lifestyle, yet my mentor has been doing it for decades. I do enjoy it, yet I fear that it will consume me. I want to be more than just what I do. This world that is calling me will not permit me to stay in one place and grow roots. Not to say that I’ve been looking to do just that, but I can see a time when my hair flows gray and I can no longer live the peripatetic lifestyle I have been. It would be nice to have someone to share my adventures with, as well.

Opportunity Knocks

I am the kind of guy that needs a backup plan for my backup plan’s backup plan. Therefore, career wise, I have certain things going in very different directions. They are all very interesting directions, but cannot coexist. There just isn’t enough of me to go around. The idea was that at least two of them won’t pan out leaving the third and only remaining option as my ultimate path. This is quite tidy in the sense that I’m not the one having to make the decision, I have effectively cast my fate to the wind. Well guess what, sports fans, all indicators are positive for each and every stinking direction. Turns out I really do have to make up my mind.

Towards that effect I have recently spent time trying to figure out what truly motivates me. Is it money? Not really. I’ve blown off work the last couple of weekends that would’ve generated an income that is greater than the average American family earns in a year. It’s not like I couldn’t use the cash, either. My other interests are quite expensive and have been shelved due to insufficient funds. However, I was not interested in doing it. That’s what it all comes down to. I will not do anything I don’t want to just for money, as long as I have the basics of food and shelter covered, of course. Then I spent the weekend working on a different project that I was not going to be paid for so it’s not like I took the time off.

Is it fame? I’d really rather not have everyone I meet know who I am and everything about me. I’m not hiding anything, but answering to family and friends is more than enough bother for one individual. That said, I would like some recognition for what I have accomplished. Or, at the very least, not have someone else take credit for what I have done. I get more than a little peeved when that happens.

Is it the work? That is a large part of it, I will admit. When I do what I do I am happy. I am totally engrossed in the task and all other worries melt away. All other aspects of the business are distractions, necessary dues that must be paid so you can continue to do what you love. There are so few people that have found out what it is in this world that they are here to do. Their lives are directionless and I do not envy them. I figured it out. Every time I got off track something would happen that would point me back to the right path. Now that path has reached an intersection. Every direction allows me to continue what it is I do. Which one do I take.

I know part of it is the work, what’s the remainder? The lifestyle. Spanning the globe on someone else’s dime is a wonderful thing. It affords a lifestyle that even multi-millionaires can never hope to achieve. Instead of saving up for years to see just one corner of the world, it’s your job to go there and experience it. Not only that, you get to help people while you’re at it.

Enter The Conundrum

It all sounds good, what’s the holdup? One of the reasons I set several things in motion is my need to be independent. While I may not know where the path will lead me, I know I can pick up and scoot if my present post is unfulfilling. Financial independence means I can speak my mind without fear or repercussion. Working in fear of losing your job compromises the art. I’ve managed, somehow, to free myself of that horror. If I go I may lose a significant portion of that freedom. If things go pear shaped over there it’s not that easy to come back. I will have left friends, family, and contacts in the process. If I do have to return under less than ideal circumstances I will be starting from scratch. Conundrum issue #1 is potential loss of independence, both artistic and financial.

The title of this post is The Mission. Another part of the conundrum is what I perceive as my mission in life. The world is changing rapidly and I am presently on the sidelines of history. I am not allowed to participate in certain aspects of these changes, remember that something happens to me every time I veer off course. Sometimes what happens is quite drastic, I’ll leave it at that. However, if I go then I will be able to put my talents to use in the service of others. Perhaps not initially, but within short order. On the other hand, I could possibly do similar things over here, though there’s nothing similar currently in the pipeline. So, conundrum issue #2 is figuring out which direction allows me to fulfill my mission.

Since nothing clears my head like a good road trip I decided to get the Winnie and take a lap. Get away from the daily grind to cleanse my mental palette so the day-to-day worries don’t cloud my mind.

What Leader are You?

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Well, after getting such a positive result from the Movie test I decided to take the leader test. Depending on your world view this may or may not be successful from your point of view. I must say I was somewhat shocked by the result, although it does make sense. So, any of you ladies out there looking for an adventourous charmer look no further.

What Movie are You?

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

John Massengale asks what movie am I. I took the test and found out I'm the Indiana Jones type. I didn't even lie! What would you expect from a man who would choose to lap the country in a thirty-some-odd year old Winnebado?