Last fall we found the RV we’d been dreaming of for ages: a Winnebago View, model 24 V, on a diesel Mercedes chassis. It was sitting on the lot at the Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa, just waiting for the right people to come and let the adventures to begin. Our roadtrip route from Iowa back to Oregon is detailed here.)
We’d spent hours of conversation time (mostly during long roadtrips) comparing and contrasting the dozens of options for self-sufficient travel. Campers, airstreams, motorhomes, rooftop tents, Rpods, pop-ups, camper toppers, fifth wheelers, horse trailers, conversion vans, sprinter vans, and plain old pickup beds. None of them can do everything, and at some point you whittle it down to the option that best fits your goals and your budget. There’s a lot to consider: How much space does each person need? Do you need a bathroom and shower? Are you heading off-road or sticking to pavement? Where does all your gear fit? And how will you get around once you set up camp?
As the boys were growing up, we traveled in a Minnie Winnie—a no-nonsense RV that held its own through family adventures in every season. Once they launched out into the world, we transitioned to a Nash trailer. Trailers make it easy to base camp and drive away for day trips without pulling the whole set up everywhere you go, but I missed the easy get-in-and-go of a small-ish class C.
This time, we held out for an RV just right for the two of us. Smaller, but with a slideout. Efficient in both use of space and mileage, but a little cushier than the Minnie Winnie. Easy to drive and park. Oh hello, Winnebago View!
Four Reasons the View 24V won our hearts:
1. Mercedes diesel engines run forever and get mid-teens mileage (which may not sound impressive, but the MW rarely got over 9 mpg. Just good enough to make it from one backroad gas station to the next!)
2. The twin couches in back can be living space during the day, and they easily convert to a wall-to-wall comfy king bed for sleeping. This doubles the usability of the whole back end of the RV.
3. Lighting done right. Most switches have a dim setting and a bright setting, so one person can find their way at night without disturbing the other. Also, the roll-out awning has built-in LED party lights!
4. At 24 feet, it’s not as nimble as a Sprinter or ProMaster, but still easy to pull into any gas station, and park at any trailhead. There’s enough clearance for a decent dirt road (we haven’t gotten stuck yet, anyway!)
5. The kitchen sink’s water filter means no need to haul jugs of drinking water. Don’t get me started on RVers who bring cases of single-use water bottles–there’s rarely a time disposables are a good idea.