Cross Trek — generator free with huge garage

[Chance]

Some people definitely need more. Others rarely use their generators, so a waste of money and added weight. With our Coachmen we almost always went from campground to campground, so generator only got used a few minutes at a time to make extra coffee or heat lunch, both which could have been done better with inverter.

Having said that, I think they should offer a 2,800-Watt Onan generator option. I would personally like it wired to air conditioner and converter. Everything else could stay on 3,000-Watt inverter.

Just glad to see industry starting to offer these kinds of motorhomes. The 27XG is much larger than I’d prefer/need, but it does have nice features I want.

[Bob Denman]

A smaller generator might just be a viable option...

[Chance]

Bob, regarding your comment about shorter overhead bunk not blocking the sun as well, that wouldn’t bother me because on Class B+ and regular vans there is no overhead extension, so sun is even worse. I do like that by being shorter, it shouldn’t block some traffic lights as badly.

Comparing to other Coachmen Class C, it seems they just took a popular floorplan and reworked it by elevating the bed. They also added a 12V residential-style compressor fridge.

It’s an inexpensive way to create a new product. Thor could do the same with 28A floorplan, which is nearly identical.

[Bob Denman]

I guess once you get used to the overhang: it's easy to find value in it...

[Chance]

I had not seen the idea of placing closet under the bed before, but liked the concept when space is limited, and bed is elevated to add a garage below.

The Coachmen closet at front end of queen bed is good, but I like twin beds better in a small camper. It’s more space efficient in my opinion. However, I thought steps would get in the way.

Turns out Thor has their version in Europe. It certainly would be nice to see some of these design ideas make it to North America. In small campers (particularly vans) they sometimes add hanging closet(s) over the end of twin beds/dinette, but I expect this would feel more open. And it provides a lot more storage room below. Really smart use of limited space.

[Bob Denman]

If you put a trapdoor in the bottom of that closet...

[JamieGeek]

That is a lot of closet space for such a small RV (er if the identical looking other bed also has a closet).

[Bob Denman]

I'd rather be able to hug up a bit closer to my Missus...

But she might prefer those twin beds!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

That is a lot of closet space for such a small RV (er if the identical looking other bed also has a closet).

It’s hard to say because they apparently build them both ways. These Niesmann+Bischoff must be larger and more luxurious than most Hymers. Anyway, I found floorplans that show one or more closets. In any case, the picture angle must be deceiving because on floorplan it looks like underbed closet is no larger than about 2-feet long per side (if applicable).


“Niesmann+Bischoff GmbH has been a subsidiary of the Erwin Hymer Group since 1996.”

https://www.niesmann-bischoff.com/en/arto/

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1573849680

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I'd rather be able to hug up a bit closer to my Missus...

But she might prefer those twin beds!

German designers have you covered. There’re queen bed floorplans plus the twin beds can be turned into a semi-King bed (center appears about 4-feet long. And still provide room for a scooter underneath.

[Bob Denman]

. I'll get the Barry White CDs, and the wine...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0I6mhZ5wMw

[safari]

Hello,
So how is Coachmen Quality ? & how are they to deal with on warranty?

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I'd rather be able to hug up a bit closer to my Missus...

But she might prefer those twin beds!

Are you sure?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gTS...=youtu.be&t=79

[Bob Denman]

I remember that scene, and loved that show!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Chance

......cut......

I haven’t seen pictures of the smaller new floorplan with corner bed, so don’t know what sets it apart other than not having a generator.

......cut......

Found pictures of the 22XG floorplan and it’s pretty much the same as the Freelander except without generator, and with narrower over-cab bunk bed.

What sets it apart from Thor, Winnebago, and similar floorplans is that the rear corner bed swings up like a Murphy bed, creating an area where smaller toys could be hauled inside. It has a large door in rear for loading. Floorplan is very similar to Winnebago Travato 59G Class B, except much larger and roomier. Whether Murphy bed is better than typical large under-bed exterior compartment I suppose depends on what one plans to carry. One thing I don’t like compared to other corner bed floorplans is that they reversed bath and bed, placing bathroom on curve side. I’d guess that saves them a few dollars.

Regarding the “shorter” overhang in front to make a twin-size bunk bed, one question I have is what to do with large center bed cushion. It’s way too large to slide forward out of the way while driving, so unless it swings and stays up, it would need to be relocated. And to where? Either way it would leave much less space over the cab to carry stuff compared to many Class Cs.

[JamieGeek]

Coachmen has a "virtual" view of that floorplan available:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=3fXZsGc9KQH

That is pretty clever with the rear door for hauling bikes and other long-slender cargo (kayak's?).

Love to see innovation in RV's--the murphy bed craze will allow for all kinds of different, flexible, floorplans.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chance

...Regarding the “shorter” overhang in front to make a twin-size bunk bed, one question I have is what to do with large center bed cushion. It’s way too large to slide forward out of the way while driving, so unless it swings and stays up, it would need to be relocated. And to where? Either way it would leave much less space over the cab to carry stuff compared to many Class Cs.

If we could "Back away" from your picture in order to get a better view of what is above that bed: I'm almost sure that we would see some catches up along the ceiling. That bed just HAS to pivot upward...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Coachmen has a "virtual" view of that floorplan available:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=3fXZsGc9KQH

That is pretty clever with the rear door for hauling bikes and other long-slender cargo (kayak's?).

Love to see innovation in RV's--the murphy bed craze will allow for all kinds of different, flexible, floorplans.

Yeah, I like seeing innovative ideas that are actually useful, not just for appearance. I like nice looking things too, but new colors and fabrics doesn’t do enough for me.

The 22XG is around 24-ft long, so much closer to size I will consider buying. I still hate corner beds if sharing, and the MH width at 102 inches is ridiculously wide for us.

I can see that bathroom was likely placed on wrong side of RV because they use same bathroom on floorplan with bed slide, where slide is best on street/driver side (picture below). That’s really too bad to save a little cost.

The J lounge in front with extension is very clever. When extra dining sitting is not needed, it opens a lot more floorspace behind cab. And it allows both front seats to swivel back — making for a Euro-style front living area. Typical dinette doesn’t allow driver seat to swivel.

Unfortunately, they don’t show swivel seats on CrossTrek, but they should be offered as an option. If not, they can always be added by owner.

I honestly think the main reason for these CrossTrek is to make them simpler and lower-cost in order to make them more affordable, so options may not be made available.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If we could "Back away" from your picture in order to get a better view of what is above that bed: I'm almost sure that we would see some catches up along the ceiling. That bed just HAS to pivot upward...

I had already looked for them on virtual tour and didn’t see anything on ceiling. That’s not to say there may not be gas struts from below. I’ve seen a few Class Cs like that. The virtual tour may have been on a pre-production MH, so maybe that will change.