How does this compare to NA Class B

[RobRyan]

Noticed this YouTube video of a Emu RV.
Background to the Class B , it is actually part of a Caravan Company called Nova Caravans
Frenetic presenter goes into a lot of interesting detail. Toungue in cheek comments about how bad Caravans are, seeing a Caravan company produces it. Sharing showers with others, pretty funny . Caravans in Australia do have showers and toilets
Would be interesting to see how it differs from NA Class B's. Yes you can tow a Suzuki Vitara behind it.
https://youtu.be/tbRnEVdR3Ts?si=PnO_oYqkCLwIr1d8

 

[mumkin]

I didn't catch whether it has AC... I know it gets hot down there. He did point up at something, but not sure what he said. (fast talking Aussie) LOL It does look similar to most of our Promaster conversions. He made pretty much the same pokes at tow trailers (caravans) as I have been making for some years.

BUT!!

The really really big piece of news is that Toyota has decided to badge Ducatos in Europe (and Oz?) as Toyotas???

 

[RobRyan]

Yes they all have A/C. Interestingly in another video not to do with the Caravan company, he mentioned prior to 2020, Ducato's had massive electrical problems, after 2020, they stopped. I found that pretty interesting that Toyota in Europe was using the Ducato as a base for a larger Van. . Here they use the HiAce that is as big as the old Chevy Van in the US.unlike the Promaster the Ducato nas a greater GVWR and can tow 2.5 tonne(5,5000lb), Payload is similar at 4850lb. Fuel mileage is US Gallons 29mpg to 33mpg. Just noticed the towing figure is 3000kg( 6,600lb) not what the presenter mentioned. Makes sense with the higher GVWR

 

[mumkin]

The new tech stuff added since 2021 by Promaster via Stellantis is horribly glitchy, and if I were ordering a van directly from a dealer, I would not add any of those options... at least not for another couple years. Right now, the local Ram dealers are hopeless at fixing them.

Our vans are all gas. Promaster tried a diesel back are '17 or so and it was such a disaster that they haven't tried again. They ended up having to buy back most of them. Thus we have much less towing ability (about 2500 lbs if you want to save your transmission). I much prefer gas personally... since I have no interest in towing. I find that there is a lot of confusion and debate about what the towing weight should be in a converted van. There is the workvan versus a converted RV versus how much weight you have managed to stuff in along with full tanks. lol

The mileage on my 2500 was 16-17 and my little 1500 was 18-19. Now I just have a little Promaster City (Fiat Doblo)... no more traveling. But it gets about 22 in my limited suburban driving.

I don't expect that we will see Toyota badging our Promasters...

 

[RobRyan]

The new tech stuff added since 2021 by Promaster via Stellantis is horribly glitchy, and if I were ordering a van directly from a dealer, I would not add any of those options... at least not for another couple years. Right now, the local Ram dealers are hopeless at fixing them.

Our vans are all gas. Promaster tried a diesel back are '17 or so and it was such a disaster that they haven't tried again. They ended up having to buy back most of them. Thus we have much less towing ability (about 2500 lbs if you want to save your transmission). I much prefer gas personally... since I have no interest in towing. I find that there is a lot of confusion and debate about what the towing weight should be in a converted van. There is the workvan versus a converted RV versus how much weight you have managed to stuff in along with full tanks. lol

The mileage on my 2500 was 16-17 and my little 1500 was 18-19. Now I just have a little Promaster City (Fiat Doblo)... no more traveling. But it gets about 22 in my limited suburban driving.

I don't expect that we will see Toyota badging our Promasters...

Diesel not a problem here. Then again most manufacturers use Sprinters as Class B's not Class C's. They use IVECO Dailys as Class C Motorhome bases. ( 23ft to 30ft). Isuzu light Truck( 31- 32ft). Toyota will only be doing it in Europe, not anywhere else. We get all the electronic stuff, Ipad or phone controls are very common

 

[mumkin]

We get all the electronic stuff, Ipad or phone controls are very common

That's normal stuff... not an option here. I'm talking about things like like side blind spot cameras. I didn't order it because the mirrors work fine if you know how to use them properly. I was glad I didn't because there were constant reports of malfunction on the Roadtrek facebook page. I thought the front end avoidance system might be useful. HA! It went off about a thousand times and only like twice was something in front of me other than air, and I was always already on the brake. And it constantly turned off the cruise control if it was very cold outside. On both of these, the Ram dealers were clueless... no idea how to fix it. When I asked to disable the front collision system, they informed me that it would also disable the cruise control. No way... it is the only thing that saves me from speeding tickets. lol My third option was the rear view mirror camera, and it did work fine since it is an easy camera install. No adaptive cruise yet available when I bought and there have only been a few complaints over on facebook since it became available.

 

[RobRyan]

You get all of those, most do not mind them . Did not know about the refrigerated glove box

 

[mumkin]

You get all of those, most do not mind them . Did not know about the refrigerated glove box

I wouldn't mind them... if they worked. Constant malfunctions are a PIA.

Never seen any such thing as a refrigerated glove box, and completely unnecessary in a vehicle with a large fridge nearby... lol

 

[RobRyan]

No if you want to keep a drink cold and easy to access, on the road makes sense. No people do not have the problems your talking about in Australia think it is more a North Anerican thing

 

[Sensfan-ClassB]

Noticed this YouTube video of a Emu RV.
Background to the Class B , it is actually part of a Caravan Company called Nova Caravans … Would be interesting to see how it differs from NA Class B's. Yes you can tow a Suzuki Vitara behind it.
https://youtu.be/tbRnEVdR3Ts?si=PnO_oYqkCLwIr1d8

That is one nice vehicle. My NA Class B experience is limited to the purchase of a new/demo 2012 Roadtrek 190 Ranger, therefore I have nothing to compare and contrast. I do, however, have a side question. It is no secret that a significant percentage of NA dealers that sell the well known Class B brands have, over the years, earned the dubious reputation of not being able to effectively repair the vehicles that they sell.
Question: Generally speaking, have Australian Class B owners reported similar post purchase service problems with dealers?

 

[jrobe-ClassB]

I would be reluctant to buy an expensive RV in any country that was based on a van made by a financially troubled company whose stock has just tumbled almost 60% (ie. Stellantis).

 

[RobRyan]

On the whole with 200 Caravan manufacturers you going to have problems. Still they are introducing Automotive legislation to cover problems.
On the whole not all that many problems with Campervan or Motorhome manufacturers on the whole, parts or service

 

[RobRyan]

Not a problem on a whole. If the company is bankrupt, then the Motorhome builder goes to a,new base. There are several bases for Campervans and Motorhomes in Australia, not the case in the US.

 

[Sensfan-ClassB]

Not a problem on a whole. If the company is bankrupt, then the Motorhome builder goes to a,new base. There are several bases for Campervans and Motorhomes in Australia, not the case in the US.

Profit priority built into our North American stock market system is the major contributing factor to the increase in production and sales of inferior products in both the U.S. and Canada.
Your above comment is interesting. Are there historic examples of an Australian motorhome builder going to a new base, which resulted in superior service being provided to clients? If yes, how?

 

[mumkin]

Profit priority built into our North American stock market system is the major contributing factor to the increase in production and sales of inferior products in both the U.S. and Canada.

Plus the fact that big companies (Thor, Forest River, etal) with an already poor reputation for service and quality keep buying up the smaller converters and trashing their products.

When I bought my first rig in 2004, nearly all of the Class B's (except maybe Winnebago) were built in Canada by 4 small family owned companies (Great West, Pleasureway, Leisure Travel, and Roadtrek) who turned out well built products. Only PW is still owned by the same family.

As soon as the big guys take over, it is quantity, not quality.

 

[jrobe-ClassB]

Not a problem on a whole. If the company is bankrupt, then the Motorhome builder goes to a,new base. There are several bases for Campervans and Motorhomes in Australia, not the case in the US.

I bet it is a problem for the Promaster owner that recently posted here that his transmission failed and Stellantis wasn't make the replacement transmission parts anymore.

 

[RobRyan]

If a Motorhome base is not available, it does affect service . Manufacturer just uses another base. Seems to be a lack of service is a major problem in the US not in Australia.

 

[RobRyan]

I bet it is a problem for the Promaster owner that recently posted here that his transmission failed and Stellantis wasn't make the replacement transmission parts anymore.

No not that relevant here. You really seem to have a massive problem in the US and Canada with this.

 

[RobRyan]

Plus the fact that big companies (Thor, Forest River, etal) with an already poor reputation for service and quality keep buying up the smaller converters and trashing their products.

When I bought my first rig in 2004, nearly all of the Class B's (except maybe Winnebago) were built in Canada by 4 small family owned companies (Great West, Pleasureway, Leisure Travel, and Roadtrek) who turned out well built products. Only PW is still owned by the same family.

As soon as the big guys take over, it is quantity, not quality.

As I have noted this lack of service and decline in quality is very much a US thing. Also some other differences. We do not have foreign companies buying a RV company like Roadtrek. The amalgamation of RV companies is not a healthy sign as you have witnessed a deterioration in quality. Thor ironically was started by a ex New Zealander.

 

[RobRyan]

One specifically Class B or Campervan manufacturer as we would say here is Horizon Motorhomes . They have won awards for service and build quality
www.horizonmotorhomes.com.au