Quick Look: 2010 Winnebago View Profile

The new Winnebago 2010 View Profile is a small RV that delivers big comfort on the road. Winnebago has built this Class C RV on the Sprinter chassis by Dodge/Mercedes-Benz. This small diesel RV packs a lot of power and yet provides good fuel economy at the same time. Expect to get anywhere from 14-18 mph, depending on driving conditions. Take a quick look inside to get a better feel for the interior:

Lower Profile

Compared to its popular Winnebago View, the height is lower by four inches and stands at 10 feet 7 inches. Check out the pictures below to see how the bubble above the cab is removed.

2010 Winnebago View Profile

2010 Winnebago View Profile

2010 Winnebago View

2010 Winnebago View

The fold down bed over the cab is sacrificed to design a low profile RV, but that won’t matter much to the many who would rather not scramble up and down the ladder to go to slept. There’s still plenty of headroom, which makes it easy to access the front seats, and a large skylight above that brightens up the space.

Rear Slide Houses a Queen Size Bed

New in Winnebago’s Sprinter RV line is the use of a rear slide-out instead of a sidewall slide-out. This creates a space just large enough to walk-around a queen size bed. The bed is not only larger than the corner bed in the View’s “J” model, but is much easier to access as well. The trade off is the loss of the sidewall slide that provides a much roomier feel and function.

Traffic Flow

To offset the loss of the side slide-out, and the resulting narrow isle, Winnebago designed a creative floorplan with attention to traffic flow. The entrance is set back a bit from the front to provide a seating area to the right as you enter. From the entrance, you can also walk straight into the bathroom, or turn left for the kitchen or bedroom.

What makes this so smart is that most of the time you can get where you want to go without disturbing your partner. The traffic flows better overall by not funneling all activities down the same path. This reduces the hug and spin move required in many small RVs…you know the move when you need to get by the other person so you both ‘hug’, and then shuffle spin together to switch sides. See the floorplan below that specifies the various areas of the interior.

2010 View Profile 24DL Floorplan

2010 View Profile 24DL Floorplan

Worth a Closer Look

The Sprinter RV is an ideal small diesel motorhome that’s worth a closer look. Check to see if your local dealer has one in stock, and then spend a little time in it. Get a feel for the front living area and whether it’s comfortable for dining or relaxing and watching TV. Pay attention to the window locations and how they set your views up while parked. Whether you’re stopped at a nice lunch spot, or stuck inside due to poor weather at the campground…an open view will make it a much better experience.

If you tend to carry passengers, like the kids, then the small sofa, which is really a bench seat, that faces forward appears to be a good option. Many small RV models don’t provide an adequate option for passengers, and Winnebago appears to try to address this here. Check this out carefully to see if this meets your needs. This is a good chance to try the sofa configurations into beds to decide how it would work in your lifestyle. For example, some with dogs might like to drop down the forward facing sofa into a small bed with safety belts, while still providing a walkway to the front cab. Now’s the time to test whether that would work for you while traveling.

When testing out the bedroom area, in addition to seeing how comfortable the bed is, make sure that there is enough space to walk around because its a tight fit. If you won’t always have the opportunity to slide out, like perhaps when dry camping, make sure that the bed is still usable even with the slide in. And finally, when deciding if storage is adequate, keep in mind that having a full time bed area means not having to store bedding elsewhere and therefore frees up valuable storage space.

Fall Colors

Soccer Mixed with Fall Colors

Soccer Players Barely Visible Below Fall Colors

Use your small RV to get away for the weekend and see the beautiful colors of Fall. If you’re not sure where the best colors are, go to The Weather Channel to find out.

The Weather Channel's Fall Foliage Map

The Weather Channel's Fall Foliage Map

The flexibility of a small RV makes this the perfect vehicle to escape to view Fall colors before they disappear. In the blink of an eye, colors are past their peak but you’ll be able to enjoy them before their gone. If the best colors are farther from home, you can still get there by utilizing overnight parking spots along the way.

To see the leaves change we went to North Carolina, and on the way parked overnight at this Walmart Super in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Their phone number, by the way, is (803) 366-9431 if you’re headed that way and want to verify with the manager on where to park. It was a perfect stopover spot. Just a few minutes off Interstate 77 and surrounded by nice restaurants.

Small RV at Walmart for Fall Colors

Small RV Stopover On Journey to See Fall Colors

We enjoyed a very nice dinner at LongHorn Steakhouse that was practically across the street and stored our generous and delicious leftovers in the refrigerator for later. The restaurant gets very busy, but they allow call-ahead seating at (803) 980-6255.

The morning is even more convenient as you’ll find both gas and diesel located in the parking lot as you leave. You can stock up on supplies at Walmart or nearby grocery stores, or choose to have breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

All of this convenience means that you can pack up and leave home in a moment’s notice because you can get whatever perishable items you need while you’re out and exploring. You can pack a lot into a weekend by taking advantage of your RV.

So get out into the mountains and witness the changing of the Seasons.

Use Your Small RV as a Mobile Office to Stay Productive and Enjoy a Scenic Lunch

Florida Scenic Hwy Overlooking Tampa Bay

Florida Scenic Hwy Overlooking Tampa Bay

Every so often I’m reminded of how convenient it is to have a Small RV as a mobile office. Today was one of those days. As I downloaded pictures from my camera, I saw photos taken last week of a terrific lunch spot that I found when returning from an out-of-town meeting. During that lunch break I was able to both recharge, and get work done, all in the privacy of my 24 foot Class C Diesel RV.

The meeting was at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, which is a few hours away. I stumbled upon a great spot overlooking Tampa Bay, and only later discovered that it is designated as one of Florida’s Scenic Highways. Normally I don’t take photos of lunch stops, but life is different now with the small RV as my office.

How to Stay Productive

As most business travelers will tell you, out-of-town meetings can be very disruptive to productivity. That of course is a big problem when your income depends on being productive. Here’s one way I use my mobile office to combat the problem.

I take advantage of traveling in my RV, by locating areas to park and work out of my mobile office during the business day. As I get closer to my destination, I scout out potential parking places that I will return to after my meetings are finished. I also get a lay of the land by keeping an eye out for favorite sandwich shops or grocery stores. Although I use GPS extensively, there’s nothing like your own two eyes to best guide you.

A Working Lunch With a View

Getting back to the Clearwater trip to use as an example. Since the refrigerator wasn’t stocked, as I was about 20 minutes from my destination, I began looking for cool restaurants and/or a great parking areas and sandwich shops. There were two restaurants that stood out, one overlooking the water and the other a tastefully themed Mexican restaurant. Additionally, there was a long stretch of a paved trail directly on Tampa Bay, just off the bridge, that looked incredible.

My meetings ran a little long and I decided that answering emails and making a few pressing calls were more important than new restaurants. So I headed back to the bridge for water views, and picked up some ready made chicken at a grocery store along the way. As luck would have it, the paved trail was very convenient to find again and parking could not have been easier.

A restful, yet productive, hour later I headed for home. The small RV as a mobile office fits perfectly in my life. It allows me to find chunks of time to conduct business during business hours – even when traveling.

Small RV as a Mobile Office

As a Medical Manufacturer’s Sales Representative in Central Florida, my territory covers the west coast of Florida through Orlando to Daytona Beach, along the Interstate 4 corridor. I am given a car allowance, but many of the perks have been cut out of the budget. Just like everyone else, I needed to find ways to cut expenses to make ends meet. After doing some online research for a small RV that gets good gas mileage, I went to several RV dealerships that carry the diesel Sprinter camper vans (a Class B RV) and the Class C RVs.

Class A RV

I determined early on that the Class A RVs were much too big to park at many of the hospitals and doctors’ offices I visit. Besides it is overkill for my “mobile office” needs, and the fuel economy is poor. One promising Class A though is the upcoming Sprinter based 2010 Via by Winnebago. It is a 25-foot motorhome that looks interesting, but might still be a bit too big for work travel. The available floor plans look less promising though as a set up for a “mobile office”.

Class B RV

The class B RV was too small and I think I would get cabin fever after a few days. The floor plan was not comfortable for a mobile office setting, and the shower was virtually unusable. The fuel economy was attractive, but not worth the sacrifice on space. Once filled with my products and equipment, this set up clearly would not work.

Class C RV

The Class C RVs were just right. Although the fuel economy is not as good as the Class B, they have the best floor plans, with adequate storage and a comfortable “mobile office” workspace. Several months ago I purchased the Winnebago View 24H that has a dinette, which works well as a desk, and a couch so it doesn’t have a bedroom feel. It is one of the best small RVs, in my opinion, and is the perfect “mobile office” for me.

I use my travel coffee maker and head to my first meeting of the day. By the time I arrive, I am able to go in the back of the RV to use the restroom. I check my e-mails on the computer, grab something from the refrigerator and heat it up in the microwave. Then when I meet my clients I’m refreshed and at my best.

When I need to stay overnight, just like any other of the small RVs that are self contained, I can watch a little TV, sleep, shower and shave, and I am ready for the next day. I have even stayed for free in the parking lots of some of the hospitals with the permission of the administrators.

My wife likes to go to a beach campground and then go to the local seafood restaurants on the weekends. She grew up with a small RV, visiting the Florida RV parks. I guess I need to give her all the credit for telling me to forget the Lexus, and get one of the Class C RVs. With the Sprinter model RV, I now have a fuel efficient ‘motoroffice’ during the week, and a fun ‘motorhome’ for the weekend. It’s the best of both worlds, 7 days a week!

What is the Small RV Advantage?

The advantages of a Small RV over a large one are numerous. Aside from the better gas mileage, you’ll be able to go places that large RV’s would never dare to roam. Weekend adventures, and even day trips, become the rule instead of the exception because these RVs are so easy and fun.

Now just what do we mean when we say, ‘Small RV’? Travel trailers, pop-up campers, truck campers are included, but let’s talk about two of the most popular, the Class C RVs followed by the Class B RV.

Class C RV

Class C RVs, also called the mini-motorhome, is built on the chassis of a van and typically has the distinctive sleeping area above the cab. RV manufactures start with a chassis, which is the base frame, engine and wheels from the auto manufacturer, and then essentially builds a home on top. Most models now offer slide-outs that noticeably increase the living space comfort while parked.

Sprinter-based Diesel Class C RV

Sprinter-based Diesel Class C RV

Class B RV

Class B RV, sometimes referred to as camper-vans, is actually a highly customized cargo van. These too are generally complete with kitchen, bathroom and sleeping facilities. Below is one of many Small RV’s that Roadtrek offers. Notice how the van is still intact and Roadtrek has customized practically every aspect of it. Keep in mind that the picture below is zoomed in a bit more, but the unit is smaller than the Class C above.

Sprinter-based Roadtrek Diesel Class B RV

Sprinter-based Roadtrek Diesel Class B RV

The Mercedes Difference

The Mercedes-built Sprinter van has revolutionized the Small RV in recent years. Finally the power of diesel, with its improved fuel efficiency, is available from a variety of RV makers in smart and comfortable motor homes. Not long ago, few would have imagined the full line up of Class C Diesel Motorhomes and Class B Diesel Motorhomes that we see today.

Not only do these Small RVs have power and good looks, they are a pleasure to drive. Whether you’re going down the highway, driving through narrow roads, or making a u-turn, you’ll be surprised at the car-like experience.

But that’s not even the best part, the best part is how convenient and comfortable it is to enjoy while parked.

You’ll discover ideal picnic spots with incredible views for your enjoyment. And pulling into a campsite is a snap! In most cases you’ll just back in using the rear-camera monitor, and then plug in the electric, and if desired, hook up the water hose. That’s it. This means that packing up is just as quick and simple. Don’t feel like cooking dinner? Just drive over to the restaurant that a local highly recommended. Now that’s freedom to roam.