Checking out new RVs! What’s a Grech?

Barry and I have been talking about downsizing from our 2015 Newmar Ventana Model 3636. We casually started a couple years ago just to see what was out there. We still aren’t ready to do it TODAY, but our “down time” in Dallas seemed an opportune time to begin actively researching current options. A more nimble unit to easily travel on smaller backroads, and in busy cities is our goal. Barry wants something that can be serviced in more places and the cost of maintenance will be significantly lower. Quality and comfort are definite priorities throughout for both of us. We need the sleeping area separate from an area to sit and relax, so that one can be in bed when the other isn’t. A workable kitchen is a must since we eat the majority of our meals in our RV. We want as much quality lithium battery power + solar already properly installed that would enable boondocking for us to enjoy some incredible scenery and the peace of nature. Can I get a small washer and dryer, too? LOL

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We have been watching a lot of YouTube videos on various brands and models of 22-25 ft class C’s and B+’s. Our friends, Jerry & Belinda travel in a Winnebago View. They assured us before we left Yuma that we could do it. 🙂 I think we may shock them…keep reading Jerry & Belinda. 🙂

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COACH HOUSE – Platinum II 241 XL

We curiously stepped into a couple Class B+’s and Class C’s in the 25 ft range at the Tampa Super RV Show in Jan 2020. A class C has the over the cab area – good for grandkids to sleep and/or for storage. A class B+ is basically the same but without the over-the-cab feature, or at least not as large of one. Thus the B+ is more aerodynamic. Tampa is where we discovered Coach House, and is the only place we have seen one. Coach House is family owned and manufactured in Florida.

Pros:

1. Sold directly to customers. No dealerships, therefore, no middle-man.
2. Well built. “All are fabricated using a one piece fiberglass body, hand laid and reinforced with carbon fiber, so no water leaks!”
3. Super comfortable/quality furniture. The dual recliner theater style is residential quality, not “RV” furniture. They built the slide to accommodate the residential wall hugger recliners. (Best of any RV that we’ve ever sat in.)
4. Comfortable mattresses from what I remember. 🙂
   Coach House uses EJ Shrader mattresses.
5. Twin bed model has matching twin sizes – not often the case! BOTH are 34″ x 75″ Rear twin has conversion to a king.
6. Fully usable without putting out the living room slide.
   

Cons:

1. The length of this 241XL is 25′ 9″. We would like to be under 25′
2. Exterior height 10′ 8″
3. “RV queen 56″ x 73” (true queen is 60 x 80)
4. Option to only add 2 lithium batteries.
5. We’d have to go to Florida to see one again, and to pick it up.
6. No washer/dryer

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We went to three RV dealerships in Texas. These visits helped us refine what RV would best fit our travel plans and likely be our last RV. We were looking to compare the Renegade VIENNA and the Leisure Travel Van – Unity (LTV). No luck locating an LTV. Seems like the LTV, Renegade and Coach House will be our top three contenders.

McClains had the Renegade Vienna and the Winnebago View side by side. We preferred the Vienna. The exterior storage doors was huge in eliminating the View. The doors on the View opened up parallel to the ground. Thus they stick out prohibiting easy access into the compartments. The Vienna doors open out perpendicular to the coach, and had a much more solid feel to them. They open and close the same as those of a quality Class A. The twin beds on the View were 4 inches narrower than the Vienna twin bed mattresses. Real twins are small enough we don’t want to lose 4 inches!

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We decided that while extremely roomy with the deep, full-wall slide, the theater seating really wasn’t the best quality and comfort. I could feel the wood frame when my arm was on the armrest. We are spoiled with our’s from Bradd & Hall in Vinny. It is residential quality (Amish built) that fits perfectly in Vinny. Would ordering a new one from Bradd & Hall work in the Vienna? Geesh…already looking to upgrade/fix something and we haven’t even bought the RV. Hmmm.

PROS for the Renegade Vienna

1. Lots of daylight in the spacious living area with light interior colors.
2. The over-the-cab version’s “bed” cushions stack and the support board slides forward to allow easier in and out from cab to living space.
3. Over-the-cab area will provide additional sleeping for grandkids or one adult.
4. Decent refrigerator/freezer
5. Flip up kitchen counter extension.
6. Nice storage inside and exterior compartments.
7. Quality doors on all exterior storage.
8. Mercedes 3500 chassis.

CONS:

1. Theater seating is NOT the quality we want.
2. Murphy bed is not that comfortable, and a topper will not fit.
3. No bed without putting out the slide (Murphy bed model and the RV queen model).
4. Twin bed model – 32 x 74
5. Exterior Length 25′ 6″. Trying to find under 25 ft.
6. Exterior Height 11′
7. Over-the-cab model has a heavier/bulkier appearance
8. No washer/dryer

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Even though overall we liked the Vienna, we just weren’t 100% convinced it was the right one for us. Our gut was telling us to continue looking and researching. We were glad we came and checked out both the Renegade Vienna and the Winnebago View.

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A GRECH – Have you heard of Grech?

The salesman heard me wanting better quality/comfort, and said if I wanted a comfortable seat that I needed to sit in the Grech. Since a Grech was parked right next to the Vienna, I did. OMG…YES! This is quality comfort. Quality that would last. However, the Grech is a Class B (van). (Smaller – and no slides) Why are we even looking at this??? We can’t go from a Class A to a Class B VAN!

The seed was planted. More to come…

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PANORAMIC RV – You have to love that name.
April 24 we arrived at National Indoor RV in Lewisville, TX for service on Vinny. Unfortunately, they did not have any of the brands we hoped to compare. Leslie showed us a couple of Pleasure Way Vans. Nope. Not what we want. Then she wanted us to look at something they just got in…a brand new PANORAMIC RV van. How ironic. I had just watched part of a video on one. Cool! (Turns out that video was made right here a week and a half ago!)

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Panoramic RV is shorter than the Grech Strata. The Panoramic is on the Ram Promaster chassis, instead of the Mercedes 3500, and uses regular gasoline. This does not have the dually rear wheels, or the added air suspension.

The Panoramic RV is only 21 ft long. It is 3 feet shorter than the Grech! It didn’t feel that much smaller. If anyone is looking for UNDER 24 ft…they MUST check this Panoramic RV out!! (It is made in Canada, but I think better availability and customer service than LTV.)

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The amount of light inside this van was amazing! Wonderful windows – just like the Grech…but the Panoramic also has a big skylight that opens, and has both a sunshade, and a bug screen! We opened it. Wow. The amount of air that came in was impressive.

The Panoramic has a real mattress in the back that is always available as the bed – a definite plus…It is 57″ x 74 You sleep widthwise across the van. It could work, but if you fully stretch out at some point, you will likely hit the window shade by your feet, and/or the other window shade next to your head or pillow.

Below the bed is a door to a storage area that is a pass-through storage to the rear doors. The interior storage door can swing open or even be lifted out. If you need to transport something taller, the entire mattress is in two or three sections allowing it to flip vertically and be secured creating an opening from the doors to the front cab! (This can be seen in the Panoramic RV link I inserted below.) Take note of the WINE RACK directly to the left of that interior storage door!

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What about the wet bath??
OMG. This is the largest one yet! HOW?? They removed the sink! Since the kitchen sink is right outside the bathroom, users said preferred to use it to gain additional room to maneuver in the shower. Love the big window, but I don’t recall if there is an air vent in the ceiling.

The shower curtain (thinner plastic type) uses a track on the ceiling to wrap all the way around you to keep the walls and toilet dry. I’m not sure I want to be enclosed like that though. The curtain has places for it to velcro to the wall around the window. The bathroom doors slide on a track inside the bathroom. The bathroom door can them be left open to allows light from the bathroom window to come into the kitchen area.

For a class B there is decent storage for extra TP in the bathroom and a few toiletries. There is a pull down rod to hang a few things to dry. The faucet has two controls on it. One end allows you to set the temp and forget it. The end closer to you is where you turns the water on and off. The on/off part supposedly pokes through the shower curtain for you to access it.

Using the kitchen sink…That picture frame is concealing a mirror to use while brushing your teeth, putting on make-up, shaving, etc. Cute, but I wasn’t really impressed with it. Barry and I both prefer having the sink and mirror within the bathroom.

Kitchen features: Two burners (propane), sink is smaller and shallower, but would still work OK, but the faucet is too short if you have a bigger pan or tall container. It does not pull out to extend in anyway. I would replace that immediately. The microwave is ONLY a microwave, and is teeny tiny. I need a convection oven. The refrigerator is 5.3 cu ft.

Above is a great pullout pantry which is extremely rare in a class B!

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The front area was also pretty cool with its versatility, but we felt a bit cramped here. Nice idea, but for us it needs another couple feet to make this space feel good to us. The seats swivel & recline. We were surprised how much we liked the Panoramic. We even went back on our own the next day to check it out again.

Here is a superb video about the Panoramic RV

PANORAMIC’s PROS:

1. The wet bath was really roomy! I did NOT feel claustrophobic in it!
2. The bathroom door wraps inside when you open it. Because the door wraps inside the bathroom, you can leave it like that to allow even more light into the van from the huge bathroom window!!
3. Length: 21 ft
4. Height: 9′ 6″
5. The shower curtain is on a track and Velcros against the window area ensuring you the most room while it keeps water OFF the walls, toilet, window area etc!
6. Skylight that opens!
7. The table in the front can attach to be used outside!
8. The laguna table has an extension that can be used for additional kitchen prep area.
9. Large pullout pantry!

Cons:

1. TINY microwave – NO convection feature.
2. The front area could work, but it was a bit cramped without having seats where we could put our legs up.
3. Not a lot of lithium battery ….400ah
4. Does not have the air suspension or rear dually for a nicer ride.
5. Driver and passenger seats don’t adjust easily…use big dials, but not sure what each does.
6. The bug screens for both side and back doors are manual – let down and then zip. Have to roll them up by hand and clip to hold up out of the way, but straps dangle down in the entrance.
7. No washer/dryer

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GRECH – An unplanned stop provides us a more thorough look!

Initially we assumed the Grech was too small. But in the days that followed, Barry and I talked more and more about what we want, and what kind of traveling we want to do. Kitchen prep area is a definite priority for me. I mentioned that the kitchen work area was larger than in some B+/C’s. As we watched more videos, talked with Brian (LivinRVision) and rewatched quite a few of their videos featuring their experience of Grech living over the last two years, our mindset changed. We became open to this possibility! We agreed that we definitely need to revisit this RV when we get the chance.

Unexpectedly, we got that chance on April 25 up in Denton, TX at another McClain’s!

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Grech has very clean lines. It has a rear hitch, but it is hidden as are the connections on the driver side for water, sewer and power. There is not a lot of branding/free advertising on the exterior of the RV. “Grech” is etched tastefully on the exterior stainless steel strip. Barry really Ikes that. (Not like the bold dealership stuff on the back. LOL)

This is the RV we have watched our friends, Brian and Michelle of “LivinRVision” live and work full-time in for the last two years! When we first met them we both had a Newmar Ventana – and each named “Vinny”! Their floor plan was way different from ours. It never really worked for them, so they made a change. We have loved our Vinny and only now are considering a downsizing change – which was always in our plan. Vinny has been taking us to fabulous places for eight years.

Brian and Michelle were approached two years ago to test out the Grech. So they did-and are still in one. They love how fast and easy the setup is, but they especially appreciate the flexibility and freedom it has given them. Easy peasy to get into parks – especially state and national parks that have a 25 ft limit. When driving a class B you can pull over when you see something of interest. You can park in most parking lots which makes sightseeing, and stopping for a few groceries much easier. If you miss a turn you can get turned around much soon and easier. There’s a lot less stress exploring unfamiliar places.

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The kitchen area is definitely a one-butt kitchen! From the LivinRVision videos, I didn’t think I could function in that small of a kitchen space. Actually standing in the Strata-Tour, it wasn’t as narrow as it had appeared. It isn’t spacious by any means, but workable. The kitchen counter space is pretty comparable to some of the B+ and Cs. (Even more than some!) The flip-up counter extension is one of the largest we’ve seen. It significantly adds to prep space! Others are just cute, and not fully practical or useful.

I was impressed that the microwave/convection combo also includes air fryer and dehydrator functions, and it’s a realistic size to actually use.

Grech provides TWO induction burners. I also appreciate some counter space to the right of those burners. I often have things I like to have right there to easily add to a skillet or pan on the burner.

Of course the refrigerator is not a residential fridge as in the Newmar, but it will be doable. We will need to get limit the amount of groceries we buy meaning more frequent grocery stops, they will be much easier and less stressful to do.

Wow-The back lounge is impressive and COMFORTABLE! The entire back end felt spacious. The large windows allow so much light in! A control panel can bring night shades down individually or all at the same time. Another button reclines the sofa as much or as little as you want. Each ottoman has a separate control as well. That really helps to dial in comfort and purpose for wherever you sit along the sofa. The “bed” passed the initial 15-30 seconds-comfort test to continue looking at this RV. 🙂 I know Michelle & Brian said it was, but I still had my doubts. (They are younger than us!) We believe we’d be very comfortable back here working on our computers, and/or watching TV, etc. This did NOT feel claustrophobic at all! That was a most pleasant surprise.

The sofa and ottomans together create a sleeping area of 66″ x 76″! Or you can leave the ottomans on the sides and have two twin beds – EACH one is 33″ x 76″. We like the versatility that this lounge offers.

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Grech has a Terreno-Ion Tour (22 ft length) that is very much the same. However, the Strata-Ion Tour’s additional 2 feet provides additional storage at the back of the van. Pictures below show the extra storage space behind the sofa. The height of the cardboard box if closed is the height limit to allow the sofa to go flat without any impedance.

The storage above the sofa is the same width in both models but the Strata’s is again two feet deeper! That extra storage is important–especially since we will be going from a 36’6″ Class A to a 24′ B Van.

Hmm…looks like a small bunk. May need to find out the weight limit. 🙂

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Now – What about that dreaded WET BATH!?!

It wasn’t bad! It is roomier than most. Some wet baths you barely have room to use the toilet let alone shower. Not an issue in the Grech. I could easily stand and move abit. I don’t have a problem with it. The quality shower curtain allows you to shower and leave the door open if you want. It’s not like you’re going to have water wildly spraying everywhere.

People often freakout about everything getting wet. I really don’t see that it’s that big of a deal. We already wipe down the sliding door and the shower floor in the Newmar, and at home. If it really becomes an issue, then we could buy a second curtain that would extend around the rest of the bath area, and attach with velcro or small command hooks perform as the one in the Panoramic RV. I’d keep the current curtain as the main one on the door side.

It’s not like we will shower in the Grech everyday. Plus we will take advantage of available showers at campgrounds, and possibly truck stops. Maybe we’ll join something like 24hr Fitness as some have done. We’ll see. For now we simply use this particular wet bath as needed. Going bigger just for a dry bath totally defeats our travel goals.

And look at that window! This wet bath has both a window and a fan. Most wet baths do not have either one! They each add to the comfort, and function of the bathroom. A window is a must for me. I would have a problem using Vinny’s small half-bath if it didn’t have a window. Maybe it has been preparing me for a wet bath.

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The Grech has a high price tag, but it is extremely well-made and comes with 1260+ah lithium batteries (16,128watt hours) installed properly and securely, plus 300 watts of solar power, and a 3000 watt Xantrex inverter. We have not found any other Class B (or C) that comes equipped with that much! (Explains the higher MSRP.) This ion-package is a huge plus in our opinion. I want to use the stove & convection oven, use that AC when we I need it, and have a fan on all night without a chance of the batteries going too low where they shut everything down.

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GRECH – PROS:

1. 1269ah Lithium batteries (16,128 Watt hours) + 300 watts solar w/ 3000 watt inverter
2. Mercedes 3500 chassis with amazing safety features
3. Length: 24ft
4. Height: 9′ 11″
5. Extremely comfortable driver and passenger seat with electronic controls. They even have a lumbar support that not only goes in and out, but this one will move up and down to be able to get that support exactly where YOU need it!
6. The installation of the lithium batteries is superior. They are bolted down to the frame.
7. NO propane on board
8. One touch–all night shades come down.
9. The upgrades from Mercedes in the front cab! SO easy to have important controls at your fingertips.
10. Large CURVED wardrobe cabinet with 3 shelves on the bottom
11. Decent size refrigerator/freezer. Bottom freezer! Yea!
12. Large recessed flip up kitchen counter extension.
13. Super comfy driver/passenger seats and rear sofa.
14. The ottomans move with a push of a button to allow for additional lounging positions.
15. Roomy wet bath with a sink and mirror inside!
16. Wet bath has a window and a small exhaust fan.
17. Retractable clothesline in the wet bath.
18. Quality shower curtain. (Allows you to keep the door open while you shower. )
19. Bathroom door can be opened all the way to allow light from bathroom window into the kitchen area.
20. Decent size microwave/convection/fryer/dehydrator combo.
21. Super quiet and efficient Gree air conditioner.
22. Sleek exterior with connections hidden.
23. Quality build is the main reason the van is at the top of our list.
24. Built in Tank heaters

Cons

1. Not a traditional bed mattress.
2. 2025 the back windows do not open(and maybe some of the late 2024s)
3. No skylight
4. Price
5. Shower curtain does not continue around to keep everything dry.
6. Driver and passenger chairs do not have a leg extension
7. No wash/dryer

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In conclusion, we definitely like the Grech Strata-Ion Tour, and prefer the white with the light interior. It has to be a late 2024 or a new 2025 to get the important updates listed in the “Pros”. This is not what we expected at all.

The nimbleness, comfort and quality of the Grech van has won us over. There are always give and takes. We believe we can be comfortable in this smaller footprint while reaping so many important benefits. To be flexible where on a spur of the moment we can pull off to go explore something, or when we make a wrong turn we can quickly and easily get turned back around are major bonuses with the Grech. We believe our RV travel will not only be enhanced, but the longevity of traveling will be extended.

Barry’s already thinking of a name for the Grech: Jack be Nimble, Jack be quick – or not so quick —We should call it “Jack”. 🙂
We won’t be trading Vinny in on a purchasing of a new RV until after this trip. We have too much with us + the Jeep. But we will definitely be MovinOn with something smaller. More time to process all this will be good.

For an extremely detailed walk-through both exterior and interior of the Grech Strata-Ion Tour click on this link with Angie from National Indoor RV; Or click here for her Factory Tour Video

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When evaluating RVs don’t assume:

1. That ALL “queen” bed = a “full queen” (60″ x 80″).
   An “RV queen” can vary quite a bit. MEASURE IT! If it isn’t 60 x 80 it is not a residential full queen! What will work for you? (How much narrower? How much shorter? Wider and shorter?) Salespeople won’t know the actual measurement of every bed. They’ll just call it an “RV queen”, and then most people just respond, “Oh, OK.”
2. That twin beds are both the same length and width. Measure EACH one! Look to see if one has a drastic angle at the foot of the mattress or due to a bathroom or closet that side is significantly shorter.
3. That “Recliners” = a seat that fully reclines including raising your legs. If a Murphy bed is behind the “reclining” piece, the reclining feature will most likely be extremely limited! Some won’t have any extended leg support. Beware if a video shows a reclining seat a little too fast. Does it not really go any further?
4. If there is a slide…have them bring it in to see what space and accessibility there is. There are instances when you cannot put that slide out. Will you be able to function?
5. Don’t assume your salesperson knows everything about the RV. If you get an answer that doesn’t seem quite right…followup with your own research – factory website and YouTube. 🙂 Ask for a spec sheet or check the company website to get the specifications for the specific model(s) you are considering. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, or you aren’t sure if the specs are accurate for the newest production model, write to them and ask!

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