Living FULL TIME in the NEW Winnebago Solis Pocket Camper Van
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- In this episode we get a van tour from the overlandprivatevan man himself, Nick. He shows us around his Winnebago Solis Pocket, in which he lives full time!
Make sure to check out Nick's instagram @overlandpiratevan
👉Follow us on instagram:
@chadandpaul
👬Who we are:
Hey, we're Chad and Paul. We lived a pretty typical life up until a few years ago. Chad was a speech-language pathologist and Paul was an attorney. We worked in New York City and by all means were set. But we didn't feel settled. We wanted something different. We started a bunch of online businesses, quit our 9-5's and now we live an unconventional life in our van (a Storyteller Overland MODE 4x4). Follow along with us on our journey.
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#chadandpaul #winnebago #campervan
Love the way he made it to get hot water
Yes. Not having easy hot water was a concern for me, but he solved the "problem" like a champ!
This lifestyle really does help you figure out what is most important to you.
100%
Great to see Nick happy with the new van...I've also followed him since the beginning with his Travato. A lot to be said for the Pocket if you want to keep life simple!
Nick’s such a good guy! Happy to finally meet him in person. He’s got a TON of experience living on the road full time. Looks like a great setup for him and his needs.
Thanks so much for interviewing Nick. I'm torn between the Pocket vs the Pleasure-Way Tofino. This was extremely helpful.
👍👍👍
Great hot water setup!
It's so crazy how people really are wanting the shorter vans. The drone footage you share is luring people in to that magical spot only those vans can get to. ❤
Ha! Yeah vans are getting smaller and smaller! Hope all is well with you!!
Looking at the travel vans in Europe, we are just catching up to what people mostly want. . .and that's smaller ones.
I saw alot of fit and finish problems with those. Cabinet peeling off after just 4 months. Staples exposed. I like your comment on the bathroom situation and the water heater you bought is great. I am considering buying one soon
I really liked this when it came out but want “unlimited power” !!! I noticed that the convertible seating is a version of groove lounge concept. Queen It really is interesting how quickly the market is responding to the changes demographics and needs. Hope you two and the pup are well. Thanks for these quick videos. 😊🤗
Thanks Deborah! It is a nice layout- especially for a solo traveler. But yes- doesn’t have UNLIMITED POWER! hehehe. It’s neat how we’re seeing more interesting camper van layouts, and definitely notice a trend towards the convertible instead of fixed bathrooms, which we appreciate. Hope all is well!
I want to live in a class b for years now and getting closer by the minute
I love this van! Recently rented one on Outdoorsy and stayed in it while on my vacation on Maui. Best way to explore the island hands down. I loved it so much I am thinking of buying one!
I love the Solis Pocket...but no dry camping A/C bcuz no generator kills the deal. I have a pet I cannot leave without air conditioning for short periods of time.
Love it, to the point, no bs info just right to what you have available for you van life adventure.
Thanks for this interview! I’ve seen several dealer / Winnebago videos on the Pocket, but not an actual owner. It was helpful. I really like the layout, my issue has been the elec system. It’s still on the short list…. maybe get it, see how it goes, and upgrade elec if lacking. Aircon and the dog is really the thing. Or get something like this built with a bigger elec system? Decisions decisions. Have a great Sunday! ✌🏻
Yes! Many options out there!
The air conditioner/lack of generator with a dog is also a concern for me. I would spring for a big 2000w Max Oak/Bluetti portable lithium battery. I’m not quite sure how difficult it is, but you can actually run the AC off of them. You’d probably have to put what do they call it? Soft start? On your AC because it flattens out the starting current spike. But I’ve seen in a Long Long Honeymoon video and he ran his entire Airstream as a test off of the big Max Oak. czcams.com/video/t33sLgH6QQ4/video.html go to around 11:00 for the demo. It would be clunky and you’d have to run it from the battery inside to out a window and plug it into the outside so that you could go for a hike or going to a restaurant because you wouldn’t want to leave your battery outside to be stolen. It’s a kludge..,.
@@TrishBenedict thanks for sharing, I hadn’t seen that from LoLoHo. Will watch it. That Sean 🤣. I’m about convenience! If I got something like the Pocket I’d probably take it to a van place and swap the batteries for lithium, the a/c for a 12v, and add alternator charging. Not the unlimited power of the Volta, but would be enough to safely leave the dog for a bit (or comfortable sleeping). Currently talked myself out of any of the vans with Volta for various reasons. 🚐
I watched a video yesterday on Enduro lithium batteries,25% smaller and has 10 years life span,cost less, is USA 🇺🇸 made and come in 50ah,100ah,200ah,and 300ah✅
I absolutely hate our Travato G. Since we bought it just before lockdown last year and the market is good, I’m thinking we should sell it and buy a Pocket. (And we’d have enough money left over to pay for the solar panels on our condo!) We need two beds - like you guys. My husband tosses and turns, I’m a light sleeper. And the puzzle bed on the G is a nightmare to do and undo every freaking day. We went and looked at the three Solis models a couple of weeks ago and the P and PX just didn’t make any sense. I thought maybe one of us would enjoy being upstairs in the second bedroom in one of the pop tops, but we’re 75 and 80. We crawled up and tried it, but we wouldn’t want to wake up in the middle of the night and have to crawl down and back up in the dark. But the Pocket! That could work. I’m trying to figure out where we would stash the essentials. The older you get, the more medicines, supplies, etc you need and things like that. We don’t travel light. No bathroom, so no medicine cabinet or place for the toothbrushes. So convenient storage is a consideration. But I think the 17 footer would be ever so much more fun and less stressful to drive in a strong wind.
Even though my husband is 6‘2“ and I originally thought it would be too small, I think we could do it - and be happier than in the Travato. I think about the only thing I would miss is that nice freezer, but we could get a little freestanding chest fridge if we find that we miss it that much. And I can’t wait to get rid of the generator. What a hassle to maintain that! And, of course, we aren’t looking to move into it as full timers. But I think we would enjoy 17 feet more than 21 feet and not be ready to kill each other halfway through a three or four week trip! :)
Yes! 12V freezers are easy to add. And thanks for the comment! The Pocket sounds like it could be a good option!
Interesting you hate the Travato G because I've been considering that to replace our 2005 Roadtrek 170. The 170 is the shortest Roadtrek. On the Chevy Chassis it is longer then the original Dodge which was 17'. The thing I hate about our van is you sleep sideways so we're crawling over each other to get up to use the bathroom at night and the ac unit is so loud as your right under it. Having a dedicated bathroom would be nice for privacy. I'm wondering if one could use a black tank toilet like a portable potty by carrying an extra container to drain into and empty into when a dumping station wasn't available? Would be cool if an rv manufacture could come up with a dual design.
The thing I LOVE about our Roadtrek is the Chevy chassis which is rock solid so easy to drive and service anywhere plus it fits in our garage which has an extra high door. Maybe we should've gotten the Roadtrek 190 with the wet bath version? Good luck on your search.
@@notanomad9320 Nothing is perfect and I’m always chasing after perfect. I can’t get my husband on board with going back to RecVan and doing a serious look at the Pocket. I made a trip by myself down to look at it again and I think it could work. But he won’t consider it. I wish it had microwave, but they’ve cut costs and weight and space by not putting one in and not putting an inverter in. But I would put in a couple of big fat Max Oak lithium battery packs. They have a built-in inverter, so we could have a little microwave sitting on top of one under the Murphy bed. It could work!
In defense of the Travato, there sure are a lot of people who love theirs. It just doesn’t work well for me. We have the G and it’s crowded, it’s hard to get at anything, the gear storage garage makes it almost impossible to put the Murphy bed up, and if the Murphy bed isn’t up you can’t get it anything underneath. The bank of drawers are right up under the Murphy bed. I don’t know why they didn’t just leave them open like they used to be. Are used to be storage slots, then they put in drawers! The new 2022 beds are improved - wider, lighter, and lower because the eliminated to stupid Froli springs. But there’s no second bed, so that doesn’t work for us.
Good luck on your quest!
Hello to my two favorite guys. Happy travels and stay safe.
Thank you!!! You too! 🙏🙏🙏
Cool, but no hot water sucks but he seemed to have solved it 😎
He’s a smart guy!
Pocket is powerful
We have the Solis and let me say being married 28 years I still need a door when we go to the bathroom
Ha!
I am disappointed in the pocket not being all electric with a water heater
I can live without the dedicated bathroom. But for $114k no water heater for the outdoor shower is absolutely ridiculous.
Half the bathroom was lots of storage!
Yes this exactly what I want
🙌
Very nice set-up, especially with the outdoor shower. Does your rig have ac?
I understand the bed is up high for storage. I would have it lowered though. I want to be able to lie down and not have to climb up to. I'm getting older.
When you decide to own a smaller camper van, how you rationalize what you want vs. what you need can determine if the van is a 'keeper' or a 'potential trade-in'. Question: Do you believe you could have been happy with the Storyteller bathroom arrangement had you not owned the Winnebago and experienced the positives / negatives of putting a full shower / toilet / sink. into a small space?
If you had asked us before we moved into a van if we needed a fixed bathroom with a black tank we would have said ABSOLUTELY. But after having lived in the travato, within a few months we realized we’d much rather have the extra living space and not have to deal with finding dump sites, etc.
@@ChadandPaul I have to say the same thing with our Travato. We started off years ago with a 12’ pop-up A-frame and the thing I complained about was the lack of a bathroom. What it really was was the lack of space. The Porta potty had to go outdoors. There was only about 3 ft.² floor space between the two beds and the sink. We got the Travato and we have the bathroom now, but we have no functional living space. And the black tank - Uck!
Now we’re looking at the Pocket and the idea of the Porta Potty and dealing with just the cassette makes me so much happier than wrangling the stinky slinky. There is room for it inside the Pocket at night, so I won’t have to go outside. And we can stash it away in the daytime and not have it taking up all that room. Plus I’ve owned a Porta Potty for 40+ years. It’s familiar. And so much more versatile.
Thats definitely a short van. I like the shower set up especially how he gets hot water, very slick. BUT why is the propane vented from the bottom? Glad you asked….because it’s heavier than air. So if it leaks it sinks out of the van because if it was a side vent it could gather in the bottom and explode. Did you know propane is odorless? You smell Mercaptan. Because in 1937 a school blew up in Texas killing hundreds from a gas leak no one could smell. That’s the Cliff notes. Because knowing is half the battle. 👍🏼
Always wise words from the salty medic! 🙏🙏🙏 I do like how much useable space they made in a 27 foot van. The convertible seat to dinette is also very cool.
@@ChadandPaul you meant 17 and a half, right? 🤣
No internal shower, no hot water. The pocket is like my Vanagon with headroon
Yes I could live in a pocket van
The bathroom is almost the entire point.
No great shower no buy
Great idea for the shower! Which Camplux did you get? Thanks!
I see you have a jackery 1500, do you use it to run your AC?
Now that the Solis Pocket 36B is out, I'm curious if you'd change or stay with the 36A?
Would a recumbent stationary bike fit in the garage?
....and the van is front wheel drive! Not all wheel like the Ford Transit Trail.
Nice video but not complete. There is a video posted by a salesman - kinda long - but more detailed about its features. I recommend searching for it if you are serious about buying this unit. Until I win the Lotto and able to afford one of these units, I'll have to be content traveling once a year to a tourist spot in the country or Europe.
I own a Pocket, so far it's been a blast cruising around. What company manufactures the rear ladder?
I’m not sure. I’d read out to overlandpiratevan
Is there an aftermarket awning? Love the shorter length and layout of this van.
Nice setup.. nice video 👍💯
Appreciate it
The Pirate rides again!
Yes indeed!
No propane for me.
is the water heater he added hard mounted to the rear door? or is he removing it to shut the door? Thanks
Good question! I’d ask @overlandpiratevan
And that’s a castle compared to my little 14 foot camper trailer
lol!
But more affordable. BTW, the unit is $82,000 +/-$1500 + tax. license, prep fees, optional (needed) items like leveling jacks, covers for the tires, and if no room at home for parking, monthly storage fees. Also to consider is how many times a year you are going to use it, 4-6 times and for how many days. Because most of the time, unless you pay it in full, you will pay the monthly payment while it stays parked. It's a great unit for a solo full-time nomad.
Nice review. Would you mind sharing how long the murphy bed is? I am 6 ft
Good question! I’m not sure- I’d check the specs on winnebagos website or check the Solis Facebook group
@@ChadandPaul 75"
where did he get that bumper?
what size Complux water heater are you using , Nick?
Cost please?! Thx
I am wondering if I do full-time living, can I charge my e bike everyday?
What's the width? I'm 5'5. I'm wondering if I can sleep sprawled out with a bed setup like this? Or do you have to bend your legs?
"Your in-laws" 😁
Hahaha
Whats the total cost???
Check with your preferred Winnebago dealor
Hi
Hi there!
In laws.🤣
Can i talk to you?
OMG, that van is horrible compared to the Pravada
That's nonsense, smaller is smaller. If your vehicle is capable the length does not matter, I have seen long vans go anywhere!
You sir, are 100 percent incorrect.