Navion/View

Jean & Leroy · 12-28-2005, 03:19 PM

We've been looking at the innovative Navion/View and have talked to several owners who seem delighted with their units. None of them were towing, however. Does anyone have experience towing a car, such as a Honda CRV, behind either a Navion or a View?

Jean & Leroy · 12-28-2005, 03:19 PM

We've been looking at the innovative Navion/View and have talked to several owners who seem delighted with their units. None of them were towing, however. Does anyone have experience towing a car, such as a Honda CRV, behind either a Navion or a View?

troth · 12-29-2005, 03:05 AM

Have you seen this?
http://www.winnebagoind.com/pdfs/Win...wMotorHome.pdf
I don't know anyone that has one but if you've got a GCVW of 13,700# and a wet weight of about 9,700#, that lets you consider pulling a "lightweight" toad less than 4,000#. Not sure how well the 154 hp. would cope with that on hills though....

tomsm · 12-29-2005, 03:13 AM

I'll be interested in your replies since we are thinking of downsizing ina year or so and these units are at the top on my list too. We currently tow a CRV and am wondering if a toad will even be needed. Have you see this thread ?

Jean & Leroy · 12-29-2005, 01:43 PM

We talked to someone this afternoon who just pulled a CRV with a View from Virginia to Florida. He said that unlike his 38-foot Safari, the View "notices" the tow, but that it towed well. I-95 is mostly flat, of course.

SeeTheUSA · 12-29-2005, 03:55 PM

As you may have already noticed by way of the thread link above, we are towing a Scion xA (that's the smallest model in the Scion lineup, the little wagon, weighs 2,340 pounds). My meager research (as in "web search") indicates a CRV probably weighs 900 to 1,000 pounds more than the Scion xA.

I have virtually no complaints about the View's performance --- there have been a few hills which have slowed us down, but not many. I usually let the cruise control handled things, but once in a while, I'll anticipate the hill, either by signs or extra "slow" lanes or by seeing 18-wheelers struggling, and I'll "help" the accelerator with my foot (even this could be solved by designing more travel in the cruise control accelerator linkage --- just makes it similar to most other vehicles I've owned (cars and pickups, I mean). By the way, we typically move along between 60 and 65 mph (if legal).

As far as the comment about whether a toad is needed, I'll just say "sometimes." Depends on how long you stay and what you like to do. We've travelled both ways --- things are a bit easier without the toad, but not significantly. I plan my stops better when towing, primarily to keep the BrakePro from operating so frequently.

Without a toad, the View nearly fits in a regular parking spot, and the turning abilities are very convenient --- about like a long-box stretch-cab pickup.

Mileage with the Mercedes diesel is very good --- I've had as little as 13 mpg in a very strong head wind and as much as 17 mpg in a calm wind (measured between normal fuelings, usually 250 to 300 miles --- could go further but my passenger gets nervous!)

My BIGGEST complaint . . . NO TILT STEERING COLUMN! Takes a little getting used to, but with about 4,500 miles logged thus far, I'm not complaining as much, it seems.

Hope this helps --- if you have any other questions, we'd be happy to give you our opinions/observations.

Jean & Leroy · 12-30-2005, 03:24 PM

Warren, thanks for sending us your views on your View!