The Unity Class C RV by Leisure Travel Vans is a luxurious and compact RV built on the Mercedes Sprinter Cab Chassis. It features innovative features such as a 3.6-kW Onan LP generator, while Wonder vans come with a 4.0 kW gas generator. The diesel generator is twice as powerful as propane, making it more suitable for RVers looking to simplify or downsize from larger motorhomes.
The Unity line from Leisure Travel Vans offers a variety of options for RVers, including the 2023 Unity U24MB, 2025 Unity U24MBL, and 2022 Unity U24RL. Both LP and diesel generators are loud, with diesel being slightly louder. Running the generator all night to power the AC is frowned upon, and most campgrounds don’t allow it. However, some may have designated sections for this purpose.
The Unity FX RV is a popular choice for those who want to simplify or downsize from a larger motorhome. The battery can be recharged using shore power, a generator, or a stand-alone battery charger. Both LP and diesel generators are loud, but running the generator all night to power the AC is frowned upon and is generally not allowed in most campgrounds.
Runtimes for the Unity Class C RV are similar, but the diesel generator can only use the top 3/4 of the fuel tank, which is about 19 gallons in a Sprinter.
📹 Propane or Diesel Generator for Leisure Travel Vans? I chose wrong
When it comes to choosing diesel or propane for your generator, most people will be totally overwhelmed about which option to …
How to get power in a camper van?
Modern campervans, caravans, and motorhomes are equipped with various appliances, making it crucial to keep them powered at all times. Common ways to power your campervan include portable generators, alternators, batteries, solar panels, wind, RV hook-ups or shore power, and fuel cell generators. Each source works differently, and choosing the right one can be daunting. Portable generators are a popular choice, as they provide a reliable source of power for your campervan. Alternators, batteries, solar panels, wind, RV hook-ups or shore power, and fuel cell generators are all options to consider when powering your campervan expedition.
Which van has highest mpg?
The top-rated vans with the best fuel efficiency are the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, and Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van. These models have a combined fuel economy of up to 36 miles per gallon, 30 miles per gallon, 22 miles per gallon, 21 miles per gallon, and 43 miles per gallon, respectively. The MSRPs for these models range from $37, 895 to $45, 495, with the top three models being the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and Honda Odyssey.
Why are campervans so expensive?
The cost of owning a campervan or motorhome depends on factors such as size, capacity, features, brand, and model. Luxury features, such as high-end kitchen appliances and entertainment systems, can increase the price. Premium brands or models with a reputation for quality and reliability are typically more expensive. New vs. used campervans or motorhomes can offer significant savings, but may come with wear and tear or outdated features. Beyond the initial purchase price, ongoing expenses include insurance, fuel costs, maintenance, and licensing.
For vehicles weighing over 3, 500kg, a C1 driving license is required, which comes with associated fees and training costs. Insurance is mandatory, and it is recommended to gather quotes from multiple suppliers before making a decision.
How much fuel does a campervan use per 100km?
The majority of Indie Campers campervans are designed to operate on diesel fuel. However, there are exceptions, including the Rebel, Wrangler, Solis, and Solis Air models, which are equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel tank capacity of these vehicles varies between 75 and 90 liters, with an average fuel consumption of 8 L for every 100 km. In the event that a campervan not belonging to the Indie Campers fleet is rented, it is advisable to contact the host in order to ascertain the fuel tank capacity.
What is the difference between leisure travel unity and wonder?
The Unity Van and Wonder Van are both popular 3-season coaches by Leisure Travel Vans, with the Unity built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dual rear-wheel Chassis and the Wonder on a Ford Transit dual rear-wheel Chassis with an AWD option. Both vans have premium interior appointments, making them more appealing to RVers who prefer a higher-end glamping rig. However, both vans are popular, and Leisure Travel Vans is behind schedule on deliveries. This post provides a side-by-side comparison of the Unity and Wonder vans’ dimensions and specifications, allowing for a general understanding of their attributes.
What is the difference between wonder and unity?
The Wonder LTV van offers more exterior storage than the Unity, with floor plans offering up to 68 feet of cubic storage and a pass-through garage for bikes, outdoor furniture, and sports equipment. The Unity RVs feature a 3. 6-kW Onan LP generator, while the Wonder vans come with a 4. 0 kW gas generator. Both units have an auto start and auto changeover switch, but propane-powered generators are more cost-effective. Both units come with dual Dragonfly 100 Ah, 12-V Lithium house batteries with an internal heating system.
The Unity has LED headlamps with high beam assist, while the Wonder has High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. The Unity has a higher ground clearance of around 9 inches, while the Wonder doesn’t have this feature. The Unity has a 4-point auto leveling system, while the Wonder doesn’t.
The Unity is a tad longer and taller, with a longer wheelbase and a longer wheelbase for a smoother ride and greater stability in corners. Both models have varying-capacity holding tanks, with the Unity having larger freshwater tanks and the Unity having larger waste tanks.
Both LTV vans share a sleek contoured fiberglass body with a glossy finish and expansive windows, but the Unity has a Mercedes emblem that signifies sophistication and prestige. The Unity can tow between 5, 000 and 4, 200 lbs, while the Wonder can pull a maximum of 2, 000 to 4, 000 lbs.
Who owns Leisure Van?
Triple E acquired Leisure Travel Vans in 2008, providing a quality Class B and C lineup with an established presence in the US. This acquisition allowed Triple E to expand its dealer network and target the US market. However, the 2008 recession devastated the RV industry, leading to a 50% decrease in the North American RV market. In 2010, Triple E consolidated its RV division and discontinued Class A, travel trailer, and fifth wheel production, focusing solely on the Class B and C markets. All products were built on a motorized chassis, streamlining production.
Are Leisure Travel Vans Class B or C?
The classification of our leisure travel vans is that of a Class C motorhome; however, they may also be referred to as a Class B+.
Do camper vans have generators?
Solar panels are a sustainable, quiet, and efficient option for powering your camper van. They generate clean energy from the sun, emitting no carbon emissions, making them an environmentally responsible choice. Solar panels also operate silently, providing a peaceful camping experience. Unlike traditional gas or diesel generators, solar panels require no ongoing fuel purchases and can last for decades with minimal maintenance.
With no need for ongoing fuel purchases, solar panels offer a cost-effective solution for your camper van, eliminating the constant expense of fuel and allowing you to enjoy the financial benefits of solar power.
Do most campers come with a generator?
Modern travel trailers often lack in-built generators, which can be a significant issue for those planning to go dry camping or boondocking. These generators are engine-driven devices that provide electricity to travel trailers, especially when they are far away from shore power. They are essential for keeping RV batteries fully charged and providing a safety net for the trailer. Some RVs already have generators installed, while others don’t.
If your travel trailer falls into the category of no in-built generator, it is essential to have one, especially if you plan on doing a long adventure. Choosing the right size generator depends on factors such as the type of power needed, the distance from shore power, and the type of adventure you plan to undertake.
What is the gas mileage on the leisure travel unity van?
The author has owned a Unity RV for 10 months, with 11, 000 miles, and it remains the best recreational vehicle they have owned. The vehicle has a fuel mileage of 14-18 mpg, wind-dependent, and can be driven like a car or small truck. The author appreciates the quality of the Unity, which is beyond what is seen in most recreational vehicles. They also like the Corner Bed, which is ideal for a work station for their iMac.
The Unity was delivered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after a year of waiting. The author has experience with RVs, including three Airstreams, a 2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus, and a 2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus. They highly recommend Schaap’s RV Traveland for their service.
📹 Two year review of our Leisure Travel Vans Unity. Would we buy it again?
We have had our Leisure Travel Vans Unity for two years now, so watch as Janet and I review what we love and what we wish we …
We chose the propane gen for our 2020 TB Unity. Why: we had a diesel gen for 11 year on prior DP motorhomes. We ran it it mainly for using the microwave, expresso machine, and of course recharging the batteries while boondocking. 1) In a LTE Unity, weight is quite important. Propane gen is much lighter than diesel. I 2) Maintenance on propane gen is pretty straightforward. Simple, cheap. The only difference between a gas and a propane gen is the carburator. And gaz does not gumup carburators during the off season. Yes a diesel gen will last longer, than propane, but no RVer will ever use a generator enough for this to have any significance. And Onan make good products, they seldom break. 3) Both give you enough amps for whatever your needs are. 4) When charging the batteries, the type of gen you use have no impact on charge rate. Your charger does that. 5) The autostart is nice as a safety device to protect your batteries should your voltage drop to low. I know it works, but it never needed to start (400 watts solar). 6) Propane consumption is not an issue for us as we don’t use it a lot. But when we leave in February/March from Quebec to drive down South, I make sure the tank is full as I will propably use the furnace a lot on our 6 day drive down, boondocking every night. Furnace at 6 hours/day, fridge full time, generator for 2 hours/day, Hotwater on demand (showers)…: All that takes about 1/2 tank, mostly from the furnace, that drains the batteries during the evening and night, and I recharge with the gen in the morning while preparing breakfast.
Ramble on! Always good information here, thank you! Macerator, absolutely. Going from a Roadtrek RS Adventurous class B and love the macerator for a lot of what we like to do in the RV. Propane generator, yes, for the auto start feature. That said, we have a Waggle pet monitor for the temperature inside the RV. It’s a great accessory and, if you haven’t explored that yet, you should. App on the phone that monitors the interior temperature, is connected to 4G cellular and alerts when the interior temp reaches presets you can set in the app. It also has a GPS feature.
I wish LTV would go ALL electric. It would be great to get an electric cooktop and eliminate the LP tank. I would love to see them eliminate the LP tank and put in a bigger fresh water tank. Also, if LTV would go all electric and put the nicer battery in or even bigger than the one you use, I think it would be well worth any price increase.
We live in Iowa and have the unity rl with a propane generator. We’ve had a ton of problems with it not starting. One day it will start fine, the next it won’t. In a couple weeks we have our 3rd appt scheduled to get it looked at. Hopefully they see something the other two authorized places didn’t see. Thanks for mentioning the vapor lock issue…..maybe that’s it. We just got it in March.
First off, just want to let you know that my wife and I love your website and really appreciate all of your tips, tricks and technical info. We are future LTV Rv’ers as we just purchased our Unity MB in April this year and unfortunately, it will not be ready until April 2023. Hopefully, that timeframe will be on the descending slope of this RV surge. This is sort of off-topic, but we recently watched your article about the Lithionics battery upgrade you had done and literally changed our mind about our option choices. The next day, I e-mailed our dealer and informed him that we would like to not get the Lithium battery option as we are planning on upgrading the batteries to the 315 ah Lithionics with the 3kw inverter. His response was “Would you like me to make that change now, or would you like to wait in case LTV decides to offer the 3kw inverter as an option?”. Of course, this was news to me in which I responded “Well, if that happens, sign me up!”. So, we are waiting to see what happens at this point. More on topic… we chose the diesel gen as we plan to do a lot of boondocking, so I think it will help us keep the battery up and hopefully we wont have to worry about bothering anyone with the noise pollution. What are your thoughts on that? Would you still go with the propane if you did a lot of boondocking? Appreciate any input and keep up the great articles! They are very helpful in making a lot of those tough decisions. Thanks!
The main reason that many industrial sites use diesel generators is that they can (and often do so for many reasons) store large amounts of fuel easily on site, relatively safely. The main reason homes with backup generators tend to use natural gas is because it normally is always available, even when power is out and doesn’t require storing fuel. Given that most campers will have propane for other uses, but won’t necessarily have any need for diesel, propane seems like a generally better choice for most RV use, to me.
Interesting talk. Volume RV dealers find that trade-ins coming in with generators generally had less than 100 running hours wear. Diesel upfront cost of $8,300+ that comes to $83.00+ per hour plus cost of fuel. I would go with propane, a Soft Start for the a/c and a Honda portable genny rated at 2,200-3,000 watts as a backup. Lithium upgrade really helps. Happy trails.
Still fairly newer I guess with my LTV. Have had the Unity CB since 2018. Don’t do a lot of camping (6,800 KM) but still upgrading to the 2024 MBL. That window is a total game changer. Bathroom in CB like you said TINY TINY. I brush my teeth in the kitchen as well 😂. Speaking of generators …….. On my build list, as you can see (at least here in Canada) the very expensive Lithium Batteries ARE NOT an option on the build. Your getting them whether you like it or not. Having said that, should my build list EXCLUDE the generator all together. What about dry camping?
I’ve been lurking and slowly shopping for a LTV. I was just at a show and straight from the man’s mouth (Dean), the diesel gen now has an auto-start function. So now that can be considered in the decision. I’m leaning towards diesel for the reliability and propane conservation for the important stuff… heat and fridge. I’ve seen some horrible luck with propane engines in the marine world and have noticed some similar problems concerning generators start problems.
Up until a few months ago we owned a Pleasure way Ascent with a LPG generator. We got the opportunity to purchased a cancelled order on a Unity Corner Bed with a Diesel generator. Would I have ordered the Unity with diesel? Absolutely not! – They’re both loud and annoying. We barely use the generator anyways so it’s not worth the extra expense. We travelled quite a bit during off seasons requiring the heater at night. We could easily go for 4-5 weeks without refilling. We never had trouble finding LPG either. Another little known, very important fact I discovered while reading our documents…In the US there is a sensor that turns off the generator when the diesel reaches a certain level. In Canada we do not have that sensor so basically you could run your tank dry! We did use the auto start for our dog and I did miss that feature but I’ve been hearing too many horror stories lately and wouldn’t be doing that again. I will definitely research your lithium upgrade suggestion. – Do you know if your changes affect your warranty?
2021 RTB Wonder we have a gasoline generator. I too find we just don’t use the generator that much. I’ve only the AGM batteries, and two times this past year it was about 10pm and I wasn’t sure the batteries would last all night so I just ran the Van(Ford gas) engine for 20 mins. That completely charged up my system and all was just fine. The Van makes WAY less noise (we might have had quiet hours). I would also go for propane if I had a choice between diesel & propane. The only advantage to any fuel is when it uses the main fuel tank for the van, but keeping an eye on the propane level is pretty easy.
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Going off topic here. The next time you chat with Dean, bring up the idea if radiant heated floor option could be a possible topic to bring up in the Winkler LTV think tank. Think of a low voltage heated floor during those chilly fall mornings… Back on topic; our Holland, MI LTV rep talked us out of the Diesel Gen (based on noise/exhaust/cost effectiveness). No pets; so the generator, 2 new agm’s & 4 solar panels works for us. Just got done upgrading the suspension; so I’m done with upgrades this year. See you down the road, Geo & Dawn (18 Unity FX)
Actually, this hits on a slightly different pet peave of mine – option pricing. A little different with LTV as their build lists both as option and how you calculated the $3796 price difference, most others are replacing on included as standard equipment. The problem is all standard equipment is how they price the original MSRP before options, yet invariably they are not giving you a price credit for the replaced item. Generators are the easiest to see that phenomenon. First look at unit pricing if had to replace a “defective” unit. The 3.6kw LP retails for $4059 and the 3.2kw ‘quiet diesel’ retails for $6269, a $2210 difference. While that says a lot about LTV’s option pricing for each, it is even worse when considering other manufacturers as Tiffin is the only one that offers the diesel as standard on their Sprinter model and would have to upgrade on all competing models, replacing the standard LP. Winnebago, the the diesel option is $5133…obviously not giving any credit for the LP that was included in the base MSRP….KaChing go the profits!
A great discussion …I don’t have Generator and the Leisure travel van was ordered that way ..I am the second owner and was debating about a generator but I think I will go with full lithium as well beings I live in a hot climate in Northern California…And I don’t live too far from Reno or battle born …But I see you in your past review you sent your battle born back …so I’ll do a little more research….Seems to be only a few reputable lithium installers in my general area and of course they’re booked up for months lol, who did your lithium upgrade in your area we travel a lot so maybe will swing through Texas…lol
I still prefer the diesel for availability of fuel, single source, and safer. That said, we upgraded to 600AH or 7KW and mainly use to recharge batteries. Can charge from 77% to 100% in 1hr 15min and continue running things. ..Huge plus for boondocking. So, lithium batteries provide pwr longer and rely much less on generator. we have 640w of solar to keep batteries charged up.
Great article, and very honest and helpful information. I always love your articles . Now the question is : Is it possible to buy the amazing aftermarket Lithionics batteries and ask LTV to install it for you while they should subtract the value of their Lithium overpriced Batteries ? (Maybe charge for installation only )Will they do that ? If I were you, I would buy the new Lithionics 600 Amp Hr batteries and put it in that noisy Generator compartment, and sell that Generator, or if I am ordering a new Unity, I will ask LTV to do that for me, and forget all about any generator option, also save the weight …What do you think ?
The lithium sounds like a great upgrade. I’m a newbie, so excuse my ignorance. How does the power get back into the lithium battery? Does it charge from the the coach’s alternator while you drive? (assuming no solar, and your hatred of the noise the genny makes). Also, before perusal your article, I would have guessed the diesel genny, drawing from the diesel main tank, would make your limited LP last a whole trip, instead of multiple fills reqd on the LP. Thanks for the great articles, I’m learning from them!
I have a 2021 Unity RL and really like my propane generator mainly because diesel degrades over time and is dirtier on the generator. I also chose the macerator pump and enjoy not having to connect and disconnect hoses every time I dump my tanks. I think this is a simpler method to dump even though it requires more parts.
Great article! And thank you for all the information. I know this article is about propane vs. diesel, so this question might be a bit off topic. You mentioned your 310 amp hour lithium battery upgrade and the two 100 amp hour lithium batteries that LTV has as an option. If you were buying today, would you get the lithium upgrade option from LTV or the standard battery package then upgrade to the 310?
If I were you, I would save the money and the weight of either generator, and replace it with 4 Lithionics batteries 🔋 in the same compartment, with a total of 315×4 = 1260 Amp hrs, which means almost 16 K Watt Hrs, meaning that you can operate your air conditioning for more than 16 hrs off shore in the middle of the hot summer days . Also increasing the solar panels capacity and numbers will become a must .
We ordered propane because of the auto gen start. Plan to pair it with a monitor to phone rig but since I will summer in Alaska for the next several years I am less worried than when in Texas. Long term plan is to use the AGMs until they wear out then install the latest and greatest solar and lithium setup or what ever replaces them.
Propane vs Diesel generator? Don’t go either. Have you looked at the Watt fuel cell? Runs on propane but being a fuel cell is whisper quiet compared to a generator but with lower power output (you can install multiple fuel cells for more power). Other options for keeping your battery topped up: Solar, you don’t mention if you have solar panels installed; if you don’t already have this, you can install circuitry to charge your battery from your Mercedes Diesel engine.
Hello from Lake Placid Florida. We currently have a 2022 Airstream 30 foot classic and are considering ordering a new leisure travel van unity Murphy bed. We watch your website often since you are the go to website for leisure travel van. Just watched the episode with diesel generator versus propane generator my wife says Propane, I say diesel for ease of fill up, but I was interested in what you were talking about with the lithionics lithium batteries. You say that you rarely use your generator how long can your one battery last without the engine running before you would have to recharge it with your generator that’s my biggest concern is length of time using the AC off of one 320 amp hour battery? Also, second question, is there room and where would that be for a second lithionic battery without removing the generator and if so will there be adequate solar to charge both of these batteries?
Great topic! We have a LTV Wonder RTB on order and hope that delivery will be in late spring or early fall. We will get one chance to make any changes before they start the build. Right now, we have the gas generator selected in the build. We are also going with the solar package 400 watt. Do you think this is a good selection. I do like the batteries that you have selected and will upgrade at a later date. No rambling as far as I am concerned. I too can get a bit long in my articles but that’s what they make fast forward for.
I would chose ….none.. i would remove it if it is mandatory. I would remove also the black tank, toilet and macerator.. instead i would put 2 lithionics 320a, two alternators 250a and a Cinderella incinerator toilet linked to the propane. If i can i would add a second propane tank and i would add mc4 solar plug linked to a secondary mppt controler to have 400w + 400w external solar panels. With that 640ah battery + 250a charge at idle. 800w solar, i would replace the fridge with nordcold 12v compressor fridge or isotherm marine 12v… but certainly NO GeN for me…