Hard to believe it’s been a year since we bought our 2025 Entegra Ethos 20T new from La Mesa RV in Port St. Lucie. It’s a Class B RV, with the 2025 Ram Promaster and 2025 Entegra Coach build out. The Bottom Line, yes, very happy with the unit and here’s why.
Buyer remorse, and lingering fear of it. Spending 6 figures on something you have not had any previous experience with is not something I normally do. The wife and I are both 65; we both love to travel, but who knows if the RV life is something sustainable. Six figures is a lot of money for a depreciating asset that you might only use a few times. Fortunately, the verdict is that we love our Entegra life and miss it after a few weeks back home. Over the last year we’ve taken dozens of trips, clocked 25,000 miles, with130 nights on the road and been everywhere from eastern Canada to the west coast. No, I didn’t rent an RV as recommended before the investment. When that RV bug bites, it bites hard and fast. Happily, it turns out we love the lifestyle.
What else do I like about the van….
The Ram 3500 Promaster has plenty of power and feels athletic at times rolling down the highways at 75 MPH. With the a/c on, I’m consistently getting 17-18 MPG regardless of the terrain. The Ram is quiet, no shaking or rattling, and has that modern feel making it very easy to drive. The additional suspension support installed by Entegra is noticeable, especially in windy conditions or running light. Parking is easy and the Ram doesn’t limit you from driving anywhere an SUV will go.
The Cummins Generator. The background is we’re plug-in types who only occasionally boondock. That’s an important distinction, and one you need to understand about yourself as you choose equipment. Our average week is we’ll stay at the Marriott for two nights and look for a KOA or State Park for the other 5. We’re explorer’s vs campers, meaning 2 nights is usually the max we stay anywhere and then it’s up and off to another location. When I can’t plug in, the generator is quiet and powerful (easily runs the house a/c and juices those AGM house batteries quickly). It sips gas, too, so there is no desire for solar.
Propane Tank. Whether it is hooking the grill up, the fire pit or heating the cabin or water, propane is the answer for us. It’s quick and 20 pounds literally seems to last a month. I’m at a real disadvantage as I’ve never had a van with Lithium batteries but have to say that there’s no real interest up to now with the generator and propane and the optionality they provide.
Twin Beds. I’ve been married for almost 40 years, but the twin bed layout in the 20T works. Sleeping in a van is not like the King bed back home. With twins, you get to move around without waking the spouse, go to the head or galley when needed without waking the spouse, etc. It’s almost as if the twin beds give you a modicum of privacy and personal space in a Class B where there is almost none. You get your own window, views, and it’s easy to make the bed when you get up.
Four Season Capabilities. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer, a van that stays comfortable and functional regardless of temperature had been important. Heated tanks when it’s freezing and a muscular house a/c unit when it’s hot. Easy to winterize too. This gives you confidence to travel anywhere at any time of the year.
On the other side of the coin, storage space is tight on the Ethos. With a CCC of over 2,500+ pounds, you’re not going to be able to pack that much into the unit. Also, things like the grill, outside chairs, the fire pit and ground mat aren’t things you want inside the van after a month of travel. I ended up buying a trailer hitch rack with a rubber storage back that has worked out well. It adds another 2 feet to the length of the vehicle, looks like hell, but provides room for everything I want to store. When just doing a weekend trip close to home, sure, I’ll load up the van, but for the long hauls, I recommend the storage rack.
The shower. I’ve used the shower in the van twice over the last year, and only when no other option existed. Granted it’s a 21’ van, but between the cramped bath space, the shower curtain, etc., it’s not ever going to be a luxurious experience. The last thing is the driver’s side swivel seat. Maybe you get 90 degrees out of it with work.
So, the good definitely outweighs any negatives for me and overall, I’m very happy with the Ram and Entegra build quality. That said, you need to have some level of mechanical aptitude with these RVs. Things will need to be tightened, filters need to be changed, systems need to be exercised to remain in working order. Read the manuals, follow the maintenance scheduled and use the different features is the advice here.
Finally, besides all the great landscapes, local foods and historical places you’d unlikely experience unless you were driving around in an RV, I wanted to positively acknowledge most of the people you meet out there on the road. RV parks host all kinds of folk from the full timers to the gypsies; families to individualists, and interaction with this Americana can be as intrusive or unintrusive as you want. It’s a lifestyle for sure and a hell of a lot of fun.
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