Winnebago Via Class A - Diesel reviews

We absolutely love this Mercedes Diesel Winnebago. Perfect size for 2-4 people. Great fuel efficiency and easy to drive. Beautiful inside and out and excellent storage and livability for a 25.5ft rig. We have not towed with it but it handles 5000 lbs. we have found that its cargo storage is so well designed it can hold more than some larger units. Depending on how it is driven, one can expect 15 to18 miles per gallon. Show less

No matter what you use to camp with an RV is a compromise. That said, accepting the different types, floor plans, engines, levels of quality and how you prioritze them will predict your level of satisfaction! We chose the diesel over gas, the class A coach over class B, C or a trailer, we chose a small over a larger vehicle - Heres why. First, diesel power is, in a word, comforting; more torque than power, it feels right when driving a heavier vehicle. Step on the throttle and you get a surge of reassuring power, not as much with a gas engine. Second, a Class A gives you a huge view, when you are driving, the large expanse of glass is like a window to the world! In a smaller rig, this space is your picture window when you are all set up camping; makes the space feel much larger. Third, The smaller vehicle has gotten us to places that are off limits to larger vehicles; state parks or campsites that are close to capacity, the odds of an available site are better; we have gotten into places that others wouldnt fit. Lastly the quality of a coach especially ours is top shelf which makes the experience that much more enjoyable! Show less

We bought this tiny 25’ Class A in 2018 because it is built on a Sprinter chassis and gets 15 mpg if you keep your highway speed to 60 mph. Since diesel is so expensive we didn’t feel we would want to travel much at 6 to 8 mpg of a regular sized Class A. It is a Winnebago which means the quality is good, although the red decals deteriorated on the side facing the sun when parked. I removed them with an eraser wheel on my drill. Tedious but effective. We got this floor plan because it had the biggest kitchen and wardrobe. It is livable. We were happy with the amenities for our three months trip last winter to Marci Gras and the Florida Keys. It drives great. Very comfortable, I have made numerous upgrades such as hydraulic levelers and diesel heater for the water compartment, 1000 watt inverter, upgraded kitchen sink faucet, extra battery for my wife’s CPAP machine when we are not plugged in. We like it. And by the way ALWAYS do the recommended service. With 120,000 miles on it we have only needed the front suspension renewed besides brakes and tires and the usual. We’re good for the next 120000 miles. You’ll likely be happy with a Via Show less

This RV was my primary home for nearly 3 years. Compared to other RVs out there I highly recommend the Winnebago Via 25R. My main complaint is drivability. Though it drives pretty alright on flat straight roads on a calm day... its narrow track and large rear overhang makes it very unstable in windy conditions and going over bumps in and out of parking lots. The wheels are several inches inside the body on both sides. Most class A diesels have wheels going all the way to the full width of the body and the rear wheels further back. This helps with stability. Though I cannot say my time in the Via was uneventful in terms of maintenance and repairs. I was living in it nearly full time and I did own a previous RV (so I have something to compare it to). My annual repair and maintenance bills were less expensive than fuel, and I drove about 6k miles a year at an avg of 15 mpg towing my VW Rabbit around 60-65 mph. This was in the day when diesel was about $2.75/gallon. I never had a catastrophic repair that required immediate attention and altering my plans. My previous RV... I cannot say the same about it. Both in terms of cost and catastrophe. I really loved the small exterior size that enabled me to go many places including right into my parents driveway when visiting them. Combine that with the open spacious interior that includes a full bath and queen size bed with guest loft bed and I was very happy. I found there was ample exterior storage for my needs and just enough interior storage. I do wish it had automatic leveling jacks. That would have been another plus. Leveling was sometimes a pain. Show less

The reason to like the VIA is that it is built on the Mercedes Sprinter Chassis and so gets very good gas mileage. 15 mpg in regular use is a reasonable expectation, although driving all day at 70 drops it to 14mpg. Towing a car is 13 mpg. The VIA 25 R is a great big little motorhome. The full wall slide makes it very roomy inside and the big closet gives the feeling and space of a much larger motorhome. Not having a walk-around bed could be a drawback for some people. There is also a large compartment outside that has our ladder, folding table, flat chairs and beach umbrella plus my toolbox, sealants, and fluids. The compartments under the slide-out have plenty of room for everything else. There is a drop-down double bed over the cab, and the couch is also a bed. The driver and passenger seats swivel, it has a big tv. We have traveled with our son and his wife and two small fry all sleeping comfortably. That is two couples and 2 kids. We have had 9 people watching tv. so it is not too small for entertaining. A three month trip is easy! Show less

Our 2012 Via 25Q has been an outstanding motor home for us. Two senior adults and golden doodle recently traveled 7000 miles over 6 weeks from California to the East Coast and back, towing a Ford Escape hybrid. Averaged 15 mpg and had no trouble with power or handling. Have since installed Suma auxiliary springs for much improved handling in windy conditions. Local Mercedes dealer happily services the vehicle. Highly recommend this RV for couples and small families. Show less

Totally love our Via 25T. Perfect size for all RV parks both state and federal, supremely drivable and maneuverable, handles and parks like a dream. Gets 16-18 mpg consistently without fail, even on steep mountain roads. Super reliable, comfortable, and has terrific views with its spacious windows. The Mercedes diesel will last for many, many years, and will last well over 250,000 miles. Storage space is absolutely huge. Very high quality build in all areas. Winnebago did an outstanding job with this unit. If you ever have a chance to own one, grab it, they are amazing Class A motorhomes and you’ll love it. Show less

Absolutely love this unit. It has to be the easiest to drive and maneuver Class A on the market. Handles beautifully, parks easily, and is accepted at all of the state and federal campgrounds. Drives more like a van than the large units that have all the body sway and bus-like feel to them; it’s the perfect size. Superior quality build and design. Gets over 16 mpg routinely. Super reliable diesel that will last for years and for well over 250,000 miles. Outstanding visibility with its large windows; it really makes the journey fun and enjoyable. If you have a chance to own one of these, grab one, you’ll love it! Show less

We love this little gem. Has all the features and functions we could need and a great floor plan and quality finishes. Drives well, some road noise. Great size for most RV parks. Plenty of storage with a few modifications. Perfect vehicle for two adults and a couple pups. Show less

I had trouble with the slide out room since I first got it in 2010. I tried to file a lemon law, but my lawyer said I could not. I had the back motor replaced five years ago; and this past year, the front motor needed to be replaced. Winnebago does not make this motor anymore. My mechanic fixed the motor, but the gear pack and timing, etc would not allow me to extend the slide (unless I go to the default and have help pushing it out). So, at this time, I am camping with the slide room permanently in, which means that I cannot bring down the loft above the driver's seat. I can open my refrigerator to a 45 degree angle. Fortunately I replaced my fridge with one with a separate freezer; otherwise, I would not be able to use the freezer. I am planning to trade it in at the end of this year; and will have to take a major loss on account of the slide room issue. I am desperately trying to find the parts at RV graveyards. My Mercedes engine and Dodge Sprinter chassis run "like butter". I have kept everything sparkling clean. I have stored the original carpet for the purpose of re-selling it; however, since the slide room won't extend, the carpet is useless. I have loved this floorpan (VIA 25R) because the bed was over the wheel base, and there was only one TV. So perfect when I took my grandchildren camping. But apparently, the VIA was discontinued on account of the problems with the slide out mechanism. Why did they not recall the motorhome when they knew it had a problem? I have a record of all of the times I have had the slide out room "fixed". Another problem is the location of the battery. The first time I took it on a trip, it wound up in the shop in the Dodge dealer in Orlando for two weeks. They thought it was a computer problem, but they discovered that some metal was touching the battery. I had to rent a car and drive 500 miles back home. In the meantime, someone broke in to it, stole my bicycle and tried to take the TV. It was a nightmare. This was the same trip that the slide out room would not go in. My mechanic said he could fix it with any gear pack from a class C Winnebago. Still looking and still hoping, and still planning to trade it in by the end of this year. Show less