We went to the Grech after a long look at both. Finish on the cabinet edges of the Airstream was rough. Grech uses only stainless in the underbody (Tank holding assemblies, thru bolts and all the side mounting brackets). New Airsteams were already rusting around the tank brackets. I have owned 3 Airstreams. Grech spoke for itself
Had 2 Airstream Lounges and switched to the Gretchen Srada Ion in 2022. The fit, finish, quality and reliability has been incredible. The Lithium battery package is a must if you travel with pets-- no noisy generator. We use this like some families use a suburban for a trip to dinner with a big group. It’s not a contest. Gretchen for the win.
GREAT comparison video! And, very detailed. We just switched from a 2021 Airstream Classic to a 2023 Airstream Interstate 24GT with the E1 package, 4x4, auto-leveling jacks and Tommy Bahama styling. We’re also full-timing in it as a family of three, so lots of adventures ahead. Grech was on our radar initially, and they are similar in quality, but the community aspect of Airstream is ultimately what sold us on it. Again, excellent video Andrew! Lauren+Daniel+Dash
Great comparison video, Andrew!! I've had my eye on the Interstate 24GT for some time but I have also been following LivinRVision and am impressed that they are now touring their 3rd Grech coach and in each instance, little to no break-in issues that interfere with their journey. Unbelievable - no shakedown required - 3 for 3. Contrast this to the poor customer experience that Wanderlocal has had to endure with their loaded Interstate 24GT (flooded rear coach from Timberline leak, coach wouldn't start from apparent dead chassis battery that wouldn't take a charge) but they have been positive regarding Airstream support team. Bam Bam RV Adventures highlight their use of Interstate 19, and while their overall experience appears positive, they have covered many repairs for their rig including a toilet/black tank leak (omg) very early in their ownership. What is Grech doing that Airstream is not? Looking forward to see what Airstream is improving for 2024. Grech and Airstream were using same air suspension (VB Air Ride) but Grech has upgraded theirs to Kelderman. WIll Airstream follow suit?
@@dww1213 A few more insights in last 11 days ... Grech 2024 upgrades air conditioner unit - much quieter and includes heat pump. Airstream sticking with theirs despite complaints. Also microwaves - Grech includes convection with air fryer; Airstream keeps their "just a microwave" despite complaints. How hard would it be to swap it out? Also discovered that Grech drives all their models approximately 200 miles to eliminate any rattles and squeaks as part of their QA and well before customer receives. When Wanderlocal removed the panel hiding the Timberline on their Interstate my jaw dropped at the rat nest of wires. Contrast with Grech which includes an access panel to their connections that they are actually proud to showcase as being neatly bundled and tucked. And this NIT ... both Grech and Airstream get same chassis from Mercedes but Airstream is charging > $20K for the AWD option whereas Grech adder is only $10K. They are both getting the same "apples" but one is charging way more. Another maybe NIT - Airstream lowers the back and side chairs with those dedicated black buttons at the front of the coach. I've never seen that this could be controlled from the touch panel controls as is the case with Grech. The reason I point this out is consider the use case where the back bed is raised to watch tv before calling it a day. In the Airstream you would have to get up and use those buttons at the front to lower the bed, whereas the Grech you could most likely use the companion app on your phone to lower the bed. Not to completely call out Airstream shortcomings - I do really like Airstream's pass thru screen over the kitchen sink - very cool. I like the extra tv behind the driver seat. I like the separate coach audio system. I like that the rear view mirror is a full time rear view camera display. I like the hydraulic jack option.
Thank you for mentioning LivinRVision. I am a fan have fallen in love with Grech through their travels. If I had to choose, I'd choose Grech in a heartbeat, even if their price point was higher.
Irene Irons Travel loved moving out of the Airstream into a trailer. They outgrew the Airstream but while living in it, they liked the parkability and ease of use the best. If I had my druthers, I'd pick the Grech for a lot of reasons. I like the cabinets and bathroom on the driver's side and I love the solar/lithium ion batteries.
The bathroom on the passenger side is only on that floor plan, he’s comparing two different plans and that’s deceiving. Same as the sound of the generator, in the same floor plan there is no generator
We have a 2023 Grech Terreno Ion and love it. Many higher end finishes and materials that you don't typically see in mas produced Class B's. Grech also has been very responsive. They swapped out the noisy Dometic A/C unit for the new whisper quiet unit they are now using. Great company!
Hey Andrew! Great comparison video of these two awesome vans. I'm more partial to the Gretch due to the Lithium batteries. Propane just make me nervous.
Andrew I own a 2022 Airstream Interstate 19 and absolutely love it. I looked at the Grech also, and they build a great van also, but like being part of the Airstream family, great video! Thanks
Regarding the rear view screen, I think the advantage goes to Airstream as it's an always-on rear view image. It appears that on the Grech you can't view the GPS and the rear view screen at the same time. As we know, having a clear rear view is an important factor.
I just searched grech versus interstate and low and behold 6 days back Andrew Steele does a bang up job of a comparison. Our daughters going to college this year in California and we live in Maui, so have been considering some transportation options to explore national parks and the west coast over the next foru years, but not always camping per say. We have done some rving across the country.. 60 days 6k miles in a Thor magnitude and enjoyed that experience immensely. I’d probably lean in the grech direction but look to buy one used and given that there’s more used inventory in the airstream the pricing could drive the decision. Again, fabulous interview and comparison and appreciated your fathers perspective as well. Aloha from Maui.
Airstream Grand Tour would have been a closer comparison. That Grand Lounge with 4 chairs & less kitchen & small frig. Grand Tour is where its at with E1package, 4x4 & Rivets are my preference.
The revolutionary changes in battery powered steam cleaners I think is a huge positive for both the Boating and RV Industry 2023 and looking back and looking forward and for me the reason why I wouldn't purchase any of either product at the moment as for this price should come with said system as standard...along with a convenient fire extinguisher system as well. Still better to have product to sell than the alternative absolutely.
The American Coach/Midwest Passages are even nicer. Literally the same as the Grech except they have massage seats and the correct placement for the lithium batteries, which is exactly where a generator is supposed to go according to Mercedes. The Grech lithium placement takes away from cabin storage space.
We used to own passage 2022 with lithium batteries but switched to Grech. Grech workmanship i believed is better. We loved the stainless steel they used underchassis.
Lithium needs to be in the cabin environment due to its temperature sensitivity. (No charging below freezing, and shortened lifespan over 90F). Heating elements are a poor workaround as they consume valuable energy themselves, and unless I can have a VERY well insulated compartment outside, I would never want to install my LFP batteries outside the cabin space.
At the start you mentioned both with the lithium batteries but when you mentioned the sound of the airstream generator, that was deceiving. If you get the batteries on the airstream there’s no generator 🤷🏼♂️
Do either of these vans have an alarm system? For the money, they should. My 2017 Pleasureway does not - shame. After market alarms are easier to crack, imo. Great comparison.
You didnt mention that the Grech only allows the front tv to be used with headphones, the window at thr captains chair behind the driver doesn't open, and are there filler boards for the rear when the back is down as a bed? That could be an deal breaker for tall people. Also, the table top in thr Gretch is just pressboard? Its a granite top on the Airstream. The Airstream also has the big storage space in the rear, along with the wifi cables. Did you mention that Airstreams E1 package includes 400w of solar, 100w of which is dedicated to keeping the chassis battery charged. It would have be nice to see similar floorplans and power source compared. All in all, they look identical (Airstream has been around longer, so it looks like the Grech copied the best od the best), however, I do like the inconspicuous utilities on thr driver side. Nice touch.
big Grech fan, unfortunately I think we just didn’t have the best of luck w ours or our dealer, campers inn in leesburg florida; left the dealer and about half way home had a roof leak from the ac unit, common I guess and Andrew’s right, that ac unit is loud!! our alternator wouldn’t charge the batteries, power window shade probs and a few other minor problems. Still think grech is a great product and their customer service is well above any other in the industry! We traded for a storyteller but do miss some of the benefits of the gretch i.e lithionics, the app etc…
Show Me Underneath Both Thats The comparison I want to see. Build quality and where the Critical components are and How Secure are they and if they are all weather. I do Like Grech more for the Build Quality and The Stealth Aspect. But I would go with a Leisher Travel Because it has a Separate Shower. Thats My Top Priority. But I Love B Vans
I forgot to say that one can purchase a reasonably nice house or condo for those prices. Those purchases increase in value, the Class B’s you propose loose value as time goes by. Really, tell us WHY someone would make such purchase!
Alternative to staying in expensive hotels when traveling. Jotels also require 48hr cancellation and lots of fees and taxes can run into the $$thousands. And can also take your time traveling to destination.
I guess I'm in the class that just doesn't get this class. Too much money for what looks - simply cramped. I don't get the value prop. I mean, it's not as though they're all that great at maneuvering in small spaces. Hard pass on the category.
$200 thousand plus, you must be kidding. One can purchase a reasonable Class A, or an even better Class C for that price or less. I didn’t finish the video, I became so disillusioned with the RV industry manufacturing such rigs. I feel they are taking advantage of those of us who want to make a valued purchase. Enuf said!!!
You know I used to enjoy watching your videos but lately all you show is multimillionaire coaches and resorts, not everyone is a millionaire. You have lost me as a subscriber