Based on our purchasing of hundreds of thousands of dollars of components in the last year real world inflation is running about 20% so there is that, Ford raised Transit chassis costs over 15% from 2022 to 2023.
@@Searey07 There is well over $100k in just component costs in this build and that is at mfr wholesale pricing, not what any individual could buy these components for. Then factor in the design, engineering, and testing to build a commercial RV. Then factor in the labor costs, G&A, S&M and finally some profit and you will easily get to $200k. As I said in an earlier post, we are seeing real inflationary costs at about 20% YoY.
@@jimritchie8966 Ok then before inflation it still would have cost 166K. That’s still ridiculous. This supposed to be a reasonable affordable lifestyle. $166k would be cheap for a house, this is not a house it’s a van, that’s way too expensive. There are nice builds that you see here for 50k with a shower and toilet.
I've been playing close attention to off-road capable van-sized rigs the last couple years and this is #1 on my wish list. I love the design, efficient use of space, large fridge, separate living spaces, and off-road chops. I'm rooting for their success and wish them the best!
For the price, I'd expect leather diamond stitching on All seats, a convection oven microwave and a better fridge. Oh, and a screen or screen door to the "mud room" side door.
Saw this once in a custom build on RU-vid. Brilliant DIY designer , there’s pros and cons but the pros out weight the cons in sense of preserving Spence. Especially because a lot of these spaces end up being storage when they aren’t laid out as entrance/bathroom. Overall this rig is probably THE best way for someone to start out.
Overall nice RV , two things I don’t like is price & bed , would prefer twin beds or bed set up so you don’t have to climb over your mate to use the bathroom.
The trade off is the lounge you get, which the Ekko loses because of its twin beds. I like that this floorplan is out there available. Agree on price though!
That shower handle reaching outside would have been handy if one of these was at Burning Man this year. Using a mini split for HVAC, as compared to a rooftop conventional unit, also lowers the height and lessens the aero drag.
But they mounted it at the very back, in the sleeping area. THAT'S SILLY! By not being central, it's be cold back there and hot up front. These companies that make these splits should realize that there's a good market now for RVs and have a special RV type where the external part can be mounted at the rear, like this, and the inside part can be mounted dead center and the shroud designed similar to the usual AC units where the controls are on that part and it blows cool air out of both sides. It's not that difficult to design a unit like that. It's literally just reconfiguring the layout of it. I'm sorry, but this "RV" is horrible.
The shower would have been a great demo had one of these been mired at the mud of 2023 Burning Man. But alas, the mud couldn’t keep it down. An AeonRV was the first (only?) vehicle to get out without getting stranded. From what i heard it was still challenging and more than a foot deep in places, but it soldiered through.
Enjoyed the presentation Hank! Just my opinion, but from some respects, doesn’t seem a fair comparison. Ekko: Mass produced, consumer-grade offering, sold & serviced through dealership network. Aeon: Custom-tuned suspension beneath a boutique RV sold & serviced factory direct by pair of dedicated over landing enthusiasts whose self-designed/built rig …sparked retail demand. Frequent FB posts by concerned Ekko owners, reminds one of the ‘inherent compromise’ and ‘lowered expectations’ they are being prompted to accept, as ‘terms of service’ of a mass produced consumer-grade RV. Interesting that many of the same folks whom balk at the added expense of the Aeon, (over their mass produced consumer-grade RV) …are also among those expressing profound disappointment/disillusionment in their RV purchase. Sadly, Ekko owners whom have been ‘too forthright and transparent’ in expressing their disappointments …have had their FB posts censored, deleted entirely or been membership-banned, because their ownership experiences weren’t ‘encouraging’. (NOT the way to build consumer advocacy traction …to compel product improvements) The go-to rationalization (excuses) for poor QC in a $145K+ RV, is often provided by recounting the ‘bad old days’ of RV production ‘standards’, (stapled particle board cabinetry, delaminated exterior walls). Dealers (and some owners) expect that prospective buyers should be ‘encouraged’ by citing ‘the great progress in manufacturing being made’ …while repeating the irresponsibly worn out cliché; “An RV going down the road …is essentially, a house exposed to a continuous earthquake”, (I can’t help but wonder; “Did the CEO of an RV manufacturer, invent that phrase?”) Does this line of thinking exist anywhere else? Do small marine and aircraft manufacturers use similar justification for poor durability? “Well, it’s essentially a house in a continuous typhoon/tornado …sooo” Where else does one find the consumer being lectured (after purchase) of the proceed-at-own-risk ‘DIY nature’ of their $145K+ investment? Or, “It’s simply a LUXURY purchase …of course it’s NOT expected to perform commensurate to it’s price!” The “house in a continuous earthquake” analogy seems to ‘provide cover to manufacturers’ (and the ‘sunken expense’ rationale by owners) which allows QC to remain dismal …while consumers reluctantly tolerate pitiful durability (with rapid depreciation).
"The “house in a continuous earthquake” analogy seems to ‘provide cover to manufacturers’" As a designer/fabricator/builder from the tradeshow industry, knowing this would cause me to step up my build standards, not downgrade my warranty policy.
I love the innovation in this rig, great job! I do prefer the dual single bed design of the EKKO, I hope they offer multiple floor plans in the future.
As always, Hank and Lola first on the scene to show a new rig. This looks good! I have a Beyond like you (mine is a 2021D Li3) and love it! But this is a nice option if we ever decide to go bigger.
Very thorough and complete review, thank you! I'm loving the improvements; chassis and body now the perfect shade of gray (in my humble opinion), the amount of batteries and solar available, the skylight in the bedroom and giving access to the roof, the smaller exterior of the mini-split, the command tracks on the back of the rig, I think the pantry is larger or maybe it impressed me all over again, I love the insulated door closing off the cab and I love the ground clearance under the rig! Still issues for me: First - the bedroom seems awkward to crawl around in so I still prefer twin beds but I think that's because I like to eat in bed and there's no place to sit my snacks down. Second - the Nautilus toilet/shower door is too see-through to be so close to the dinette 🙈, it would be weird if you had a visitor and one of you needed to use the restroom. Overall, I really love where this rig is heading. I'm sure it's already perfect for a lot of people. The Hymer Venture S put on an AWD Ford chassis would be my dream rig 😍
The proof of value is in longevity of construction…we’ll see. I’ve been RVing since the early 1970’s and one consistent fact is every one I’ve owned was a poorly constructed over priced shiny turd. I’ve owned 9.
I like it, especially being in Canada where I would stick to the warmer west coast but could handle winter if needed. I like the bathroom placement and could live with the bed , climbing over wife lol. I always look for a spot for washer / dryer lol, perhaps in tool garage?
Very unique layout, not for one that is claustrophobic. Love the use of the heat pump but when driving on dirt roads or dusty enviroments how will the accumulation of dust in the unit affect it 's performance ?
We’ve been testing on dusty roads in Reno for over a year with no issues, also far enough off the ground dust while driving does not come near the unit, finally it would be easy to add a dust cover if you were really worried but we don’t think it is necessary
Don't listen to the naysayers...this thing is outstanding! I have a newer Hallmark Nevada flatbed on an F-350 and the total cost of my rig was 130 thousand. It has solar, but nowhere near the power of this van. In regards to your price...I don't think people understand just how expensive the structure is, especially built with such burly insulation. Not to mention the cost of all that power. It's an excellent design and I wouldn't be concerned about the price. I also have a Transit work van with the Ecoboost and the power is amazing. I must admit though...I know absolutely nothing about the rigs this is competing with.
insane price--my 4 door F-350,4 wh dr,like new, with full self contain camper,with built in gen set and solar, bought both for 33k total--the price on everything is coming way down on used stuff--nevada where i live you pay no sales tax either on private party sales--this is a shoe box for 200k,crazy
I love this coach. I want one. Thank you. Can the bed be made like the lesure travel van. Twin beds come together as a big bed. The bed split back into a twin bed easier to get out of bed. Ive got hip and back problems. The stairs is dangerous for me. The stairs is perfect for storage. This would be the only problem for me and my husband. Love it. Everything of this unit. Wowwwwwww.
Appears to be a bit more premium than the Ekko at around the same price-point. I also think the interior storage layout is better in the AEON, and while I do like the Ekko's trick toilet / shower, all in all I would prefer this rig.
I like it more than our Ekko, but we purchased new Ekko for $130k because they sell so much cheaper than MSRP. This one out of the door is $200k. They really are not in the same category, and unfortunately wasn’t within our budget ….
insane price--my 4 door F-350,4 wh dr,like new, with full self contain camper,with gen set, bought both for 33k total--the price on everything is coming way down on used stuff--nevada where i live you pay no sales tax either on private party sales--this is a shoe box for 200k,crazy
Very interesting. Is an awning available? I am concerned about the air being right by the bed, understanding you can direct it so it isn't blowing directly on you. Bathroom placement is interesting and creative double use of space, but for privacy there's no coming or going when someone is on the john. Bed are looked nice, but is there an obvious place for a CPAP?
We specifically don’t put outlets on the outside as they can be a security issue and are impossible to insulate correctly, there are also 120V outlets you can use with a 10’ extension cord, thanks for the feedback
@@jimritchie8966 Jim, I watched most of the videos, couldn’t find any photos of the completed roof, my concerns are always standing water, will the roof shed? G
@@jimritchie8966 An outlet mounted under the coach box (like the storage box on the driver's side is below the coach box) would avoid any issues with insulation and weatherproofing. For security, an inside switch would be easy to provide. It's not just for cooking - there should be 120 V AC and 12 V DC power at convenient points around the vehicle.
The person that makes a rechargeable induction stove would be immortal in the nomad community. It charges while you drive so you save energy while you are parked.
Nice rig, ticks a lot of boxes when comparing to a Class B cargo van Transit/Sprinter builds. Pros being: 1) 50+ gal fresh 2) Usable dinette 3) Open layout with shower/toilet relocated to entryway (but see cons below) 4) Slider door to shut off cab from unwanted heat/cold + avoids installing window shades in cab. 5) Larger fridge 6) Ample storage, pantry etc 7) Dedicated garage where bikes can be safety stored/hidden Challenges I see or want more information: 1) Build construction, does it LEAK, that's always a big concern when compared to a regular Transit/Sprinter cargo van build from factory. 2) Everything is GLUED, concerned about the box/cab join with movement overtime, will that seam fail? 3) Cabinets glued in place, not seen this before, concerns about failures 4) Batteries should be upgraded to UL certified Lithionics or the Gamerchanger (not a big issue) 5) Will the mini split handle the rigors of "earthquakes" while driving. This is not their intended use! 6) Now the elephant in the room, it's a double-edged sword THAT ENTRY Shower/toilet!! Not sure I can get over that, having to look at the toilet all the time. Would be nice to have something to hide it away better than a messy shower curtain. Perhaps add a roll down rugged curtain, similar to what Outside Van use in their show box. 7) Please offer dinette seat cushion color options, black is a bit "harsh" and takes a way for the clean loft/like vibe. Looking forward to seeing in-person.
I'm with you, on face value I think the bathroom location is poorly chosen. It's an efficient use of space, but think putting the bathroom in the most heavily trafficked area of the van is not a good idea.
@@taylorhickman84 It's all about trade-offs. Considering what you get in the main living space of the rig by moving the toilet/shower and framing that area in your mind/marketing as a "mudroom" kind of makes this work!
If we were younger, this might work for my wife and I. But the differences are not enough for me to want to spend the extra money . . . If you have the money and want to spend it, then maybe this is the RV for you.
Pros: fridge, bath, insulation and gear garage and All Electric! Cons: Price, lack of galley counter space and HATE the split system outside unit, no awning or outside outlets. Overall pretty good but it really needs some esthetic improvement. Maybe a bulkhead over the cab for storage and to streamline the look. Good luck with future efforts!
Nice unit!! Is there a place in the sleeping area for a C-Pap machine and plug ins both for the C-pap and I pad / I phone when you use the area to read or chill out?
They should add more smarter space saving ideeas to worth asking 200k. I am building my overlander camper 4x4 Vw T5 chassis cab with a gfrp + foam insulated box in less than 10ft long inside and I have room for 4 queen size beds when needed. 1,1 kwp of solar, 8kwh lfp battery, 3kw inverter, 24v system - all for under $30k (including the car). Classic european layout (with the bath cabin in the center and kitchen in the opposite side) gives you the opportunity to have 2 sepparate areas (front and back), even with fully sealing sliding walls. It's a shame not to use the front cabin space with swivel seats to create the dining area. The space above the cabin can be used, too, for creating a much friendly and aerodynamic nose (light gfrp alcove) wich gives more space inside. But that would spend about $1-2k from the $100k Aeon's profit, isn't it? Hanging the outdoor unit of the minisplit AC so high is not wise for offroading. You should lower it and could cover if mud or dust protection is needed. Same for upper cabinets.. rising the gravity center. I have a lot of smart ideeas to make this a desireable spaceship, but I keep them for me 😏
insane price--my 4 door F-350,4 wh dr,like new, with full self contain camper,with gen set, bought both for 33k total--the price on everything is coming way down on used stuff--nevada where i live you pay no sales tax either on private party sales--this is a shoe box for 200k,crazy
If i were to get one i get dual wheels, in a pinch you can use one for spare, plus the load and stability. Plus a small inverter generator.. would like more info on its mounts to frame.
Interesting unit 🤔 although I think it would be weird coming into the unit through the bathroom lol and twin beds would be better 😉 but the heat pump is a bit odd! You would freeze when sleeping if you had it on! And keeping it running on the batteries would be a stretch other than that it might be a good unit...
You can set the temp of the heat pump so you never freeze, also it is louvered so you can adjust the airflow to pass over you while sleeping. We run the AC off batteries for days at a time. We'll be posting more data on this on our blog in the near future.
Not a big fan of the toilet being at the entrance. What if you have company and you’re feeling Constipated. Means you’re keeping everyone from coming in and out of the RV. Not a bright idea 👀
I kinda feel bad. Cuz almost everything this rig does. The ekko does 100 times better. The bathroom entrance and no shower outside is so lacking. Would love to see some major improvements to this. Love the insulation
I luv your collection. I’ve been owner of a cpl original Blazer s when the whole top comes off, but couldn’t afford the factory camper but I’ve not seen any in your collection yet. Any still on the market occasionally?
I like the EKKO way more than this Rig. Hands down. I like what Fit RV has done to the Ekko. This thing can't compare to the Ekko in Looks & comfort, ride, handling.
The mini split (heating and cooling unit) on the rear of the vehicle will not function efficiently. Air is pulled through the back of the unit then out through the fan (the part you see from the rear). There needs to be airspace between the unit and the back of the rear wall panel. Not the end of the world, but a poor design feature. It will use way more battery power and run inefficiently.
Of course I'd pick this over the Ekko. You're out of your mind if you spend 200k for Winnebago build quality. But much like the Ekko it's very capable but doesn't look like a comfortable or pleasant place to spend time in. They say you don't live in your RV you live out of it, but they both talk about skiing. After a day of skiing it's dark and freezing cold, you go inside. And then you're stuck sitting in that little dinette all evening or in the platform bed. And the kitchen is way too small to actually cook in. No perfect answer at this size.
I agree folks don't think a lot about the downtime inside your RV (which inevitably happens) Its really a trade off though if you're looking for something in the class b or c realm...
@@strangerpalooza I think the layout could be fixed pretty easily. Replace the dinette with a couch (that you can set up a table in front of for eating and working), put some slideout counter extensions next to the kitchen. Dinettes in small RVs are a pet peeve of mine, I think they're a huge mistake. You never see them in Bs, but designers insist on shoving them in small Cs. Even this thing which has less room than a B since the cab's separate. People drool over LTVs floorplans, almost no dinettes.
@@xToddmcx We love the dinette and use it 2-3 times a day. Sending this response while working from the dinette. The sides have extensions to make the seat 42" wide which makes a 2 great places to lounge with you feet up while reading, watching a movie or just chatting. We hope you can see one in person someday soon and thanks for the feedback.
