Winnebago Ekko 22A vs Winnebago Vista 31B

Winnebago Ekko 22A

• ✓Only AWD Class C on the market — great for mountain roads and snow
• ✓Pop-top sleeping loft adds a bed without increasing driving height
• ✓Drives and parks like a large van despite Class C amenities

Winnebago Vista 31B

• ✓Two slides create a spacious living area rivaling much more expensive coaches
• ✓Bunk beds are a lifesaver for families with kids
• ✓Gas engine means lower maintenance costs than diesel Class As

Winnebago Ekko 22A

• ✓The Ford Transit AWD gas chassis is the Ekko's killer feature - owners on iRV2 and winnieowners.com call it a 'big step up from the trouble-prone Sprinter and ProMaster,' with cheap, universally available gas service and no DEF or diesel-dealer headaches
• ✓Genuinely impressive off-grid system - a 320Ah lithium battery (expandable to 640Ah) paired with 455 watts of solar lets owners run the fridge and electronics for days, rivaling far pricier vans
• ✓A 50-gallon freshwater tank with all tanks mounted inside and heated makes the Ekko a true four-season rig and gives it the boondocking water capacity the Revel famously lacks
• ✓The pass-through rear gear garage swallows bikes, kayaks, and gear - owners love that it pairs adventure-van utility with a real bathroom and a stand-up shower
• ✓Owners report it 'launches boats well' and climbs grades with confidence, and at under 23 feet it parks almost anywhere while still sleeping a family of four
• ✓Wet-bath-free design with a dedicated shower and toilet area is a step above most Class Bs, and the layout feels far roomier than the 23-foot exterior suggests
• ✓Compared to the Revel, owners point out the Ekko sleeps four instead of two, costs less, runs on cheap gas, and avoids Mercedes service - a value argument that's driven its explosive popularity

• ✗Early production years were rough - owners catalog cracked side windows, missing trim, locking seatbelts, radio console faults, and a long list of cabinet and latch issues, though Winnebago has resolved much of it on later builds
• ✗A real service headache: owners in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona report Ford dealers refusing to work on the under-24-foot Transit chassis even under warranty, despite Ford customer support promising otherwise
• ✗Persistent small-defect complaints - propane cabinet latches, cabinet door gaps and rubbing, loose emergency-window gaskets, wobbly USB ports, and shower wall straps that don't hold panels during driving
• ✗Microwave and appliance failures recur - one owner had a microwave replaced under warranty only for the replacement to show the same door-button fault
• ✗At roughly $182k it's expensive for a gas Class C, and owners note you're paying Winnebago-premium pricing for a rig that still ships with the small-defect punch list common to the brand

Winnebago Vista 31B

• ✓Genuine family bunkhouse layout - a rear queen bedroom plus dedicated bunk beds and an available powered StudioLoft drop-down bed over the cab let it sleep six to seven, which is hard to find in a sub-32-foot gas Class A
• ✓Winnebago's welded steel subfloor bolted to the chassis is a real structural advantage over many competitors, giving the coach a solid foundation owners point to as a build-quality differentiator
• ✓The current 7.3L Godzilla V8 on the Ford F53 with the 6-speed TorqShift transmission is a strong, reliable, low-maintenance powertrain that pulls the coach and a toad without drama
• ✓Big exterior storage, a large powered awning, and a Tailgate Package with LP quick-connect, outdoor sink, and fridge make it a great basecamp coach for families who live outside the rig
• ✓Strong dealer and parts network as the most established motorhome name, and the gas F53 chassis can be driven on a normal license and is far cheaper to buy and own than a diesel pusher
• ✓Modern Ford cab brings Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, and a much-improved dash over older F53 coaches, raising the baseline safety and comfort
• ✓Good value within the gas Class A bunkhouse niche - it typically prices below a comparable Tiffin Open Road and gives families more usable sleeping berths than most rivals

• ✗The Ford F53 chassis sway and wander is the universal complaint - Winnebago itself ships these knowing they're light in the front, and owners routinely do the 'cheap handling fix' (relocating front sway-bar bolts) plus a steering stabilizer and rear sway bar before they're comfortable in wind
• ✗Owners report leveling-jack issues (hydraulic lines bulging/leaking) and slide-rail problems requiring rail replacement - the mechanical systems aren't trouble-free
• ✗Post-warranty support and parts availability frustrate owners - responsiveness is reported as slow, and getting parts and clear guidance once coverage ends is a real pain point
• ✗Getting F53 chassis service has gotten hard post-COVID; many Ford dealers won't touch a motorhome, pushing owners to commercial truck shops for anything outside warranty
• ✗Gas Class A fuel economy is poor - expect roughly 6-8 MPG, well below a diesel pusher or even a Sprinter Class C, which adds up fast on long trips