Winnebago Solis: 8 Facts You Need to Know


Winnebago Solis

The Winnebago Solis is one of the most popular Class B RVs on the road today, in an increasingly crowded camper van market.

As pretty much every RV manufacturer makes some sort of Class B RV or camper van today, with larger RV brands usually offering several different models. 

And Winnebago is no exception to this rule, as they currently offer seven different Class B models, including the Solis, the Travato, the Revel, the Solis Pocket, the Roam, the Boldt, and the Era.

Despite this fact, however, the Solis continues to be one of Winnebago’s most popular and top-selling Class B RVs.

So let’s take a closer look at the Winnebago Solis to find out why that is.

Winnebago Solis 59PX

How Much Does a Winnebago Solis Cost?

One of the main reasons why the Winnebago Solis is so popular is its more affordable price.

As the Solis is one of the most budget-friendly Class B RVs you can buy, with an average price of $90,000.

And while $90,000 might not seem all that cheap, if you’re new to Class B RVs. 

In reality, it’s quite affordable when you compare it to the cost of other production Class B RVs, which can easily cost well over $100,000.  

Make/Model Average Cost
Winnebago Solis $90,000
Jayco Swift $102,000
Thor Motor Coach Tellaro $107,000
Roadtrek Zion Slumber $140,000
Coachmen Galleria $155,000
Winnebago Boldt $180,000
Winnebago Revel $190,000

Used Winnebago Solis Cost

If you’re working with a tight budget or looking to save a little money though, you could try buying a used Solis.

However, don’t look for a lot of savings if you’re going to buy used.

As Winnebago Solis RVs have only been out a few years, which means there’s not a lot of used inventory, and what is out there is relatively new.  

Which means you’ll probably only save a few thousand bucks, buying a used Winnebago Solis, and that’s if you can even find one.

To see more information on the cost of the Winnebago Solis, check out our article “How Much Does a Winnebago Solis Cost? Answered“.

How Many People Can the Winnebago Solis Sleep?

Winnebago Solis Pop-Top

Another big reason why the Winnebago Solis is so popular is its larger sleeping capacity.

As the Winnebago Solis is able to sleep up to four people at a time, thanks to its lower rear murphy bed, and its ingenious pop-top sleeping loft, which provides an additional two-person sleeping capacity.

Which really helps to set the Solis apart from other camper vans.

As most Class B RVs only have a two-person sleeping capacity, which is why the Solis, is so popular with families.

As it still provides all the benefits of a Class B RV including a smaller more manageable size, easier drivability, and improved fuel efficiency, while still providing a four-person sleeping capacity.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that not all Solis camper vans offer a four-person sleeping capacity.

As some more basic and lower-priced Solis camper vans do not come equipped with the pop-top sleeping loft, reducing the sleeping capacity down to two.

The good news, however, is that most Winnebago Solis camper vans are equipped with the pop-top sleeping loft and offer a four-person sleeping capacity.

To see other Class B RVs capable of sleeping four people, check out our article “10 Amazing Class B RVs that Actually Sleep 4“.

How Many Miles Per Gallon Does the Winnebago Solis Get?

One of the biggest advantages of Class B RVs is their improved fuel efficiency.

Because while Class A and Class C RVs often have gas mileage in the high single digits, Class B RVs typically have MPGs in the mid to high teens, depending on whether it’s a gas or diesel Class B.

With diesel Class B RVs having slightly higher MPGs compared to gas Class B RVs.  

And the Solis is no exception to this rule.

As the Winnebago Solis gets around 16 miles per gallon, thanks to its 3.6L V6 gas engine.

Give or take a mile or two, depending on how aggressively the Solis is driven and how much cargo the camper van is carrying.

What are the Different Trim Levels of the Winnebago Solis?

The Winnebago Solis, which is built on the RAM Promaster chassis, offers several different versions or trim levels, in order to accommodate the different needs of RVers. 

Including the 59P, the 59PX, and the Solis Pocket 36A, which each offer their own unique benefits. 

Winnebago Solis 59P

Winnebago Solis 59P Floorplan

If there was a standard or middle-of-the-road version of the Winnebago Solis, the Solis 59P would be it.

As the Winnebago Solis 59P offers a nice compromise between the slightly longer 59PX and the more basic Solis Pocket.

As the Solis 59P has many of the same features as the longer 59PX, just in a slightly shorter package with an overall length of 19 feet 9 inches.

Making the Solis 59P the ideal choice for campers looking for a well-equipped compact camper van.  

Winnebago Solis 59PX

Winnebago Solis 59PX Floorplan

The Winnebago Solis 59PX is the largest and most well-equipped version of the Solis, with an overall length of 21 feet.

Allowing the Winnebago Solis 59PX to offer a rear gear area at the back of the camper, that the Solis 59P doesn’t have.

In addition, the 59PX also has several upgrades that the other Solis trim levels don’t offer, including a Coleman®-Mach® 10 roof-mounted air conditioner and a Cummins Onan® QG 2800i gas generator.

Making the Solis 59PX the ideal choice for those looking for a camper van with a bit more storage space and a few more creature comforts.  

Winnebago Solis Pocket 36A

Winnebago Solis Pocket 36A Floorplan

While the Winnebago Solis Pocket 36A is technically its own model and not a trim level of the standard Solis.

We felt that it deserved a spot here, as there’s no way to fully cover the Solis without at least mentioning the Solis Pocket.

The Solis Pocket was released in 2021 by Winnebago, as an answer to those looking for a more compact, basic, and affordable Class B RV.

As the Solis Pocket 36A has a much more basic design, an overall length of only 17 feet 10 inches, and has an average price of $80,000, making it the cheapest production Class B RV you can buy.

Which makes the Winnebago Solis Pocket 36A the ideal choice for those looking for a more basic and affordable Class B RV.

If you need a four-person sleeping capacity though, it’s best to go with either the Solis 59P or 59PX.

As both of these campers offer a pop-top sleeping loft and a four-person sleeping capacity.

While the smaller and more basic Solis Pocket 36A offers no sleeping loft and only a two-person sleeping capacity.  

Does the Solis Pocket Have Hot Water?

Due to the more affordable and simplistic design of the Solis Pocket, some sacrifices had to be made in its built-out, and one of those sacrifices is the lack of hot water.

As the Winnebago Solis Pocket does not have a water heater or hot water.  

Does the Solis Pocket Have a Bathroom?

Another sacrifice that had to be made on the Solis Pocket in keeping with its more simplistic and affordable design, is the lack of a standard bathroom or wet bath.

As the Winnebago Solis Pocket does not offer a bathroom and instead only offers a porta-potty and rear wash station with no hot water meant for washing off gear.

However, there is one benefit to the lack of a bathroom and a more simplistic plumbing system.

As the Winnebago Solis Pocket 36A is actually a four-season camper, due to the fact that all the tanks and waterlines are above the floor and inside the van. 

Making the Winnebago Solis Pocket one of only a handful of four-season Class B RVs.

To see other four-season Class B RVs capabable of winter camping, check out our article “10 Best Class B RVs for Winter Camping (With Pricing)“.

Is the Winnebago Solis Any Good?

https://youtu.be/umlbEZFY3OM

While it’s hard to know how well the Solis will hold up over time, due to the fact that Winnebago has only been making the Solis for a few years.

One thing this Class B has going for it is Winnebago’s track record.

As Winnebago has been making quality well-built RVs for over 60 years, since their founding in 1961.

In addition, while the Winnebago Solis has had some complaints about fit and finishes, in general, the Winnebago Solis has been well received as a reliable and well-built Class B RV.  

Winnebago Solis Interior

Pros

  • Affordable Price
  • Larger Four-Person Sleeping Capacity (With Pop-Top Sleeping Loft)
  • Well Laid Out Interior
  • Good Amount of Storage for a Smaller Camper Van
  • Standard Solar Allows for Extended Off-Grid Camping

Cons

  • Some Fit and Finish Issues
  • Reduced Fuel Efficiency Due to Lack of Diesel Option
  • Smaller Mini-Fridge Doesn’t Allow For Much Refrigerated Food Storage

Does the Winnebago Solis Have Solar Panels?

All Winnebago Solis camper vans come standard with a single roof-mounted solar panel.

However, the type of panel, as well as its wattage, can vary based on the trim level and whether the Solis is optioned with or without a pop-top.

As both the Solis 59P and 59PX have a 220-watt flexible surface solar panel when optioned with a pop-top, and a 170-watt solar panel when optioned without one.

While the Solis Pocket 36A only offers a standard 170-watt solar panel.

Does the Winnebago Solis Have AC?

While all Winnebago Solis camper vans have cab air conditioning, which comes standard on the RAM Promaster chassis.

Not all versions of the Solis come standard with a secondary roof-mounted air conditioner, as only the Solis 59PX has a standard Coleman®-Mach® 10 air conditioner.

As the Solis 59P and the Solis Pocket 36A offer an optional roof-mounted air conditioner.

Which helps to simplify the design of the Solis and keep the cost of this budget camper van as low as possible.

In addition, if you’re someone that likes to do a lot of boondocking, the air conditioner won’t do you much good anyway, as all Solis roof-mounted air conditioners require shore power in order to work.

Unless you have the Solis 59PX, which comes standard with a gas generator that can run the roof-mounted AC without being plugged into shore power.  

Does the Winnebago Solis Have an Inverter?

Because the Winnebago Solis was designed to be a more simplistic budget-friendly camper van, Winnebago opted not to include an inverter on the Solis, as a cost-savings measure.

Which means the 110 AC outlets in the Winnebago Solis will only work when the camper van is plugged into shore power, as there is no inverter installed on the Solis to convert 12V DC power into 110 AC power.

(Unless you have the Solis 59PX, as this trim level comes standard with a Cummins Onan® QG 2800i gas generator, that allows the 110 AC outlets to work even when not plugged into shore power, as long as the generator is running.)  

However, there is a workaround to the lack of a factory-installed inverter on the Winnebago Solis.

As you can always purchase an aftermarket power inverter that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter of the RAM Promaster, like the popular BESTEK 300W Power Inverter, which you can see on Amazon by clicking here.

 

To see other popular Class B RVs and their cost, check out our article “What Does a Class B RV Cost? (18 Examples)“.

Jason Kidd

Jason is an avid lover of RVs and the RV lifestyle. He is both a writer and editor for RV Owner HQ and has been RVing and camping for over 20 years.

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