Today’s review is of the 2022 Thor Tranquility 19P, a Class B RV based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter four-wheel-drive chassis. Let’s get this out of the way. I don’t like it. But why?
Lots and lots of reasons.
Observations
I usually try to start these reviews with all the things I like about a rig and, generally, these are the factors that are in the majority, after all.
But let’s start in the bathroom of the Thor Tranquility, which is a wet bath. Many of the bathrooms in Class B vans fall into this category. While I am not a huge fan of these in general, they can be done well. For example, several of these style of RVs have doors that allow the wet bath to accommodate things like humans and such.
This is an extremely tight space where you either have to use the fold-down sink with the bathroom door open or while sitting on the toilet. Bleh.
There’s no way you’re taking a shower with the bathroom door closed, either. That is, unless your day job is fitting into a magician’s box so that the audience can be fooled into thinking you got sawed in half.
The galley in the Thor Tranquility
Then there’s the galley in the Thor Tranquility. When you have this little of a surface to work with, you’d think you would do whatever you could to maximize the space. For example, an induction cook top would be one option. Or the same company that makes the bargain basement propane cooktop chosen for this rig also makes one that’s recessed and has a cover that folds down, thereby increasing counter space.
There is a cover over the sink, and I do like that Thor uses a pressed membrane countertop. But there’s not a handle by the door, and that faucet for the sink is right there. I wonder how many repair orders there will be for replacing that faucet because people thought it was a handle?
While we’re in the kitchen, I like that Thor put the controls for the Truma Combi Eco water heater in a cabinet. But I don’t like where it is in the cabinet—behind whatever you’re going to put in there.
On a positive note, there is actually a fair amount of drawer and cabinet space in the Thor Tranquility. So, see … not all bad.
Since we’re talking about the kitchen and food, the dining situation here is a pole-mounted table. You get to it from either of the two side seats or the rear-most bench seat. But it’s at an inconvenient distance from all of these.
Further, the pole mount is a twist mount on the floor. When you go to sit behind the table you twist the table and that loosens the mount from the floor. So now, back to being a contortionist. You have to get under the table from behind the table and tighten that mount again.
Thor. There’s this invention called a Lagun table. It’s awesome. You should look into these. They’re ideal for this kind of situation. Trust me on this one.
Rear bench seat is good for passengers
One good thing about having a rear bench seat is that you are able to transport people with three forward-facing seating positions. There are states where you have to have forward-facing rear seats for people within certain age brackets.
That rear bench seat is a component of the sleeping arrangements here. It has a power fold mechanism and, when flat, combines with the benches on either side of the rig to be two twin beds. You can also use the table to slot between the benches to fill out the space making one larger sleeping area.
One of the things that I also didn’t like was the outside connections. They are just punched into the exterior wall of the van willy nilly, so it seems. After seeing companies that gather all these connections under compartment doors or do other nicer things, seeing this just makes me think this was all done to save money.
Boondocking and travel access
Of course, the whole point of this rig is boondocking, what with the four-wheel drive and all. So, this is a strong point of this design, which features a 3,000-watt pure sine wave inverter fueled by a 400-amp-hour lithium battery.
That battery can be charged either with the 190-watt solar panel on the roof (slowly) or a 170-amp alternator.
There is 19 gallons of fresh water storage aboard and 20 gallons of gray. The toilet is a cassette toilet like the Camco Travel Toilet, and I have no issues with these. They’re actually pretty useful.
In summary
Honestly, I found it difficult to find things I really liked about this unit. Further, in the video shared here, which was really well done, there are examples of the unit already falling apart. I know all RVs have issues, but seeing something incomplete on the showroom floor that carries a premium price tag just does not speak well of the product nor the dealership, frankly.
Also, I had to use the attached video to get the screen shots because, again, Thor doesn’t bother to take any photos to share of their own product. But Scott from Go Small Live Large did a good video here and I’d like to recognize him in these images. He and I also have a slightly different opinion of this rig.
Flexibility needed in the Thor Tranquility
After looking at the well-designed Embassy RV Traveler and the Vanaholic conversion kit, you get a perspective of what a company can do when they actually give a flying Walenda brother.
Which might be the only individual who has the flexibility to use this bathroom or a seat at that table, frankly.
I would love to read your comments and suggestions over on our new forums, where you can weigh in and start or join a discussion about all things RV. Here’s a link to my RV Reviews Forum.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. You can find his writing here and at StressLessCamping where he also has a podcast about the RV life with his wife.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Got an RV we need to look at? Contact us today and let us know in the form below – thank you!
##RVDT1843
Very informative video. I purchased the Tranquility 19 L back in January. I got a fairly good deal, around 133,000 OTD. Very similar to the 19P except for a stationary bed and a fair amount of garage space. I’ve done a few modifications which definitely improve on the original design and performance. Owl spare tire carrier, Method 17″ rims with Toyo tires, Sumo Springs, 1 Up bike rack. Converted the stock rack into a added fuel/ ice chest carrier. Removed all the Thor?/ Mercedes badging and added the AgilelOff Road front fender replacement for the bigger tires. It’s been somewhat of a love hate thing with the van, but I think it’s a keeper at this point. For the money saved between this and the Revel, I would recommend. Cheers, RS
To expensive and for $158.900 I wouldn’t want any quality issues.
It’s a Thor
I have that same table mount in my “B”. Hate it. However, I can access mine through the rear door.
Here’s the routine:
Sit at table
Table loose
Get out of van
Tighten table
Return to table
Bump table upon entry
Table loose again
Repeat
Tony, as we think about downsizing, I have been looking at Class B coaches. So far, I have found issues with most that I have seen that causes me to shake my head no. The Mercedes chassis in 4×4 would be ideal but, I want some creature comforts and a design that makes it easy to pull into any parking space and lay my head down and nap without going through all the set up.
At 81 years of age, I cannot and will not try to be a contortionist to set up, empty the tanks or hook up the water and electricity. I keep looking for the right rig that I think comes close to fulfilling my desires. Keep up the good reviews, it looks like we are after the same thing. Just hope some manufacturers listen and design a rig that meets expectations.
I wish you the best in your search. Did you look at the Embassy RV and Vanaholic models I linked in the story? Both of those are absolutely outstanding builds with the Vanaholic being a collection of interiors you put into an existing van.
Best of luck in your search but absolutely check out those two companies, both of which you get directly from the factory. And thank you for your comment and for reading the story.