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We picked up our 2022 American Coach Patriot in TX 2 days before this video came out. While we like it overall, the headaches started within 10 minutes of taking delivery and there is a glaring inaccuracy spoken by Ron in the video. The towing capacity is usually 5,000 lbs for the class B vans we had been looking at. Ron states in the video that the towing capacity is 7,500. But according to American Coach's own people, the capacity is actually 5,000. Who is right? And while the van in the video may well be a 2021 Transit, the vehicle sold to us, which again is a 2022 American Coach Patriot MD2 just like in the video, the Ford chassis is actually a 2020. We thought a model marked as a 2022 would at least have a 2021 chassis, but instead is has a 2 year-old chassis. Ron makes the point in the video that Ford upgraded towing to 7,500 so we were really happy, then let down when we found out our chassis is 2020. One person at AC said there is actually no difference between the 2020 and 2021 Ford 3500 HD Transit chassis. Still, seems a little bait and switchy to me. There are issues with the Ford side, American Coach side and the dealer side of the vehicle. On the American Coach side: The water heater and house heater in our unti do not work on electric, though the system is supposed on either petrol or electric according to several videos (including this one). We plugged into 30 amp shore power and the temperature never changed. The water heater and house heater DO work on petrol, however. American Coach responded very quickly and walked us through how to get the petrol side working. The walkthrough of the systems from the dealer, we sadly discovered, was about half the knowledge we needed. Again, American Coach has been very responsive and they are working to find a service center near us (American Coach's service centers are only in Oregon and Indiana - we are in central California) to fix our particular unit. So the videos may be correct, but not for us. Another issue on the American Coach side is one of the solar panels on top of the van seems to be missing. One person at AC said there are supposed to be 3 panels, another said the are supposed to be two so we are waiting to hear what is supposed to be up there. We only see one panel. A minor issue is a small (about 1 inch square) plastic cover that hides the screw that holds the driver's side sunvisor keeps popping off. I don't know if that is a Ford or AC issue. On the Ford side, there are two issues: The first is none of the four key FOB's we were given actually function. We picked up the vehicle, drove down the street to a Sam's Club to get supplies for the 1,500 mile drive back to home. I get out of the vehicle, shut the door and push the lock button on the key FOB. Nothing. We try all 4 of the FOBs. None of them work. They do not lock or unlock the doors, they do not operate the sliding side door and, most importantly to personnel safety, the red panic button doesn't work. There was a Ford dealer about a mile from the RV dealer (the RV place said it's a Ford issue. They swore the FOB worked before - which of course they said it worked) We pulled into the Ford service to get the FOBs fixed. The dealership says they tried reprogramming all of them, but it failed. They said that the FOB's are put into a transport mode at the factory and then dealerships have put the FOB's into a functioning mode, but they were unable to get any of the four FOB's to work. Yes, there are KZfaq videos supposedly to fix this (turn the key on 8 times in 6 seconds, click the lock button on the FOBs, etc) however, those videos do not mention a key fact: That method apparently only works on vehicles that do not have the Ford keypad on the door. If the keypad is there (which it is on our vehicle but doesn't work) it's a completely different process. The second issue is a TPSM fault warning that does not go away. The tech at the RV store where we bought the van said that tire pressures vary wildly in the Texas humidity and he would check all the pressures, make them even, and the fault would go away after that. He lied. The fault warning is still there. The Ford dealer also could not fix that issue. I believe they said they didn't have the right tool to fix it. On the dealer side: The sales person failed to mention that the privacy shade that was supposed to come with van was not present. We discovered this while waiting at the Ford dealership. He said he had contacted the manufacture of the privacy shade and it would be shipped directly tool us. Why he didn't tell us that before we left, I don't know. Also missing from the van, and we discovered this before we left, is the boards that go across the back between the seats to make the bed one large piece were missing. The tech at the RV dealership said he would grab a pair and put them in the back for us. He did put boards back there but they are completely the wrong size and do not fit. The RV dealership is looking into finding the right size. Here's the bottom line if you go to buy one of these things: Check that EVERYTHING works. Don't just let the tech run through systems and show you the buttons (yes, I did record all the technician's demo so we could go back and refer to it.) Make them show you that every system works. The tech didn't even know if the cruise control was adaptive or not (it is, and works well BTW). That means for hot water and hot air in the house, you have to turn the system on electric. AC says on electric it's only 5,000 BTU, so it's not going to be as hot as running on petrol, but it will at least heat the house well in 40 degree weather. Wait about 10-15 minutes, watch on the readout that the temperature is actually going up then run the water in the two sinks and the shower to make sure you are getting hot water. Feel the hot air out put. Shut it all down. Try its again on petrol. And something we didn't notice while at the dealer is there is a tear in the armrest of the passenger front seat. Aggravating on a brand new vehicle of this price. I suspect the dealership knew it was there and didn't say anything. As I said in the beginning, overall we like the van. The Ecoboost Six is a responsive engine with plenty of power and had no problem passing every RV and semi truck we came upon. It does ride like an HD cargo van, so don't expect it to absorb the bad sections of road (we were on I40) quietly, but it was comfortable on good roads. MPG over the course of about 1,600 miles was 13 mpg. We like the size and features. I wish it had at least one external storage container. The dump hose is not a pleasant smell to store inside the van. We ended up putting it in a plastic kitchen trash bag then inside at sealable plastic storage box, then storing it under the bed (yes, we rinsed out the system first). An externally accessible storage would also be a place to put the water hose, which is always going to drip a little when you are done using it. This is our first RV and we have a lot of plans. Hopefully, American Coach will fix their issues and Ford will fix their issues and we can get on the road with everything working soon. Thank you.

Those lithium batteries will freeze in the winter especially in New England area. Volta system inside STO still has charging issues during the winter.

I would love it if manufacturers would do a cutout “door” where the dump valves are because those of us with bad knees hate the low drain that is way in there. A flip up door would help.

Beautiful. I assume the rear seats double as the bed. I would have loved to have seen it in the bed configuration.

Recently discovered your channel Hank ...great content brother! You've made researching B vans for a future purchase very helpful. Putting a 'face' to the Coachmen and American Coach/Midwest companies with the one-on-one discussion/product tours featuring Ron and Nick, impressed me with their 'consumer-centric' mindset, that seeks owner input and responds with product improvement. (I'm amazed at how fast Coachmen can integrate changes to their production) The positive experiences you and Lola have had with your Beyond, have me leaning towards a Transit from either Coachmen or American Coach. BTW: The same positive impression regarding Nick at SSRV comes across as well. New subscriber!

Thanks Hanks. We are currently in the early stage to find a class B coach. We are all over the board trying to figure out which unit is best for our needs and what our needs actually are. You videos help us to figure it all out.

Would love more focus on the van and less talk!

That is hot! Looks comfy, love the storage and color schemes!

Good job …kept an open mind and was glad to hear the features.

It’s nice to have options and I’m glad to see this Ford option but I hope they will do one with a rear bathroom because it make the rest of the inside look and feel so open.

Love this model, the black matte color and the inside is great. Definitely love the 2200 BTU option and the option to upgrade the tow package. Amazing craftsmanship. I also love the Ford Transit. What I would love is a floor plan like the Galleria 24A for more garage storage, is that a future floor plan for the American Patriot? Just wondering.

Great video! Glad I got my Beyond when I did!!

Way to go, Hank. Another great review!

If you knew you would be doing a commercial, why wouldn’t you have dusted?

Great video. Thanks you guys and gal

Nice video. Thanks Hank!

Now this is what I'd love to have. I'm a huge fan of Ford

What is the difference in the size of the bathrooms? Rear bath like yours vs side bath? I love the rear bath but wish it came with full size frig instead of smaller one like your. I'd give up the extra counter space for full size frig.

Needs Cable hook upon passenger side. Also an additional item in bathroom for shampoo and conditioner and of course a mirror.

Thanks

Thanks Lola

Would love to have seen the windows open and blinds.. to see the natural lighting.. overall nice video.

Beautiful, I would love to see a van conversion for a small person family it would be cool to see.

Very nice if I can order it with the fuel efficient Ford 3.2 diesel and adaptive cruise control I’ll buy one

Thank you for posting this Hank! We've been looking at a Solis (really prefer cassette toilets) but this video may have just sold us on the Ford Patriot. Long time viewer of the Hank Strange Situation btw.

Wow wow wow!!! This baby is just right. I absolutely love everything about it. Hank can you get a vid on the new Winnabego all electric class B ? I don’t like the he range but it looks promising

Very interested. Will there be twin bed option available

In my head it seemed like you were talking to Commander William Riker.

Wish you could get the who setup in a Cargo Van.. I don't need all the glass for cold weather conditions. A cassette toilet would be nice too...for Boondocking!

It seems like there will be more Class B vehicles on the market!!!!

The front spoiler helps with aero and fuel economy. Makes it look better too. This is a feature rich van.

We just picked up our long awaited American Coach Ford Patriot in Texas.LOVE IT.We have absolutely no complaints and we drove over 2000,00 miles already.We are wondering how the house batteries get charged and do we need to buy an additional alternator?Also how do we turn on the heat?Thank for our beautiful van.

it is nice and something i would consider however i would like to see the bed fold down and i would like to see the tv drop down instead of taking up an entire seating area and possible expansion of the bed...the bathroom and shower is very clever, i am struggling with the large amount of room the tv is taking up and again total waste of space , seating ,and bed extension but i do love this model just can not get past the wasted space for a tv

Love Black tank is gravity, the transit is great, will they have a bed loft/garage model? Thanks Hank great vid. All electric is the way 2 go for me.

Found you… new subscriber The batteries 👌🏼

Perhaps I misheard, but I understand that the MD2/4 designation was Mid bath- driver side and 2 or 4 captain seats in the van…. Perhaps the nomenclature is changing?

Cannot believe you didn't show the bed folded dowm. All I have in my mind is the Dog cusion that was covered for some good reason.

I have a everyday 2015 ford transit panel van, I bought new, haul the bike, Kayack and dogs and love it. I ordered a ford 2022 patriot in Feb, of course I am now getting a 2023, 2022 van, I hope in Oct, it will be like +$15,000 more than quoted! My dim headlights SUCK, it's like driving with no lights at all, terrible, even with the updated bulbs. I am hoping and expecting much better headlights? Plus for that much more, I am hoping I get some of the nicer MB stuff, like the auto waste hoes. Do you know if the lights are improved for the 2022? Hope you and Nick get one in soon, so I can see all the new added features, and decide if I am 100% going for it. Love you guys, Thxs Kate

no one is going to tow a wrangler when they can tow a superb Bronco

Can you put in composting toilet/no black tank? Would rather have larger fresh water tank.

Nice, another new strange video. Love it.

It’s very attractive van!

Today is October 26, 2021. Can I place an order for delivery in April-May 2022?

What are the wait times?

I love it..but how much..nice fridge..nice microwave,nice bath..except for curtain..all in all nice ❤️

Does that repel radar some of those paints can

Nice looking van

Can u get it with the split beds, and rear bath like yours?

But does the bed electrically fold out to a full bed.

Loved the video and info - with overall details provided on this new product line. Love the eco-freedom package. I also encourage American Coach to provide more info on social media. There’s a lot of high quality packed in these vans. In a 30-40 min videos, it can be challenging to get every detail in. We all want all information 😊😉I have a few initial questions- Would welcome info on the ground clearance, as compared with a Coachmen Beyond, whether there is a small desk work space behind the driver’s seat (shown on floor plan) and verify the driver seat swivels. Would also welcome some figure of comparison on how many hours would 1 gallon of gasoline provide heat /or hot water… Will check American Coach website for more info. Thanks, Hank, Lola and Ron for this initial video.

Terrible placement of lithium batteries. Those Battleborn batteries should be inside or at least in a partly heated area.

from many of the owners I have talked to they say go gas like the ford because they can be repaired just about anywhere where in the Mercedes that is not true there are not many places to get parts or worked on it some have said to do it over etc they would go gas

What the size

It’s great that the overhead compartments are pass through but not sure that the smaller compartment doors allow you to take full advantage of that feature. Our 2021 Beyond has large overhead compartments (and doors) but they aren’t pass through. Love the rear overhead storage. The dark colors are nice but makes it all look smaller. I always enjoy your videos Hank and Lola!

I never hear you give dimensions of anything. Would love to know how wide the isle is, headroom from floor to a/c cover, bathroom dimensions, how wide the bed is( side to side, front to back), how big the counter space is, how tall the counter is, what is water pressure, all tank capacities, are tanks heated for winter? I also noticed that with all the stuff tucked up under behind rear wheels that mud flaps aren't standard. Any idea what the ground clearance is? What cubic feet of frig is? I wish they had a pullout freezer draw to make it easier then getting down on the floor to get stuff out of freezer. I love the towing capacity so you can pull a little"garage"trailer for you bikes, grills, tools, spare tires, hoses,etc.

Can you tell me the cost and what dealership will have these?

I want it

Can you get shinny paint outside if you like gloss?

Hank you were discussing with Ron Preston about the tow rating on the Ford Transit as 7500lb. I understand that the GVWR is 10360lb. What is the GCWR for the American Ford Patriot? If I could tow a 4,500lb Jeep Wrangler behind this Van, I would be interested in buying one. However I cannot get an answer regarding the GCWR. I called MidWest, Sunshine State and LaMesa RV in Orlando. No one knows the answer. Hope you can help. Thanks

Nice van but in the back there is a cabinet that makes the small side seat useless.

I wish you had put the bed down. I have no idea what it looks like. Could a tall person fit on it. 6’3”

Can This RV be sold in the Philippines

What is the price on this feature?

Awesome paint,need dry bath thou☺️

The Ford chassis is nowhere to be found on the American Coach website, only a Mercedes chassis!

Wow. How beautiful. How much is the cost of this patriot.

Is yours AWD too?!

What website?

How much?

So im in the market. Should I bring a van to you? or make the complete purchase through you?

The first thing I noticed was the sliding door track isn't painted. I think I've seen some RV vans color matched. A minor detail. The second thing is a Ford Transit comfortably issue. I have driven a diesel passenger van for work. The driver's compartment wheel well is in the way. It cuts down on the floor space. My company has Spinters and there is more room. Please comment if you understand what I wrote.

Interior height?

Thinking about a class b

Solar panels? This was off grid, right?

So smart to go with the Ford instead of the totally unreliable MB

No bed demonstration=problematic bed.

How much? 🤔🤔🤔

Oh, I love the open square window. Can listen to nature plus it has a screen. That is a feature that I would love!!!!!

What is the size 24 or 20

great tour,vehicle is waayy too costly for me..

Can he do a 17 Foot van bed in the back full size bed remove the 2 small couch and have set up that it is plz can u fine out for ty sir and sorry for my comment ur doing good job u and ur wife !

When is there going to be a md4 on the ford transit?

160 Plus

Watched again. I know it’s their signature look. But American Coach and Midwest. Needs to move out of the 1980’s Miami Vice motifs. Ie the low chin spoiler and wheel flares. I’d unbolt both if it was mine. The painted MB logo looks again 80’s posh and not in a good way. That said great build quality hands down.

I may have missed it but do front seats swivel?

Nice, but not a massive high-end to me. Very dark colors and will show so much dirt. Will be very hot box coach in the south. This is a opinion from someone that has a Grech Starda Ion.

First in 2015, so 7 years in the US

Your were right about the color for southern states. I'd like to see a matte-white.

Pretty* But I can whip up some scrambled eggs in butter on that hood in the summer. Lol 🔥

Button to open van door isn’t reachable by driver 🤔

Do yourself and buyers a favor and setup a visit with Terry Minix the VP of Embassy Specialty Vehicles to see a true innovating class B coach builder. Get ready to have your mind reoriented...forever...These are great folks at ESV. You will speak to Wanda Keiser if you call. They are also in Elkhart. I'm picking up my new Traveler Sport on November 3rd.

Looks nice. But matte paint typically is a nightmare for keeping it look new. Build quality seems sub to Roadtrek

It's pretty but even being 4 ft 11 I'd feel claustrophobic in it.

Yea Fog Lights hooray

That looks like a 2020 chassis. I would be upset if I bought a 2022 model and got a 2020 chassis.

How many times is this guy going to say “ya” “ya”

160 plus

You should have showed the bench seats made into the bed. No way I would consider buying something without seeing this in detail first.

Like what I see