Buyer Research

2019 Roadtrek Simplicity — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $72,000–$95,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

Roadtrek builds Class B camper vans on Dodge Grand Caravan or Ram ProMaster chassis — the least expensive Class B option on the market. The ProMaster chassis is capable but has its own documented issues. The Simplicity is a comfortable two-person rig for budget-conscious full-timers.

What we checked

No public record to reconcile against

We don't yet have a public record to check this one against. Federal complaint records thin out badly on older vehicles, so there is little to check against. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.

Known Issues for the 2019 Roadtrek Simplicity

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Ram ProMaster electrical gremlinsHigh — wallet impact

The ProMaster chassis has documented electrical issues — battery drain, alternator failures, and TIPM-style electrical gremlins similar to other Chrysler products.

Repair cost (estimate): $300-$1,500

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Transmission in ProMaster vansHigh — wallet impact

The 9-speed ZF automatic in ProMasters has the same concerns as Chrysler cars — shudder, hunting, and early failure.

Repair cost (estimate): $2,500-$5,000

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Wet bath sealingMedium

Wet bath seams in Class B vans need to be properly sealed or water migrates into the van body.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$500

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Walk-Away Red Flags

  • Electrical gremlins — multiple systems not working correctly
  • Transmission shudder or hesitation
  • Wet bath area with water staining or soft floor

Good Signs

  • Dodge/Ram dealer chassis service history
  • All electrical systems functioning on inspection
  • Transmission shifting smoothly with no shudder
  • Wet bath dry and sealed

Found a specific Roadtrek Simplicity?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2019 Roadtrek Simplicity in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

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