Coachmen Shasta i-5 Edition & Compact 526BH vs Winnebago Thrive 24RKS
2026 Travel Trailer comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
Two roughly 29.5-ft travel trailers at very different price tiers. The Coachmen Shasta i-5 Edition & Compact 526BH is 29.58 ft, 4,815 lb dry on a 7,568 lb GVWR with 2,753 lb cargo capacity (a class-leading number) and 568 lb hitch weight. Spec includes bunkhouse layout, no slides, 200W rooftop solar prep, 39/30/30 gal tanks. Sleep is rated at 2 plus the bunks.
The Winnebago Thrive 24RKS is 29.33 ft, 6,480 lb dry on an 8,800 lb GVWR with one slide, Olympic queen front bedroom, rear kitchen layout, full bath, solar prep without factory solar, 60/98/49 gal tanks plus 9.5 gal LP and 30A shore power. Sleeps 4.
Verdict: the Coachmen Shasta i-5 526BH wins on dry weight (1,665 lb lighter), cargo capacity (2,753 lb class-leading), 200W rooftop solar prep and the no-slide bunkhouse layout. The Winnebago Thrive 24RKS wins on Olympic queen bed plus rear kitchen layout, 60-gal fresh tank (+21), 98-gal grey tank (+68), 8,800 lb GVWR (+1,232 lb) and 9.5-gal LP capacity. Pricing data is unavailable on both travel trailer units.
Side-by-side specs
| Coachmen Shasta i-5 Edition & Compact 526BH | Winnebago Thrive 24RKS | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | — |
| Length | 29'7" | 29'4" |
| Dry weight | 4,815 lbs | 6,480 lbs |
| GVWR | 7,568 lbs | 8,800 lbs |
| Sleeps | 2 | 4 |
| Slides | — | 1 |
| Fresh tank | 39 gal | 60 gal |
| Grey tank | 30 gal | 98 gal |
| Black tank | 30 gal | 49 gal |
| LP | — | 9.5 gal |
| Solar | 200W | — |
| Inverter | — | — |
| Generator | — | — |
| Bath | — | full |
| Bed | bunks | queen |
| 4-season | No | No |
| Off-road | No | No |
| Outdoor kitchen | No | No |
| Washer/dryer | none | none |
| Residential fridge | No | No |
Where Coachmen Shasta i-5 Edition & Compact 526BH wins
- 4,815 lb dry weight (1,665 lb lighter)
- 2,753 lb cargo capacity (class-leading)
- 200W rooftop solar prep
- Bunkhouse layout for kids or gear
- 568 lb hitch weight (-friendly for tow vehicles)
Where Winnebago Thrive 24RKS wins
- Olympic queen bed plus rear kitchen layout
- 98 gal grey tank (+68 vs Shasta)
- 60 gal fresh tank (+21)
- 9.5 gal LP tank documented
- 8,800 lb GVWR (+1,232 lb structural)
Pick the Coachmen Shasta i-5 Edition & Compact 526BH if…
Pick the Coachmen Shasta i-5 526BH if you tow with a midsize SUV at the lower end of its payload window and need the lightest 29.5-ft bunkhouse you can find. The 4,815 lb dry weight stays well inside ratings, the 2,753 lb cargo cap (well above typical class numbers) absorbs gear, water and propane, and the 200W rooftop solar prep keeps boondock options open. This is the lightweight workhorse pick in this Shasta travel trailer.
Pick the Winnebago Thrive 24RKS if…
Choose the Winnebago Thrive 24RKS if you camp as a couple with an Olympic queen and want a rear-kitchen layout for entertaining or remote work. The 98-gal grey tank is unusual for this size class and roughly triples the Shasta's capacity, the 60-gal fresh tank stretches stays, and the 9.5-gal LP gives real shoulder-season furnace runtime. The Thrive carries Winnebago's half-ton-towable travel trailer pedigree.
Frequently asked
Which has the bunkhouse?
Only the Coachmen Shasta i-5 526BH. The Thrive 24RKS is a couples layout.
Which has more cargo capacity?
Shasta i-5 526BH at 2,753 lb. The Thrive 24RKS does not publish cargo capacity.
Which has more grey tank capacity?
Thrive 24RKS at 98 gal vs Shasta i-5 526BH at 30 gal, a 68-gallon difference.