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RV review: 2023 Thor Sanctuary 19P Class B motorhome

Tony Barthel

Today’s honest RV review is of the 2023 Thor Sanctuary 19B Class B motorhome. While RV sales are slowing considerably, a distinct exception to that are Class B RVs. All those van lifers sharing images of themselves doing yoga on the roof of their rigs has done the trick, apparently, and lots of folks are still wanting these.

So the manufacturers are stepping up their games too, when they can get these vans, and coming out with an increasing number of floor plans and options including Thor with their Thor Sanctuary 19P Class B.

Thor Sanctuary

Thor’s Sanctuary line is a series of two different models based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4X4 van. I’ve written before that Mercedes-Benz is well known for vehicles with some significant off-road prowess including the incredible Unimog but they also have quite a good reputation in this field.

When Mercedes-Benz took their popular delivery van, the Sprinter, and let their off-road folks at it they also did a good job with it. Combine the raised height and more aggressive tires and other features and you have a rather capable off-road vehicle for a stock machine.

To this Thor adds a very bright roof light and packs on Thule bike racks and a Thule portable ladder further making this rig useful to those with an active lifestyle looking to bring that adventurous spirit to hidden places.

Mercedes-Benz

There are other advantages inherent in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis as the company has seen so many more sales to individuals looking to create van life rather than just fleets looking to deliver your packages.

They’ve upped their interior game finishing the newer models of these vans in an aesthetic more pleasing to individuals. Then they added in some of the safety technology the company is known for including lane assist, adaptive cruise control, pre-emptive braking and more.

This might be why so many folks are looking at this category of vehicle - you get much of the safety technology along with camper creditability in a vehicle that’s not any bigger than the average pickup or large SUV in terms of footprint.

Thorification

Thor then takes these vans and converts them to motorhomes. Funny thing, the company specifically calls out that they don’t add slides or other things that affect the structure of the van itself and, let’s be honest, having steel walls and a steel roof might make these types of RVs outlast virtually any other configuration.

What’s outside

Since van life is more about being outdoors it makes sense to start there and the place to go is what we used to call the “way back” when I was a younger lad.

Though the double back doors is a pretty sizable storage area with two sliding drawers that really make it convenient to get into whatever’s back there. There are also various cubbies and compartments back here. This is all under the permanent bed which is up pretty high to accommodate all this storage. There’s a screen cover available so, if you choose to leave the doors open and want to keep nature at bay, that’s certainly doable.

You’ll also find that Thule bike rack on the exterior door.

The sliding door on the side of the van features a drop-down table and the screen that covers this space is cut so that the table can drop down even with the screen in place. Magnets hold the screen in place for easier egress/ingress.

There is a power awning on this van but the type where you have to put legs down once it’s extended.

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What’s inside

Okay, folks, it’s tight in here so we may have to only go in one at a time for this portion of the story.

On the camp side the counter extends half-way across the sliding door which is very typical of Class B RVs. Standing inside looking out there’s a small sink and a really entry level two-burner propane cook top. I would much rather this had had an induction cook top than propane, frankly, and it would be even better if it were portable to be able to use it outdoors and in. As such, honestly, it cheapens the otherwise upscale feeling interior in my eyes.

Below the stove top and sink are a number of pretty decent drawers and when they’re opened they almost extend the entire width of this hallway. As mentioned, this is a small space.

There’s a 12 volt refrigerator further down the hallway with a drawer underneath that as well. But I also question the logic of putting the drawer there. This is a short fridge and the space above it would actually be usable counter space if the drawer wasn’t there, but it’s now inconvenient.

Again, my logical brain would have put drawer-style refrigerated cabinets here or, perhaps, a 12 volt cooler-style fridge on a sliding tray where you could access it from either inside or outside. You’re welcome, Thor.

Across the hall starting at the front is a side-facing short bench seat above which is the TV. The seat does have two belts but some states restrict people riding sideways so know the laws before you go on this.

Next up is the bathroom and let me pause a minute to catch my breath before entering because this is a space that will promote claustrophobia. Inside this very tight space Thor has the cartridge toilet and a shower head but then there are protruding mirrored cabinets. Honestly I can not see anyone using this tight space to shower more than once. It is literally the smallest RV bathroom I can remember seeing.

I am going to let my mind wander here and wonder if the folks who designed this have ever been camping. Looking at Winnebago and how well they do flexible door designs to make a Class B bathroom actually usable perhaps Thor should look for some van lifers with an imaginative soul to do the interior redo on this.

There are so many things that could be changed with minimal imagination that would take this from almost unusable to really terrific. Like a different bathroom door or taking that drawer out from under the fridge. Honestly, this interior is pretty lousy.

And that’s a shame because the cabinetry is really nice in here with radiuses cabinet doors and nice finishes. I love the fact that there is all that space under the bed accessible from the rear but just shrinking your thinking from the Class A coach department doesn’t work on this interior.

Speaking of the cabinetry, there are more cabinets surrounding the bed in the back of the van above all that storage accessible from outside. But, unless you’re pretty limber, you are not getting past that fridge into the bed without considerable effort and then add a second camper and good luck.

Boondocking and travel access

I have talked about our Mastervolt-equipped travel trailer but the same thinking that developed the package for our trailer are the brains behind Thor’s Re(Li)able® Power Pack Electrical System.

This features the same 400 amp-hour battery as we have in our trailer which is built by MasterVolt. That company makes a lot of systems in the marine industry which has a much lower tolerance for failure than the RV industry. It’s more bad if you get trapped 100 miles from shore due to a failure than it is if you do in a campground.

Sanctuary is equipped with a 3000-watt pure sine inverter with a 160 amp, 12-volt battery charger as well as a 170 amp high output alternator. On the roof, you'll find the 190-watt solar panel. That’s not a lot of roof-top solar but you do have the engine as a charging system, plus you could also add something like the portable solar panels we also own.

My review of the GoPower! Duralight portable solar panels.

In summary

It’s a shame how close this van comes to being pretty terrific but just minor adjustments would make all the difference in the world. But I just don’t see this as a viable option, frankly. The bathroom is incredibly claustrophobic which could be cured with just a more imaginative door design.

The fridge, at this height, makes the counter space above it essentially unusable. I don’t see who could watch the TV up on the wall facing the outside, although it is on a swivel bracket, but it’s still a dumb place for it.

So I would recommend the Winnebago Revel head and shoulders above this. And there are some smaller van manufacturers that are even more innovative with this space. Sorry, Thor. Definitely time to let some younger true van lifers loose in the design department.

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