Jayco Solstice vs. Coachmen Beyond 22C AWD: Which All-Wheel-Drive Camper Van Should You Buy?

Both of these vans are built for the moment the pavement turns to gravel and the forecast turns to drizzle, which around here is most of the year. The Jayco Solstice 21T and the Coachmen Beyond 22C ride on the same all-wheel-drive van platform, are both about 22 feet long and both pull from the same 310-horsepower turbocharged V6. For most couples, the Solstice is the stronger all-around van: it carries noticeably more gray and black water, includes the air conditioner as standard and has a higher weight rating. The Beyond answers with the most capable lithium power option in this pair, which matters if you camp off-grid for days.

Choose the Jayco Solstice if you:

  • Want to go longer between dump stations, with 26 gallons of gray water
  • Want a 13,500 BTU air conditioner included rather than added
  • Prefer twin beds that convert into one large bed
  • Want more payload headroom under an 11,000-pound GVWR

Choose the Coachmen Beyond 22C if you:

  • Plan to camp off-grid for days and want the 640Ah lithium option
  • Want a compressor refrigerator
  • Need the slightly lower 9-foot-11-inch roof height
Compare the Solstice and Beyond in Person

Jayco Solstice vs. Coachmen Beyond 22C at a glance: the specs that decide it

Coachmen currently publishes the Beyond as a 2027 model, so this comparison uses the 2027 Jayco Solstice 21T against the 2027 Coachmen Beyond 22C. Engines, transmissions and generators are effectively the same, so the table focuses on what actually differs.

Spec2027 Jayco Solstice 21T2027 Coachmen Beyond 22CWhat it means for you
Length / height22 ft 0 in / 10 ft 0 in22 ft 2 in / 9 ft 11 inEffectively the same footprint
GVWR / GCWR11,000 / 13,000 lb10,360 / 12,600 lbThe Solstice has more room for gear and towing
Gray / black tanks26 / 16 gal15 / 12 galThe Solstice goes longer between dumps
Air conditioner13,500 BTU standard13,500 BTU optionalThe Solstice includes it
Off-grid power2 AGM batteries, 2,000W inverter, 200W solar2,000W inverter, 195W solar; 640Ah lithium option with 3,000W inverterThe Beyond has the stronger lithium path
BedsTwo 23 x 76 in twins convert to 61 x 76 inVaries by Beyond floorplanTry both layouts lying down

Which camper van holds more water: the Jayco Solstice or the Coachmen Beyond 22C?

The Jayco Solstice, mainly on the waste side. Jayco lists 26 gallons of fresh, 26 of gray and 16 of black for the 2027 Solstice 21T, while Coachmen lists 27, 15 and 12 for the Beyond 22C. Fresh water is a draw, but the Solstice carries 11 more gallons of gray water, and gray is usually what fills first when you shower and wash dishes in a van.

  • Showers: More gray capacity means more showers before you need a dump station.
  • Weight rating: The Solstice has an 11,000-pound GVWR and a 13,000-pound GCWR, compared with 10,360 and 12,600 pounds for the Beyond, which gives you more margin for water, gear and a small trailer.
The Solstice carries more water and wasteFresh, gray and black tank capacity
Fresh water
Solstice 21T26 gal
Beyond 22C27 gal
Gray water
Solstice 21T26 gal
Beyond 22C15 gal
Black water
Solstice 21T16 gal
Beyond 22C12 gal

Source: Jayco and Coachmen 2027 published specifications, checked October 2026.

Jayco Solstice vs. Coachmen Beyond 22C off-grid power: which lasts longer without hookups?

Here the Coachmen Beyond 22C wins, if you order it with the lithium option. Coachmen offers a 640Ah lithium battery with a 3,000W inverter-charger and a second 280-amp under-hood alternator, which recharges the batteries while you drive. That setup lets you run the induction cooktop and coffee maker for days without starting the generator.

  • Solstice 21T as published: two 12V AGM house batteries, a 2,000W inverter, a 200W solar panel and a 2,800W gas generator.
  • Beyond 22C as published: a 2,000W inverter, a 195W solar panel and a 2.8 kW gas generator standard, with the lithium package optional.
  • Air conditioning: the Solstice includes a 13,500 BTU A/C as standard; on the Beyond, a 13,500 BTU unit is an option.

If you mostly stay at campgrounds with electric hookups, the Solstice setup covers you, and its standard A/C adds value. If you want to boondock in the national forests for a long weekend, the Beyond lithium package is the stronger choice.

The Solstice is rated to carry and tow moreGVWR and GCWR in pounds
GVWR
Solstice 21T11,000 lb
Beyond 22C10,360 lb
GCWR
Solstice 21T13,000 lb
Beyond 22C12,600 lb

Source: Jayco and Coachmen 2027 published specifications, checked October 2026.

What is it like to drive and live with the Solstice or the Beyond 22C?

On the road, the two drive alike: both use a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 rated at 310 horsepower with a 10-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Both run about 22 feet long and 10 feet tall, so plan on parking across two spaces at the grocery store and checking clearances at drive-throughs.

Living with the 2027 Solstice 21T:

  • Two twin beds that convert to one 61 x 76 inch bed, plus a rear wet bath and a large wardrobe
  • A 12V refrigerator, a microwave and a portable induction cooktop
  • Helper springs to hold ride height, a motion-sensing awning with LED lighting and a touchscreen coach control system
  • 6 feet 6 inches of interior headroom

Living with the 2027 Beyond 22C:

  • A compressor refrigerator and an induction cooktop, with no propane on board
  • A one-piece fiberglass shower with a water-saving system
  • Driver aids Coachmen lists on the chassis, including a 360-degree camera, blind spot assist and forward collision warning

Walkthrough tip: Lie down on the beds in each van and try the bath door with the beds made. In a 22-foot van, these two spaces decide daily comfort.

Which costs less to own: the Solstice or the Beyond 22C?

Day-to-day running costs should be close, since both share the same engine, all-wheel-drive van and 25-gallon tank. The difference comes down to how you camp and which options you add.

  • Fuel use: expect similar fuel economy on the same powertrain and size.
  • Generator time: the Beyond lithium package can reduce generator use; the Solstice standard setup relies more on hookups or the generator for heavy loads.
  • Maintenance: both follow the chassis maker's service schedule, and the coach systems follow each owner's manual.

For pricing on either van, the cost of the Beyond lithium option and the coverage terms each manufacturer offers, compare current details with the dealership.

Jayco Solstice and Coachmen Beyond recalls: how to check a camper van

Camper van recalls can come from either the coach builder or the chassis maker, so check both. Run the exact van's VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before you sign, and ask the dealership to confirm that any open campaign has been completed. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Driving a Solstice or Beyond from Kent, WA: winter passes and forest roads

All-wheel drive is the whole reason to buy one of these vans in the Puget Sound area, but weight rules still apply on Washington mountain passes. Under Washington chain rules, vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR must carry chains on designated routes like Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 from November 1 to April 1, and both vans exceed that threshold.

  • Chains: At 11,000 pounds for the Solstice and 10,360 pounds for the Beyond, both should carry chains on designated passes during the winter season, even with all-wheel drive.
  • Mount Rainier: Cougar Rock Campground lists a 35-foot limit for motorhomes, so either 22-foot van fits easily.

Buying a Solstice in Kent: what comes with it at Valley RV Supercenter

The camper van is only part of the decision; where you buy it decides who preps it, who shows you how it works and who looks after it when something needs attention mid-season. Valley RV Supercenter sells and services Jayco RVs, including Class B camper vans from one location in Kent, so the Solstice you buy and the shop that maintains it are in the same building.

Every new or pre-owned RV sold here comes with the Valley Promise Package, which includes:

  • A full pre-delivery inspection: all systems prepped to factory specifications, a thorough appliance check, a new battery, filled propane tanks and a complete detail
  • A new RV orientation: a walkthrough of the camper van's systems before it leaves the lot
  • VIP priority service: preferred scheduling and access to the dealership's Express Technicians
  • Protection extras: tire road hazard and wheel protection, LoJack, Fresh Start interior and exterior protection, and a complimentary campground membership

Valley RV Supercenter trains its technicians through the RV Technical Institute path, from Level 1 up to Level 4 Master Technician, and handles winterization and de-winterization, roof seals, slide-out maintenance and diagnostics on site, with parts and RV collision repair under the same roof. For an all-wheel-drive van used year-round, having the coach systems serviced close to home in Kent is a real advantage. Details and conditions of each package item are on the Valley Promise Package page.

Solstice or Beyond 22C: which one should you buy?

For most Kent-area couples, the Jayco Solstice 21T is the better all-around all-wheel-drive van. It carries more gray and black water, includes the A/C and has a higher weight rating, all on the same platform as the Beyond. The Coachmen Beyond 22C is the better pick for travelers who want to boondock for days and will order the lithium package.

Drive both on the same day and lie down on the beds in each. Valley RV Supercenter is at 619 Washington Ave N, Kent, WA 98032, and you can reach the team at (253) 737-2090. Shoppers from Auburn, Renton, Federal Way and across the Puget Sound area can browse the full Jayco lineup before making the drive.

Ready to drive a Solstice in Kent?

See Solstice Camper Vans in Stock

Frequently asked questions about the Jayco Solstice and Coachmen Beyond 22C

Which van has the better lithium option, the Beyond or the Solstice?

Coachmen offers the Beyond 22C with a 640Ah lithium battery, a 3,000W inverter-charger and a second 280-amp alternator. The 2027 Jayco Solstice 21T page lists two AGM house batteries and a 2,000W inverter. For long off-grid stays, the Beyond lithium package is the stronger setup.

Do the Solstice and Beyond 22C both have all-wheel drive?

Yes. Both are built on the same all-wheel-drive van platform with a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 rated at 310 horsepower and a 10-speed automatic.

Does an all-wheel-drive camper van need chains on Snoqualmie Pass?

Vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR must carry chains on designated Washington passes from November 1 to April 1, and both the Solstice and the Beyond 22C are over that line. Check Washington pass reports before every winter trip out of Kent.

How many people does the Jayco Solstice sleep?

Jayco lists the 2027 Solstice as sleeping up to two. In the 21T, two twin beds convert to one 61 x 76 inch bed.

Can Valley RV Supercenter service a Solstice camper van?

Yes. The service department in Kent handles coach systems, winterization and diagnostics, and buyers get priority scheduling through the Valley Promise Package.

Figures from the manufacturers' published specifications, checked October 2026.