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RE: Which Class B should we purchase?
Well said, Kendall...This is what I always love about the internet. People who don't know what they are talking about all of a sudden are experts.
Unless you got the gas Sprinter, the diesel sprinter require special, euro spec lubricants that are hard to find --- making you tied to the dealer for routine servicing.
SPECIAL EURO spec Lubricants, WHAT!!!!!!!, HARD TO FIND...WHAT????
I've has Diesel Sprinter since 2007 and buy Mobil ONE which is Mercedes Spec, NOT EUROPEAN.
True, diesels store better than gas, but on a gasser, that just means not filling the tank after the last trip.
STORE BETTER - that's understatement. I had a diesel start after 15 Years sitting with the same diesel in it. Never did that with gas.
As far as diesels, the sheer cost of a diesel to service and maintain is staggering for an average user, unfamiliar with Diesel Particulate Filters, Selective Catalytic Reduction, Diesel Oxydation catalysts, and the zillions of little gadgets that make it impossible to keep a Sprinter running once it is out of warranty without expensive trips to the Factory authorized dealer.
Before my head explodes on this one I need to take a breath. I've got 80K miles and Not one of your scare tactics have emerged. "Little gagets" Hmmm interetsing haven't even seen a "little gaget" YET.
Like I said 80K mile and have NEVER been to the dealer.
Why do you people that don't know what you're talking about spew this garbage.
There is no economic advantage to diesel that is not washed out by high diesel prices relative to gas, and exceptionally high maintenance costs.
Man you really have a problem don't you. Diesel and Gas have been running neck and neck by me. For the same vehicle I was getting 12MPG, with the diesel sprinter I'm getting 22MPG. SO the advantage is like buying fuel for $2.50 when gas was $5.00. Do I need to do the math for you. Ya I better since I see you are so confused with actual facts. 100,000 miles between 12mpg and 22 mpg at $5.00/gal is a savings of $1,893.94. Oh and my " high " maintenance costs, can you handle that facts. $21.00 fuel filter every 20K miles. $9.00 oil filter every 15K miles. 12 Quarts oil ( You know that special Euro stuff I but at Wal Mart called Mobil 1 ) $6.47 Quart.
In Heavy Duty / Commercial use, with a lot of miles, the scale do tip toward diesels, but for most RVs they just don't do the mileage to justify a diesel economically.
Or the hassle of finding someone to service it.
Oh... you are paying Mercedes prices for parts and labor to service this thing.
It is nearly as bad as the Rialta that was built on a VW chassis once.
Sorry, every mile you go tips in the favor of diesel, remember I did the math. Parts and Labor, I've never spent a dime on labor, my parts for fuel, oil etc are the same as everyone else pays for anything on the road.
Check the diesel forums and you will find plenty of people singing the Bluetechs about diesels, how hard they are to maintain, how many fixes and mods they need, and how much trouble it is.
In a van, the bigger issue is the noise from the engine that need to be real carefully attenuated, and even then, it is way above gas levels.
Actually the diesel is FAR, FAR, FAR, quieter that the equivalent FORD V-10,Chevy, Dodge. PLUS the heat over the dog house of a V-10, or gas engine is unbearable.
Unless you need the Heavy Duty towing part (and that doesn't come with a diesel van), why bother?
Note: Sprinters, gas or diesel, cannot tow much.
CANNOT tow much, WOW - since when does 5,000 pound become NOT MUCH?
You can tow dozens of toads under 5K. And really who buys a van to tow more than 5K anyway. This is a non issue.
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amacrae
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05/19/12 06:26am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Which Class B should we purchase?
Exactly...They charge Mercedes Benz prices to fix it, or Freightliner (heavy duty truck) prices.I've never been to a Mercedes or Freightliner dealer to service our 2004/2005 LTV so I can't speak to your claim. Dodge dealers are glad to service the Sprinter, at least for years up to the Chrysler/Daimler split.
I just had ours serviced yesterday at the local Dodge dealer and there is nothing unusual in their prices. After over 100K miles on our Sprinter, our maintenance costs have been typical of any vehicle and there have been few needs for maintenance.
If I were going to purchase a class B again, I would make the same choice to buy a diesel Sprinter. We have been quite satisfied.
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amacrae
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05/19/12 06:22am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Swingaway bike rack
I have the Thule Revolver and love it. It does double duty, carrying a couple of bikes and a couple of recliners. The rack swings to the right side of the van, with the bikes and chairs on and allows both back doors to be opened. It's a bit pricey at around $375, but I'm impressed with the quality and functionality.
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amacrae
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05/02/12 04:51pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Need special parts to replace the Roadtrek radio
Forget Crutchfield, Mike. Tried to go that route a few years ago to no avail. You already have the list of stuff you need, buy that and you should be all set, save from someone to install it for you.
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amacrae
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04/07/12 11:19am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: My new Roadtreking blog
Here's one thing that would help me a bunch. Even though our orientation session was three hours, I'm perplexe3d on the panel over the sliding door.
What do I turn on, when?
Should any lights be showing when the Roadtrek is parked, inactive, in the driveway?
When I drive down the road and want some power, do I turn the inverter on? When do I turn it off?
When I run the generator, do I have to turn anything else off or does it automatically switch from battery to supply owner?
I want the fridge on when driving. What do I do to make it happen? When on inverter (battery) r electrical hookup, do I have to switch anything in the fridge or does it do so automatically?
Maybe someone has an easy to do checklist they did they can share???
:-)
MikeI don't know what year yours is, but my Adventurous is a 2007. I think the panels are pretty much the same.There is a master battery switch on the panel, on the left. The batteries need to be on for your lights and other 12V items to work. If you need 110V power while you're underway, you can use the inverter, but only a couple of the outlets are powered off the inverter, one over the galley and the other in the entertainment center cabinet. When the van is plugged in, it's also important, and mine has a label that states, the battery switch must be on. The center switch in that panel is for the water pump and the other, on the right, is a "test" switch which, when pushed, shows battery level, LP, freshwater, greywater and backwater tank levels.When you fire up the genny, there is an automatic transfer switch which will connect all of your AC outlets to the genny after it's been running for about 30 seconds.Hope this helped a little. If you have any other questions, send me a PM in here. You've made a great choice in the Adventurous. We've had ours for five years now and it's a great rig that has brought us a lot of enjoyment.Cheers,Alan
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amacrae
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03/27/12 06:45pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Sprinter Diesel - Propane Generator
Noise
What are you basing this on? Side-by-side comparisons? The Onan site lists both the diesel and propane at 68dB @ 10 ft.
Again, does anyone use their propane generator A LOT (say more than 4 hours / day)? What has been your experience with the hassle of refilling propane?I've run mine for several hours at a time, more than 4, and propane use hasn't been an issue. Last May on a trip to the Outer Banks, it ran for the better part of a day and, even on a 5 day trip, I had propane to spare. While I have thought about a diesel, the cost and additional weight tell me that Roadtrek made the right decision in putting a propane unit in my RS Adventurous.
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amacrae
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02/05/12 07:21am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: General questions for Roadtrek
Have to echo all of the other positive comments. We've had our Adventurous for over four years now and have a blast with it. As others have stated, you learn where all the nooks and crannies are and you can actually store more than what you need. Our coffee maker install is different than yours and we use it regularly, so we don't mind the space it occupies. Finally, and not to start another discussion on mileage, I do want to say that lots of folks are envious of the efficiency of these vans and the range they have. Enjoy!
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amacrae
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12/12/11 06:16am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Mini-Netbook + GPS + backup camera
Well guys, I sent emails to Garmin Service and was told that no currently offered GPS will display a backup camera. I specifically asked about the dezl 560. I was told there are some older units available in the after market but nothing currently available from Garmin.
I would say Garmin service gave you bad information. The Dezl 560 truck/RV GPS manual shows an AV input for a back up camera and the instruction manual goes to say that the unit will switch to a monitor when it detects the presence of a video signal at the AV input. I have a StreetPilot 7200 which also has an AV input jack that serves as the back up camera monitor in my RT Adventurous. The GPS itself is showing signs of poor receiver sensitivity and was just looking at the Dezl 560 on Garmin's website yesterday.
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amacrae
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07/16/11 07:33am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Hakka C Van/Cargo Tires
I read recently in one of the magazine tech topics, it was recommended to not buy tires from China, especially one of the Chinese brands. Apparently they are subject to tread separation. This was also confirmed when a tire salesman on tv said
"They have addressed the problems with tread separation."
I stick with those made in N.A.
john 'I am Canadian'
Nokian tires are made in Finland and Russia, not China.
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amacrae
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07/12/11 05:38pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Considering a Class B purchase. need some advice
The air will work fine , I have no trouble with 15 amp. We shower in ours when we have to, about 3 short showers is what I figure. You may find that having a fridge, place to sleep and wash up all in a small package more useful than you ever imagined.
I couldn't agree more!
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amacrae
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07/10/11 02:18pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Why are high tops so rare?
My 2007 Roadtrek Adventurous (high top) has been absolutely the best. Wouldn't trade a Sprinter chassis for anything else. And the diesel is fabulous.
I'll second that!
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amacrae
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07/02/11 05:38pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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