oldmansknees
Pittsburgh
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Joined: 03/02/2008
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Thanks for the replies!
Service shoudn't be a problem around town (Pittsburgh) - there are A LOT of sprinters in use around here - from tradesmen to FedEx! Out on the road could be a bit of an issue.
The bottom line though is - if DW likes to drive and travel in the unit, it will be used. If not - as it is with our Ford class C - well it won't need any service, it will just sit and be wasted!
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Davydd
Minnesota
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Joined: 11/27/2005
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In regard to the propane generator. So far I've used it much more just exercising it monthly through the winter. The past three years I've topped it off in the spring and it has lasted the season. I rarely use it but those rare times I have it has been a godsend. I don't need it for one overnight stay if driving the following day. I guess it is a nice insurance feature and would be more useful if I did more boondocking.
Davydd
2005 Pleasure-Way Plateau Sprinter B Camper Van
Davydd is the Welsh spelling for David with an English twist using a v instead of an f.
See Our Pleasure-Way and my pork tenderloin sandwiches
Visited states in an RV
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glassgirl
jamestown, nc
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Joined: 10/14/2003
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We have the 2006 LTV and like it very much. We looked at a 2006 sprinter Pleasureway and possably it had been abused because the interior seemed to have a lot of quality fit anf finish problems. I liked the bathroom. We had our plastic turbonator replaced just to avoid any future problems. We also bought adapters to move the windshield visors. I think the newer models have solved that problem. I don't think the sprinter is good for hauling several people around, if you want to do that a lot. But all in all, we really have no complaints and would do it again.
barbara
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midnightsadie
ohio
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Joined: 01/07/2008
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well I can give you a 6000mile trip report drove from n e ohio to arizona and back 2007 I 5 M/B diesel pulling a bass boat at 65mph it avg round trip 17.4 mpg . without the boat over 20 every time .two people living in a LTV freedom II serenity for a month everything worked great no problems at all . we just love this rig ,push the button and the gen set comes to life . all the reports above are pretty much right on the money . I drove the six cyc .I:LL take the I 5 proven engine the six cyc has not enough testing on it yet.
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wishaB
Hillsborough, NJ
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Joined: 08/20/2007
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oldmansknees wrote:The bottom line though is - if DW likes to drive and travel in the unit, it will be used. If not - as it is with our Ford class C - well it won't need any service, it will just sit and be wasted!
I totally understand! Driving a class C is just out of the question for me. I like to drive, but that extra length/size of the C - I knew that I would never use it. The Sprinter (we have a 2005 Airstream Westfalia - built on a 2004 sprinter chassis) is slightly daunting, I do feel like a bus driver because of the non tilting wheel, but our small length (18.5') makes it relatively easy for me to drive it on a regular basis and park it in a normal parking lot - I've even parallel parked it. The responsive engine is a problem for me - I always start out saying that I'll take it easy and stay in the right lane, but before I know it I'm weaving through traffic!
Ceril and Francis,
Eva and Ben all tightly packed into our
2005 Airstream Westfalia - yahooo!
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juliev
SE Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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We've put over 75,000 miles on our '04 Sprinter based PW. The only major problem that we've had is that turbo resonator. The dealership replaced it with another plastic one, but we also purchased a metal after market unit as well that we'll keep on hand in case it's needed. Otherwise, it's performed very well.
The fuel economy is great, we average about 22 MPG but have gotten even higher MPGs in certain conditions. Our's has been over the mountains several times now and does very well, passing up the big ole' Class A's and C's that are chugging along up the passes. It's very easy to drive and to park so ours frequently gets used as a second household vehicle.
We also have the propane gene, but rarely use it. We drive enough that our batteries stay pretty well charged. However, the few times we have needed it, we've found it to be reliable and it does the job well.
Ours has the adjustable headlights, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't really make all that much difference in the visibility.
Julie
_____________________________________________________________________
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
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dogcomestoo
Massachusetts
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Joined: 08/19/2006
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Topless said that a propane generator doesn't gum up if it sits.
Does this mean it doesn't have to be run on a monthly basis if the B isn't being used? That would be a major advantage in my opinion.
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oldmansknees
Pittsburgh
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I don't see how a propane gen COULD "gum up". There's no gasoline to turn into varnish.
I was asking , in general, how they work. Just fine apparently.
The only downside that I see is that it is one more thing using up the propane in cold weather - and Bs don't have the biggest tanks to begin with.
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Chirpnchicks
Summerfield, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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JulieV said, "Ours has the adjustable headlights, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't really make all that much difference in the visibility."
I agree. I can't detect much of a difference... more sizzle than substance.
Regarding the fixed steering wheel, I got used to it very quickly and now feel it's a non-issue compared to the new Sprinter model.
Jay
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topless
Wichita, KS
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Joined: 08/03/2004
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I can only speak from my experience about the propane genset. I have my van stored inside when I'm not using it. It has sat 3-4 months without running the genset (I keep a battery keeper on both the chassis and coach batteries). It may take a couple of tries (10-15 secs each) before it starts, but once it's been run a few minutes it starts easily after that. I don't know how the actual generator windings would be if it were sitting outside for long periods without running.
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