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RE: Sprinter chassis referrrals
We have a 2008 MB V-6. We typically average 15-15.5 mpg, headwinds will cut it back to 13-14 mpg. Averaged almost 20 one time with a tailwind. I don't pull anything, mine is rated to pull 3,500#. NAPA sells a german synthetic oil rated for the MB. I pay right at 30.00 for a 5 liter container. We have 45,000 miles on it and have not had any engine problems. I did change out the back sway bar and shocks, went to a 1-1/2" bar and bilstein shocks, much better ride.
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RonR2440
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01/31/13 11:14am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Baja Mexico Bound
Just as a followup. Stopped by our local MB dealer to ask what type of engine problems I could have running non ULSD through the engine. The service techs did not know. One mechanic came up and said "no problem", another mechanic said I could ruin the Particulate Filter ($6,500 replacement cost). No one appears to really know. Sounds like the time we were in Canada and during a less lucid moment I started putting gas into the diesel tank. About 10 gallons later, the fog lifted and I realized what I was doing. The MB booklet says never add any gas. A Freightliner dealer was across the street, so I carefully drove over (expecting the engine to explode) and the mechanics said "no problem", we sometimes run gas in diesel tanks during the winter because of gelling. They suggested adding diesel as we drove down the road, to reduce the gas concentration. As far as I can tell, no lasting damage.
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RonR2440
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01/21/13 08:18am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Baja Mexico Bound
Thanks for your help, glad to read that ULSD is available. I will check out the other caravan site. I was born and raised on the AZ/Mex border and all our travels have been on our own but this time, decided to do a caravan to at least get our feet wet and up the comfort level.
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RonR2440
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01/14/13 10:07am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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Baja Mexico Bound
We are planning to join up with a caravan and head down to the grey whale calving grounds in Baja this February. We will be taking our 2008 Sprinter RV with the MB diesel engine. I have been trying to find out if I can get ULSD at the Pemex stations along the way. From what I read, I may be able to get ULSD near the US border but not in Baja Sur (we will be by Guerrero Negro, right over the Sur border). I am concerned about running about 50 gallons of non ULSD and what it might do to the MB engine. What is your experience in finding ULSD in Baja? I was also planning to bring along two 5 gallon diesel fuel cans, that I would fill up in the US, just in case I can't readily find a Pemex station. What kind of problems could I run into with the Mexican authorities by carrying the extra diesel when crossing the border? Thanks ahead of time for your responses.
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RonR2440
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01/13/13 09:55am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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Battery Disconnect
I am able to park our RV in a pole barn by our home. I generally run a battery tender on the coach and chassis batteries. Unfortunately, I have to run the electrical cord out the entry door for the coach batteries. I thought about turning off the battery disconnect button and plugging in the 30 amp RV cable to the electrical line. This would allow me to plug the charger into an outlet inside the RV and I could run the clamps from the charger to the batteries located under the inside step. I want to keep the batteries off the RV converter. I tried it the other day. The battery disconnect light went off but when I plugged the 30 amp cable up to my electrical source, the battery disconnect light came back on. Does this mean that when the battery disconnect is off and I am plugged into shore power, the batteries are still being charged by the converter? Thanks for your responses ahead of time.
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RonR2440
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01/03/13 08:40pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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Baja Cell Phone Service
We are going down to Guerrero Negro in Baja California for a couple of weeks during this upcoming February. We currently have T-mobile cell phone service. Anyone who has ventured down Baja way have any experience with this service or could make recommendations for a good cell phone service that works in Baja. Given the age of our relatives we want the phone for emergency use. Thanks ahead of time for your replies/help.
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RonR2440
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12/29/12 12:57pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Sprinter based RV's
I use an oil called Lubromoly, it is sold by Napa. It is approved for MB 229.51 specs. I am not at the RV right now but I believe it is a 10-30 weight. I pay 30.00 for a 5 liter container. Believe it comes out of Germany.
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RonR2440
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10/24/12 03:13pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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Slide Banging
We have a Coachmen Class C that makes a sharp metal on metal banging noise when driving over road ruts/damage. I have traced the noise to the slide. The slide travel mechanism is located below the slide and consists of 2 heavy serrated gear metal bars firmly bolted to the bottom of the slide (I guess the motors have gears that run on the bars). I have an idea the noise may be coming from the motors hitting the bars. I have used 3 clamps to hold the slide firmly closed while traveling and the noise persists. My wife has sat on the slide sofa while traveling and the noise abates (For my well being, I don't think I want to ask her to sit on the sofa while traveling). I haven't brought this up to the dealer yet, thought I would just ask if anyone has experienced this noise with a below slide floor mechanism and what the problem was. Thanks ahead of time for your responses.
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RonR2440
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10/21/12 09:34pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Overnight Amarillo, Tx
We have stayed at the Oasis twice. West side of Amarillo, S side of I-40. Very nice campground. Large concrete pads, cable, individual bathrooms, wide interior roads.
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RonR2440
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08/25/12 05:05pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Rogue River Jet Boats
We are getting ready to head to the Oregon coast. I researched the Rogue River jet boats and had a number of questions. One jet boat company leaves out of Gold Beach and heads inland and the other company is in Grants Pass and they head towards the ocean. If anyone has done the jet boat experience, what are your recommendations on which boat to take, Gold Beach or Grants Pass? Both companies also offer different boat trips, not only in length but some also stops for lunch. I would appreciate also knowing what you thought was a good tour length and whether a lunch time stop was worth it? I read that the Gold Beach company stops and gives you a choice of 3 restaurants. If you have any positive/negative comments about the restaurants, I would like to hear them. Lastly, if you could tell me what campgrounds you stayed at in Gold Beach and/or Grants Pass and whether you would recommend them, I would appreciate that information too (In case someone wants to direct me to RV Campground Reviews, already done that). Again, thank you ahead of time for your responses.
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RonR2440
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08/18/12 09:24pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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MiFi
We are thinking of purchasing a T-Mobile Mobile Hotspot on a monthly pay as you go plan, since we would only use the service 3-4 months out of the year. Does anyone have experience using this device in their RV, what do you think of it, has it met your needs? Thank you ahead of time for your responses.
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RonR2440
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08/18/12 09:10pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Drumheller Alberta - RV parks to stay?
We spent a couple of nights at the Hoodoo RV Resort and Campground. It was a good campground to stay at. Only problem we found was the number of mosquitos looking for a meal, we didn't linger outside.
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RonR2440
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07/02/12 09:16pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Plugging in our Class C at home
Your outlet might be wired to a 15 amp circuit breaker. The air conditioner might require more amperage at startup. When I wired our home, I wired the outlets to 20 amp circuit breakers (different size wire). I have hooked up my RV to a garage outlet and can run the AC without a problem. Good luck.
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RonR2440
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06/10/12 10:21am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Thinking of Trading TT for Class C
We really enjoy our 25' Coachmen Class C with the MB V-6 Diesel. We have put 35k on it in 2 1/2 years. I really like the large windshield and cab floorspace, it feels more like a Class A. It has a very large outside storage compartment located under the corner bed. Since there are only two of us, we use the overhead bed for additional storage space. It drives very well and at 60 mph we generally average 15 mpg. We have driven into campsites in the rain and it is so nice to just let the slide out and not even bother going outside to hook up. We use it as our primary vehicle and have driven in and parked in many cities and towns without much of a problem. The only issue we have is the corner bed. It looked great and doable when we bought the RV but it has gotten old or maybe I have gotten older, but it is not as easy to get out of the bed in the morning. We have been looking at a number of B+ RVs, in the 30' range with a queen size walk around bed in the back with a TV/entertainment center in lieu of the overhead bed. Just hate to give up the smaller unit, it is fun to drive. Good luck on your decision.
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RonR2440
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06/10/12 10:08am |
Class C Motorhomes
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Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
We are planning to RV to Albuquerque in October for the balloon fiesta. I have been considering staying at the Kirkland AFB FamCamp but individuals have mentioned traffic on the road and difficulty in parking. Dry camping sites are still available at the fiesta grounds but the sites didn't get a very glowing review at the RV campground review website. Sounds like RV's are spaced close to one another, and the area can be dusty and noisy. It sounds similiar to a NASCAR race we went to a couple of years ago. The RV sites were very narrow and partying went on until the early morning hours. If anyone has camped at the balloon fiesta grounds, could you comment on spacing, noise, etc. Thanks ahead of time for your responses,
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RonR2440
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06/09/12 01:50am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Upcoming Oregon Trip
We plan to leave Denver and head to Oregon in late August. One of our first stops will be Crater Lake. I would like to drive our 25' Class C RV around the lake on Rim Drive (we don't tow). For those that have been there, is this possible? I haven't been able to find anything on the National Park website that prohibits RVs on this road. We then plan to head to the coast and stay at some of the state parks as we head north. This would probably be early September. I am hoping to stop at the parks without making any reservations ahead of time. We don't want to be confined to a schedule if we can help it. If anyone has stayed at Oregon coastal state parks at this time of year, were reservations necessary? If you have any other thoughts on places we should see or eat at along the way, we would definitely enjoy hearing about them. Thanks ahead of time for your help.
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RonR2440
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06/05/12 09:14pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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