carringb wrote: All of the newer diesels The point with my post wasn't to dissuade anyone from getting a Sprinter. If it is what you like, certainly that is what you should get. I just don't think it would ever come out as a lower-cost option in the RV-world, unless you start comparing smaller cutaway RVs to a van-body Class B Sprinter.
pnichols wrote: Sprinter owners - at least those with certain model year engines - might want to read threads like this to gain additional info on idling their diesel engines too long:
One hour per day probably wouldn't hurt a Sprinter's diesel engine.
I'm more concerned about idling for, say, 6 hours on a 100 degree day to keep cool when boondocking and you're really too far off the beaten path to want to turn around and ruin an otherwise great adventure - and the built-in genny is acting up.
Admittedly a special case, but a MH engine capable of this is merely contributing to back-up-systems type thinking. We kindof had to do this in the Texas panhandle in August once, even though the Onan was running fine. We had to run BOTH the MH A/C and cab air, with the V10 idling for some time, in order to get the coach cool enough soon enough to keep from maybe getting sick from the heat.
* This post was
edited 07/23/12 11:19pm by pnichols *
pnichols wrote: One per day probably wouldn't hurt a Sprinter's diesel.
I'm more concerned about idling for, say, 6 hours on a 100 degree day to keep cool when boondocking and you're really too far off the beaten path to want to turn around and ruin an otherwise great adventure - and the built-in genny is acting up.
The scenario you present would not be a problem for a Sprinter. The idling restriction comes from the world of the delivery industry, where Sprinters spend many hours of the day idling, and this is day after day, week after week, month after month, year aft -- well, you get the message. Sprinters were not designed for this, which is not surprising since in the land in which they were developed, this kind of idling is illegal. If a delivery company wants to let their Sprinters idle, they can add the "high-idle" option which will allow them to do so.
As long as you do not let your Sprinter idle in the fashion you present day after day, week after week, month after month, you do not have to worry. If you are in this situation with a Sprinter and are worried nonetheless, you can use the high-idle feature, and if you do not have this option, you can just adjust the gas pedal (well, diesel pedal) to make the engine idle at a speed high enough to allow it to warm to normal operating temperature.
A person here earlier stated that there is a "debate" about this issue. In reality, there is no debate. There is only the continual spread of inaccurate and disingenuous information by people who do not own a Sprinter, and have no idea as to what they are writing about.
* This post was
edited 07/23/12 09:09pm by PhilR. *
i have to agree with Ron. lots of idling destroys the DPF prematurely
To correct the above -- lots of idling at low idle speeds will destroy the DPF prematurely, and cause other problems as well. Lots of idling at speeds that will enable the engine to warm to normal operating temps will not destroy the DPF.
PhilR wrote: The idling restriction comes from the world of the delivery industry, where Sprinters spend many hours of the day idling, and this is day after day, week after week, month after month, year aft -- well, you get the message. Sprinters were not designed for this, which is not surprising since in the land in which they were developed, this kind of idling is illegal. If a delivery company wants to let their Sprinters idle, they can add the "high-idle" option which will allow them to do so.
First thing I want to say is NEVER buy an RV for an Engine or Chassis! Buy it for the floor plan! Second, Mitts22 stated "Finding Mercedes service" as an issue! Even though the Sprinter has the Mercedes emblem it is sold, and serviced through Freight liner! Why would you take your Chevy to the Ford dealership for service? The same applies to why would you take your freight liner to a Mercedes shop?? A few months ago I got into a debate from someone on this forum who stated they could never find a Mercedes shop to service their Sprinter! And even after I stated Mercedes has no servicing for Sprinter and You need to take it to Freight liner I got the same answer, "Mercedes does not service Sprinters!!!"
The real problem with service and support is a modern vehicle now is closely integrated into the OEM's computers and electronics systems.
It is simply not possible to get OEM software updates, tweaks, and often, the software tools needed to diagnose and properly repair a modern diesel unless there is access to the dealer.
Consequently, 3rd party service is a shadow of what it was vs. dealer service.
There are some things that just cannot be done except at a dealer.
Coach-man wrote: First thing I want to say is NEVER buy an RV for an Engine or Chassis! Buy it for the floor plan! Second, Mitts22 stated "Finding Mercedes service" as an issue! Even though the Sprinter has the Mercedes emblem it is sold, and serviced through Freight liner! Why would you take your Chevy to the Ford dealership for service? The same applies to why would you take your freight liner to a Mercedes shop?? A few months ago I got into a debate from someone on this forum who stated they could never find a Mercedes shop to service their Sprinter! And even after I stated Mercedes has no servicing for Sprinter and You need to take it to Freight liner I got the same answer, "Mercedes does not service Sprinters!!!"
Agreed, floor plan first. However, the engine/chassis is not something to take lightly, because it might not suit someone's needs. The Ford chassis and the Mercedes chassis differ so much that making the wrong decision can cause a lot of issues down the road.
As for dealers, one might be surprised of who can service Sprinters and who can't. There is a Mercedes dealer in Georgetown (fairly near where I live) which happily specializes in Sprinter sales and service. It doesn't matter what badge is on the front.
Another factor is the ability to do user servicing. There is not much a user can do with the diesel except change fluids. On the Ford V-10, one can do a lot of customization or even fixes with it.
It cannot hurt to know the ins and outs of both platforms. The Sprinter has great MPG, but has its disadvantages which can be important. Same with the Ford.
Quote: Agreed, floor plan first. However, the engine/chassis is not something to take lightly, because it might not suit someone's needs.
As with so many things ... it depends.
We did the opposite: We A) decided we wanted the E450 chassis, then within that chassis type we B) looked for the smallest Class C motorhomes offered on that chassis, and finally within those models we C) looked for just the right floorplan that also had the largest tank capacities and largest battery storage compartment.
We thought that we could work with some variation in floor plans, but if the "guts" of the motorhome weren't right we could not easily get around that. I guess I've had too many experiences in the past with pickup trucks that weren't built right ... even though they were all about the same on the outside.
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