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RE: Which Class B should we purchase?
Kendall69
You took the bait of one of the Trolls that visit The Class B forum. If you have been reading the forums here the last few months you could have saved yourself some frustration, as well as the time you took to respond to him.
No, I was aware of the troll, BUT realize others aren't ....like the person who just thanked my counter below my post.
These are the people I'm shooting for, not the troll. The troll knows he's a troll, but the visitors/newbies don't.
I think it's important for all of us to tamp down bovine excrement when we see it. It helps people who bounce in on a Google search and bounce back out and not having a clear understanding, just the blather from trolls.
The WEB is great and lousy at the same time. You may read 50 posts on how great something is and two posts on how bad something is, and as humans we figure we're going to be the ones that get the two bad versions of that product.
Heck I'm going through this right now. I read the famous post on the guy with the LEMON E.R.A. and am scared to death to get the Winnebago B even - it's just one story.
The top three B's are 30K higher than the Winnebago which is what's attracting me right now, but reading one horror stories makes me think twice.
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kendall69
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05/21/12 05:57pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Which Class B should we purchase?
When heading up a steep incline, turbo diesels excel in high altitudes and cannot "ping" like gas engines can under load.
I noticed this when I got my very first diesel in 2000. I was stunned how they perform going up grade.
Every Gas engine I've ever driven on a MH, whines and revs in the red all the way to the top of any hill. They are exhausting to operate with the heat and engine whine.
I had a four Class C's with V10's and the engine is brilliant, but the constant down shift and engine was was too much.
I overloaded my Sprinter by many thousand pound and she took the Rockies like they were mole hills. My wife didn't drive the van LOADED till I asked he to move it at the hotel. She got in it to move it and it wouldn't move like it normally did when she drove it EMPTY.
She quick called me and said she thought the transmission was gone. I told her, nope it's JUST THAT HEAVY. She couldn't believe we were that overloaded, because sitting as a passenger she never saw any sign of struggle going over the mountains with the heavy of a load.
Lastly if the Sprinter was so bad shy would FedEx buy thousands of them.....here's quote from one fleet owner.
"
I have 30 of these in my fleet and can count the transmissions replaced on less than one hand. Some of my trucks have over 300k miles on them. Most all have over 100k, I have only had to change one water pump and these engine just do not leak oil! See how a Cummins stands up to that. Starters very seldom go out and believe me my guys do a lot of starting, 150 starts a day. I have yet to change a power steering pump or alternator, they just do not go bad. The 2002 had some weak differential issues which they have now fixed. The automatic door locks are a weak point but usually caused by a gorilla slamming the door so hard it breaks wires off switches. They get fantastic fuel mileage, some of mine hit 30 mpg with 200k on them. Daimler had some injector problems with the early models. The engines internally are really bulletproof. The brakes are small but if you buy your parts from Johnson Industries and take it to an independent shop instead of a dealer it shouldnt cost you that much. Did I mention that this engine does not leak oil! Buy a 2005 or later, change your fuel filter every other oil change and you will be fine"."
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kendall69
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05/20/12 06:07pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Which Class B should we purchase?
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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kendall69
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05/16/12 07:57pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Where do you sanitize your tanks?
The reason you sanitize ( clean ) all tanks are to keep the sensors clean.
There is a concoction people have uses as I have to great success.
The GEO Method...
TANK CLEANING GEO METHOD
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kendall69
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05/15/12 09:25pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: So far, so good--our ERA!
What price did you get the ERA for? Best I saw was on Ebay for a 2012 80K
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kendall69
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05/10/12 11:11pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: How to buy a new Roadtrek
I called a local dealer that wanted 125K for on till I told him they are all over the NET for 99K, he said OK, we can do that.
I never saved 26K in one minute before.
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kendall69
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04/28/12 06:20pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Roadtrek/Pleasureway etc. Pricing
For me, VALUE is the key word here. The initial price is not always the whole story.
Everyone has his/her opinion of what VALUE is,
In my neighborhood, say, within a half a mile, there are 5 RV's in the area. We usually take our RT out for trips at least twice a week whether it's camping, touring, shopping, parades and special events. We drove cross-country summer of 2009 - the best thing we've ever done. We are snowbirding in FL this winter - touring as we go. As stated earlier by other posters, our class B is easy to park, easy maintenance and keep clean, always packed & ready to go, complete access to areas where other RV's can't go. That's true VALUE.
The other RV's in the neighborhood go out hardly at all, esp. outside of the summer months. This includes one large class A, a 5'ver, & 2 large TT's. Although those rigs tend to be "out" for longer periods at a time (camping), in the endgame, my RT is used a great deal more for enjoyment. And, it seems the "turnaround" of the other rigs is shorter. (Meaning, the owner's tend to trade them in for newer models and spending more $$$).
So, IMO, the VALUE is greater on my Class B. This isn't intended to talk down other types of RV's. I'm just saying that for us, the class B is a better value. The initial price is only one part of the deal.
EXACTLY !!!!!.
I have done it all. From a tent, to a van, to a truck camper, to a Class C ( twice ), to a calls A, and for me the Class "A" is the worst of the bunch.
The size alone limits you to may, many things.
I'm looking now a at a "B" after just now selling my "A". The B will allow me to use it far more often that driving around the Space Shuttle.
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kendall69
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09/07/11 04:41pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Roadtrek/Pleasureway etc. Pricing
You're paying for the size. With a Class B. Yes price wise they are right there with the C's and A's...BUT which one will you use more.
Taking out an "A" is a full time job by itself. A class "C" a little better but still a lot of work.
With both you have toad issues, parking issues, size issues, maneuverability issues etc etc.
With a Class B, You need no toad, not a lot of packing ( because there is no room) driving is a breeze, parking no problem, getting into all parks no problem, allowed up all roads no problem, climbing hills no problem, so advantage class "B".
You pay more for a "B" but you will use it far, far more often than anything else.
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kendall69
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09/06/11 09:55pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Experiment
You are playing a dangerous game. Get a restraining order and stop this nonsense.
With this nut coming around you never ever know what he is capable of. The fact that he comes around and your husband is not there should speak volumes.
Not answering the door isn't enough, one day you won't answer and he will kick the door in and see you there by yourself.
For your own safety stop all contact and get the authorities involved.
You never know when people snap, there is no need to keep any communication lines open between you and this nut.
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kendall69
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09/01/11 02:48am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Why do Sprinter Class B Manufacturers insist on.......
Sorry to disagree, but with proper mirrors, properly adjusted, you should not _need_ those windows for changing lanes. Even something as cumbersome as a tractor trailer doesn't. They might be nice for checking traffic at the occasional oddly-angled intersection where you're kept too far from perpendicular, but using them in traffic is, IMO, taking your eyes 'way too far off the road ahead.
This very strongly held opinion is based on 500,000 miles accident-free miles in pickups with windowless shells as a bank courier in my youth.
OK - Granted one does not NEED the passenger side clear but my point is - WHY NOT. Since everything that is currently there can simply be moved over to the other side. Thereby adding more visibility.
Granted I get the mirror thing, BUT, having 24 plus or minus ft. of clear glass to look through over your shoulder is 100% better than it not being there. Sure I get the mirror thing, but having more visibility can never ever be a bad thing.
I mean it's not like if they put there equipment behind the driver they would not have the same exact equipment any way?
As far as the bed, the bed on all the models I looked at are at the far back as converted seats so that is not a reason.
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kendall69
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08/30/11 12:28am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Why do Sprinter Class B Manufacturers insist on.......
Why do Sprinter Class B Manufacturers insist on putting all the tall items ( rest room, closet, etc. ) on the passenger side of the van.
When thy place everything on the passenger side it blocks access to all those windows that can be used when changing lanes.
Since you can't see out the driver side back windows that is the perfect place to place all the tall items.
I see that Leisure Vans do not cram everything on the passenger side.
I just don't get it. What are these engineers thinking?
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kendall69
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08/29/11 05:31pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Day Night Shades ( HELP)
Replace it with 100lb test fishing line. Guarantee it will never break again.
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kendall69
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08/24/11 09:54am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Old gas
I bought a RV with 8 year old gas that was never started. Not a problem. It had 1/2 tank of fuel (25 gal ) I put in 20 gal. I added some REDLINE fuel treatment and it never skipped a beat. Later that month I drove 2,000 miles and she ran fine. I'm pretty sure all that old stuff is out.
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kendall69
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08/24/11 01:04am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Interesting Black Tank Fix
I don't know why Fleetwood thinks this is an epiphany since I have a Styrofoam wedge on my Black tank - 2001.
Now one thing you may want to look at is my Black tank and Gray had absolutely no tie downs holding it in place.
What this caused is for my 1/2 full gray tank to shift and shatter every black pipe from the gray water tank through the bathroom and all the way to the kitchen sink.
Not an easy fix, I needed to remove the entire bath room and cut a access hole in the floor to fix it along with new pipe throughout the entire coach. I was quoted 10K to fix it, I took a weekend and did it myself.
One thing I did to prevent further damage was to spray foam all four sides of both tanks to lock in in the compartment. Along with spray foaming the long runs of black pipe to prevent wobble.
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kendall69
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08/19/11 12:43pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Who was the last RVer to post on this thread? Round 2
.
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kendall69
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08/18/11 10:46pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: DISH pay as you go???
I've got it and so far it's painless. Today the satellite wasn't picking up channels the tech guy from Dish spent an hour on the phone with me and cleared up the problem.
I got the HD set up and that picture is as clear as it gets. All you have to do is watch a few movies and the month fee is paid for since the theaters are charging $11.00 per person.
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kendall69
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08/17/11 07:55pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: RVND GPS, hate it!
Yep blame it on the GPS unit..........Even the Nat. Park service says GPS units - that is ALL GPS UNITS, do not give accurate directions in this area.
National Park Service WARNING
Had you read the actual instructions on the National Park services you would have saved yourself a headache.
Please note: GPS and route-finding units do not give accurate directions in this area. Double-check your route using the park map and road signs.
Important!: If you have a vehicle longer than 22 feet (vehicles towing trailers - the combined length must be less than 22 feet), you will not be able to drive to the Big Trees (General Sherman Tree/Giant Forest), Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, or Lodgepole/Wuksachi Lodge directly from the Sequoia National Park entrance at Hwy 198. This restriction is expected to last through May 2012. Until then, plan to enter/exit the park through Kings Canyon National Park off of Hwy. 180 with vehicles of this size.
However, if you choose to enter Sequoia National Park off of Hwy. 198 with a vehicle greater than 22 feet in length, you will have to turn around 6.1 miles in the park (at Hospital Rock Picnic Area). You will only be able to access:
- Foothills Visitor Center
- Potwisha Campground
- Hospital Rock Picnic Area
- Buckeye Flat Campground
- Hiking trails at lower elevations (less than 4,000 feet)
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kendall69
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07/30/11 08:17pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Michellin Tires
Why the XRV? Go with the XZE, I did and got them great price at Costco along with Costco's great warranty and return policy which actually trumps Michellins warranty.
Costco has a firm hand with all their vendors. I bought a desk at Costco and the glue separated four years later and they gave me 100% of my money back
By the way J.D. Powers ranks Michelin #1, Tire rack has Michel tires ranked #1 three of the top five listed, with hundreds of million of miles recorded.
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kendall69
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07/30/11 01:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Experiment
I stopped giving cash years ago. Now I have a case of water in my vehicle and when they are begging for money at the highway exits I hand them a bottle of water. Some days it may be an energy bar, piece of fruit etc., but never money.
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kendall69
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07/29/11 11:30pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Directv receivers
Here's what I did....
Cooling fan
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kendall69
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07/29/11 11:18pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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