danpreszler
North Dakota
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Joined: 09/15/2011
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We just purchased a "new" to us 2006 Leisure Travel Free Spirit. We took it out on 2 short trips and are exteemly happy so far. Do any of you have any "watch outs" or adivise for us as we're planning several trips in access of 4,000 miles for next year.
Dan & Karen Preszler
Bismarck, ND
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NCWriter
North Carolina
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Joined: 10/05/2011
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We also drive a Leisure 2006 Free Spirit and love it so far. Had about 37,000 miles when we bought it as third owners. We've put more than 7000 miles on it during the past year, problem free.
After buying it, when preparing for a long trip out west, we had a diesel mechanic give a thorough routine servicing, eyeballing everything, replacing coolant and transmission fluid, flushing the system, oil and filter and so on. He replaced a lower radiator hose. So in other words, so far just routine maintenance for us.
However just before we bought it, the previous owner had an engine check light on and lacked power. (He gave us the service invoice with the details, at that time still under warranty.)
The problem the Dodge dealer found and fixed seems to be a common one for Sprinter RVs as you will find if you Google it. There is a turbo resonator that often splits and has to be replaced. The tip off is Low Boost Pressure, which is how the diagnostic code refers to it. The engine goes into a limp home mode when the resonator splits. So you can drive but only at low speeds.
The dealer replaced the resonator and a soft hose, cleared the DTC (diagnostic trouble code) and that cleared up the problem.
So you may want to be on the lookout for that. I'll be interested in what other issues other owners have encountered so hope they will post theirs.
The van is perfect for us and we're planning another long trip up to Atlantic Canada next year. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we do.
2006 Leisure Travel Van Free Spirit 210B Sprinter
AKA Hermie (as in hermit crabs that carry their portable homes.)
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Chirpnchicks
Summerfield, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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Welcome aboard!
NCWriter alerted you to the turbo resonator issue.
I'd like to add a comment about braking. Use lower gears on downhill runs to save the brakes. They are very expensive to change... maybe $700-1000 range. Ouch!
Jay
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gmctoyman
Lake Livingston, Texas
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Joined: 03/23/2005
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Welcome to the "club" you could hardly have chosen a better rig for travel. I have ~60k on mine, from Labrador to Alaska and all points between. This was after about the same mileage on a Gulfstream Sprinter.
I would disagree with the previous poster, brakes are not gonna be that expensive, and certainly less than transmission work. The one thing I would recommend though is down shifting early when climbing hills.
These rigs are the nearest thing to a magic carpet that we can find.
Dave W. AKA "Toyman"
KE5GOH - On 146.52
RV's ? What RV's ???
Apache Pop-up
Classic GMC Motorhome
07 Leisure Travel Sprinter
Do Boats Count ?
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AsheGuy
Raleigh, North Carolina
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Joined: 11/15/2004
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Ours is one year older than yours and we love ours, we have just over 100K miles on it now including two trips to Alaska, all US states but Hawaii and most of the Canadian provinces. It's a great touring vehicle.
Had to replace the front brake rotors, pads and pad sensors at 75K miles and it cost $450 at a Dodge dealer. Oh, and I always use lower gears when descending hills/mountains. Had to replace the turbo resonator twice (both under warranty) and now carry a spare.
David & Margaret - 2005 LTV 210B 3S
- Our Blog -
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GailS
Indialantic FL
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We have a 2005 Free Spirit and also had the resonator fail and replaced under warranty. Hubby has since replaced it with a metal one. Have done the normal maintenance and replaced tires due to age not tread wear. Love the 10,000 miles between oil changes.
We have been cross country a couple times, lots of mountain travel, 2 months in Alaska and winters in FL. Nothing but high praises for this unit in over 65,000 miles.
I would highly reccommend you attend the annual LTV compamy rally in Winkler in September. You will get lots of good information from the company seminars and other owners.
Happy travels.
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NCWriter
North Carolina
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Good idea to carry a spare, we'll order one.
A guy at the fall Leisure Travel Van rally in VA this year told us he had replaced the turbo resonator twice also. Apparently happened each time after roughly 30,000 miles. The part is plastic and seems to split along the seams. So he found a metal version to keep on hand.
If any of you NC people attend the Leisure regional rallies, we'll see you in May. Info is available on the LTV website. You'll see the email address for the coordinators, and the newsletters show reports of past rallies. Good place for new owners to get info.
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ffjeff
Coloma, CA
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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I would reccomend a complete service on the Sprinter, including the tansmission fluid replacement. As others have stated, the Trubo-resonator does fail. The aluminum replacement is available online from most of the Sprinter only type stores. The same company makes a lower intercooler hose replacement.
Perhaps after driving it a while, you will also want to chage out at least the front shocks to KONI.
Outside of that enjoy!
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danpreszler
North Dakota
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Thanks Everyone! Great advise. I found the aluminum replacement on the internet and ordered it. Looks like and easy replacment that I can handle.
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gmctoyman
Lake Livingston, Texas
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Joined: 03/23/2005
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If (when) you replace your resonator, make sure you get the hose well under the clamps. If a little (very small area)edge on the back side slips out from under the clamps it will, on high boost, go into LHM. Then when you shut down and re-start it will be fine until the boost gets high, then it will drop you again, and all will look fine. Guess how I know - and Cartwright, Labrador isn't a good place to have something like this happen.
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