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 > RoadTrek Sprinter RS or CS Adventurous for family of 5

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AdventurerW

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Posted: 02/10/17 06:49pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

davepcpowernet wrote:

We have a Adventurous CS. With the second passenger seat and the rear couch we can seat 6 and sleep 3 with the front bed option. Though we only travel with the two of us. Pulling any sort of trailer is somewhat inconvenient if you want to stop someplace in town or even in some crowded rest stops. Once in a while we have been places where tourist traffic was rather horrendous and with a trailer or even with a wider RV than the sprinter would be problematic. We do really like the Roadtrek and in two years have traveled over 30K miles. Seating more than that really cuts down on interior utility - storage especially and as well placement and size of the fridge and microwave.


Hi Dave - when you mentioned "seating more than that", what # did you mean? More than 6? More than 2?

If you had a family of 5 right now, would you go RS or CS? And why? This rig is desired as a weekend extender, a comfortable ride for my family with the amenities to "extend our stays" at places without having to leave for some food or a toilet. Any long trips we take will surely be used in conjunction with tents, motel/hotels, RV resorts.

The ride itself will be a thing of beauty to explore places.

AdventurerW

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Posted: 02/10/17 06:52pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Am perfectly fine if anyone thinks I'm looking through rose colored glasses. If so, please do tell me b/c I welcome a reality slap in the face.

Nothing is bad as it seems, nothing is good as it seems. This is the approach taken when I buy something.

davepcpowernet

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Posted: 02/10/17 08:31pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

AdventurerW wrote:

davepcpowernet wrote:

We have a Adventurous CS. With the second passenger seat and the rear couch we can seat 6 and sleep 3 with the front bed option. Though we only travel with the two of us. Pulling any sort of trailer is somewhat inconvenient if you want to stop someplace in town or even in some crowded rest stops. Once in a while we have been places where tourist traffic was rather horrendous and with a trailer or even with a wider RV than the sprinter would be problematic. We do really like the Roadtrek and in two years have traveled over 30K miles. Seating more than that really cuts down on interior utility - storage especially and as well placement and size of the fridge and microwave.


Hi Dave - when you mentioned "seating more than that", what # did you mean? More than 6? More than 2?

If you had a family of 5 right now, would you go RS or CS? And why? This rig is desired as a weekend extender, a comfortable ride for my family with the amenities to "extend our stays" at places without having to leave for some food or a toilet. Any long trips we take will surely be used in conjunction with tents, motel/hotels, RV resorts.

The ride itself will be a thing of beauty to explore places.


Seating more than 6 as some of the models do is what I am referring to. For the two of us we removed the third seat and added the closet instead. This leaves the couch in back for three crowded seats plus the two in front. My wife reports that riding in back is like riding in the back seat of a school bus. If seating 3 in front and two in back works, then there is the loss of storage that probably would need to be made up some other way for a family of 5. There are ways to do that such as a hitch mounted storage box or like others have suggested, a trailer.

You mention longer trips using other facilities which is what we do. Our stays in motels average about 1.3 stays per week. Otherwise we usually stay in campgrounds with an occasional stay in a Cracker Barrel or a truck stop. The CS allows us to do that.

I guess the upshot is when you mention mainly using it for a deluxe transportation and if I were in your shoes, I would certainly lean toward the RS. It would certainly lend itself more to a family of five with its seating and the view out of its windows.

Riding comfort for passengers in the RS also be a plus. Roadtrek seats are very comfortable, especially with the faux leather.

Again, the downsides would be limited storage due to the much smaller cabinetry, smaller fridge and the placement of the microwave. The toilet space is also smaller.

The major plus for both models is the Sprinter. It is very easy to drive, comfortable, and easy on the fuel. I once drove for 19 hours in order to make it in time for a funeral. I would not have done that in many other vehicles.

I haven't spoken about the quality that Roadtrek puts into their vehicles. It is excellent, especially compared to the rest of the RVs out there.


Dave


AdventurerW

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Posted: 02/11/17 08:06am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

davepcpowernet wrote:

I would certainly lean toward the RS. It would certainly lend itself more to a family of five with its seating and the view out of its windows.

Riding comfort for passengers in the RS also be a plus. Roadtrek seats are very comfortable, especially with the faux leather.

Again, the downsides would be limited storage due to the much smaller cabinetry, smaller fridge and the placement of the microwave. The toilet space is also smaller.


Thank you Dave!

My line of thinking on choosing the CS over the RS: CS has a bigger fridge - good for family or with the fellas during tailgating (where beer storage comes at a premium).

Yes, the RS has a 4th option for a sleeping arrangement. Thoughts here are I would be pitching a tent anyways on a campground. So the extra 4th is nice, but unnecessary.

In the event of bad weather, where we all have to sleep in the CS. wife and 2 kids in the back (yes it could be sardine-ish, but can work), one on the front bed, and yours truly on a makeshift bed on the aisle.

* This post was edited 02/11/17 10:46am by AdventurerW *

davepcpowernet

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Posted: 02/11/17 10:54am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

AdventurerW wrote:

davepcpowernet wrote:

I would certainly lean toward the RS. It would certainly lend itself more to a family of five with its seating and the view out of its windows.

Riding comfort for passengers in the RS also be a plus. Roadtrek seats are very comfortable, especially with the faux leather.

Again, the downsides would be limited storage due to the much smaller cabinetry, smaller fridge and the placement of the microwave. The toilet space is also smaller.


Thank you Dave!

My line of thinking on choosing the CS over the RS: CS has a bigger fridge - good for family or with the fellas during tailgating (where beer storage comes at a premium).

Yes, the RS has a 4th option for a sleeping arrangement. Thoughts here are I would be pitching a tent anyways on a campground. So the extra 4th is nice, but unnecessary.

In the event of bad weather, where we all have to sleep in the CS. Adult and 2 kids in the back (yes it could be sardine-ish, but can work), one on the front bed, and yours truly on a makeshift bed on the aisle.


Have you looked at Mike Wendland's newsletter at [email protected] , Your RV Lifestyle Newsletter?

He has links to his blog, Roadtrekers on Facebook, etc.

I understand your point. Utility against comfort. Kids are resilient, too and you certainly are not our age (80+ and still Rving)where comfort is paramount!

If you do go with Roadtrek, be sure to weigh the propane generator against the engine mounted generator and the 4 battery option. We have the engine mounted and 4 batteries which allows us to overnight hookup free with power to spare. Driving the next day recharges.

sprintstream

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Posted: 02/12/17 08:19am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have a 2005 Gulfstream Vista Cruiser Sprinter Class B. The Sprinter chassis is an excellent choice for what you want to do. I too recommend the popup. This gives you options not mentioned. If you use a popup you don't have to take it everywhere all the time. If you are in a campground it keeps your spot rather than packing it all up and unhooking everything. If just the adults go then you use just the van.

We love our Sprinter but repair locations can be a problem to find. Not all MB , Dodge or Freightliner dealerships work on them. Few independent shops are equipped or trained either. They are out there but just be aware.


Was living the dream in the Ozarks
Now just living

Caseyontheroad

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Posted: 02/12/17 08:41am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

AdventurerW,

Don't know how you (or your HOA) feel about going a bit longer, but Roadtrek offers both the CS and RS on an extended body Sprinter.
XL Sprinter
That gives you an 18 inch open storage area behind the rear couch. It may not sound like much but it would give you a spot to corral all of the stuff a family of five needs and free up space inside the main body of the van.


2007 Roadtrek 170 Popular
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AdventurerW

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Posted: 02/13/17 08:56am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

davepcpowernet wrote:



Have you looked at Mike Wendland's newsletter at [email protected] , Your RV Lifestyle Newsletter?

He has links to his blog, Roadtrekers on Facebook, etc.

I understand your point. Utility against comfort. Kids are resilient, too and you certainly are not our age (80+ and still Rving)where comfort is paramount!

If you do go with Roadtrek, be sure to weigh the propane generator against the engine mounted generator and the 4 battery option. We have the engine mounted and 4 batteries which allows us to overnight hookup free with power to spare. Driving the next day recharges.


Hi Dave - all in on the engine mounted inline generator with volt start. That will be a must for me in order to be as less shore power dependent as possible.

Yes, I do follow the Wendland family on podcast. Enjoy their stuff.

Thank you Dave for your support and enjoy the roads out there.

AdventurerW

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Posted: 02/13/17 08:59am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

sprintstream wrote:

I have a 2005 Gulfstream Vista Cruiser Sprinter Class B. The Sprinter chassis is an excellent choice for what you want to do. I too recommend the popup. This gives you options not mentioned. If you use a popup you don't have to take it everywhere all the time. If you are in a campground it keeps your spot rather than packing it all up and unhooking everything. If just the adults go then you use just the van.

We love our Sprinter but repair locations can be a problem to find. Not all MB , Dodge or Freightliner dealerships work on them. Few independent shops are equipped or trained either. They are out there but just be aware.


Hi SprintStreem - good to hear the Sprinter has been a good one for you.

Fortunately, there is a RT dealer 11 miles away from us in St Augustine. Great advice b/c it would blow if I had to travel hours to get to a RT dealer.

AdventurerW

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Posted: 02/13/17 09:01am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Caseyontheroad wrote:

AdventurerW,

Don't know how you (or your HOA) feel about going a bit longer, but Roadtrek offers both the CS and RS on an extended body Sprinter.
XL Sprinter
That gives you an 18 inch open storage area behind the rear couch. It may not sound like much but it would give you a spot to corral all of the stuff a family of five needs and free up space inside the main body of the van.


Hi Casey - i think you are SPOT on! What's one foot? Not much and indeed the extra storage space will mean a lot (tents, extra cooler, seats, luggage).

Your post reinforces a new must. Thank you!

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