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High Mileage Sprinter RV's
What would be considered high mileage for a Leisure Travel Van?
Is 123,000 considered high or just broken in? What if the price was south of $34,000?
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Atlee
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11/27/09 06:26am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Travel Directories?
Hello All,
Reading the postings I've seen two different Travel Directories mentioned. "The Next Exit" and "The RVer''s Friend".
Does anyone have any experience with these guides? Worth the money? Is there other guides/directories that B'ers consider vital?
Thanks
WVvan
Can't speak to the "The RVer's Friend". However, we know "The Next Exit" very well. We find it comes in very handy. We are on our second one now. We replace it every 2 to 3 years. In fact, early next year, we will be getting an new one.
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Atlee
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11/22/09 11:07pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Chevy 4.8L V8 Engine-vs- Chevy 6.0L V8 Engine
There is some misinformation concerning hp and torque above, with bore and stroke having nothing to do with hp and torque per se. Electric engines don't have bore and stroke, but they do have hp and torque.
Very simply:
hp = torque times rpm divided by 5252
hp is how we measure the work an engine will do whether drag racing, towing or cruising.
But there is obviously more to it than hp as that is only one of many 'features' of an engine. There is also fuel economy, noise, reliability, maintenance, life span, and on and on........ The last one I would be concerned with is torque. I can't imagine why I would even want to know it. Well, I suppose that I might, IF I could not know anything about the other features cited above.
There was an excellent post here or on the Roadtrek forum with an analysis of the 2 engines, and why someone might choose one over the other. If important, you might want to do a search.
If important, one could probably obtain and answer from GM about one engine vs. the other. There is reasonable chance that Roadtrek already has an answer concerning one engine vs. another. Me, I would pick up the phone and call Roadtrek, then GM if necessary.
Bud
I suspect all RT knows is this. The 4.8 is standard, so that is what they will order. It's cheaper to RT to do that, rather than order the 6.0 for all of their vans.
They used to do the same thing for the old Dodge. If you didn't order otherwise, you'd get the 318ci.
It seems like most other brands of Class B's built on the Dodge chassis tended to come with the larger of the two engines.
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Atlee
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11/19/09 05:38pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Optional armoire for Roadtrek
And where is the wardrobe?
The wardrobe which wasn't in the van at the time is located in Richmond, Va, in my garage taking up space.
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Atlee
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11/16/09 08:25pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Optional armoire for Roadtrek
Where is that 1994 Roadtrek Independent now? I would love to find an Independent, I like the idea of the little tub.
In a junk pile somewhere in Mississippi. It caught fire and burned to a crispy critter at a rest stop on I-10 in Mississippi.
I did like that old machine. Absolutely loved the mini-tub. It had many uses. Much better place to take a shower. Also, great place to put wet or muddy shoes. It also provided an extra place to sit, assuming you had a cushion.
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Atlee
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11/16/09 08:23pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Chevy 4.8L V8 Engine-vs- Chevy 6.0L V8 Engine
According to GM website, the 4.8L isn't available in 3500 van, only 6.0L.
But Roadtrek lists the 6.0L engine as an automotive option with the 190/210 units, and they are built on the 1-ton chassis.
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Atlee
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11/15/09 07:57pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Optional armoire for Roadtrek
Does anyone know where to find the optional armoire that goes behind the driver's seat? The wide one with two doors.
(Other than the one posted on roadtrekchapter.org)
Thanks,
Mar
Technically, the optional storage unit that is behind the drivers seat, is called a wardrobe by Roadtrek.
Roadtrek calls the storage unit that goes behind the passenger seat an armoire.
So if you were talking to the Roadtrek people, you would need to call it a wardrobe.
You probably need to let us know what year and chassis type (Chevy or Dodge). It would be easier to get a good answer.
As for the wardrobe, I have an available wardrobe that came out of a 1994 Roadtrek Independent (same as a Versatile, execpt it had a mini tub) built on a Dodge chassis. Since the Dodges didn't change much over the years, I suspect my wardrobe would fit any Dodge chassis 1994 or newer.
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Atlee
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11/15/09 07:49pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Batteries in a Roadtrek
I'm new here and a little green. Why 6v batteries when everything else is 12v?How about Optima batteries? They seem to be more maintence free and have more storage with less venting issues.
2 6 volt batteries wired in series is the same as 1 12 volt battery.
2 6 volt golf cart batteries are true deep cycle batteries, where as most so called 12 volt "deep cycle" batteries are actually marine hybrid deep cycle/starter batteries.
One true deep cycle 12 volt battery is just as good as a pair of deep cycle 6 volt batteries, but they usually cost more.
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Atlee
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11/15/09 07:43pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Roadtrek 190 Independent
I've been in one on a consignment lot, but it's been ~ seven or eight years ago. From maybe-fallible memory, two front seats, two second-row seats, twin / queen beds like a Popular, very small kitchen. I think that was the one that had the (optional?) mini-tub that protrudes into the aisle. On a Dodge chassis, maybe a 250? ISTR an above-floor generator, rather than RT's usual hanging installation. Made thru maybe '93 or '94?.
Jim, "Chicken Little only has to be right once."
One minor correction. The 190 Independent slept right to left, not front to back like a 190 Popular. Also, 1995 or 1996 is the last year they made RT's with the minitub.
My first RT was the 1994 190 Independent built on a Dodge chassis. Loved that van. Loved the mini-tub. Obviously most folks didn't, so RT stopped making it.
1) It was better for taking showers. 2) It was a great place to put wet or muddy shoes. 3) It was a convient place to sit.
It was built on the 3500 chassis, (1-ton).
We didn't find it undo blockage of the isle.
Unfortunately, we lost it in a fire.
The 1996 210P built on the 1995 Chevy chassis could be bought with the minitub, at least the brochure indicated you could. There just aren't many of the around.
I have the '96 210P but unfortunately it doesn't have the minitub option.
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Atlee
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11/09/09 10:42am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: newbies
As is usually the case with RV's, it depends.
It depends on how you plan to use the RV's. I currently have a B. But I had a Travel Trailer before. I loved the TT, for a small one, 21', it had pretty decent space inside.
If my desired use of a camper was to go to Campgrounds, or boondocking for that matter, for a week at a time, I'd still have the TT. It was a great unit for that.
One other thing. While a TT is relatively cheap compared to a B, if you don't have the proper sized tow vehicle for the TT, you will need some more bucks for a larger TV.
As for the B, I just like the mannuverability of the B. I like to do football weekends. The B works perfectly for that. Just this year, our RV parking space for one game was next to the Georgia Dome. Had to navigate the city streets of ATlanta to get there. I'm glad I had the B and not a TT or big Class A.
Also, to me, the B makes the perfect touring vehicle. The thing with a B, if you're out visiting the sights and at the end of the day you find yourself a lot of miles from your original base camp, with a B it's no problem. With anything else, except a truck camper assuming it's loaded on your truck, you would have to drive back to base camp. With a B, you just set up a new base camp.
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Atlee
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11/09/09 05:18am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Class B vs. Big Rigs
Thanks Atlee for stating my sentiments. My first thought when I read the original post was that I did not want other RVers to think all B owners feel that they are the only ones that have the right vehicle or that we have to justify our choice.
I go to the CVC forum first, then often click on "Active" for the most interesting threads from other forums. My only camping experiences have been tents and Class B vans, but I like the small Class A's like the old GMC and Revcon. My Google search for "small Class A motorhome" led me back to the RV.net forum where I have learned that quite a few members would like to see new motorhomes in the smallest size that would include permanent beds plus sitting area and a good size enclosed shower. Of course there are others that say they would never settle for anything smaller than 40 feet, but most seemed tolerant of others choices.
If I were doing an A class, I find the Damon Avanti to be quite intruiging. They are 31 ft long, about 8 inches narrower than a now standard A, have a 200 hp diesel engine w/6 spd Allison tranny. And supposedly independently tested to up to 14.5 mpg.
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Atlee
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11/02/09 07:41pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Class B vs. Big Rigs
People who RV in a Class A or big trailer may think that Class B travel is pretty much the same as what they do except that we camp in our "little” vans. They are mistaken, ours is a different – and much better - experience.
Jim
Your list of reasons of why Class B RV's are so great is very good. And it gives a good overview why those of us who have B's think so.
Unfortunately, your introduction can and did put people off, including B drivers. I don't know how it was intended, but it reads like a put down of anyone who drives an A class.
I've never had a Class A, but have had a Travel Trailer. I found the TT didn't suit my needs so I sold it. But I really like the TT, and if my main purpose was to go camping and stay a week at the time, I'd probably still have the TT.
The point is, all the different RV's full fill the needs and desires of their owners. Everyone doesn't use their RV's for the same purpose.
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Atlee
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11/02/09 11:02am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Pleasureway house battery
To answer the original question on our last 38 night trip we mostly camped without electrical hookups and I believe 11 straight nights in California mostly in National parks and forests and state parks with one 105 amp battery. Before the trip I was more apprehensive about it but got more comfortable as we went along realizing we were doing well with battery management. I prefer parks over private campgrounds. Where we were we never had TV anyway to worry about and reading with battery lights was our main activity after dark. A rechargeable Coleman lantern was our other source of light most of the time. We ran our generator but a few times and that was when we camped in a national forest 5 straight nights. Driving during the day did most of the charging. Still, two batteries would reduce the anxiety and the miserliness of it all. So I haven't given up on the idea. I'm just more comfortable now and less urgent about it.
Lorne did a terrific rundown on two batteries but I still don't fully understand the advantages and/or disadvantages of two 12V 110 amp batteries vs. two 6V 220 amp batteries that both give 220 amps total. My first reading was two 12V batteries would be better and if so why would two 6V batteries be provided? Is there something I don't understand about 6V batteries?
2 12V 110 batteries that are true deep cycle batteries are just as good as two 6V 220 batteries that are true deep cycle batteries.
The key is getting true deep cycle batteries. 6V Golf Cart batteries are true deep cycle batteries, and since there are so many of them out there, the cost per battery is relatively cheap. There aren't as many true deep cycle 12V batteries so they tend to cost more.
Most of the "deep cycle" 12V batteries are really hybrid marine deep cycle/starting batteries, and thus not true deep cycle batteries.
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Atlee
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10/18/09 09:58pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Leveling?
None of you guys have had to park in the places I've had to park when rving/tailgating over a weekend.
The lot they had us in down in Atlanta next to the Georgia Dome was particularly bad. I carry 2 sets of 10 blocks. I had to use almost all twenty on one wheel. I've never had it so bad.
I also carry 2 ramps. Sometimes those work just as well.
Bu the way, the blocks sold by Camping World are, I believe, superior to the Lynx brand. The Lynx blocks would seem to break much quicker. The CW blocks are more solid.
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Atlee
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10/07/09 09:26pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: RoadTrek vs. PleasureWays
Rodger,
That information on the Roadtrek SS-Agile is incorrect. I'm looking at the printed brochure and I confirmed the next with an actual SS-Agile owner at Zion NP last month. They have a 21 gallon fresh water tank (not 30) and a 22 gallon combined gray and blackwater tank. Roadtrek does win on the fresh water capacity by one gallon but is poorly designed using a combined gray/black tank.
The Pleasure-Way has separate 15 gallon gray water and 10 gallon black Water tanks.
Pleasure-Way also has a 10 gallon propane tank vs. the Roadtrek 6 gallon tank.
Pleasure-Way Ascent has a 4 cf refrigerator vs. Roadtrek SS-Agile's 3.8 cf.
What Roadtrek carefully doesn't tell you about the beds is one bed is considerably shorter than the other and there is no information available on the shorter bed. My observation is it is way too short for my needs.
Given that information, yes, I would still choose Pleasure-Way.
I'm looking at the brochure for the 2008/2007 Agile SS. 2008 model year built on the 2007 Sprinter chassis, I presume.
The propane tank is listed as 10 gallons. It does have the combined black/gray tank of 22 gal size.
The same model year for the Ascent does have the specs you mentioned. However, can you get the Ascent with two house batteries? If not, that would be a huge strike against it, in my book.
Of course, the combined black/gray tank on the Agile is a huge strike against that model.
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Atlee
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10/07/09 09:16pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Sprinter based Class B's
I'm not worried. I haven't seen any statement in the announcements of the change in who is going to sell the Sprinter that Dodge dealers will no longer service the Sprinter. After all, dealers generally make their money on service and not sales. I had a 70K service done last week at the local Dodge dealer and the Sprinter tech said they had heard nothing about dropping Sprinter service. It may happen, but I think it is unlikely. Of course, I could be wrong. :) And they may not service newer Sprinters in any case.
From stuff I've read, I'm not convinced Chysler/Dodge is going to make it. And the taxpayers are going to be stuck.
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Atlee
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10/06/09 07:27pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Sprinter based Class B's
For those who might be in the market for a new B, how does the new reality of MercedesBenz taking over sales of the Sprinter play into your plans?
In the past, there were only about 350 authorized Dodge dealers who could work on the Sprinter.
Now, there will only be a little over 100 MB dealers who sell the Sprinter and therefore be qualified to work on the Sprinter.
Will such a small network of authorized repair facilities figure in your plans.
If I were in the market, and as much as I like the Sprinter chassis, I suspect I'd go with a Chevolet based Class B. There are still a lot of Chevy dealers spread throughout the country.
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Atlee
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10/06/09 05:02am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Leveling Blocks
I gave up on the blocks. Take too much room, they break, have to put them together, taking time. For me the two plastic ramps I have work just fine.
Dave 93 p/w
Some of the places I've had to park for football weekends have required every block in the two bags we carry, and it was still on the extreme edge of not being level enough.
However, this past weekend, I only needed one ramp to perfectly level the beast.
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Atlee
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09/21/09 10:54pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: For the 1st time, used the generator for 24 straight hours.
I get 15 hours on my LP onan with a low load (7 lb. tank). Added an auxillary hook up to connect a 25 lb. tank. It'll be interesting to see how long I can run this way. I'll need it in a couple of weeks.
That is the big down side to an Onan LP genny, as found on the Sprinters. You just do not have a long run time.
I ran my genny nearly 24 hours and still have enough gas to go from Atlanta to North Carolina border. And at that point I still had roughly 15 gallons in the tank.
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Atlee
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09/08/09 09:15pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: 2010 Seventh Annual RV.net Class B Rally (B7)
When will the registration open for the Class B Rally in up state NY?
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Atlee
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09/08/09 11:26am |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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