Forum Discussion

bobbermac's avatar
bobbermac
Explorer
Jan 26, 2014

Buying a Roadtrek CS - any advice?

We haven't started to negotiate a price yet, so looking for suggestions please.
  • I certainly agree with the above comments about service of a Sprinter vs a Chevy model but there isn't a $30,000-$40,000 price difference.

    If I build a Roadtrek CS on the Roadtrek website the way I would buy it and compare it to a Roadtrek 210 (which is the closest Chevy model size wise), it would be about a $6000 difference. The Roadtrek 190 would be about a $20,000 difference but it is a smaller RV also.

    I have also owned enough GM vehicles that I could argue the statement about the Chevy being "far more reliable" than a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. I have also sat in all of these vehicles and the driving view in the Sprinter is amazing compared to the Chevy RV's. I suspect the Ford Transit will have a similar driving experience.
  • bobbermac wrote:
    We haven't started to negotiate a price yet, so looking for suggestions please.


    Going in, know that you will be paying a $30,000 to $40,000 premium for the Sprinter chassis over the nearly same floor plan in a Chevy chassis.

    Also be aware that with the new Ford Transit van becoming available, it is likely that next year's new RoadTrek will be on the Ford Transit, and not the Sprinter.

    Also note that you could save $30,000 to $50,000 buying a two or three year old Roadtrek 190 or 170 Popular on the Chevy chassis instead of the CS on the Sprinter chassis.

    And finally, note the exterior height of the CS on the Sprinter chassis is 9' 7", while the exterior height of the Popular on the Chevy chassis is 8'4". This extra foot of height might be a problem depending on where you park it.

    The interior height of the Sprinter is about 6' 8" while the interior height of the Chevy is about 6'2". The Sprinter wins there.

    I've owned two different Class B's on the Sprinter chassis, and after seeing both of them spend weeks in the shop, I upgraded to a Roadtrek on the Chevy chassis.

    The Chevy is far more reliable, a lot less expensive to repair (when repairs are needed), and service for the Chevy will be available everywhere - while trying to find an authorized Sprinter repair facility can be a real pain.

    Be sure you want to pay the $30,000 premium for the Sprinter before you start negotiating price. Knowing that there are alternatives that cost a whole lot less will give you some leverage.

    Bill